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Special Education Degrees
Your Guide To A Career In Special Education
What Training, Certification, and Licensure Do You Need To Qualify as a Special Education Teacher?
MS Ed - Special Education Teaching
Currently, there are not enough licensed special education teachers to fill all open positions. Technical advances that have made it possible to better diagnose and treat learning disabilities have created a large pool of special education students, but there are not enough qualified educators to teach them. For someone with the desire to make a difference in the life of a child whose disability makes learning a challenge, a career in special education offers many rewards.
A career as a special education teacher requires a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree. There are programs that offer training specifically in special education, but there are also programs that offer education degrees and an additional year of training in special education.
Special education is a broad teaching area that encompasses many different areas based on the disabilities of the students. Special education teachers work with students who have learning disabilities, emotional disabilities, physical handicaps, behavioral challenges, and a combination of severe mental and physical handicaps as well as autism spectrum learners. Most state licensing boards will expect those looking to pursue a career in special education to choose an area of specialization, and their training will usually be geared toward that specialization.
Those who already possess a Bachelor’s degree in an area other than education have the additional option of earning a Master’s degree in special education while accepting a temporary teaching position with special education students. All special education training, whether at the Bachelor’s or the Master’s level, will involve some form of in-classroom training. Temporary credentials can be granted to those with Bachelor’s degrees in other areas who are taking special education classes.
For those who are still in high school, local Regional Occupational Programs (ROPs) may offer teacher’s aide classes that provide the opportunity to actually be in the classroom or other courses that would expose the student to a variety of children with different abilities. Another way to gain valuable experience before beginning formal training would be to volunteer either in a special education class or with an organization that provides services to special education students.
Certification and Licensing
All prospective teachers must take and pass the Praxis teaching exam, and special education teachers must take the Praxis II specifically for special education. The score needed to pass the exam varies by state, so it is important for test-takers to know what the passing score is for the state in which they intend to teach. The Praxis II may be taken as many times as needed to pass, and once passed, the new teacher may apply for licensure in that state.
Applying for a Job In Special Education
Licensed educators looking to work in special education will find the field wide open. Due to the high turnover rate and the decline in students entering this field, jobs in special education are readily available. Furthermore, the number of jobs in this area are expected to grow. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the number of special education jobs is expected to increase by 20% from 2008 to 2018.
Salaries for special education positions are also attractive and expected to increase. While they vary by geographic location and education level, the middle 50% of elementary school special education teachers will earn anywhere from $40,000.00 to $63,000.00 annually. The majority of special education teachers work in elementary schools, but there are positions available at the junior high school and high school levels.
Whatever the age level, degree of ability or part of the country where teaching is desired, a career in special education offers the chance to provide an essential resource to those who need it most.
This entry was posted in Frequently Asked Questions on August 13, 2013 by tjentz.
← What are the Challenges of Being a Special Education Teacher? What Determines if a Child has Special Education Needs? →
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Teaching Special Education: Qualifications, Employment Requirements, and Salary
Special Education and the Government
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Shock of Gray
By Ted C. Fishman
A bold and brilliantly written and organized book on the aging of the world's population and what it all means.
Book Review by Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
Ted Fishman is a veteran journalist whose essays and reports have appeared in many of the world's most prominent publications. In this bold and brilliantly written and organized book, he examines an important but often overlooked phenomenon: the aging of the world's population. Soon, for the first time in history, the number of people over 50 will be greater than those under 17. Here are some signs of this change:
• New health-care companies are being developed to provide seniors with safety devices for their homes so they can continue to live independently.
• Thousands of elderly people have invested their retirement savings in Harley-Davidson motorcycles.
• A Japanese company has designed robot seals for use in nursing homes to calm down patients with dementia.
• A German state offers a program that turns local sex workers into nursing home caregivers.
• Students at Stanford University can enroll in a new undergraduate class, "Longevity," where they will study what longer lives mean for society.
According to the National Institute on Aging, America's population of people between the ages of 75 and 85 hit 17 million in 2010 but will reach 30 million by 2050. Nearly everywhere around the world, the story is the same — fewer kids, more old people. Fishman states: "An aging world adds hundreds of billions of years of collective human life to the burdens of the planet."
This phenomenon draws out some very important questions: Where will the jobs be found for retired people who run out of money? How will senior citizens fill these extra years with happiness and fulfillment? Who will pay for the care of the old? Where will their caretakers come from? How will other generations react to the money, resources, and attention given to the aging population in the coming years? Fishman addresses many of these knotty and difficult questions in the dramatic and thought-provoking reports from around the world coupled with interviews with gerontologists, health-care professionals, government officials, corporate leaders, families, employers, and nursing home entrepreneurs.
The author begins with a fascinating report from Florida which has the oldest population of the 50 states. More than 3.3 million people over 65 — 9 out of every 50 residents — lived in the Sunshine State in 2010. This place has been called "God's waiting room" and that is true for half the people over 65 who have two chronic health conditions. They spend plenty of time sitting in doctors' offices, clinics, and hospitals. Fishman characterizes Sarasota as "a kind of Silicon Valley for aging services." Companies have discovered a variety of ways to serve the older market. Doctors have gotten on board as well in this wealthy community by offering "boutique care": for a large retainer they make themselves available at any time for meeting the patient's needs.
Fishman spends quality time reporting on Japan (the country with the most rapidly aging population) and China (with the largest aging population). Both of them have seen falling birth rates since the 1970s. Many in Japan are worried about the spike in suicides among the elderly. With large numbers of people unemployed now, Chinese officials are anxious about the future (2025) when one-fourth of all the people in the country will be over 65.
There are so many fresh concepts and details about the aging of the world's population in Shock of Gray that it is only possible to mention a few of them:
• the "age arbitrage" in Rockford, Illinois and other towns where older employees are canned for younger and cheaper ones overseas
• the trend of "gerontophobia" in which people think they are younger than they are
• a ten-page section dealing with the signs of aging in people in their 30s through their 80s
• the study of environmental effects on the life span
• the large number of elders who are missing out on the experience of being a grandparent as they continue to play the role of parent
• the words we use to describe how we see the elderly: vulnerable, cherished, frail, kind, bothersome, sweet, expensive, wise, lonely and irrelevant.
Read an excerpt on Love
Scribner, 10/10
$27.50 Hardcover
Purchase from Powell's Books
Other Practices
conscious aging
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Home / Player Stats
An exciting batsman who made his one-day international debut in 2010, Rohit Sharma had appeared in more than 60 ODIs and 20 T20Is by the time he was 24 years old. He suffered disappointment in 2011 when he was dropped from the ICC Cricket World Cup squad but has had some outstanding performances through more than 150 ODI games including a high score of 209 in late 2013. But his biggest feat to date came in late 2014, when he blitzed Sri Lanka to score 264 from 173 balls – the highest individual ODI score in history. Sharma’s Test debut was longer in the making coming in November 2013. He made two centuries in his first two Tests but has struggled from then on to score consistent runs.
He scored 177 and 111 not out respectively in his first two Test matches.
Test Debut date : 06/11/2013
ODI Debut date : 23/06/2007
T20 Debut date : 19/09/2007
Age : 32 years 18 days
Role : Batter
Height : N/A
Batting Style : Right Hand
Bowling Style : Right Arm Off-Spin
Team Played For : N/A
Bowling Stats
5 WK
10 WK
B Ings
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CNRS (France)
The Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) (National Centre for Scientific Research) is a government-funded research organization under the administrative authority of French Ministry in charge of research. CNRS is the main fundamental research organization in Europe and is largely involved in national, European, and international projects covering all fields of knowledge.
The research work will be carried out by the group of Organometallic Chemistry and Polymerization Catalysis (COCP) of the Research Institute of Chimie Paris (IRCP), a CNRS research unit located at Chimie ParisTech (Institut de Recherche de Chimie Paris/Equipe Chimie Organométallique et Catalyse de Polymérisation, Chimie ParisTech). Chimie ParisTech, founded in 1896, is part of a new research university called PSL (Paris Sciences et Lettres) located in Paris.
<< Back to the Partners page
© SSUCHY - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED | TERMS AND CONDITIONS
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5 ways to make Charlotte safer for pedestrians
A few weeks ago, we shared the bad news that pedestrians who are older adults, people of color, and people walking in lower-income areas are at higher risk of being killed in collisions. At least 6,227 pedestrians were killed in traffic last year in the US. A report by the Governors Highway Safety Association cited alcohol use, unsafe infrastructure, increased use of smartphones, and increased ownership of SUVs (which strike higher on the body and are more likely to cause serious injury) as factors for the increase.
But there's good news, too! Today we're taking a closer look at State of Place's list of ways to make streets safer for pedestrians and considering how they could be implemented in Charlotte.
1. More parks & public spaces
Greenways and other off-road paths allow people to walk or bike without having to mix with cars. But even the presence of a well-designed park can dramatically reduce the chances of a collision. When people are out walking, bicycling and playing, drivers tend to slow down and pay more attention. As the report explains, these public spaces don't necessarily need to be official parks to be beneficial to pedestrians. What's most important is that they support vibrant outdoor life and attract people to spend time in them.
2. Pedestrian & bike amenities
This idea is pretty much common sense, right? People walking and riding bicycles need a safe place to travel. That means high-quality buffered sidewalks, signalized crosswalks (both midblock and at intersections), protected bike lanes, pedestrian refuge islands, and other infrastructure. The great news is that last year Charlotte City Council approved a doubling of the pedestrian program budget, from $15 to $30 Million over 2 years. But there's still much more need for bike and pedestrian infrastructure than there is funding to build it.
3. Traffic Safety
Sustain Charlotte serves on the Charlotte Department of Transportation's (CDOT) Vision Zero Task Force. Together with other community partners, we're working towards a goal of eliminating traffic fatalities and serious injuries by 2030. CDOT is focusing efforts to improve safety within the High Injury Network, which is the approximately 10% of city streets that have a disproportionately high rate of traffic fatalities and serious injuries.
TAKE ACTION: Add your voice by sharing a comment on CDOT's interactive Vision Zero map to let them know the specific areas where you see safety problems!
Where there's a variety of walkable destinations near neighborhoods and workplaces, people walk more! Communities with more non-residential locations -- think coffee shops, corner stores, community centers and the like -- have lower rates of collisions.
Charlotte's Montford area has many destinations near a residential area, but lacks adequate pedestrian infrastructure (image: Charlotte Agenda). CDOT has been studying how to make the area safer to access.
Higher-density housing is needed to support local businesses. It's just math: the more people live in a neighborhood within walking distances of these types of businesses, the more foot traffic the businesses are likely to experience. If Charlotte wants to support communities where people can live, work, and play, then we also need new zoning categories that allow for a combination of these uses! Which leads us to the fifth idea...
5. Density & Form
Pedestrians are generally safer in a denser built environment than one that is spread out. But how do we reconcile this with the reality that much of Charlotte is sprawling and built for cars rather than people? If we dedicate less space to parking, it will become possible to build denser development that's also more walkable and safer for pedestrians. Decreasing setbacks, or the distance between building fronts and the street (or sidewalk), would also help to improve the form of the built environment. When buildings are closer to the street, drivers have a visual reminder that people are more likely to be walking nearby.
It's actually a great time to be asking questions about form and density. Right now, public meetings are being held to define the values and vision for the Charlotte Future 2040 Comprehensive Plan. This is a plan that will guide how our city grows and how we invest in our city over the next 20 years.
TAKE ACTION: Your voice is needed to shape Charlotte's future, so check out the upcoming meetings on March 20, 26 and 27 and plan to attend one!
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Home : Academics : Division of Social Science : BS in Human Services
Serve your community through a human services degree.
The Bachelor of Science in Human Services is designed to provide a broad-based program in human services that is based upon a Christian worldview and to prepare students for positions in the social services field and for entry into appropriate graduate degree programs.
Concentrations in the Human Services program are available in Administration, Counseling, Criminal Justice, Marriage and Family Services, and the option for a specialized concentration. See more details about concentrations below.
Students will study and master the fundamental and essential knowledge, skills, attitudes, and values necessary to be a successful and effective human services practitioner. In addition, students will hone their career and scholarly preparation by specializing in one or more areas of concentration. As a capstone experience, students will complete an internship experience (120 to 480 fieldwork hours) or an individually-designed research project.
The coursework in the BSHS degree program is designed to address the expected learning outcomes of the Council for Standards in Human Services Education (https://cshse.org) and the requirements to become a Human Services Board-Certified Practitioner (http://www.cce-global.org/HSBCP).
Social and human service worker is a broad term for people with a wide array of job titles, including case management worker, social work assistant, community support worker, mental health worker, community outreach worker, life skills counselor, or gerontology aide. They usually work with professionals from a variety of fields, such as nursing, psychiatry, psychology, rehabilitative or physical therapy, or social work. The amount of responsibility and supervision human services workers are given varies a great deal. Some have little direct supervision; others work under close direction.
Employment of human and social service workers is expected to grow much faster than average through the year 2026 – this field is among the most rapidly growing occupations (from the Occupational Outlook Handbook – U.S. Department of Labor Statistics). Increasingly, postsecondary education or even postgraduate education (e.g., a Master’s degree) is required to remain competitive in the field of social and human services.
This page is for the on-campus BSHS program. For the online BSHS, click here.
"SWU provided an atmosphere that allowed me to reach my educational goals! The professors were more than willing to work with me and that made a difference!"
Mandi Fritts, Class of 2011
BSHS Degree Concentrations
Administration concentration
The Human Services Administration Concentration prepares current and future human services professionals in the public and private sectors to effectively shape and develop organizations with the ultimate goal of improving services and the effectiveness and efficiency of not-for-profit organizations. Courses in this concentration provide students with a better understanding of management and organizational behavior that is rooted in Christian leadership principles.
Administration Concentration Courses:
SOSC 3073 — Management Issues
SOSC 3603 — Community Development
MGMT 3353 — Organizational Behavior
MGMT 2013 — Principles of Management
Counseling concentration
Human Services majors interested in the helping professions may want to explore the Counseling Concentration. Counselors assist individuals and groups with personal, family, mental health, substance abuse, and career issues with the purpose of helping individuals live a healthy and productive life. SWU’s focus on being a Christ-centered institution translates to looking at the field of counseling as part of our distinct calling.
The counseling career field has a wide range of specializations, such as drug and alcohol addiction, family therapy, career counseling, personal counseling, crisis intervention, school/student guidance, clinical counseling, rehabilitation, and even life coaching. These jobs can be found in a variety of organizations, such as K-12 schools, colleges/universities, hospitals, mental health clinics, correction facilities, social service agencies, private practices, and churches/mission organizations.
At SWU, students can lay the foundation for a counseling career by earning a bachelor’s degree in human services, psychology or a related field, which can lead to entry-level positions. Becoming a licensed professional counselor typically requires at least a master’s degree.
Counseling Concentration Courses:
PSYC 3713 — Introduction to Counseling
PSYC 3753 — Practical Counseling Skills
PSYC 3763 — Multicultural Counseling
PSYC 3733 — Group Dynamics
Criminal Justice concentration
The Criminal Justice Concentration is designed for human services majors interested in pursuing a human services career in professional settings involving human services and law enforcement. The concentration provides an excellent introduction to the field of criminal justice, which is very helpful for many human services fields where law enforcement is regularly involved. This concentration could also help prepare someone interested in criminal justice as a career.
Criminal Justice Concentration Courses:
CRJS 1253 — Introduction to Criminal Justice
CRJS 2283 — Police and Community
CRJS 3353 — Juveniles and the Law
PSYC 3353 — Forensic Psychology
Marriage and Family Services concentration
The Marriage and Family Services Concentration provides the skills and knowledge needed by practitioners to work effectively with many of the demands families and couples are facing today. Students within this concentration will have strong characteristics of empathy, compassion and an interest in evidence-based strategies geared toward behavioral change. SWU’s emphasis on a Christian ethic of care is perfectly aligned with the needs of respecting and valuing what is important to couples and families while providing the support and empathy that serves to empower change.
Students who complete the Marriage and Family Services Concentration often go on to further studies in human growth and development, human services, family policy, social work, and family counseling.
Marriage and Family Services Concentration Courses:
SOSC 2103 — Sex, Courtship, and Marriage
PSYC 3103 — Child Development
PSYC 3113 — Adolescent Development
PSYC 3133 — Adult Development
Specialized concentration
The Specialized Concentration is designed for students who might transfer in multiple human services credits from a previous institution or earned associate degree. A specialized concentration can be built for these students based on the transfer work. Your academic success coach or academic advisor can evaluate your transfer credits and help you know if this is an option for you.
Community Outreach Organizations
Child and Family Advocacy
Adoption Case Management
Justice System Case Management
Counseling/Therapy
Our early childhood graduates have gone into a number of careers and have held jobs with employers such as:
United Way of Pickens County
The Dream Center
Life Management Center – Adoption Counselor
Greenville County Schools
Tamassee DAR School
"The instruction has helped me with my work in life. Here you don't have everything right there for you, but it's a good thing — it helps you grow and stretch out. The things I learned have been phenomenal."
LeRoy Moore, BS in Human Services
SWU ranks high among Best Online Human Services programs
Rankings show what institutions across the nation offer in terms of top-rated academics and...
SCICU honors Williams for excellence in teaching
“Professor Williams is a shining light of hope and support for students, faculty and...
SWU graduate to participate in World Race
Shelby Gilbert is participating in The World Race, an 11-month journey to 11 different countries...
For SWU graduate, hotel management is about people
It wasn’t originally on Mary Logsdon’s radar to one day manage a large hotel in a college town.
SWU Online providing discount for Head Start employees
A 10 percent S.C. Head Start Association Scholarship is available through SWU Online.
Graduate learns a passion for people at SWU
Nicholas Hindes, a Psychology graduate, travels the nation helping others connect with God.
SWU launches new Human Services concentrations
SWU is expanding its Human Services program to better equip individuals for a constantly-growing...
SWU graduate gives TEDx Talk on childhood trauma
Rumler is an advocate of alternative solutions to out-of-school suspensions.
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The Secret To Online Alternate Reality Games: Search And Gossip
MP3 Players The Big Security Risk... Again
Google Admits Video Launch Was A Mistake
Say That Again
from the moving-forward? dept
Thu, Jan 26th 2006 10:56am — Mike Masnick
When the new Google Video launched, we thought it was worth noting that the initial response from people was awful. We didn't doubt that Google would improve it, or that it could become a powerful platform eventually -- but were surprised that such a hyped up product was launched in such a way to make so many people go "huh?" In other Google product launches, there's been an immediate "wow" factor that wasn't just missing with Google Video -- it seemed to have been completely stamped out. It appears that even Google is now admitting that they should have thought through the launch a bit more. Google's Marissa Mayer (who we think is starting to get more press coverage than Brin, Page or Schmidt these days) has now admitted that "We made a big mistake" with the launch of Google Video. Of course, it's not clear that the company has figured out what that mistake really was. Mayer says: "You can't come out and launch a product like Google Video and say 'CSI' and 'Survivor' are there if they're not on the home page." However, that's only a tiny part of the mistake. Part of the problem seems to be that Google Video doesn't know what it wants to be. Is it a store for broadcast content? Or is it a platform for anyone to create, share or sell content? Those are two different functions, and probably need two different interfaces. The company has revamped the site, slightly, but it still seems lacking. There's now a big list at the top of videos you can buy, but it still isn't that compelling. For example, the second video listed is the Lakers-Raptors basketball game from last weekend, where Kobe Bryant scored 81 points. There's been a lot of talk about the game, so it's probably a good one to promote. However, if you go to the page of the game, they show you the first 30 seconds of the game, which are incredibly boring. If you're trying to sell the fact that you have a historic basketball game for you to watch, shouldn't the "free" clips be something worth watching? At least show a basket or two or three by Kobe.
Prenda's John Steele Gets 5 Years In Prison; Insists He's Really, Really, Really Sorry
Techdirt Podcast Episode 217: Public Interest Tech, With Bruce Schneier
WSJ Op Ed Warns: Killing Section 230, Kills The Internet
Guy Pushing Hawley's 'Viewpoint Neutrality' Concept In The Media Used To Write For White Supremacist Site
Ben, 26 Jan 2006 @ 1:41pm
Re: any other company would get shafted
Andrew. Please...join us...it is so blissful..uhhhh google..mmmmmmm
5.1 The Failure Of Courts/Regulators To Understand The Difference Between Infrastructure Providers And Edge Providers Is Going To Be A Problem
How Being More Open, Human And Awesome Can Save Anyone Worried About Making Money In Entertainment
Perhaps It's Not The Entertainment Industry's Business Model That's Outdated
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A Community of Industry Leaders & Market Experts
Home / About / Leadership / Executive Committee
TechServe Alliance Executive Committee
Paul Hansen, Chair
For more than 30 years, Paul Hansen has been a pioneer and thought leader in the areas of talent acquisition, management, and training in the fields of engineering and information technology. Under his stewardship and executive direction, he has founded and grown numerous staffing and solutions organizations in the United States and Latin America. He has also lead the inception and growth of an entity focused on designing, developing and delivering classroom instruction, seminars, and forums on small business management, entrepreneurship, leadership, and organizational excellence. Paul is currently the Chairman and CEO of Millennium Consulting Inc., an IT and Engineering staffing firm he founded in 1996 and serves on the TechServe Alliance Board of Directors.
Jay Cohen, President
Over a 25-year period, Jay Cohen has been an owner and operator of various businesses. Upon graduation from Cornell, Jay completed his residency and fellowship at Jackson Memorial in Miami, Florida, and was selected as chief resident of internal medicine. He then completed my fellowship in gastroenterology.
After leaving Jackson Memorial, Jay founded MSPB, a privately held medical group. While there, Jay was a practicing physician and managing partner of what became one of the largest privately owned medical groups in South Florida. After discovering that he really liked the business side of things, Jay decided to invest in his own staffing company, Signature Consultants.
As Founder and CEO, Jay continues to spend his time executing the company’s strategic vision and facing the challenges of maintaining their culture through Signature's steady growth. Jay also plays a hands-on role in the development of Signature’s emerging leaders, assisting the Divisions with day-to-day operations and building relationships with many of our Clients and Consultants.
A Message from the TechServe Alliance President
Scott Aicher, Vice-President/President-Elect
Scott A Aicher, an industry speaker and leadership veteran for over 25 years, has built a reputation for leading some of the Staffing Industries best case studies for organizational success. In his current role as COO of RGBSI along with VMS technology UpGlide and CEO of Signum Group an RGBSI company, Scott is responsible for the global strategy and operational execution of each organization.
Mr. Aicher has a long track record of double digit top and bottom line growth by leveraging hands on insights gained from his many years leading some of the industries most respected public and private IT/Engineering global staffing and solutions firms. The experiences gained throughout his career has given him a unique perspective on developing optimal structures to service clients as well as consultants in an ever changing, challenge filled, employment market.
Tom Nunn, Treasurer/Secretary
Tom Nunn is the president of Tom Nunn Consulting, LLC, a company he started in 2009 that specializes in helping owners of growing companies implement best practices to enable long term growth, profitability and health. Prior to starting his own company, Tom was president of the Eliassen Group, a national IT staffing company headquartered in Boston, MA. Over the nine years that he was at Eliassen, Tom helped develop and lead a high performing team that grew the company from $25MM to $100MM and top quartile profitability. Tom has over 30 years of diverse business experience including many years as an executive in the financial services industry where he built teams that oversaw IT and back office support for Wall Street type business in multi-national banks. Tom has been a long term active participant in TechServe Alliance and is a frequent speaker at the annual conference and the Growing Firm Forum.
Mark B. Roberts, Chief Executive Officer
Mark Roberts is Chief Executive Officer of TechServe Alliance, the national trade association for the IT & Engineering Staffing and Solutions industry. Prior to being named CEO by the TechServe Alliance Board of Directors in February 2003, Mr. Roberts served as COO & General Counsel of the organization. He is an authority on both business trends and legal issues impacting the industry. He writes and speaks frequently on industry topics including what successful firms are doing to drive growth and profitability.
Before joining TechServe Alliance, Mr. Roberts was a partner in the Labor and Employment Group of a large Florida law firm. Mr. Roberts also served for four years in the Washington, D.C. office of Congressman Benjamin A. Gilman of New York.
Mr. Roberts earned his undergraduate degree from Haverford College in Political Science. He earned his law degree with distinction from Emory University in 1990.
Mr. Roberts currently serves as a member of the Labor Relations Committee of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
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How Walmart was first to Video on Demand but is being dominated by Amazon and Netflix
Exclusive original series are valuable for competition
By Greg Synek on March 28, 2018, 11:25
Back in 2007 when Netflix was only offering DVDs by mail and Prime Video did not afford free content to members, Walmart held a unique position in the beginnings of streaming. Walmart's Vudu service had plans to change the movie-watching experience at home with a library of around 5,000 films.
Why and how did Netflix and Amazon back Vudu into a small corner of the market? Despite the fact that Walmart has influence to ensure that Vudu is supported on game consoles, smart TVs, Blu-ray players and nearly any device you can think of, consumers were not acting in accordance with Walmart's business strategy.
Vudu has focused on allowing movies to be rented or purchased instead of a monthly subscription cost for unlimited access. As it turned out, DVD sales in stores continued to decline and consumers were not all that interested in buying movies in digital form, either.
The rise of binge-watching is ultimately responsible for the majority of Vudu's struggles. Netflix users watch around 25 hours a month of content compared to just 1.9 hours on Vudu. Prime Video users now watch approximately 13.75 hours monthly.
Netflix and Amazon put the final nail in the coffin for Vudu with the introduction of original series. Major release movies on Vudu cost more than a month's subscription fee to either Netflix or Amazon Prime but only offer around two hours of entertainment. Quality content with seasons that can take several days to binge-watch provide a much better value than paying for a movie every time the TV is turned on.
Although Vudu is not exactly the household name that Netflix and Amazon are, it is not a dead service. In 2016, Vudu began offering select movies with ads in them for free. This resulted in a 56 percent growth in viewership. Over the past year, the number of hours of content watched has nearly quadrupled.
The market for streaming is expected to reach $84 billion by 2022, tremendous growth from the $35 billion market cap in 2017. Average households are now using between three and four streaming services. Netflix, Amazon Video, Hulu and YouTube hold the top positions with no signs of wavering from their dominant rankings.
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Intel CEO on 10nm delay: 'We prioritized performance at a time when predictability was really important'
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Huawei founder says 'there's no way the US can crush us,' calls CFO arrest politically motivated
Ren Zhengfei had a lot to say
By Rob Thubron on February 19, 2019, 8:51 18 comments
What just happened? With the US warning its allies against using Huawei's technology, founder Ren Zhengfei has said that there is no way the country can crush the company. He also believes that the arrest of his daughter, who is also the firm’s CFO, was politically motivated.
After the US had long been accusing Huawei of spying on behalf of the Chinese government, its CFO, Meng Wanzhou, was arrested in Canada last December at the request of the United States. She's accused of "conspiracy to defraud multiple financial institutions," including breaking American sanctions on Iran.
In the interview with the British broadcaster, Zhengfei said: "Firstly, I object to what the US has done. This kind of politically motivated act is not acceptable. The US likes to sanction others, whenever there's an issue, they'll use such combative methods. We object to this. But now that we've gone down this path, we'll let the courts settle it."
The US has warned its allies not to use Huawei technology in their 5G networks. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said those that do would make it more difficult for the government to "partner alongside them." But Zhengfei believes “there's no way the US can crush" his firm, and while he concedes that some customers will be lost, Huawei, which is the second-largest smartphone maker in the world, will adapt.
“The world cannot leave us because we are more advanced," he said. "Even if [the US manages to] persuade more countries not to use us temporarily, we can always scale things down a bit."
In a rare interview with the foreign media last month, Zhengfei again denied the spying allegations. He also called Donald Trump “a great president.”
While Australia, New Zealand, and Japan have chosen not to use Huawei’s 5G tech, it looks as if the UK might ignore US warnings. The country’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), part of GCHQ, has concluded that the risks posed by Huawei’s equipment can be mitigated. This could encourage other European nations to follow suit.
Speaking about the spying claims, Zhengfei said it was something he wouldn’t allow. "The Chinese government has already clearly said that it won't install any backdoors. And we won't install backdoors either. We're not going to risk the disgust of our country and of our customers all over the world, because of something like this.”
"Our company will never undertake any spying activities. If we have any such actions, then I'll shut the company down."
Huawei is reportedly planning to lay off hundreds of US-based workers as a result of its blacklisting
Commerce department still treats Huawei as blacklisted, despite what Trump said
Senators not happy over reported $5 billion Facebook agreement with the FTC
The E.U. is expected to launch an antitrust probe into Amazon's business practices
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Iran, Russia, China may hold naval drills in Indian Ocean
TEHRAN – The Iranian Navy’s deputy commander said on Thursday that Iranian naval forces may hold large-scale drills with Russia and China in the Indian Ocean soon.
Rear Admiral Touraj Hassani-Moqaddam said the Air Force along with the Navy will participate the military maneuvers, Press TV reported, citing IRNA.
He said the drills are to be held in an area extending from the Makran Coast in southeastern Iran to the Indian Ocean.
“The Navy’s state-of-the-art armaments and equipment will be deployed during the large-scale exercises,” he explained.
MH/PA
Touraj Hassani-Moqaddam
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Abstract Expressionist
American Impressionist
Hudson NY 12534
John Roeder (1877-1964)
Important Folk Art painting by California outsider artist, John Roeder (1877-1964). Island City, c.1945. Oil on illustration board measures 26 x 28 inches; 34 x 36 inches in original frame. Provenance: collection of Vincent Porcaro. Exhibited: Richmond Art Center, Richmond CA, 1961; Staatliche Kunsthalle, Baden-Baden. Excellent condition with no damage or restoration. Signed lower left.
Roeder is an early example of an American outsider or folk artist, and an exceedingly rare figure in the art history of California. We can only speculate as to his influences: Grandma Moses was undiscovered until 1938 and did not find fame until 1939-40, first exhibiting in NYC. Roeder was working in his mature style by 1935-6 as evidenced by other examples in our collection. Bill Traylor did not exhibit prior to 1940. Figures like Clementine Hunter, Gertrude Morgan and Howard Finster would not emerge for decades.
Birth place: Luxembourg
Death place: Richmond, CA
Addresses: Richmond, CA, 1909
Profession: Sculptor, painter
Studied: self-taught
Exhibited: Richmond Art Center, 1961 (solo), 1963 (solo); Museum of Modern Art, New York (Seventeen “Naive” Painters, traveling exhibition 1965-67); Staatliche Kunsthalle, Baden-Baden, 1960’s, Oakland Mus., 1986
Work: Richmond Art Center
Comments: He worked in several professions and painted and sculpted in his free time in a primitive style.
Sources: Hughes, Artists in California, 476.
Born in Luxembourg in 1877. Roeder was raised on a farm and then worked in Lorraine in the steel mills and iron mines. With wife and children, he joined his brother in Richmond, CA in 1909. After working for Standard Oil as a pipe fitter and operating a ranch in nearby Sonoma, in 1928 he returned to Richmond to become the gardener for Union High School. A self-taught artist, in his leisure he sculpted and painted primitives. Roeder died in Richmond on July 31, 1964. Exh: Richmond Art Center,
Tags: Featured, Roeder John
Gallery: 339 Warren Street, Hudson NY 12534
© 2019 Terenchin
Hours: Friday noon-5pm, Saturday 11am-5pm, Sunday noon-5pm, Monday 1pm-5pm
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New Immigrants
Food Safety & Health
Taiwan News Weekly Roundup
2019 Smart City Summit
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Costa Rica president wants free elections for Nicaragua
By MANUEL VALDES , Associated Press, Associated Press
In this Monday, March 11, 2019, photo, Costa Rican president Carlos Alvarado poses for a photo before an interview with The Associated Press in Seattl
In this Monday, March 11, 2019, photo, Costa Rican president Carlos Alvarado smiles as he poses for a photo before an interview with The Associated Pr
In this Monday, March 11, 2019, photo, Costa Rican president Carlos Alvarado gestures as he takes part in an interview with The Associated Press in Se
SEATTLE (AP) — Costa Rican President Carlos Alvarado has said Central America should not be satisfied until Nicaragua holds free elections and re-establishes a free press, democracy and human rights guarantees.
"We should not be tranquil until those (are) re-established there," he said in an interview with The Associated Press last week during a tour of two western U.S. states. "It's in the interest of the region that we have a political institutional solution for Nicaragua."
Alvarado said the turmoil in Nicaragua is having a negative impact on Central American immigration and the region's economy.
A political standoff has lasted nearly a year between the government of Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega and a coalition of students, businesses and civic groups called the Civic Alliance. Talks between the two sides broke down earlier this month over the government's imprisonment of opposition members.
The alliance has not specified if it's demanding the release of some or all of the estimated 770 people jailed by the Sandinista government following the protests that started nearly a year ago. Since the latest round of talks began in late February, the government has freed about 112 people on a form of conditional release.
Alvarado said the alliance has "a point in asking for their release, especially journalists who have been detained."
More than 25,000 Nicaraguans have crossed the border into Costa Rica during the turmoil, according to the Costa Rican government.
During the interview, Alvarado also pledged that Costa Rica's judicial system will fairly address sexual abuse allegations against former Costa Rican President and Nobel Peace Prize winner Oscar Arias.
At least seven women have accused Arias of sexual abuse or harassment. One of the most recent accounts came from Arias' one-time personal trainer.
"In Costa Rica, we profoundly believe in the judicial system," Alvarado said. "The people accusing ex-president Arias will have legal protections.Ex-president Arias will also have the opportunity to present his defense and the courts will determine the truth."
Alvarado said Costa Rica must recognize that machismo is still widespread in the country, but said his government is promoting gender equality.
Same-sex marriages will become automatically legal in Costa Rica in 2020 after the constitutional court ruled that a ban was illegal, but Alvarado said he expects his government to take legislative action to legalize it before that.
"We are, as a government, do everything that (same-sex marriage) is respected as a right," he said.
Costa Rica does not have a military and Alvarado said there should be no military intervention in Venezuela by foreign powers amid the country's deep economic and political crisis.
Alvarado visited Washington state and California, pitching Costa Rica's workers to tech companies like Amazon, Microsoft and Google. He said that Amazon is among the largest foreign employers in the country, accounting for more than 8,000 jobs. He also met with officials at Starbucks, which has had a long-standing relationship with Costa Rica's coffee industry.
Alvarado promoted his country's goal of decarbonizing its economy by 2050. That's in contrast with current U.S. policy, with President Donald Trump repeatedly questioning climate change.
He said governments that advocate moves to prevent climate change are teaming up with allies in the private sector.
"We have to support each other in this ambitious agenda," he said.
Updated : 2019-07-18 10:53 GMT+08:00
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Germany got 85% of its electricity from renewable sources in April
Megan Treacy mtreacy
CC BY 2.0 Tony Webster
Germany is constantly making the rest of the world look bad with their commitment to renewable energy. The country is always near the top of the list for renewable energy investments and it's consistently working towards getting the majority of its energy from clean sources.
That's why it's no surprise to read that Germany recently broke its record for renewable energy generation by having 85 percent of its electricity come from renewable sources over the last weekend of April. On April 30, the bulk of electricity consume came from a mix of solar, wind, biomass and hydroelectric power. The record breaking clean energy was thanks to breezy and sunny weather in the north and warm weather in the south, providing plenty of sunlight and wind.
“Most of Germany’s coal-fired power stations were not even operating on Sunday, April 30th, with renewable sources accounting for 85 per cent of electricity across the country,” said Patrick Graichen of Agora Energiewende Initiative. “Nuclear power sources, which are planned to be completely phased out by 2022, were also severely reduced.”
The country's Energiewende program aims to see a clean energy revolution by 2050. Graichen says that the tide will really start to turn by 2030 when many of the investments made by Germany since 2010 will come to fruition and majority or even totally renewable-powered days will become the norm.
On April 30, the amount of renewable energy in the grid was so high that electricity actually fell into negative figures because supply was greater than the demand.
Germany is way ahead of most of its EU counterparts. The countries of the EU have committed to reach 20 percent renewable energy by 2020.
The country set a new national record for renewable energy generation.
In Germany, speed limits are 'an affront to masculinity'
Heat pumps may soon be charged with propane instead of greenhouse g...
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Pipes are his calling | Tri-City Herald
Pipes are his calling
By Dori O'Neal, Herald staff writer
Learning to play the bagpipes is no easy task. You have to build up enough wind power to launch the Goodyear blimp.
That kind of lung mastery, however, is only necessary when performing more passionate Celtic tunes.
Though most bagpipers are men, the number of women being added to the fold is increasing, as well as a wave of youngsters who you'd think would be more interested in playing a rockin' guitar than a mournful bagpipe.
Such is the case with the Tri-City-based Desert Thistle Pipe Band, which will hold its annual concert March 7 in the auditorium at Chief Joseph Middle School in Richland.
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"Especially coming from Idaho, it's nice to be around other Democrats," said Henry Woodley of Boise, there with his wife, Sarah. "How could we not come?"
Kopydlowski said he made his first trip to Washington D.C. to "be a part of history. It's hard to get a sense of American history when you're so far west, because it's so new."
In Washington, on the eve of the inauguration, Kopydlowski said he was thrilled to be "surrounded by people who believe in the bright future ahead of us."
"It's the thrill of a lifetime," said Keith Roark, the Idaho Democratic Party chairman. "I feel like this is even more important than the inauguration of John F. Kennedy in 1960 and Martin Luther King's speech of 1963. We could very well look back on this as a transformational moment."
And while Obama may not have carried Idaho, Democrats made serious headway in the 2008 election, said the campaign's state director, Kassie Cerami, who was wearing the same blue "Obama for Idaho" button she pinned to her coat every day during the campaign. Idaho "went from the reddest state to the fifth-reddest state," Cerami said proudly.
For many from Idaho, the trek to Washington to see Obama's inauguration was something of a pilgrimage.
"You keep hearing 'one nation,'" said ReBecca Suits of Boise, who attended the Democratic Convention in Denver this summer as a delegate from Idaho. "But now I think we're going to finally become what people have dreamed of."
Suzanne Rubin, a schoolteacher at Eagle Middle School, put it simply: "He just represents hope for this country, and we need it," she said of Obama.
New U.S. citizen Ajsa Bektic of Boise cast her first-ever presidential vote for Obama, and the 25-year-old got misty eyed as she described what his election meant to her. Bektic, who came to Boise as a refugee from Bosnia as a teen in 2000, said she sees her own story in that of the president-elect's accomplishments.
"He represents a dream come true," said Bektic, now a research analyst at the Idaho Department of Labor.
Jason Morales of Boise brought his 8-year-old son, Sequoia, and was meeting his father for a multigenerational gathering.
"It's something I thought we could share together," he said, "It's the most historic occasion of my lifetime."
The gathering on the Capitol grounds made something of a spectacle, even in the midst of the thousands of people from all over the country who were wandering around Monday after picking up their tickets to the inauguration.
Singer Carole King, who owns a ranch near Stanley, joined the Idahoans and posed for photos. King was scheduled to perform Monday night at a dinner at Union Station in Vice President-elect Joe Biden's honor.
Stephen Couckuyt, an Alaskan, said he didn't have much room to poke fun, but he watched while the photo was snapped and quipped, "I didn't know there were that many people in Idaho!"
It echoed the remarks of Obama himself, who when he visited Boise Feb. 2, said "They told me there weren't any Democrats in Idaho — that's what they told me," he said. "But I didn't believe them."
The Idaho Democratic Party organized Monday's group photo, and its members posed proudly with their newly elected Democratic congressman, Rep. Walt Minnick.
But Republicans showed up, too. Sen. Jim Risch, also new to Congress this year, posed for photos and greeted fellow Idahoans shivering in the cold — but all thrilled to be there.
Said Bonner Bray of Boise, a Democrat: "It's just a big, huge experience."
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Japan (current)
How To Get Japanese Music Outside of Japan ♪♫♬ ♪♫♬ ♪♫♬
January 23, 2013 • words written by Hashi • Art by Aya Francisco
Lots of people outside of Japan want to get their hands on Japanese music. Whether it’s Japanese learners who just want more passive learning materials, or just people who love Japanese music, it’s in high demand across the world.
The problem is that it can be really difficult to find Japanese music outside of Japan. It seems like most music retailers don’t want to have anything to do with any Asian music that’s not Gangnam Style.
So what do you do if you want to get Japanese music, but aren’t lucky enough to be living in Japan? Fortunately, you have more options than you think:
Brick-and-Mortar Stores
While more and more people shop online than ever before, there’s still a lot to be said about going to a physical storefront and shopping around there. Shopping in a brick-and-mortar store might be better for you if you don’t want to deal with shipping, if you want to casually browse in the store, or if there’s a store nearby to where you live.
If you live in a place that has a Japantown or some sort of Japanese community, then the easiest option might be to just go and check out whether or not any local stores sell Japanese music.
Source: brewbooks
There are some Japanese book store chains, like Kinokuniya, that offer Japanese music in addition to books and magazines. If there aren’t any chain stores in your area, then there might small, mom-and-pop operations.
Even if they don’t carry the particular CD you’re looking for, it’s worth asking to see if you can order it through them. The store will have connections to sellers that you don’t, and you get the warm, fuzzy feeling of supporting a local business.
Vendors at Conventions
If you like to go to conventions, whether they’re for Japanese culture, anime, video games, or anything even tangentially related to Japan, chances are there will be a vendor somewhere there selling Japanese music CDs.
Source: Alan Stoddard
This isn’t a great option for a couple of reasons. These vendors are temporary, you won’t know what they’ll have until you get there, and these will have to basically be impulse purchases.
Even with all of those downsides, dealers are worth checking out if you’re already at a convention anyway.
Some people don’t want to hit the bricks to go get Japanese music. They either want to live a hikikomori lifestyle and never leave their home, or they don’t want to bother with old-fashioned physical music formats like CDs. 21st century, baby!
Fortunately, there are a lot of options for getting Japanese music online, whether it’s buying a CD online, downloading music, or streaming music.
iTunes is one of the biggest music sellers in the world nowadays, and I’m sure it’s how a lot of you buy music. You can buy Japanese music through iTunes, but it can be kind of tricky.
Each country has its own, separate iTunes store; meaning that even if you have an iTunes account in your home country, you can’t access all of the music in the Japanese iTunes store without a bit of work.
You can create a Japanese iTunes account pretty easily, but the tricky part is the payment. The Japanese iTunes store requires you to pay with a Japanese credit card, which I’m guessing most of you don’t have.
Fortunately, people have discovered a few workarounds that have reliably worked for years now. The best option most people seem to use is to buy Japanese iTunes gift cards and use those in the place of a Japanese credit card.
There are sites out there (like Japan Codes) that deal exclusively in gift card codes, so you don’t even have to worry about importing an iTunes gift card from Japan.
Ordering from Amazon Japan is forunately less convoluted than iTunes. You have to create a separate, Amazon Japan account, but you don’t need to use a Japanese credit card or anything like that. There’s even an option to see parts of the page in English!
The downside is that there’s no guarantee that they can ship to you. For that, there services that will ship anything to you (for a price). I’ll talk about those more later.
eBay’s long been a great way to get your hands on virtually anything you can think of, whether it’s a collectible lunchbox from a 70s TV show, or an antique rug.
You can find Japanese music on eBay too, but not very reliably. Instead of a consistent selection, you’re pretty much at the whims of whatever sellers are on the site. Definitely a place to check out if you’re seeking out some specific piece of music, but not something to rely on too heavily.
One of the best ways to get music online, Japanese or not, has always been through music blogs. What could be better than somebody who loves music and shares it with the world?
Getting music through music blogs can be a lot trickier than buying it. First of all, music blogs are generally very specific to that person’s music tastes. If you’re looking for Jpop on a Japanese metal blog, then you’ll be SOL.
Not only that, but there’s no real centralized directory that you can use to find a music blog that suits your tastes. Finding a music blog you love can be a really hit-or-miss process, but it’s all worth it when you find somebody who’s into all the same music as you.
If you don’t want all of the hassle of buying, downloading, or shipping music, then streaming music online is a good option too. That way your delicate little netbook hard drive won’t fill up!
There are some streaming options out there for you. Grooveshark is a good, all-purpose streaming service that lets you stream a single song or a whole album for free.
Some sites, like Soundcloud let musicians upload individual songs for streaming and sometimes download, but fewer big-name musicians use it. Soundcloud is better for smaller acts, remixes, and DJ mixes.
Other services let you stream Japanese music, but with a little less control. Pandora has been a big name in music streaming for years, but the songs you listen to are chosen by an alogrithm; you get very little say in the process, especially if you don’t have a paid account.
Last.fm lets you have a little more choice. You can play certain, select songs for free and listen to radio like Pandora, but your choices are very limited. The main selling point of Last.fm is in the community and artist pages, which are very helpful for learning more about a musician and finding out about new artists.
Streaming services Spotify and Rdio have both announced that they will launch Japanese clients in the future, but as of right now, they’re rather lacking in Japanese music.
Export Sites
There are a ton of sites out that cater specifically to people who love Asian media and want to buy physical copies. They act as a middleman between you and . Sites like YesAsia or Play Asia export music, video games, movies and more.
Other sites are more general. You pay them a fee to track down a specific product in Japan, and they buy it and export it to you. We’ve written about Tenso before, but there other sites like DankeDanke and many more.
The downside to these sorts of sites is that you have to deal with shipping and handling, which can really add up. But if you want the real McCoy delivered directly to your door, it’s hard to do much better.
Japanese Sites
You can obviously go to Japanese sites to buy Japanese music, but they’re geared towards a Japanese audience. That means that not only are the websites usually in Japanese (which can be a problem for Japanese beginners), but they expect to ship domestically too.
The advantages to shopping on Japanese sites are that you cut out the middleman and you can find a broader and more current selection of music. Still, it wouldn’t be something I would recommend for most people.
Warning: Mileage May Vary
While you should have a pretty good rate of success with these methods, there’s no guarantee that you’ll be able to find what you’re looking for. There’s some music that’s rare, highly-sought after, old, or just plain hard to get a hold of. (I’ve been on the look out for a copy of Nujabes’s Metaphorical Music for years but have never been able to find one that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg.)
The really tricky thing is that these methods might vary from place to place, region to region. Different countries have their own intellectual property laws and agreements with the various music conglomerates.
I don’t guarantee that all of these methods will work for everybody that reads this, or that they’re always entirely legal in your country. But I hope that this is a good jumping off point for people who’re looking to get some Japanese music.
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Indian Health Service Educational Loan Repayment
To insure that the Indian Health Service (IHS) has an adequate supply of trained health professionals for Indian health program facilities by providing for the repayment of educational loans for participants who agree (by written contract) to serve an applicable period of time at a facility IHS has designated
as a loan repayment priority site or in a designated specialty at a site with an appropriate position.
Physicians, nurses, mental health, and other health professionals who have agreed to provide full-time clinical services at an appropriate site for an applicable period of time (2 years) in return for repayment of their health profession education loans.
Agency - Department of Health and Human Services
The Department of Health and Human Services is the Federal government's principal agency for protecting the health of all Americans and providing essential human services, especially to those who are least able to help themselves.
Office - See Appendix IV of the Catalog for IHS Area Offices.
http://www.ihs.gov
In fiscal year 2005, 293 new and 236 continuing loan repayment awards were approved. In fiscal years 2006, as estimated 245 new and 240 continuing loan repayment awards will be approved; and in fiscal year 2007, an estimated 230 new and 220 continuing loan repayment awards will be approved.
This program will provide repayment of loans incurred for health professions educational expenses in exchange for service in a designated loan repayment priority site.
Recipients must agree by written contract to serve an applicable period of time in such a site; individuals who have conflicting service obligations may not participate in this program until those obligations are satisfied.
The minimum period of participation is 2 years.
Maximum payment to a program participant is $20,000 per year and an additional 20 percent of the award amount for tax liability.
Eligible individuals must be enrolled: (1) In a course of study or program in an accredited institution, as determined by the Secretary, within any State and be scheduled to complete such course of study in the same year such as individual applies to participate in such program; (2) in an approved graduate training program in a health profession; (3) have a degree in health profession and a license to practice a health profession; (4) be eligible for, or hold, an appointment as a commissioned officer in the Regular or Reserve Corps of the Public Health Service (PHS); (5) be eligible for selection for civilian service in the Regular or Reserve Corps of the PHS; (6) meet the professional standards for civil service employment in the IHS; (7) be employed with an Indian health program funded under Public Law 93-638, Indian Self-Determination, Title V of Public Law 94-437 and its amendments or the Buy Indian Act (25 U.S.C.
47); (8) submit an application to participate in the IHS Loan Repayment Program; and (9) sign and submit to the Secretary for Health and Human Services at the time of such application, a written contract agreeing to accept loan repayment of health professions educational loans and to serve for an applicable period of service at loan repayment priority site as determined by the Secretary.
The term "State" is defined in Section 331 (i)(4) of the PHS Act.
Health professionals who have Government (Federal, State, local) and commercial unpaid educational loans will benefit from this program.
Applicants must submit documentation of the following, as appropriate: (1) A transcript showing final year of study and full-time status; (2) a copy of a health professions degree; (3) a copy of health professions license; (4) a copy of transcript showing completion of graduate education; and (5) a copy of all loan documentation.
Applicants should request an application package, complete the required information, and return it to the Indian Health Service (IHS) Headquarters for review. (See Headquarters Office section below for address.) Once a completed application packet is received, it will be reviewed and the determination of award recipients will be made based upon merit. Award will be made on award dates published in the Federal Register.
Upon determination of who will receive an award, that individual will be notified in writing by the program. The individual will in turn notify the program in writing of his/her acceptance. Awards will be contingent upon the score that an eligible Loan Repayment Program site receives and score is applied to the individual matched to that site. Upon arriving at his/her duty station, participant must submit proof of employment to the IHS Loan Repayment Program Office. Individuals can be matched to an IHS tribal, urban, or buy Indian site by an IHS area recruiter or the equivalent. Applicants needing to match to an IHS priority site should work with an IHS recruiter in the service area of their choice. When an award occurs, the Secretary will sign the contract and the individual will receive final notification of their award and a copy of their signed contract.
Contact Headquarters Office for application deadlines.
Indian Health Care Amendments of 1988, Section 108, Public Law 100-713, Public Laws 93-638 and 94-437.
Approximately 60 days.
If a program recipient satisfactorily completes his/her initial service and continues to have remaining eligible debt, he/she may extend his/her contract on a single-year basis, provided that funds are available and the participant continues to meet the eligibility requirements of the program. A recipient wishing to extend his/her contract must submit a formal request for extension and sign a new 1-year contract.
This program has no statutory formula or matching requirements.
Payments will be made to the individuals of the program on an annual basis.
Program participants must be certified annually as performing at an eligible site in an eligible full-time position.
The IHS will maintain records of applicants and participants for 3 years after information of expenditure reports are completed.
(Grants) FY 07 $16,923,500; FY 08 est not available; and FY 09 est not reported.
$3,000 to $48,000 for a 2-year obligation; $43,315.
Authorization is contained in Public Law 100-713, as amended by Public Law 102-573; Indian Health Service Educational Loan Repayment Program Information Bulletin; Notice of Availability of Funds.
See Appendix IV of the Catalog for IHS Area Offices.
Program Contact: Ms. Jackie Sanitago, Chief, Loan Repayment Program, Indian Health Service, 801 Thompson Avenue, Suite 120, Rockville, MD 20852. Telephone: (301) 443-3396. Grants Management Contact: Ms. Kimberly Pendleton, Senior Grants Management Officer, Division of Grants Operations, Indian Health Service, 801 Thompson Avenue, TMP, Suite 360, Rockville, MD 20852. Telephone: (301) 443-5204. Use the same number for FTS.
The IHS defined "Health Profession" to mean family medicine, internal medicine, pediatrics, geriatric medicine, obstetrics and gynecology, podiatric medicine, nursing, public health nursing, dentistry, psychiatry, osteopathy, optometry, pharmacy, psychology, public health, social work, marriage and family therapy, chiropractic medicine, environmental health and engineering, and allied professions. Other factors that will be employed to determine which applicant is selected for awards include: (a) An applicant's length of current employment in the IHS, tribal or urban program; (b) availability for service earlier than other applicants (first come, first served); and (c) date the completed application was received.
Social Services Employment
Transition Programs for Students with Intellectual Disabilities into Higher Education | Immunization Research, Demonstration, Public Information and Education_Training and Clinical Skills | National Criminal History Improvement Program (NCHIP) | Scientific Research Combating Weapons of Mass Destruction | Disaster Relief Appropriations Act-Emergency Food Assistance Program (Commodities) | Site Style by YAML | Grants.gov | Grants | Grants News | Sitemap | Privacy Policy
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Bernanke Plays Down Stocks Selloff, Dismisses Crisis Comparison
(Bloomberg) Former Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke isn’t worried about the recent selloff in U.S. equities. In fact, he isn’t even surprised.
“I don’t think this is way out of the range of relatively normal behavior -- we have uncertainty about trade, we’ve got uncertainty about the global economy, we’ve got uncertainty about the near-term path of the U.S. economy,” Bernanke said Saturday during a panel discussion with former Treasury Secretaries Henry Paulson and Timothy Geithner. “Markets absorb that uncertainty and reflect that.”
Bernanke’s comments during the annual meeting of the American Economic Association follow a tumultuous two months for investors, during which stock prices have gyrated wildly on news about the U.S. trade war with China, the outlook for Fed interest-rate increases, and a partial U.S. government shutdown.
The S&P 500 Index jumped 3.4 percent on Friday after current Fed chief Jerome Powell hinted he’d be open to pausing the central bank’s campaign of gradual tightening by stressing policy patience amid muted pressures for higher inflation.
Even so, the benchmark index remains roughly 14 percent below its September peak as investors fret over the outlook for the economy despite still-solid U.S. jobs data and strong U.S. output growth in 2018. Bernanke dismissed the idea that the current outlook looks anything like the landscape that confronted investors during the financial crisis.
“Having our experience 10 years ago, we’re certainly not seeing those kinds of risks,” Bernanke said. “I found it actually quite surprising how benign markets were for such a long time, despite the risks of trade wars and other things that were going on.”
Asked about suggestions by some investors that the Fed’s ongoing reduction in its balance sheet has created the recent volatility in financial markets, Bernanke replied, “we’ll have to see how things evolve, but so far the evidence is fairly weak.”
Powell said Friday that he didn’t believe that balance-sheet runoff was to blame for the market turbulence.
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HomeEconomic AnalysisWatch: Zimbabwe’s Finance Minister in New York on Currency, Cholera, Dollar, China
Watch: Zimbabwe’s Finance Minister in New York on Currency, Cholera, Dollar, China
September 22, 2018 Staff Reporter Economic Analysis, Headlines 0
Prof Mthuli Ncube - Bloomberg
NEW YORK – Zimbabwe Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube discusses the importance of currency stability, efforts to eradicate cholera, and the economic impact of the dollar and China trade. He speaks on “Bloomberg Surveillance.”
Mr Nbube hinted to a number of currency reforms to be implemented within the shortest period, among them adopting a market based foreign currency exchange as well as a vigorous stance to revive the Monetary Policy Committee.
The new Finance Minister and Economic Development Professor Mthuli Ncube admits the country needs a stabilisation plan to be implemented within the shortest term to stabilise and ease the current macroeconomic pressures that are troubling the economy.
Thus far, the ministry is currently working on a number of turnaround strategies to aid the quick turn of the economy and bring relief to one of the dominant challenges that has become perennial for the citizenry, the availability of cash.
(Source: Bloomberg)
Professor Ncube, responding to questions on Bloomberg Television, has hinted to a number of rigorous plans they are working on that will translate to a stabilised economy while also boosting investor confidence.
The idea of a Monetary Policy Committee was implemented in 2012, but received criticism on arguments that the central bank no longer had a monetary unit to control.
Over the last six years the committee has largely been dormant as the apex bank focused on its other mandates to supervise financial supervision among other functions.
While these reforms will be critical to provide the campus that will guide the country’s economic performance going forward the crux of the matter is that the finance minister will have to expedite the current efforts to convince international creditors to extend a lending hand to Zimbabwe.
This will be part of his agenda as he interacts with financial leaders and delegates at the ongoing United Nations General Assembly in New York where he is part of the delegation that travelled with President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
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The Latest: More dead in family that brought Ebola to Uganda
BWERA, Uganda (AP) - The latest on the Ebola outbreak in Congo and Uganda (all times local):
The Congolese Health Ministry says another child has died of Ebola, bringing the death toll to three within the same family that had recently traveled from Congo to Uganda.
The 3-year-old boy died as he was being brought to Congo for medical treatment. His 5-year-old brother and their grandmother already had died from the disease.
The children's mother and father along with an infant sibling are still battling the disease, which has left more than 1,400 people dead since August.
The victims contracted Ebola from the children's grandfather, a pastor who died in late May.
Workers wearing protective clothing prepare to bury Agnes Mbambu who died of Ebola, the 50-year-old grandmother of the 5-year-old boy who became Ebola's first cross-border victim, in the village of Karambi, near the border with Congo, in western Uganda Thursday, June 13, 2019. The two were part of a larger Congolese-Ugandan family who crossed to Congo when one of their elders there, a pastor, became sick with Ebola and they crossed back into Uganda on June 9 via a footpath not patrolled by border authorities. (AP Photo/Ronald Kabuubi)
The World Health Organization says there's no evidence Ebola is spreading within Uganda after the deadly virus crossed the border from Congo this week.
Dr. Michael Ryan tells The Associated Press he believes authorities "have contained the virus" to one family. He says 27 people who may have been exposed are being followed.
Uganda says it has three suspected Ebola cases not related to the family. Two family members have died and the rest have been transferred to Congo for monitoring and treatment.
Ryan says that "I think the chances of this spreading further are low but they're not insignificant."
He says one challenge in stopping the outbreak in Congo is reaching areas controlled by rebel groups, some of whom have reportedly demanded money for access.
Ryan says that "we don't engage in any payment for access." He says they have paid for incentives and logistic support for police and others, often at the request of Congo's government.
The outbreak response has been undermined by attacks on health centers and by people suspicious of foreign aid workers.
- Jamey Keaten in Geneva
The World Health Organization's emergencies chief says the Congolese man who is thought to have infected Uganda's cluster of Ebola cases wasn't on any list of potential contacts. That underlines the agency's problems in tracking the deadly virus' spread.
Dr. Michael Ryan tells The Associated Press he does not believe the man, a pastor, was on a list of high-risk Ebola contacts in Congo.
Ryan says that "it's an unfortunate occurrence that a pastor who's taking care of people and providing care to people is himself infected in the line of his own work and then ultimately goes on to infect others."
The pastor spread the virus to at least three family members. His 5-year-old grandson was the first Ebola case in Uganda and the first death. The boy's grandmother also died.
Ryan says about 55% of new Ebola cases in Congo last week were previously identified as potential contacts, suggesting significant problems in health workers' ability to monitor where the virus is spreading.
Ryan says that "we still have too many people that are not coming from this (list) and we still have too many community deaths."
Health officials in eastern Congo are vaccinating some pregnant women and infants against Ebola for the first time since the outbreak was declared in August.
More than 1,400 people have now died from Ebola, and an experimental vaccine produced by Merck has provided a high degree of protection. More than 130,000 people have received the vaccine in Congo and Uganda, which reported its first Ebola cases this week. Two were children.
On Thursday, health workers in Congo's town of Beni began vaccinating pregnant women who have passed the first trimester and are considered contacts of an Ebola case.
Breastfeeding babies are also being given the vaccine if they have been exposed to the virus.
Doctors had been concerned about the potential harm because the vaccine has not been tested in those groups.
That guidance has been reevaluated in light of the worsening outbreak and the high rate of fatalities among pregnant women and children.
Uganda's health ministry says a second person infected with the Ebola virus has died after a family exposed to the disease quietly crossed the border from Congo.
The first cross-border cases in this Ebola outbreak have prompted a World Health Organization expert committee to meet on Friday to discuss whether to declare a global health emergency.
Health ministry spokesman Emmanuel Ainebyoona on Thursday confirmed the death of the 50-year-old woman overnight.
Her 5-year-old grandson was the first confirmed death from Ebola in Uganda. The boy's 3-year-old brother also is infected.
Congo's health ministry says all members of the Congolese-Ugandan family have agreed to be repatriated to Congo for experimental treatments as part of clinical trials.
The outbreak declared in eastern Congo in August has killed more than 1,400 people.
This photo released by the International Rescue Committee (IRC) taken on June 12, 2019, shows a young Congolese refugee girl washing clothes outside one of the medical units used for evaluating newly arrived Congolese for potential symptoms of Ebola, at the Kyaka refugee settlement in western Uganda. A 5-year-old boy in Uganda vomiting blood became the first cross-border victim in the current Ebola outbreak on Wednesday, while his 3-year-old brother and grandmother tested positive for the disease that has killed nearly 1,400 people in Congo. (Kellie Ryan/International Rescue Committee via AP)
This photo released by the International Rescue Committee (IRC) shows a Congolese refugee boy washing his hands before entering one of the medical tents used for evaluating newly arrived Congolese for potential symptoms of Ebola, at the Kyaka refugee settlement in western Uganda Wednesday, June 12, 2019. A 5-year-old boy in Uganda vomiting blood became the first cross-border victim in the current Ebola outbreak on Wednesday, while his 3-year-old brother and grandmother tested positive for the disease that has killed nearly 1,400 people in Congo. (Kellie Ryan/International Rescue Committee via AP)
This photo released by the International Rescue Committee (IRC) shows a young Congolese refugee girl washing clothes outside one of the medical units used for evaluating newly arrived Congolese for potential symptoms of Ebola, at the Kyaka refugee settlement in western Uganda Wednesday, June 12, 2019. A 5-year-old boy in Uganda vomiting blood became the first cross-border victim in the current Ebola outbreak on Wednesday, while his 3-year-old brother and grandmother tested positive for the disease that has killed nearly 1,400 people in Congo. (Kellie Ryan/International Rescue Committee via AP)
The Latest: More dead in family that brought Ebola to...
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Celebrities | Pop Culture | 90s
Andie MacDowell Has Stepped Out Of The Spotlight, But What Has She Really Been Up To?
By Tanya | Apr 02, 2018
After stealing our hearts in Groundhog Day and Four Weddings and a Funeral, I think a lot of us assumed that we would be seeing Andie MacDowell everywhere. But instead of launching into super stardom, the actress seemed to take a step back.
Obviously, she isn't out of the spotlight completely, but she hasn't been in as many things as people expected from her. So what happened?
MacDowell started acting in 1984, but the 1989 movie Sex, Lies and Videotape was her breakout role. She was nominated for a bunch of awards and it helped her roles like Groundhog Day with Bill Murray, and Four Weddings and a Funeral with Hugh Grant.
But even though it seemed like she was on the fast track to becoming America's newest sweetheart, she seemed to do things a little bit differently.
She continued taking roles, and even signed on as a brand ambassador to L'Oreal, a title she still holds to this day, but her starring roles started to fade away.
The interesting thing about MacDowell is that she has never really stopped working. It's just that people tend to forget about her until she pops up in a new movie or TV show and then they go "oh yeah, her!"
Rank Film Distributors
But here's the thing, she's not actually all that mad about it. She's actually okay with being out of the spotlight.
"There's a deep piece of me that wants to be very personal and not share everything with everybody and not put it out there," MacDowell said. "There's a piece of me that wants to hold on and not to have to be out in front. But there's another part of me that's perfectly fine with it. It's almost a dual personality."
But what does she do when she's not in the public eye?
MacDowell is happier out of the spotlight because she isn't the 'outgoing actor type' you often picture of when you think "Hollywood actress"
“I’m not a party person. I’m a nerd. I’m not an extrovert in that way at all. The things I enjoy doing could be boring to somebody else.” MacDowell said.
She got her start in modeling, which allowed her to travel around the world, and it's what led her to land her first acting job. She learned early that she preferred to keep her life out of the spotlight, especially after going through a painful divorce.
The divorce from her first husband hit her hard. “It’s not really something I like to talk about. It’s interesting I say ‘my divorce’ because the second marriage was so fast it just wasn’t the same," MacDowell revealed. "And divorce is horrible. I wouldn’t wish that on my worst enemy. I don’t think it’s anything that’s ever completely resolved."
But she was able to use that experience in her acting when she was playing a divorced character. "I was able to use some of my own experiences with the loss of the love of your life, the loss of the father of your children. It’s a huge part in the life of many women I know. I can usually tell when a woman is going through a divorce because they look so gaunt and tired and sad. It’s just a huge sadness. It’s horrible. It’s like death. You mourn, but the person’s still there.”
When she's not making a movie or TV show, she's actually at her ranch in Montana. "There are a lot of things I want to do there with conservation," she said. "My kids are really interested in conservation, and they love animals, so I think the connection I really want to make is through the land and having to do with wildlife. I’ve already made a substantial commitment to wildlife by putting my land in the easement. It won’t be developed. It will remain there in perpetuity — will be there for the wild life.”
MacDowell also spends a good portion of her time hiking and keeping fit, and says "If I miss a day, I'm not as happy. I definitely feel it."
She has two daughters, both of which have actually come into their own in show business. Margaret and Rainey Qualley have each managed to find their niche. Margaret got a role on HBO's Leftovers, and Rainey released some country music and landed a part on Mad Men.
Everett Collection / Rex Features
MacDowell is currently filming two projects even though it often feels like she isn't around anymore. One is a TV movie called The Beach House, and the other is a movie called The Last Laugh.
She also recently wrapped up a TV series called Cedar Cove, so even though you may not have seen her around as much, she is still nearby!
So you remember seeing her everywhere when you were younger? I still see her in L'Oreal ads now, but it's the ones from my childhood that I really remember!
H/T - Washington Post / Nicki Swift
Tags: where are they now, actors, actress, 80, 90s, four weddings and a funeral, Andie MacDowell, groundhog day
Adam Sandler's Touching Tribute To Chris Farley Caught Everyone Off Guard
It's hard to believe that it has been 21 years since we last got to enjoy something that was made by Chris Farley. He was such a big part of pop-culture, with his larger-than-life personality and his impeccable comedic timing, that his loss is still felt today. Many people talk about his movies, his time on Saturday Night Live, but his friends knew him as so much more than the characters he played. Adam Sandler was on SNL at the same time as Farley, and they became good friends. While Sandler has obviously gone on to have quite an impressive
'Mighty Ducks' Star Shaun Weiss Arrested Again Only Months After Leaving Rehab
After Shaun Weiss' arrest in August left everyone worried about the former child star, the actor was forced to re-evaluate his choices. His mugshot showed a gaunt, sickly, and unrecognizable man, but Weiss believed this was his "rock bottom" and hoped to come back from it stronger than ever. In a statement released to his Facebook page after the arrest, Weiss revealed that he realized he was in "danger." Oroville Police Department"At this time, in an effort to break free from the self destructive patterns of behavior and drug abuse that have landed me at rock bottom, (to be
91-Year-Old 'Boy Meets World' Star Scared Off Burglars After They "Kicked In" His Door
Mr. Feeny will forever be a character that every 90s kid cherishes. He was the teacher. The one teacher we all wished we could have in real life, the one teacher who could have given us helpful advice, and above all else, he was the one teacher who would have been the best neighbor ever.William Daniels was a legend and an icon long before Boy Meets World, because he was the voice of KITT in Knight Rider. Not only that, but he won two Emmy awards for his role on St. Elsewhere. Daniels is a talented man, and his
James Karen, Legendary Actor Known For 'Poltergeist' And So Much More, Dead At 94
By Devin 9 months ago
You probably don't know his name, but you definitely know James Karen's face. The prolific character actor, best known for his role as the unscrupulous developer Mr. Teague in 1982's Poltergeist, passed away in his Los Angeles home on Tuesday at the age of 94.MGM/UA Entertainment Co.Over the course of his seven-decade career, Karen racked up over 200 acting credits across movies, television, and even video games. If you watch just about any of the most popular television shows from the 1970s, 80s, or 90s, you're guaranteed to see him pop up sooner or later. Born Jacob
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Book Bus Tickets From Navsari To Devrajia
Home > Bus Tickets > Navsari to Devrajia
All Bus Operators From Navsari to Devrajia
Jay Khodiyar Bus Service
Rs 300, 200, 500
About Navsari
Navsari is a city and municipality in the Surat metropolitan region and also the administrative headquarters of Navsari district of Gujarat, India. Navsari is also the twin city of Surat, and is 37 kms south of Surat. Many Parsis settled down in this city in around 11th century AD and named it Navu Sari which meant ‘New Sari’. Navsari is popular for its various types of Zoroastrian arts, crafts and cuisine.
Some of the popular budget hotels in Navsari are Anmol Hotel (Tariff - Rs. 800) Hotel Royal Regency (Tariff - Rs 1400), Modi Resort (Tariff- Rs. 1150).
The official language of Navsari is Gujarati.
Apart from all the common festivals, a festival unique to Navsari is the Dhinglo Festival (July).
There are many places to be visit in Navsari. Some of them are Dudhiya Talav (1.5 kms from bus stand), Atash Behram (80 kms), J.N. Tata Memorial Hall (4 kms), Ravariya Bapa temple, Parsvanath Jain temple (1.7 kms), Dargah of Sayed Saadat (2 kms) and Shri Swaminarayan Mandir (43 kms).
The closest airport to Navsari is 30 kms away at Surat.
The Surat railway station is the closest major railway station (31 kms) to Navsari
Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation (GSRTC) runs Busses from Major cities to Towns and Villages in Navsari. Some of the best bus operators that offer good experience for passengers include Paulo Travels, O.P. Tours & Travels and Asha Travels. Booking bus tickets through ticketgoose.com is a hassle-free experience.
About Devrajia
Devrajia
Devrajia is a small village in the westernmost Indian state of Gujarat. It can be described as an outskirts area of Amreli. It is a part of the Kathiawar peninsula. The nearest major urban hub is the city of Amreli at a distance of 24 km. The state capital, Gandhinagar, lies 285 km north-east of the village. The Arabian Sea coast of Diu lies 104 km away.
The village does not have proper facilities in terms of hotels and lodges. Thus, one is forced to venture into Amreli for good lodging facilities; some of the options which are worth trying out are Goodluck Guest House (Tariff – Rs. 200), Hotel Darshan (Tariff – Rs. 700), Hotel Shree Paras (Tariff – Rs. 500) and others.
The official language of the area is Gujarati. Hindi is also widely spoken and understood.
The important festivals celebrated are Holi in March, Hanuman Jayanti and Dusshera in September-October and Diwali in November.
Most places of tourist interest lie in Amreli. Some of the must-visit places include Nagnath Temple (built by Vithalrao Devaji), King Palace, Tower of Amreli, Shri Girdharilal Sangrahalaya Children Museum and Computer Education Centre (E-Library), Sai Baba Temple, Gayatri Temple and others.
The nearest airport is the Amreli Airport at a distance of 16 km.
Amreli Railway Station is the major railway station at a distance of 16 km.
State transport buses as well as private buses pass through the region. One of the popular bus operators in the area is Jay Khodiyar Travels. Buses which ply in the area can be boarded from Amreli. Numerous bus booking websites provide bus ticket booking offers, especially during the festive season.
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Cash should not be king for new A-League licences, says Griffin
November 28, 2018 — 11.26am
The man who led the campaign to oust former FFA chairman Steven Lowy says any plan to give new A-League licences to the highest bidders would be an affront to the principles of governance those who opposed Lowy sought to bring to the game.
Former Adelaide United owner Greg Griffin, who has also taken a leading role in the Australian Professional Football Clubs Association, was a thorn in Lowy's side for several years and was a key player in the faction that fought to widen the FFA Congress to get A-League clubs and other stakeholders in Australian soccer a bigger say in the game's policy-making body.
Griffin says the Wanderers should be the model for new A-League clubs. Credit:AAP
As rumours circulate that the always cash-hungry FFA might be tempted to consider handing the new expansion licenses to those that offer the highest fee, Griffin, who is currently the APFCA's caretaker chief executive, bridled at the idea.
He wants expansion to be approved quickly - but in the right locations, and for the right reasons.
He wants existing A-League clubs and the game's other stakeholders to be consulted about which of the bidders gets the go-ahead.
And he says that the separation of the A-League from the FFA and the establishment of a genuinely independent league management should be almost as big a priority for the new Chris Nikou led board as expansion itself.
''It needs to be judged on the correct metrics. Location, population, support, demographics, not just on who pays the most,'' Griffin, an Adelaide-based lawyer, said.
''I would be appalled if it was whoever pays the most gets the license. That is just not the way to do business.
''It has to be demographically supportable and it also has to respect the position and investment of the 10 existing A-League clubs, which have lost $350 million between them in the 15 years they have been in existence.
''You can't cannibalise existing markets, but Australia is big enough and diverse enough that you don't need to.
''NSW is such a big state with such a strong football culture, that you don't need to put one next to Western Sydney or Sydney.
''It's the same for the next license in Melbourne ... it can't be in the CBD of Melbourne. Whether it goes to Dandenong, or Frankston, or Geelong, wherever it may be, it just has to appeal and cater to a different market that is being well catered for now.
''And it will be the same thing with South and Western Australia. SA and WA are more than capable of supporting a second team.''
Griffin also says that steps should be taken as soon as practicably possible to ensure the independence of the A-League.
That was one of the key arguments those who opposed Lowy prosecuted during soccer's long civil war, and Griffin is adamant that splitting the A-League from the rest of the game will not lead to cash shortages for the grassroots, as Lowy and his supporters claimed.
''I think it's incredibly important to have an independent A-League.
''That's going to bring in a whole new set of investors. It will bring in new clubs.
''And we want new clubs that are financially viable and will add to the A-league.
''We don't want what occurred in the past where franchises came in and went out as quickly as they came in. That doesn't do our game any good at all.
''We are not the AFL with lots of money to throw around.
''Gold Coast Suns are just a basket case and if it had not been for the pumping in of millions of dollars by the AFL they wouldn't be there.
''And it's probably the same for GWS. They are a basket case in reality.
''The AFL's expansion clubs only survived because of the diversion of millions of dollars from AFL coffers. Soccer doesn't have that luxury.
Griffin argues that getting the location right is the crucial factor in determining which potential franchises will succeed.
Transport links and infrastructure will be critical, as will a population base that identifies with the area in which the team is based. Western Sydney Wanderers should be the model for any new teams, he says.
''I was hoping that the new board would come and talk to the stakeholders - the clubs, the federations and the PFA - before they make a decision.
''At the moment there has been no consultation and we should have an input as to what we think is the best location for a new franchise.
''Ultimately they become our quasi-partners. They are rivals, but they are also partners. We are all in this together.
''We are in a very tough commercial environment, and the tighter we are and the harder we work together, the more likely we are to be successful.''
Michael Lynch is The Age's chief soccer reporter and also reports on motor sport and horseracing
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Game of Thrones: Spoiler-y Speculation, Take Two
What’s (probably) in store for the final episodes
Christopher Orr
Yes, yes, the Memorial Day barbeques and pool parties are lovely. And thank god summer is finally here. But the fact that HBO temporarily suspends Game of Thrones over the holiday weekend has turned it into a bit of an anti-holiday in my household. That said, even if we can’t watch the show, at least we can sit around idly speculating about it.
When Season 4 began, I suggested that while it might not offer any single shock quite on the level of Season 3’s Red Wedding or Season 1’s Be-Nedding, it would offer many more such shocks and they would likely be doled out incrementally over the course of the season. Even a month ago, when I wrote an earlier post on spoilers, I still imagined that a few Big Moments were imminent. But of the six scenes on my previous list, only one—the defenestration of Lysa Arryn—has yet taken place, and even that was in the final scene of episode seven. Which is all a long way of saying that, having taken their time with a few narrative detours over the course of the season, showrunners David Benioff and D.B. Weiss look as though they’re preparing to cram an extraordinary number of thrills into the last three episodes.
Before I go further, let me say once more that these are spoilers, intended only for readers of the George R. R. Martin novels. If you haven’t read the books, get out now. (Any book readers who don’t want to be reminded of what is coming are encouraged to do likewise.) Also, I should note that I have not seen any of the three remaining episodes, so technically these spoilers aren’t really even spoilers, but rather educated spoiler-y guesses. Readers are welcome to offer their own guesses in the comments, especially given my own mediocre results to date in predicting where things have been headed.
Episode Eight: “The Mountain and the Viper”
For anyone who didn’t see it coming long ago, last week’s terrific scene between Tyrion and Oberyn (combined with the title of the episode) made pretty clear what we can expect this coming week. As I noted at the time, I was not a fan of the reintroduction of the Mountain as a shirtless thug massacring random peasants. But his duel with Oberyn will be awfully hard to screw up. Pedro Pascal has been magnificent in the latter role, and just imagining the drumbeat of his chant—“You raped her. You murdered her. You killed her children”—is nearly enough to give me chills. (Oberyn’s mantra is often compared to that of Inigo Montoya, but I hadn’t known until recently that it is, according to George R. R. Martin, a conscious imitation.) If they pull it off correctly, the conclusion of the duel should be one of the most gut-wrenching scenes of this season, or any other.
As for the rest of the episode, last week’s preview offered a few hints. We’ll see some of Ygritte, Tormund, et al. for the first time in a while—their last appearance was all the way back in episode three—and it looks as though the Magnar of Thenn may be making mole stew out of Mole’s Town. It’d be nice if we’d also finally get another glimpse of the great Ciaran Hinds as Mance Rayder (last seen all the way back in season three) approaching the Wall from the north, in preparation for the big battle in the next episode. From the look of things, Ramsay’s taking of Moat Cailin (with the help of Theon/Reek) is being imported from book five, although whether they’ll complete the gory storyline this episode or drag it out is anyone’s guess. And given the removal of Marillion the singer—who served as a convenient fall guy in the novels—it’s unclear how Littlefinger is going to get away with dumping Lysa out the Moon Door. In the preview it appears that Sansa is turning him in to the Lords of the Vale (“Lord Baelish has told many lies. I have to tell the truth”), but it wouldn’t surprise me if this is a bit of misdirection being thrown our way.
Episode Nine: “The Watchers on the Wall”
Again, it’s not hard to figure out what will be the primary thrust of this episode. Benioff and Weiss brought back director Neil Marshall, who helmed the “Blackwater” episode in season two, and he says the struggle for the Wall will take place on a still-larger scale, involving “three different battles going on at the same time in different places.” My assumption is that these will be the skirmish at Castle Black involving Ygritte and the rest of the scouting party (which took place earlier in the books), the battle for the gate (will we see Mag the Mighty?), and the broader siege of the Wall proper. (For the curious, there’s more from director Marshall here.)
I’m guessing that the heartbreaking kicker of the episode will be Ygritte’s final “You know nothing, Jon Snow,” which I’ve been dreading all season. Like Pedro Pascal, Rose Leslie has parlayed a supporting performance into one of the very most appealing roles on the show. Losing the two of them in consecutive episodes is going to be incredibly painful.
The doings at the Wall will take up the bulk of the episode, so I wouldn’t expect too much else in the way of major developments. If anything, I suspect some of the story up North—the arrival of Stannis’s army, for instance—will slosh over into the episode 10 finale.
Episode 10: “The Children”
The title of this episode is not nearly as revealing as that of the previous two, though I have my thoughts on it. What we can say with some assurance is that this season, Game of Thrones is breaking with its usual formula of offering a major turning point in episode nine and then putting the pieces back together in episode 10. At least, so says Alex Graves, who directed this episode and called it “by far the largest episode that they’ve ever made.” (At 66 minutes, it will also be the longest episode.) As noted, I suspect most or all of the business with Stannis will occur this episode. And “The Children” is in all likelihood a reference to Daenerys’s dragons, which may be expanding their misbehaviors (and diets): The scene with the goat’s bones earlier in the season was a pretty clear indicator that we will also get the scene with the bones that are not a goat's, which could make the episode’s title a bit of a gruesome double entendre. Benioff and Weiss have already tinkered with Daeny’s relationship with Jorah, so it’s unclear what may still be in store. But if she is going to banish him (as she does in the novels) this would be an obvious point in the show for it to happen. It also wouldn’t surprise me if we see more of Daario Naharis and the battle to retake Yunkai. Finally, though the Hound’s wound from Biter is different from the one he sustained in the books, I suspect the outcome will be the same, and at some time in these final three episodes he will be left to his (presumed) death as well. Rory McCann has really lifted his game this season, so this will be another major loss to the show.
And, of course, we will almost certainly get the scene that book readers have been waiting for all season long, when Jaime releases Tyrion and tells him the truth about his first wife Tysha, followed by the Imp paying a visit to the Tower of the Hand, where it is revealed once and for all that a) Tywin Lannister is less anti-whore than he pretends; and b) he does not, in fact, shit gold. In all, I estimate that, after seven episodes involving only two major deaths (Joffrey’s and Lysa Arryn’s), we’ll see five or more characters bite the dust in the final three episodes. Ouch.
A Storm of Swords, the novel from which this season was mostly drawn, closes with an epilogue featuring the appearance of Lady Stoneheart, a.k.a., Zombie Catelyn. It wouldn’t surprise me at all if she closes out the show as well, given the series’ penchant for ending with supernatural reveals (dragons in season one, white walkers in season two.) It’s even possible that Benioff and Weiss have moved Brienne and Pod’s storyline ahead far enough along that it could be their necks in nooses this time around rather than that of some second-tier Frey. On the other hand, there will be plenty going on in episode 10 even without Zombie Cat, and she’d make a natural pre-title sequence opener for season five…
Thoughts? Anything else that I’m leaving out?
Christopher Orr is a senior editor and film critic at The Atlantic.
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James Comey, Obama's Pick to Lead the FBI, Stood Up Against the Bush Legal Opinion on 'Enhanced Interrogations'
Brian ResnickNational Journal
James Comey, President Obama's reported pick to head the FBI, is a Republican. But he's most known for being a vocal dissenter working as the deputy attorney general during the Bush administration. In one dramatic incident when President George W. Bush was seeking re-approval of the wiretapping program, Comey stonewalled the administration at the hospital bedside of Attorney General John Ashcroft. "I was angry," Comey testified about the incident. "I thought I had just witnessed an effort to take advantage of a very sick man who did not have the powers of the attorney general."
But that was not the only time he spoke out against the executive.
In 2005, the Justice Department was compiling a legal memo on "enhanced interrogation" (which some would call torture). And Comey wasn't happy with it — at all. In e-mails with his then-Chief of Staff Chuck Rosenberg, he voiced strongly worded dissent that the administration would come to regret its push to allow these techniques to continue.
In 2009, The New York Times obtained the e-mails. Below are selections. Read the whole chain of e-mails at The New York Times:
The AG [Attorney General] explained that he was under great pressure from the Vice President [Dick Cheney] to complete both memos, and that the President had even raised it last week ...
Yesterday morning, I got the most recent draft of the second opinion and read it. My concerns were not allayed, only heightened. Patrick [a Justice Department lawyer] felt just as strongly that this was wrong....
I told [Alberto Gonzales's chief of staff] that the people who were applying pressure now would not be there when the ___ hit the fan. Rather, they would simply say they had only asked for an opinion. It would be Alberto Gonzales in the bullseye. I told him that my job was to protect the Departmwnt [sic] and the AG and that I could not agree to this because it was wrong. I told him it could be made right in a week, which was a blink of an eye, and that nobody would understand at a hearing three years from now why we didn't take that week....
... It leaves me feeling sad for the Department and the AG. I don't know what more is to be done, given that I have already submitted my resignation. I just hope that when all of this comes out, this institution doesn't take the hit, but rather taken by those individuals who occupied positions at the OLC [The Office of Legal Counsel] and OAG and were too weak to stand up for the principles that undrgird [sic] the rest of this great institution....
People may think it strange to hear me say I miss John Ashcroft, but as intimidated as he could be by the WH, when it came to crunch-time, he stood up, even from an intensive care hospital bed. That backbone is gone.
h/t: Matt Berman contributed to this article
Brian Resnick is a former staff correspondent at National Journal and a former producer of The Atlantic's National channel.
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Educated: A Memoir (CD-Audio)
By Tara Westover, Julia Whelan (Read by)
March 2018 Indie Next List
“Tara Westover is barely 30; could she really write a necessary and timely memoir already? Absolutely. Raised largely 'off the grid' in rural Idaho - without school, doctor visits, a birth certificate, or even a family consensus on the date of her birth - Tara nevertheless decides she wants to go to college. This is a story in two parts: First, Tara's childhood working in a dangerous scrapyard alongside her six siblings, her survivalist father, and her mother, a conflicted but talented midwife and healer, while fearing Y2K and the influence of the secular world; then, her departure from her mountain home to receive an education. Both halves of her story are equally fascinating. Educated is a testament to Tara's brilliance and tenacity, a bittersweet rendering of how family relationships can be cruel or life-saving, and a truly great read from the first page to the last.”
— Emilie Sommer, East City Bookshop, Washington, DC
#1 NEW YORK TIMES, WALL STREET JOURNAL, AND BOSTON GLOBE BESTSELLER • NAMED ONE OF THE TEN BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY THE NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW • ONE OF PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA’S FAVORITE BOOKS OF THE YEAR • BILL GATES’S HOLIDAY READING LIST • FINALIST FOR THE NATIONAL BOOK CRITICS CIRCLE’S AWARD IN AUTOBIOGRAPHY • FINALIST FOR THE NATIONAL BOOK CRITICS CIRCLE’S JOHN LEONARD PRIZE FOR BEST FIRST BOOK • FINALIST FOR THE PEN/JEAN STEIN BOOK AWARD
NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY The Washington Post • O: The Oprah Magazine • Time • NPR • Good Morning America • San Francisco Chronicle • The Guardian • The Economist • Financial Times • Newsday • New York Post • theSkimm • Refinery29 • Bloomberg • Self • Real Simple • Town & Country • Bustle • Paste • Publishers Weekly • Library Journal • LibraryReads • BookRiot • Pamela Paul, KQED • New York Public Library
An unforgettable memoir about a young girl who, kept out of school, leaves her survivalist family and goes on to earn a PhD from Cambridge University
Born to survivalists in the mountains of Idaho, Tara Westover was seventeen the first time she set foot in a classroom. Her family was so isolated from mainstream society that there was no one to ensure the children received an education, and no one to intervene when one of Tara’s older brothers became violent. When another brother got himself into college, Tara decided to try a new kind of life. Her quest for knowledge transformed her, taking her over oceans and across continents, to Harvard and to Cambridge University. Only then would she wonder if she’d traveled too far, if there was still a way home.
“Beautiful and propulsive . . . Despite the singularity of [Tara Westover’s] childhood, the questions her book poses are universal: How much of ourselves should we give to those we love? And how much must we betray them to grow up?”—Vogue
“Westover has somehow managed not only to capture her unsurpassably exceptional upbringing, but to make her current situation seem not so exceptional at all, and resonant for many others.”—The New York Times Book Review
“Westover is a keen and honest guide to the difficulties of filial love, and to the enchantment of embracing a life of the mind.”—The New Yorker
“An amazing story, and truly inspiring. It’s even better than you’ve heard.”—Bill Gates
“Heart-wrenching . . . a beautiful testament to the power of education to open eyes and change lives.”—Amy Chua, The New York Times Book Review
“A coming-of-age memoir reminiscent of The Glass Castle.”—O: The Oprah Magazine
“Westover’s one-of-a-kind memoir is about the shaping of a mind. . . . In briskly paced prose, she evokes a childhood that completely defined her. Yet it was also, she gradually sensed, deforming her.”—The Atlantic
“Tara Westover is living proof that some people are flat-out, boots-always-laced-up indomitable. Her new book, Educated, is a heartbreaking, heartwarming, best-in-years memoir about striding beyond the limitations of birth and environment into a better life. . . . ★★★★ out of four.”—USA Today
“[Educated] left me speechless with wonder. [Westover’s] lyrical prose is mesmerizing, as is her personal story, growing up in a family in which girls were supposed to aspire only to become wives—and in which coveting an education was considered sinful. Her journey will surprise and inspire men and women alike.”—Refinery29
“Riveting . . . Westover brings readers deep into this world, a milieu usually hidden from outsiders. . . . Her story is remarkable, as each extreme anecdote described in tidy prose attests.”—The Economist
“A subtle, nuanced study of how dysfunction of any kind can be normalized even within the most conventional family structure, and of the damage such containment can do.”—Financial Times
“Whether narrating scenes of fury and violence or evoking rural landscapes or tortured self-analysis, Westover writes with uncommon intelligence and grace. . . . One of the most improbable and fascinating journeys I’ve read in recent years.”—Newsday
Biography & Autobiography / Religious
Kobo eBook (February 20th, 2018): $14.99
Hardcover (February 20th, 2018): $28.00
Paperback, Large Print (February 20th, 2018): $30.00
Paperback (December 18th, 2018): $19.95
Pre-Recorded Audio Player (September 11th, 2018): $79.99
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Brown defends drought order that doesn't limit farmers
Gov. Brown defends mandatory water cutbacks exempting those who use the most — farmers.
Brown defends drought order that doesn't limit farmers Gov. Brown defends mandatory water cutbacks exempting those who use the most — farmers. Check out this story on thecalifornian.com: http://bit.ly/1C7k5Ei
Published 1:27 p.m. PT April 5, 2015 | Updated 1:28 p.m. PT April 5, 2015
Gov. Jerry Brown(Photo: AP)Buy Photo
SACRAMENTO – Gov. Jerry Brown on Sunday defended his order requiring Californians statewide to cut back on their water use in a historic mandate that spares those who consume the most — farmers.
As California endures a fourth year of drought, Brown's order this week requires towns and cities statewide to draw down water use by 25 percent compared with 2013 levels. While past reductions were voluntary, Brownsaid he is using his emergency powers to make the cuts mandatory.
Martha Raddatz, host of ABC's "This Week" public affairs program, asked Brown why the order doesn't extend to California farmers, who consume 80 percent of the state's water supply but make up less than 2 percent of the state's economy. Brown said farmers aren't using water frivolously on their lawns or taking long showers.
"They're providing most of the fruits and vegetables of America to a significant part of the world," he said.
Brown said that before the cutbacks, some California farmers had already been denied irrigation water from federal surface supplies, forcing them to leave hundreds of thousands of acres unplanted. Many vulnerable farm laborers are without work, he said. Farmers who don't have access to surface water have increased the amount of water pumped from limited groundwater supplies.
Brown announced the mandate on April 1 standing in the Sierra Nevada, where the snowpack measures at 5 percent of historical average, the lowest in 65 years of record-keeping.
Addressing agriculture, Brown said on the broadcast that farmers asserting century-old water rights deeply rooted in state law that allows them access to more water than others "are probably going to be examined."
After declaring a drought emergency in January 2014, Brown urged Californians to voluntarily cut their water use by 20 percent from the previous year. That resulted in great variations among communities and an overall reduction of about 10 percent statewide. Brown did the same as governor in 1977, during another severe drought, asking for a voluntary reduction of 25 percent.
The mandatory order will also require campuses, golf courses, cemeteries and other large landscapes to curb their water use.
"It is a wakeup call," Brown said. "It's requiring action and changes in behavior from the Oregon border all the way to the Mexican border. It affects lawns. It affects people's — how long they stay in the shower, how businesses use water."
Read or Share this story: http://bit.ly/1C7k5Ei
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‘Looper’ Bends Time And Breaks Convention
Looper: 5 out of 5
Joe: Time travel has not yet been invented. But thirty years from now, it will have been.
Time travel movies can often be tricky. I am a big fan of films that attempt to utilize the subject, as I like to spend plenty of time thinking about the logic involved. In many cases, regardless of how much fun or how good the film is, the logic is not really sound. Some time travel flicks work because of how much time they spend detailing their own logistics (Primer is the ultimate example of this). Others work because of how little they seem to care about the logic (think Bill & Ted). But then there are time travel films that just fail on all fronts (think Timecop). Writer/director Rian Johnson’s Looper excels at making its time travel premise work, because it smartly sidesteps a lot of its own issues by almost using its setup as a clever misdirect. As characters bend time, the film bends its own meaning, with a smart and original script and solid performances to h…
‘Pitch Perfect’ Is Aca-Okay
Pitch Perfect: 2 ½ out of 5
Becca:Alright, let’s remix this business.
I may be a guy, in his 20s, who writes about movies and Blu-rays, and plays video games, and would have seemingly no reason to want to see a film about competitive a capella groups, but I found the trailer to be slight, but enjoyable, and who can say no to a smile from Anna Kendrick? Pitch Perfect is pretty much what I expected; sometimes charming, sometimes incredibly formulaic, with a soundtrack that will be dated by the time the film leaves theaters, but it’s harmless. It has some fun performances and a neat a cappella battle scene that I wanted to see more of, but the standard plot bogs it down. Essentially, if you are a big fan of Bring it On, you will probably have plenty of fun with Pitch Perfect, so take that as you will.
Out Now with Aaron and Abe: Episode 74 - Dredd
Time for Dredd. This second regular-style episode of Out Now with Aaron and Abe focuses on the latest adaptation of the Judge Dredd comic as this new, 3D version, starring Karl Urban. Aaron and Abe are joined by guests Jose Cordova and comedian Christian Spicer to talk about the R-rated action flick and shed light on whether this film gave proper justice to its comic roots. Along with Dredd, the group gets into the regular segments as well, including “Know Everybody”, “Trailer Talk” (Red Dawn and Alex Cross), “Movie Call Back”, Box Office Result, and of course Games. Plenty going on under the helmet this week, so have fun checking this episode out.
Out Now with Aaron and Abe: Episode 73 – The Master
This episode of Out Now with Aaron and Abe is the first of two recorded back to back this week.The main topic is a lengthy review of The Master, which Aaron, Abe, and guests Mark Johnson and Mark Hobin, are happy to all participate in.The film has certainly built up a lot of hype behind it from the filmlover crowd, so now it has come time to try to apply some sort of analysis to it.That said, this is still an Out Now episode complete with the regular segments, including “Know Everybody”, “Trailer Talk” (Lincoln and The Hobbit), “Movie Call Back”, “Out Now Quickies™”, Box Office, and of course Games.It’s a backed show with lots to process.
Out Now with Aaron and Abe: Bonus Episode – Audio Commentary For From Russia With Love
Another commentary for Out Now with Aaron and Abe.This time the guys are talking about the 2nd James Bond film and one of the best, From Russia With Love.They figured that with Skyfall approaching soon, talking Bond films would be fun, especially with the presence of Scott Mendelson and a man Aaron and Abe consider a pretty well-spoken Bond enthusiast, Brandon Peters.The group goes through a lengthy discussion while watching the film, which can be synched up for those who would want to watch along, but for everyone in general, this commentary track is just a strong source of fun banter revolving around this film and Bond in general.So enjoy.
Important Note:This commentary features both juvenile uses of language and jokes that may be considered un-PC.We of course are just trying to have a fun time…
Two Good Cops Work Until The ‘End Of Watch’
End Of Watch: 4 out of 5
Brian Taylor:We’re cops, everybody wants to kill us.
Talk about surprises!End of Watch is maybe the best cop drama I have seen since The Departed, let alone the best cop film I have seen in quite some time that does not involve corrupt or undercover officers who get in too deep. This seems like a film that could have been incredibly generic, serving as just another entry in a line of crime dramas and buddy cop movies, while only bringing the notion of found footage to the table as a new take on the genre.Instead, End of Watch turned out to be an incredibly engaging film, depicting too good cops who get in over their heads, after working too effectively.The film works due to the strength of these two lead performances and the sense of urgency that is utilized given the filming style.It is intense when it needs to be, but also quite enjoyable because of how well we come to know the relationship between these two cops who are partners that work hard to stop crime.
‘Dredd’ Is The Law, And He Brings Proper Judgment
Dredd 3D: 4 out of 5 Judge Dredd: Negotiation’s over. Sentence is death. For a movie that is about brutal violence and maintaining a dark and nihilistic tone throughout, Dredd sure was a pretty film. This second attempt on a theatrical feature about the futuristic cop who serves as judge, jury, and executioner is an exercise in grit and violence, with just a hint of self-satire to keep the whole thing quite entertaining throughout, but its best asset is the visual aesthetic, which makes the ugly world that we find these characters in look quite striking. This seems especially notable, given that the film utilizes simplicity in its structure to keep from feeling to empty overall, but as a fairly non-complex action picture, it has plenty of time to look and feel like a well-made, stripped down genre flick, with plenty of thrills and gunplay to keep up the excitement. For what Dredd has attempted to do, it does it well enough to satisfy the law that Dredd swears by.
‘The Master’ And His Cause Requires Some Processing
The Master: 3 ½ out of 5
Lancaster Dodd:Man is not an animal. We are not a part of the animal kingdom. We sit far above that crown, perched as animals, not beasts. I have unlocked and discovered a secret to living in these bodies that we hold.
So a WWII Vet and the leader of a cult walk into a bar…One has no idea where to go and the other appears to have all the answers. A main character finding comfort and solace from a new and enigmatic person in their life has been a theme in other films from writer/director Paul Thomas Anderson. Hard Eight (Sydney) has John C. Reilly learning from a much classier Phillip Baker Hall. Boogie Nights features Mark Wahlberg being taken in as a new, bright shining star by the patriarch of a porn-associated family, played by Burt Reynolds. Punch-Drunk Love has Adam Sandler’s introverted Barry completely changing his life around, as he decides to pursue Emily Watson’s character, as the two seem to be kindred spirits. Anderson’s latest film, The Master…
Out Now with Aaron and Abe: Bonus Episode – The Adventures of Indiana Jones
This week’s episode of Out Now with Aaron and Abe is another bonus episode.This time, Aaron, Abe, and guests Alan Aguilera and Jordan Grout, along with newest guest Gregg Knox, spend time evaluating the complete adventures of Indiana Jones, in honor of the Blu-ray set released this week.The group discusses every film individually, while of course approaching where they stack up in the series as a whole, along with memorable moments, and other things about the series in general.Not many of the regular segments this week, aside from everyone’s favorite, “Know Everybody,” but there’s certainly no time for love Dr. Jones, because these guys are on a constant stream of thought regarding everyone’s favorite professor/adventurer.
Grumpy Old Clint Finds ‘Trouble With The Curve’
Trouble With The Curve: 2 ½ out of 5
Gus:Get out of here, before I have a heart attack trying to kill you.
So Clint Eastwood has returned to the big screen for a movie that does not require a whole lot of effort from him. Trouble with the Curve is a fairly slight film about a number of old American chestnuts, such as baseball, getting older, trusting your instincts, and the father-daughter relationship. It is not necessarily bad, it is just nothing that is all that special, as everything about the film is predictable, lacking in subtlety, and tied up in a nice little package at the end. The reason to show up is for Clint of course, but how much you appreciate him depends on how much you want to put up with his grumpy old man shtick. The likability of Amy Adams and Justin Timberlake add a bit to the film, but overall, it is a fairly slow walk through the ballpark.
Out Now with Aaron and Abe: Bonus Episode – Audio Commentary For Judge Dredd
Here we go with another bonus commentary.This time, inspired both by the upcoming release of Dredd 3D and the enthusiasm of guest Jordan Grout, Aaron, Abe, along with Jordan and commentary favorite Jim Dietz, decided that the 1995 Judge Dredd was a perfectly good choice for a movie that Out Now could discuss at feature length.As always, these commentaries are recorded to match up with the film, which the gang is sure to synch up in the opening, before things get underway.Whether or not the listener decides to listen to the commentary with or without the movie playing in the background is a choice that they’ll have to make for themselves.
Still Just Swimming With Finding Nemo; Now With (Inconsequential) 3D
Dory: This is the Ocean, silly, we're not the only two in here. With a Blu-ray finally on the way this fall, Finding Nemo returned to theaters with a shiny, new 3D coat. This is not really a review of Finding Nemo, just a brief post about my continued, unabashed love for the 5th theatrical release from Pixar, which would become the studio's most successful feature (were one to combine its box office totals, critical praise, and accolades) until Toy Story 3 came along. It serves as a perfect template for what Pixar strives for and for me, it continues to be great in every sense. It delivers on story, character beats, humor, drama, and adventure, while also remaining highly re-watchable. Its return to theaters as an up-converted 3D version of the film may be a simple way to further cash-in, before the Blu-ray hits shelves, but similar to other re-released 3D features, its a decent enough excuse to allow me to see a film I really enjoy on the big screen again.
‘Robot & Frank’: A Buddy Movie From The Near Future
Robot & Frank: 4 out of 5
Robot: Hello, Frank. It is a pleasure to meet you.
Frank: How do you know?
Sometimes it all just boils down to something as simple as a man and his robot. Robot & Frank is a very low key story that takes a simple sci-fi premise and manages to pull off something pretty affecting. It features a wonderful lead performance from Frank Langella, who is tasked with playing an elderly man who befriends a robot, which leads into a film that ends up being a drama, a buddy comedy, and a heist film all in one. The result is a charming feature that is both sly and heartfelt. There may not be much more to this film that adds further dimension to this world or social commentary in any way, beyond the basic themes and concepts, but is still an enjoyable and well-made film, nonetheless.
Out Now with Aaron and Abe: Episode 72 – V/H/S and the [REC] Series
This week’s episode of Out Now with Aaron and Abe is a found footage horror special.Aaron and Abe, along with special guest Gerard Iribe, have decided to talk about the Spanish horror film [REC] and its subsequent sequels, along with the newest horror anthology film, V/H/S.All of these features are shot in the found footage format, which is a good enough throughline.Regardless, it is a quadruple movie review episode, which seems like plenty for listeners.Of course, it is not plenty for the group, given that they still have all of the regular segments as well, including “Know Everybody”, “Trailer Talk” (Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters and The Bay), “Movie Call Back”, Box Office Results, Games, and other fun.So that seems like a lot, but the guys like to deliver.
Seeing ‘Sleepwalk With Me’ Is A Step In The Right Direction
Sleepwalk With Me: 4 out of 5
Matt:Abby, there’s a jackal in the room!
So I have been told that I have sleepwalked before.This realization has dawned on me as well, as I have found myself in weird situations in the dead of night before, but it has never lead to anything that has put me into harm’s way.In saying this, I do not think it necessarily puts me right in tune with what writer/director/star of Sleepwalk with Me, Mike Birbiglia, has gone through, but it did seem like an honest and easy enough hook to draw people in, so there you go.For those still with me on this, along with being a story about a man who developed a sleepwalking disorder based on the stress in his life, this film delivers a relationship story and a story about a burgeoning comedian who found his way.It is a scrappy little film, based on a true story, but it is quite entertaining and endearing.
Seek Out ‘Searching For Sugar Man’
Searching for Sugar Man: 4 out of 5
Stephen Segerman:To many of us South Africans, he was the soundtrack to our lives. Does anyone have a favorite musician, who made music they really appreciated, only to have no idea what happened to that person or group? On the contrary, what if you did something you enjoyed and released your work to the public, found little success and faded into oblivion, only to learn years later that you have become something of an icon for a particular crowd. Searching for Sugar Man is a documentary that basically explores the idea of a mythical figure on the small scale. It follows the journey of a few men seeking the truth behind what happened to a musician who never amounted to much in his own country, but become something of a phenomenon elsewhere. It is a tremendously appealing film, due to the nature of the people involved, what we come to learn about the man who is sought after, and of course the wonderful soundtrack of the film.
Out Now with Aaron and Abe: Bonus Episode – 1st Annual Top Summer Movies Gamble – RESULTS!
This special episode of Out Now with Aaron and Abe is our epic result show.Aaron, Abe, and guests Alan Aguilera, Mark Hobin, and Adam Gentry were tasked with making a big wager back in May. The 1st Annual Top Summer Movies Gamble, where everyone had made a list of what films they thought would be the top ten biggest box office successes of the summer, has now come to a close. Each participant had created their own list (and added a few dark horses as well) and the podcast once again lays out the rules and how scoring will work, followed by the results as to who came out on top overall. In addition, everyone also goes over all of their biggest hits and misses as far as the summer films were concerned. Hilarious hijinks, of course, ensue, as well as the name of our ultimate winner for this awesome challenge.
Out Now with Aaron and Abe: Bonus Episode – Audio Commentary For Street Fighter
It’s another commentary and it’s a good one.Out Now with Aaron and Abe is happy to present a commentary focused on the 1994 classic, Street Fighter, starring Jean-Claude Van Damme and Raul Julia.Aaron and Abe are joined by Alan Aguilera and Jordan Grout, as well as Street Fighter Video Game technical expert Ken Noffsinger, who all impart some thoughts and knowledge in regards to the film adaptation, which we all know and love.As always, these commentaries seem to be fun whether or not you are actually watching the movie, so feel free to get our thoughts and be entertained, regardless of the setting.
‘V/H/S’ Brings On Grainy Anthology Horror
V/H/S: 3 ½ out of 5
Lily: I like you.
I love the idea of anthology horror films and wish there was more of them. I love Creepshow, for example, and the most recent anthology horror flick that I really enjoyed, Trick r Treat, is another delightful entry as well. I think it has to do with seeing lots of ideas packed into one feature successfully, because the short story format allow for playing around with cool ideas that don’t necessarily wear out their welcome. V/H/S is a neat concept for a horror anthology, as it both presents multiple shorts from different directors and has a main story to tie them all together in a sense, while using the ‘found footage’ format as one of its big selling points. There are some stories that are much better than others and the film, as a whole, has issues with giving us likable characters to follow, but there is an inventiveness to each that does well for the film as a whole. Even if the film relies on presenting films as if they were shot in as l…
Out Now with Aaron and Abe: Episode 71 - Lawless
This week’s episode of Out Now with Aaron and Abe takes a look at the wettest county in the world, as Aaron, Abe, and special guests Alan Aguilera and Mark Johnson discuss the film Lawless.Find out if we thought this Bootlegging Period-Drama had enough to keep us entertained.Also check out the episode for all of the usual segments, including “Know Everybody”, “Trailer Talk” (Seven Psychopaths, Trouble with the Curve), “Movie Call Back”, Box Office Results, Games, and a brand new segment called “Out Now Quickies”.Lots to discuss and lots to go over, with plenty of Tom Hardy murmurs to keep us entertained.
Summer 2012’s Hits, Misses, And The Films In Between
Another summer at the movies has come to an end and I do enjoy providing some sort of wrap up to this busy time for the cinema. I decided to do things a bit different this year though. I have listed what I consider my top five films of the summer (alphabetically), along with the worst films of the summer, the biggest disappointments, the biggest surprises, and a few indies that deserve more attention. I should note that while I did manage to see a large amount of films this summer, posting at least 2 reviews of new releases a week, there were a few that I missed (avoided) as well. Also, I always encourage interaction in these posts. What were everyone else’s favorites of the summer (possible putting Avengers and Dark Knight Rises aside)? Or surprises and disappointments? It is always fun to dig into these questions.
‘The Possession’ Has A Generic Title Fitting Of A Generic Movie
The Possession: 2 out of 5
Emily:Daddy, you scared me.
The Possession is everything one would expect from a late August or early January horror film release.This of course means it was filmed a while ago, sat around until things seemed clear enough, and was then dumped into theaters.There is something to be said for the marketing effort made to promote this film, complete with creepy images of bugs and hands coming out of mouths, but the film does nothing out of the ordinary and simply functions as another bland exorcism movie.
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ins and outs Jan. 10, 2012
Urban Outfitters CEO Quits
Glen Senk, the CEO of Urban Outfitters Inc., is leaving his post “to pursue another opportunity,” the company announced today. Senk joined the company eighteen years ago as the president of its Anthropologie division and has served as CEO since 2007. His departure is said to be a surprise, although Urban Outfitters Inc. has been struggling over the past year. He’ll be succeeded by Richard Hayne, the company’s founder, chairman, and president.
Related: Urban Outfitters Attributes a Fourth Quarter of Losses to Lackluster Tops
glen senk
richard hayne
ins and outs
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Connemara: A Little Gaelic Kingdom by Tim Robinson - review
An outsider's love affair with Connemara
Fri 21 Oct 2011 17.55 EDT First published on Fri 21 Oct 2011 17.55 EDT
'Unfathomable depth and richness of the natural world': Kylemore Lough, Connemara. Photograph: Alamy
Visitors to Ireland, and indeed the Irish themselves, find startling the contrast between the eastern edge of the country and the western. To travel the hundred and fifty miles or so from Dublin and its lush surrounding counties to the flinty peaks and rocky shores of Connemara is to voyage from a more or less familiar present into a mysterious, enduring antiquity. Tim Robinson remarks that of all the words in the Irish language, "the most potent are sean, old, and siar, westwards or backwards in time or space". Certainly that westward journey is still a vivid emblem stamped on the collective Irish psyche.
"To Hell or to Connaught", as every Irish schoolboy knows, was the choice offered to the natives by Cromwell's land-grabbing soldiery, and many a subsequent native son has considered in his heart that only in the west does the true Irish reality survive – impoverished, desperate, hardy and authentic. However, the notion of the "spirit of the nation" preserved in a wild, much-storied place can be a dangerous one. Nationalism, smugly self-assured and at the same time quivering with ressentiment, has wrought much havoc in Ireland, as we know.
Robinson takes his title from Patrick Pearse, leader of the 1916 rising, who cleaved to the west for spiritual sustenance and nationalist inspiration, that real and envisioned west where he "was to build, write and plot, and to foresee his death". To a friend one day Pearse spoke of the inspired possibility of instituting in Connemara "a little Gaelic kingdom of our own". It is a telling phrase, indicative as much of Pearse's gentleness and romantic Lilliputianism as of his grand fantasies of kingship and regal splendour.
Over the past four decades Robinson, artist, cartographer, writer, has devoted himself to a project that is nothing less than an attempted recuperation of what can claim to be the last stronghold, if that is the word, of Irish-speaking Ireland. Born in Yorkshire, he moved to the Aran Islands in 1972, and later settled in the village of Roundstone on the Connemara coast, where he still lives. Over the centuries Ireland has been host and haven to a number of remarkable Englishmen-gone-native, most of them true lovers of the country, a few of them embittered fanatics. Robinson is certainly to be numbered among the former. In his Stones of Aran diptych, Pilgrimage and Labyrinth, and his trilogy Connemara, of which A Little Gaelic Kingdom is the headstone, he has done in words for the west what he had already done as a cartographer in his maps of the Aran Islands, of the Burren area of County Clare, and of Connemara.
Though a genuinely modest and even hesitant surveyor of place and practice, he insists on the significance of the venture he has undertaken. Contemplating how the centuries abrade the shapes that man's "imperious eye" forces on the landscape, he writes: "If I insist on the symbolism I find in such places … it is because the flood of change threatens to bear away all such constructs of meaning, and it is the task of the topographer to shore them up. Without the occasional renewal of memory and regular rehearsal of meaning, place itself founders into shapelessness, and time, the great amnesiac, forgets all."
Although it is the last to be published, A Little Gaelic Kingdom is, its author tells us, to be considered the second, central, volume in the Connemara trilogy. In Listening to the Wind he wrote about Roundstone and the surrounding countryside and coastline; The Last Pool of Darkness – the title is from Wittgenstein, who in the late 1940s lived for a time in a cottage near Killary Harbour – moved northwards to the area around Killary and Clifden. Now he gives us a detailed evocation of the heart of Connemara, stretching westwards from Galway city, the area known as Cois Fharraige ("beside-the-sea"), up to Maam and down again to the villages, ports and the bewilderingly various archipelagos of that southern-facing coast which with some delight he describes as "anfractuous", a word borrowed from that great borrower TS Eliot.
In celebrating the marvels of the little rugged world that is Connemara Robinson strives, in John Updike's lovely formulation, to "give the ordinary its beautiful due". As he says, "that the world is explicable is miraculous, and so explanations need not be the undoing of miracles". He is that rarest of phenomena, a scientist and an artist, and his method is to combine scientific rigour with artistic reverie in a seamless blend that both informs and delights. One intends no slight by saying that he loves Connemara, "this strange, self-obsessed countryside", as only an outsider could. He is keenly alive to the perils that lie in wait for the unwary immigrant. "Sometimes," he writes, "in this bicycle-powered world of roadside and hearthside conversations I felt I was inhabiting my own nostalgic fantasy of bygone Ireland."
This worry is largely misplaced. In only one instance does his judgment falter, when he gives an account of the funeral rites for the great sean-nós ("old-style") folk singer Joe Heaney, an account which trembles on the brink of kitsch. Heaney, a difficult genius, died in America in 1984 and his corpse was waked there before being flown home to Ireland. During the wake there was, Robinson writes, an "odd incident", when one of the mourners attempted to drape an Irish flag over his coffin, "as befitting a hero of the Irish people", and was told she could not do so by the funeral director, "whereupon a gentleman in the background very quietly said, 'She can do whatever she wants'. And as this obscure figure was understood to be from the IRA, the flag was left on the coffin." Many of us in Ireland will swallow hard on reading this, as we cast our minds back to the murder and mayhem that certain "gentlemen in the background" were inflicting at the time on what in those days we used delicately to refer to as "these islands".
The presiding spirit of Robinson's book is Benôit Mandelbrot, whose 1967 paper "How Long Is the Coast of Britain?" opened up the extraordinary world of fractal geometry, which takes us on a dizzying spiral through layer after layer of self-similarity down to and through quantum reality itself. One of the consequences of Mandelbrot's revolution is that it confronts us with the difficulty inherent in measuring the edge of anything, such as a coastline, the "tortuosities" of which Robinson has spent much of his life studying. "Like all discoveries," he writes, Mandelbrot's work "surprises us yet again with the unfathomable depth and richness of the natural world." The same could be said of Robinson's own meticulous and loving word-map of this westernmost corner of Europe.
John Banville's The Infinities is published by Picador.
Ireland holidays
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Djokovic completes slam
Novak Djokovic after winning a point during the French Open final against Andy Murray. The four-set victory allowed the Serb to stretch his winning record over the Scot to 24-10 overall and 8-2 in Grand Slams. For Murray, it was his eighth loss in 10 Grand Slam finals.PHOTO: EUROPEAN PRESSPHOTO AGENCY
Jun 6, 2016, 5:00 am SGT
http://str.sg/43nF
Serb rallies to beat Murray, wins French Open at 12th attempt for his 12th major title
PARIS • Novak Djokovic captured a first French Open at the 12th time of asking yesterday, becoming just the third man in history to hold all four Grand Slam titles at the same time.
The world No. 1 downed old rival Andy Murray 3-6, 6-1, 6-2, 6-4 to claim a 12th career Major and join Don Budge in 1938 and Rod Laver, in 1962 and 1969, as the only players to simultaneously possess the French Open, Australian Open, US Open and Wimbledon trophies.
Djokovic, 29, also put himself halfway to the calendar Grand Slam, last achieved by Laver 47 years ago.
But he did it the hard way as the final reached its conclusion, being broken in the eighth game of the fourth set as he served for the title and then squandering two championship points in the 10th before he sealed victory when Murray netted a backhand.
Victory also allowed Djokovic to stretch his winning record over 29-year-old Murray to 24-10 overall and 8-2 in Grand Slams.
But the Serb was horribly out of sorts with his 13 unforced errors nearly proving fatal.
The world No. 1 had to shake off a break point in the opening game of the second set before Murray obligingly imploded, dropping serve to fall 0-2 behind.
Djokovic misread the geometry on a drop shot which would have given him a double break in the fourth game but he was soon 4-1 to the good.
The top seed remained ruthlessly dialled-in, broke again for 5-1 and levelled the final when Murray dumped a service return into the net.
In the third set, the Serb saved four break points to go to 5-1 before securing the set against a weary-looking Murray, who had spent five hours longer on court than Djokovic and played two five-setters in the opening rounds to get to his first French Open final.
In the fourth, the Serb broke to love for 5-2 and history was just moments away. However, there was still time for a twist as he cracked when serving for the title before finally sealing the triumph after three hours on court.
A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on June 06, 2016, with the headline 'Djokovic completes slam'. Print Edition | Subscribe
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Prof Colin Suckling
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Professor Colin Suckling
Pure and Applied Chemistry
Colin Suckling
548 2271 c.j.suckling@strath.ac.uk
Colin Suckling has been Freeland Professor of Chemistry at the University of Strathclyde since 1989. During the 1990s until 2002, he served successively as Dean of the Faculty of Science, Deputy Principal, and Vice Principal of the University of Strathclyde. Much of Professor Suckling's work during that time was strategic including the development of inter-institutional and interdisciplinary research partnerships notably the research collaboration with the University of Glasgow (WestCHEM), which was recognized publicly with the award of OBE in 2006.
Recent and current research interests focus on the synthesis and properties of heterocyclic compounds designed as molecular probes for biological systems or as drugs. Particular progress has been made in the field of fused pyrimidine compounds with anticancer and antiparasite activity and in the field of minor groove binders for DNA with antibacterial activity. Several discoveries are entering pre-clinical development.
Professor Suckling's standing in the field of heterocyclic chemistry has been recognized by the award of the Adrien Albert Lectureship of the Royal Society of Chemistry (2009-10) and his appointment as chairman of the 2011 International Congress of Heterocyclic Chemistry to be held in Glasgow.
Honorary Life Fellowship of Indian Society of Chemists and Biologists
Gold medal of Indian Society of Chemists and Biologists
Nexxus Lifetime achievement award
Royal Society of Chemistry Adrien Albert Lecturer
Honorary Fellow of Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh
more prizes and awards
Novel minor groove binders cure animal African trypanosomiasis in an in vivo mouse model
Giordani Federica, Khalaf Abedawn I, Gillingwater Kirsten, Munday Jane C, De Koning Harry P, Suckling Colin J, Barrett Michael P, Scott Fraser J
Journal of Medicinal Chemistry Vol 62, pp. 3021-3035 (2019)
https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jmedchem.8b01847
Failure of the anti-inflammatory parasitic worm product ES-62 to provide protection in mouse models of type I diabetes, multiple sclerosis, and inflammatory bowel disease
Doonan James, Thomas David , Wong Michelle H , Ramage Hazel J, Al-Riyami Lamyaa, Lumb Felicity E, Bell Kara S, Fairlie-Clarke Karen J, Suckling Colin J, Michelsen Kathrin S , Jiang Hui-Rong, Cooke Anne , Harnett Margaret M, Harnett William
Molecules Vol 23 (2018)
https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules23102669
Synthetic analogues of the parasitic worm product ES-62 reduce disease development in in vivo models of lung fibrosis
Suckling Colin J, Mukherjee Sambuddho, Khalaf Abedawn I, Narayan Ashwini, Scott Fraser J, Khare Sonal, Dhakshinamoorthy Saravanakumar, Harnett Margaret M, Harnett William
Acta Tropica Vol 185, pp. 212-218 (2018)
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actatropica.2018.05.015
Protection against arthritis by the parasitic worm product ES-62, and its drug-like small molecule analogues, is associated with inhibition of osteoclastogenesis
Doonan James, Lumb Felicity E, Pineda Miguel A, Tarafdar Anuradha, Crowe Jenny, Khan Aneesah M, Suckling Colin J, Harnett Margaret M, Harnett William
Frontiers in Immunology Vol 9 (2018)
https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2018.01016
Small molecule analogues of the parasitic worm product ES-62 interact with the TIR domain of MyD88 to inhibit pro-inflammatory signalling
Suckling Colin J, Alam Shahabuddin , Olson Mark A, Saikh Kamal U, Harnett Margaret M, Harnett William
Scientific Reports Vol 8 (2018)
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-018-20388-z
Evaluation of minor groove binders (MGBs) as novel anti-mycobacterial agents, and the effect of using non-ionic surfactant vesicles as a delivery system to improve their efficacy
Hlaka Lerato, Rosslee Michael-Jon, Ozturk Mumin, Kumar Santosh, Parihar Suraj, Brombacher Frank, Khalaf Abedawn, Carter Katharine, Scott Fraser, Suckling Colin, Guler Reto
Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy Vol 72, pp. 3334–3341 (2017)
https://doi.org/10.1093/jac/dkx326
From blue sky research to big data- external perspectives on making knowledge work
There's no escape - single target, multiple effects
The antibacterial drug, MGB-BP-3, from discovery to clinical trial
Drug discovery backwards -from biological activity to target
Royal Society of Chemistry, North East Region
International Conference on Chemistry for Mankind: Innovative Ideas in Life Sciences. ICCM-2011
more professional activities
A new drug discovery pipeline for animal African trypanosomiasis / R150401-2
Suckling, Colin (Principal Investigator) Burley, Glenn (Co-investigator)
01-Jan-2016 - 30-Jan-2019
A new drug discovery pipeline for animal African trypanosomiasis
"A disproportionate burden of the world's infectious diseases (both human and veterinary) fall upon the African continent. Among the most devastating of the infectious agents of animals are the trypanosomes that cause Animal African Trypanosomosis (AAT). Transmitted primarily by tsetse and other biting flies, the disease is present in 40 African countries and affects nearly all domestic animals. The overall economic losses attributable to AAT are estimated at $4.75 billion per annum. These are losses borne principally by those who can least afford them: small-scale subsistence farmers and rural communities in AAT-affected areas of large parts of sub-Saharan Africa who rely on livestock for their livelihoods. Current AAT control tools rely extensively on trypanocidal drugs for the treatment of infected animals and for prophylaxis of infection. The drugs are widely available but were developed over 50 years ago and have significant limitations in terms of safety and increasingly lack efficacy against emergent drug-resistant trypanosomes.
Over ten million km2 of Africa are infested by tsetse flies and thus affected by AAT; this represents a substantial portion of Africa's fertile and watered land. Within this area, millions of small-scale livestock keepers rely on an estimated 55 million cattle and 70 million sheep and goats for their livelihoods and food security. These regions are under sustained and increasing pressure to produce more food for growing populations, increasing per capita consumption of meat and dairy products, climate change and desertification all combine to require increased agricultural output within the potentially productive areas of sub-Saharan Africa. Losses arising from AAT are both direct (e.g. estimated annual death of 3 million cattle) and indirect as a result of productivity losses (e.g. benefits of up to $7,000 per km2 from removing AAT). The net effect is a significant constraint on growth and development of the dairy and beef sectors, as well as sheep and goat rearing in the regions affected. Trypanocidal drugs are the mainstay in the control of AAT because of the absence of realistic prospects for vaccines. Vector control has had limited success and showed poor sustainability, the more so in areas where non-tsetse fly transmission is important (e.g. parts of Africa, but particularly in the Far East and South America too).
The Global Alliance for Livestock Veterinary Medicine (GALVmed) was founded to help channel global efforts into amelioration of the burden placed upon the world's food security brought about by various infectious diseases. With substantial funding from the UK Department for International Development and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, GALVmed has become the primary agency involved in efforts to bring new drugs forward to treat AAT.
In this proposal, experts at the Universities of Glasgow and Strathclyde, and the Roslin Institute of the University of Edinburgh, are coming together to develop a new class of compounds that has been shown to have profound efficacy against the causative agents of AAT, both in vitro and in rodent models of the disease. Chemical structures of those compounds optimised for trypanocidal activity in cattle will be developed with the intention of taking them into clinical development. We will additionally develop new culture systems for the relevant parasite species - a crucial step for rapid and routine screening of our candidate drugs but also large sets of unrelated compounds (chemical libraries), with minimal need for tests in animals. We will also use state of the art biological and computational methods to learn about the internal functioning of the causative parasites, in order to understand how this new class of compound works. This part of the project will also provide key information to allow other classes of compounds to be brought forward, giving an important input to a long-term pipeline of new drugs to treat AAT."
Impact Acceleration Account - University Of Strathclyde 2012 / RA9172
Scott, Fraser (Principal Investigator) Suckling, Colin (Co-investigator)
A Dynamic Perspective on DNA-binding
Hunt, Neil (Principal Investigator) Burley, Glenn (Co-investigator) Suckling, Colin (Co-investigator)
"The binding of small molecules and proteins to DNA is fundamental to biology and considerable scope exists for the development of highly-sequence-selective, DNA-binding molecules as new drug candidates and biotechnological tools to manipulate gene expression. In this proposal we focus on applying cutting-edge time-resolved spectroscopy methods developed at the STFC Central Laser Facility (CLF) to observe, in real time, the binding of small molecules to target sequences in the minor groove of B-DNA.
Minor groove binding (MGB) species have shown promise as novel antibiotics for the fight against hospital acquired infections such as Clostridium difficile, with one such MGB compound, produced by our project partner MGB Biopharma Ltd, entering preclinical trials. Obtaining, a comprehensive molecular-level understanding of the mechanisms that underpin ligand binding in this class of molecules is now critical in order to inform refinement of current candidate molecules and the design of new derivatives for applications in areas such as cancer treatment. Despite much study however, key outstanding questions remain regarding the way in which specific DNA base sequences are identified by the ligand and the role of water in promoting, mediating or inhibiting ligand binding to DNA.
The gaps in our knowledge arise because the current picture of DNA binding stems from experiments such as X-ray diffraction, NMR or biochemical assays that, crucially, are not sensitive to the rapid fluctuations of the DNA architecture or the solvent molecule-driven dynamics that occur in solution. These dynamics directly influence both the shape and chemical environment of the binding site and it is therefore imperative that they are built into any models of DNA binding.
As a result of capital investment in ultrafast laser technology at the CLF and STFC-funded Programme Access research, the capability now exists for studying biomolecular processes in real time and at high spatial resolution using 2D-IR spectroscopy. We seek to establish that this technology can address key issues in the pharmaceutical sector by applying it to record the first 'molecular movie' of the DNA:ligand binding process of an MGB drug candidate. In doing so, we will reveal the influence of DNA fluctuations and water molecules upon binding in unprecedented detail and demonstrate that STFC-funded research can take a lead in transferring academic research to impact in this arena. The results of this work will demonstrably contribute to the design of MGB species for healthcare and we envisage integrating this new knowledge early into the drug design process, ultimately leading to next generation drug candidates with improved efficacy and selectivity for their particular target sequences. In addition, this demonstration of capability will provide a gateway both for future engagement between STFC research and the pharmaceutical sector and for exploitation of future funding routes from previously inaccessible sources such as MRC and the Wellcome Trust."
anti-parasitic work with MGB compounds
Suckling, Colin (Principal Investigator)
The differing biological fates of DNA minor groove-binding (MGB) antibiotics in Gram-negative and Gram-Positive bacteria.
Tucker, Nicholas (Principal Investigator) Hunter, Iain (Co-investigator) Suckling, Colin (Co-investigator)
"Antibiotics have been at the forefront of our fight against infectious disease since the 1940's. Since that time our reliance on antibiotics has been exposed by the rise of antibiotic resistant bacteria such as methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Unfortunately, MRSA is not alone in its ability to resist the effects of antibiotics; other organisms such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa also have this ability. The World Health Organization considers solving the antibiotic resistance problem to be of global importance. One way of solving this problem is through the academic innovation of new antibiotic drugs to fight infectious disease.
We have been studying a group of compounds called MGBs that have very high activity against MRSA. Very little is known about the biological basis for this activity and we will determine the mode of action of these new drugs. We hypothesise that MGBs interfere with the ability of MRSA to control the use of its genes during infection. We will identify which genes are most potently inhibited by our new antibiotics providing us with a detailed set of targets. This information will be used in two ways. Firstly, knowledge of the targets of our drugs will help us to design new compounds that favour particular genes. Secondly, knowledge of the mode of action of a drug is important for gaining approval to use the drug in clinical trials and ultimately, the clinic.
Our previous research suggests that MGBs exhibit much better activity against organisms such as MRSA compared to Pseudomonas and E. coli. We hypothesise that this is because the latter two organisms are capable of expelling the MGBs from their cells using a system of pumps in the membrane. We will use cutting edge DNA sequencing technology to identify the resistance mechanisms of these bacteria and use this information to design new and better antibiotic MGBs to treat these infections in the future."
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Stockholm Moderates vote to abolish Sweden's state TV
svtsrtelevisionradio
Some of the members of the MUF youth party who helped push the vote. Photo: Oliver Rykatkin/MUF
The most influential district of the centre-right Moderate Party has voted to completely abolish all state-funded radio and television in Sweden.
At the annual meeting of the Moderate Party's Stockholm Country division, members overwhelmingly voted to in future campaign to close down Swedish state TV broadcaster SVT, the radio broadcaster Sveriges Radio, and the country's education channel.
"The Moderate party in the Stockholm region has agreed that public service should not exist any more, that in the long term it should vanish," Oliver Rykatkin, deputy vice chairman of the Moderate party's local youth wing, told The Local.
"We want to have as free a media as possible, and we can't have free media if the media is paid for by the government itself. Then it risks becoming a propaganda machine for the government."
At the meeting in Nacka Strand outside Stockholm, 109 members voted for the motion and 77 against.
Rykatkin said that MUF had been pushing the policy "for a very long time, at least 10 years", and that this was the first time it had managed to make it official Moderate Party policy.
He said he hoped Stockholm County would now take the proposal to the party's national assembly in October, after which, if all went well, it would become national policy.
Stockholm County is the Moderate Party's most important stronghold, with the party winning 26 percent of the vote there in last year's election.
Rykatkin said that he believed Sweden's well-funded public serviced broadcasters were suffocating innovation.
"I think it is outdated, I think Sweden has to move forward, we are in a growing economy and we have a growing technological advantage and we have to take advantage of that," he said.
"I think public service is something that takes out a lot of the competition in television."
The digitalisation of the music industry spawned the Swedish music streaming giant Spotify.
The vote was immediately condemned by Christer Nylander, Chairman of the Swedish parliament's Committee on Cultural Affairs, who represents the centre-right Liberal Party.
"I think it's regrettable that the Moderates in Stockholm have taken this decision. Sweden needs diversity in the media, diverse medias and we need public service. We need more investigation, more representation, not less."
Sweden scraps TV licence – but here's what you need to know about the new tax
Sweden Democrats to boycott public broadcaster following debate controversy
#SwedishChristmas: The tradition that's not really all about Kalle Anka
'In Sweden I discovered a new country and rediscovered my own'
More than one in three Swedes watched Donald Duck on Christmas Eve
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CPSC Not Protecting Children’s Safety
Thirteen million toys have been recalled in the last two months due to unsafe levels of lead. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) -- the watchdog agency charged with protecting consumers from such risks -- has exactly one full-time toy inspector. That's right, one. It has 15 inspectors who oversee all of the imports under the agency's jurisdiction -- a $614 billion market.
So when the Senate took up legislation to double the agency's budget, beef up its staff by 20 percent, impose stiffer penalties for company and executive violations, and "give the commission broad new powers to police the marketplace," it of course would have no greater advocate than acting chair, Nancy Nord, right?
Who are you kidding -- not in this White House.
By Katrina vanden HeuvelTwitter
Thirteen million toys have been recalled in the last two months due to unsafe levels of lead. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) — the watchdog agency charged with protecting consumers from such risks — has exactly one full-time toy inspector. That’s right, one. It has 15 inspectors who oversee all of the imports under the agency’s jurisdiction — a $614 billion market.
So when the Senate took up legislation to double the agency’s budget, beef up its staff by 20 percent, impose stiffer penalties for company and executive violations, and “give the commission broad new powers to police the marketplace,” it of course would have no greater advocate than acting chair, Nancy Nord, right?
Who are you kidding — not in this White House.
According to the New York Times, the former lawyer for Eastman Kodak sent not one, but two, letters opposing the bill . Whistle-blower protection (which not even industry opposes), increased transparency for reports on faulty products, and raising the cap on penalties from $1.8 million to $100 million are just some of the measures Nord finds most objectionable.
“It was remarkable to send a letter like that to a committee, when you’re in dire straits and you need increased funding and you’ve acknowledged that,” Ellen Bloom, director of federal policy at Consumers Union, told the Times.
The Bush administration’s ideological contempt for any government role in protecting the public interest is limitless. So, even though Americans are already more vulnerable, for example, than other developed countries when it comes to the safety of our children’s toys, you can count on the Bushies to continue to gut the government so that their cronies in Big Business continue to have their run of the place.
Katrina vanden HeuvelTwitterKatrina vanden Heuvel is editorial director and publisher of The Nation, America’s leading source of progressive politics and culture. She served as editor of the magazine from 1995 to 2019
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National Concealed-carry Reciprocity Gains Momentum and Opposition
When House member Richard Hudson (R-N.C.) introduced his “Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2017” on the first day of the 115th Congress, he said “it will provide law-abiding citizens the right to conceal carry and travel freely between states without worrying about conflicting state codes or onerous civil suits.”
He added, "As a member of President-elect Donald Trump’s Second Amendment Coalition, I look forward to working with my colleagues and the administration to get this legislation across the finish line."
His efforts appear to be bearing fruit. As of this writing, 188 members of the House have already co-sponsored his bill. And last week the Texas House and the Alabama Senate passed permitless carry — also known as constitutional carry — measures that would eliminate the requirement to obtain a permit in order to carry lawfully in those states.
Chris Cox, the head of the National Rifle Association’s Institute for Legislative Action (NRAILA), summed up the case for national reciprocity while simultaneously chiding those pushing back against it: "[Those opposed in the media] don’t report that honest, well-meaning people — nurses, stay-at-home moms, veterans, even a disaster relief worker — have been charged with felonies for simply having a lawfully-owned firearm. Each was legally licensed to carry a firearm in their own state, but [was] arrested and charged as criminals when safely carrying it through another, less-free state."
Pushback against the reciprocity legislation is gaining momentum, especially in those states with highly restrictive firearms-ownership laws. Last month, New York City’s police commissioner, James O’Neill, joined with Manhattan’s district attorney, Cyrus Vance, Jr., in an editorial in the Wall Street Journal, claiming that such a law “would be a dangerous and unwarranted interference with state and city laws [which would undermine] public safety in some of America’s most celebrated neighborhoods and tourist attractions.” The two pictured tourists from concealed carry states riding subways, scaring the natives and resulting in “shootouts in Times Square”: “We don’t want subways packed with pistols or shootouts in Times Square. We don’t want our highly-effective gun laws superseded, overturned or otherwise interfered with. We will fight any federal action that lets visitors bring guns to our streets.”
Using such hyperbole as part of an argument merely reveals the weakness of that argument. For instance, nearby Vermont (which has enjoyed constitutional carry from its beginning and where an estimated 70 to 75 percent of adults own guns) has a violent crime rate of less than a third that of New York State. Just how would Vermonters visiting the Big Apple cause an increase in violent crime? The two worthies didn’t say.
Vance didn't stop with the editorial in the Journal. On April 4, he issued a press release to oppose Representative Hudson’s concealed-carry reciprocity act. Enlisting the support of other like-minded officials, Vance wrote, “Concealed carry reciprocity is an attack on local law enforcement, and at attack on local laws. The same laws that apply to rural areas should not apply to urban areas with millions of people and thousands of police…. We will fight the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act in the halls of Congress, and if necessary we will fight it in the courts.”
Joining Vance was Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark: “This proposed bill would open the floodgates of people packing firearms on City streets, exponentially increasing risks to the public, as well as to the brave men and women of the New York Police Department and other law enforcement agencies.”
Queens DA Richard Brown added, “The enactment of the [CCRA] has the strong potential of undoing the City’s downward trend in crime by allowing individuals with weapon permits from states with lax gun laws to carry a concealed weapon on our streets, putting both our police and our citizens at risk. We must do all within our power to see that this does not come to pass.”
Nassau County DA Madeline Singas topped the histrionics with this: "Proposed concealed carry reciprocity legislation will invite the mentally ill, suspected terrorists, and others who can carry a concealed weapon in states with weak gun laws to bring a hidden gun into New York Schools, churches, or bars and cause bloodshed in our communities."
A better objection to Hudson’s CCRA is a constitutional one, as we have explained: “In a single stroke, then, Hudson’s bill, if passed into law, would abrogate and obliterate state laws — laws that each of the states have passed on their own, exercising their sovereign right to do so — making the federal government the final arbiter of who is allowed to carry where, state laws to the contrary notwithstanding.”
The need for Hudson’s bill is actually diminishing over time as the individual states, on their own, are working out the details of reciprocity between them. More than 30 states already allow those with concealed-carry permits from other states to visit and travel through them without violating the law.
The legislative process, as provided for in the Constitution, is likely to curb current enthusiasm over the CCRA. The bill presently languishes in committee, waiting for Trump’s "100 Days" agenda to play out. It must then pass the committee and move to the floor for a vote. If passed by the House, it must go to the Senate for its imprimatur, where the Republican margin is far smaller. By then it is hoped that cooler heads will have considered the constitutional ramifications of the bill and it is put aside, leaving the matter in states’ hands where it properly belongs.
An Ivy League graduate and former investment advisor, Bob is a regular contributor to The New American magazine and blogs frequently at LightFromTheRight.com, primarily on economics and politics. He can be reached at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
More in this category: « States Fight Back: North Carolina Bill Would Nullify SCOTUS Same-sex Marriage Opinion Bundy Ranch Trial: Hung Jury in First of 3 Planned Trials for Multiple Defendants »
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Obama Administration Has Released 167,000 Illegals With Criminal Records
Written by Warren Mass
There are nearly 167,000 convicted criminal aliens with final orders of removal who are still in the United States and “currently at large.” This number appears to be directly related to the Obama administration’s lax deportation policy, with deportations from the interior of the United States down 34 percent during the past year.
These startling figures were made available on October 15 by the Center for Immigration Studies (CIS), a Washington, D.C.-based non-profit research organization that specializes in providing statistics related to both legal and illegal immigration. According to Jessica Vaughan, director of policy studies at CIS, immigration enforcement activity by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) declined significantly in 2014. Vaughn offered the following statistics:
• Total deportations credited to ICE, the majority of which were illegal aliens arrested by the Border Patrol and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at our ports of entry, declined 15 percent from 2013 to 2014.
• Deportations from the interior of our country dropped 34 percent from 2013, and are 58 percent lower than the peak in 2009.
• The number of criminal aliens deported from the interior also declined 23 percent since last year, and declined by 39 percent since the peak in 2011.
• “Catch and release” policies continue. In 2014, deportation processing was initiated for approximately 143,000 aliens out of the 585,000 aliens encountered by ICE agents. Tens of thousands of those who were released had been labeled as a criminal threat.
• The number of aliens who have received a final order of removal, but who are still in the United States, has risen to nearly 900,000. Nearly 167,000 of these are convicted criminals who were released by ICE and are currently at large.
The source of the data compiled by CIS is ICE’s Weekly Departures and Detention Report (WRD) as of September 22, 2014.
The CIS report noted that ICE enforcement records contradict the Obama administration’s claims of stringent enforcement. Last April, Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson defended the administration’s record on enforcing immigration policy and disputed criticism from Republican senators that it has been lax on enforcing immigration laws. “I don’t understand those who say we are not enforcing the law,” Johnson said on ABC’s This Week. “We are enforcing the law every day.”
In an address before the House Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute Gala on October 2, President Obama showed his true colors when it came to enforcing our immigration laws. “The actions that we’ve taken so far are why more than 600,000 young people can live and work without fear of deportation. That’s because of the actions I took and the administration took.”
Obama continued: “When states like Alabama and Arizona passed some of the harshest immigration laws in history, my Attorney General took them on in court and we won.”
During that speech, Obama bragged about his policy to implement portions of the DREAM Act by executive action via the Deferred Action for Child Arrivals (DACA), after Congress repeatedly turned down the proposal. DACA is a memorandum authored by the Obama administration on June 15, 2012 and subsequently implemented by then-Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano. It directs U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), to practice “prosecutorial discretion” toward some individuals who were brought to this country illegally as children and have remained in the country illegally.
“Prosecutorial discretion” is, for all practical purposes, amnesty.
The CIS report attributes the lower deportation rates over the last year to “consistently lower levels of enforcement activity, particularly in the interior, caused by Obama administration policies that are euphemistically known as prosecutorial discretion, which in practice have shielded tens of thousands of illegal aliens from deportation.”
Furthermore, notes the report:
The total deportation figures include cases resulting from arrests by all DHS agencies. The mix of types of deportation cases — that is, border vs. interior cases — has changed significantly since 2008. In 2008, most of the deportations carried out by ICE were interior cases that originated with an arrest by an ICE officer. In 2012, the number of interior cases dropped sharply and the number of border deportation cases referred to ICE grew sharply. Ever since then, the majority of deportations credited to ICE have been border cases.
Because of this change in emphasis in immigration law enforcement, “interior cases,” that is, immigrants who have already crossed our borders and have settled within the United States, are being prosecuted at a lower rate than illegals who are apprehended at the border and immediately sent back. Yet it is exactly this type of illegal alien that poses the greatest risk to our safety and security.
Contrast this policy with the policy our government once followed regarding organized crime figures. One prime example was Salvatore “Lucky” Luciano. It is important to recognize that Luciano had entered the United States with his family legally in 1907 at the age of 10, and had even become a naturalized U.S. citizen. He became involved in street gangs as a teenager and eventually became the leading Mafia crime boss in the United States. Luciano was convicted of criminal activity in 1936 and was sentenced to 30-50 years in prison. In 1946, New York Governor Thomas Dewey commuted Luciano’s sentence (reportedly as a reward for his cooperation with U.S. authorities that aided the World War II effort) on condition that he would not resist deportation to Italy. On February 10, 1946, Luciano’s ship sailed from Brooklyn to Italy. He never set foot in the United States again.
Today, under the Obama administration’s “prosecutorial discretion” policy, illegal aliens (who have already committed the crime of illegal entry) — even if they have compiled an additional criminal record — are being released in large numbers into our nation’s interior instead of being deported.
Some of these illegal aliens are guilty of not just petty crimes, either. In an August 15 letter to Senator Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Thomas Winkowski, principal deputy assistant secretary of ICE, acknowledged that in Fiscal Year 2013, ICE released 36,007 criminal aliens from custody. The letter admitted that 169 of these had a “homicide-related conviction,” and that 131 have been “issued a final order of removal.”
Winkowski’s letter was sent in reply to a June 9 letter Grassley sent to Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson. In his letter, Grassley noted: “According to multiple news reports, in 2013, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) released from its custody 36,007 immigrants who had been convicted of a crime and were awaiting the outcome of deportation proceedings.” More seriously, noted the Iowa senator, “This included 116 individuals who had been convicted of homicide, with a total of 193 homicide convictions [among] them.”
It is painfully apparent that our immigration law enforcement has weakened considerably since “Lucky” Luciano was deported in 1946.
Obama Administration Weakens Illegal Immigration Enforcement
Obama Administration Releases 68,000 Illegal Immigrant Criminals
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The New York Times - April 20, 1987
New Petty Album Signals Return To Basic Rock
By Jon Pareles
It's back to basics for Tom Petty, the Florida-born, Los Angeles-based rocker who has been making best-selling albums for a decade. The last album by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, "Southern Accents," took two years to record; "Let Me Up (I've Had Enough)" (MCA Records), which will be released today, took a month of basic sessions and another of polishing. The result is Mr. Petty's most casual, rowdy, ornery record so far. It has the professionalism of the Heartbreakers' other albums without the worked-over sound of most Los Angeles studio products. And its straightforward rock - kin to Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen and the Rolling Stones - is the band's closest equivalent yet to the down-home pride in Mr. Petty's lyrics.
Next month, the Heartbreakers begin a tour of arenas that will arrive at Madison Square Garden on July 8; they are headlining a triple bill featuring two more guitar-driven rock bands, the Georgia Satellites and the Del Fuegos. Clearly, the Heartbreakers are reclaiming their bar-band roots.
"The album was the simplest thing I could have done," Mr. Petty said last week when he was in town editing the video clip for "Jammin' Me," a song written by Mr. Petty, the Heartbreakers' guitarist Mike Campbell and Bob Dylan. The bulk of "Let Me Up" was recorded last spring, when the Heartbreakers were between continents on a tour they shared with Mr. Dylan. During the one-month break, Mr. Dylan had originally planned to make an album of his own. When he decided he wasn't ready, the Heartbreakers decided to use the scheduled studio time.
'We Were Having a Ball'
"It was after-hours stuff," Mr. Petty said. "We were trying to write songs, basically, and we'd arrange them into sets as if we were playing at a bar - five 45-minute sets a night. There was always a feeling of, 'If this isn't any good, so what? It's not as if it was a real record or anything.' We were having a ball. Eventually, we realized it was getting to be a record, but by then we were already three weeks deep. I didn't listen to the tape during the rest of the Dylan tour, but when I got back it sounded good."
"Most of the records I hear now, I know I'm not going to hear a mistake," Mr. Petty said. "It never seems like it's riding along and it might go off. The real magic of rock music is that it sounds so free, which is why most good bands sound better when they're warming up. We almost had to trick ourselves to get that feeling on tape."
The Heartbreakers have reigned on FM radio, and sold millions of albums, with a conservative, almost reactionary brand of rock. Since the beginning, Heartbreakers songs have consolidated 1960's styles - from the Stones, Dylan, the Byrds and the Doors - with the Southern rock of the 1970's, topping them with Mr. Petty's lyrics about stubborn underdogs who don't take kindly to snobbery. In "Think About Me," the narrator complains, "Your boyfriend's got a big red car/Got a compact disk, got a VCR."
Songs of Lovable Losers
Some of Mr. Petty's characters are misunderstood, some mistreated; there's also a streak of raw vindictiveness, often directed toward unwilling women. Mr. Petty captures his characters' resentment without necessarily endorsing it; he sings in an assortment of shouts, snarls and moans that aren't all sympathetic.
The 11 songs on "Let Me Up" are populated with Mr. Petty's latest wounded but feisty characters -most of them rejected, lower-class, would-be lovers trying to salvage their pride. "I watch that fortune wheel but never get to spin it," Mr. Petty sings in "My Life/Your World," "You made me promises, I don't think you meant it."
"I still picture myself more in that class than any other," Mr. Petty said. "It's too deep in me to change, even though I'm a million miles away from that in the way I live now. I'll always identify with that, because that's the way I was raised and I grew up that way - and it's not just Southern people. There are guys in New Jersey that are just like the guys down south. It's a sense of the family unity and your loyalty to it."
Between albums, Mr. Petty has been showing up on the country charts - singing a duet with Hank Williams Jr. and supplying a No. 1 country hit, "Never Be You," to Rosanne Cash. "I didn't 'go country,' " Mr. Petty said. "Country music is the first music I ever heard. Southern kids tend to look at it as dad's and mom's music, that square stuff. But later on, you realize it's the same thing. Blues and Southern soul -they're all kind of the same thing, you just angle the beat a little."
Although Mr. Petty recently played a bit part in a forthcoming Alan Rudolph film, he doesn't plan to diversify his career. "I'm not any good at being a personality," he said. "I just see myself as a musician. A lot of people complain. They say this life is just going into the studio and going on tour. I don't know, but that sounds pretty good to me."
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« Delaying The Employer Mandate Was A Huge Mistake By Team Obama
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On Independence Day, Liberals Can’t Help Being Jerks
July 4, 2013 – 7:58 am
What is it about July 4th that brings out the worst in Liberals? For a party that says they are “progressive” and future looking, they sure seem to focus on all the bad that has occurred, and whine and whine and whine. The Washington Post features not one, not two, but three negative pieces (in fairness, they have a few positive pieces, but why bother with the negative on this day?). First, here’s the Editorial Board whining about the Declaration of Independence
“WE HOLD THESE truths to be sacred and undeniable,” Thomas Jefferson wrote in his first draft of the Declaration of Independence (the composition of which was regarded as something of a minor administrative chore, as noted by the historian Joseph Ellis). He showed the draft to John Adams and Benjamin Franklin, who suggested “self-evident” instead — perhaps a polite way of saying to the British crown: “as any fool can plainly see.” Although Jefferson (uncharacteristically) accepted the change without complaint, the “truths” that all men are created equal and endowed with certain unalienable rights were not self-evident to everyone, even in the American colonies, where a sizable part of the population was loyal to Great Britain and a great many more simply wanted the revolutionary turmoil to end so things could get back to normal.
The obvious contradiction of the Declaration’s fine sentiments — the institution of slavery — had to be swept under the rug in 1776 lest southerners withdraw from the fragile and sometimes fractious coalition that was forming behind the idea of independence….
Here’s E.J. Dionne Jr calling for Marxism
Last week, the Aspen Institute gathered a politically diverse group of Americans under the banner of the “Franklin Project,” named after Ben, to declare a commitment to offering every American between the ages of 18 and 28 a chance to give a year of service to the country. The opportunities would include service in our armed forces but also time spent educating our fellow citizens, bringing them health care and preventive services, working with the least advantaged among us, and conserving our environment.
Yes, he does mean the military, in terms of Lefties joining in order to liberalize the institution. Add in the far left service stuff. And here’s the kicker: The American Revolution Was a Flop
The easiest way of assessing whether the United States would have been better off without its revolution is to look at those English-speaking countries that rejected the American Revolution and retained the monarchy, particularly Canada, which experienced an influx of American refugees after the British defeat. The U.S. performance should also be assessed against the ideals the new country set for itself — namely, advancing life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
Lot’s of whines about slavery, which the writer, a Canadian, acknowledges was defeated during the Civil War. Complaints about citizens being incarcerated (no mention that liberal justice system policies makes this worse). Whines about this, whines about that.
Which brings us to the related matter of the revolution’s long-term impact on politics. While the Canadian, Australian and British governments have shown they can get things done, including passing tough austerity budgets in recent years, the norm in Washington has become paralyzing partisanship and gridlock.
In these senses, the American Revolution was a flop. Perhaps it’s time for Americans to accept that their revolution was a failure and renounce it. (For their part, many Russians have.)
I’ll resist the notion to smack this Canuck around while insulting Canada: it’s not Canada’s fault that the WP published this drivel for Independence Day.
Many other papers have pulled the same thing, negative articles and op-eds. Kudos to the NY Times for avoiding this (except for one linking slavery to the American Revolution.) Here’s their Editorial Board
There is something self-evident about the Fourth of July. We know its origin and its meaning. Its iconography is straightforward, even if the text behind it — the Declaration — is complex. It retains a simplicity that resembles no other major holiday. It celebrates a vital principle, but it is lacking in rites and ritual. We set aside the day, which seems to include a bit of everything — family, patriotism, parades, and simply doing nothing. Yet you could say its significance can be found in the doings of any ordinary American day — something that’s all too easy to forget until July Fourth comes along as a reminder.
I’m going to avoid what the loonies at the Left wing blogs say, however, if you want the most loony tunes piece, here you go
That’s why I’ll do no flag waving or banner display. I’ll recite no Pledges of Allegiance, nor stand for the Star Spangled Banner. Patriotic speeches and other jingoistic claptrap will draw no applause from me.
There’s so much loony (in some cases, wrapped around real issues) in the piece that I couldn’t even figure out what to excerpt, so I simply went with the the above. Whines about Vietnam, complaints about America in 3rd world countries, drones, rendition, Dick Cheney, Bush, the 2000 Election, and so much more (but never mentions Obama by name) from Mike Rivage-Seul, who is a liberation theologian (read: far far left moonbat), who, really, just put into words what so many Liberals think. Yet, he’s still here living in the United States, a country he seems to hate. Much like other Lefties, who never seem to leave the country they despise.
Want to piss a liberal off today? Wave the flag
Crossed at Right Wing News and Stop The ACLU.
This entry was written by William Teach and posted on at 7:58 am and filed under American Flag, Holidays, Liberal World. Bookmark the permalink. Follow any comments here with the RSS feed for this post.
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3 Responses to “On Independence Day, Liberals Can’t Help Being Jerks”
david7134 says:
I have noticed that liberals and RINOs are big on taking something out of context and time and making an issue out of it in the present. The phrase “all men are created equal” is a classic example. It addresses the fact that the king is a man, not a god, and that he is no different from any other man. I know that many have tried to say different over the years, but that is the limit of the statement. I certainly do not feel that all men are created equal in any other context and seriously doubt that any learned individual would either. The fact is that we have multiple differences. Now, we are equal in the law, and as far as the government is concerned, that should be all that one worries with. But then we have those that wish to have equal outcomes and that is a problem now, and it is pulling apart the country.
Then lets look at other aspects of the statement. Notice the reference to the people of the South wanting different ideas. This is a continued attack on our Southern culture, just like with Deen and other references to how bad we are. I agree we are different and love the fact. I would love to see us with a different country from this Marxist, totalitarian nightmare we are stuck with.
The Founding Fathers were all considered to be radical progressives/liberals by their contemporaries.
Liberals fought against slavery, for the right to vote for women and civil rights for blacks. Conservatives fought against all those things.
Progressive Anti-Americanism Taints Independence Day « Old Glory Lighthouse Journal says:
[…] the rule of law, not the rule of the mob or society’s egotistical, sanctimonious “elite”. Liberal progressives hate Independence Day because it represents a conservative side of society and a system that should be adhering to […]
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Howard Becomes Only HBCU With Swim Team
Angela Bronner Helm
Filed to: NewsFiled to: News
Drummers from Howard University’s Marching Band perform in 2013
A few weeks ago, the Internets got broke when a photo of the North Carolina A&T women’s swim team burned up social media—a beacon of beautiful #BlackGirlMagic for all the world to see.
Unfortunately, not long after that, it was announced that that swim team would be no more, because the school’s regular conference does not offer swimming championships. That left Howard University as the remaining HBCU with a men’s and women’s swim team—and with no HBCU rival. The Washington Post reports that about 20 percent of the Division I black swimmers were represented by either North Carolina A&T or Howard.
“From the surface level, people say I should be happy: Now your rival is no longer. But would Carolina be happy if Duke shut their basketball program down?” asks Howard Head Coach Nic Askew.
Askew, who decided to go into coaching after he lost his 33-year-old brother to cancer (“I wanted fulfillment in what I was doing rather than a big bank account,” he says), has already created a swimming sponsor program at the Mecca and says he also plans to collaborate with USA Swimming on a spring clinic for Howard faculty and staff after the season.
According to a national study by the USA Swimming Foundation and the University of Memphis, 70 percent of black children have low or no swimming ability, compared with 40 percent of their white peers. And African-American kids ages 5 to 14 have a drowning fatality rate of almost three times that of their white peers, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The coach recognizes that the HU swimming program is important both for its visibility and on a life-skill level.
“We have to continue to push for our program to be in existence so we can be an example,” says Askew. “At the end of the day, at Howard we want to be an example of why you should have a program—because we have success stories. We are a case study for how it can work.”
Here’s to those swimming Bison! You know!
Read more at the Washington Post.
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Home Civilization Jihad 25 Reasons to Reassign General H.R. McMaster
25 Reasons to Reassign General H.R. McMaster
TUWAdmin
National Security Council head McMasters (R) with U.S. President Trump (NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP/Getty Images)
National Security Adviser General H.R. McMaster is moving aggressively—and successfully—to maximize his power in the Trump Administration. President Trump is standing by his side as anti-Islamist writers and think-tanks like the Center for Security Policy call for his termination or reassignment.
McMaster’s ascent is a sudden change in the balance of power in the White House. President Trump was widely reported to be so disappointed with McMaster that Trump met with former U.N. ambassador John Bolton to discuss replacing him. Trump and Bolton concluded it was not the right move.
Then, Secretary of Homeland Security General John Kelly became the new chief of staff. He told McMaster that he wanted him to stay. McMaster’s chief rivals, Chief Strategist Steve Bannon and Deputy Assistant Dr. Sebastian Gorka, were then pressured into resigning.
The criticisms of McMaster are well-warranted and are not the fruits of overactive imaginations among bigoted “alt-right” smear-merchants, like Senator McCain characterizes them.
Here are 25 reasons that President Trump should fire National Security Adviser McMaster or, if he’s willing to, reassign him to a military position where he can excel on the battlefield as he did before.
1.He is not on board with Trump’s vision of waging an ideological war against radical Islam (or whatever terminology you prefer).
You simply cannot have a national security adviser who is at odds with the fundamental pillar of your national security strategy.
In 2014, McMaster said that the “Islamic State is not Islamic.” He went so far as to describe jihadists as “really irreligious organizations.”
In that speech, he rejected the notion that jihadists are motivated by a religion-based ideology. Instead, he claimed they are motivated by “fear,” a “sense of honor” and their “interests,” which he described as the roots of human conflict for thousands of years. He recommended that the U.S. must begin “understanding those human dimensions.”
In May, McMaster stated in an interview that the jihadists “are not religious people.”
A source close to National Security Council (NSC) personnel revealed that McMaster opposed President Trump’s summit in Riyadh, one of the high points of his presidency thus far. McMaster felt it was “too ambitious.”
In Trump’s speech announcing his strategy for Afghanistan, words like “radical Islamic terrorism” were missing. This is clearly the influence of McMaster. In his resignation letter to Trump, Dr. Gorka referenced these omissions and said it “proves that a crucial element of your presidential campaign has been lost.”
Here’s the Clarion take:
2.Endorsed a book favorable towards “non-militant” Islamists
In 2010, McMaster endorsed a book that states, as one of its central arguments, “It is the Militant Islamists who are our adversary…They must not be confused with Islamists.”
The book contends that our policy should not be aimed at Islamism overall but only Islamist terrorist groups. That is the mindset of those who advocate working with the “moderate” Muslim Brotherhood and the “moderate” Taliban.
McMaster describes the book as “excellent” and “deserv[ing] a wide readership.” Raymond Ibrahim reviewed the book and found serious errors, ones that now have dangerous consequences with McMaster as national security adviser.
3.Opposes designating the Muslim Brotherhood as a Foreign Terrorist Organization
Based on the above two issues, it should be no surprise that McMaster reportedly opposes designating the Muslim Brotherhood as a Foreign Terrorist Organization.
4.Opposes a tough stance on Qatar’s support of terrorism and extremism
McMaster opposed President Trump’s tough stance on Qatar when our Arab allies confronted the tiny country, despite the sea of proof that our so-called “ally” is a major sponsor of Islamist terrorism and extremism, including the Muslim Brotherhood, Hamas and Al-Qaeda.
McMaster, like Secretary of Defense Mattis, was concerned about the U.S. base in Qatar.
This means that McMaster essentially supports allowing the Qatari government to use our own base—which protects them—to decide U.S.policies.
The UAE has recommended that we move the base. There are no indications that McMaster is advocating that we do that so we can exert more pressure Qatar in the future.
5.The book endorsed by McMaster legitimizes Hamas
Aaron Klein, a senior Middle East reporter, read the book that McMaster endorsed as “excellent” and, shockingly, found that the author never characterizes Hamas as a terrorist group. Instead, the author refers to Hamas as an “Islamist political group” that is among Islamists “who do not fit into a neat category.”
“The question for Americans is whether Hamas is an Islamist or Militant Islamist group,” the author, Youssef H. Aboul-Enein, writes.
He’s as wrong as someone can possibly be wrong. Beside the fact that Hamas has been designated by the U.S. as a Foreign Terrorist Organization for 10 years, there is no question that Hamas is a terrorist group. In fact, there isn’t much of a substantive difference between Hamas and ISIS.
Aboul-Enein’s argument is that the U.S. should only target “Militant Islamists” and not more generic Islamists. By questioning whether Hamas qualifies as Militant Islamist, Aboul-Enein is questioning whether the U.S. should target Hamas.
The book also moves the reader away from understanding that Islamists’ preaching of armed jihad rests upon a strong theological foundation. Based on Klein’s description, the author makes it sound as if Islamists are motivated by reasonable grievances against policies and then sit down and conjure up a convoluted way to describe their violent response as “jihad.”
If we don’t acknowledge the deep theological basis of the Islamists’ worldview, we will not be able to effectively respond to the ideology and its related narratives.
There is an important side note as well: Klein points out that the author of the book is the chair of Islamic Studies at National Defense University (which is funded by the Department of Defense) and a senior adviser and analyst at the Defense Intelligence Agency’s Joint Intelligence Task Force for Combating Terrorism. This means that these views are being taught to very important students.
6.McMaster believes terrorism is caused by disenfranchisement and lack of education
In his endorsement of the book, McMaster said, “Terrorist organizations use a narrow and irreligious ideology to recruit undereducated and disenfranchised people to their cause.”
Remember when the Obama Administration’s State Department spokeswoman was mocked by the left and the right for suggesting that ISIS needs to be countered by reducing unemployment and poverty?
That same view is held by our current national security adviser.
7.Preserving the Iran deal
McMaster is in favor of keeping the nuclear deal with Iran. His position resulted in the U.S. certifying that Iran is in compliance with the terms of the agreement. By claiming that Iran has been obedient, it bolsters the regime’s credibility and makes America look worse if we leave the deal later.
Former CIA analyst Fred Fleitz was on a conference call with McMaster before it was certified and explained to McMaster how Iran is violating the deal. When Fleitz asked why the administration would certify Iranian compliance despite evidence of non-compliance, McMaster failed to give a direct answer.
8.Failure to understand the Israeli-Palestinian theater of the war with Islamism
The ideological war against Islamism requires us to debunk Islamist propaganda against our allies.
It is now known that McMaster declined to defend our best ally in the Middle East when questioned about Israel’s conduct in its 2014 war with Hamas.
Israel’s extraordinary efforts to limit civilian casualties in the war have been well-documented. When McMaster was asked whether he would agree that the Israeli military fought ethically, he gave an incoherent answer and then admitted, “that’s kind of a non-answer, sorry, to your first question.”
McMaster tried to stop Trump from visiting the Western Wall in Jerusalem and, when he realized he couldn’t win that argument, pressured Trump not to go with any Israeli official. McMaster twice refused to answer whether the Western Wall is part of Israel, saying, “That’s a policy decision.”
The Conservative Review reported that McMaster refers to Israel as an “illegitimate,” “occupying power,” according to three current and former officials from Trump’s inner circle.
Senior Middle East Annalyst Caroline Glick substantiates the accounts with her own sources who describe McMaster as “deeply hostile” to Israel.
According to these reports, McMaster has characterized Israeli security measures as “excuses” to oppress Palestinians and Israeli-Arabs. These sources also claim that he is not supportive of U.S. support for Israeli counter-terrorism efforts and shut down a joint initiative aimed at Hezbollah.
The initiative was led by Derek Harvey, who McMaster fired (more on that later).
McMaster is a big reason why there are increasing danger signs for Israel from parts of the Trump Administration. This has been recognized by the Zionist Organization of America, which is asking for McMaster’s reassignment.
9.Appointing Kris Bauman as top National Security Council adviser on Israel.
Kris Bauman was chosen in May as the top adviser on Israel for the National Security Council. Journalist Daniel Greenfield reviewed Bauman’s 2009 dissertation and found highly disturbing content.
As Clarion reported earlier this month, Bauman blamed Israel and the West for failing to see “Hamas’s signals of willingness to moderate” and turning Gaza “into an open-air prison.” He advocated a policy that includes “Hamas in a solution,” dismissing Hamas’ oft-stated pledge to destroy Israel and kill Jews until the end of time.
In his dissertation, Bauman cites The Israel Lobby, a book that purports to disclose how Israel secretly manipulates the U.S. institutions of power from behind-the-scenes. He says the “Israel Lobby” “is a force that must be reckoned with, but it is a force that can be reckoned with.”
Bauman clearly depicts Israel as the aggressor in the Israel-Palestinian conflict, and, as Greenfield points out, equates Jewish settlers in the West Bank with Palestinian terrorists.
“It is true that one could make an analogous argument regarding Palestinian terrorism, but there is one major difference between the two. Israeli government control over settlement expansion is far greater than Palestinian Authority control over terrorism,” Bauman writes.
As to the failure of the “peace process,” he blames Israel as well as the West for its “overwhelmingly favored Israeli interests.” Prime Minister Netanyahu is blamed for “inciting Palestinian violence” and deliberately undermining the prospects for peace.
A consistent theme appears in Bauman’s thesis: Israel is the instigator of terrorism. To defeat terrorism, stop Israel. And now he is in a strong position in the National Security Council to try to make that happen.
10.Insubordination and constant drama
McMaster goes beyond honestly expressing himself to the president and crosses into insubordination, undermining the president’s agenda and contributing to dysfunction.
A strong example of McMaster’s well-known temper and ego was published in May by a prominent author who recalled how McMaster “went a bit batshit” because of an article he wrote where 95% of the content celebrated McMaster’s remarkable success in Iraq.
The other five percent focused on his forces’ initial mistakes and “mediocre” performance before adapting to the situation. And that set McMaster off. The author even quoted an expert who said McMaster’s success would become a “case study in classic counterinsurgency, the way it is supposed to be done.”
Even major supporters of McMaster who know him personally admit “he can be very intense.” The left-leaning Politico, which is more inclined to favor McMaster than his rivals, reports that his “temper is legendary” and he “frequently blows his top in high-level meetings.”
Politico described McMaster as an “increasingly volatile presence in the West Wing.” Three administration officials told the Daily Caller the same thing, with one describing the National Security Council as having a “poisonous environment.”
In addition to targeting Bannon and Gorka and anyone he sees as being in their camp, McMaster reportedly couldn’t even get along with Trump’s senior adviser and son-in-law, Jared Kushner, who should be on his team. (The relationship is said to have improved, though.)
He also clashes with Secretary of Defense Mattis over military matters and Afghanistan. Mattis gave a dismissive response to these charges, however.
At his very first National Security Council meeting, McMaster immediately told those under him that President Trump is wrong to use the term “radical Islam” because the terrorists are “un-Islamic.”
Right away, he got to work building a coalition to wage internal battles.
When it came time for Trump’s Joint Address to Congress, McMaster fought tooth and nail to stop him from using the “radical Islam” terminology. He wrote and widely distributed throughout the government a memo criticizing the president.
Trump was very open that this would be his view. If McMaster couldn’t stand it, then he shouldn’t have accepted the appointment.
When President Trump and Chief Strategist Bannon asked McMaster for a list of holdovers from the Obama Administration that may be leaking inappropriate information to the press, he refused to cooperate and to fire them. He said hiring and firing was his prerogative and that most would be leaving anyway.
When President Trump said South Korea would have to help cover the cost of a missile defense system to defend them from North Korea, McMaster immediately told the South Koreans that Trump’s words weren’t actual policy. Trump was furious and screamed at him on the phone.
Trump is said to have confronted McMaster about the “general undermining of my policy.”
McMaster has worked hard to expand his fan club in the Trump Administration at the expense of those he disagrees with, particularly those closest to the president’s views.
The Washington Free Beacon reported earlier this month, “A White House official said McMaster appears to be trying to clear out anyone from the NSC staff who is outspokenly pro-Trump and has been slow-rolling the president’s directives that he disagrees with.”
In his resignation letter, Dr. Gorka wrote to Trump, “Regrettably, outside of yourself, the individuals who most embodied and represented the policies that will ‘Make America Great Again,’ have been internally countered, systematically removed, or undermined in recent months.”
As these internal battles have been waged, a steady stream of derogatory leaks have appeared in the media. Bannon has been blamed for anti-McMaster coverage at Breitbart, but McMaster somehow isn’t blamed for the leaks favorable to his side that appeared in the mainstream media. The pro-McMaster leaks substantiate why top generals saw him as a “publicity hound” in the military who advanced because of his closeness to General Petraeus.
11.Pushing out Chief Strategist Steve Bannon
On issues related to Islamism, Bannon was an important voice to have in the White House. He was a main proponent of designating the Muslim Brotherhood as a Foreign Terrorist Organization and of waging an ideological war on Islamism.
Bannon understood the need to promote Muslim reform versus McMaster’s promotion of “non-Militant” Islamists. Shortly before his resignation on August 18, Bannon met with Dr. Daniel Pipes and Gregg Roman of the Middle East Forum, one of the most effective anti-Islamist organizations and promoters of Muslim modernist reformers.
Bannon was McMaster’s top target. McMaster had forced out many officials that he felt were too close to Bannon, personally and politically, apparently attempting to monopolize power as much as possible. After resigning, Bannon said, “No administration in history has been so divided.”
Bannon disagreed with McMaster on the April 6 airstrike on a Syrian airbase and the new strategy for Afghanistan. Although there are serious merits to the airstrikes and the new strategy for Afghanistan, it is absolutely essential to have the views Bannon represents be a part of the decision-making process. A good teammate can disagree with a decision but still improve the option that is ultimately chosen.
12.Pressuring Dr. Sebastian Gorka to resign
Dr. Sebastian Gorka, the deputy assistant to the president and author of Defeating Jihad, resigned reportedly due to pressure from McMaster and Chief of Staff Kelly.
Gorka and Bannon were the main proponents of designating the Muslim Brotherhood as a Foreign Terrorist Organization.
Gorka is best known as the man who flattens the media like a human bulldozer. These viral TV segments earned the adoration of President Trump, who personally intervened to stop plans by his senior adviser and son-in-law, Jared Kushner, to move Gorka out of the White House and to a federal agency.
Trump’s satisfaction with Gorka and his success in handling the media should be considered important assets for an administration that struggles with messaging and perception. His book shows he is focused on a long-term plan for victory over Islamism.
Unfortunately for him, Chief of Staff Kelly disagreed with Trump and was reportedly “displeased” with Gorka’s popular television segments and McMaster saw him as part of the Team Bannon that he sought to conquer.
Gorka was also probably seen as too much of a political liability, as he had become the victim of one of the most vicious and meritless smear campaigns in recent memory.
However, Gorka’s media appearances, input and the ridiculousness of his enemies made him a political asset.
13.Sidelining K.T. McFarland
Shortly after McMaster took his post, Deputy National Security Adviser K.T. McFarland was transferred out. McMaster had the leading role in making it happen.
She became the ambassador to Singapore; not exactly a position where her national security experience is being used to its full potential. Among her viewpoints is supporting designating the Muslim Brotherhood as a Foreign Terrorist Organization.
14.Firing Ezra Cohen-Watnick
McMaster wanted to fire Ezra Cohen-Watnick, the senior director for intelligence programs at the National Security Council, right from the start. Watnick was initially saved by Bannon and Kushner.
Before joining the government, Cohen-Watnick organized an “Islamo-Fascism Awareness” event on his campus. He understands the issue of Islamist extremism and is passionate about it.
Watnick joined the Defense Intelligence Agency in 2010, became an intelligence officer and left in January 2017 for his senior National Security Council spot. He is believed to have entered the Defense Clandestine Service in 2012 and went to the CIA’s training facility known as “The Farm” in Virginia. He obviously had a strong background.
He was brought into the NSC by former National Security Adviser Mike Flynn and, therefore, was seen as an ally of the Bannon-Gorka team inside the administration.
We don’t know much about what Watnick advocated while in the National Security Council aside from expanding U.S. operations against Iranian-backed militias in Syria.
Watnick was accused of improperly sharing intelligence with Rep. Devin Nunes, but there is disagreement over whether he did anything wrong. However, we know McMaster wanted to get rid of him right from the beginning, so this was probably just a good opportunity for a power play.
15.Trying to Hire Linda Weissgold
McMaster had already begun interviewing CIA official Linda Weissgold as Watnick’s replacement before Bannon and Kushner initially stopped him.
Under the Obama Administration, Weissgold was the director of the CIA’s Office of Terrorism Analysis. That means she was responsible for the false talking points about the terrorist attack in Benghazi in September 2012.
16.Firing Retired Col. Derek Harvey
Last month, McMaster fired President Trump’s top Middle East adviser from the National Security Council. The reason, as explained by one senior White House official, is that McMaster “wants his own guy.”
Harvey had an exemplary record and was thought to have a good relationship with McMaster, going back to when they served together under General Petraeus. He was described as one of Petraeus’ “most trusted intelligence advisors in Iraq” during the remarkably successful surge that turned the situation around.
Harvey was fired because of policy differences and McMaster’s desire to win the internal power struggle and cement his group over the National Security Council. McMaster and Harvey disagreed on “nearly every” area, particularly when it came to radical Islam and Iran. Harvey advocated working more closely with Israel, Egyptian President Sisi and Saudi Arabia.
Harvey had also put together a proposal for how the Trump Administration could scrap the nuclear deal with Iran. McMaster “blasted” his performance on Iran policy but according to a senior official who spoke to the left-wing Daily Beast, Harvey “was stuck in a Catch-22 situation” because lower-level staff dragged their feet in helping him.
According to the Weekly Standard—a publication that is certainly not in the Bannon/Trump camp—McMaster fired him because he didn’t like how close Harvey was to Bannon. Another detailed account said McMaster was also irked by his closeness to Kushner.
The most complete story says that McMaster directly told Harvey not to get too close to Bannon and Kushner. Shortly before he was fired, McMaster saw him leaving Bannon’s office. The sources say Harvey actually didn’t talk to Bannon too much, but McMaster had asked for information about Trump’s foreign policy priorities and that necessitated a meeting with Bannon.
McMaster saw Harvey at Bannon’s office on a Friday. When Monday came around, McMaster’s executive officer, Ylli Bajraktari (a Pentagon official from the Obama Administration) reminded Harvey it is not a “good idea” to talk to Bannon. He was fired four days later.
One other report states that Defense Secretary Mattis complained to McMaster about Harvey. The more exhaustive account based on sources close to Harvey dispute elements of that account.
17.Replacing Harvey with Michael Bell
McMaster replaced Harvey with Michael Bell, who was the National Security Council’s director for Persian Gulf affairs.
Not surprisingly, Bell is on record for harshly criticizing then-Deputy Assistant Dr. Sebastian Gorka to the Washington Post. Bell claimed that Gorka was too biased on Islam-related issues, stopping just a few steps shy of hitting him with the “Islamophobe” label.
Clearly, McMaster was picking a team to go to war with the White House. There’s no other way to interpret this decision.
18.Ousting of Adam Lovinger
In May, National Security Counil analyst Adam Lovinger had his security clearance revoked for unclear reasons that Lovinger described as “puzzling and baseless.” He was then fired.
Lovinger was at the council on loan from the Pentagon’s Office of Net Assessment, where he had served as a strategic affairs analyst for 12 years. He was a known Trump supporter and was brought into the council by Flynn. Therefore, he would have been seen by McMaster as a Bannon ally.
Caroline Glick described Lovinger as a “seasoned strategic analyst” who clashed with McMaster because he favored India over Pakistan. He also opposed the nuclear deal with Iran and supported the use of terminology like “radical Islam.”
Lovinger confirmed that his conservative views on foreign policy had irked bureaucrats, and he believes his clearance was taken away for political reasons.
The Washington Free Beacon reported on May 1 that “security clearances granting access to state secrets have become increasingly politicized in a bid by opponents to block senior advisers to President Trump.”
Another example of this happening is Robin Townley, who held a top secret clearance and was picked by former National Security Adviser Mike Flynn as the council’s senior director for Africa. The CIA declined to grant him the necessary security clearance for Sensitive Compartmented Information. A source close to Townley said it was a politically-motivated “hit job.
19.Ousting Tera Dahl
Tera Dahl, the National Security Council’s deputy chief of staff, transferred out of the council in June. She will likely be working at the U.S. Agency for International Development.
Dahl was a writer for Breitbart and therefore seen as belonging to Bannon’s camp. She also co-founded a foreign policy think tank with Katharine Gorka, wife of now-former Deputy Assistant Sebastian Gorka (Katharine Gorka is currently an official adviser to the Department of Homeland Security’s policy office.)
Dahl was especially interested in Egypt. She is supportive of Egyptian President el-Sisi, arguing that his actions are helping to transition the country towards democracy and stability. She visited Egypt and believes he is getting unfair treatment by some Western media outlets and think-tanks who want to demonize him and exonerate his Muslim Brotherhood enemies.
The left-wing Buzzfeed described the change as a result of warring factions inside the White House over foreign policy. It explained, “The move frees up National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster to install another staffer of his choosing in his drive to reshape the NSC to his liking.”
Dahl is said to have expressed interest in transferring because she was close to National Security Council Chief of Staff Keith Kellogg, whose tensions with McMaster have “created an uncomfortable working environment at the NSC.”
The council’s spokesperson Michael Anton claims “it was always her intent to move into a policy role once this task [at NSC] was completed.”
20.Firing Rich Higgins
McMaster and/or his deputy, Ricky Waddell, fired the NSC’s director of strategic planning, Rich Higgins, on July 21.
Higgins has an extensive background of national security service and has a deep understanding of the Islamist ideology, its associated doctrines and how it interacts with political movements that Islamists find common cause with.
Higgins had a deep understanding of the Muslim Brotherhood and how Islamists got political access and impacted policy under the Bush and Obama Administrations. He studied how political correctness had resulted in cleansing counter-terrorism training and national security policy documents from references to the ideological basis of the threat.
Higgins was pushing for the declassification of documents related to radical Islam and Iran and, more specifically, Presidential Study Directive 11. He had good reason to do so.
There were reports that the previous administration was not disclosing important documents, including ones from Bin Laden’s compounds that contradicted its narratives about the nature of the Al-Qaeda threat and the group’s relationship with Iran.
Presidential Study Directive 11 is reportedly an assessment of Islamist movements in 2010-2011 by the Obama Administration that resulted in a secret recommendation to align with “moderate” Islamists in handling the Arab Spring.
If this is indeed what happened, the directive’s declassification is of the utmost importance for understanding the Islamist threat, the fruits of this strategy and the dynamics of the region, not to mention historical documentation.
Alarmingly, according to a Gulf News report, the Presidential Study Directive 11 documents were obtained by the Al-Hewar Center in Washington, D.C. and show that the U.S. decided to back the “political Islamists” including the Muslim Brotherhood.
Daniel Greenfield reported that the Al-Hawre Center is linked to a Muslim Brotherhood front named the International Institute of Islamic Thought, which has come under counter-terrorism investigation.
McMaster reportedly “detonated” after coming across a seven-page memo that Higgins wrote which warned about a campaign by Islamists, Marxists, “bankers,” establishment Republicans and “globalists” to destroy the Trump presidency. The memo was given to Donald Trump Jr. and the president himself, who is said to have “gushed over it.”
Such a political memo would be inappropriate for the National Security Council. Its tone gives the impression of an author who sees all opposition to the Trump Administration as part of a seditious conspiracy. Its first reference is an interview between a member of the conspiratorial John Birch Society and a Soviet defector about “Jewish Marxist ideology.”
However, the memo was not intended for the NSC. It was a personal political analysis of how parties with various interests are trying to undermine the administration’s agenda.
According to Breitbart, Higgins used his personal computer to write the memo and did not use NSC time. He didn’t even use his NSC email to send it to anyone but himself. (He sent it from his personal email to his work email to print out.)
Another comprehensive Breitbart account says Higgins was fired on July 21 with several holdovers from the Obama Administration present and a Muslim woman with a hijab who worked as an equal employment officer. McMaster’s deputy, Ricky Waddell, told him it was his last day because “we’ve lost confidence in you.”
According to this account, McMaster was not responsible for the firing and hadn’t even read the memo. It was entirely the responsibility of Waddell. After the termination, parts of the memo were leaked to media outlets that would be most hostile to Higgins.
Regardless of whether Higgins’ firing was due to McMaster or Waddell, it was still done under McMaster’s leadership and was part of a broader push against perceived competitors.
President Trump was said to be “furious” at Higgins’ firing.
21.CAIR Comes to McMaster’s Defense
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) is a deceptive Islamist bulldog that tears into any opponent by falsely branding them as an Islamophobic bigot. The Justice Department identified the organization as a Muslim Brotherhood “entity” set up to support Hamas and designated it as an unindicted co-conspirator in a terrorism-financing trial.
CAIR slaps the “Islamophobe” label on practically everyone, obviously including almost every member of the Trump Administration. It has done so to Muslim adversaries, President Obama, Hillary Clinton, Democratic supporters of gun control measures to stop terrorists from obtaining firearms and White House Chief of Staff Kelly whose name was referenced in a letter thanking CAIR’s Florida branch.
But not McMaster.
When McMaster came under heavy criticism for his stances on Islamism-related issues, CAIR came to his defense. It branded his opponents as “Islamophobes” and “white supremacists.”
22.Reports of a possible CAIR official on his staff
Ayaan Hirsi Ali from presenting a paper on Islamist extremism to the National Security Council. There are unconfirmed reports that it was one of McMaster’s appointees who blocked Hirsi Ali. One account of the incident says she was also blocked from seeing President Trump.
Hirsi Ali is one of the most prominent women’s rights activists and anti-Islamist voices in the world. She is executive producer of the Clarion Project’s Honor Diaries documentary about the oppression of women in the Muslim world. She is a strong advocate for secular-democratic Muslim reformers.
The person who is said to have blocked her is Mustafa Javed Ali, who protested that she is an “Islamophobe.” According to one of the reports, a source said that Mustafa said “that the only way she could present the paper would be to have someone from CAIR come in to refute her work.”
Mustafa Javed Ali is reportedly a former “diversity outreach coordinator” for CAIR. However, there is no public confirmation to confirm this as his name does not appear on CAIR’s website.
23.Holdovers
An analysis by the Daily Caller found that about 40 of the 250 National Security Council officials are holdovers from the Obama Administration. Presumably, these officials would be very hostile to the Trump Administration’s agenda. They should be the first suspects in the ongoing stream of leaks from the NSC.
National security expert Jed Babbin identified four NSC officials who previously reported directly to Deputy National Security Adviser Ben Rhodes, the Obama Administration official who boasted of creating an “echo chamber” in the media to promote the nuclear deal with Iran using “compadres” in the media to influence reporters who “literally know nothing.”
(Rhodes also has the distinct honor of being the only person to be called an “asshole” in the headline of a Foreign Policy article.)
In July, McMaster told NSC staffers, “There’s no such thing as a holdover.” He was professing confidence that those who worked in the Obama Administration would loyally serve President Trump. Likewise, NSC spokesperson Michael Anton defended the holdovers as “stalwarts.”
As mentioned before, when Trump and Bannon asked McMaster for a list of holdovers that may be leaking to the press, he refused to cooperate and to fire them. He said hiring and firing was his prerogative and that most would be leaving anyway.
One former NSC staffer told the Daily Caller that McMaster has “protected and coddled them.”
Iran expert and Nobel Peace Prize nominee Ken Timmerman wrote a book titled Shadow Warriors in 2007 about how the Bush Administration was undermined by opponents within the governmental bureaucracies.
Timmerman’s observation should serve as a contemporary warning:
“George W. Bush never got the first rule of Washington: People are policy. He allowed his political enemies to run roughshod over his administration through a vast underground he never dismantled and never dominated.”
24.McMaster was an 11-Year Member of the International Institute for Strategic Studies
Breitbart discovered that McMaster was a member of the International Institute for Strategic Studies from September 2006 until February 2017 when he became national security adviser. IISS was part of a campaign to promote the nuclear deal with Iran and gets funding from Islamist allies.
Its website shows that one of its top donors is the Open Society Foundation, formerly named the Open Society Institute, whose founder and chairman is left-wing partisan activist George Soros. The foundation donated between 100,000 and 500,000 euros (roughly $120,000-$600,000) to the IISS.
The Open Society Foundation is motivated by hyper-partisanship and works hard to defend American Islamists and slander opponents of the Muslim Brotherhood as bigots.
For example, it financed the Fear Inc. reports about the “Islamophobia Network” that is a powerful weapon in the Islamists’ and Regressive Left’s arsenal for character assassination and protecting groups like CAIR.
These reports were used to justify the removal of Islamism from counter-terrorism training.
IISS also has Ploughshares Fund as a major donor, giving between 25,000 and 100,000 euros (about $30,000-$119,000). The Plougshares Fund is also funded by Soros and his entities like Open Society.
When Ben Rhodes boasted about orchestrating the “echo chamber” to promote the nuclear deal with Iran, he specifically mentioned Ploughshares as his example of an outside group he utilized.
The president of Ploughshares, Joseph Cirincione, is a member of the International Institute for Strategic Studies. Plougshares specifically listed IISS, the group that McMaster belonged to, as the recipient of a grant for work on Iran issues in 2016.
Soros’ Open Society Foundation/Institute donated about $70,000 overall to selling the Iran deal, but other entities funded by Soros gave more. Ploughshares donated at least $800,000.
Ploughshares also donated over $400,000 to the National Iranian American Council (NIAC), which has long been accused of being a lobby for the Iranian regime. Ploughshares also awarded $70,000 to Princeton University to sponsor the work of former Iranian regime official Seyed Hossein Mousavian. The Heritage Foundation’s James Phillips writes, “This essentially amounted to subsidizing Iran’s propaganda efforts inside the United States.”
As Breitbart’s Aaron Klein shows, IISS was a loyal contributor to the Rhodes-Plougshares “echochamber.” It supported the deal and defended Iran against accusations of violations. It cast doubt on concerns that Iran and North Korea work on WMD together. And it criticized Trump’s attitude towards Iran.
IISS also receives funding from many companies that profited from the Iran deal like ExxonMobil. Its list of donors includes many governments, both allies and adversaries of the U.S.
Governmental donors of concern include Qatar, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Brunei, Kuwait, Russia and China.
25.President Trump is frequently unhappy with McMaster’s performance.
As mentioned before, President Trump has confronted McMaster about his “general undermining of my policy” and was furious at him for telling South Korea to basically ignore Trump’s words.
Trump complains that McMaster talks too much at meetings and has described him as a “pain.” There have been multiple articles indicating that Trump might be on the cusp of firing McMaster.
“I am at a pain to find an issue that H.R. actually aligns with the president, except for the desire to actually win and beat ISIS. That’s the only one,” said one administration official.
A former senior NSC official said, “I know that the president isn’t a big fan of what McMaster’s doing. I don’t understand why he’s allowing a guy who is subverting his foreign policy at every turn to remain in place.”
Trump has reportedly said in private that he regrets choosing McMaster as national security adviser and went so far as to meet with former U.N. ambassador John Bolton to float the possibility of him replacing McMaster. Bolton and Trump agreed that it was not the right move.
McMaster has put his life on the line for the country and ascended because of his impressive leadership during the worst days of the war in Iraq. He “basically was the first commander to get things right in Iraq.”
At the time, McMaster blasted the media for its downplaying of Iran’s role in murdering U.S. troops.
This led to many people’s (including this author’s) initial enthusiasm for him as national security adviser despite his statement in 2014 that the “Islamic State is not Islamic.”
Thinking it unfathomable that Trump would choose someone who is so fundamentally at odds with his national security vision, many chalked up the statement to a clumsy articulation of the U.S. position that ISIS shouldn’t be treated as the representative of the Muslim world.
But what was once unfathomable has become reality.
McMaster performed well as a military commander fighting an insurgency. If he is to continue serving the Trump Administration, then he should be reassigned to focus on taking his success in Iraq and repeating it in Afghanistan.
The post 25 Reasons to Reassign General H.R. McMaster appeared first on Clarion Project.
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Home CAIR With CAIR’s Backing, Rep. Ilhan Omar Targets FBI Terror Database
With CAIR’s Backing, Rep. Ilhan Omar Targets FBI Terror Database
TUW Media
Source: CNS News, By Patrick Goodenough | July 1, 2019
(CNSNews.com) – Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) and ten other House Democrats have written to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, requesting information about how information from the FBI-administered terrorist watchlist is shared with foreign governments – including governments with poor human rights records.
In doing so, she pointed to the support of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), a sometimes controversial group that has mounted legal challenges against the watchlist, formally known as the Terrorist Screening Database (TSDB).
In a release Friday about the letter to Pompeo, Omar quoted CAIR national Executive Director Nihad Awad, who said the TSDB was “dangerous enough” in itself, but even more so when shared with “tyrannical regimes.”
Other signatories of Omar’s letter include Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.). The two freshmen are the first Muslim women to be elected to the U.S. Congress.
Rep. Tim Ryan (D-Ohio), one of the more than two dozen Democrats running for their party’s 2020 presidential nomination, also signed.
“In our oversight role as Members of Congress, we are entitled to information as to which countries receive this sensitive and classified information about American citizens, many of whom have never been charged, arrested, or convicted of a crime,” the lawmakers wrote.
They believe that the TSDB has been shared with more than 60 foreign countries, well beyond the 38 Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries. They said other countries with information-sharing arrangements were believed to include Albania, Slovenia, India, Brazil, Mexico, Ghana, Kenya, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Tunisia, and Israel, they wrote. (Slovenia is in fact a VWP country.)
Omar and her colleagues voiced particular concern “that the federal government is sharing watchlist information with countries with dubious human rights records, including Saudi Arabia and China.”
“It is unacceptable for U.S. resources to contribute to the brutal repression of political dissidents abroad,” they charged.
The 11 House Democrats asked Pompeo to provide, within 90 days, specific information about the TSDB, including which countries get the data; what standards exist to determine whether the data is shared with foreign governments; whether foreign counties’ human rights records are taken into account when making decisions on sharing; and how and whether a data-sharing agreement can be rescinded once reached.
‘Second class citizens’
In her release, Omar quoted CAIR’s Awad as saying, “It is dangerous enough that the federal government keeps a secret watchlist of more than one million people, almost all of whom are Muslim, and treats these Muslims like second class citizens.”
“The danger, however, increases exponentially when this watchlist is shared with tyrannical regimes all across the world,” Awad continued. “Congress and the public ought to know which foreign governments receive the watchlist and what has been done to people targeted by a watchlisting system that now spans the globe. CAIR applauds this oversight.”
CAIR, which calls itself the nation’s biggest Muslim civil rights and advocacy group, is a long-standing critic of the TSDB.
“For years, CAIR has represented innocent Muslims — people who have not been charged, arrested, or convicted of a violent offense — who have been targeted by the watchlisting system,” the organization says. “Some have lost jobs, been separated from their families, and all have been stigmatized by being treated as ‘terrorists’ by their own government.”
In 2016 CAIR launched a class-action lawsuit on behalf of a group of Muslim Americans who said that being placed on the watchlist resulted in invasive travel screening and harm to their reputations.
The vast majority of those listed are foreigners. Documents lodged in the case included information to the effect that of some 1,160,000 on the list in 2017, 4,460 were U.S. nationals or lawful permanent residents.
Still, the total number had increased from fewer than 400,000 in 2008.
The Terrorist Screening Database is overseen by the Terrorist Screening Center, a multi-agency center administered by the FBI. (Graphic: FBI)
Last April a federal judge in Alexandria, Va. said he would rule soon on the constitutionality of the watchlist.
Set up under a 2003 directive by President George W. Bush in response to 9/11, the TSDB is described as “a single database that contains sensitive national security and law enforcement information concerning the identities of those who are known or reasonably suspected of being involved in terrorist activities.”
The directive laid the groundwork for U.S. authorities to share information with foreign counterparts.
“The Secretary of State shall develop a proposal for my approval for enhancing cooperation with certain foreign governments, beginning with those countries for which the United States has waived visa requirements, to establish appropriate access to terrorism screening information of the participating governments,” it stated.
In their letter to Pompeo, the lawmakers said since the directive was issued the federal government had not just given information to foreign governments, but had also acknowledged placing individuals on the list at the behest of foreign governments.
“It is significant to note that the evidentiary standard for being placed on the TSDB is very low: the government need only have ‘reasonable suspicion’ that someone is involved in terrorism,” they wrote.
According to the FBI, a “suspected terrorist” for the purposes of the list is a person “who is reasonably suspected to be engaging in, has engaged in, or intends to engage in conduct constituting, in preparation for, in aid of, or related to terrorism and/or terrorist activities.”
The signatories of the letter to Pompeo, all Democrats, are Reps. Omar, Tlaib, Ryan, Ayanna Pressley (Mass.), Earl Blumenauer (Ore.), Jared Huffman (Calif.), Mark Pocan (Wisc.), James McGovern (Mass.), Al Green (Texas), Jesús García (Ill.), and Jan Schakowsky (Ill.).
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https://www.theunitedwest.org/
IPT Releases “CAIR in a Nutshell” Report
US Army War College Caves in to Terrorist-Linked Islamist Group
Army War College under fire over historian’s upcoming lecture on ‘clash of civilizations’ between Islam and the West
Federal Court Approves Settlement Agreement and Ends CAIR Fraud Case
GUN-TOTING CAIR LEADER HASSAN SHIBLY WANTS OFF TERROR WATCH LIST
Big Victory Against CAIR . . . Again!
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Underdog Support Services
Home Services About Me Contact Me
HomeServicesAbout MeContact Me
The underdogs - those passionate emerging changemakers that sometimes feel intimidated by those big names and big budgets that get all the attention.
I'm Eric Leocadio and I'm here to help the underdogs - those passionate emerging changemakers that sometimes feel intimidated by those big names and big budgets that get all the attention. When you feel like just a regular person who wants to do big things in the community, it's natural to feel like you're the underdog in your social impact industry. I get it. We feel like a small fish in a vast ocean. Maybe you feel like you need help but are embarrassed to go to trainings with others who seem like they have it all together. Do you prefer a one-on-one approach to getting the help you need? My mission is to support your business, personal, and social impact efforts to help you see your vision take flight. So it’s kinda like going on a tandem skydive!
Here's what I can bring with us:
15+ years of non-profit management experience.
15+ years of administrative support experience.
20+ years of event planning and program development experience; planned, organized, and/or implemented 350+ events, projects, activities, workshops, training courses, and programs.
26+ years of leadership experience in a variety of fields.
Master of Arts in Social Entrepreneurship and Change from Pepperdine University, Graduate School of Education and Psychology (2012).
Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Systems from DeVry University, Long Beach (2005).
LBSNA Hero Award (2017) from Long Beach School Nurses Association
Jose Colmenares Memorial Award (2015-16) from California Teachers Association
Special Membership Communications Award (2015-16) from California Teachers Association
Friend of School Nurses Award (2016) from Long Beach School Nurses Association
Ralph J. Flynn Digital Media Award for Web Sites (2009-10, 2011-12, 2012-13, 2014-15, and 2015-16) from California Teachers Association
40 Under 40 Award (2013) from Long Beach Post
Human Rights Award (2011) from Teachers Association of Long Beach
Valedictorian Award (2005) from DeVry University, Long Beach
Many of us have amazing vision for impacting our communities but implementing them can seem insurmountable because we don't know where to start or we don't know how to do certain tasks or we just feel insecure about succeeding compared to everyone else's success story. Sometimes we just need help flying.
I know what it's like to feel like an underdog.
When I started a 501c3 non-profit organization called Catalyst Long Beach (aka Catalyst Network of Communities) in 2006, I had a big vision to help my city feel like a connected community. But I was just a guy who didn't feel connected and hoped there were others who felt the same way. I did find others and helped grow our group of rag-tag dreamers into a network of catalysts that worked to impact our neighborhoods. In the beginning, it was hard to get the attention of city council members, corporate sponsors, the bigger organizations, and the major funders. Honestly, it was hard to compete with big names and big budgets. I felt like they wouldn't give me the time of day. So we just did our own thing, learned to be creative with the little resources we did have, and kept trying to surround ourselves with regular folks that believed in what we were trying to do. And we did grow by bringing together small groups and organizations, pooling resources, and empowering emerging leaders. We've done amazing things! 12 years later, I feel like I understand the trials and tribulations of the small non-profit. And I have experience conducting trainings specifically for small non-profits and coaching emerging leaders with amazing ideas.
...we don’t know where to start or we don’t know how to do certain tasks or we just feel insecure about succeeding compared to everyone else’s success story. Sometimes we just need help flying.
In addition to Catalyst, I was also the co-founder and Operations Director for a 501c3 faith-based non-profit organization called Kingdom Causes from 2002-2006. We networked faith communities to serve their city together. I developed our organizational infrastructure, helped create our strategic plans, and handled our operational logistics. We saw amazing things happen!
I also started a small private catering business called American Pinoy in 2017. I tested out my menu items of Filipino-fusion food and started selling dinner plates. People seem to enjoy my food! It was a slow start but a start nonetheless, and this part of my story isn't over.
So I'd like to say that if you feel like an underdog, I get it and I can help. I can help you feel like you're not alone. I can help you learn some things with a relatable and non-intimidating approach. Or if you'd rather not do certain things, I can just do it for you!
About Me1
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Unified Solutions is dedicated to providing training, technical assistance, and human services in Indian Country and beyond. In doing so we advance justice, advocate for victims of crime, and ensure strategies that address challenges experienced by culturally diverse individuals, communities, and organizations.
We are a non-profit organization fully funded by the Office for Victims of Crime (OVC), one of the seven components within the Office of Justice Programs (OJP), U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). OVC administers the Crime Victims Fund established under the 1984 Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) to help victims and victim service providers with program funding with OVC’s Program Plan for the fiscal year.
Unified Solutions currently operates under the OVC FY 18 Coordinated Tribal Assistance Solicitation (CTAS) American Indian/Alaska Native Training and Technical Assistance Program and the OVC FY 18 Tribal Victim Services Set-Aside Training and Technical Assistance solicitations. Under these solicitations, we provide support to tribal communities developing and/or maintaining direct service programs for victims of crime within their community. Unified currently supports 54 CTAS and 76 Tribal Victim Services Set-Aside grantee programs.
The History of Our Logo
The image tells a story and sends a message:
The fate of our world depends upon our ability to come together and create together – all people, young and old, of all colors, from all directions. When we commit our hands together in action, creating a new way with unified solutions, the power of this Light shines from within the Phoenix. The Phoenix burns to ashes and is re-born. The Phoenix takes on all that is finished, all that no longer serves us – like greed and fear and competition – and burns it away. All that is left is the Light that guides us, and the Earth is reborn.
The Unified Solutions logo was formed as a result of a collaborative process with community members in Tucson, Arizona. We were blessed by those who support the vision of USTCDGI and offered their talent to express this vision in visual art.
Special thanks to Victor Robles, Yaqui artist, and Desiree Trowbridge, Latina artist, who helped breathe life into this work.
The image depicts a Phoenix, the Earth, and four sets of Hands coming from each direction to create something new. A Light radiates out from the center of the Hands, to show the sacred power of the work that comes from this kind of collaboration.
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Improving nutrition
This work supports the following UN Sustainable Development Goals
Sustainable growth: overview
Responsibly delicious
Nutritious diets
Healthy nutrition habits
Informed choices
Responsible marketing & advertising
Affordable & accessible for everyone
Together with our partners
We are making our products affordable and accessible for people wherever they live.
Poverty shouldn't mean poor food
According to the World Food Programme, 821 million people – that’s one in nine – go to bed hungry each night. Ensuring accessibility and affordability of foods containing good fats, wholegrains, fruits and vegetables, vitamins and minerals – whether fresh, dried or frozen – is crucial. Food poverty is affecting people globally in both developed and emerging markets.
We are addressing affordability and accessibility by ensuring our products are represented across the full price and package size range (from sachets to family packs). In particular, we ensure we do this in emerging markets, like South East Asia, Africa and Latin America, where we set strategic pricing guidelines, including pricing below the market average to reach lower income groups.
Developing nutritious products is an important first step for food companies. However, ensuring they are available in affordable formats for people on low-incomes, and accessible to people no matter where they live, is just as important. We want to offer nutritious foods and refreshments for all people.
Angela Klute, our Vice President Foods & Refreshment, Africa
As part of our innovation process, we conduct extensive research to evaluate affordability, pricing and purchase intention among people on low incomes. We also recently launched a holistic cost-managing platform – allowing us to minimise or completely offset changes, such as ongoing currency fluctuations or material inflation. This means we can avoid passing extra costs onto consumers.
To promote affordable, nutritious products, we offer discounts, price promotions and coupons, and engage with shoppers through promoters and dieticians. Globally, we sell through discount channels.
Our brands also give people tips on how to eat balanced diets on a budget. In the Philippines, for example, Knorr ran the MOMs (Make your Own Meals) Challenge. Here, we were the first company to use the Food and Nutrition Research Institute’s (FNRI) Healthy Eating Plate. We developed a cooking course for low-income mothers and a cooking contest using Knorr products to prepare dishes on a daily family income of PHP400 (€7). As a result, over 30 recipes were created and the Pinggang Pinoy® food guide was produced by FNRI.
Make Meals that Do More – fighting hunger in the US
Food insecurity isn’t just a challenge affecting developing and emerging countries. Even in the world’s richest nation, the US, one in six children struggle with hunger at some point during the year, according to the United States Department of Agriculture.
Our Make Meals that Do More programme aims to help people in underserved communities access nutritious food, and cook delicious, budget-friendly meals. We created a toolkit for nutritionists to help reach people in stores, as well as a new, dedicated website for consumers, which includes easy to prepare recipes.
We also joined Walmart in its ‘Fight Hunger. Spark Change’ campaign. Together, we are giving millions of people an opportunity to help their local Feeding America food bank, to support people struggling with hunger. In April 2018, we donated the equivalent of one meal for every participating Hellmann’s, Knorr or Ben & Jerry’s product purchased at U.S. and Puerto Rico Walmart stores, or on Walmart.com. And we guaranteed a minimum total donation of $150,000, up to a maximum of $2 million.
Improving access in remote areas
For all brands, we take into account distribution. We found that in some countries, traditional distribution channels weren’t reaching people in remote areas. So, we developed a network of small-scale retailers to help us improve access to nutritious, affordable products. At the same time, we believe this will enable 1 billion more people to enjoy our brands, providing us with a vital opportunity for sustainable growth.
For example, our unique Shakti (or ‘power’) model in India involves dedicated rural women being trained to distribute Unilever products where they live and in neighbouring villages. As our brand ambassadors, they spread messages of health and hygiene, as well as selling nutritious, affordable products to low-income families living in remote areas. We are now adapting this model in several South-East Asian, African and Latin American markets.
Over ten years supporting UN WFP home-grown school meals
Since 2007, Unilever has contributed over $33.5 million to the UN World Food Programme’s (WFP) mission to provide good nutrition to those in need. This has included support for WFP’s school meals programme, which provides pupils with either a nutritious cooked meal or high energy biscuits during their school day.
Studies have shown that the provision of school meals increases enrolment and attainment as well as reducing incidences of micronutrient deficiencies, such as anaemia. This has an impact on the families of the school children and the wider community. Every $1 invested in school feeding activities yields up to $10 in economic returns.
Our long-standing work with WFP on school meals demonstrates the power of partnerships and how brands can use their marketing expertise and consumer reach to draw much needed attention to social challenges. For example, in various countries, Unilever works with retailers to raise funds and awareness for WFP’s work through in-store activations.
In 2017, retail campaigns run by Unilever Germany and Switzerland provided school meals to over 80,000 children in Bangladesh. Our Knorr brand has also provided over 3 million school meals to children in Kenya, Colombia and the Philippines, through a series of #sharethemeal campaigns organised around the UN’s annual World Food Day on 16 October.
Alongside financing, Unilever helped develop behaviour change communications activities to complement WFP’s school meals programmes. In Samburu and Marsabit counties in Kenya, education materials on health, hygiene and nutrition were rolled out to 4,500 pupils – helping to build their understanding of life-saving practices such as handwashing with soap.
Support from partners, such as Unilever, has also helped WFP strengthen local capacity to ensure national governments can manage their own school feeding programmes. In summer 2018 the Kenya programme transitioned to Government control – representing a huge win for the future of these critical programmes and the thousands of young lives they support.
This work contributes to the UN Sustainable Development Goal
Responsible marketing
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Our R&D centers
Research discoveries
Stone Age diet may hold key to optimum nutrition
How the brain shapes the taste of food
Sound can change our perception of food
Is it possible to age more healthily?
Collaborating with us
Unilever is studying the relationship between genes and aging to develop technologies that will help people remain healthy in their mid and later years.
Heart Age calculator
Quite simply, because the global population is getting older. Improved living conditions, hygiene, nutrition and health care means that the number of people living for longer is rapidly increasing. But is living for longer necessarily a good thing if those additional years are spent in poor health? And can our healthcare systems cope with the extra burden?
Maintaining the health of individuals as they age will be paramount in improving the quality of life for the elderly and in reducing the impact on public finances. To address this issue, experts in genetics at Unilever have begun to explore why some people age more healthily.
What’s the secret?
Studies have shown that the middle-aged offspring of long-lived siblings (90 years plus) are healthier than those who do not have such long-lived parents. Using state-of-the-art genomic techniques, Unilever is working with Leiden University in the Netherlands to understand how genetic and lifestyle factors enable these individuals to age better, and whether their aging ‘secrets’ can be used to improve the health of others.
Previously it has only been possible to study the activity of one gene at a time. Now genomic technologies enable all the genes in the human genome (approximately 25,000) to be tested at once.
Take a look at the video to hear more about the theory and process.
By partnering with the best aging studies in the world and using the latest scientific techniques, Unilever aims to be the first to identify and understand important insights into aging and health to direct further internal research.
Unilever products are used by millions of people around the world each and every day. As such, we are ideally placed to promote products that could help reduce the impact of everyday ‘wear and tear’ that our bodies experience.
We are only at the start of the journey. Finding ways to utilize the knowledge that will be generated by the project will be a huge challenge. But it should help produce future product and business innovations that will effectively help people live healthier for longer.
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60-year-old man charged in mugging of elderly woman in south Windsor
Windsor police have arrested and charged a 60-year-old man as the suspect in a purse snatching incident in which an elderly woman was knocked down as soon as she left a bank.The crime happened in the middle of the day on Monday. Patrol officers responded around 12:10 p.m. to a bank branch at Grand Marais Road West and Dominion Boulevard.As she left the building and headed to her vehicle, a man knocked her to the ground and forced her purse out of her hands.The robber fled on foot.The victim was injured in the fall and was taken to hospital for treatment.Through investigation, a suspect was identified.On Tuesday around 1 p.m., members of the province’s Repeat Offender Parole Enforcement (ROPE) squad located the suspect at a motel in the 1400 block of Division Road.Denver Varley, 60, of Windsor, faces one count of robbery.Anyone with information about crimes of this nature is encouraged to call investigators at 519-255-6700 ext. 4830.Anonymous tips can be made via Crime Stoppers at 519-258-8477 or www.catchcrooks.com.
The intersection of Grand Marais Road West and Dominion Boulevard is shown in this October 2016 Google Maps image.
Google Maps /
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Hillary Clinton hasn't driven a car since 1996
"The last time I actually drove a car myself was 1996," Clinton said Monday in remarks to the National Automobile Dealers Association in New Orleans. "I remember it very well. Unfortunately, so does the Secret
Hillary Clinton hasn't driven a car since 1996 "The last time I actually drove a car myself was 1996," Clinton said Monday in remarks to the National Automobile Dealers Association in New Orleans. "I remember it very well. Unfortunately, so does the Secret Check out this story on USATODAY.com: http://usat.ly/1aYruwg
Catalina Camia, USA TODAY Published 2:53 p.m. ET Jan. 27, 2014 | Updated 4:59 p.m. ET Jan. 27, 2014
Hillary Rodham Clinton(Photo: Sean Gardner, Getty Images)
Secret Service, diplomatic security has done the driving
Says Bill is the one who shouldn't be at the wheel
Republicans say it show she is out of touch
Hillary Rodham Clinton admitted she hasn't driven a car since her husband's first term.
"The last time I actually drove a car myself was 1996," Clinton said Monday in remarks to the National Automobile Dealers Association in New Orleans. "I remember it very well. Unfortunately, so does the Secret Service, which is why I haven't driven since then."
America Rising, a Republican super PAC, criticized Clinton's comments as showing she is out of touch. The organization posted video on Tumblr and commented: "Maybe she put in a tape of 'The Macarena' (which was on top of the charts) during her last time behind the wheel?"
The Secret Service protected Clinton — and drove her from point to point — as first lady during her husband's eight years in the White House and while she was a U.S. senator. She will continue to receive Secret Service protection as a former first lady throughout her life, according to the agency's website. The Diplomatic Security Service protected Clinton while she was working in her official capacity as secretary of State.
During her 2008 campaign for president, Clinton admitted she hadn't pumped gas in quite some time. She still had a driver's license at that time and Clinton "sometimes used a hybrid SUV back home in New York," according to a New York Times story.
"I have to confess: One of the regrets I have about public life is that I can't drive anymore," Clinton said at the auto dealers conference.
But if you're worried about her driving skills, she joked, you should see Bill Clinton at the wheel. "My husband thinks that's a blessing, but he's the one who should talk," Hillary Clinton said.
Clinton also told the auto dealers that her biggest regret as the nation's top diplomat was the 2012 deadly attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi, Libya, according to a CNN report. Four Americans died, including U.S. ambassador Christopher Stevens.
Read or Share this story: http://usat.ly/1aYruwg
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Facebook fundraiser to help immigrant children tops $20 million with global donations
More than $20 million has been donated to the Facebook campaign set up five days ago with donations streaming in from around the globe.
Facebook fundraiser to help immigrant children tops $20 million with global donations More than $20 million has been donated to the Facebook campaign set up five days ago with donations streaming in from around the globe. Check out this story on USATODAY.com: https://usat.ly/2ykkEFF
Jessica Guynn, USA TODAY Published 8:09 p.m. ET June 18, 2018 | Updated 1:45 p.m. ET June 24, 2018
Chicago-based child psychologist Dr. Louis Kraus says the ongoing separation of immigrant children from their parents along the US-Mexican border could have serious and long-standing medical effects on the children. (June 18) AP
This photo of a two-year-old Honduran asylum seeker crying as her mother is searched and detained near the U.S.-Mexico border on June 12 in McAllen, Texas inspired Charlotte and Dave Willner’s Facebook fundraiser "Reunite an immigrant parent with their child."(Photo: John Moore, Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO – In the largest single fundraiser ever on Facebook, a Silicon Valley couple has raised millions of dollars from hundreds of thousands of people to reunite immigrant parents with their children.
As of Sunday, more than 500,000 people had pushed the total over $20 million surpassing all expectations for the Facebook fundraiser set up nearly a week ago by Charlotte and Dave Willner.
Their efforts to aid parents forcibly separated from their children at the border struck a raw nerve with the American public, leading to a viral movement on Facebook to fund a nonprofit in Texas.
Organizers say donations are streaming in from all over the country and the world. For hours on Wednesday, Dave Willner says the donations were pouring in at a rate of $10,000 a minute. And the fundraising pace shows no signs of slowing as public outrage over the border crisis grows.
"My son is safe in my arms. I don't worry about him being taken from me," wrote one donor on the fundraiser's Facebook page. "I donate with a hope and prayer that I never have to."
"Sending whatever resources I can and prayers from Japan," wrote another. "Our hearts go out to you, America, during this dark and confusing time."
Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg joined the cause Tuesday, urging people to contribute even more money to organizations on the front lines in the escalating border crisis.
In a Facebook post Tuesday, Zuckerberg took aim at the Trump administration's zero-tolerance policy, calling for donations to organizations such as the Texas Civil Rights Project and RAICES, a Texas nonprofit that helps families with legal advice and translation services.
"We need to stop this policy right now," Zuckerberg wrote.
President Donald Trump on Wednesday signed an executive order on immigration that he said ends family separations at the border, but insisted his controversial "zero tolerance" policy will continue.
All of the proceeds from the Willners' Facebook campaign "reunite an immigrant parent with their child" benefit RAICES. Facebook, which launched fundraisers in 2017, waived fees last fall for nonprofit fundraisers.
"It's clearly resonating with a lot of people, and we're just glad we could help," Charlotte Willner told USA TODAY.
Reached Monday night, Jenny Hixon of RAICES said the outpouring of support and money have "absolutely blown us away."
"Our fundraising infrastructure is spartan. We have one development person on staff, which is me ... and I'm also responsible for overseeing our shelter, volunteer operations, media, community outreach and refugee resettlement," she said. "We're very much a boots on the ground kind of organization."
RAICES will share its plans for the funds and let people know how they can get involved on Wednesday.
"We've rapidly reached out to other organizations doing complimentary work in Texas to set up a network to cover all the federal courts, develop a database with all separated families and a pro bono referral network to ensure representation for every family," said Hixon, who is the organization's director of outreach, education and development. "This feels outrageously ambitious, but we kind of feel like this is the moment to do the big things."
Progressive nonprofits have seen a surge of activism that's been breaking records in activists engaged and money raised since Trump's election, says Brian Young, executive director of Action Network, which provides digital tools to these nonprofits, including the Women's March and RAICES.
"But what has happened over the last few days has been more than anything we've seen so far," Young said. "This has broken through in an extraordinary way and will have reverberations for a long time to come."
Americans, who were searching for ways to speak up about the Trump administration's zero-tolerance policy, seized on the fundraiser because "this is something that feels very tangible that people can do," says Elizabeth Dale, assistant professor of nonprofit leadership at Seattle University.
It's part of a new pattern of "rage giving," among progressives who, after the election, began flooding nonprofits with donations, particularly on women's issues, climate change and immigration, Dale said.
Facebook has found its sweet spot giving Americans easy ways to channel their giving, particularly in times of national or international crisis. And the viral nature of the giant social network has fueled successful mega fundraising campaigns such as the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge.
"What you have here is a salient issue, you have a platform that makes it easy to give and you have amplification through social media networks often from people to other people who think like them, so you get a lot of people signing on very quickly," Dale said of the Willners' campaign.
Charlotte and Dave Willner were early Facebook employees who now work at Pinterest and Airbnb. Alarmed by reports that more than 2,000 children had been separated from their parents, Willner set up the fundraiser Saturday morning.
The initial goal was to raise $1,500 to cover the bond fees for one parent so the parent could retrieve his or her child from government custody while waiting for court. But then the fundraiser went viral and private donors began matching funds raised.
"Regardless of political party, so many of us are distraught over children being separated from their parents at the border," the Willners said in a statement. "We can’t all be on the frontlines to help these families, but by supporting RAICES, we’re able to do something that just takes less than a minute, and collectively have an impact.”
Late last week, the Department of Homeland Security announced that nearly 2,000 children had been separated from their parents in a six-week period as part of its "zero tolerance" policy. The Trump administration is cracking down on adult immigrants who cross the border illegally by criminally prosecuting them. Children can't be held in criminal detention, so they are being separated from their parents.
A seven-minute tape obtained by ProPublica, in which children separated from their parents and held at a detention center wail and call for "Mami" or "Papi," fueled the public outcry Monday.
Former first lady Laura Bush and America's other first ladies joined that outcry.
"Mrs. Trump hates to see children separated from their families and hopes both sides of the aisle can finally come together to achieve successful immigration reform," Melania Trump's communications director, Stephanie Grisham, told CNN Sunday. "She believes we need to be a country that follows all laws but also a country that governs with heart."
Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen defended the Trump administration's policy Monday. "We have to do our job. We will not apologize for doing our job," she said. "This administration has a simple message – If you cross the border illegally, we will prosecute you."
Some of the comments on the Facebook fundraiser were supportive of the administration policy.
"Perhaps it's time for the parents of these innocent children (to) do the right thing by not putting themselves in this situation," one person wrote.
Hixon sees the situation very differently.
"The funding we are receiving will save lives. It will keep people from being deported to unsafe countries," she said. "It speaks to the outrage the cruel policies at the border have provoked. It honestly gives us hope in what has felt like a very dark time."
More: Does the Trump administration have a policy of separating families at the border?
More: Detention crisis: Trump defends 'zero-tolerance' immigration
More: Amid outrage, Homeland Security chief Kirstjen Nielsen 'will not apologize' for separating families
More: Fact check: Viral image of child in a cage was not detained by ICE
Read or Share this story: https://usat.ly/2ykkEFF
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Type (Any type)BarBrewpubCafe-BarMobile BarPublic HouseRestaurant - Pub
Ye Olde White Harte01482 326363work Public HouseDestined as it was to be the property of kings and the home of governors, this fascinating pub is steeped in history going back hundreds of years, with the present building having been constructed in 1550. It is here at Ye Olde White Harte where the decision taken in a room in the pub in 1642 to refuse King Charles I entry in Hull is said to have been the trigger for the English Civil War.
Although almost destroyed by fire in the nineteenth century, this extraordinary building has outlived the owner of the mysterious skull it houses, and outlasted those who have participated in great moments in England‘s history.
One of the stories of the skull is that it is the skull of a youth, and a slight fracture mark suggests he died from a blow to the head, when an angry sea captain, well doused in French brandy, used the butt of his pistol with undue strength. The boy was placed under the staircase, and there remained undiscovered until after the fire, which occurred sometime in the 19th century.
Some say it was found in the attic, during the renovations of 1881, and is the remains of some poor serving girl whose hapless life was squandered, perhaps as the result of a secret liaison, that, the landlord of the time was doubtless certain to ensure remained a secret, by placing the body in a dark attic and sealing it up.
Some time ago the skull was removed for careful renovation, and doctors and physicians have examined it on a number of occasions. This human skull can be found in a small corner, behind the Small Saloon Bar, in a Perspex case, on entering the pub and turning to your left.
Perhaps, because of its historic and cultural importance, Ye Olde White Harte has managed to remain relatively untouched over the years. The unmistakeable atmosphere of a place whose oak panelled walls and inglenook fireplaces have absorbed the good times and dealings of generations of revellers, plotters, shoppers, traders, diners and drinkers.
It is a Grade 2 listed building and has some beautiful old tiled fireplaces, and became a pub in the late 1700s, after which a fire damaged the staircase and the ground floor. This vibrant public house is now a corner stone of the Old Town culture of Hull. Many a great night can be spent here with friendly locals and a great atmosphere.25 Silver StreetHullHU1 1JGUnited Kingdom53.742987885583-0.333548784256http://www.yeoldewhiteharte.co.uk
Ye Olde White Harte
Destined as it was to be the property of kings and the home of governors, this fascinating pub is steeped in history going back hundreds of years, with the present building having been constructed in 1550. It is here at Ye Olde White Harte where the decision taken in a room in the pub in 1642 to refuse King Charles I entry in Hull is said to have been the trigger for the English Civil War.
It is a Grade 2 listed building and has some beautiful old tiled fireplaces, and became a pub in the late 1700s, after which a fire damaged the staircase and the ground floor. This vibrant public house is now a corner stone of the Old Town culture of Hull. Many a great night can be spent here with friendly locals and a great atmosphere.
www.yeoldewhiteharte.co.uk
Sunday to Thursday - 11:00 until Midnight
Friday & Saturday - 11:00 until 01:00
Food is served from 12:00 until 15:00, daily.
25 Silver Street,
Hull,
HU1 1JG
Mobile phone coverage
Dogs not accepted (except guidedogs)
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About Sesimbra
The aromas and flavours of the countr
Although essentially associated to the sea, the municipality of Sesimbra has much of its territory in rural areas, or "campo" as it is commonly called.
In the parish of Castelo, traditional agriculture is still very common, as is sheep farming. It is quite normal to find flocks of sheep that produce milk for the famous Azóia cheese which is handmade in two dairies in Azóia, near Cabo Espichel.
There are also several bakeries where the homemade bread of Sesimbra is kneaded and baked in wood ovens and where you can also find the Camoesa Apple, and confectionary such as Broas de Alfarim, Zimbros, Brisas do Castelo and Almirantes. Beekeeping is another activity of some significance due to the natural conditions of the region. Honey and products derived from beekeeping are the centre of attention in ZimbraMel, the largest fair in the country dedicated to beekeeping and which attracts thousands of visitors every year.
Near the village of Sesimbra, Sampaio Milling, an old milling plant recovered and turned into a museum by the local authorities, provides an insight into the connection to the rural world. Every weekend, the building welcomes a flavours market where local farmers sell fruit, vegetables, bread, honey, confectionary and cheese.
A Paradise at the Bottom of Sea
The Sesimbra sea has one of the most beautiful seabeds in Europe, as attested by the most experienced divers.
A Thousand Landscapes by the Sea - From Lagoa to Meco
The Lagoa de Albufeira, the deepest of Portugal, is the beginning of a tour along the coast of Sesimbra. In its midst, the calm waters are perfect for kite surfing, paddle or canoeing. At the eastern end, Estacada and Lagoa…
Meco in natural
At the beginning of the 70s, of the twentieth century, the first naturists appeared on the Meco beach, which drew its name from of a small village nearby. Away from the crowds of the busiest bathing areas, they found the…
Thousand Landscapes by the Sea - From Meco to Espichel
Moinho de Baixo beach, better known as Meco, due to its proximity to the village of the same name, is characterised by the long beaches that extend down to the Bicas beach and became known as one of the the…
A day in Sesimbra
When we arrive in Sesimbra, our gaze is immediately held by the immensity of the sea. The bay, flanked by Serra da Arrábida to the east and by the Harbour to the west, stands out in a perfect curve.
Golf all year round
In the region there are several golf courses, which attract players from all over the world throughout the year. At 18 kilometers from the village of Sesimbra the "Parkland" course designed by the famous architect Rocky Roquemore was considered the…
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Sesimbra Town Hall
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Cash, Promises From Trump Enticed Carrier to Keep Plant in Indiana
Air conditioning units are stacked outside the Carrier Corp. plant, in Indianapolis, Nov. 30, 2016.
Editor’s note: President-elect Donald Trump and the Carrier Manufacturing Corporation claim that more than 1,000 jobs will remain in Indiana thanks to a deal struck between the incoming administration and Carrier.But several news organizations, as well as the head of the union representing many Carrier workers, say the actual number of jobs saved is around 800.VOA attempted to verify how many jobs were preserved, however the public relations department at United Technologies Corp., Carrier’s parent company, is not accepting questions from the media.
Air conditioner maker Carrier said it received financial incentives from the Midwestern state of Indiana and a promise from President-elect Donald Trump to improve the U.S. business climate in return for the firm's pledge to keep about 1,000 jobs in the U.S.
The heating and air conditioning company, a unit of the industrial and military conglomerate United Technologies Corp., said earlier this year it was planning to move about 1,400 jobs to Mexico. But now Carrier apparently has agreed to save the jobs of about 1,000 Indiana workers, following talks with Trump and Vice President-elect Mike Pence, who is still Indiana's governor.
No specific details have yet been released, but Trump and Pence are scheduled to announce the deal Thursday at Carrier’s plant in Indianapolis.
A few hours after their visit to Indiana, the victorious Republican team will appear at a campaign-style rally in Cincinnati, Ohio. Trump's campaign organization calls the event the kickoff of his "USA Thank You Tour."
On Twitter, Trump cheered that a “Great deal for workers!” had been reached; the company said it is “pleased to have reached a deal.”
However, neither Trump nor Carrier disclosed the fine points of the agreement, such as what workers might have to give up to keep their jobs, what threats or incentives were used to get the manufacturer to reverse course, or whether Carrier's parent company will move other jobs from a separate Indianapolis plant to Mexico.
Trump may have had some leverage over United Technologies, which also owns a company that supplies fighter jet engines and relies in part on U.S. military contracts.
The deal is a win for Trump, who made frequent promises during his campaign for president that he would prevent companies from moving jobs outside the country, and bring back jobs that already have been lost, by imposing stiff tariffs on the companies' products for sale in the U.S.
United Technologies, citing a need for more cost effective operations, said in February it would relocate operations from the two Indianapolis plants to Monterrey, Mexico, sometime around 2019.
Someone captured video of a Carrier official informing employees of the moving plan, and the footage went viral after being posted to YouTube.
Trump seized on Carrier as part of his campaign speech during his run for president.
“When Carrier, that left here, goes to Mexico,” Trump told a crowd of supporters at a rally in Indianapolis, “and they want to sell their product, across the border, and no tax, no nothing, we’re going to say, sorry folks!”
Local union leaders expressed appreciation for Trump highlighting their cause.
"We really appreciate him doing that. It’s really getting the message out," Chuck Jones, President of United Steelworkers Local 1999 in Indianapolis, the union representing Carrier workers, told VOA in April.
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On The Brink: How A Brexit Could Fracture A Fragile Europe
June 14, 2016 at 12:14 pm by Knowledge Wharton
On The Brink: How A Brexit Could Fracture A Fragile Europe by Knowledge@Wharton
Wharton’s Mauro Guillen discusses the potential impacts of a Brexit.
http://media.blubrry.com/kw/p/d1c25a6gwz7q5e.cloudfront.net/audio/160609C_KWRadio_Guillen.mp3
British citizens are just days away from deciding whether England should exit the powerful European Union. The results of the June 23 referendum known as Brexit, an abbreviation for British Exit, will have long-lasting consequences for the United Kingdom and the entire continent as Europe grapples with its changing role in the global economy. In a recent segment on the Knowledge@Wharton show on Wharton Business Radio on SiriusXM Channel 111, Wharton management professor Mauro Guillen, also director of The Lauder Institute at the University of Pennsylvania, discussed the complex issues facing Europe, including a possible recession.
An edited transcript of the conversation appears below.
Knowledge@Wharton: This time last year was a really heady time for Europe. At the end of June 2015, Greek banks had closed and the European Central Bank began to freeze lending. There was talk about the beginning of the end for the eurozone, and things looked very bleak. Give us a recap of what’s been happening in Europe over the last year.
Mauro Guillen: The economies in the south and the east have been going through more problems with economic growth that has not really big enough or fast enough to reduce unemployment, except for in Ireland and in Spain. Even in those two countries, it’s not clear that growth is sustainable. At the same time, we have seen far more assertiveness on the part of the European Central Bank, led by Mario Draghi, in terms of engaging in quantitative easing, that is to say, purchases of not only government bonds but also corporate bonds, much to the dismay of the central European and northern European countries that are also part of the eurozone.
The euro continues to be a viable currency as long as the European Central Bank is willing to do whatever it takes — and remember those are Mario Draghi’s words from about three years ago. But the gap between north and south, the gap between east and west, the unemployment, all of those things continue with no end in sight, so we shall see what the future brings.
Knowledge@Wharton: In the EU now, growth in the first quarter was about 0.5%, so that’s maybe about 2% a year. There was some reaction in the markets that maybe Europe is finally getting liftoff, maybe the economy is starting to rev up. Then you get the first not-so-wonderful numbers for the next quarter, and hopes get drained again. All of those concerns about deflation and inability to grow are still hanging around.
Guillen: The markets, especially these days, are always looking for good excuses to feel optimistic about things. If you look hard enough you can certainly find some good signals. I would say that by far the two most important positive developments of the last year and a half have been that the European Central Bank is now doing what the Federal Reserve did beginning in 2009 and 2010. It’s a little bit too late now, but it’s better than never.
“If there is a crisis of confidence in the European Union that undermines consumer spending and business confidence, then you are going to get into maybe even a third recession.”
The other important development is that German employees have more money in their pockets because wages have been rising in Germany, especially over the last three years. This is good because Germany is the largest economy, and more consumers there with money means that they spend more money. At least part of those purchases of goods and services go to the southern periphery in the European Union. What hasn’t happened yet is that the German government itself would be a little less frugal and would engage in a little bit more spending. But they are very adamant in that they want to have a balanced budget. Although they can borrow money at negative interest rates, they are not willing to do anything.
So here we are, with this interconnected set of economies in which we have essentially three groups — the east, the north and the south — each with very different conditions. But 19 countries in the eurozone, unfortunately, have the same monetary policy with the same scheme in place, so it’s very hard to get anything done in that situation.
Knowledge@Wharton: You hear Mario Draghi sort of pleading in his quiet, diplomatic way for fiscal stimulus and not getting that response, which leaves him with quantitative easing, which has limits. Now we’re heading into the possibility of England leaving the eurozone. The impact of that could be as big or bigger than a hard landing in China.
Guillen: I don’t disagree with that. You made a distinction that may ultimately be an interesting one between the U.K. and England. Technically speaking, the nation state that is a member of the European Union is the United Kingdom, but public opinion is bitterly divided there between those who want to stay and those who don’t. If you go to Scotland, you find that most of the population is in favor of staying. One of the risks of Brexit is that Scotland might want to become independent because it really wants to remain within the European Union, and this would only fuel the independence movement there.
The European Union is the largest economy in the world. It’s not as rich as the U.S., but it is bigger in terms of gross domestic product if you combine those 28 countries. If there is a crisis of confidence that undermines consumer spending and business confidence, then you are going to get into maybe even a third recession. That would be devastating for Europe itself, but it would be really bad for everybody else in the world that has business with Europe, including the United States. Exporters to Europe and American companies that have investments in Europe are going to suffer. Companies such as GE or GM or Boeing, 20% to 30% of their business is in Europe, so it could have a large impact
If there is a Brexit, the pound sterling would lose value. The euro would also lose value because there would be such an erosion of confidence. These days, although the dollar is increasingly not that strong, it is perceived as being the only safe haven. What we would be witnessing then is a strengthening of the dollar, and that would also make it harder for American companies that export to do so, and that is going to have a negative impact on the United States. All of these chains of events that I have described are quite likely if there is a Brexit.
I don’t want to doubt Prime Minister David Cameron’s motives as to why he is organizing this Brexit referendum. He does want to put this question to rest within his party. He is playing with the future of Europe for the sake of settling a problem within his party, which is a pretty risky way of doing it. The U.K. has been in the European Union since 1973. It has always had doubts about it. If you remember, we went through several re-negotiations of the relationship between the U.K. and the European Union, especially under Margaret Thatcher. From the point of view of the U.K., if I were a voter over there, I would think at the end of the day I am getting a few things that I really want, which is access to that big market. I am also more influential as a country because I get to go to the meetings and exercise not only a vote but also an opinion. The U.K. is one of the three largest economies in Europe, so they have some influence.
Knowledge@Wharton: It is interesting to see how all of this is playing out. There is no leaning right now one way or the other, and we’re closing in on this vote coming up at the end of the month.
Guillen: The divisions run deep, but they are somewhat predictable. The Greater London area, which is much more cosmopolitan, where there are more people who have connections to the rest of Europe, which is the financial center, they are pretty much in favor [of remaining in the EU]. If you go to smaller towns throughout England, then you get more people opposed. You cross the border into Scotland, then most people are fiercely in favor of staying within the European Union because they believe in European policy making, they believe in the welfare state, they believe in all of these things.
“Every single analysis that I have seen concludes that it would be harmful for the U.K. to exit.”
This is the problem with Europe, that 10 years ago before the crisis, it may have been somewhat divided or there were differences of opinion about this or that. The single most important effect of the crisis in Europe has been that whatever divisions existed have become much, much, much bigger, so these gaps in terms of the different perspectives that people have in different parts of Europe have become much, much wider. All of this has been fueled by a number of issues: the sovereign debt crisis, the problems with the euro and the more recent migration crisis.
Knowledge@Wharton: Recently, the leaders of Germany, the Netherlands, Spain and Ireland all came out pretty strongly against Brexit, saying it’s a bad idea. Is that predictable or is that a strong statement?
Guillen: I don’t think that there is any political leader in Continental Europe right now who would be in favor of a Brexit.
Knowledge@Wharton: But they’re stepping into a local political issue in a way.
Guillen: Yes and no, because again this is the way in which David Cameron framed it. Some people accuse him of implicitly framing it as a problem within the Conservative Party, which is pretty strong in England. The Labor Party is not doing well at the present time. But whether you want it or not it is a European-level issue, absolutely.
Of course, every country is sovereign and can organize whatever referendums they want to organize about any issue, including this one. But for a country that has done so much in terms of contributing to European integration over the last 40-plus years to now decide “been there, done that, on to something else” is kind of strange. The English Channel separates the U.K. from the rest of Continental Europe, but the U.K. is a European country, nonetheless. It may want to preserve a certain element of independence or autonomy in terms of foreign policy, but when you think about their interests, every single analysis that I have seen concludes that it would be harmful for the U.K. to exit. It would have very negative effects, so I’m hoping that appealing to that kind of an argument would turn the undecided voters in the direction of remaining within the EU.
Knowledge@Wharton: According to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, Ireland would lose 1.25 percentage points off of its GDP as an immediate consequence.
Guillen: Ireland would be devastated by this for two reasons. One is that its economy is very much driven by two things: its close relationship to the U.K., which is of a historical nature, and that Ireland has become a hub for doing business in the rest of Europe. A lot of American firms started their operations there. Google is going to be hiring 10,000 employees outside of Dublin. Ireland plays a very important role from that respect. If the U.K. gets out, that is going to mess up Ireland’s strategic position in the world.
The other way in which the Republic of Ireland is going to be affected is because of Northern Ireland. If the U.K. were to get out, there will again be border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. If we were to go back to having a border, that could re-ignite some of the conflict, some of the tension, some of the friction. I’m not concerned that they wouldn’t be able to reach an agreement. What I’m concerned about is that now we have an arrangement that seems to work. There’s no violence.
Knowledge@Wharton: Why mess it up?
Guillen: Exactly. Brexit would essentially mean, hey we have to go back to the table and talk. At the present time, people can move freely across that border. But if the U.K. were to exit, that border would exist again.
Knowledge@Wharton: Another interesting thing about that is economic conditions have reversed. Belfast in Northern Ireland used to be the economic powerhouse of that island for years and years. That has completely reversed, their economy has shrunk, their population has shrunk, and Southern Ireland has blossomed for all of the reasons that we are talking about.
Guillen: The southern part of Ireland is doing quite well thanks to some initiatives that they have set into motion, including Shannon Airport and some hubs for high-tech industry. But yes, it is very clear that the Republic of Ireland has done quite well over the last 30 years. They did have a problem with real estate bubble and their banks eight years ago, but they have put those problems behind them. Now it is growing really quickly.
Knowledge@Wharton: Another important thing in Europe is this rise of right-wing politicians and right-wing movements. Poor economic conditions and the immigrant crisis are fueling it. But even before that, this trend was happening. What’s your take on that?
Guillen: This is also very worrisome. It is very difficult to generalize because in each of these countries, the origins and the drivers of these right-wing extremist parties are different. Some people in the last few days have been blaming Mario Draghi for the rise of these parties. I think that is totally wrong, because I think there are very, very distinct historical patterns.
These parties existed before the current migration crisis, but the crisis has exacerbated the problem in the minds of some of these people. Whenever you have a crisis such as that one, there is always the potential for opportunistic politicians to take advantage of them. This problem is now apparently in many of these European countries, although not in Italy or in Spain or in Portugal. But there is enough of a critical mass of voters who are true believers in bringing immigration down to zero, closing the borders and re-writing some of the rules so that there are restrictions on what minorities can do throughout the continent.
“I think most people are realizing that the old policy, the old approach of trying to integrate everything in Europe is a self-defeating exercise.”
If there is a crisis, if the economy is not performing well, then you have a whole bunch of other people who are desperate or near desperate, who also vote for those parties. But they are not really true believers. I think if you asked them, “Do you really believe that we should get rid of all of the Muslims in France?” They would say, “No, no, of course not. I have many friends who are Muslim.” So, the people who vote for these parties come in two types. One is the true believers, and those are the really dangerous ones, the unconditional supporters. And then you have the other ones who, depending on the circumstances, vote for these parties or not. The problem is right now for the second group, there are plenty of reasons to think that those conventional parties don’t have the solutions to these problems. There is a lot of anxiety.
Knowledge@Wharton: Regardless of Brexit, you talked about the possibility of recession in Europe again.
Guillen: If you want to put it in those terms as to whether in 20 or 50 years from now, some of the topics that we are discussing will be just a footnote in a history book or the title of a chapter, I think they are going to be footnotes because Europe is facing so much more fundamental challenges than any of these things.
Europe is facing a huge challenge with population and aging. In many countries across Europe now, each woman is having 1.2, 1.3 children over her lifetime. This is the current fertility rate in Europe. There is no way you can run those economies with that kind of a demography unless you have some kind of an orderly policy for bring in immigrants with a variety of skills that would help you continue having a dynamic economy.
This is one problem. The other issue is Europe’s own diminishing importance in the world, which is from many points of view just something to be expected because other parts of the world are growing much faster. So, it’s the decline of Europe, which has been brewing for a very long time. On top of all of that, we have the divisiveness and the frictions among all of these different countries. It’s not just two blocks, like the frugal countries and the spendthrifts. No, we have multiple different kinds of countries there. It is a mosaic, and what I think most people are realizing is that the old policy, the old approach of trying to integrate everything in Europe, to try to bring everything under one common standard, is a self-defeating exercise. Unless you are very careful as to how you build the institutions, how you lay the foundations for that integration, you are likely to intensify the tensions and the frictions as opposed to reduce them, which is what I think has happened over the last decade or so.
Author: Knowledge WhartonThe Wharton School is committed to sharing its intellectual capital through the school’s online business journal, Knowledge@Wharton.
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Home » News » News » PDP constitutes fact-finding committee on NASS leadership election
PDP constitutes fact-finding committee on NASS leadership election
On June 24, 2019 7:05 pmIn Newsby Urowayino Warami
The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has set up a fact-finding committee on the role played by some of its members at the election of the presiding officers of the National Assembly.
The party disclosed this in a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr Kola Ologbondiyan, on Monday in Abuja.
The Chairman of the Committee, according to Ologbondiyan, is a former President of the Senate, Sen. Adolphus Wabara, and former National Secretary of the party, Prof. Wale Oladipo, as the committee’s Secretary.
Other members of the committee include: Sen. Ibrahim Mantu, Sen. Stella Omu, Mr Austin Opara, Sen. Abdul Ningi, and Mrs Margaret Icheen.
The terms of reference of the committee, according to Ologbondiyan is to find out why some of the PDP lawmakers failed to abide by the decision of the party during the National Assembly leadership election.
It is also to find out whether there was any involvement of the ruling party in the decision taken by the members involved.
“To find out where there are established reasons for taking the action by members, the committee should identify such so that the party can create mutual and political atmosphere for reasonable interaction with senators and Honourable members.
“To find out and recommend ways to checkmate such tendencies in the future and ensure that, moving forward, all members work together to defend the interest of the party at all times and circumstances.”
Ologbondiyan said that the committee was given three weeks from the date of its inauguration to report to the party’s NWC.
The PDP at early hour of the June 11 inauguration of the 9th national assembly announced it endorsement of Sen. Ali Ndume for Senate President and Umar Bago as Speaker of House of Representatives.
The party, in a statement issued by its National Secretary, Sen. Umar Tsauri, said the decision was reached at the end of a decisive meeting of members of the party’s NWC, leaders, state governors as well as the then senators and members-elect on the platform of the PDP.
Tsauri said the decision was in the best interest of the nation, in line with the party’s determination to deepen democracy, ensure a strong and independent legislature, while advising the then PDP lawmakers-elect to be guided accordingly.
Meanwhile the preferred candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Sen. Ahmed Lawan, emerged as the President of the Senate, and Femi Gbajabiamila as Speaker of the House of Representatives, against the wish of PDP.
Urowayino Warami
View all posts by Urowayino Warami →
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Court defers hearing on Saraki’s suit over EFCC’s petition to CJ
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Tofino is wondering whether to put a fence around its Village Green playground to keep kids safe.
Tofino considers fence around Village Green playground
Local grandparents raise safety concerns but council not convinced.
May. 11, 2016 8:00 p.m.
Tofino’s district office will look into putting a fence around the Village Green playground after local grandparents raised concerns.
Tofino’s municipal council reviewed a letter from Cathy and Lewis George last week that suggested the absence of a fence between the playground and Campbell Street is putting local kids at risk.
“It is of concern to not only myself but other grandparents and parents in the community that one day, one of the kids will run off and not knowing the dangers of traffic, potentially get hit by a car,” the letter states. “There are thousands of visitors to Tofino in the summer months and considering the incidents of a few years ago with individuals prowling around the kid’s park and the potential for abduction, I feel there is a real need for a fence to be placed around the kid’s park.”
Mayor Josie Osborne said it was the first time she had heard anyone suggest a fence was needed around the playground.
Coun. Al Anderson said the playground is safe as it is.
“I think we’ve made considerable progress and effort into making our downtown safer with traffic calming measures and more crosswalks,” he said adding the playground does not encourage play near Campbell Street.
“The focus of the playground is really inwards towards the park. I don’t agree that the playground should be fenced off and I’m not really sure if we need to take it any further than that.”
Coun. Cathy Thicke agreed and added that none of Tofino’s playgrounds are fenced.
“The one at the school doesn’t have a fence, this one doesn’t have a fence, and the one at Centennial doesn’t have a fence,” she said. “Personally, I’ve spent a lot of time at that playground, and at various playgrounds, but I’ve never had an issue and never seen an issue before…so I’m somewhat surprised at the concern, however I’m willing to refer to staff.”
Coun. Dorothy Baert suggested council direct staff to look into the playground’s safety and whether or not a fence is needed and said council could be missing something that staff might catch.
“We’re six councillors, some with kids who spend time at the playgrounds and some not, and so forth, whereas we do have some people who specifically plan playgrounds and think about safety and those kinds of things so I think it’s due diligence,” she said. “Personally I’ve been in the playground a lot and I see no need for [a fence] but I’m open minded.”
Tofino councillor alleges greenwashing
Anderson calls for Tofino youth council
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May 7/8
If you are behind, the weekend would be a great opportunity to get caught up. The rubric is attached below this picture.
Paragraph #1: Introduction and thesis
Paragraph #2: Topic 1 1 paragraph First of all,
Paragraph #3: Topic 1 1 paragraph In addition, transition first
Paragraph #4: Topic 1 1 paragraph transition first
Paragraph #5: Topic 2 1 paragraph Another thing that makes the 21 Century amazing is...transition first
Paragraph #8: Topic 3 1 paragraph The final thing...transition first
Paragraph #10: Topic 3 1 paragraph transition first
Paragraph #11: Conclusion In conclusion, restate thesis
Research Paper!!
my_persuasive_essay_rubric.docx
MLA/Citation Questions
Works Cited Page (needs to be own separate page)
Citation Maker (1/2 completed receives half grade)
Thesis Help:
Awesome way to start:
Although...., actually.... because...1, 2, 3 statement!
A thesis statement is an assertion, not a statement of fact or an observation.
Fact or observation: People use many lawn chemicals.
Thesis: People are poisoning the environment with chemicals merely to keep their lawns clean.
A thesis statement takes a stand rather than announcing a subject.
Announcement: The thesis of this paper is the difficulty of solving our environmental problems.
Thesis: Solving our environmental problems is more difficult than many environmentalists believe.
A thesis statement is the main idea, not the title. It must be a complete sentence that explains in some detail about what you expect to write.
Title: Social Security and Old Age
Thesis: Continuing changes in the Social Security System make it almost impossible to plan intelligently for one’s retirement.
A thesis statement is narrow, rather than broad, so that it can be fully supported.
Broad: The American steel industry has many problems.
Narrow: The primary problem of the American steel industry is the lack of funds to renovate outdated plants and equipment.
A thesis statement is specific rather than vague or general.
Vague: Hemingway’s war stories are very good.
Specific: Hemingway’s stories helped create a new prose style by employing extensive dialogue, shorter sentences, and strong language.
A thesis statement has one main point rather than several main points. More than one point may be too difficult for the reader to understand and the writer to support.
More than one main point: Stephen Hawking’s physical disability has not prevented him from becoming a world-renowned physicist, and his book is the subject of a movie.
One main point: Stephen Hawking’s physical disability has not prevented him from becoming a world-renowned physicist.
1. The differences [similarities] between ___________ and ___________ are __________, and they ______________ pronounced deserve striking merit ______________ ______________.
strong words: thorough, investigation, rigorous, scrutiny, examination
2. __________________ some ______________ similarities,
strong words: Although they bear, superficial, Despite bearing, minor
the differences between _____________ and _____________ are ______________.
strong words: clear remarkable striking pronounced
3. While some differences between ______ and _____ are _______________, the similarities are ______________.
strong words: evident, striking, noticeable, pronounced, salient
4. The general argument made by author ______________________ in his/her work ____________ is that________________. More specifically, _________________ argues that _______.
5: ________________ is wrong/right because ________________________. More specifically, _________ believes/demonstrates, argues, that ____________________
6: Although ___________________________________ (believes, demonstrates, argues) that_______ __________________, I suggest that _______________.
7. In __________ (title), ________________ (author) uses ________, ______________ and ____________ In order to convey _______________________.
8.By looking at __________________________ by ____________ one can see ______________ which is important because ____________________________________________ (something not obvious and others may not see—the opinion part.)
9: Comparison/ Contrast The differences [similarities] between ___________and ___________ are (striking, pronounced) and they deserve_______________________. (thorough investigation, rigorous sctrutiny, examination)
10. Although they bear some similarities, ___________________________ and _________________________ have many differences including ______________________________, _______________________________, ________________________.
11. Two Sided Issues The debate over ____________ is very complicated, and it can best be explained by considering the lines of argument that people follow—the reasons that they offer in support of their claims, and the evidence that they present in support of their reasons. Some contend that _____________, offering the following reasons and evidence to convince their audiences..... Some, however, believe that ________________, and they offer (different/similar/the same) reasons and evidence in support of their claims, such as __________________.
12. Some, for example, contend ____________ while others maintain that _____________. There is also substantial disagreement about how to define certain terms. Some define ____________ as _____________, while others insist that ______________ is best defined as ______________. People disagree about how to evaluate the situation, with some people saying ________________ and others insisting ___________________. Finally, there is disagreement about what to do. Some want us to _____________ while others would have us _______________.
Traditionally referred to as the bibliography, but now commonly called works cited, this section provides the support for your research paper. It should include only those materials that you actually cite in the paper, not all of those sources you compiled for your working bibliography.
Preparing Entries (Some basic formatting rules)
· List the entries in alphabetical order according to the last names of the authors/editors.
· For an anonymous work, list according to the first important word in the title.
· If you are listing more than one work by the same author, alphabetize the works by title. Instead of repeating the author's name, type three hyphens and a period, give the title, and list all other essential data
· Use lowercase abbreviations to identify the parts of a work (vol. for volume, trans. for translator, ed. for a named editor). However, when these abbreviations follow a period, they should be capitalized.
Example: Woolf, Virginia. A Writer's Diary. Ed. Leonard Woolf.
Do not number the entries!
Parenthetical Citations:
Parenthetical citation is a very easy way to acknowledge that you have incorporated another's words, facts, or ideas. Usually, the author's last name and a page reference are enough to identify the source and the specific location from which you have borrowed material. A general rule of thumb to follow is to include the first important word of the works cited entry from which you borrowed the information (whether it be the author's/editor’s last name, an organization, or an abbreviated title) and the page number.
Ancient writers attributed the invention of the monochord to Pythagoras in the sixth century BC (Marcuse 197).
This parenthetical citation indicated that the information comes from page 197 of the book by Marcuse included in the alphabetically arranged works cited page that follows the text of the paper. Note that the citation is included in the sentence and that the period comes after the citation.
In determining the information needed to document sources accurately, keep the following MLA rules in mind:
1. References must clearly point to specific sources in the list of works cited.
a. Thus, the reference typically begins with the name of the author, editor, translator, speaker, or artist whose name begins the entry in the works cited page. (Cebrill 10).
b. If authors share the same last name, indicate the first name by initial only. (Noons, L. 15).
c. If two or three authors wrote the book, list each name as it appears on the title page (Note: This may not be in alphabetical order. (Brens, Dedroll, and Sans 89).
d. If the work has more than three authors, give the first author's last name followed by "et al." Do not add any intervening punctuation. (Edens et al. 125).
e. If the work is listed by title, use the title or a shortened version of it. (Heroes 58).
If there is more than one work by an author, add the cited title or a shortened version after the author's last name. Once a shortened version is used, use it consistently thereafter. (Note: A comma is necessary to separate name from title.) (Greene, Tragedy 58).
· Take all the information in each section and the sentences you wrote into a paragraph. (You may need to write more information to reach the five sentence minimum for a paragraph.)
· After the introduction paragraph is done you will need to document the information in your supporting details. (Follow the steps for internal documentation that follow.
How to do Internally Documentation
THE MOMENT YOU WRITE ONE OF YOU SUPPORTING DETAILS YOU MUST:
1. Put an open Parenthesis (
2. Write the authors last name (if no author write the first few words of the title)
3. Skip one space
4. Write the page number (just the number)
5. Close the parenthesis )
6. Put your sentence punctuation
It will look like this The Epic Hero in an Epic usually has superior strength and undertakes extraordinary adventures to obtain something of value. That item could be for his betterment or the betterment of his society (Williams 143).
Check over your copy for mistakes in format. Make sure you have:
□ Hook
□ Thesis
□ Transitions for each paragraph except Conclusion
□ Main ideas for each Body Paragraph and the Conclusion
□ Closing Statement (Bow)
□ Restated Thesis □ 5 sentence for each paragraph
□ Between 5 – 7 sentences in the Introduction and Conclusion
Check your paper for grammatical mistakes Remember to check your paper three times.
1. Read out loud from top to bottom
2. Read from bottom sentence to top sentence out loud
3. Put it down for at least 30 minutes then come back and read it again.
Once you have proofread and revised you paper write you final draft making all necessary corrections. Step 10: Works Cited Page Once you have finished writing your draft the last page of your paper should be a Works Cited or bibliography page. To complete this step you will need your Source Cards How to make a Works Cited Page
1. Title the page Works Cited or Bibliography
2. Take your correct Source cards and put them in alphabetical order by the first letter on each card.
3. Write the first source onto a sheet of paper or type it. (do not number or bullet)
4. Make sure that the second and any other line after the first is indented five spaces.
5. Skip one line
6. Repeat steps 3-5 with each entry
7. When finished staple the page to the back of your final draft. Should look like this
Anderson, Toni. Self-Betrayal. Random House: New York, 1972.
Bennet, Rob and Sara Parker. Never Stop Until You Have It All Done. General Publishing Company:
Connecticut, 1952.
· Required: At least six useful sources for your essay. You will need to present these sources in MLA format. They will need to be organized on a Works Cited page.
· Organize your paper into these sections:
o (Introduction ) ¾ to 1 Page
o Topic #1 Culture (Body Paragraphs) 1 ½ to 2 Pages
o Topic #2 (Body Paragraphs) 1 ½ to 2 Pages
o (Conclusion) ½ to 1 Page
o Work Cited 1 Page
An “A” essay will do all or most of the following…
? Introduction contains a lead that reflects in depth about the topic for your research project, hooks your audience’s attention by describing in detail what you already know about your subject or why you are curious about it, and thoroughly explains why you chose the topic
? The search question (thesis statement) strongly controls your essay, thoroughly guides the direction of your search process, keeps the focus on what you learned, and appears as the last sentence of your introduction
? Body paragraphs focus in depth on the search process and clearly explains in at least five sentences the value of the web sites you visited and/or the other sources you used, including your interview
? Body paragraphs focuses in depth on what you learned from your research and clearly explains in at least five sentences the examples you cited in support of your search question
? Body paragraphs contain at least six relevant citations from at least four different teacher approved sources including the Internet, a print source, an interview and is thoroughly explained in relation to the search process demonstrating what you learned in support of the search question
? Written in MLA format, uses parenthetical citations, and is between four and-a-quarter and six and-a-quarter pages long with paragraphs of at least eleven sentences or more whereby the writer varies the paragraph structure by providing in-depth, insightful, and motivated writing
? Transition words or phrases smoothly connect sentences and or paragraphs
? Conclusion states what you discovered about searching for information, and reflects on how this knowledge affects the way you now think about a researching a topic
? Conclusion clearly explains the type of skills you developed as a writer-researcher, explains what you learned about the thinking process involved in research, and clearly explains how you felt once you made this realization
? Relatively free of pointers, spelling, grammatical, and mechanical errors
Hiromoto Kikkoman
Nolan Nguyen
Senpai
Grasshopper Nguyen
We will be having an end of year party at my house...
May ?? Watch for updates...
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veski innovation fellow
Dr Seth Masters returns from Trinity College in Dublin to join the newly formed Inflammation Division as a Laboratory Head at Melbourne’s Walter & Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research.
Dr Masters took up his veski innovation fellowship in early 2012.
Research project title:
Virus and host miRNA that target the innate immune system and inflammation
Research project description:
A large number of people are diagnosed with chronic inflammatory diseases, caused when their bodies fight an infection that does not exist – a ghost. Dr Seth Masters wants to understand what’s happening at a molecular level to discover a therapy that will change sufferer’s lives. The body naturally defends itself from disease and infection with inflammation by white blood cells killing foreign organisms or diseased cells to kick-start the healing process. However, surrounding tissues can be destroyed if the inflammatory response is too strong, leading to chronic inflammatory diseases.
These diseases, which include rheumatoid arthritis, gout, cancer and type-2 diabetes, are common problems for Australians, meaning understanding them has become a key focus in the inflammation field. Seth’s project will investigate an important class of regulators that limit inflammation called micro-RNAs. He has identified a micro-RNA that limits inflammation linked to several diseases including Crohns disease.
Seth also aims to identify micro-RNAs in viruses that are resistant to the immune system and target them with technologies such as “locked nucleic acids”, a newly developed technology not currently employed in the fight against viral infections. His trials against the herpes simplex and Epstein-Barr virus will be a first, not only for Victoria, but globally as well.
Returned to Victoria with his partner, Dr Lisa Mielke, who works as a postdoctoral researcher in the Molecular Immunology division at the the Walter & Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research
Seth was part of the team that discovered the potential underlying basis for Type 2 diabetes, a debilitating disease where people stop responding to insulin
He spent three years in Bethesda, USA at the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Disease where he helped discover a new, rare inflammatory disease that affects young children, and a therapy that totally resolves it
Latest updates about Seth Masters »
Immune system's balancing act keeps bowel disease in check
NLRP1 restricts butyrate producing commensals to exacerbate inflammatory bowel disease
veski fellows among 41 International Research Scholars
Masters receives Milstein Young Investigator Award
Seth Masters: beginnings
Related Links »
Walter & Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research
WEHI Profile
Seth Master's video
“Knowing science, technology and innovation is recognised by government and financially supported is a fantastic thing. Without that impetus, people are going to drop out of science and technology, and if we don’t have that money we can’t do what we want to do, we can’t generate innovative ideas, technologies, and therapies for medical research.”
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NextImpact: Ration for 250 Families
Impact: Video Brings Justice to Caste Atrocity Survivors
Amarjeet Kumar
Amarjeet is Dalit rights defender and Community Correspondent from Sadoar village, Bihar. Amarjeet was one of the youngest and most enthusiastic participants at the IU training. He has been working actively with the Dalit Rights organisations in his village and therefore has a very good understanding of Dalit rights. Well aware of the poor quality of life many Dalits face in India even today, he wants to use his videos to highlight these issues and stop caste-based discrimination practices.
As India celebrated its 66th Independence Day, the Dalits of Dandva Baddi Village were under attack from the upper caste people. Community Correspondent Amarjeet had reported the case from Rohtas District, Bihar, in his very first video. The skirmish left 54 injured and one dead. Many lost all their belongings as their homes turned to ashes in the firing done by the hands of the upper caste community. The evidence Amarjeet and his friends collected helped the families get justice.
“An unrest had been brewing for some time in Dandva Baddi because the so called upper caste families were unhappy with the fact that the Dalits had built a temple on the main road. They were infuriated by the fact that they had to walk through the Dalit temple to get to their houses.
It is in this context that some people from the upper caste groups planned to hoist the Indian flag at the Independence Day celebrations in the grounds of the temple. They would stake a claim to that area and install a statue of a local freedom fighter.
The Dalit community had in the mean time given a written complaint to the District Collector. On the 13th of August he ordered that no one would be allowed to hoist a flag or do any sort of activity on the temple land that Independence Day. But that didn’t matter…
As Indians across celebrated their Independence, on the 15th of August 2013, a 300 person strong mob of the upper caste men descended on the temple and forcibly hoisted the Indian flag. The Dalit community attempted to protest and was in turn fired upon by the miscreants. They didn’t stop there. They went and burned houses and property of Dalit people as well. 54 people were injured and one man died. It just goes to show that there are millions to whom this ‘independence’ is purely notional.
I heard this news from acquaintances just as I was returning home from a meeting on the 15th and rushed to Baddi immediately along with local Dalit activist Mr. Ravinder from Jan Adhikar Kendra, Chinhari, on his bike. When I reached, there was chaos and fear amid police presence (from the local police station).
I realized that I have extended family in this village and talking to them facilitated my entry into the community in this strained time. The community members began to openly give me their testimonies and were very detailed as well. I went from house to house and collected as many video and written testimonies as I could. This was my first video and I knew the more evidence I had the stronger the case would be.
They told me that they wanted immediate legal action against those responsible; compensation for losses incurred and also that they wanted gun licenses so that they could defend themselves. This is because most of the mob had used licensed guns to open fire on the Dalits.
During this time, I called the Superintendent of Police (SP), Mr. Vikas Burman to ensure he would arrive at the scene. I also got in touch with the Chairperson of the Bihar State Commission for Scheduled Castes whom I had met a few weeks ago at a forum and had direct contact with. The Chairperson assured me that he would be there ASAP.
I felt that though there was heavy mainstream media presence, the reporters did not take the time to talk to all the effected people and tell the complete story including how many people were injured, the extent of damage to homes and belongings and the fact that members of the mob had gone to the local school and asked the teacher to point out the Dalit girls in the class. The community members told me that thankfully the teacher had asked the girls to run home.
The SP came prepared with RS.50,000 for the family of the deceased and assured the injured that they too would be compensated. I informed the SP that locals allege the SHO took no preventive action nor did he intervene despite being aware of the order by the DC. No arrests had been made yet. By the end of the day, 3 were arrested and are currently on bail.
The Chairperson of the BSCSC arrived the next morning. He told me to come to the Circuit house where some officials were meeting. I arrived and was not allowed by security to enter so showed my VV ID card and also asked Manish bhai (Program Manager) to call the Chairperson and confirm my identity. The Chairperson immediately recognized me and asked his security person to let me through.
This was it. I presented the footage of the testimonies to the Chairperson and told him what I had witnessed as well as the demands of the people. The Chairperson directed the SP to ensure all the accused were arrested and legal proceeding under SC/ST Act undertaken. He directed the DM to ensure that the demands for compensation and availability of gun licenses to the Dalit community members who chose to apply for it, be addressed immediately. The Chairperson hand wrote these directions and gave it to these officers and also assured me that these demands would be met.
The Chairperson encouraged me to continue my work with the same energy. He said that it was great to see a young man from the community stepping into this role and documenting these atrocities. That validation made my day. For years I have witnessed the surreptitious ways in which caste corrodes our lives. I now had a way to make a change. The Chairperson asked me to stay back and attend the press conference scheduled for later that day.
Over the next few days the community was expecting action from the DM and the SP and when it was not forth coming, local NGOs and activist along with the villagers decided to stage a protest at the DM’s office. Ravinder and I personally went from village to village on a motorbike to motivate people from 6 neighboring villages to be part of this protest.
On the 19th of August, 2000 people from 7 villages and numerous NGOs and community groups gathered to protest the inaction of the local administration. This resulted in an FIR being lodged under the Prevention of Atrocities against SC/STs Act where 45 anonymous and 30 named people accused; 9 people were arrested.
I also approached the Chairperson again to discuss the need for compensation to the affected families and taking action against the accused. The Chairperson wrote individual letters to the Chief Minister, District Magistrate and Inspector General of Police on the details of the incident and action required in the aftermath. The letter to the CM was sent from the Chairperson’s office. Ravinder and I hand delivered the other two letters to the DM and IG’s office respectively.
By the 1st week of September, Amar learnt from villagers that all the injured had received Rs.60,000 each and the family of the deceased received an additional Rs. 9,40,000. It is not clear whether they have been compensated for the damage to property as a result of burning of homes etc. I am investigating further to verify if all affected families have been compensated and the legal status of the case as well.
A visiting Monitoring and Evaluation team associated with CSEI has also documented the community members talking me and my contribution to this case.
When I started filming this story, I had been nervous and slightly uncertain of what the results would be. But the video had to be made and I was going to do everything in my power to bring justice to the families who were brutalized that August morning.
For me this victory is bittersweet. I know that thousands of such atrocities will happen and go unreported across India. The good part though, is that the tide is slowly turning and who knows in another 50 years Dalits in India will be truly independent.”
Posted in: IndiaUnheard Blog, Featured, States, East, All Videos, Caste, Bihar, Blog, Old Impact
Tagged in: IndiaUnheard, video volunteers, Community Media, Community Correspondent, Lower caste, Community video, human rights violations, healthcare facilitities in rural india, lack of healthcare in india, caste based violence in india, national commission for scheduled caste india, Rohtas District (Indian District), Violence (Crime Type), Amarjeet, World Day of Social Justice
Impact: Ration for 250 Families
Impact: Mid Day Meals Unscammed
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'Untouchable' politician to challenge Indian polls
By - The Washington Times - Sunday, March 15, 2009
NEW DELHI (AP) - A leading “untouchable” politician vowed Sunday to take her party national in India’s upcoming elections and challenge the country’s two establishment parties.
Mayawati, who goes by one name, has made clear her ambition to be India’s next prime minister. Her Bahujan Samaj Party has emerged as a major force in Indian politics, winning control of Uttar Pradesh, India’s most populous state.
Mayawati is a Dalit, or “untouchable,” who are the social outcasts at the bottom of India’s complex caste system.
While caste discrimination has been outlawed for more than a half century, and a quota system was established with the aim of giving Dalits a fair share of government jobs and places in schools, most remain almost destitute, kept down by ancient prejudice and caste-based politics.
Addressing a news conference, Mayawati said her party will contest the elections in April and May “all alone, in all the states.”
While the party will run on its own, Mayawati said she was open to forming a coalition after the elections to ensure the ruling Congress party and the Hindu nationalist opposition Bharatiya Janata Party are kept out of power.
Mayawati rose to power in Uttar Pradesh in 2007, forming a powerful alliance of Dalits and high-caste Hindu Brahmins, to force out Mulayam Singh Yadav, the state’s former chief minister, whose own support was rooted among middle-caste farmers.
But so far she has failed to replicate her success in other state elections.
Mayawati’s comments Sunday were widely viewed as an attempt to position herself at the head of a newly formed alliance of Communist and regional parties, known as the “Third Front.”
Mayawati and leaders of the alliance were expected to meet later Sunday. She denied the meeting would discuss the Third Front’s candidate for prime minister, saying it was just an “informal meeting of parties” opposed to Congress and the BJP.
The Congress party, elected in 2004, heads a broad coalition. It was previously supported by Communist parties but lost their backing because of a civilian nuclear deal with the United States.
Congress’ prospects for re-election are unclear. Its major accomplishment _ India’s rapid economic growth in the last few years _ has been hit hard by the global downturn. It has also faced criticism for the bungled handling of the Mumbai terror attack in November, when 10 gunmen rampaged through the city for three days, killing 164 people.
However, their main opposition, the Bharatiya Janata Party, is also in disarray. Its leadership is aging and fragmented, and its anti-terror line was criticized as being too harsh in the wake of the Mumbai attacks.
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Facebook's unveils revised gun sales policy
Technology_Internet
Monika Bickert
By Shirley Husar - The Washington Times - Thursday, March 6, 2014
Facebook has announced a major policy change regarding gun sale posts.
The social media site will remove posts for gun sales that don’t require a background check or cross state lines. It also will prevent minors from viewing posts about gun sales.
The policy change comes after months of pressure from the gun-control activist groups Moms Demand Action and Mayors Against Illegal Guns, as well as New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman.
Under its current policies, Facebook already has banned paid ads for items such as tobacco, drugs and weapons, and has regulated discussions of such products.
Monika Bickert, head of global policy management at Facebook, said the company is continually developing its policies to balance free speech while weeding out abusers of the site.
“Facebook, at its heart, is about helping people connect and communicate. Because of the diversity of people and cultures on our services, we know that people sometimes post or share things that may be controversial or objectionable,” Ms. Bickert said in a statement.
“We work hard to find a balance between enabling people to express themselves about topics that are important to them, and creating an environment that is safe and respectful. This balance is important to how we view commercial activity on Facebook or Instagram,” she said.
Ms. Bickert laid out Facebook’s new gun sales policy:
Any time we receive a report on Facebook about a post promoting the private sale of a commonly regulated item, we will send a message to that person reminding him or her to comply with relevant laws and regulations. We will also limit access to that post to people over the age of 18.
We will require Pages that are primarily used by people to promote the private sale of commonly regulated goods or services to include language that clearly reminds people of the importance of understanding and complying with relevant laws and regulations, and limit access to people over the age of 18 or older if required by applicable law.
The Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence criticized Facebook, saying the social media gian did not stipulate a harsh enough regulation.
“This new policy is not a victory because Facebook continues to makes it too easy for dangerous people to evade a background check when buying guns. A mere warning to follow the law and community-based reporting will not do enough to prevent unchecked gun sales to dangerous people,” Brady Campaign President Daniel Gross said in a press release.
Moms Demand Action founder Shannon Watts started her group as a Facebook page after the Sandy Hook school killings. Group members launched their own investigations into the selling of illegal guns on Facebook and Instagram. They found multiple examples of gun dealers willing to sell weaponsillegally to minors and felons.
Ms. Watts’ group now has more than 150,000 members, and she joined forces with Mayors Against Illegal Guns to press Facebook to change its policy. A petition on Change.org now has more than 95,000 signatures.
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Thousands of Turks escaping Erdogan's crackdown find an unlikely haven in Greece
Turgut Kaya
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is attacking members of the military, teachers, lawyers, doctors, and even Supreme Court justices and prosecutors. (Associated Press/File) more >
By By Nikolia Apostolou - Special to The Washington Times - The Washington Times - Sunday, August 26, 2018
ATHENS — After spending 10 years in maximum security prisons in Turkey — including stints of isolation and torture — Turgut Kaya, a prominent local journalist and dissident, decided it was time to flee.
Like thousands of his fellow Turks in recent years, his destination was nearby Greece, which has traditionally had a complicated and wary relationship with its neighbor across the Aegean.
“It’s not just me,” the 45-year-old Mr. Kaya, recently given asylum after a 55-day hunger strike, said at an Athens cafe. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan “is attacking students, academics, teachers and many other people that have no relations with any of the organizations he considers his enemies.”
“They don’t have any proof to go after me or these people — even judges are now in prison or exile,” he said.
Since surviving a coup attempt in July 2016, Mr. Erdogan has intensified a crackdown on Turkish journalists and domestic critics like Mr. Kaya. But critics say the sweep has been all-encompassing and massive and has ensnared thousands of people from all walks of life.
As of July, tens of thousands of Turks were in prisons and more than 100,000 investigations had been launched against members of the military, teachers, lawyers, doctors, and even Supreme Court justices and prosecutors, who are suspected of either being members of Kurdish separatist organizations or are linked to an organization headed by exiled, U.S.-based cleric Fethullah Gulen, a onetime ally of the president whom Mr. Erdogan now accuses of masterminding the failed coup.
“It’s definitely a witch hunt,” said Spyros Sofos, a researcher at the Center of Middle Eastern Studies at Lund University in Sweden. “Everyone in the opposition is being criminalized. Also, anyone with a personal animosity against someone else can just accuse them of being a member of [Mr. Gulen’s organization] or the Kurdish organizations, and because no one is willing to investigate the claims, these people are easily included in the list of suspects.”
As a result, the numbers of Turkish citizens applying for asylum in Greece skyrocketed from just over three dozen in 2015 to 1,827 in 2017 and 1,152 in the first six months of this year.
More than 3,000 Turkish refugees have settled mostly in Athens and Thessaloniki, a city close to Turkish hearts as the birthplace of Kemal Ataturk, the founder of the modern Turkish state. Thessaloniki also boasted a Turkish enclave until the 1920s, when a population exchange between the two countries took place.
Some, like Mr. Kaya, apply for political asylum. Others come with student visas or have work permits. And the better-off buy property: Some 1,000 Turks have bought homes valued at at least $283,000, the minimum necessary for buyers to get the European Union visa that enables them to stay in Greece and secure the right to freely move around other EU countries.
Some, like Serkan Zihli, 38, say Greece is an obvious choice because of its proximity to Turkey.
Mr. Zihli, who until three years ago co-owned an Istanbul public relations company that employed 10 people, said he knew he would be targeted by the Erdogan government. He had participated in protest in 2013 against the president’s plans to turn a central Istanbul park into a mall. The protest later turned into a nationwide movement that badly rattled the government.
Mr. Zihli was highly visible in the protests, widely quoted in the media and followed on Twitter. He was prosecuted under laws against insulting the president. Then came the visits by tax authorities to his business, visits he believes was deliberate harassment.
Mr. Zihli decided to sell everything and move to Greece, where he found a job and where his family can visit because of its easy travel connections.
“I was sued for insulting the president and the government on Twitter even though I was just criticizing the government,” he said. “But you can get prosecuted even if you just retweet something. … This is done to frighten ordinary people. I’m never going back to Turkey.”
The surge in asylum claims has resulted in further tension between the two countries. Mr. Erdogan is demanding extradition of the asylum-seekers, including an Interpol arrest warrant this month targeting Mr. Kaya. The Greek Justice Ministry refused, even though a Greek court approved the extradition.
Mr. Erdogan has been using such cases to boost his own political base, and exiles like Mr. Zihli are bracing for a long period away from home. Mr. Zihli works in customer support at an Athens telecommunications company and acknowledges he is vastly underemployed.
“This is the only job that I can do here because they provide me with the visa,” said Mr. Zihli. “[I’m in] an entry-level position, thanks to Erdogan. But the most important thing is I’m free.”
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ZEROABUSE.AI UNCOVERING NEW PATTERNS OF INSTITUTIONAL
CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE AND COVER-UP LEARN MORE * use mouse to reveal what's behind the data WATCH VIDEO Recent months have seen a distressing number of child sexual abuse cases occurring in large institutions in the U.S. and around the world. AN ALARMING TREND The Catholic Church The Boy Scouts Olympic Gymnastics Programs U.S. Universities In every one of these cases, leaders in those institutions knew, or had reason to know, that children in their care were being sexually assaulted. But instead of rooting out abusers, they either turned a blind eye or actively assisted in covering up the abuse. NO MORE TURNING A BLIND EYE HOW CAN WE STOP THE CYCLE? ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE CAN HELP! ABUSE SCANDAL COVER UP ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE We have partnered with Technossus and Neil Sahota to change the way we apply AI for social good and change the world’s approach to ending child sexual abuse. WHY USE AI? AI holds great potential because it can analyze and detect patterns within massive data sets that no human ever could. This technology has been before been applied to institutional behavior patterns on this macro level. We are starting where the data is the best THE CATHOLIC CHURCH The Catholic Church is right now embroiled in an ongoing child sex abuse crisis. That priests were ever allowed to prey on the most vulnerable is a violation of everything the Church stands for. So perhaps it's fitting that the Church itself might prove critical in the fight against institutional child sexual abuse. HERE'S WHY... The church keeps meticulous records of everything its priests do. As a result, we have an incredibly robust control data set of the institutional decisions of the Church going back more than 60 years. This is not predator behavior. This is institutional behavior in reaction to predators. THE CHURCH HAS GREAT DATA And now that we know who 2,600 of the abusive priests were, we can plug all this into our AI engine. • What parish they are assigned to • Where they are moved • How often and how far they are relocated CRITICAL INSIGHTS ARE DISCOVERED CLEAR PATTERNS EMERGE The ZeroAbuse.AI system analyzes massive amounts of publicly-available data to identify complex patterns of behavior. In most cases, these are patterns that would never be visible to the human eye alone. ZeroAbuse.AI then uses this data to help other institutions investigate abuse in their own organizations, and find patterns that could indicate attempts to cover them up. OTHER INSTITUTIONS OTHER SPORTS SCHOOLS CAMP CHURCH ZEROABUSE.AI By partnering with our efforts, together, we can truly make the world a better, and safer, place for our children. And it’s all through the Power of AI.
CHILD SEXUAL PREDATORS HAVE NOWHERE TO HIDE
ZeroAbuse.AI is an AI tool that evaluates the risk factors that suggest potential predatory individuals within an organization and those associated with cover up.
NEW PATTERNS EMERGE ZeroAbuse.AI system algorithms analyze massive amounts of publically-available location data to provide analysts with a better understanding of institutional patterns.
ZeroAbuse.AI uses Artificial Intelligence to Help Institutions Expose and End Child Sexual Exploitation and Assault
Our algorithms use risk factors to identify patterns of behavior that suggest potential offenses or cover up.
Joelle Casteix Advocate, Speaker, Author, Zero Abuse Project Board Member Joelle is a member of the founding board of directors of the Zero Abuse Project, a new nonprofit focused on ending the global problem of the sexual exploitation of children. In addition to this work, Joelle is one of the leading global advocates and spokespeople for survivors of child sexual assault. Neil Sahota IBM Master Inventor, United Nations (UN) Artificial Intelligence (AI) Subject Matter Expert Neil Sahota (萨冠军) is an IBM Master Inventor, United Nations (UN) Artificial Intelligence (AI) subject matter expert, and Faculty at UC Irvine. With 20+ years of business experience, he works with clients and business partners to create next generation products/solutions powered by emerging technology. Sen. Joseph L. Dunn (Ret.) Founding Chair, Board of Directors, Zero Abuse Project Senator Dunn is the founding Chair, Board of Directors, of the Zero Abuse Project, a new nonprofit focused on reducing the incidence of sexual exploitation of children in all of its forms on a global basis. Senator Dunn is also currently the Assistant Dean of External Relations as well as a Lecturer at the UCI School of Law. Technology Strategy & Transformation Technossus has become one of the fastest-growing technology solutions providers in a competitive space. During this time, one thing that hasn’t changed is their commitment to company mission and core values, which continue to guide their daily innovation. OUR TEAM
Contact the ZeroAbuse.AI team to learn more about our vision for a future where children can live free from abuse.
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© 2018 Zero Abuse Project. All Rights Reserved.
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Crotona Park East
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Landmarks Approves Expansion of Hamilton-Holly House in the East Village
Evan Bindelglass November 30, 2016 0 1
The Hamilton-Holly House, historic and present-day
Changes are on the way to a piece of Alexander Hamilton’s familial legacy. On Tuesday, the Landmarks Preservation Commission approved work to be done at the Hamilton-Holly House. However, the changes won’t be exactly what was proposed, particularly on the house’s rear.
Located at 4 St. Mark’s Place, between Third and Second avenues in the East Village, the three-and-a-half-story Federal style home was built in 1831. English-born real estate developer Thomas E. Davis built it, but it’s who lived there that makes it significant.
In 1833, it was sold to Col. Alexander Hamilton, Jr., son of first Secretary of the Treasury (not the son who also died in a duel). Of course, Secretary Hamilton’s life and death is now the subject of the hit Broadway show Hamilton: An American Musical. As for the house, it served as home to Elizabeth Schuyler Hamilton, the elder’s widow, as well as their daughter Eliza Hamilton Holly and her husband Sidney, plus the junior Hamilton and his wife. The Hamiltons owned it until 1843, when the oil and candle merchants of the Van Wyck family purchased it.
Eventually, changes, including the removal of the first floor curved balcony, as well as commercial interventions, were undertaken. Additionally, a non-conforming rear addition was constructed, to allow for a meeting hall. It later served as several theaters. It was designated an individual landmark in 2004 and is now configured for commercial space on the basement and first floors and residential units above.
Sectioned renderings of the Hamilton-Holly House at 4 St. Mark’s Place, existing and proposed
The renovation plan comes from Park Place-based SWA Architecture. It calls for the same basic setup, but with more residential units. The aforementioned rear addition would be demolished, and a new one constructed, that would result in the removal of the historic rear dormers and make the building five stories tall. Not all of the floors would line up front-to-back.
Front of the Hamilton-Holly House, existing and proposed
On the front of the structure, a largely new entryway would be installed, the gate at the stoop would be removed, new windows would be installed, and the grand curved balcony would be reconstructed at the first floor. The secondary stair from the ground to the first floor would be removed and a new small gate put in its place at ground level, an additional window would be added to the basement level, an existing basement door would be replaced with a window, an agree under the front steps would be reopened, and signage would be installed. The existing fire escapes would remain. The façade would also receive an overall restoration.
Ground and first floor of the Hamilton-Holly House, existing and proposed
“As HDC often testifies, Federal townhouses are rare and treasured examples of Manhattan’s early dwellings that should be respected, not mutilated,” testified the Historic Districts Council’s Barbara Zay. “The removal of the house’s roof and rear, including its dormer windows, which provide important evidence of the Federal style and the house’s date of construction, would severely compromise its integrity. Our committee, however, found the alteration to the storefront to be acceptable.”
“The Hamilton-Holly House is one of the rare, extant, largely intact Federal style row houses in New York City. While GVSHP appreciates the proposed restoration of much of the façade, there are other elements in the proposal which lack authenticity and therefore are inappropriate,” testified Sarah Bean Apmann of the Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation. “Built in 1831, this house was part of the row of Federal houses on this street between Second and Third Avenues built by Thomas E. Davis when this was one of the most fashionable areas to live in Manhattan. The survival of this rare house is remarkable in its own right but what is even more remarkable is the survival of its pitched roof with front and rear dormers. The rear addition should be reduced in height so that the roof and rear dormers may remain intact.
“Another element in the proposal which is troublesome is the addition of a small window between the larger windows at the basement level. This element has no historic precedent, and interrupts the original fenestration. Finally, at the parlor level, the proposed addition of a store door on the west side and the metal sign mar the historic and architectural integrity of this house. The same care and authentic approach used in the upper floors should be exercised here and at the basement level.”
Manhattan Community Board 3 approved of the façade work, but not the new configuration of the rear.
The commissioners were okay with most of the proposal, but not the fifth floor, because it would knock out the rear dormers. Nor did they like the new window at the basement level. They also had issues with the signage proposed for the front. In the end, they approved the proposal, but with the elimination of the new fifth floor and the new basement window. Without that additional floor, there might be a reduction in residential unit count. The applicant will also work with the LPC staff on the signage.
View the full presentation files here:
Tags 4 St. Mark's Place Commercial East Village Landmarks SWA Architecture
Evan Bindelglass
Previous ArticleAir Rights Acquired for 10-Story, 61-Unit Mixed-Use Project Planned at 517 West 29th Street, West Chelsea
Next ArticleRevealed: Four-Story Apartment Building at 62 Martense Street, Flatbush
Operated the building to see section, and I agreed on proposed with door and window style. (I’m okay too)
Three-Story, 50,000-Square-Foot Charter School Filed at 625 Bolton Avenue, Clason Point
Reid Wilson July 6, 2017
Los Angeles-based Turner Impact Capital has filed applications for a three-story, 50,001-square-foot charter school at 625 Bolton Avenue, located in t…
Nine-Story Bronx Borough Courthouse at 513 East 161st Street To Be Converted Into High School, Morrisania
Reid Wilson May 23, 2017
Revealed: Spence School’s Eight-Story, 56,700-Square-Foot Athletic Facility at 412 East 90th Street, Upper East Side
Reid Wilson April 28, 2017
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Chennai Super Kings Thrash Delhi Capitals To Enter The IPL Finals
The defending champions, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) beat the Delhi Capitals (DC) to enter their eigth final in the Indian Premier League. The Chennai bowlers excelled with the ball to restrict the opposition to 147/9 and chased down the target in just 19 overs.
The Delhi Capitals lost two valuable wickets within the powerplay. Prithvi Shaw and Shikhar Dhawan were dismissed for 5 and 18 runs respectively. Colin Munro who was promoted to bat at three, scored only 27 runs from 24 balls. The team also lost Rishabh Pant in the end. However, Ishant Sharma got the better off spinner Ravindra Jadeja as he smashed the last two balls of their innings for 10 runs. The DC batsmen failed to strike as three out of the five danger batsmen fell for less than 25 runs.
Chasing the modest total, Faf du Plessis (50 off 39 balls; 7x4s, 1x60 and Shane Watson (50 off 32; 3x4s, 4x6s) got CSK off to a flying start, generating 81 runs in 10.2 overs. It was a great team effort as Chennai was superior in all three departments of the game. With this win, CSK enter the finals for the eigth time and their fourth versus the Mumbai Indians. In their last three meetings, CSK won the battle in 2010 while MI emerged victorious in 2013 and 2015.
The Chennai Super Kings and the Mumbai Indians are the most successful franchisees in the Indian Premier League. Though the stats favour Mumbai, it will be interesting to see what the legendary captain, Mahendra Singh Dhoni has in store for us as both teams will want to win the trophy for the fourth time. The epic final will be played on Sunday, 12th May at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Hyderabad.
-Nitasha Silesh
Pic courtesy: IANS
Dhioni
Hima Das wins three international gold medals
Indian Wrestler Vinesh Phogat wins a gold medal in Yasar Dogu 2019 Ranking Series
Take up baking, not sport: Neesham to kids post WC loss
Bollywood celebrities congratulated both team England and New Zealand
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What Creative Advocacy Looks Like in the Professional World
Alyce Youngblood | August 4, 2015 | Light Talk
[caption id=”attachment_3490” align=”aligncenter” width=”700”] ](https://yellow-blog-images.imgix.net/2015/08/Screen-shot-2015-08-02-at-4.31.49-PM.jpg) Photo via @weld[/caption]
Like me, you’re probably exhausted by the sweeping and often negative stereotypes about millennials — but here’s a good one: Millennials crave jobs that are meaningful. Studies indicate they’re more likely to take a pay cut if they can do something they love. They shy away from corporate work to find interesting, challenging positions in positive social atmospheres. Sixty-three percent of them want their employers to contribute to social or ethical causes. And it’s an effective approach: experts say this altruistic work ethic could reshape our economy, if not change the world.
Making a living and making a difference are not mutually exclusive. But to embrace both does require a certain level of discipline, sacrifice and commitment to a cause, not just a career. There are tedious sides to every role — even the ones that sometimes provide opportunities for international travel, great connections and rewarding experiences.
[caption id=”attachment_3488” align=”aligncenter” width=”700”] ](https://yellow-blog-images.imgix.net/2015/08/Screen-shot-2015-08-02-at-4.30.13-PM.jpg) Photo by Esther Havens[/caption]
I spend most of my weekdays at WELD, a Nashville co-working community “creating together for the common good.” The tables there are occupied by many photographers, designers, entrepreneurs, event planners, consultants, marketers and more who are intentional about where and why they apply their skills. They are a wildly talented and generous bunch, and I wanted to learn more from some of them about the practical realities of their sometimes unpredictable professions. It’s tempting to romanticize, dismiss or be intimidated by doing work one believes in — but if pursuing meaningful jobs is the new normal, then I think it’s healthy to normalize it a bit. So I asked them: Beyond the striking Instagram photos or unique fundraising events, what does it really mean to work on projects for social causes? What are the day-in-day-out tasks that must be done, the values and habits that must be cultivated? What would you say to people who want to use their career or creative outlet for a bigger purpose? Why is it worth it?
Here are some of the themes that emerged in their responses.
“**Doing good” means working hard.**
Katie Lentile is a business and humanitarian development strategist, as well as manager of WELD Nashville. When people ask her how to get into her line of work, her advice is pretty direct. “Non-profits and social enterprises are looking for people who are willing to work, and work really hard,” she says. “Anyone applying to these jobs is passionate and wants to help others, but the percentage that is willing to do the ‘behind-the-scenes-no praise-and-potentially-no-emotional-reward’ type of work is much smaller.”
Haley George can attest to that. She is a photographer who has traveled to Haiti, India, Kenya and Southeast Asia to work with various humanitarian organizations. As a freelancer, her job poses a number of challenges, before and after she books a gig. “The inconsistency of work is hard for me and would wreck me if my identity was based on my work,” she says. “In the field, there’s a whole host of other things to face: physical exhaustion, long travel and sickness on more trips than not. The circumstances I bear witness to have challenged everything I know, but have also opened my eyes to the depths of hope that are possible. Nothing about what I do is glamorous, but that’s not why I do it anyway.”
The inconsistency of work is hard for me and would wreck me if my identity was based on my work…Nothing about what I do is glamorous, but that’s not why I do it anyway.
Jordan Bellamy, co-founder at WELD Nashville, is a filmmaker and photographer who often collaborates with non-profits and social enterprises. He feels the greatest obstacle in this kind of work is internal. “When an idea particularly resonates, you almost want to keep it safe, away from actualization. Because you fear the actualization will disappoint you or not be well-received.” He notes this is the point at which it’s tempting to invest energy in other less impactful projects, where the stakes aren’t so high — but he encourages people to push past that. “The hard and tedious part of any great work is convincing yourself every day that it’s worth the effort. Not for some great and satisfying conclusion, but out of the sheer participation in the game.”
Suzanna Hendricks, co-founder of KAIO Productions, acknowledges that it’s also hard to draw supporters to worthy causes, something she’s spent much of her career doing. “It’s easy to look away from the hardship facing our world, to get isolated in our own personal world and not extend our awareness past our immediate circumstances,” she says. “The most difficult parts of campaigns, fundraising and events is building that depth of connection to our own communities and ones near and far. It’s counter cultural to spend resources on things that don’t personally affect our lives or wealth.”
You must learn to prioritize your time and passions.
Whatever your occupation, you probably have to fight to live in balance; the WELDers I spoke with are no exception.
“For freelancers and people who are chasing hard after their dreams, it is easy for work and life to overlap,” George says. Her solution? She holds herself accountable to designated “work hours,” and she’s learning when she can afford to turn down other jobs that don’t line up with what she sees as her purpose. “Beginning with the end in mind gives me a wider perspective for my work and allows me to prioritize my days without getting off track.”
For Lentile, the goal is to carve out enough time to get her tasks done, as well as to truly connect with the people she is helping. “I know I have the skills to help produce amazing results for clients, but I have to stretch myself in focusing on taking the time to love each individual I meet throughout the process, rather than only focusing on the end result,” she says. “When I am able to accomplish that, then I believe I am truly successful.”
“Anyone applying to these jobs is passionate and wants to help others, but the percentage that is willing to do the ‘behind-the-scenes-no praise-and-potentially-no-emotional-reward’ type of work is much smaller.”
Hendricks communicates carefully to see how her own organization methods can meet her clients’ needs. “I set aside intentional time and build out project management reporting and systems with the same format, but adapted to each project.” She’s also a believer in detailed, prioritized to-do lists. “If possible, I section the day into 90 minute segments to totally focus on the largest needs.”
When asked how he manages his time and projects, Bellamy rattles off a list of apps — Evernote, Slack, Things, Mac Stickies — but his greatest trick is to talk to himself. _“_When I’m reflecting or coming up with new ideas, I record voice notes on my phone a ton. These notes remind me of what I’d like to focus on during times when I have my head down, working through the details,” he explains. “Always try to find time to zoom out and reevaluate your course of action, but don’t stay in the clouds too long.”
Worthwhile opportunities stem from relationships.
I should have guessed when I chose to interview a panel of people from a co-working space, but there was one idea they all kept coming back to: community.
“Building trusted relationships is the most important underlying element to me in both seeking jobs and being sought out for them. My pursuit of humanitarian photography has involved reaching out to organizations and taking time to build relationships with them,” George says. “This generation is filled to the brim with both thinkers and doers. The collaboration between them is changing everything about advocacy and activism.”
Hendricks also credits much of her experience to relationships, especially those she formed when previously working at Invisible Children. “I have been able to consult and support several different organizations’ visions for student and community mobilization efforts, as well as event design. I believe once you’ve been willing to get uncomfortable enough to pay attention to what is happening in the world and how you can specifically contribute, things seem to find you,” she says.
Lentile affirms that relationships are not only key to finding meaningful work, but also to sustaining it. “Counseling is always something I encourage everyone to do, and to surround yourself with a community that inspires, challenges and loves you.”
It’s sound advice, considering that connecting deeply with others is what usually moves people to steward their skills and hobbies differently in the first place. “As creation becomes more collaborative, interactive and communal, I believe that we become more aware of those who might have previously been in shadows, forgotten or even ostracized,” Bellamy concludes. “There’s naturally more light shed on injustice, and because of this, creation becomes more connected to the common good.”
Alyce Youngblood
Alyce Youngblood is a freelance writer and editor with experience in magazine publishing, brand development and content strategy. Her portfolio includes work with To Write Love On Her Arm, Darling Magazine, Zondervan, RELEVANT magazine and more. She lives in Nashville with her husband, Chris, and their cat, Buffy.
July Bloom Gathering Recap
IJM + the Yellow Conference 2015
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Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics Profile Series
Household Income and Victimization in Canada, 2004
Tables and charts
Other issues in this series
View the most recent version.
Archived information
Archived information is provided for reference, research or recordkeeping purposes. It is not subject to the Government of Canada Web Standards and has not been altered or updated since it was archived. Please "contact-us" to request a format other than those available.
This page has been archived on the Web.
By Andrea Taylor-Butts, Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics, Statistics Canada
The risk of becoming the victim of violent crime or household property crime can vary according to the mix of social, economic and demographic factors that characterize an individual's circumstances. Income is one such factor and is implicated in the risk of both violent and household criminal victimization (Siegel and McCormick, 1999; Besserer and Hendrick, 2001; Gannon and Mihorean, 2005).
Using data primarily from the 2004 General Social Survey (GSS), this report profiles violent and household victimization among Canadians from low-income households (i.e., under $15,000).1, 2 The report also provides information on who victims turn to for help, perceptions of neighbourhood safety as well as fear of crime among Canadians from low-income households.
This series of profiles provides analysis on a variety of topics and issues concerning victimization, offending and public perceptions of crime and the justice system. The profiles primarily draw on results from the General Social Survey on victimization. Where applicable, they also incorporate information from other data sources, such as the Census of the Population and the Incident-based Uniform Crime Reporting Survey.
Examples of the topics explored through this series include: Victimization and offending in Canada's territories, Canadians' use of crime prevention measures and victimization of older Canadians. This is a unique periodical, of great interest to those who have to plan, establish, administer and evaluate justice programs and projects, or anyone who has an interest in Canada's justice system.
Throughout this report, the lowest household income group (i.e., under $15,000) from the GSS is used as a proxy for low-income households and the highest income group (i.e., $60,000 or more) is used as a proxy for high income households. For further information, see Text box 1 "Household income and the General Social Survey (GSS)".
Unless otherwise stated, differences reported are statistically significant.
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Next: How do I use Up: Background Previous: Background
What is a serial interface?
A serial interface is a communication interface between two digital systems that transmits data as a series of voltage pulses down a wire. A "1" is represented by a high logical voltage and a "0" is represented by a low logical voltage. Essentially, the serial interface encodes the bits of a binary number by their "temporal" location on a wire rather than their "spatial" location within a set of wires. Encoding data bits by their "spatial" location is referred to as a parallel interface and encoding bits by their "temporal" location is referred to as a serial interface. Figure 3 graphically illustrates the difference between these two communication methods.
Figure 3: Difference between parallel and serial interfaces
A key issue with a serial interface is knowing where the data is on the wire. As an example, let's assume that the wire is initially at a low logical level. We'll refer to this as the idle channel condition. If we now transmit a string of zeros down the wire, how can we distinguish between the string of zeros and the idle channel condition?
The answer to our dilemma lies in creating a protocol. A protocol is an agreement between two parties about how the two parties should behave. A communication protocol is a protocol about how two parties should speak to each other. Serial communication protocols assume that bits are transmitted in series down a single channel. A serial protocol has to address the following issues
How does the receiver know when to start looking for information?
When should the receiver look at the channel for the information bits?
What is the bit order? (MSB or LSB first)
How does the receiver know when the transmission is complete?
These issues can be addressed in a variety of ways, but we can usually identify two distinct approaches. The first approach is embodied in synchronous serial interfaces (usually abbreviated as SPI) and the second is in asynchronous serial interfaces (usually abbreviated as SCI). Asynchronous serial links are commonly used to communicate between two computers. You used the SCI interface when you used OutString to write out characters to the PC's terminal window. The synchronous serial link (SPI) is used when you transmit data between devices that may not have an internal clock. The SPI interface is what you'll use in this lab because the parallel-to-serial shift register you're using has no internal clock.
Asynchronous (SCI) Serial Interface: In an asynchronous serial interface (SCI), data is transmitted in well-defined frames. A frame is a complete and nondivisible packet of bits. The frame includes both information (e.g., data) and overhead (e.g. control bits). In asynchronous serial protocols the frame often consists of a single start bit, seven or eight data bits, parity bits, and sometimes a stop bit. A representative timing diagram for a frame that might be used by an SCI interface is shown in figure 4. In this figure, the frame has one start bit, seven data bits, one parity bit, and one stop bit. Most of the bits in this frame are self-explanatory. The start bit is used to signal the beginning of a frame and the stop bit signals the end of the frame. The parity bit is a special bit that is used to detect transmission errors.
Figure 4: RS-232 Frame (1 start bit, 7 data bits, 1 parity bits, and 2 stop bits)
In an asynchronous serial interface, the reading of the data line is initiated by detecting the start bit. Upon detecting the start bit, the receiver then begins reading the "data" bits from the line at regular intervals determined by the receiver's clock. This means, of course, that the transmitter and receiver must have a prior agreement on the rate at which data is to be transmitted.
The issue of "when" to look for data bits in the frame must be agreed upon prior to establishing the link. Asynchronous serial protocols usually require that information bits be transmitted at regular time intervals. For instance if we have a 2400 kbaud modem, then both receiver and transmitter know that they should look for information bits arriving at a rate of 2400 thousand bits per second.
The SCI interface is said to be asynchronous because both devices do not need to synchronize their clocks before communicating. The receiver simply waits for the start bit and then beginnings reading the data line at the agreed upon baud rate. What this means is that the transmitter can transmit a frame without waiting for the receiver to explicitly synchronize to the transmitter's clock. In other words the receiver can receive data in an asynchronous manner from the transmitter.
Synchronous Serial Interface: In a synchronous serial interface, the receiver has no internal clock. This means that the receiver cannot independently synchronize its reading of the data line with the transmitter's transmission rate. The receiver needs some help and that help comes in the form of a clock signal that is shared by the transmitter and receiver. The clock signal acts a control line that tells the receiver when to read from the data line. What this means is that the transmitter and receiver must synchronize their access to the data line in order to successfully transmit data.
SPI interfaces are used when the micro-controller has to transmit data to a device without an internal clock. This is precisely the situation that occurs when we use the MicroStamp11 to transmit data to the shift-register. The MicroStamp11 has an internal clock, but the shift-register has no clock. We usually think of the device with the clock as a master and the other device as a slave. So in our case the MicroStamp11 is the master and the shift-register is the slave. Typically the slave uses the master's clock to shift data into or out of the slave. This means that the SPI serial channel needs a minimum of two lines. The primary two lines are somtimes referred to as the data and clock lines. The data line actually has the data bits and the clock line carries clock pulses telling the slave when to read/write the data bits. The value of this approach is that the slave can be a rather simple, inexpensive, and low power device. The disadvantage is that the SPI interface will need control lines in addition to the data line. The SCI interface, on the other hand, only needs a single data line. In this lab, the SPI interface will need three lines (see figure 1); one data line, one clock line, and an additional line that is used to control the internal state of the shift register. Details on how to use the MicroStamp11's SPI subsystem are discussed in the next subsection.
Michael Lemmon 2009-02-01
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Steven Tyler/Nuno Bettencourt cover "Brown Sugar"
posted by Kenny Young - Aug 30, 2018
via Rolling Stone The famed "Muscle Shoals" studios in Alabama has seen its share of legendary acts record inside its walls. From R&B/Soul acts like , Aretha Franklin and Wilson Pickett to Rock icons Lynyrd Skynyrd, Bob Seger, Joe Cocker, Rod Stewart and namely, The Rolling Stones, some of the most recognizable records were cut here.
A host of contemporaries have cut new versions of some of those classics for a new compilation called Muscle Shoals…Small Town, Big Sound. Among them, Aerosmith's Steven Tyler with Extreme's Nuno Bettencourt on guitar and Kevin Figueiredo on Drums.
They gathered at FAME (Florence Alabama Music Enterprises) in Muscle Shoals near the original facility with a gospel trio with horn section and piano by FAME sessions musicians for a cover of the 'Stones "Brown Sugar". In this article from rollingstone.com, Tyler says:
“We knew we wanted to respect and pay homage to the original version, but we also dared ourselves to make it our own. I had no idea the vibes I would feel being in those rooms at FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals. So much more than an era was created there. These songs are the soundtrack of people’s lives. A world that could never be lived again.”
The album will be due out September 28th in digital form. A portion of the album’s proceeds will benefit the Grammy Foundation and other charitable foundations that support Muscle Shoals’ musical history. Below you can listen to the whole track:
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Hear Kenny Young, weeknights starting at 7pm on Boston's Classic Rock - 100.7 WZLX! Read more
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"Zidane has spoken to each one of individually and now we need to be professionals and work hard."
Isco gave Real a deserved lead in the second half in the Madrid sunshine and Gareth Bale further raised spirits by sealing victory later in the game.
Along with Isco and defender Marcelo, the Costa Rican Navas was one of the main beneficiaries of Zidane's return 10 months after the Frenchman had walked out on the club having won an unprecedented three consecutive Champions League crowns.
Navas, Real's number one in each of those triumphs, had been relegated to second choice with the signing of Thibaut Courtois and had only made three league starts before getting the nod ahead of the Belgian against Celta.
"I had not played for a very long time so I'm happy, we'll see what happens in the future," Navas added.
"The most important thing is I worked very hard to get an opportunity and today I got one."
Real defender Alvaro Odriozola also spoke of a change in atmosphere with the return of Zidane, who is Real's third coach Real of the season after the sacking of Julen Lopetegui in October and Santiago Solari last Monday.
Solari won his final game in charge of Real last week at Valladolid but his fate had already been sealed by two defeats to Barcelona and the humiliating 4-1 loss to Ajax Amsterdam which ended the team's iron grip on the Champions League.
"We are all very excited, we have renewed hope after that tragic week," said Odriozola.
"We have to look to the future, end this season with honour and try to win the remaining 10 games. We have to stay focused on competing and not thinking about who is playing or who isn't. Instead, we all need to give 100 percent."
Midfielder Dani Ceballos added: "It looks like us changing our coach worked. We have recovered some sensations we had lost and we have got the three points. Now our objective is to win all the games left and finish the season as well as possible."
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Happiness is back for Real Madrid with Zinedine Zidane return, says Keylor Navas
Real Madrid's Karim Benzema is embraced by coach Zinedine Zidane. Photograph:( Reuters )
Reuters Madrid, Spain Mar 17, 2019, 04.06 PM (IST)
After a topsy-turvy campaign and a "tragic" week which saw their hopes of any silverware disappear, Real Madrid were all smiles again at the Bernabeu after Zinedine Zidane's return as coach was celebrated with a 2-0 victory over Celta Vigo on Saturday.
"Happiness has returned to the dressing room and that's the most important thing," Real goalkeeper Keylor Navas told reporters.
"The past is the past, the group is working well. I don't know if we needed a change or not but the club thought it was necessary.
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Wisconsin's Reversal on Public Financing Mirrors National Campaign
Wisconsin's decision this year to jettison public financing of judicial elections was part of an unprecedented national attack on state courts that followed the 2010 judicial and legislative elections, a new report by three nonpartisan legal reform groups reveals. Wisconsin’s Reversal on Public Financing Mirrors National Campaign
2010 elections sparked effort in many states to intimidate judges, weaken courts
Wisconsin’s decision this year to jettison public financing of judicial elections was part of an unprecedented national attack on state courts that followed the 2010 judicial and legislative elections, a new report by three nonpartisan legal reform groups reveals.
In the months following Election Day 2010, “legislatures across the country unleashed a ferocious round of attacks against impartial justice,” the report says, and a campaign to roll back public financing was part of the siege. The legislative attacks likely will continue into 2012.
“The story of the 2009-10 elections, and their aftermath in state legislatures in 2011, reveals a coalescing national campaign that seeks to intimidate America’s state judges into becoming accountable to money and ideologies instead of the constitution and the law,” warns the report, entitled “The New Politics of Judicial Elections: 2009-2010.”
The report was released today by the Justice at Stake Campaign, the Brennan Center for Justice and the National Institute for Money in State Politics. It is available at www.newpoliticsreport.org.
“In Wisconsin and elsewhere, we saw a withering assault on fair courts,” said Bert Brandenburg, executive director of the nonpartisan Justice at Stake Campaign. “These weren’t isolated proposals. The same special interests that have poured money into court elections used state legislatures to mount a national attack on impartial justice.”
“ Wisconsin’s Supreme Court used to be a national model. Now its reputation has been trashed and its deliberations have grown so politically divided and dysfunctional that they've even degenerated into physical confrontations,” said Mike McCabe, executive director of the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign. “It’s hard not to notice that the court took a decided turn for the worse when Wisconsin stopped having Supreme Court elections and started having Supreme Court auctions.”
A series of “New Politics” reports since 2000 has highlighted skyrocketing special-interest spending that has altered the face of state Supreme Court contests and eroded public confidence in fair and impartial courts.
Public financing protects fair courts, because judges do not have to seek large contributions from parties who appear before them in court. Polls in Wisconsin and elsewhere have shown broad, bipartisan support for public financing of judicial elections.
According to a national poll released today, 74 percent favor public financing of judicial elections, while only 15 percent are opposed. The poll showed that 83 percent of voters believe campaign contributions have a “great deal” or “some” influence on a judge’s decisions.
Wisconsin ’s legislature turned to public financing of state supreme court candidates in 2009, after two especially vitriolic and costly Wisconsin Supreme Court contests. This year, three of four Supreme Court candidates relied on the new system. Nonetheless, legislators went after the reform program, and they used a biennial budget bill to kill public financing after it had been tested in just one election.
Wisconsin is one of four states that adopted public financing for judicial elections over the last decade. Legislators in two other states mounted furious attacks on public financing in the wake of the 2010 elections. Other attacks coming from state legislatures included challenges to merit selection systems for choosing judges and threats to impeach judges for unpopular decisions.
“Cumulatively, these attacks represented a historically significant concerted attack on judicial independence, and on various reforms intended to reduce the influence of money and politics on state courts,” the report said.
Nationally, state high-court candidates and special-interest groups spent $38.4 million on high court elections in 2009-10, and a growing portion of that money was spent by a small number of secretive special-interest groups. The $38.4 million was somewhat less than the amount spent in the last non-presidential election cycle, in 2005-06. However, $16.8 million was spent on TV advertising, making 2009-10 the costliest non-presidential cycle for TV spending in judicial elections.
Including the 2011 election between Justice David Prosser and challenger JoAnne Kloppenberg, which was not covered in the report’s 2009-10 judicial election summary, candidates and special interests have spent $14.8 million on Wisconsin high-court elections since 2007. That is the nation’s second highest total for that period, behind only Pennsylvania .
About the Organizations
Justice at Stake Campaign
The Justice at Stake Campaign is a nonpartisan national partnership working to keep our courts fair, impartial and free from special-interest and partisan agendas. In states across America, Campaign partners work to protect our courts through public education, grass-roots organizing and reform. The Campaign provides strategic coordination and brings organizational, communications and research resources to the work of its partners and allies at the national, state and local levels.
The Brennan Center for Justice
The Brennan Center for Justice at New York University School of Law is a non-partisan public policy and law institute that focuses on fundamental issues of democracy and justice. Our work ranges from voting rights to campaign finance reform, from racial justice in criminal law to presidential power in the fight against terrorism. A singular institution – part think tank, part public interest law firm, part advocacy group – the Brennan Center combines scholarship, legislative and legal advocacy, and communications to win meaningful, measurable change in the public sector.
The National Institute on Money in State Politics
The National Institute on Money in State Politics collects, publishes, and analyzes data on campaign money in state elections. The database dates back to the 1990 election cycle for some states and is comprehensive for all 50 states since the 1999–2000 election cycle. The Institute has compiled a 50-state summary of state supreme court contribution data from 1989 through the present, as well as complete, detailed databases of campaign contributions for all state high-court judicial races beginning with the 2000 elections.
Join the democracy Campaign
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What Is Nettle Soup?
Spinach can be substituted for nettles when making a creamy soup.
The nettle's stings distinguish it from almost any other plant.
Stinging nettles are believed to have originated in Northern Europe, particularly Scandinavia and the Baltic Sea region.
Written By: C. Mitchell
Edited By: John Allen
The phrase “nettle soup” applies to almost any broth-based soup made with boiled stinging nettles. Stinging nettles are herbs with the scientific classification Urtica dioica. They are consumed much less frequently than most other herbs but are nonetheless renowned for many health benefits. Nettle soup is a popular nettle preparation because the nettles lose most, if not all, of their sting in boiling.
Stinging nettles are originally believed to have originated in Northern Europe, particularly Scandinavia and the Baltic Sea region. Most nettle soup recipes are variants of soups traditionally made in these cultures, though nettles grow wild throughout much of Europe, Asia, and North America today. Nettle soups are relatively easy to adapt, and cooks often add their own twists and ingredients.
In its most traditional from, nettle soup requires little more than water, chives or green onions, and butter. The nettles must be boiled briefly to reduce their sting and are then drained and mashed with the chives or green onions to make a paste. That paste is sautéed in butter, then re-boiled in the original liquid to make a rich broth. Soup made in this fashion is typically referred to as Swedish nettle soup and is frequently served with soft boiled eggs.
More modern versions of the soup are often cream or milk based and are typically pureed to make a cream of nettle soup. Potatoes, yellow onion, and leek are common additions. Many cooks use nettle as they would any leafy green. The taste of nettle is often compared to spinach, and cooks often cook nettles and spinach interchangeably in soups and other dishes.
One of the biggest differences between nettles and most any other plants is its sting. Nettle leaves are covered in small “hairs” that contain a chemical compound. When these hairs come into contact with the skin, they can leave a rash and often cause a burning sensation. Many herbalists and natural medicine practitioners believe that ingesting small quantities of this compound can have beneficial consequences.
Much of the chemical’s potency is dulled in the boiling required to make nettle soup. Soups nevertheless preserve the nutrient content of the leaves, however, which are rich in vitamins and antioxidants. Most nettle soup recipes call for no more than a pound (about 0.5 kg) of fresh nettles, which is widely recognized to be a safe amount for regular consumption.
Nettle soup is often a very economical dish to prepare, as nettles grow wild in most places. They are often one of the first plants to break through the snow packs at the start of spring. If left alone, nettles will bloom in early summer, but young plants are usually best for nettle soup. Most recipes call for only the top third or so of a new nettle stalk’s leaves.
It is sometimes possible to find nettle in grocery stores, but this is rare in North America. Some farmers sell stinging nettles in bundles at farmer’s markets, and herb farms sometimes grow it, as well. Handling fresh nettles can be problematic because of their sting. Most nettle vendors wear gloves when handling the herb, and nettles are usually packaged tightly in plastic to prevent any skin contact.
What Is Nettle Rash?
What Is Kulajda?
What Is Venison Soup?
What are the Most Common Stinging Nettle Benefits?
What are the Health Benefits of Nettle Tea?
What is Nettle Leaf Extract?
How can I Make Carrot Soup?
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Clinton says Trump flouted US law in Cuba work
Hillary Clinton says a new report alleging that Donald Trump may have violated the U.S. embargo on communist Cuba is just more evidence that he puts his own interests ahead of the nation's.
Newsweek reported Thursday that Trump explored business opportunities in Cuba in the late 1990s, apparently in violation of the U.S. embargo.
Clinton told reporters aboard her campaign plane that "We have laws in our country," and Trump knew what they were. She added that "he deliberately flouted" the law and "puts his personal and business interests ahead of the laws and the values and the policies of the United States of America."
Newsweek reported that the work was done by a consulting firm called Seven Arrows on behalf of Trump Hotels & Casino Resorts Inc., Trump's publicly traded casino company. The magazine said Trump reimbursed the consulting firm for $68,000 of business expenses for its Cuba work — even though neither Trump nor the firm had sought a federal government waiver that would have allowed them to pursue such activities.
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The White House claims the inauguration had 'the largest audience ever.' Is that true?
<p>WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 20: Spectators fill the National Mall in front of the U.S. Capitol on January 20, 2017 in Washington, DC. In today's inauguration ceremony Donald J. Trump becomes the 45th president of the United States. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)</p>
In a speech at CIA headquarters on Saturday, Donald Trump attacked the media for misrepresenting the crowd size at his inauguration ceremonies on Friday.
"They showed a field with practically no one standing in it. They said 'Donald Trump did not draw well.' ... we had, it looked like a million and a half people."
Later on Saturday, White House press secretary Sean Spicer held an unscheduled briefing where he took Trump's attack a step further.
“Nobody had numbers, because the National Park Service does not put any out," Spicer said. He later went on to claim that the "largest audience to ever witness an inauguration" was present.
While it’s impossible to know for sure how many people attended the inauguration, side-by-side photo comparisons indicate that Spicer is mistaken.
PBS reports that both photos in the post above were taken at 11:49 a.m. — about 10 minutes before the President-elect was sworn in.
Perspective is important when it comes to depicting crowd size. Photos taken from the Capitol building — Trump's perspective during his speech — show tightly packed crowds.
Politico reported that planners were expecting 800,000 people on Friday. A New York Times analysis estimated that three times as many people showed up for the 2008 Inauguration compared to Friday’s ceremonies.
So, was Trump's inauguration the most sparsely attended in American history? That question is impossible to prove without a decisive head count. However, the Times reports that an estimated 750,000 attended inauguration festivities in 1952 when Dwight Eisenhower took the oath of office — 50,000 less than estimates for Trump's inauguration.
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Research and Advice
Individual Supporters
Natasha hunt – England Rugby scrum-half
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A blog from Natasha Hunt on her journey to becoming a England rugby scrum-half and what is next for the Red Roses.
When I was 15 I stood in my Grandma’s kitchen and told her that one day I wanted to play for England. At this age I didn’t know what sport I might be able to make it in (if any!) I just knew that I wanted to compete at the highest level.
I wasted no time in my teenage years trying as many sports as possible. After a semi-successful netball career that was stunted due to my ambitions unfortunately being greater than my height, I decided to embark on a new sporting challenge.
Having previously turned my hand to rugby at my local club, I jumped at the chance to get back into the game when my former PE teacher mentioned it. That first season turned into England U20 squad selection. Receiving my England kit bag was a moment of pure elation. After one season with the squad and an inspirational coach, I wanted nothing more than to receive that full England cap.
Since achieving that dream in 2011, I have been extremely fortunate to see the growth of women’s rugby first hand. There was a time when our predecessors had to pay to be involved in the country’s female rugby team. Now I am embarking on my third year of a full-time professional contract, and every day I remind myself how lucky I am.
Achieving the World Cup win in 2014 with the whole squad attempting to maintain a full-time job was no mean feat. Days were long, often lasting over 16 hours, but within the group we knew everyone was doing their bit to keep us on a World Cup-winning track so no matter how tired, you knew that around the country your teammates would be giving everything.
Although I have seen immense change in the introduction of full-time contracts, playing international rugby alongside working full time took a huge amount of organisation and effort, it is always worth it to pull on that England shirt and wear the rose. The sense of pride and achievement when running out to represent your country is immense, and to do this alongside your best friends is amazing!
I play rugby for enjoyment, and because I love the competition and challenge that the game brings.
Participating in the Olympics was a fantastic opportunity both for me personally, and to bring global attention to our wonderful game. The intensity of the tournament was immense and such a privilege to be a part of. I learnt that no matter how much you set your sights on something you always need to keep it in perspective. Without perspective I would still be devastated on missing out on a medal we knew was attainable.
In actual fact we came fourth, made a bronze medal match final and represented Team GB on the world’s greatest sporting stage. Additionally what that did for women’s rugby in the country is an incredible achievement in itself.
The pride we shared as a team was immense, and I cannot wait for the opportunity to come back to 15s and defend the World Cup title in Ireland next year.
There is so much more to achieve and it feels like this is the start of a new journey for England Women. What the Red Roses face now is a year of determination, resilience and motivation. We know what it takes to win a World Cup, we know how much the competition want it too and most of all we know how much support there is behind us, and that will keep spurring us on over the coming months.
Paula Chance – My #WSW16
Paula Chance, a Women’s Sport Network member tells us all about her Women’s Sport Week.
Start today, start tomorrow, start...
Women in Sport fundraiser, Cath Giles, encourages supporters to get involved with Women’s Sport Wednesdays to help create more opportunities for women and girls to reach their full potential.
Sport broadens girls’ horizons –...
Jayne Allen, PE teacher at Highfields School in Matlock, Derbyshire, talks about the impact sport can have on girls’ both in and out of the classroom.
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Home | ACADEMICS | Schools & Departments | Communication | Julian Berrian
Julian Berrian
Office L-301
Julian.Berrian@worcester.edu
B.A., University of Maryland-Baltimore County
M.F.A., Temple University
Professor Julian Berrian joined Worcester State University’s faculty in the fall of 2006. He earned his M.F.A. in Film & Media Arts at Temple University and his B.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies at the University of Maryland- Baltimore County.
Professor Berrian’s area of expertise is broadcast media production, which entails videography, television production, and digital media post-production. In addition to his professorial duties, Julian Berrian has served two terms as Director of Worcester State University’s Center for Community Media. During his terms as director of the center, Professor Berrian has facilitated, among other things, the production of a Spanish language TV program, audio production/podcasting tutorials for the campus community, as well as the creation of web content for the Worcester Art Museum and Worcester State University’s Multicultural Affairs Office. Moreover, he has conducted video production tutorials for local high school students in the Upward Bound program, and cognitively challenged middle school/high school students at a therapeutic educational organization in Holyoke, MA.
Intro to Video
Intro to Mass Communication
Television Production I
Television Production II
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Christian George
Lightning Sky
A U.S. fighter pilot captured by the enemy. A father determined to rescue his son. One of the most remarkable and moving true stories of faith and perseverance to come out of World War II.
October 6, 1944. Twenty-year-old Army Air Corps Second Lieutenant David “Mac” Warren MacArthur was on a strafing mission over Greece when a round of 88-mm German anti-aircraft flak turned his P-38 Lightning into a comet of fire and smoke. Dave parachuted to safety as the Lightning lived up to her name and struck the Adriatic Sea like a bolt of flames. In minutes, he was plucked from the water—only to find himself on the wrong end of a German rifle pointing straight at his head.
Dave’s father, Lieutenant Colonel Vaughn MacArthur, was a chaplain with the 8th Armored Division of Patton’s Third Army when he learned of his son’s capture. He made it his personal mission to find him. For the duration of the war, as Dave was shuttled from camp to camp—including Dachau—his father never stopped searching. Then in May 1945, Vaughn’s last hope was Stalag VII-A in Moosburg, Germany. Through the barbed wire fence, he cried out his son’s name. Incredibly, out of tens of thousands of POWs, one of them, squinting into the sunlight, turned and smiled.
Father and son spent the next two weeks together celebrating, a forever cherished memory. Over the next twenty-five years, Dave would go on to honor his father on rescue missions of his own, becoming a highly decorated and genuine American war hero. In both Korea and Vietnam, Dave would carry with him the legacy of a great man who gave everything to save his son.
An inspiring, harrowing, and unforgettable chronicle of love of family and love of country, Lightning Sky is a timeless testament to extraordinary lives in extraordinary times.
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Seniesa Estrada headlines Golden Boy’s March 16 LA Fight Club
Ringside 15/02/2018
Building on the momentum of women’s boxing in the current era of pugilism, the exciting Seniesa “Super Bad” Estrada (11-0, 2 KOs) will headline the highly anticipated March 16 return of LA FIGHT CLUB in an eight-round flyweight fight against Sonia Osorio (8-5-1, 1 KO) at the Belasco Theater in Downtown Los Angeles, Calif. and televised live on EstrellaTV’s Boxeo Estelar.
Estrada is a flyweight prospect who signed with Golden Boy Promotions in January of this year. The native of East Los Angeles, Calif. earned multiple titles as an amateur boxer before turning professional in 2011. Since then, the 24-year-old has developed into one of the biggest names in women’s boxing, fighting on important cards in the Los Angeles area, including an edition of LA FIGHT CLUB in 2016.
“I am very excited and ready to make my Golden Boy Promotions debut in my hometown,” said Estrada. “I’ve been working harder than ever to put on a great performance for my fans and for those who have not seen me fight. I hope to entertain and gain many more fans throughout my career with Golden Boy Promotions, and I can’t wait to kick off 2018 with a great victory.”
Osorio, a student of the Mexican school of boxing, has only been in tough fights in her career. The 25-year-old is coming off a unanimous decision victory win longtime veteran Noemi Bosques, and she is fearless in her attempt to ruin Estrada’s coming out party in her own territory.
“I’m excited to headline this fight against Seniesa Estrada,” said Osorio. “More than anything else, I’m excited to fight in California for the first time. I know that Estrada is an important name in women’s boxing in the United States, but I’ll demonstrate that Mexican fighters are not scared of fighting outside their home country and on enemy turf.”
Oscar Duarte (12-0-1, 8 KOs), the lightweight prospect of Parral, Mexico, will return in the co-main event in a six-round fight. Duarte will return after a spectacular fourth-round stoppage victory against Juan Jose Montes in October of last year.
Jousce “Tito” Gonzalez (6-0, 6 KOs) will open the Boxeo Estelar telecast in a six-round fight in the 130-pound division. Gonzalez is a hard-hitting puncher who will look to retain his 100% knockout ratio in his first fight as an official member of the Golden Boy Promotions stable.
Super Lightweight contender Antonio “Relentless” Orozco (26-0, 17 KOs) of San Diego, Calif. will make his highly anticipated return in an eight-round super lightweight fight. Newly-signed prospect Blair Cobbs (7-0, 5 KOs) of Las Vegas, Nevada will open the night of action in a six-round bout in the welterweight division.
Opponents for this exciting card will be announced shortly.
Estrada vs. Osorio is an eight-round flyweight fight presented by Golden Boy Promotions. The event is sponsored by Tecate “THE OFFICIAL BEER OF BOXING” and Casa Mexico Tequila. The Boxeo Estelar broadcast will air live on EstrellaTV at 10:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. PT. The card will also stream live on EstrellaTV.com and on YouTube via LBI Media, Inc.’s Fenomeno Studios. Mark your calendars and buy your tickets for the upcoming shows on April 6, June 1, July 6, Aug. 10, and Oct. 12.
Tickets for LA FIGHT CLUB start at the fan-friendly price of $25 and are available for purchase now at www.goldenboytickets.com, the Golden Boy Promotions Facebook page, or by calling 213-233-2957.
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Posted by Michelle Howard June 19, 2019
File Image: CREDIT Bourbon
Following the submission of financial restructuring proposals subject to conditions precedent, the Board of Directors of BOURBON Corporation reviewed today the two proposals which are considered relevant to the interests of the group, its employees, its partners and its shareholders.
In particular, the Board relied on the review done by an ad hoc committee of four Directors (two of whom are independent) entrusted since July 2018 with assessing the impact and salient points of each restructuring projects and reporting on them to the Board of Directors:
- The offer from BOURBON's main lenders and vessel lessors (75% of the group's debt) proposes $134 million in new money in the form of debt and a reduction of existing debt of more than $1.57 billion through a conversion into capital, resulting in 93% of the group's capital being held by its lenders. This offer is valid until June 27, 2019;
- The offer led by the main shareholder Jacques de Chateauvieux and his financial partners, proposes a contribution of $89.7 million in new money in the form of debt and a $184 million loan, which would make it possible to pay off lenders who would wish so. The proposed business model answers the new market expectations while relying on the historical BOURBON partners network and provides a reimbursement of the debts based on the free cash flow generated by each vessel. This project does not involve any dilution of shareholders at the end of the restructuring.
At this stage, the Board of Directors is not able to pronounce itself in favor of one of these proposals since they still include a number of conditions, and in particular the agreement of all parties. The Board's main goals remain to guarantee a sustainable level of debt, to receive new money to support the group's growth, and a stable shareholders structure that has the trust of BOURBON partners and teams.
Consequently, the Board has tasked the general management of BOURBON Corporation to pursue negotiations in order to obtain final and binding conditions for these two offers, and meanwhile, extend their validity. The final offers will be further reviewed by the Board as early as possible.
Deepwater Leads in Discovered Oil and Gas
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Six Days of War
June 1967 and the Making of the Middle East
(amazon)
Michael B. Oren (View Bio)
Hardcover: Oxford University Press, 2002; Paperback: Ballantine Books/Presidio Press, 2003.
SIX DAYS OF WAR is both exceedingly timely and provocative. By gathering together all available sources on the subject, the book aspires to set a new standard in Middle Eastern history. Oren's complete account of the events surrounding and encompassing the Six Day War proves to be an engrossing read and a definitive and much-needed chapter in Israeli and world history.
A New York Times and National Bestseller
A Washington Post Best Book of the Year
Winner of the Los Angeles Times Book Prize
Winner of the National Jewish Book Award for best book of 2002
"Well written, based on extensive research, this book can be highly recommended." — Winnipeg Free Press
"Trying to explain the origins of the half-century-old Arab-Israeli conflict is, by any stretch of the imagination, an intricately complex and sensitive task, especially when the narrator is directly concerned by the events. Yet, Michael B. Oren manages to accomplish this feat quite masterfullly in his latest book, SIX DAYS OF WAR.... [A] highly informative work...extensive and, what was without a doubt, exhaustive research." — UPI
"This is the most complete history to date of the Six Day War of 1967, in which Israel entered and began its occupation of the West Bank and Gaza Strip. While no account can be definitive until Arab archives open, Oren, a Princeton-trained senior fellow at Jerusalem's Shalem Center who has served as director of Israel's department of inter-religious affairs and as an adviser to Israel's U.N. delegation, utilizes newly available archival sources and a spectrum of interviews with participants, including many Arabs, to fill gaps and correct misconceptions.... Oren convincingly establishes in an often engrossing narrative the reactive, contingent nature of Israeli policy during both the crisis preceding the conflict and the war itself." — Publishers Weekly (starred review)
"This is a masterly book.... With a remarkably assured style, Oren elucidates nearly every aspect of the conflict.... In writing his strategic chronicle, Oren has also drawn the most penetrating and subtle assessment of the Israeli mind that I've encountered.... The authoratative chronicle of the war. His achievement as a writer and a historian is awesome." — Benjamin Schwarz, Atlantic Monthly
"The reunification of Jerusalem is just one of the tantalizing tales in SIX DAYS OF WAR.... The book is the most comprehensive report yet about what many believe is Israel's greatest military triumph." — Miami Herald
"The most extensive work to date of the Six Day War...this fascinating book is a must-read for anyone interested in Israel or international politics in general." — Canadian Jewish News
"The most detailed, the most comprehensive and by far the best-documented history that we have on this short but fateful war.... A fast-moving and action-packed narrative that sheds a great deal of new light on all the major participants of the war and on the conflict and cooperation between them." — The Guardian (London)
"The most detailed, most comprehensive and by far the best-documented history that we have on this short but fateful war." — Manchester Guardian Weekly
"The most comprehensive treatment yet to appear about the brief but intense fighting.... Oren has produced as thorough a study of the Six-Day War as can be imagined today." — Richmond Times-Dispatch
"The most comprehensive history yet.... SIX DAYS OF WAR scores highly in telling an extremely complicated story within a narrative which, despite being loaded with a crushing volume of research, reads at times like the breeziest blockbuster. Oren looks at the colourful protagonists — Egyptian President Gamel Abdel Nasser, Lyndon Johnson, King Hussein of Jordan, and the one-eyed Israeli defence minister, Moshe Dayan — with a thriller writer's eye for drama and suspense.... Gripping." — Financial Times
"The most comprehensive chronicle of this crucial turning point in contemporary Middle East history.... An elegantly detailed, often riveting account." — Chicago Sun-Times
"The finest book ever on this topic.... Spare, direct, and gripping." — Daniel Pipes,, The Jerusalem Post
"The brilliance of Oren's work...is mining dozens of interviews with Arab battlefield leaders and recently released documents from governments in Israel and Russia to provide what might be the most complete synthesis yet of what preceded all the shooting.... It's in establishing the context, including in Israel, the United States, and the Soviet Union, that Oren's account of the 1967 war stands apart." — Boston Globe
"The book is the most comprehensive report yet about what many believe is Israel's greatest military triumph." — St. Paul Pioneer Press
"Oren's exciting diplomatic and military history of these events cleverly moves back and forth between the smoke-filled rooms in Tel-Aviv, Cairo, Amman, Damascus, Moscow, and Washington and the battlefields in the Sinai, Golan Heights and the West Bank where the fate of the Middle East and the world was being decided. Through extensive archival research and interviews, Oren has pieced together the thoughts of officials on all sides of the conflict." — Rocky Mountain News
"Oren's description of the acutely tense and nervous atmosphere before and during the war reflects ironically on the supposed national unity of the time. This is not only the best book so far written on the Six Day War, it is likely to remain the best." — Washington Post Book World
"Oren's account of the war is detailed...fascinating." — Daily Telegraph (London)
"Oren is most original and at his very best when he unravels rich and new details about both the decision-making processes and key officials within the Israeli cabinet before, during, and after the war." — Middle East Policy
"Oren argues persuasively that the events that continue to control Israel and Palestinian relations flow from that war, that Israel's success in standing up for itself gave the little democracy in the Middle East the hope and the confidence to believe in the possibility of meaningful peace negotiations." — The Washington Times
"One of the most valuable recent works on the subject... An essential edition." — Library Journal
"Michael Oren's riveting account of this entire saga — drawn from previously untapped American, Russian, and Israeli archives, along with Syrian and Jordanian sources — puts to rest a number of old misconceptions and untruths.... [A] systematic and exhaustively researched narrative.... Michael Oren has written a near masterpiece of judicious but captivating history. In its suspense and human drama it is reminiscent of Steven Runciman's THE FALL OF CONSTANTINOPLE or Donald Morris's THE WASHING OF THE SPEARS; in its scholarship and professionalism, Gerhard Weinberg's A WORLD AT ARMS. While Oren's goal is to write history, not contemporary political analysis, SIX DAYS OF WAR turns out to be a far better guide to the present crisis than what we read and hear daily from our historically ignorant columnists and pundits." — Victor Davis Hanson, Commentary
"Michael Oren has written what is surely the definitive history of the Six Day War.... His narrative is precise but written with great literary flair.... In no one else's study is there more understanding or more surprise." — Martin Peretz, editor and publisher, The New Republic
"Michael Oren has combined a scholar's sense of thoroughness with a novelist's sense of drama in writing this polished and gripping history of the 1967 war.... He has constructed the best account yet of the most momentous event in the modern Middle East — six days that shook the world." — Fareed Zakaria, editor, Newsweek International
"Michael B. Oren gives a meticulous, blow-by-blow history... [He] has impressive credentials to tell this story.... He lines up facts, more facts, and still more facts, with little editorializing. He has dug up carloads of documents, many previously secret or inaccessible.... Oren's writing is clear and unadorned, allowing the swift development of events to provide the drama.... It is altogether a serious and important work.... A key volume." — The Weekly Standard
"Judicious.... The narrative is lively, breaking new ground on many points, and in the incorporation of Arab sources and first-hand accoutns gives it a balance that cannot be seriously challenged." — Journal of Military History
"In masterly fashion, Oren, an Israeli historian, describes how one move led to another, complete with the accidents and misunderstandings inherent in diplomatic and military manoeuverings. He has thoroughly explored Israeli, American, and Russian archives, and made use of such Arab material as exists (mostly published memoirs), while supplementing his narrative by interviewing many who played a part, large or small. This admirable book is likely to be the last word on the six-day war for a long time." — David Pryce-Jones, Sunday Times (London)
"Important.... An engrossing narrative free from Zionist self-idealization or post-Zionist self-denigration. The war becomes a startling human drama, rife with far more unsteadiness, accident and strangeness than has been fully imagined." — Edward Rothstein, The New York Times
"Hopefully such understanding may assist us in reaching peace in the Middle East." — Ehud Barak, Former Prime Minister of the State of Israel
"For those of us for whom the rights and wrongs of the Middle East are absolutely and eternally confusing, Michael Oren's book could not have arrived at a better time." — The Scotsman
"Excellent.... Gripping.... This is not only the best book so far written on the Six-Day War, it is likely to remain the best." — Newark Star-Ledger
"Compelling, perhaps even vital, reading." — San Jose Mercury News
"As complete an account of the 1967 war as is ever likely to be written. In addition to providing the definitve history of that conflict, Michael B. Oren's SIX DAYS OF WAR offers a valuable perspective on the current troubles in the region." — Newsday
"As close to a definitive history as we are likely to get.... Well-written and truly objective.... An outstanding job.... A splendid book." — Walter Laqueur, The Jerusalem Post
"An immediate lesson in historical continuity.... In addition to being a highly readable, even gripping account of the 1967 conflict, Mr. Oren's SIX DAYS OF WAR is also a powerful illustration of the way history mixes basic forces with the accidental and improvisational.... Fascinating...fabulous richness of detail.... [Oren] has woven a seamless narrative.... Tragedy is character, as the Greeks understood, and Mr. Oren's masterly account shows how apt that insight is to the tragedy-afflicted Middle East, past and present." — Richard Bernstein, The New York Times
"An excellent new history of the 1967 war." — David Remnick, The New Yorker
"A richly detailed and lucid account... thrilling.... What makes this book important is the breadth and depth of the research. Oren draws on archives, newly declassified documents, memoirs and interviews from Israel, America, Britain and what was then the Soviet Union...he uses many Arab memoirs and accounts, giving the book a balanced tone and offering fascinating new details.... A powerful rendering of what has turned out to be a world-historical event." — The New York Times Book Review
"A magisterial work that is not only riveting reading, but also likely to become the standard work of the war that shaped the contemporary Middle East." — Philadelphia Inquirer
"A bad set of circumstances leading up to war. Mr. Oren brings a novelist's flair to recounting them and to the events of the war. His meticulous research cuts through the propagandized histories on all sides. Drawing on a wealth of newly available documentary evidence — as well as interviews with surviving players — he is unsparing toward all involved with this drama." — The Wall Street Journal
"[A] workmanlike, richly detailed study of the 1967 war." — San Francisco Chronicle
"[A] remarkable book.... The story...is compelling and Oren has researched it with impressive energy and thoroughness.... It is hard to believe that there will be a more authoritative account of what was one of the most dramatic and momentous events of the 20th Century." — The Spectator
"[A] meticulous new history." — The Economist
"[A] masterful, authoratative work of military and diplomatic history.... One reads SIX DAYS OF WAR both for its penetrating and detailed account of 1967 and for its tragic relevance to the Middle East's turmoil. These accomplishments arise from Oren's intellectual honesty, ground-breaking research and supple prose.... An awesome feat of scholarship." — Newsday
"[A] first-rate account of the conflict." — Washington Post
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NED | National Endowment for Democracy, The International Campaign to Destabilize Bolivia, Whiteness & Aversive Racism
Bolivia CIA IACHR National Endowment for Democracy (NED) OAS
The U.S. Deploys its Third Major Attempt to Destabilize the Government of Evo Morales
By Hugo Moldiz Mercado
Using the 2019 elections as the pretext, The United States, through different means and actors, is activating its third major plan to destabilize Evo Morales’ government, block the indigenous leader’s project of political-electoral continuity and interrupt the process of change.
However, far from coming from a position of strength, these external actions against the process of change in Bolivia reveal the deep weakness of the internal opposition, which seeks to gain from outside the country what it has not yet been able to gain from within.
The interventionist plan of the United States is obvious. There is no reason why U.S. imperialism would not activate plans and measures to meddle in Bolivia’s internal affairs, just as it has done against all the progressive and leftist governments of Latin America.
It started with the weakest, such as Honduras and Paraguay, then it carried out a new type of coups, that they applied against the strongest; Brazil, where there was a coup in two stages. The first was a parliamentary coup against Dilma Rousseff, and the second, a judicial coup against Lula. Against others, whose common trait is that they have carried out more profound changes through their Constituent Assemblies, as in the cases of Venezuela, Bolivia and Ecuador. It failed in its attempt to overthrow them through violence, although in the case of Ecuador, without Rafael Correa, it has so far successfully activated a passive regression with Lenin Moreno as president.
In fact, as the Consensus of Our America, approved by the XXIII Meeting of the Sao Paulo Forum that took place in Managua in 2017 and ratified at the XXIV Meeting of the same forum in Havana in July of this year, the left has only been defeated by the electoral means in Argentina. In the rest, as noted above, it did so by non-democratic means, as it continues to try against Venezuela.
The counter-revolutionary and restorative offensive began during the Obama administration and continues, in a more perverse way, with the government of Donald Trump, who is trying to prevent the United States from ceasing to be the world hegemony and obviously to not lose control of Latin America. In fact, to be more precise, it seeks to re-establish its domination and hegemony in that part of the planet that, according to the Monroe doctrine, is considered its “backyard”. The fact that countries such as Bolivia, Cuba, Venezuela and others have been the main forgers of innovative criteria for Latin American integration and unity through ALBA, UNASUR and CELAC is something that the United States is not willing to tolerate.
This conservative restoration project is encountering active resistance, to a greater or lesser degree, from the revolutionary processes of Cuba -which Evo Morales described in Havana as the mother of all revolutions-, Venezuela and Bolivia, but also from El Salvador. To this list Mexico must be added, which starting in December will be governed by Manuel López Obrador, who won a historic electoral victory at the beginning of July.
Well, Bolivia is no exception. From ideological reasons to geopolitical factors, the United States is working to end governments of countries where revolutions are taking place in the context and conditions of the 21st century. It has already taken care of almost all of the progressive governments, with only Uruguay and El Salvador left. And Bolivia, we reiterate, is no exception.
Against the process of change, led by indigenous leader Evo Morales, all actions of oligarchic and imperial destabilization have been deployed from the beginning. Without mistake we can observe three huge attempts to interrupt the deepest political process in the entire history of this country located in the heart of South America.
The first attempt to overthrow Morales came early in the 2006-2009 period. Concerned about a government that from the outset nationalized oil, recovered natural resources and companies for the State, convened a Constituent Assembly, began to exercise State sovereignty in all fields, committed to the multilateral nature of international relations and promoted, together with other countries in the region, innovative mechanisms of political integration and coordination (Alba and Unasur), the United States maintained its conspiracy machinery. To do this, it used the DEA – which was dedicated to political espionage with the CIA – and installed the capacity within its embassy in La Paz to organize and promote the plans for territorial divisions, which was the concrete way in which the leftist government was to be overthrown.
The coup attempt was defeated by the capacity of the government and social movements to mobilize its base rather than by the institutional actions of their police and the armed forces. The effect of that defeat turned out to be hard on the United States; Ambassador Philip Golberg was expelled and so was the DEA. Months later, already weakened, the Bolivian far-right would suffer another defeat when a terrorist cell was dismantled, with foreign members whose plans included the assassination of President Evo Morales.
The second attempt was carried out between December 2015 and February 2016. Faced with the government project to modify article 168 of the Political Constitution of the State by referendum that would enable Evo Morales-Álvaro García Linera to run in the 2019 elections, a political-media conspiracy activated by the United States through Carlos Valverde – former national intelligence director of the Paz Zamora government (1989-1993) and a permanent link with the United States, as confirmed by the WikiLeaks – succeeded in breaking the emotional bond of a percentage of the population that had always voted for Morales (2005, 2009 and 2014). The Bolivian president denounced the day and hour when Chargé d’Affaires Peter Brennan and Valverde had met in Santa Cruz to fine-tune the plan that called into question the moral authority of the top leader of the Bolivian revolution. Several mistakes made in an effort to clarify the denunciation – which ultimately turned out to be false – contributed to the confusion and facilitated the electoral setback for the ruling party.
But the U.S. and the right did not fully achieve what they wanted. The narrow margin by which the YES lost, preventing stopping the calls for Morales to resign. However, this was the first time that the opposition parties had penetrated into the so-called “citizen platforms” and destabilizing actions of a media group, as well as the active social networking movement.
Failing to refute the success of the Bolivian economic model, which for the fourth consecutive time reached the highest growth rate in the region in 2017 and is expected to do the same thing this year through good management. This comes despite facing problems including the drop in the prices of raw materials.
Currently the United States and the Bolivian right are deploying their third major attempt to reverse the Bolivian revolution. The reason used this time is the defense of the result of the referendum of February 21, 2016 that would disallow Evo from running in the 2019 elections. The underlying reason is to interrupt the continuity of the process of change. The tools being used are “citizens’ platforms”, being financially supported by opposition parties and US agencies such as the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) and others. There is also evidence that right wing European organizations are involved.
This third major destabilizing attempt is also on its way to structuring an international front of interference, through the OAS and the IACHR, the U.S. government and Congress. That is why it is no coincidence that at the end of November last year, the Trump administration and Republican Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen voted against the constitutional amendment that, on the basis of the Constitution and the American Convention, authorizes all elected authorities, national and sub-national, to run for indefinite reelection. OAS Secretary General Luis Almagro, an active militant against the Venezuelan revolution and all leftist governments, has also spoken out against the Bolivian Constitutional and Plurinational Tribunal
The drafting of a report by the Vienna Commission at the request of the OAS, which states that re-election is not a human right, is one of the conditions the Bolivian right is pushing.
What is striking is that since 2006, this is the first time the State Department has issued a statement urging Morales to withdraw his candidacy in 2019. “The people of Bolivia have spoken out. The United States supports them and urges the current Bolivian government to respect the outcome of these referendums,” the Trump administration went on to say there has been a “step backwards in Bolivian democracy.”
Twice the arch right Republican Congresswoman Ros-Lehtinen has stated that the United States should not remain silent and should “send a clear message of support to the Bolivian people“.
It is clear that the pronouncement of the U.S. State Department, the positions of the OAS Secretary General and the movement in the U.S. Congress undoubtedly represents an interventionist action plan against the process of change. This is just beginning.
Original Source: Cuba Debate.
http://www.cubadebate.cu/opinion/2018/08/01/eeuu-despliega-su-tercer-gran-intento-desestabilizador-contra-evo/#.W2eRkFVKiUl
Evo Morales Rejects Militarization of Bolivia-Argentina Border: “On August 17, the Argentine Government set up a military base in the border city of La Quiaca, near Bolivia, framed in the plan for a reform of the Armed Forces.” [Source: TeleSUR]
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WATCH: UKRAINE ON FIRE
UKRAINE ON FIRE – The Real Story. Full Documentary by Oliver Stone (Original English version)
“Ukraine. Across its eastern border is Russia and to its west—Europe. For centuries, it has been at the center of a tug-of-war between powers seeking to control its rich lands and access to the Black Sea. 2014’s Maidan Massacre triggered a bloody uprising that ousted president Viktor Yanukovych and painted Russia as the perpetrator by Western media. But was it?
Ukraine on Fire by Igor Lopatonok provides a historical perspective for the deep divisions in the region which lead to the 2004 Orange Revolution, 2014 uprisings, and the violent overthrow of democratically elected Yanukovych. Covered by Western media as a people’s revolution, it was in fact a coup d’état scripted and staged by nationalist groups and the U.S. State Department. Investigative journalist Robert Parry reveals how U.S.-funded political NGOs and media companies have emerged since the 80s replacing the CIA in promoting America’s geopolitical agenda abroad.
Executive producer Oliver Stone gains unprecedented access to the inside story through his on-camera interviews with former President Viktor Yanukovych and Minister of Internal Affairs, Vitaliy Zakharchenko, who explain how the U.S. Ambassador and factions in Washington actively plotted for regime change. And, in his first meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Stone solicits Putin’s take on the significance of Crimea, NATO and the U. S’s history of interference in elections and regime change in the region.” [Source: Ukraine on Fire website]
National Endowment for Democracy [NED], NED | National Endowment for Democracy, Pacifism as Pathology, Social Engineering
Albert Einstein Institution CIA DoD Facebook FBI Freedom House Gene Sharp Google National Endowment for Democracy (NED) NSA Psyop Twitter YouTube
Fighting US Psychological Operations (PSYOPS) in Cyber Warfare & Winning
The CIA, NSA, FBI and DOD are your “friends” on Facebook
Social media and Google serve three strategic purposes for the United States government. First, they allow Washington to conduct espionage; second, they facilitate the spread of disinformation campaigns, and third, they serve as conduits for the transmission of social contagions. In deploying thought control against the users of social media and Google, the US government regulates civil unrest both domestic and abroad. As such, social media and Google can best be understood as unconventional weapons (UW). In this capacity, they can be used in proxy wars against the governments of non-compliant Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) nations to accomplish regime change.
Through geopolitical manipulations that eliminate opposition, the United States government can actualize the ruling elites’ vision of a corporate controlled global economy without the deployment of troops. This model of “non-violence” or “soft-coup” as a method of unconventional warfare can be traced to Gene Sharp and the Albert Einstein Institution. It is organized through the efforts of the NGOs it oversees such as Freedom House and the National Endowment for Democracy (NED). And, it can be observed in the various Color Revolutions that occurred in Eastern European countries, the Middle East and now Latin America.
The NED is the coordinating Washington agency for regime destabilization and change. It is active from Tibet to Ukraine, from Venezuela to Tunisia, from Kuwait to Morocco in reshaping the world after the collapse of the Soviet Union into what George H.W. Bush in a 1991 speech to Congress proclaimed triumphantly as the dawn of a New World Order.”
Within this context, activists and the NAM must consider Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Google hostile territory that is ultimately controlled by the United States Intelligence Community (IC) and the Department of Defense (DoD). Despite user-friendly packaging and attractive advertisements, social media and Google remain militarized programs. As such, activists and NAM users must enter with caution, prepared to do battle to win at PSYOPS in cyber warfare.
Using the US DoD model, cyber warfare can be upgraded to a department on par with the NAM armed forces. In this regard, Polytechnic universities are strategic and can be controlled by NAM governments and their operatives, as they are in the US by the IC and DoD. NAM military institutions can recruit cyber warfare teachers/activists, develop educational curriculum, set career paths and train cyber soldiers to counter US engagements. Useful information can be taken directly from any of the US military’s cyberspace recruitment sites, which promise to develop capabilities to defend national security as well as to create effects in cyberspace to achieve national objectives.
The first step for the NAM is to create public awareness of the threat that social media possesses to protect users and the NAM governments against its influence. In doing so, a cadre of civilian cyber PSYOP content monitors can be created. Additionally, software is now commercially available that can search, monitor, analyze and manage social media content. Presently, large corporations as well at the IC and DoD are using this social media software – since it is useful in business marketing strategies. NAM governments can deploy this software in their communication offices. Through vigilance, PSYOP efforts against NAM governments by social media and Google can be thwarted.
Concurrently, it is critical to guard against cyber invasion through the passing of cyber laws with strong penalties, as done by Germany with its groundbreaking Network Enforcement Act (NetzDG). Also, it is key to ensure through news media communications that workers in the IT industry understand the ramifications of the work in which they engage as well the nefarious intent of their respective employers. The “Never Again Pledge” taken by US tech workers in 2017 is promising.
Germany’s Network Enforcement Act (NetzDG)
Germany has blazed a trail for the NAM against PSYOPS in social media with its Network Enforcement Act (NetzDG) and it’s setting of fines of up to $50 million euros.ii The NAM must immediately follow suit with the setting of robust laws and fines against: the dissemination of propaganda; the encouragement of violent offences endangering the state; treasonous forgery; public incitement to crime; breaching of the public peace by threatening to commit offences; the forming of criminal or terrorist organizations.
Never Again Pledge
As reported by the New Yorker in its March 14, 2017 article titled: Why Protesters Gathered Outside Peter Thiel’s Mansion This Weekend, a group of about fifty tech workers, attorneys and anti-surveillance activists stood outside the home of Peter Thiel. Thiel is co-founded of Palantir Technologies, a Trump advisor, and was Facebook’s first investor. He remains a board member of Facebook as well as a member of the Bilderberg Steering Committee. The protest was organized to bring attention to software developed by Plantir called Investigative Case Management that is used by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for mass deportation. Amongst other data sources to identify and track a given target, it uses social media content.
Since the presidential election, nearly three thousand tech workers signed the Never Again Pledge, promising to not work on databases that the Trump Administration might use to target vulnerable groups. The name is a nod to I.B.M.’s alleged role, during the Second World War, in systematizing Nazi genocide by providing punch-card technology.
“The banality of evil today is the person sitting in a cubicle in San Francisco, or in Silicon Valley, building the tools of digital fascism that are being used by those in Washington,”
To understand the US governments offensive against unfavorable NAM regimes, it is important to understand two things: first, the origin of Facebook and Google; and second, the influence they collectively wield over human motivation through coercion and the spread of social contagions through distorted reality. Within this context, it is of primary concern that activists become adept at the stealth guerilla tactic of hit-and-run, as flexibility and anonymity become key to survival. With the stakes of financial ruin, imprisonment and death so high under the USA Patriot Act, no dissident remains safe.
As dissent and protest both international and domestic becomes increasingly illegal in the United States, and the governmental powers to investigate “terrorism” expand and morph under the USA Patriot Act, activists and the NAM must develop and foster skill sets that protect sympathetic Internet hosts, contributors and content against attack wherever they reside. According to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), the Patriot Act increases the government’s surveillance powers in four areas:
Records searches. It expands the government’s ability to look at records on an individual’s activity being held by a third party. (Section 215)
Secret searches. It expands the government’s ability to search private property without notice to the owner. (Section 213)
Intelligence searches. It expands a narrow exception to the Fourth Amendment that had been created for the collection of foreign intelligence information (Section 218).
“Trap and trace” searches. It expands another Fourth Amendment exception for spying that collects “addressing” information about the origin and destination of communications, as opposed to the content (Section 214).
Accordingly, as described by the ACLU:
The government no longer has to show evidence that the subjects of search orders are an “agent of a foreign power,” a requirement that previously protected Americans against abuse of this authority.
The FBI does not even have to show a reasonable suspicion that the records are related to criminal activity, much less the requirement for “probable cause” that is listed in the Fourth Amendment to the Constitution. All the government needs to do is make the broad assertion that the request is related to an ongoing terrorism or foreign intelligence investigation.
Judicial oversight of these new powers is essentially non-existent. The government must only certify to a judge – with no need for evidence or proof – that such a search meets the statute’s broad criteria, and the judge does not even have the authority to reject the application.
Surveillance orders can be based in part on a person’s First Amendment activities, such as the books they read, the Web sites they visit, or a letter to the editor they have written.
A person or organization forced to turn over records is prohibited from disclosing the search to anyone. As a result of this gag order, the subjects of surveillance never even find out that their personal records have been examined by the government. That undercuts an important check and balance on this power: the ability of individuals to challenge illegitimate searches.
The ACLU also describes non-surveillance provisions in the Act, which remain the most serious as they enable the indefinite detention of non-citizens without trial. The provisions:
Give the Director of Central Intelligence the power to identify domestic intelligence requirements. As the director is appointed by the president, this extraordinary unchecked executive power opens the door to the same abuses that took place in the 1970s and before, when the CIA engaged in widespread spying on protest groups and other Americans.
Create a new crime of “domestic terrorism.” The Patriot Act transforms protesters into terrorists if they engage in conduct that “involves acts dangerous to human life” to “influence the policy of a government by intimidation or coercion.” The words “influence” and “coercion” have a wide range of meanings and allow for unbridled discretion. Furthermore, the law gives the attorney general and the secretary of state the power to detain or deport any non-citizen who belongs to or donates money to a broadly defined “domestic terrorist” group.
Allow for the indefinite detention of non-citizens. The attorney general can order detention based on a certification that he or she has “reasonable grounds to believe” a non-citizen endangers national security. Tangible proof is not a requirement, only a “reasonable belief”. Worse yet, if the foreigner does not have a country that will accept them, they can be detained indefinitely without trial.
US News Media: Counterpunch, Alice Donovan & the FBI
On December 25, 2017, a troubling article appeared in Counterpunch, a US media news outlet, regarding the writing of an alleged journalist/Russian troll, Alice Donovan. Links to an additional article appeared on Counterpunch’s Facebook page on July 27, 2018. Overall, the articles allege Donavan is either an unimaginative writer that committed plagiarism as a sport, or that she is a Russian troll. However, Donavan’s transgressions and intent are irrevelant, what the story revealed in all its gory horror is how the US government concocts justifications to learn the identity and location of a given dissident, and how easily it scared an independent and alternative US news media outlet into become its slobbering accomplice.
In this case, the FBI alleged Donovan was a Russian agent that spread disinformation in the Clinton/Trump presidential campaign with the intent of effecting the national election, despite the fact that she did not submit articles specifically on Clinton or Trump. What the US government’s fishing expedition also revealed is that all US news media can’t be trusted, even ones with cute sounding reactionary names, such as Counterpunch. As Counterpunch not only admitted to bending over backwards to cooperate with the FBI, it also proudly declared its decision to up-the-ante and conduct its own investigation and exposé. Counterpunch analyzed the transmission times and IP address of Donovan’s submission emails; it included photos of the alleged Alice Donovan from other media sources in its articles about her; it interviewed other news media that hosted Donovan’s articles, and most outrageously actually asked Donovan to call them by phone and send a photo of her utility bill disclosing her physical location. Without surprise, Donovan declined both requests stating: “security reasons.” If there was ever a reason to give up US hosted media, write under a nom de plume, use a Virtual Private Network (VPN), and accept payment only in crypto currency, this is it!
As anyone honestly committed to telling the truth will explain, it’s not about the messenger; it’s about the message. Under the Patriot Act, writers are safer in anonymity. But as anyone committed to telling the truth will also explain, when you eliminate one activist, ten are energized to take their respective place. Contrary to what PSYOPS wants the 99 percent to believe, there is strength in numbers. While imperialist greed through big payoffs may make for fast friendships, the shared love of truth and justice is priceless. It engenders a loyalty so strong it overcomes setbacks and hardship.
Origin of Facebook & Google
While the development of the Internet, data collection, surveillance and the global positioning system (GPS) can be attributed to the Department of Defense (DoD), Facebook and Google are also inexplicably linked to the CIA’s non-profit venture capital corporation, In-Q-Tel (IQT).
Within this context, Facebook can best be understood as the “friendly” replacement of DoD’s unpopular Information Awareness Office (IAO) which was created by its Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) in 2002 and defunded shortly thereafter in February 2003 by congress, due to public criticism that the development and deployment of its technology could potentially lead to an Orwellian styled mass surveillance system. The timing of Facebook’s development from the standpoint of DoD can at minimum be understood in regard to continuity as fortuitous if not planned – since Zuckerberg is credited with having launched Facebook on February 4, 2004 (within one year of IAO’s defunding).
Information Awareness Office (IAO) the Precursor to Facebook
As the precursor to Facebook, the Information Awareness Office (IAO) brought together several DARPA projects focused on applying surveillance with information technology by creating enormous computer databases to gather and store the personal information of everyone in the United States, including personal e-mails, social networks, credit card records, phone calls, medical records, and numerous other sources, without any requirement for a search warrant.
This information was then analyzed to look for suspicious activities, connections between individuals, and threats with the goal to increase the probability that authorized agencies of the United States could preempt adverse actions. It is important to note that adverse actions within this context are nebulous and thereby include any action that is perceived to counter US corporate short-term interests and security. Adverse actions as defined can include protests on both international and domestic issues by groups or individuals in thought, word or deed. Thus, internationally, those seeking to defend NAM countries against destabilization, invasion and occupation are engaged in adverse actions; and domestically, those seeking to protect human rights, constitutional rights and the environment are involved in adverse actions.
Just like IAO, Facebook invades and collects the email and telephone numbers of its users’ contacts in its Messenger component. Additionally, Facebook logs all photos and communications. Through its facial recognition component, Facebook links physical identities with names, locations, dates and times for easy surveillance. It also has a payment option, which allows Facebook to gain access to the financial institutions of its users. Groups centered on medical topics are densely populated on Facebook, and they encourage users to share their medical issues upon joining.
Facebook encourages its users to “complete their online profile” and list highly personal information such as: birthdate, gender, family members, school, workplace, intimate relationship, interests, religious and political views, hometown, current city as well as group affiliations. Through the recording of “likes” a granular sense of its users’ values and interests is also made known. This information, when taken in aggregate, allows for a profile so detailed and comprehensive that it amounts to a DoD agent’s wet dream.
According to Dave Chaffey in the Global Social Media Research summary, the number of social media users worldwide in 2018 is 3.196 billion. Statista claims Facebook has 2.2 billion active monthly user accounts; YouTube has 1.9 billion; Instagram has 1 billion; and Twitter has 336 thousand. Within this context, social media’s sphere of influence is enormous, as the earth’s population is estimated to be 7.6 billion in 2018, according to Worldometers.
Cutting Edge Social Media Metadata Scanning, Analysis and Management Software
Realizing anything written on this topic is already expired and anything truly mind-bending is classified and beyond reach, there is still a nifty development worth mentioning regarding social media data scanning, analysis and management software. Clearly NAM can benefit by utilizing social media software of this ilk to transmit communications to constituents, gauge reactions to proposed initiatives, and most importantly in the context of this article, quickly identify and stave off destabilizing social media surprise attacks by imperialist powers and their agents. This technology can be considered a 2018 anti ballistic missile (ABM) to social media attacks.
According to Wired media, in its 2009 article titled U.S. Spies Buy Stake in Firm that Monitors Blogs & Tweets, the CIA’s venture capital nonprofit, IQT wanted Visible Technologies, a software firm that specializes in monitoring social media, to keep track of foreign social media, and provide early-warning detection on how issues are playing internationally. With this technology it is also possible for intelligence agencies to compile information on political figures, critics, journalists or others, and to exploit such information for political advantage. Visible’s foreign languages capabilities include Arabic, French, Spanish and nine other languages.
According to G2 Crowd, a Software & Services marketing firm, the latest 2018 must-have in business software is a Social Media Suite. The suite has the capability to manage, monitor, and analyze information related to one or multiple social media accounts through a single product. As such, it can:
Plan and publish digital content via social media
Engage with communities via social media
Report on effectiveness of social media practices
Track regions and demographics of audience
Analyze performance of posts and campaigns
Monitor for related mentions and trends
Facebook and the Cambridge Analytica Scandal
Through third parties, Facebook, alike its forerunner IAO, permitted the analysis of its users data. In the Cambridge Analytica (CA) scandal it was revealed that Facebook exposed the personal data of 87 million users to a political consulting firm in which Trump advisor, Steve Bannon, was its vice president and founder. The intent was to use personal data against users to influence their respective vote in the 2016 US presidential election in favor of Trump. The work of CA was done by the SCL Group, its parent company. SCL describes its capabilities as Vox’s Andrew Prokop writes:
“SCL tends to describe its capabilities in grandiose and somewhat unsettling language – the company has touted its expertise at ”psychological warfare” and “influence operations.” It’s long claimed that its sophisticated understanding of human psychology helps it target and persuade people of its clients’ preferred message.”
It is important to note that SCL’s main client is NATO and the defense department of its member states. Another company that was involved in this scandal is Palantir. Peter Thiel, is Palantir’s chairman and founder, as well as a major contributor in the Trump campaign. Palantir not only has numerous contracts with the US Intelligence Community and Department of Defense like the SCL Group, but Thiel was Facebook’s primary investor, and he remains on its board of directors.
CA whistleblower Chris Wylie told British Members of Parliament that senior Palantir employees worked with the firm on the Facebook data to help it build models off of the dataset to use for political ad targeting purposes.
Facebook’s Social Contagion Study Scandal
Another known scandal involving Facebook is the Social Contagion Study, which was undertaken in 2012 by researchers from Facebook, Cornell University, and the University of California.
In the study, the posts of approximately 700,000 unsuspecting users of Facebook were secretly manipulated, for a week, to determine how emotional states were transmitted over the platform. In the experiment, Facebook altered the news feed content of users to control the number of posts that contained words with positive or negative charged emotions to spy on the users’ reactions. They found negative feeds resulted in the user making negative posts, where as positive feeds resulted in the user making positive posts.
The team concluded its study by saying that emotions are spread via contagion through social networks.
The study appeared in the June edition of the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Scientists (PNAS) under the title: Experimental evidence of massive-scale emotional contagion through social networks. According to the researchers:
Emotional states can be transferred to others via emotional contagion, leading people to experience the same emotions without their awareness. We provide experimental evidence that emotional contagion occurs without direct interaction between people (exposure to a friend expressing an emotion is sufficient), and in the complete absence of nonverbal cues.”
Facebook was publicly condemned when it became known that it conducted this Orwellian thought policing on unsuspecting users. The attack against Facebook worsened when it was discovered that one of the researchers of Facebook’s mind control study, Jeffrey T. Hancock of Cornell University, also received funding from the DoD’s Minerva Research Initiative to conduct a similar study entitled “Modeling Discourse and Social Dynamics in Authoritarian Regimes”.
Additionally, Cornell University was engaged with the Minerva Initiative and had a study funded through 2017 managed by the US Air Force Office of Scientific Research, which aimed to develop an empirical model “of the dynamics of social movement mobilization and contagions”.
The project aimed to determine the “critical mass” (tipping point) of social contagions by studying their “digital traces” in the cases of “the 2011 Egyptian revolution, the 2011 Russian Duma elections, the 2012 Nigerian fuel subsidy crisis and the 2013 Gazi park protests in Turkey.”
Facebook’s social contagion scandal also illustrates the disturbing ease that US educational facilities have in cooperating with the US military in experiments on human subjects without their knowledge or permission, in violation of ethical standards and protections.
DoD & the Minerva Initiative
The stated goal of the Minerva Initiative is to improve DoD’s basic understanding of the social, cultural, behavioral, and political forces that shape regions of the world of strategic importance to the U.S. The program seeks to achieve this by sponsoring research designed to bring together universities, research institutions, and individual scholars. In 2008, the project was provided $50 million by the United States Department of Defense. The journalist Nafeez Ahmed has expressed concern that Minerva research, in its effort to understand mass mobilization, may be targeting peaceful activists, NGOs and protest movements.
Social Network Analysis (SNA) & Unconventional Warfare (UW)
According to LTC Glenn Johnson, CW4 Maurice Duclos, Mr. Dan LeRoy in their article tittled: Mapping the Human Terrain: Applying Social Network Analysis (SNA) to an Unconventional Warfare (UW) Framework:
“Without a detailed understanding of the human terrain the Unconventional Warfare (UW) planner is uninformed about key aspects of the operating environment. SNA can provide the human terrain map needed to plan and execute UW operations. By developing a map of the human domain, SNA helps provide a description and picture of the resistance, opposition, or neutral entities, and can uncover how the population is segmented and how members interact with one another. SNA focuses on people’s behavior and how it is profoundly affected by their ties to other people and the social networks in which they are embedded.
Using SNA provides visualizations of people within their social spaces and assists in ranking their potential ability to influence those social spaces. This provides an understanding of the organizational dynamics of a resistance, insurgency, or counterinsurgency and highlights how to best influence, coerce, support, attack or exploit them. Collecting human terrain data to support SNA must be driven by commanders through focused efforts and should be conducted during every engagement with a foreign country.”
Examples of Social Network Analysis (SNA) & Unconventional Warfare (UW)
The US funded National Endowment for Democracy (NED), which is credited for numerous destabilization efforts in NAM nation states under the guise of “democracy” or imperialist subjugation as it is better known and practiced, has some great information in its numerous articles discussing the tactical use of social media to fight proxy wars. Only in the examples it provides and resources it cites, just the Chinese and Russians and NAM nation states utilize this technology. NED remains absolutely silent on its US sponsor’s activities.
According to a brief prepared by Dean Jackson for NED through the International Forum for Democratic Studies: The velocity and volume of disinformation in the contemporary information space has amplified its effectiveness and left many members of the public increasingly angry, fearful, or disoriented. This leaves the public even more vulnerable to future manipulation, resulting in a cycle of declining public trust in objective sources of information which some analysts call truth decay.
According to NED, effective ways to use social media as an unconventional weapon in proxy wars is to:
React or create crisis by flooding information space and drowning out discussion via online trolling, harassment, and distraction, especially with highly active automated accounts. These techniques push independent voices out of public spaces and are can be considered a new form of political censorship.
Falsify evidence, push misleading narratives, and spread falsehoods. Use media and diplomatic resources concurrently to promote false stories at times of rising anti-government sentiment.
Create accounts that are partially automated and partially controlled by human users to avoid detection. These are often referred to as cyborg or sock puppet accounts.
Use preexisting divides within target societies to produce content for which there is societal demand. Disinformation is more effective when it’s amplifying existing political beliefs and divisions, as opposed to introducing new narratives into the public sphere.
Use proactive disinformation campaigns to achieve real-world impact by influencing the actions of consumers.
Use disinformation around elections to influence citizens’ decisions to vote or to abstain from voting.
Use disinformation to promote a larger narrative over time or to degrade civic discourse by promoting division or cynicism.
Role of Social Media in Arab Uprisings
In an article by Heather Brown, Emily Guskin and Amy Mitchell titled: the Role of Social Media in the Arab Uprisings they state that the Arab uprisings could be deemed
“Facebook or Twitter revolutions” as the news media focused heavily on young political opposition protesters mobilizing in the streets, armed with smartphones.
“As almost immediately after the Arab uprisings began, there was debate over the role and influence of social media in the ouster of Tunisian president Zine El Abidine Ben Ali and the overthrow of Mubarak. “Social media indeed played a part in the Arab uprisings. Networks formed online were crucial in organizing a core group of activists, specifically in Egypt. Civil society leaders in Arab countries emphasized the role of the internet, mobile phones, and social media in the protests.”
Reality becomes distorted when all social media reference points endlessly repeat the same message concurrently. Within this context, civil unrest is born out of social contagion frenzy. An Egyptian man, who was a student protestor against Mubarak in 2011, confided in me that a crescendo of social media chatter goaded him into taking part in the protests. While he had been beaten by Mubarak’s police in an earlier incident and had personal reasons to protest, he still believes he was driven and manipulated through social media – especially since the locations to which he and his friends were led were followed by film crews and riot police too quickly after their arrival to have been un-staged.
Looking back, he now regrets taking part in the protests, as the removal of Mubarak created a power vacuum that led to greater economic and social struggle, and allowed imperial powers to take advantage of Egypt’s resources.
Personal Account of Facebook’s use of Unconventional Warfare (UW)
On April 18, 2018, I witnessed the Facebook Nicaragua expatriate groups I belong to transform its sleepy pages, that focused on advertising the best music and drink specials in town, to revolutionary pages seeking to overthrow the democratically elected sovereign government of Nicaragua.
Having just returned from Nicaragua two weeks earlier, after spending two peaceful months in San Juan Del Sur, I was shocked at the sudden and widespread vitriol controlling my newsfeed. First, I read how the government was corrupt in making changes to their social security system, and then I read how the government was murdering protestors. I knew from my understanding of Nicaragua’s history; President Ortega’s longstanding commitment to the country; its highly successful model of community policing; and the international context Nicaragua is forced to operate in due to repressive IMF loans and trade agreements, that there was more to this story.
Yet, there was no analysis anywhere to be found, only baseless accusations from predominantly white men and an occasional white woman living in Miami, Texas and Costa Rica. A number of Latinos from various locations in the United States later joined in the chatter claiming they were born in Nicaragua and thus justified in posting hostilities, when engaged in debate.
Property owners I personally knew also spoke against the government and joined in with inflammatory remarks. It is important to understand that President Ortega and the FSLN did not conduct purging campaigns to remove its bitter rightwing enemies/Somozistas. Under President Ortega’s compassionate and practical leadership, Nicaragua even forgave the Contras that its FSLN fought against once they agreed to lay down their arms.
Everywhere I looked the message of hate was the same, be it Facebook, Twitter or mainstream news media from the mouths of rightwing senators Marco Rubio and Ileana Ross-Lehtinen who staged meetings with protestors as well as alternative media such as Democracy Now and the Guardian. The understated president, Daniel Ortega, went from being an astute and beloved aged revolutionary hero to a merciless dictator in social media and the press within a few hours. The news feed was so similar, overwhelming, relentless and well packaged, that it seemed immediately like an expertly orchestrated massive disinformation campaign set by the imperial United States to remove President Ortega and the FSLN from office yet again.
Anytime I questioned the prevailing narrative on the Facebook expatriate groups, 10 to 15 users, with questionable profiles, ganged up on me. I was personally insulted, told to remove my posts, and threatened. They feared my comments. Additionally, my Facebook friends were contacted and insulted and told to “make me remove my posts”. I received phone calls on Facebook Messenger despite the fact that my friend’s list is hidden.
The questionable profiles that contacted me often listed present employment with an obscure non governmental organization (NGO), and/or prior employment with the US State Department, US military, or in one case a user listed his job as a “private investigator” that just returned from “doing security in Venezuela.”
Yet, what was most troubling to me was that people I knew from San Juan Del Sur were brainwashed by the massive and unrelenting wave of disinformation. PSYOPS temporarily worked. They began repeating hostile catch phrases against the government as if it was Holy Scripture. They would not read or watch anything in favor of the government, despite my best efforts through verbal and written communication. They made up their minds, based on social media and Google’s distorted reality, that revolution was what the majority of people in Nicaragua wanted. This distortion couldn’t be farther from the truth, as President Daniel Ortega was elected with over 70 percent of the vote. However, the barrage of repeating fake propaganda videos resulted in social contagion frenzy, similar to that experienced by the Arab students in Egypt.
As it turned out, many of the photos and videos posted and used to incite violence were actually taken in Mexico and Honduras years earlier and many of the “dead” were found resurrected in other parts of Nicaragua alive and well. However, armed criminal mercenaries called “peaceful student protestors” by the news and social media did murder police and civilians. Fortunately, distorted reality can only last a short time.
In Nicaragua, the government had control over the county within three months, as the news and social media lies became apparent to citizens and foreigners. Essentially, the criminal mercenaries that infiltrated the protests were not content to restrict their activities to the ones dictated by their US government employers. To supplement their wages, they robbed, raped and pillaged the communities to which they held hostage, and were systematically removed by local residents as well as the police.
Facebook’s Biased Reaction
Facebook automatically flagged and blocked my posts on Nicaragua’s expatriate groups, and group administrators removed the ones that slipped through. My posts merely explained the US government’s longstanding disinformation campaigns against Nicaragua. Then, Facebook and/or group administrators removed my access to the pages. Eventually, due to threats, I deleted my Facebook profile. However, PSYOPS did not succeed in silencing me; instead, it encouraged me to write for a larger audience.
Control over Dissent Using Facebook
In late July 2018, I created a new Facebook profile and began again to monitor Nicaragua expatriate news groups and post articles that support its sovereign government against slanderous untruths. On July 29th, Facebook removed and considered spam two articles that I posted: “The Case Against Daniel Ortega” by Chuck Kaufman hosted on the Libya360.Worldpress.com website and “Opposition Beyond the Violence in Nicaragua” by John Perry hosted on The Guardian website. Both articles non-violently support the sovereign government of Nicaragua. Fortunately, I was able in both instances to get the posts restored after clicking a few buttons. Yet I still remain unable to get Facebook or group administrators to remove articles that promote violence against the government. Despite my flagging of these fake articles for deletion under the Facebook categories: terrorism, violence, harassment, and hate speech, Facebook allows this vitriol to remain.
After posting a third article titled: “After the Failed Coup, After All the Lies, Nicaragua Rebuilds” by Tortilla Con Sal, hosted on the Telesur website, Facebook locked me out of my user account. The article I posted promoted peace and reconstruction. For the record, none of the articles I posted were ever in violation of Facebook’s community standards.
To unlock my user account, Facebook required me to upload a close-up photo of my face. Facebook’s clear bias against the content of my posts coupled with its desire to invade my physical privacy proved intimidating. Facebook, a corporate behemoth, had me vulnerable and exposed, as I could not access my account to delete it without first revealing my personal identity. Facebook is like the mighty Wizard of Oz in that its master is concealed behind a curtain and unreachable. Facebook lists no email address or phone number for “customer service”.
Did Facebook’s version of Orwell’s Thought Police flag my account? After a few deep breaths, I took a chance that Facebook would use its facial recognition software to confirm my physical identity against an Internet search. So, I found a close-up photo online that corresponded with the fake name I used to open my Facebook account, and uploaded it hoping for the best. It worked. I had access to my profile by the next morning. However, I continue to wonder if Facebook was fooled or if I am merely being given more opportunity to violate the Patriot Act in thought and word? Are my CIA, NSA, FBI and DoD “friends” continuing their surveillance of my personal communications on Facebook’s Messenger and WhatsApp applications just more closely? Under the Patriot Act, Facebook is mostly prohibited from disclosing law enforcement surveillance. According to Facebook, in its summary of its 2017 transparency report, it states:
“The US government requests for account data remained roughly even at 32,742, of which 62% included a non-disclosure order prohibiting Facebook from notifying the user, which is up from 57% during the first half of 2017.”
Other transparency report findings of note for Google, Verizon and AT&T are as follow:
“Google received 48,941 government data requests affecting 83,345 user accounts in the first six months of 2017.” And, “In the reporting period between 2016 and 2017, local, state and federal government authorities seeking information related to national security, counter-terrorism or criminal concerns issued more than 260,000 subpoenas, court orders, warrants, and other legal requests to Verizon and more than 250,000 such requests to AT&T.”
On May 24, 2018, the ACLU filed a Freedom of Information Act request to find out how agencies like the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security are collecting and analyzing content from Facebook, Twitter, and other social media sites.
“Government surveillance of social media can have serious consequences, whether you’re a U.S. citizen, a lawful resident, or are seeking to immigrate to or visit the United States. The FBI appears to be using social media as a basis for deciding who to interview, investigate, or target with informants or undercover agents. A single Facebook post or tweet may be all it takes to place someone on a watch list, with effects that can range from repeated, invasive screening at airports to detention and questioning in the United States or abroad.”
With the proliferation of US government non-discloser surveillance, the use of facial recognition software, and the requirement to upload close-up photos to gain access to existing profiles, the velvet gloves are completely off Facebook as an iron fisted US government spy tool. The justification that this intrusive level of policing is merely to remove “fake profiles” doesn’t fly. There are alternate methods that do not compromise our constitutional and civil rights. This is a ruse, engineered by the NSA. Be warned.
Facebook Facial Recognition Software and the US National Security Agency (NSA)
As discussed by James Risen and Laura Poitras in their May 31, 2014 article titled: N.S.A. Collecting Millions of Faces From Web Images, the National Security Agency (NSA) is actively harvesting massive amounts of images of people from communications that it intercepts through its global surveillance efforts for use in sophisticated facial recognition programs, according to top-secret documents.
“The spy agency’s reliance on facial recognition technology has grown significantly over the last four years as the agency has turned to new software to exploit the flood of images included in emails, text messages, social media, videoconferences and other communications, the N.S.A. documents reveal. The agency intercepts millions of images per day including about 55,000 facial recognition quality images which translate into tremendous untapped potential, according to 2011 documents obtained from the former agency contractor Edward J. Snowden.”
In-Q-Tel (IQT)
In early 1999, with funding directed by the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), input from Silicon Valley consultants and Norman Augustine, a former CEO of Lockheed-Martin, In-Q-It, a non-profit corporation was formed. Its core mission to improve the data collection and analysis capabilities of the CIA through access and control over emerging Information Technology (IT) remains intact to date. By March of 1999, the corporation received its first contract. In 2000, its name was changed to In-Q-Tel (IQT).
IQT invests in areas where there is both a CIA need and private sector interest. Examples of commercial applications that also support intelligence functions are: data warehousing and mining, knowledge management, profiling search agents, geographic information systems, imagery analysis and pattern recognition, statistical data analysis tools, language translation, targeted information systems, mobile computing, and secure computing.
Though IQT, the CIA has the option of purchasing products directly from the vendor or launching Research & Development (R&D) projects. While IQT’s present budget remains secret, its first year budget was $28 million. According to a 2013 Fox Business News report, IQT claims that for every dollar it invests in a company, the venture community invests over $9. Further, it claimed that it had leveraged more than $3.9 billion in private-sector funds.
R&D remains the core of its activities. Sometimes IQT assembles teams of companies to create the solution it seeks; other times it is a co-investor in a fledgling company with additional business partners. IQT also uses request for proposal. Essentially, IQT is empowered to use whatever model meets its objective.
In the area of R&D, the CIA’s agreement with IQT allows it and/or its partners to retain title to the innovations created, and to freely negotiate the allocation of Intellectual Property (IP) derived revenues. The only major stipulation is that the CIA retain traditional “government purpose rights” to the innovations. This agreement has allowed IQT to amass considerable financial resources secretly over the last nineteen years since its inception. Also, this agreement has permitted collaborating and beholden individuals to become extremely wealthy and powerful.
To restrict contracting to specific entities, and to achieve privacy from oversight authorities, IQT uses DARPA’s contract model called “Other Transactions” (OT). OT contracts enable IQT to bypass Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR), which requires competition in federal contracting.
Because of the clandestine nature of IQT’s work and its key relationship to the CIA, both entities remain extremely vulnerable to security risks during solution transfer.
Origin of Facebook
While no record of the CIA directly funding Facebook through IQT is apparent, members of IQT’s top management are founding members and/or board members of Facebook. Some of Facebook’s allure to users is that Mark Zuckerberg and his friends started the company from a Harvard dorm room and that he remains the chairman and chief operating officer. If he didn’t exist, he would need to be invented by Facebook’s marketing department. Primarily, the legend and image of a fresh faced Zuckerberg provides a palatable context that entices young people to voluntarily part with their constitutional right to privacy for social acceptance. Though subtle coercion, young people come to believe that in order to be “liked” by their peers, they need to be part of the Facebook brand.
A few months after Facebook was formed in 2004, it received its first capital injection from Peter Thiel, a member of the Steering Committee of the exclusive Bilderberg Group, the drivers of globalization. Members include political leaders, key members from the intelligence community, and experts from industry, finance, academia and the media. According to Global Research’s Stephen Lendman, in his May 2014 article titled: The True Story of the Bilderberg Group and What they May Be Planning Now:
“Bilderbergers want to supplant individual nation-state sovereignty with an all-powerful global government, corporate controlled, that’s check-mated by militarized enforcement.”
In August of 2004, Thiel acquired a 10.2% stake in Facebook for $500,000. The next two capital injections were $12.7 million from Thiel and Accel Partners in May 2005 and then $27.5 million from an Accel-led round of financing that included Thiel, Accel and Greylock Partners in April 2006. In 2012, Thiel sold the majority of his shares for over $1 billion, but remains on the board of directors.
Essentially, IQT is linked to Facebook through Thiel, and Thiel is linked to IQT through his firm Palantir. So, to understand Facebook it is first necessary to understand Palantir, then Thiel.
Palantir
According to Wikipedia, Palantir was started in 2004. Its only outside backer was the CIA’s nonprofit venture capital firm, IQT. Through pilots facilitated by IQT with computer scientists and analysts from intelligence agencies, Palantir’s technology was developed over a three-year period. A document leaked to TechCrunch revealed that Palantir’s clients as of 2013 included at least twelve groups within the U.S. government, including the CIA, DHS, FBI, CDC, the Marine Corps, the Air Force, Special Operations Command, West Point, the Joint Improvised-Threat Defeat Organization and Allies, the Recovery Accountability and Transparency Board and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
According to Wikipedia, Peter Thiel was born in Germany and holds German, American and New Zealand citizenship. Besides being a member of the Bilderberg Group’s Steering Committee as referred to earlier, Thiel is the co-author of an anti-multicultural book titled “The Diversity Myth: Multiculturalism and Political Intolerance on Campus”, where his racist and misogynist bias is apparent in his argument that multiculturalism in colleges is hurting education and that some cases of alleged date rape are actually seductions that are later regretted.
Despite his apology, issued 20 years after the book was published, he gave $1.2 million to the campaign of then Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, who ran on a white nationalist campaign. Thiel is also is a member of the super PAC called: Make America Number 1. The super PAC is credited with donating funds to Steve Bannon, via a shell company he heads named Glittering Steel. Bannon is widely considered a racist, anti-Semite and white nationalist. The supper PAC also donated funds to rightwing Senator Ted Cruz. With Thiel’s clear intent and bias, it should be no surprise that the Facebook Cambridge Analytica scandal favored Trump in the election, and that the violent prevailing narrative against Nicaragua, supported by Ted Cruz, is impossible to remove from Facebook’s expatriate group pages.
Accel Partners: In 2004, Accel partner James Breyer sat on the board of directors of military defense contractor Bolt, Beranek and Newman (BBN) with IQT’s CEO Gilman Louie. BBN is known for essentially helping to create email and the Internet for the DoD. Breyer is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations.
Greylock Partners: Howard Cox, the head of Greylock, served on IQT’s board of directors. Before Greylock, Cox served two years in the Office of the Secretary of Defense.
Origin of Google
Launched in 1998, Google is one of the world’s largest media companies. While the Department of Defense (DoD), CIA, NSA and Google’s marketing department would like users to believe that its founders, Stanford University students, Larry Page and Sergey Brin developed software independent of the DoD, the truth is they didn’t. They were both on the payroll of the National Science Foundation (NSF) while working on its Stanford Digital Library Project (SDLP). This library project is similar to Google in that it involved the creation of search algorithms to scan large quantities of data to find relationships.
The NSF is funded by the US federal government and expresses in its mission statement its intention to “secure the national defense”. NSF has a longstanding relationship with the DoD’s Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). Nothing requiring serious funding and real paychecks involving Information Technology and US Universities is done without DARPA knowledge as detailed below:
“In the 1970s, the agency responsible for developing emerging technologies for military, intelligence, and national security purposes the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) linked four supercomputers to handle massive data transfers. It handed the operations off to the National Science Foundation (NSF) a decade or so later, which proliferated the network across thousands of universities and, eventually, the public, thus creating the architecture and scaffolding of the World Wide Web.”
Not only was Google’s development nurtured by NSF/DARPA, but Google was also was aided by the secretive Massive Digital Data Systems (MDDS) program which was administered by private contractors for the CIA and NSA. The MDDS program sought to identify the digital fingerprints of users inside the World Wide Web so information requests could be tracked, sorted and aggregated to reveal individual proclivities and that of like-minded others with the intention of assembling target groups for easy surveillance so as to predict and counter their plans. The MDDS project was named Birds of a Feather with the thinking that like-minded individuals will engage in coordinated action together, just as birds fly in predictable V-formations. Predictability is key to the CIA in its efforts to weaponize social unrest. MDDS is considered to have helped create the design breakthrough that Google was built upon
Google has been an obvious partner with the CIA since 2004 when the company bought Keyhole from IQT, the CIA’s venture capital nonprofit. EarthViewer, Keyhole’s mapping technology software, became Google Earth.
Google and Social Media’s Influence
Besides geographic and locational tracking, Google assists the government in its efforts to write, and rewrite, history. According to its Google’s transparency report, the US government has named 79,901 items for removal since 2009. To add perspective to this number, consider that for this same period in time, Venezuela has named 10 items for removal, and Nicaragua has named 1 item for removal.
Content Placement in Social Media and Google
Olivia Solon and Sam Levin detail, in their December 16, 2016 article for The Guardian, How Google’s Search Algorithm Spreads False Information with a Rightwing Bias. According to the authors, search and autocomplete algorithms prioritize sites with rightwing bias, and far-right groups trick it to boost propaganda and misinformation in search rankings. As described below, the authors uncovered this bias in environmental as well as social and political examples:
“Following a recent investigation by the Observer, which found that Google’s search engine prominently suggests neo-Nazi websites and anti-Semitic writing, the Guardian has uncovered a dozen additional examples of biased search results. Google’s search algorithm and its autocomplete function prioritize websites that, for example, declare that climate change is a hoax, being gay is a sin, and the Sandy Hook mass shooting never happened.”
To test this allegation out, I entered the following text: “Socialism is…” Autocomplete added: “…is for figs.” The full sentence with autocomplete then read: “Socialism is for figs.” Photos of a red t-shirt appeared. On the t-shirt is a drawing of Che Guevara, a limp wrist, and text. Upon review, I found that an extreme rightwing group is marketing this t-shirt. The word “figs” in the text is written with a missing “I” that is replaced with the drawing of a fig hanging from a tree branch. Because of drawing of a limp wrist, this text can be interpreted by the reader to mean that socialism is for “fags.” In the US, the word “fag” is a derogatory name for homosexuals, and a limp wrist is a derogatory symbol. This supports the Guardian’s observation of Google’s bias against homosexuals as well its bias against socialists. Additionally, the fig fruit represents the name of the village in Bolivia where Che Guevara was captured and murdered. Thus, the fig represents a death threat against socialists. Hopefully, a socialist cyber activist can remove this blight against a beloved revolutionary hero.
Google’s Influence in Elections
As explained by Robert Epstein, from the American Institute for Behavioral Research and Technology, Google has the power to rig elections through something he calls the search engine manipulation effect (SEME). Based on his four years trying to reverse engineer Google’s search algorithms, he concludes that:
“We know that if there’s a negative autocomplete suggestion in the list, it will draw somewhere between 5 and 15 times as many clicks as a neutral suggestion,” Epstein said. “If you omit negatives for one perspective, one hotel chain or one candidate, you have a heck of a lot of people who are going to see only positive things for whatever the perspective you are supporting. Even changing the order in which certain search terms appear in the autocompleted list can make a huge impact, with the first result drawing the most clicks, he said.”
Appearing on the first page of Google search results can give websites undue authority and traffic.
“These platforms are structured in such a way that they are allowing and enabling, consciously or unconsciously, more extreme views to dominate,” said Martin Moore from Kings College London’s Centre for the Study of Media, Communication and Power.”
Epstein believes these two manipulations work together and have a profound impact on people, since they are unaware it is being done. He believes this is compounded by Google’s personalization of search results. This means users see different results based on their interests.
According to politico.com, the problem is that more than 75 percent of all online searches in the United States are conducted on Google. Thus, if Google’s CEO, a rogue employee or the search algorithm favors one candidate, there is no way to counteract that influence. Politico’s research shows that even when people do notice they are seeing biased search rankings, their voting preferences still shift in the desired directions toward the bias. It’s as if the bias is serving as a form of social proof. The thinking is that if the search engine prefers one candidate, that candidate must be the best. Biased rankings are hard for individuals, regulators and election watchdogs to detect as SEME is easy to hide through customized search results.
In Wired’s 2010 article titled: Exclusive: Google, CIA Invest in ‘Future’ of Web Monitoring, it discusses the company Recorded Future, that is funded by both the CIA’s IQT non-profit and Google. Both IQT and Google Ventures have seats on Recorded Future’s board. Not only does the software, Recorded Future, scour websites, blogs and Twitter accounts to find the relationships between people, organizations, actions and incidents in the present, but also in the future. In looking at the invisible links between documents that mention similar or related entities and events, it can figure out the participants, the location, and predict when it might occur. According to Recoded Future, the software can assemble actual real-time dossiers on people. Recoded Future maintains an index with more than 100 million events.
“The cool thing is, you can actually predict the curve, in many cases,” says company CEO Christopher Ahlberg, a former Swedish Army Ranger with a PhD in computer science.”
Besides taking proactive security measures, activists and the NAM can benefit by controlling the technology that decides the placement of supportive material on social media and Google. As most involved in the drafting and dissemination of content already know, everything that departs from the prevailing imperialist narrative is automatically considered subversive and blocked. While quality content continues to exist, locating it on the Internet is like finding a needle in a haystack, even when one already knows what is being sought, by whom, and from where.
The latest trick is for a news item of interest to be blocked by a message warning of an “expired security certificate” and threatening “a virus upon opening”. This was found on an article titled: Cyber warfare: Challenge of Tomorrow, by none other than Counterpunch’s plagiarist spy Alice Donovan.
The Cost of US Cyber Warfare
The United States 2019 proposed intelligence budget at $73 billion has nearly doubled since 2005. This figure includes the National Intelligence Program (NIP) budget at $54.6 billion and Military Intelligence Program (MIP) budget at $18.4 billion. Back in 2005, there was no MIP budget. The total NIP Budget was $39.8 billion, which is still an exorbitant amount of money.
The NIP funds Intelligence Community (IC) activities in six Federal Departments and two independent agencies: the Department of Defense, the Department of Justice, the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of State, the Department of Energy, the Department of Treasury, the Central Intelligence Agency, and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence.
As described in by the Washington Post in its article titled: “The Black Budget”, the CIA, NSA and National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) received more than 68 percent of the 2013 black budget. The CIA received $14.7 billion, the NSA $10.8 billion, and NRO $10.3 billion. Within its funding mission categories, $20.3 billion was for Warning U.S. leaders about critical events and $17.2 billion was for Combating Terrorism.
In looking at the new 2019 MIP budget, one can better understand how new initiatives and training in cyber warfare are being funded. Take for example the US Air Force Cyberspace Defense Operations (IB4X1) Summary description:
“Personnel in the Cyber Warfare Operations specialty perform duties to develop, sustain, and enhance cyberspace capabilities. These capabilities are used to defend national interests from attack and to create effects in cyberspace to achieve national objectives.” “They conduct both offensive and defensive cyberspace operations. They act to protect cyberspace systems from adversarial access and attack. They execute command and control (C2) of assigned cyberspace forces and de-conflict cyberspace operations. They will partner with Department of Defense, interagency, and Coalition Forces.”
While the US government clearly takes the lead in unconventional warfare technology, due to its massive resources and funding, it leaves in its wake tons of technological opportunities ripe to be exploited. What can’t be appropriated can be protested. Just don’t post anything tactical on the Internet or use smart phones, because your “friends” in the US government are watching. Take heart, this elaborate surveillance system was devised because the ruling elite is outnumbered. Knowledge is power.
[Lauren Smith, author of historical fiction, has a BA in Politics, Economics and Society from SUNY at Old Westbury and an MPA in International Development Administration from New York University. Her novel on Nicaragua’s 1979 revolution is due out in 2019.]
Africa Center For American Progress CIA ENOUGH Project Gayle Smith George Clooney John Podesta John Prendergast ONE US National Security Council USAID
U2’s Bono and The CIA: The Dangers of Celebrity Activists
By Thomas C Mountain
U2’s Bono picked a Capo Grande from the US intelligence community to run his “One” NGO, choosing Gayle Smith, who as Senior Director of the US National Security Council and Special Advisor to President Barack Obama used to tell the CIA what to do, especially when it came to Africa.
Ms. Smith, also known as “Obama’s Quiet Consigliere”, is infamous for her heart felt eulogy based on over 30 years of friendship at the funeral for Meles Zenawi, today Ethiopia’s “No.1 Most Hated Person”.
Previously head of USAID, known in Cuba as USCIA, Ms. Smith got her start putting time in the front lines for the agency, fresh out of college, spending years as a “journalist” (clergy and journalists are two of the CIA’s favorite covers) in the Horn of Africa of all places.
After years of paying her dues “where diarrhea is a way of life”, she became a favorite of Madeline Albright and was awarded the Chief of Staff position at USAID in 1994 only three years after ending her journalism career. Think about it, “Award Winning Journalist” to day to day control of some 10,000 employees and Billion$ to spend in only 3 years? USAID or USCIA?
Bono, who recently found himself forced to apologize after his “One” staff in South Africa sued them for sexual harassment, makes sure those that labor for his good causes are well compensated, at least at the top, with Ms. Smith pulling down close to $500,000 a year.
Speaking of ethics Bono’s name turned up in the Panama Papers, hey, the guy hates taxes, who doesn’t?
Of course for NGO’s fighting on the right side, fat salaries and juicy perks are S.O.P. with “overhead” accounting for 50% or more of expenditures.
Gayle Smith has put the CIA and a pretty impressive list of NGO’s on the same page and was the person most responsible for founding the Center for American Progress, whose boss, John Podesta chaired the Hillary Clinton 2016 campaign. Then there is the Enough Project as in “Enough of the CIA’s Enough Project in Africa” and its mouthpiece, George Clooney, founded by Ms. Smith and infamous for occasionally emitting brays of outrage regarding some crime in Africa, often times over matters long past. Does the name John Prendergast ring a bell?
Ms. Smith’s proved her value to the Clinton Mafia as head of the Africa desk at the National Security Council in 1998-2000 under Tony Lake, Clinton’s National Security Adviser, when the Ethiopian gangster government under Meles Zenawi invaded Eritrea, a crime today’s Ethiopian P.M. has apologized for. Close to 150,000 dead and 40% of Eritreans refugees, Gayle Smith and Tony Lake were out to get newly independent Eritrea on its knees where it belonged and tried to use Ethiopia to do its dirty work. And when war didn’t work they brought on UN Security Council sanctions against Eritrea in 2009 when Ms. Smith returned to the White House as “Barry O’Bomber’s” right hand and saw that Susan Rice was turned loose at the UN to threaten and cajole enough votes at the UN Security Council.
The history of most of the crimes directed by Gayle Smith remain buried deep in the bowels of the US intel community, with yet unknown acts of sabotage and destabilization committed by “humanitarians” working for the USAID in politically troubled spots on the planet.
One thing is for sure that when celebrity activists like Bono and George Clooney get involved in the 3rd World, those supposedly benefiting by their charity had better watch out for celebrity wolves dressed in sheep’s clothing
*(Bono Vox (U2) Toronto Int. Film Festival 2011 Image credit: Marco Manna/ flickr)
[Thomas C. Mountain is an independent journalist in Eritrea, living and reporting from here since 2006. See thomascmountain on Facebook or best contact him at thomascmountain at g mail dot com.]
Imperialist Wars/Occupations, Uncategorized, Whiteness & Aversive Racism
CIA Democrats National Security Council Pentagon State Department
Building Movement Politics Means Fighting Democrats
By Glen Ford
“In the absence of a renewed, grassroots street offensive against the armed occupation of Black communities, there will be no relief from the daily slaughter.”
Cops “have the right to shoot us, they get away with it every day,” said a despairing Dawnya Walker, one of 300 community residents that descended on Sacramento, California’s city hall to protest the police killing of Stephon Clark in his grandmother’s backyard . The numbers show that Walker is correct: U.S. police enjoy near-absolute impunity to gun down young Black males without any reasonable fear of punishment. Eight years of a Black, Democratic president in the Oval Office made not the slightest dent in that American reality, despite the re-emergence in 2014 of an incipient social justice movement under the heading of Black Lives Matter.
The youthful insurgency lost momentum — waylaid by the inexorable pull of Democratic Party politics and corporate philanthropy — long before Donald Trump entered the White House and installed a pure Dixiecrat as attorney general. Trumpian malevolence cast an orange chill across Black America. “It has been a long time since any victim was given as much attention as Stephon Clark,” writes Margaret Kimberley, in the current of issue of BAR.
“We are enveloped in a toxic miasma of Russia-hate that, by sheer weight and repetition, has infested every aspect of American political thought.”
There is “movement” afoot in the U.S., but it does not “arc towards justice.” Ever since Trump’s electoral victory, the collective national consciousness has been smothered in a maddening fog of manic, industrial-scale propaganda, spewed non-stop by corporate communications conglomerates working hand-in-glove with the most aggressive elements of the surveillance-intelligence “community” and the bi-partisan War Party. We are enveloped in a toxic miasma of Russia-hate that, by sheer weight and repetition, has infested every aspect of American political thought, distorting and subverting even the most progressive-minded “movements” struggling to find a way towards human dignity under late stage capitalism in a profoundly racist country. Voices for peace and social justice are asphyxiated in the pestilential plume — unless they find their own air.
Damn right, there is a conspiracy — possibly the loudest one in history! — megaphoned by a billionaire-owned media screaming “War, War, War” day and night, fouling the public mind with pure reactionary malice. The duopoly contest has devolved into a dance of death between Donald Trump’s raw white supremacist nationalism and Democratic Party corporate imperial warmongering. Only fools claim there is space for progressive maneuver in the interstices between such forces.
“The Democratic Party remains under the firm control of the Clinton/Obama forces that reinforced mass Black incarceration in the Nineties and militarized the police in this century.”
What is needed is clarity among genuine leftists and serious Black liberationists in the face of rampaging reaction. There is no lesser evil in this house of fear and apocalyptic brinksmanship. The Democrats have colluded in a budget whose gargantuan military outlays will inevitably doom what’s left of the U.S. social safety net — that is, if the human race is not annihilated, beforehand. They have replaced and outshouted the John McCain’s and Lindsay Graham’s of the Republican Party in demonizing, not just Vladimir Putin, but every government and movement in the world that resists U.S. lawlessness and aggression.
The Democratic Party remains under the firm control of the Clinton/Obama forces that reinforced mass Black incarceration in the Nineties and militarized the police at unprecedented levels in this century through the Pentagon’s 1033 program. In the absence of a renewed, grassroots street offensive against the armed occupation of Black communities, there will be no relief from the daily slaughter and the accompanying political evisceration of Black America.
Yes, it is certain that Trump’s very presence encourages the most swinish elements of the police. But it is also true that the Democrats — including Black Democrats — have controlled the city governments that maintain the police state in Black neighborhoods and relentlessly disperse our people through gentrification.
“What is needed is clarity among genuine leftists and serious Black liberationists in the face of rampaging reaction.”
And now it is the Democrats that take the lead in purging the Internet of dissenting political views, under the guise of defending fragile American minds against foreign manipulation. Silicon Valley — the big business sector most supportive of Clinton/Obama Democrats — is thus given license to shape reality in ways that make corporate dictatorship appear both logical and inevitable. Trump’s troglodytes could never finesse such a hijacking of fundamental democratic rights, but the Democrats are pulling it off with alarming speed. There’s nothing “lesser” about this evil.
When the Democrats got their wish, that Trump win the Republican presidential nomination, they became the predominant party of the U.S. ruling class and the most aggressive defenders of empire. Into Hillary Clinton’s campaign “Big Tent” slivered the dregs of the national security state, for whom peaceful coexistence among nations is anathema. Bernie Sanders cannot purge them from their central position in the party. The World Socialist Web Site reports that “an extraordinary number of former intelligence and military operatives from the CIA, Pentagon, National Security Council and State Department are seeking nomination as Democratic candidates for Congress in the 2018 midterm elections.” By WSWS’s count, if the Democrats capture a majority of seats in the House this November, “candidates drawn from the military-intelligence apparatus will comprise as many as half of the new Democratic members of Congress.”
Such a party is incompatible with any domestic social justice agenda — and a threat to the survival of the species. The Left’s job is to disentangle our people from the political clutches of the ruling class and to build independent people’s organizations. The Republicans are a white people’s problem, but Black activists cannot confront the police, the oligarchs or the warmongers without fighting the Democrats.
[BAR executive editor Glen Ford can be contacted at Glen.Ford@BlackAgendaReport.com]
Pacifism as Pathology, Social Engineering, The International Campaign to Destabilize Venezuela, Uncategorized
Albert Einstein Institute Arab Spring Baltic States China CIA Egypt former Yugoslavia Gene Sharp Harvard Iran Myannmar nonviolent direct action Pacifism as Patholgy Soviet Union Ukraine Venezuela
Is It Time to Critically Interrogate Nonviolence & Nonviolent Direct Action?
By Doug Henwood
Time to question nonviolent direct action as the path to change.
Activism. Democracy. Change through nonviolent direct action. These, Doug Henwood points out, have been fetishes for much of the US left for quite some time, especially that portion of the US left that takes its marching orders from corporate funders. Gene Sharp, the founder of the Albert Einstein Institute who passed away at the end of January was regarded as the father of American nonviolent direct action.
I usually write a weekly piece for Black Agenda Report, but this time I’m going to use that space to republish somebody else’s work, easily the most important thing I’ve heard so far this month. It’s an hour long Doug Henwood interview for the weekly radio show Behind The News on KPFA radio. Doug talks with Marcie Smith, who is writing a book on Sharp’s long and problematic career in the service of the US national security apparatus. Smith is an adjunct econ professor at John Jay College. She reveals how Gene Sharp and the Albert Einstein Institute which he founded weaponized and deployed nonviolent direct action in the service of successful and unsuccessful US attempts to overthrow the governments of the Soviet Union, Ukraine, China, Myannmar, Iran, Egypt during the Arab Spring, Venezuela, the former Yugoslavia and the Baltic States.
Besides deploying nonviolent direct action to topple governments standing in the way of Uncle Sam’s global empire, Gene Sharp and his funders have mentored a good deal of what some regard as the US left – at least those parts of it under the influence of one-percenter philanthropy – in the tactics and what passes for the philosophy of nonviolent direct action. According to Sharp’s and the Albert Einstein Institute’s peculiar philosophy, property destruction is violence, while the ravages of poverty and deprivation, of economic blockades and lack of medical care just to name a few phenomena, are not. Sharp’s views on the methods and importance of nonviolent direct action are highly influential in such quarters as Moral Monday and the so-called New Poor Peoples Campaign, parts of the environmental movement, and other places. Whether or not we embrace or espouse nonviolent direct action as an occasional tactic or a bedrock and fundamental strategy we owe it to ourselves to understand the origin of this idea, why the national security state promotes it, how and for whom it works and does not work, and why.
It’s time to critically interrogate the fetishes of nonviolence and nonviolent direct action as a path to the world we need to build. This great interview is a good start to that conversation. Here is the link. Click to listen or download it.
http://shout.lbo-talk.org/lbo/RadioArchive/2018/18_02_22.mp3
[You can find Doug Henwood’s Behind the News shows archived for the last several years at http://leftbusinessobserver.com .]
USAID, Whiteness & Aversive Racism
CIA FSLN Imperialism Interventionism NGos Nicaragua USA USAID
Propaganda: How Neocolonial Progressives Support Western Imperialism
Libya 360 | Tortilla con Sal
20 July 1979: Nicaraguan leftist Sandinista rebels exult in Managua after entering the city and overthrowing Nicaraguan dictator Anastasio Somoza. General Somoza whose family ruled Nicaragua since 1933, finally surrendered 20 June to the Sandinista rebels. Somoza left a country devastated by civil war, with thousands of people killed in June and July 1979 and half a million, one-fifth of the country’s population, displaced from their homes. Somoza was assassinated in exile in Asuncion, Paraguay in 1980 by a left-wing Argentinian Trotskyst rebel group. Picture: AFP/Getty
Across the region, the legitimate struggles of indigenous peoples are being coopted by Western NGOs and media to serve the psychological warfare offensive of the US government and its allies against progressive governments in Latin America.
Almost all Western reporting of foreign news constitutes a permanent drip-feed of poisonous disinformation accumulating into a deep, broad, toxic propaganda wave drowning out rational critical analysis. That process has been very clear in reporting of international affairs from Libya to Ukraine, to Venezuela and Syria – anywhere the interests of Western elites encounter resistance. The collaboration of alternative media in that process has been evident in Libya, Syria and Ukraine and is certainly very evident in the case of Nicaragua.
Here, the constant underlying false message is that President Ortega is a dictatorial leader crushing dissent in Nicaragua to impose an anti-democratic regime run by his family. This false message creates a context justifying arbitrary measures by the US authorities and their allies, like the recent NICA legislation, attacking Nicaragua’s economy and intervening heavily in the country’s internal affairs in favor of Nicaragua’s right wing opposition. To flesh out that keynote psychological warfare message, Western media attacks focus on whatever current events they can manipulate to align with the overall falsehood.
All through 2016, the attacks consisted mainly of distorted or downright false reports covering the 2016 national elections. But two other associated media offensive fronts have been established, namely, developments relating to the proposed Interoceanic Canal and also continuing land conflicts in Nicaragua’s northern Caribbean Coast. A good example of the complete collapse of conventional reporting standards in Western progressive media is this headline news summary from Democracy Now of a recent protest demonstration against Nicaragua’s Interoceanic Canal:
“In Nicaragua, activists say federal police attacked a campesino caravan heading to the capital Managua Wednesday, opening fire with both live and rubber bullets and throwing tear gas. The caravan was heading to the capital to protest the construction of a $50 billion canal linking the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. Campesinos say the project could displace up to 120,000 people.”
Democracy Now’s editors ran this classic psychological warfare propaganda beneath a photograph supposedly of a rural worker wounded in an allegedly peaceful protest. Democracy Now omits that six police officers were reported to be wounded after being attacked by violent protesters. The summary report also omits that the “activists” are militant anti-Sandinistas of the misnamed MRS Sandinista Renewal Movement, funded by the US and allied governments and associated NGOs. Likewise, the suggestion that 120,000 people may be displaced by the proposed Canal is completely false, the real figure is under 10,000 people, all of whom are entitled to complete indemnification.
A flurry of reports in corporate and alternative media alleged that the government of Daniel Ortega tried to repress national protests against the Canal timed to coincide with a visit to Nicaragua’s capital Managua by Luis Almagro, right wing Secretary General of the Organization of American States. In fact, it seems that only the incident in Rio San Juan involved violent exchanges between protesters and the police. The national demonstration itself passed off peacefully, with a modest total of several thousand people demonstrating in Managua’s center against the proposed Canal.
The incident in Nicaragua’s south-western Rio San Juan department provoked angry condemnation from the local bishop Socrates René Sándigo, certainly no friend of the Sandinista government. Bishop Sándigo remarked, “The MRS has always been out there manipulating our rural families and non governmental organizations who involve our rural workers in demands that may well be legitimate but they take these rural workers and put them at the head of their attacks...” Given that context, Democracy Now’s headline summary can be seen as all of a piece with its similarly false reporting, for example, of the conflict in Syria, favoring anti-Russian US government propaganda.
Much less prestigious than Democracy Now, the Intercontinental Cry web site purports to represent the views and interests of indigenous peoples around the world. But in the case of Nicaragua’s northern Caribbean Coast its reports are written in the worst neocolonial tradition by North American academics and writers with a very clear anti-Sandinista agenda . One of these writers is the PhD anthropologist Courtney Parker whose widely published inaccurate report in July 2016 carefully omitted relevant information inconvenient to her account. International Cry later supplemented Parker’s July report with a disingenous, misleading attack on us at Tortilla con Sal, evading our criticism that they recycle propaganda of the local Yatama political party, effectively covering up Yatama’s own role in the violent events Parker and others fail to report fairly and honestly.
To make their phony case against Nicaragua’s Sandinista government, Intercontinental Cry’s reports consistently omit two essential facts. Firstly, Nicaragua’s Sandinista government under Daniel Ortega is the first administration since the revolutionary Sandinista government of the 1980s to guarantee indigenous people’s land rights. As a result, indigenous peoples in Nicaragua now have statutory land rights to a third of Nicaragua’s national territory. So it is completely counterfactual and deceitful of Intercontinental Cry to publish reports implicitly claiming that the Sandinista government deliberately seeks to deprive indigenous peoples of their land. Intercontinental Cry’s reports are based on allegations of Yatama political party supporters whose leadership themselves have faced serious allegations of complicity in the illegal sale of their own peoples’ land.
The second fact obscured by Intercontinental Cry’s reports is that Yatama is not the only representative of the region’s Miskito and other indigenous peoples. In 2013, a large group of the region’s Miskito population rejected the Yatama leadership and now support the Myatamaran political movement allied with the Sandinista government. That omission indicates just how skewed and neocolonial Intercontinental Cry’s reporting on Nicaragua really is by creating an inaccurate, image of a united Miskito people, hapless victims of relentless alien oppression. The history of the Miskito people itself shows up that kind of account as a ridiculous neocolonial construct. Reports in Intercontinental Cry seem to deliberately omit the fact that extremist Miskito groups have attacked and murdered rural workers’ families in the area in conflict.
Historically, some components of the Miskito people allied with British colonial forces and were themselves cruel oppressors preying on weaker ethnic groups to sell them as slaves to British plantation owners in Jamaica and other British Caribbean colonies. Furthermore, Miskito groups in Jinotega along the Rio Wangki, have a somewhat different history to that of Miskito groups along Nicaragua’s Caribbean Coast. So even in historical terms it is false to suggest that the Miskito indigenous people share a uniformly homogenous history and cultural identity. None of that is reflected in the neocolonial accounts rendered by the writers for Intercontinental Cry.
To the contrary, despite the complicated political reality in Nicaragua’s northern Caribbean Coast, Courtney Parker’s July report and Brett Spencer’s November 11th report both falsely suggest that Yatama is the only organization representative of Miskitos in Nicaragua’s northern Caribbean Coast and the only opposition movement to the Frente Sandinista Front for National Liberation. In fact, the right wing Constitutional Liberal Party (PLC) has always had significant support in the interior of the northern Caribbean region area and won a seat in the legislative elections along with Yatama’s caudillo Brooklyn Rivera. The third seat was won by the FSLN.
Both Courtney Parker and Brett Spencer write essentially as propaganda shills for Yatama, portraying Yatama’s violent supporters as victims. Spencer manages that difficult task even in his report on how Yatama destroyed and looted the offices of the regional authority in Bilwi and violently intimidated local people and businesses. Spencer in particular implicitly tries to justify those attacks by alleging that Yatama caudillo Brooklyn Rivera “was ousted from office in September of 2015, following a rise in violence over an endemic land conflict between the Miskito and Sandinista settlers known to the Miskito as colonos.”
Spencer neglects to mention that Rivera was stripped of his status as a legislator following very serious allegations that he and his Yatama colleagues were illegally selling Miskito land. Spencer turns that reality on its head by alleging that the rural farming families trying to settle Miskito land sold to them illegally are “Sandinista”. Intercontinental Cry have no factual basis at all for publishing that kind of malicious smear which is pure Yatama propaganda diverting attention away from the questionable dealings of their leadership. For her part Courtney Parker published another pro-Yatama propaganda piece exploiting the terrible murder of three members of a family on their isolated farmstead. Parker suggests on the basis of hearsay that the murder was committed by marauding settlers, arbitrarily excluding the possibility of inter-ethnic violence by Yatama extremists or some other sinister interests.
Despite Intercontinental Cry’s very clearly biased coverage of the complex conflict in Nicaragua’s northern Caribbean Coast, their team of writers has still managed to co-opt other alternative media so as to broaden the reach of their attacks on Nicaragua’s Sandinista government. Influential progressive Western alternative outlets like Truth Out and the Ecologist published Parker’s flawed reports which break just about every rule of academic rigor and basic reporting. Intercontinental Cry’s editors have finally explicitly acknowledged their anti-Sandinista agenda, overtly attacking Telesur, and openly avowing their sympathy with US and allied government funded Nicaraguan anti-Sandinista NGOs and media like Confidencial and CENIDH.
Given that clear ideological alignment it was perfectly natural for the neocolonial progressives at the North American Congress on Latin America (NACLA) to publish yet another propaganda attack on Nicaragua’s Sandinista government this time authored by International Cry writer Brett Spencer and US anthropologist Laura Hobson Herlihy. Their NACLA article repeats every main talking point of the US sponsored centre right Nicaraguan opposition as follows:
“widespread evidence of electoral fraud“
“the National Assembly abolished terms limits in 2014”
“In this year’s election, Ortega effectively ran as an unopposed candidate”
“Ortega sons and daughters occupy high positions in the central government”
“Ortega refused any participation by international and accredited independent election observers”
“The Nicaraguan Center for Human Rights has presented evidence of high voter abstention”
NACLA, Brett Spencer and Laura Hobson Herlihy offer precisely zero evidence for their claims of electoral fraud apart from the claims of Yatama leader Brooklyn Rivera. The apparently authoritiative link by the foreign funded CENIDH human rights outfit leads to a fact-free opinion piece by veteran anti-Sandinista Carlos Tunnerman Bernheim. NACLA’s article alleges inconsistencies in results published in Nicaragua’s official La Gaceta and the Electoral Council’s web site apparently in ignorance of the Electoral Council’s reporting procedures which consists of presenting first preliminary results, then provisional results and, only when all challenges have been processed, the final results.
Here are the final results from the Electoral Council’s web site which enables visitors to scrutinize results right down to those of the local voting centres. The Yatama party for which Laura Herlihy Hobson and Brett Spencer propagandize is a regional party which only participates in Nicaragua’s departmental elections for the National Assembly. The results completely contradict Yatama’s claims of electoral fraud. In the three municipalities where indigenous people predominate, Yatama prevailed easily against a strong minority vote in favor of the Sandinista Front for National Liberation.
But only in Prinzapolka did Yatama get a really overwhelming vote of over 60%. In the region’s interior so-called mining municipalities, Siuna, Rosita and Bonanza, Yatama was wiped out. The main opposition there came from Nicaragua’s national right wing parties led by Maximino Rodriguez’s Constitutional Liberal Party (PLC) which maintained its traditional support, including winning overall in the municipality of Mulukuku. Here are the departmental legislative election results for Nicaragua’s North Caribbean region in which Yatama participated:
Bilwi Waspan Prinzapolka Rosita Siuna Bonanza Mulukuku Average
Yatama
51 57 63 6 0.6 4 1.4 30.26
42 38 27 72 68 85 43 55.33
2.9 2 1 17 29 7 51 9.81
In the other elections where the Yatama party was not involved, the Yatama vote went mainly to the traditional right wing parties, especially the PLC, which may or may not indicate Yatama’s broader ideological position:
Presidential elections: FSLN 73%; PLC 19%; Other right wing parties 8%.
National legislative elections: FSLN 65.86%; PLC 15.3%; Other right wing parties 18.89%.
Central American Parliament elections: FSLN 74.3%; PLC 18.86%; Other right wing parties 6.84%.
Yatama claim to have an important presence in the Nicaragua’s Southern Caribbean region but in the municipalities Yatama contested there, they were wiped out by support for the right wing PLC as the departmental legislative election results for the region where Yatama participated clearly indicate:
Grande Laguna de Perlas Bocana de Paiwas El Tortuguero Bluefields Kukra Hill Average
65 25.06 62.93 81.77 16.56 20.81 45.35
30 52.85 32.61 16.75 59.9 73.54 44.27
0.65 18.89 0.2 0.19 15.46 3.05 6.4
That was the reality of the elections beyond NACLA’s vague, hazy propaganda message and the predictable complaints of Nicaragua’s inept, dishonest political opposition parties, duly parroted by Western media.
A look at NACLA’s other anti-Sandinista allegations reveals how disingenuous is the case they are trying to make. The allegation that the National Assembly abolished term limits in 2014 is categorically false. The link in the NACLA article leads to an ill-informed, factually incorrect report from the pro-US government Qatari news outlet Al-Jazeera which writes “The latest reform would allow President Daniel Ortega to follow in the footsteps of his ideological ally, late Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, and a string of other Latin American nations to give presidents power extending beyond their traditional limits.”
In fact, the term limits for almost all Nicaragua’s institutions, the Presidency, the National Assembly, the Supreme Court, the Supreme Electoral Council and the Auditor General’s office all remain unchanged at five years. Rather than checking their facts, NACLA and Al Jazeera have lazily recycled the false accusations of Nicaragua’s miniscule centre right social democrat movements who have proved incapable of developing a credible political opposition to Nicaragua’s Sandinista government under Daniel Ortega. By linking to this inaccurate Al Jazeera report, NACLA, Laura Herlihy Hobson and Brett Spencer show up the categorical falsity of their argument.
Equally false is their accusation that no foreign observers took part in Nicaragua’s electoral process. In fact, a group of extremely prestigious foreign electoral specialists accompanied the whole process starting in May 2016. Their reportthoroughly vindicated the professionalism and impartiality of Nicaragua’s electoral authorities throughout the electoral process as well as the efficiency and transparency of the elections on November 6th. The neocolonial demand by Western progressives for foreign electoral observers is one not raised in the case of the United States or other Latin American governments like Mexico, Argentina and Uruguay whose example Nicaragua has now followed by excluding a role for interventionist electoral observation missions.
Similarly, the accusation that Daniel Ortega effectively ran unopposed is belied by the NACLA report itself and the election results too. Nationally the total opposition vote would have been well over 30% if the right wing parties had overcome their petty internecine divisions, thus enabling a much more effective opposition in the legislature. As has been the case for years now, the weakness of political opposition to the FSLN government in Nicaragua resides in the right wing’s own divisions and their inability to mount a credible political program capable of matching the success of President Ortega’s Sandinista government’s National Development Plan.
Turning to the falsehood that President Ortega’s family occupy high governmental positions, the reality is again completely different from NACLA’s mendacious assertion. Four children from Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo’s family work in posts associated one way or another with the government. None of them occupy ministerial positions. Rafael Ortega works as a personal assistant to Daniel Ortega. Daniel Edmundo Ortega heads the Sandinista media outlet El 19 Digital. Camila Ortega is a personal assistant to her mother Rosario Murillo. Laureano Ortega is an executive of Nicaragua’s investment promotion authority ProNicaragua. None of them has an executive position at the head of any central government Ministry. NACLA’s accusation is completely false.
Laura Herlihy-Hobson and Brett Spencer follow up the falsity of their broad accusations against President Ortega’s Sandinista government by repeating the claims made by Courtney Parker and Spencer in Intercontinental Cry’s series of articles through 2016. They even allege that “settlers have invaded and now illegally occupy half of the Muskitia rainforest region”. The link there is to a New York Times article that offers nothing to support the claim in Herlihy Hobson’s and Spencer’s NACLA article.
To the contrary, the New York Times article shows the Nicaraguan government is trying to combat the violent land conflicts in the northern Caribbean Coast but with limited success. Nor does NACLA offer any other support for their article’s false allegation. More clearly than in the Intercontinental Cry series of psy-warfare articles, Laura Herlihy Hobson and Brett Spencer cursorily acknowledge the controversial role of Yatama leader Brooklyn Rivera. But they play down the political opportunism that has marked Rivera’s career ever since his days as a collaborator with the US government funded Contra terrorist campaign in the 1980s.
An interesting point from the NACLA article which will certainly figure in similar future psy-warfare attacks is the effort to link the land conflicts in Nicaragua’s northern Caribbean Coast with opposition to the proposed Interoceanic Canal, even though the Canal lies many hundreds of kilometres to the south of Yatama’s strongholds. The NACLA article and its writers studiously avoid noting that the Nicaraguan authorities have already reached agreement with indigenous people’s organizations in the areas likely to be affected by the route of the Canal. But the efforts to connect Yatama to the Canal protests tie in with Democracy Now’s dishonest coverage of the most recent Canal protest, representing a coordinated alternative media agenda similar to that of Western corporate media. That agenda is very clearly one of neocolonial divide and rule, fomenting violence in any countries with a progressive government, not just Nicaragua but in the other Bolivarian Alliance countries like Bolivia, Ecuador and, most notoriously perhaps, Venezuela.
NACLA’s and Intercontinental Cry’s blatant propaganda in defense of Yatama’s repeated aggressive violence promotes Yatama’s sectarian political agenda in a self-serving, sensationalist way evidently calculated to maximize the potential for conflict. This is very much in line with the experience of the Ecuadoran government, faced with vicious attacks from the CONAIE indigenous people’s organization or the experience of the Bolivian government faced with murderous attacks by indigenous mining cooperative organizations.
Across the region, the legitimate struggles of indigenous peoples are being coopted by Western NGOs and media to serve the psychological warfare offensive of the US government and its allies against progressive governments in Latin America. That is why it is entirely correct to characterize as neocolonial the psychological warfare role of supposedly progressive alternative media that recycle propaganda material like that of Intercontinental Cry.
CIA Glenn Greenwald Guantanamo Bay NSA Pierre Omidyar’s First Look Media Rebranding Reform Snowden Spectacle The Intercept TruthDig Ukraine
The Work of Revelations: Snowden, the Torture Report, and the Diminishing Returns of Info-Spectacles
Popaganda
Omidyar, right, with (clockwise from left) Glenn Greenwald, Edward Snowden, and Laura Poitras. Illustration by Matthew Woodson. Photo: Matthew Woodson. Image: THE PIERRE OMIDYAR INSURGENCY [Source]
“An invasion of armies can be resisted, but not an idea whose time has come,” wrote Victor Hugo. Isn’t that ultimately the message of Les Misérables? In contrast to the revolutionaries hopelessly slaughtered en masse at the barricades, it’s Jean Valjean’s unimpeachable righteousness alone that ultimately drives his longtime tormentor to suicide. I dreamed a dream…
Rather than just being the domain of French Romantics and office motivational posters, the notion that information alone has transformative power is the cornerstone of establishment left thinking. It stems from liberal enlightenment ideals that configure history as a linear progression—embodied in the apocryphal quote about the moral arc of the universe. It goes one way, and that’s forwards towards progress. This coincides happily with the preponderance of lawyers in the ranks of mainstream human rights and civil liberties groups, for whom information is the sine qua non of preparing briefs and mounting cases.
There’s a more controversial theory that information isn’t inherently good. Even revelatory information—stuff the powerful don’t want you to know—ostensibly in the service of a progressive goal, can be used for right-wing ends if it obscures or moderates a more radical prescription. If information is getting used to co-opt a more radical course of action, then that project is reactionary.
For its part, progressive e-magazine TruthDig doesn’t want people messing with this line of thinking in the case of the Senate Torture report: “When the truth is spoken by politicians…skeptics are right to suspect it’s not merely the truth. It is always tailored to redound to some benefit to the speaker. But there are moments in history when that doesn’t matter.”
We’re being told it’s one such moment now. The Senate Intelligence Committee has released a heavily redacted, heavily abridged “Executive Summary” of its 6,000 page report on CIA torture. Adding to the report’s mystique is the fact that the White House and CIA wanted to suppress the information contained within, with the CIA even hacking the computers of Senate staffers compiling the report. The torture report seems like the most illicit kind of revelatory information, so it’s created an enormous amount of commentary and condemnation.
However, with the exceptions of some specific ghoulish details, most of the information was already known. The most horrific facts—that the CIA raped prisoners, that torture was used to fabricate justifications for the War in Iraq, that human beings were tortured to death, that almost a quarter of torture cases were the result of mistaken identity—had all been reported on within the last decade.
There’s a disconnect between the content of the torture report and the narrative that now surrounds the event itself. When TruthDig called for putting skepticism aside, it was in a piece hailing Senators Dianne Feinstein and John McCain as their progressive heroes of the week. Feinstein’s fingerprints are on many of the US’s worst abuses of this century, and McCain is one of the most bloodthirsty figures in the US government, and by extension the planet. Given that these newly minted progressive heroes are some of the worst imperialists, and the torture report’s aura doesn’t reflect reality, this seems like exactly the right moment for those meddlesome skeptics to be asking questions.
The journalists and public figures who promote the torture report present it as transformative information, but it’s shaping up to be a spectacle that sets the left back yet again. The report has followed many parallels with the last time this happened, the spectacle surrounding Ed Snowden’s leaks to Glenn Greenwald et al. The Snowden drama provided a useful template for how dissent is going to be managed, channeled, and moderated going forward. The way the NSA leaks were handled has provided the elites a scalable model for taking the release of even revelatory information and using it to come out on top and consolidate their power.
Fortunately, last October Pierre Omidyar’s First Look Media had an acrimonious public divorce with once-hire Matt Taibbi. If Taibbi had been someone with less social capital, then the failure of Racket might’ve just been a momentary hiccup for the internet’s hottest journalistic “insurgency.” As it stands, the fact that people want to be in Taibbi’s orbit has opened up a lot of space for analysis of Omidyar’s would-be media empire, where the establishment consensus was once airtight. It’s certainly vindicated what Taibbi said about journalists being akin to an easily spooked herd of deer, who only get around to asking the right questions “eventually. But far after the fact.”
When the leaks began, they painted a complete picture of a monster whose contours had only previously been hinted at. Stories about warrantless wiretapping and the size of “Top Secret America” had won their authors Pulitzers and hinted that the US government was spying on all of us. There were reports of a secret government data-storage facility of gargantuan proportions being built in Utah. Stories had periodically cropped up in unexpected places about the government’s ability to record and store all our communications. However, now the public knew the truth definitively. There was excitement, talk of change, reform, maybe even something more drastic. Soon, the whistleblower went public. More stories came out, about more countries.
However, there were problems from the outset. Tarzie, one of maybe 3 or 4 people asking the right questions from the outset, drew these threads out in August 2013 in his “Fuck the Guardian” series. Some of the serious problems were a zeal for secrecy and redactions, an over-emphasis on one set of actors at the expense of the bigger picture, and a single-minded devotion to “debate” and reform as the ideal solution. There were plenty of other problems, like the smearing of Chelsea Manning and a near-monopoly on information, all of which spoke to having surrendered ground to the very enemies being exposed. The entire event was taking place on the state’s terms, and as Arthur Silber wrote, “when the state floods the zone, any chance for reform is dead.”
However, the state weren’t the only interested parties. There was a big story to be told, after all, and a billionaire patron chose to underwrite the project. The consensus that instantly emerged–and remained firmly in place until Racket’s collapse–was that Pierre Omidyar was a “civic minded billionaire.” What was being exchanged between Omidyar and Greenwald was a paycheck for prestige. As Tarzie pointed out at the beginning, PayPal had conducted an extrajudicial corporate blockade against WikiLeaks that hobbled the organization, and Greenwald lied about Omidyar’s involvement.
When it came out that Omidyar had funded regime change in Ukraine and the election of a fascist PM in India, and would profit handsomely for it, this revelatory information wasn’t enough to tarnish the “civic-minded” gloriole. “Since the rich man in question has demonstrably been involved in funding imperialist activities,” explained Patrick Higgins, the Snowden leak keepers were now “by extension, running interference on imperialism’s behalf.” A typical imperialist oligarch bought a bulletproof reputation as a civic-minded hero, for only $250 million (of which only $50 million has actually been paid so far). To get an idea of what a robust return on investment this is, Bill Gates has to spend billions of dollars a year in order to be seen as a humanitarian while defending capitalism’s brutality and making Malthusian calls for population reduction in Africa and Asia.
Snowden eventually came out of his self-imposed media exile and played a part in the vaunted debate. It’s been reported that whistleblowers tend to be conservative individuals, and this makes sense. Someone who thinks the CIA is an organ of state terrorism is unlikely to get hired there, nor would they seek to restore it to an imagined past if they joined up and eventually found this to be the case. That explained phenomena like Snowden’s insistence that information be mediated by “responsible journalists and government stakeholders,” and a whole slew of reactionary statements he made as the spectacle went on.
As Snowden explained, he was “still working for the NSA” in spirit, seeking to reform temporarily disoriented agencies. For anyone hoping that substantive change would result, this is a death sentence. As Chris Floyd said, “the system itself is not under threat [when] the only goal of any revelations will be ‘reform.’ ‘Reform’ and ‘debate’ can always be managed by those who control the levers of power.”
In the end, the public accrued very limited benefits if any. There were stories that essentially recapitulated the same theme of mass government data collection, told with some different details but committed salesmanship. Long after most of the world has moved on, The Intercept’s reporters still use the same breathless promotional language. In mid-December 2014 Jeremy Scahill was promoting a “Blockbuster” story at The Intercept that’s basically a longer version of a story already reported at Der Spiegel 14 months ago. There wasn’t even reform, either, with one failed bill widely derided as a “sham.” Even First Look supporters concede that the NSA ultimately “retained its powers.” And they might have stronger defenses against future leakers in place now, thanks to Ed Snowden. As reported in a Wired cover story, as Snowden took documents from NSA servers, he did so in a way that “[gave] the government time to prepare for leaks in the future,” in case anyone more radical than him came along.
If anyone benefitted from the event, besides the leak’s owners and the state, it was the tech sector. Snowden updated Thomas Jefferson for the disruptor set when he recommended restraining government surveillance with “the chains of cryptography.” He announced the Reset the Net initiative on June 5th, 2014. By unveiling it a year after the Guardian released its first Snowden-sourced story, the event was marketed as the solution to government surveillance, the logical endpoint of the events that have preceded it. According to Wired, Reset the Net is “a coalition of more than two-dozen tech companies,” i.e. former partners in government spying who would now be the vanguards of privacy. When Trevor Timm, a board member of the Electronic Frontiers Foundation with Greenwald, listed “Four Ways Edward Snowden Changed The World,” two reasons were essentially sales pitches for the tech industry. To hear left celebrities orbiting the Snowden trove tell it, all Silicon Valley had to do was suffer a mild public shaming in order to become zealous guardians of their users’ privacy.
Obviously, some factions of the state and oligarch class* would rather the public know nothing. However, if this isn’t an option, then there are ways to accrue benefits from the information release. The Snowden spectacle has shown how the guilty parties can create positive outcomes for themselves, coming out even better than before. The common threads include:
A distracting, singular focus on one set of actors at the expense of other guilty parties.
An erasure of related and often more serious crimes.
The lionizing of deeply reactionary figures.
Right-wing, power-serving “solutions.”
The erasure of leftist ideas from the left.
A further fetishizing of the transformative power of revelation.
In the Snowden spectacle and the torture report, there are two situations in which information is released to the public. It’s been known, but now there are specific details and official confirmations. This is presented as a revelation, and re-stated in different permutations to retain public interest. From there, the ruling class will create an unexpected victory.
Distracting Focus on One Set of Actors
In the case of the Snowden leaks, over a year of reporting focused almost exclusively on the NSA. There was almost no reporting done on the private sector, or the 16 other government agencies that comprise the Intelligence Community—from the FBI and DEA to Army intelligence and the National Reconnaissance Office.
In the case of the Senate torture report, the focus has been exclusively on CIA torture authorized and directed by the Bush administration and its lawyers. Dick Cheney has come out of the shadows to issue ghoulish pronouncements about torture’s goodness, acting as a cartoonish, literally heartless proxy for the entire cast of villains.
However, the focus on the Bush administration has erased contemporary Democratic culpability in the torture program. The 2002 briefing of House Democrats Nancy Pelosi and Jay Rockefeller by the CIA was, according to CIA war criminal and noted sociopath José Rodriguez, “short and sweet.” Though Democrats at the at the time adduced torture as a reason to vote for Democrats, it was, like anti-war opposition, cheap posturing to score political points.
A few years later, it was rising Democratic star Barack Obama’s turn to sweep torture under the rug after exploiting it for electoral reasons. In a tremendously revealing statement that received scant attention at the time, then-Senator Obama said that impeachment was off the table because it was reserved for “serious breaches” of the President’s authority. The statement was a clear indication that Obama didn’t—and doesn’t—consider torture to constitute a serious offense, at least when committed by the United States. Though candidate Obama made overtures to investigate torture, his 2008 behavior on FISA showed how hollow these promises were. On the campaign trail, the Senator declared that he would filibuster TeleCom immunity, before voting for it once it was politically expedient. When Obama was elected and made “look forwards, not backwards” his mantra, the Democratic leadership owned torture as much as Bush.
Just like the NSA was the sole focus of the Snowden cache, a casual observer would think that the CIA were the sole perpetrators of torture after 9/11. The singular focus on the CIA has erased the fact that the US military was responsible for many of the most horrific abuses of the War on Terror. Abu Ghraib, for instance, was born out of a policy to “’Gitmoize’ Iraq,” applying the brutal torture policies of America’s Cuban hellhole to the entire nation of Iraq. Military installations were the sites of countless crimes, like Afghanistan’s Bagram Air Base or Iraq’s Camp Nama, whose name was backronymed to mean “Nasty-Ass Military Area.”
The Senate torture report has successfully cordoned off torture as the work of one agency and one set of elites, when the entire political class and national security apparatus is guilty.
Erasure of Related and More Serious Crimes
The Snowden event brought us dozens of stories that reiterated essentially the same point. Less publicized was Reuters’ August 2013 report on NSA-DEA “parallel construction,” where the NSA was giving warrantlessly surveilled information to the DEA, who then build up a criminal case under the pretense that the information had been lawfully obtained. In this case, abstract reports on government abuse were crowding out concrete reports of government abuse. The narrative around the Senate report has taken this aspect of the Snowden drama to a much higher degree. There is a constellation of American crimes that are being erased, whitewashed, and legitimized by the focus on the CIA torture report.
The Obama administration and the CIA saw the kind of legal and political mess that came from indefinite detention, and concluded that assassination was easier. A 2004 report from the CIA’s inspector general warned that “The agency faces potentially serious long-term political and legal challenges as a result of” the torture regime. “The report was the beginning of the end for the program,” according to journalist Mark Mazzetti. “The ground had shifted, and counterterrorism officials began to rethink the strategy for the secret war. Armed drones, and targeted killings in general, offered a new direction.”
Consequently, the Obama administration has waged a far more vicious assassination campaign than Bush ever did, with thousands killed in drone strikes and even American citizens targeted for extrajudicial murder. Obama’s theory of executive power was best summarized by Attorney General Eric Holder explaining that “due process” didn’t need to involve a trial by jury, but could be achieved by the President deciding to murder you in one of his “Terror Tuesday” meetings.
That’s not to say that torture isn’t still practiced. Torture is still common practice in Guantánamo Bay, where inmates are subjected to excruciating force-feedings. The experience of having a feeding tube slid through the nasal cavity and down into the prisoner’s stomach is usually compared to having a razor blade shoved through the nostril and down the throat.
Obama’s vaunted torture ban has also not banned torture, merely returned it to the grey-area status it enjoyed before the Bush administration codified it. The CIA has long practiced torture, like under the Phoenix program in Vietnam or taught at the notorious School of the Americas. Today, the CIA maintains its “extraordinary rendition” and secret prison programs, with loopholes in place for torture to continue more covertly. Torture is still allowed for the Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC), and since expanding JSOC’s operational scope has been a cornerstone of Obama’s war-fighting policies, some inductive reasoning indicates that it’s expanded into those dark corners. As the blog Moon of Alabama points out:
The Army Field Manual 2 22.3. Appendix M is still in force and it allows “interrogation techniques” which the UN’s Committee against Torturesays (PDF) amount to torture. The White House is also still believing that using torture abroad is not covered by the UN Convention Against Torture and thereby permissible.
This, together with Appendix M, lets me assume that the U.S. is still torturing people abroad. Why else would it keep those legal holes open?
All this is only to discuss how torture is still practiced in prosecuting the War on Terror (or as it’s called now, the Overseas Contingency Operations). It’s an entirely different story about the United States practicing torture in its system of mass incarceration through solitary confinement, which “human beings experience…as torture,” according to Dr. Atul Gawande.
Reactionary Heroes
The release of the torture report has lead to some strange scenes. Teju Cole, for instance, a longtime critic of American imperialism, thanked Dianne Feinstein “for [her] service” in the pages of the New York Times. Dianne Feinstein has long been a supporter of almost every imperialist venture the US has embarked upon. Her husband’s status as a member of a lucrative government contractor also makes her, quite literally, a war profiteer.
As for John McCain, this release affords him to playact the maverick that the media needs to remind everyone that he is. It’s also erased the fact that in 2008 McCain fought to exempt the CIA from a torture restriction.
Besides Feinstein and McCain, the biggest hero in the release of the torture report has been John Kiriakou, the CIA case officer who first blew the whistle on the CIA’s torture program. As is typical of National Security whistleblowers, Kiriakou is deeply conservative, a “patriotic” spy whose “Letters from Loretto” penitentiary spend a lot of time railing against the FBI. A common theme of his letters are slams against the FBI for their dishonesty, positioning the CIA—who’ve spent over a decade running a global torture and assassination program—as the honest Agency.
At least the Snowden case gave Americans a fresh face, who only exposed his retrograde beliefs gradually. The Senate torture report has boosted “heroes” who are some of the past decade’s most imperialist figures.
Power-Serving Solutions
Jane Mayer, who’s written more about America’s post-9/11 torture regime than any other journalist, wrote in the New Yorker that “torture is becoming just another partisan issue.” Particularly given the incoming Republican-majority Senate, torture accountability seems like a position that the Democrats can own after having tacitly endorsed it. According to Mayer, Feinstein “proved that Congress can still perform its most basic Madisonian function of providing a check on executive-branch abuse,” while “By contrast, the new report, even before it was released, came under attack from Republicans.” Soon, newly minted transparency and accountability heroine Feinstein will be out, replaced by Republican Richard Burr, “a staunch defense and surveillance hawk,” according to Joshua Eaton at Al Jazeera. “At the same time, one of the intelligence community’s most outspoken voices, Mark Udall, will leave the committee after losing re-election last month.” The departure of the Democrats “threatens to stall attempts to reform the nation’s surveillance laws and avoid transparency about the CIA’s controversial interrogation program,” Eaton says. The narrative, as it’s taken hold, paints a clear distinction between Democrats and Republicans on this issue.
For a Democratic party seeking to reinvigorate its increasingly apathetic base after what Dr. Cornel West calls “a Wall Street and drone presidency,” this is a great branding opportunity. One of Obama’s first decisions in office was to immunize torturers. However, with a Republican Congressional majority imminent, this is a perfect chance for the soon-to-be-helpless Democrats to act like they’d been champions of transparency all along.
For those who remember the now-ancient years of Bush’s second term, the reason proffered to vote for Democratic representatives in 2006 was to stop the Bush agenda. Then, Democrats still couldn’t do anything without a Democrat in the White House. Once Americans gave the Democratic party the veto-proof Democratic supermajority that they needed for some sweet Change, they discovered that relatively little could get done in the face of Republican intransigence. Increasing numbers of Americans see little hope in the two-party system, but the torture report provides a golden opportunity for the Democrats to burnish their image anew.
The report puts torture back in the contested category it once enjoyed. Democrats can once again compel their supporters to go to the polls to vote against torture and in favor of transparency—just like they did in 2006 and 2008, and by recycling the exact same rhetoric. That Hillary Clinton is making a public show of denouncing torture and praising the report’s release is a sign that this is exactly what’s going to happen. Clinton, who supported torture and is “a walking profanity” embodying the worst American corporatism and imperialism, signals that the Democrats are interested in play-act opposition to torture once again, after years of tacit approval.
Beyond just the Democrat/Republican modality, the torture report is functioning as a whitewash for the entire American project. There’s the predictable “rally ‘round the flag” effect—the idea that only America could produce a work of decency and introspection like a report on its own torture program.
Then there’s the hand-wringing over how aberrant torture is—how America lost its way—and accompanying appeals to return to an imagined past. “When I was growing up,” a typical missive goes, “Americans thought of torture as a tactic used by history’s villains.” It’s true, America thought of torture as a uniquely evil tactic, while committing it covertly and teaching it to its proxies. While the author of the above passage was growing up, learning that torture was the sole domain of dictators and terrorists, the US was exporting torture expertise throughout the Southern Cone.
Torture has been with the US since its foundation—what could the treatment of African slaves be called besides that? Overseas torture programs also date back at least to the counterinsurgency to subjugate the Philippines at the birth of the 20th century. So the idea that the CIA torture program was a unique, momentary evil that erupted from the minds of Dick “work the dark side” Cheney and John “the President can crush a baby’s testicles” Yoo serves to conveniently whitewash America’s history as a white supremacist and imperial entity. The release of the torture report is propagating these narratives even as it seems to challenge power.
An Erasure of Substantive Leftist Beliefs
Adolph Reed has written about how one of the ideological functions of neoliberalism is to erase substance from politics, and leave only empty signifiers. “Being a progressive is now more a matter of how one thinks about oneself than what one stands for or does in the world.” The Snowden drama was remarkable for how much it divorced substantive leftist politics from a position called “leftist.” Leftists went to the mattresses for a journalist’s right to redact, hoard, and genuflect to NatSec concerns. “Marxists, anarchists, libertarians and Occupy activists now call a billionaire by his first name”:Pierre. The Snowden leaks told the left some information about bulk collection in exchange for dragging it rightward.
The torture report is so far succeeding in erasing more of the left. Anthony Romero, the executive director of the ACLU, published a New York Times op-ed calling for Obama to pardon the Bush administration. “If the choice is between a tacit pardon and a formal one, a formal one is better. An explicit pardon would lay down a marker, signaling to those considering torture in the future that they could be prosecuted.” Besides the obvious inversion of reality evinced by Romero’s position, and the childish treatment of “the law” as some supernatural Platonic construct, it’s literally the ACLU advocating pardons for war crimes. Stephen Walt reiterated this position in a Foreign Policy piece that compared Chelsea Manning to Dick Cheney. A few days later, he tweeted this:
Holiday thought: try to imagine how the world looks to your opponents. They are probably as certain they are right as you are. #empathy
— Stephen Walt (@stephenWalt) December 24, 2014
Merry Christmas, torturers. #empathy
A few days after Romero’s op-ed, the ACLU published a piece titled “CIA Agents Said ‘No’ to Torture.” The reason people are discussing the torture report is because CIA personnel said “yes” to torture, but the ACLU is here to remind Americans that #NotAllSpies chose to commit this offense to human dignity. These case officers and analysts the ACLU is celebrating held fast to their day jobs assassinating people, subverting foreign democracy, or otherwise manifesting “the ruling class’s determination to retain power and privilege.”
Those who did torture were, shockingly, not even trained torturers. This is according to one narrative that’s cropped up, echoed by progressive outlets like Mother Jones and lawyers for prisoners’ rights group Reprieve. Deferring to the state’s euphemisms for torture, Mother Jones says that “Extreme interrogations…went on for more than three months before CIA officers received any sort of training in the new techniques from anyone.” For some, evidently, the problem is that CIA torturers hadn’t been briefed on proper torture techniques. This probably resulted in total amateur mistakes like threatening to murder their mothers instead of sisters, or blasting Metallica for 8 hours when they should’ve been blaring Marilyn Manson. Maybe liberal outlets were too quick to pounce on the $80 million payments to those two torture psychologists, since there were too few torture-professionals rather than too many.
Whatever the celebrity left believes their positions to be, many of their concerns don’t seem particularly left-wing. Even less than a month into the torture report drama, we’ve seen calls for pardons, celebrations of CIA spies, and a focus on improper torture techniques and insufficiently trained torturers. With heroes like Feinstein and McCain at the center of this, there’s no rightward boundary for how far the left can slide.
The Fetishizing of Information
In the end, the fetish for information above all else is reified. If only the public learns the truth, if only the lawyers who overwhelmingly staff human rights groups have more direct evidence, something will change. Each revelatory event is also presented as the proverbial Big One, restarting the cycle from scratch. There have been diminishing returns, but the salesmanship is just as enthusiastic.
Shahid Buttar, the executive director of the Bill of Rights Defense Committee, called the torture report “the most important document revealing crimes of the intelligence agencies since the Pentagon Papers.” The Snowden leaks, Wikileaks and Cablegate, the Washington Post’s “Top Secret America”—all these events didn’t accomplish much since this is the event we’ve been waiting for. Buttar harkens back to the Pentagon Papers, which have become the Ur-Leak Event in all these conversations. Daniel Ellsberg himself adds to the mystique of each event by coming out and saying he’s been waiting his whole life for it (free idea for The Onion: “Daniel Ellsberg can’t remember all the people who are the next Daniel Ellsberg”).
The narrative that This Is The Leak Event We’ve Been Waiting For serves to keep the public interested in supporting leftish groups like the ACLU, whose lawyers can now meet standing requirements and prepare the relevant briefs. It also resets the clock, convincing a new group of people that justice is imminent while the ruling class manages increasingly favorable outcomes. The Snowden spectacle worked out so well that the torture report offers more reactionary ideas for even less new information.
The idea that information itself, especially information you’re not supposed to possess, is its own good is an article of faith. There’s additional pressure because pointing out that revelatory information is already publicly available is associated with the political right. When someone points out that the information isn’t “new,” it’s usually a crass attempt at smarmy self-promotion or a diversionary tactic from a party with some stake in derailing the inquiry (Mark Ames once wrote “you can always tell a paid troll by their ‘nothing new here’ nonsense”).
However, the left can’t embrace these events without interrogating them more than is going on now. As it stands, the ruling class is being strengthened by these spectacles, and seeing their power further entrenched. Most insidiously, with each info-drama, the left is being purged of actual leftist substance. The idea that’s reflexively invoked, “at least now we know,” is wrong—there’s more than that going on. As Chris Floyd said:
Yet revelations of these machinations, of government/corporate crime or “excesses,” have made no difference. Nothing changes, because the commanding heights of politics and media are in the hands of people deeply committed to preserving the system that gives them wealth and power.
We live in an age of revelation. There has never been era in which so much clear and glaring evidence of so many horrific crimes and abuses by state and private power has been so widely and freely available. Year after year, the revelations pile up. None of it makes any difference. Instead, power doubles down.
The truth alone might not set us free. Powerful entities are working to see it does nothing, or even make us less free in the end.
Update: additional reading– “Liberals vs. Radicals on the Power of Information“
Amnesty International, Avaaz, Center for American Progress, Human Rights Watch, Humanitarian Agencies, Imperialist Wars/Occupations, National Endowment for Democracy [NED], Social Engineering, USAID, Whiteness & Aversive Racism
Amnesty International Avaaz Center for American Progress (CAP) Chad CIA DarfurGenocide.org Democratic Republic of the Congo ENOUGH Project Horn of Africa Human Rights Watch National Endowment for Democracy (NED) northern Uganda Oxfam Pax Americana Regime Change Res Publica Ricken Patel Somalia Sudan Tom Perriello UNHCR USAID “Responsibility to Protect”
Enough of CIA’s ‘Enough Project’ in Africa! [Avaaz, International Crisis Group, Center for American Progress]
Libya360 | Internationalist News Agency
Cross-posted from TeleSUR
By Thomas C. Mountain
The “Enough Project” claims it’s mission is to prevent genocide in Africa, but has been conspicuously silent when it comes to the genocidal famine in Somalia.
WKOG editor: As people finally become aware of Avaaz – as a key instrument of empire – watch for the Enough Project which could, if embraced by the public, become the new NGO assigned to create acquiescence for the destabilization of targeted countries. The Enough Project was co-founded by the Center for American Progress (see below) and the International Crisis Group in 2007. Key partners include Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, Oxfam and UNHCR. Enough is a project of the New Venture Fund, and is based in Washington, DC. Its co-founders are John Prendergast (former Director for African Affairs at the National Security Council) and Gayle Smith (current administrator of the United States Agency for International Development).
“ENOUGH operates under the umbrella of the Democratic Party’s corporate funded propaganda and influence peddling operation, The Center for American Progress (CAP).” Former Democratic congressman and Avaaz co-founder Tom Perriello served as President and CEO of the Center for American Progress Action Fund and as a Counselor for Policy at Center for American Progress until July of 2015 when he was appointed Special Envoy for the African Great Lakes and the Congo-Kinshasa by the White House.
“The Enough Project focuses on Africa” – Sudan, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, northern Uganda, and the Horn of Africa.
The Enough Project has worked hand-in-hand with Avaaz in the past.
Perriello and Avaaz co-founder Ricken Patel also co-founded and co-directed DarfurGenocide.org which officially launched in 2004. “DarfurGenocide.org is a project of Avaaz co-founder Res Publica, a group of public sector professionals dedicated to promoting good governance and virtuous civic cultures.”Today, this organization is now known as “Darfurian Voices”: “Darfurian Voices is a project of 24 Hours for Darfur.” The U.S. Department of State and the Open Society Institute were just two of the organization’s funders and collaborating partners. Other Darfurian Voices partners include Avaaz, the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), International Centre for Transitional Justice, Darfur Rehabilitation Project, Humanity United, Darfur People’s Association of New York, Genocide Intervention, Witness, Yale Law School, The Sigrid Rausing Trust and the Bridgeway Foundation. Of all the listed partners of DarfurGenocide.org, with the exception of one located in London, England, all of the entities involved are American and based on U.S. soil.
Despite the carefully crafted language and images that tug at your emotions, such NGOs were created for and exist for one primary purpose – to protect and further American policy and interests, under the guise of philanthropy and humanitarianism.
Enough of the CIA’s “Enough Project” in Africa!
EP, as it is known, was founded by senior U.S. Intel “spook” Gayle Smith, former Senior Director of the National Security Council under President Obama and now head of the USAID/CIA.
Today EP is headed by Ms. Smith’s protégé John Prendergast whose history as head of EP is one of subterfuge and lies in service to Pax Americana.
EP claims it’s mission is to prevent genocide in Africa, as in the name “Enough Project”, yet has been conspicuously silent when it comes to the genocidal famine in Somalia during the Great Horn of Africa Drought in 2011-12 where 250,000 Somali children starved to death.
Recently George Clooney was enjoying 15 minutes of fame as a humanitarian claiming to have exposed massive corruption in South Sudan when he should have been warning the world of the U.N.’s next genocide in Somalia as in 300,000 starving children. Soon the genocide in Somalia will hit its peak with hundreds, up to 1,000 children a day dying from hunger with only a deafening silence emanating from the CIA’s Enough Project.
EP, with support from its big brother the Center for American Progress, only once in its history raised a real genocide, that back in 2007-8 when Gayle Smith was out to political pasture, she being a rabid democrat during the Bush Jr. years in office. Then she was part of the Democrat “opposition” to the Bush regime and oh so briefly raised the food and medical aid blockade in the Ogaden in Ethiopia, where the only instance of both the Red Cross and Doctors Without Borders being expelled from a famine stricken region has been allowed.
Once Ms. Smith jumped on the Obama For President bandwagon, no further mention of the genocide in the Ogaden was heard.
Today EP is proving its loyalty to Pax Americana by playing huckster for regime change in South Sudan, as in denying China access to African oil via the invasion of “peacekeepers” in the name of Responsibility To Protect of Libyan infamy. The USA has abandoned former “rebel leader” Riek Machar in favor of direct military intervention by the U.N. and the USA’s gendarme in Africa, the African Union.
The Chinese have started to expand their oil production so expect to hear louder cries of outrage from the likes of EP about various crimes and even “genocide” in South Sudan followed by demands for more foreign military intervention in the country.
With all their lies and subterfuge, don’t you think that we here in Africa have had enough of the CIA’s Enough Project?
[Thomas C. Mountain is an independent journalist in Eritrea living and reporting from here since 2006.]
Imperialist Pimps of Militarism, Protectors of the Oligarchy, Trusted Facilitators of War | Part IV
US Behind Massacres in Beni, Congo
http://www.anngarrison.com/audio/creating-south-sudan-george-clooney-john-prendergast-and-george-w-bush
The International Campaign to Destabilize Bolivia, USAID
Bolivia Bolivian School of Heroes (EHB) CIA Destabilizations Foundation for Leadership and Integral Development (FULIDEI) Global Transformation Network (RTG) Peter Brennan USAID ZunZuneo service “Cuban Twitter”
The US Is Preparing to Oust President Evo Morales
By Nil Nikandrov
US intelligence agencies have ramped up their operations intended to remove Bolivian President Evo Morales from office. All options are on the table, including assassination. Barack Obama, who sees the weakening of Latin America’s “hostile bloc of populist states” as one of his administration’s foreign-policy victories, intends to buoy this success before stepping down.
Washington also feels under the gun in Bolivia because of China’s successful expansion in the country. Morales is steadily strengthening his financial, economic, trade, and military relationship with Beijing. Chinese businesses in La Paz are thriving – making investments and loans and taking part in projects to secure a key position for Bolivia in the modernization of the continent’s transportation industry. In the next 10 years, thanks to Bolivia’s plentiful gas reserves, that country will become the energy hub of South America. Evo Morales sees his country’s development as his top priority, and the Chinese, unlike the Americans, have always viewed Bolivia as an ally and partner in a relationship that eschews double standards.
The US embassy in La Paz has been without an ambassador since 2008. He was declared persona non grata because of his subversive activities. The interim chargé d’affaires is currently Peter Brennan, and pointed questions have been raised about what agency he truly works for. He was previously stationed in Pakistan, where “difficult decisions” had to be made about assassinations, but most of his career has been spent handling Latin American countries. In particular, Brennan was responsible for introducing the ZunZuneo service into Cuba (an illegal program dubbed the “Cuban Twitter”). USAID fronted this CIA program, under the innocent pretext of helping to inform Cubans about cultural and sporting events and other international news. Once ZunZuneo was in place, there were plans to use this program to mobilize the population in preparation for a “Cuban Spring”. When reading about Brennan one often encounters the phrase – “dark horse”. He is used to getting what he wants, at any cost, and his tight deadline in Bolivia (before the end of Obama’s presidency) is forcing Brennan to take great risks.
Previously, Brennan had “distinguished himself” during the run-up to the referendum on allowing President Evo Morales to run for reelection in 2019, as well as during the vote itself. To encourage “no” votes, the US embassy mobilized its entire propaganda machine, roused to action the NGOs under its control, and allocated considerable additional funds for the staging of protests. It is telling that many of those culminated in the burning of photographs of Morales wearing his presidential sash. A record-setting volley of dirt was fired at the president. Accusations of corruption were the most common, although Morales has always been open about his personal finances. It would have been hard to pin ownership of “$43 billion in offshore accounts” on him, as was done to Hugo Chávez and Fidel Castro.
Brennan also has agreements in place with Washington about other operations to compromise the Bolivian president. An attack was launched by the CIA agent Carlos Valverde Bravo, a well-known TV journalist and former agent with Bolivia’s security services. In his Feb. 3 program he accused Morales’s former companion, Gabriela Zapata, the commercial manager of the Chinese company CAMC Engineering Co, of orchestrating shady business deals worth $500 million. Insinuations simultaneously began circulating on the Internet about the Bolivian president’s involvement in those, although Morales completely broke ties with Zapata back in 2007 and has spared no individual, regardless of name and rank, in his battle against corruption.
The “exposés” staged by the US embassy continued until the day of the referendum itself on Feb. 21, 2016. The “no” votes prevailed, despite the favorable trend that had been indicated in the voter polls. Morales accepted defeat with his Indian equanimity, but in his statements after the referendum he was clear that the US embassy had waged a hostile campaign.
The investigation into Gabriela Zapata revealed that she had capitalized on her previous relationship with Morales to further her career. She was offered a position with the Chinese company CAMC and took possession of a luxury home in an upscale neighborhood in La Paz, making a big show of her “closeness” to the Bolivian leader, although he played no role in any of this. This was the same reason she tried to initiate a business and personal relationship with the president’s chief of staff, Juan Ramón Quintana. He has categorically denied having ever met Zapata.
Gradually, all the CIA’s fabricated evidence disintegrated. Zapata is now testifying, and her lawyer has holed up abroad because his contacts with the Americans have been exposed. The American agent Valverde Bravo has fled to Argentina. Accusations against Morales are being hurled from there with renewed vigor. The attack continues. It’s all quite logical: a continually repeated lie is an effective weapon in this newest generation of information warfare. The latest example was the ouster of Dilma Rousseff, who was accused of corruption by officials whom her government had identified as corrupt!
The US military has been increasing its presence in Bolivia in recent months. For example, Colonel Felando Pierre Thigpen visited the department of Santa Cruz, where there are strong separatist leanings. Thigpen is known to be involved in a joint program between the Pentagon and CIA to recruit and train potential personnel for American intelligence. In commentary by Bolivian bloggers and in publications about Thigpen, it isnoted that the colonel was dispatched to the country on the eve of events related to “the impending replacement of a government that has exhausted its potential, as well as the need to recruit alternative young personalities into the new leadership structure.” Some comments have indicated that Thigpen is overseeing the work of diplomats Peter Brennan and Erik Foronda, a media and press advisor at the US embassy.
The embassy responded by stating that Thigpen had arrived in Bolivia “at his own initiative”, but it is no secret that he was invited to “work with youth” by NGOs that coordinate their activities with the Americans: the Foundation for Leadership and Integral Development (FULIDEI), the Global Transformation Network (RTG), the Bolivian School of Heroes (EHB), and others. So Thigpen’s work is not being improvised, but is rather a direct challenge to Morales’s government. Domestically, the far-right party Christian Democratic Party provides him with political cover.
The US plans to destabilize Bolivia – which were provided to Evo Morales’s government by an unnamed friendly country – include a step-by-step chronogram of the actions plotted by the Americans. For example: “To spark hunger strikes and mass mobilizations and to stir up conflicts within universities, civil organizations, indigenous communities, and varied social circles, as well as within government institutions. To strike up acquaintances with both active-duty and retired military officers, with the goal of undercutting the government’s credibility within the armed forces. It is absolutely essential to train the military for a crisis scenario, so that in an atmosphere of growing social conflict they will lead an uprising against the regime and support the protests in order to ensure a peaceful transition to democracy.”
The program’s first fruits have been the emergence of social protests (recent marches by disabled citizens were staged at the suggestion of the American embassy), although Evo Morales’s administration has evinced more concern for the interests of Bolivians on a limited income than any other government in the history of Bolivia.
The scope of the operation to oust President Morales – financed and directed by US intelligence agencies – continues to expand. The Americans’ biggest adversary in Latin America has been sentenced to a fate of “neutralization”. Speaking out against Evo Morales, the radical opposition has openly alluded to the fact that it has been a long time since the region has seen a really newsworthy air crash involving a politician who was hostile to Washington…
© Unless otherwise indicated, all materials published are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 Unported License.
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Who were the Young Lords and Where did the the Young Lords come from?
The Young Lords were a Puerto Rican student activist group in New York City in the 1960s.
Through protests and demonstrations, they forced the city to pay attention to the educational needs of young Puerto Ricans. They forced a shutdown of the City University of New York in 1969.
They helped bring about the creation of Puerto Rican studies programs and student organizations at various colleges.
Where does Crack Cocaine come from and How do Drug Lords make crack?
What is the difference between a House and a Manor and when did feudal Lords and Barons live in them?
Were the Arabian Nights stories really told to save a king's young wife from execution?
Where Did the Term "Flapper" For Young Women in the 1920s Come From and What Does the Word Mean?
What Does the Word "Scallywag" Mean and Where Did the Term For a Young Scamp Rascal Come From?
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Dubai entrepreneur picked to compete in Amazon Prime reality TV series
Dubai entrepreneur Briar Prestidge has been selected from thousands of business owners to compete in an Amazon Prime reality TV series about entrepreneurs.
Filmed in Montreal, The Social Movement will follow 40 entrepreneurs, CEOs and investors from around the world who together to solve socio-economic issues that are impacting the planet, including wage inequality, access to affordable health care, global warming, hunger and homelessness.
In teams, the contestants will be paired with not-for-profit organisations to create a business strategy, and will have to overcome a series of challenges and pitching rounds.
Following an ultimate “pitch off” in front of an audience, the winning team’s not-for-profit will win the investment prize and The Social Movement team will return for season 2 to defend their crown.
Following the announcement, Prestidge, founder and CEO of PR agency, fashion and sunglasses label, author and producer of live talk show event, said: “I’m excited to be selected for this opportunity and I want to thank my mentors, clients, partners and my team for their continued support over the years. I’m going on the show determined to make a positive impact and to encourage other young, aspiring entrepreneurs to create something meaningful that positively impacts the future of humanity.
"I feel honoured to have been selected for this opportunity to represent the UAE startup ecosystem and I’m going into the competition determined to make a lasting impact."
A digital marketer and communications professional, she grew up in a small town in New Zealand called Darfield, prior to an international career that spans across Dubai, New York, London and Australia.
Through her PR agency, Briar Prestidge International, she builds influencial online-offline brands. She is also the founder of a corporate fashion and sunglasses label, and is the host of popular live talk show event in Dubai, The Deals in High Heels Show.
For all the latest business news from the UAE and Gulf countries, follow us on Twitter and Linkedin, like us on Facebook and subscribe to our YouTube page, which is updated daily.
You are here: HomeNewsDubai entrepreneur picked to compete in Amazon Prime reality TV series
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« New "Bachelorette" Begins Monday Night | Main | Mariah Carey Jokes Through NYC Wardrobe Snafu on "GMA" »
Randy Jackson: Why He’s Leaving “American Idol”
Warwick Saint / FOX(TAMPA, Fla.) -- After 12 seasons of countless auditions, performances and lots of drama involving the judges themselves, American Idol judge Randy Jackson is leaving the show, saying his long stint had run its course.
When the longest-tenured judge announced his departure from America’s stage earlier this month, rumors rapidly ran wild. But Jackson confirms to ABC News’ Bianna Golodryga that he was not forced out, nor was he kicked off the show.
Golodryga caught up with Jackson at the MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Fla., where he’s meeting the troops and donating guitars from his home shopping network guitar collection.
“You know, a bit of what I’ve done on Idol for 12 seasons is that same sort of thing. I love inspiring people,” said Jackson.
His response begged the question of why, then, Jackson would give up being on the show now.
“I don’t think it’s a ‘Why give it up now?” Jackson said. “I just think that I’ve been through a lot of iterations of the show.”
“If you think back 12 seasons ago when it was you, Paula, Simon, did you ever think that that sort of bond and chemistry was possible on television?” Golodryga asked.
Jackson’s answer was simple: “We got so lucky. Anybody that says that they knew that this show was going to be a hit, knew that we were going to gel together is lying. None of us really knew. We hit the jackpot.”
He added, “It was definitely a little hard to take” when the original judging group disbanded, “Because we rode to the dance together. And we made the dance what the dance was.”
He also avoiding the question of whether Abdul and Simon were ever anything more than friends.
“Paula and Simon, you must be getting ready for the book I’m planning to write,” Jackson joked. “Listen, I think Paula and Simon, it was never anything there. But you know, we often had fun. It was almost, like, I call Idol a romper room for adults.”
It was that early romper that helped make the show the most-watched program on television week after week. But in recent seasons, the Idol ratings have dropped by double digits.
Over the 12-year span, Jackson has shared the panel with a total of nine different judges.
“I really have always felt that people made too much of the judges and not enough of the talent,” said Jackson.
And as for what’s next for “The Dog,” he said, “I may be on some other shows. You never know.”
Friday, May 24, 2013 at 10:27AM by James Grebey Permalink
tagged Randy Jackson, american idol in Celebrities
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Stuart, John McDouall (1815–1866)
by Deirdre Morris
John McDouall Stuart (1815-1866), by unknown photographer
State Library of South Australia, SLSA: B 501
John McDouall Stuart (1815-1866), explorer, was born on 7 September 1815 at Dysart, Fife, Scotland, fifth son of William Stuart, army captain, and his wife Mary, née McDouall. Educated at the Scottish Naval and Military Academy, Edinburgh, in 1838 he decided to migrate to South Australia. He arrived in the Indus in January 1839 and joined a surveying party. Having had a taste of the outback, in 1844 he accepted Charles Sturt's offer to join a party exploring the centre of the continent. The seventeen-month journey revealed only desolation, but Stuart now knew the problems of exploring waterless regions with a large expedition: he had seen fatal scurvy at close hand, had observed the Aboriginals and, having drawn many of the maps, had become familiar with the topography of the centre.
In 1846-58 Stuart practised as a surveyor, had an estate agency and spent some time at Port Lincoln. With financial help from William Finke, Stuart set out on 14 May 1858 with an assistant, an Aboriginal tracker and provisions for four weeks to explore beyond Lake Torrens and Lake Gairdner and to look for grazing land. He travelled as far as Coober Pedy before turning south and then west. The Aboriginal left them on 3 August, and with supplies and water almost exhausted and the horses lame they struggled into T. M. Gibson's outstation at Streaky Bay on 22 August. After ten days rest Stuart returned to Adelaide to an enthusiastic welcome. He had discovered 40,000 sq. miles (103,600 km²) of possible sheep country at minimal cost. He gave his diary and maps to the South Australian government and was granted a lease of 1000 sq. miles (2590 km²) of the new country.
In 1859 Finke and James Chambers financed another expedition. Leaving in April with four others, Stuart travelled 500 miles (805 km) blazing a trail with sufficient water for a permanent route north. On 4 November he set out on his third expedition and spent six weeks surveying new runs. In the Davenport Range he found signs of gold; after three weeks fruitless prospecting his men rebelled and the party returned to Chambers Creek where all but William Kekwick were paid off. He set off again on 2 March 1860 with two men and thirteen horses. Most of their provisions were soon spoilt by floods, and when the party reached the freshwater creek that Stuart named after Finke on 4 April, they were suffering from scurvy and he had lost the sight of his right eye. They followed the Finke to the mountains that Stuart named after Governor Sir Richard Macdonnell and headed north again, naming Anna's Reservoir after Chambers' youngest daughter; on 22 April he camped where he calculated the centre of the continent to be. Two miles (3.2 km) away he named Central Mount Sturt (later changed to Stuart) and planted a flag as 'a sign to the natives that the dawn of liberty, civilization and Christianity was about to break on them'.
For the next month the party tried in vain to find a route with sufficient water to take them to the north-west. When rain fell late in May they travelled 200 miles (322 km) north to Tennant's Creek where they made a depot. Pressing on to Kekwick Ponds Stuart tried to penetrate the near-by scrub but on 25 June was forced back. Two months later the party staggered into Chambers Creek. On his return to Adelaide Stuart was fêted at a public banquet and at Government House; one newspaper urged that he be given the government reward for crossing the continent because Attack Creek, his furthest point, was only 200 miles (322 km) from explored country in the north.
At the end of 1860 the South Australian government voted £2500 to equip a large expedition to be led by Stuart. Burke and Wills had already set out to cross the continent so there was no time to lose if a South Australian party was to arrive first. On 1 January 1861 he left Chambers Creek with eleven men and reached Attack Creek late in April; with two others he discovered a way through the scrub that had defeated him before, and found Sturt's Plain. After exhausting failures to pass the plains, with their provisions low and their clothes in shreds, Stuart gave in and on 12 July turned south to reach Adelaide on 23 September. He received the 1861 gold medal of the Royal Geographical Society from the governor.
Stuart was still convinced he could cross the continent. Shopkeepers gave him supplies for a fresh party, Chambers provided the horses and saddlery, and the government gave him £200 and instructions to take a botanist Frederick Waterhouse with him. They left Adelaide at the end of October 1861 but Stuart was delayed for five weeks by an accident; he joined the party at Moolooloo station where one of the men left after a quarrel. The party reached the centre on 12 March 1862, Attack Creek on the 28th and Sturt's Plain on 15 April where they were blocked and Stuart turned to the scrub. Although they only made a mile (1.6 km) an hour and the water-bags were badly torn they arrived at Daly Waters, named after the new governor, on 28 May and made camp for two weeks. His endurance was beginning to falter, but on 24 July they forced their way through a thick belt of scrub and came upon the Indian Ocean. Many of the horses were so weak they had to be abandoned on the way back. Ill with scurvy and nearly blind, Stuart had to be carried on a stretcher slung between two horses; recovering sufficiently to ride by the time they reached Mount Margaret on 26 November, he pushed on with three of the party and arrived in Adelaide on 17 December. On a public holiday on 21 January 1863, crowds lined the streets amid banners strung from buildings. He was awarded £2000, though allowed only the interest from it, and his party received £1500 between them.
White-haired, exhausted and nearly blind, Stuart decided to visit his sister in Scotland and sailed in April 1864. He later went to London. His claims for a greater reward from the South Australian government led to another £1000, again with only the interest. His Explorations in Australia. The Journals of John McDouall Stuart was edited by W. Hardman and published in 1864. He died of ramolissement and cerebral effusion on 5 June 1866 in London and was buried in the Kensal Green cemetery. He has remained a controversial figure, lonely and independent, with a fierce pride. His reputation as a heavy drinker has led detractors to minimize his achievements, even to the extent of doubting that he reached the Indian Ocean in 1862, though the tree he had marked with JMDS was positively identified in 1883 and photographed in 1885.
B. Threadgill, South Australian Land Exploration 1856 to 1880, vol 1 (Adel, 1922)
D. Pike, John McDouall Stuart (Melb, 1958)
M. S. Webster, John McDouall Stuart (Melb, 1958)
T. G. H. Strehlow, Comments on the Journals of John McDouall Stuart (Adel, 1967)
I. Mudie, The Heroic Journey of John McDouall Stuart (Syd, 1968)
W. Hardman (ed), The Journals of John McDouall Stuart During the Years 1858, 1859, 1860, 1861 & 1862, When He Fixed the Centre of the Continent and Successfully Crossed it from Sea to Sea (Adel, 1975)
Parliamentary Papers (South Australia), 1858, 1, 39, 49, 2, 114, 119, 148, 1859, 1 (21), 2 (148), 1861, 2 (65), 3 (169), 1862, 2 (219), 1863, 1, 6-21, 2 (21), Parliamentary Papers (House of Assembly, South Australia), 1865, 98, 106
M. S. Webster, ‘John McDouall Stuart: His Character and Personal Qualities’, Proceedings of the Royal Geographical Society of Australasia: South Australian Branch, 62 (1960-61)
M. Quick, ‘John McDouall Stuart’, Journal and Proceedings(Royal Australian Historical Society), 49 (1963)
Examiner (Melbourne), 5, 19 Oct 1861, 21 Mar 1863
Governor's dispatches, 24 Oct 1863, 26 Apr, 21 June 1865, CO 13/112/117.
Deirdre Morris, 'Stuart, John McDouall (1815–1866)', Australian Dictionary of Biography, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/stuart-john-mcdouall-4662/text7707, published first in hardcopy 1976, accessed online 18 July 2019.
Dysart, Fife, Scotland
London, Middlesex, England
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Ethiopia/Analysis/Corruption/Human Rights/Pro Abiy rally/Crackdown on MeTEC and NISS/Africa/Law & Order/Topic of the Month
Analysis: Ethiopia crackdown on corruption, human right abuses. Everything you need to know
addisstandard / November 16, 2018 / 11k
Mahlet Fasil and Yared Tsegaye
Addis Abeba, November 16/2018 – An arrest so far of more than 60 officials, mostly from Ethiopia’s intelligence and military apparatus, which started with the arrest of 40 on Friday November 09, has led to shocking revelations by the attorney general Berhanu Tsegaye of gruesome human rights violations of Ethiopians in the hands of the security, the police and the intelligence units, and a network of corruption within the Metals and Engineering Corporation (MetEC), a state owned business monopoly managed by army officials.
The attorney general (AG) said investigations into three separate cases were conducted by the police for the last five months. These are: investigations into the bombing at the pro Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed rally in Addis Abeba on June 23/2018 ; investigations into gross human rights violations by pre-Abiy Ahmed’s EPRDF led security, intelligence and police units; as well as investigations into massive corruption networks within MeTEC.
The following recap puts into perspective all the three major investigations currently being conducted by the attorney general.
June 23 bombing
Of the three, the investigation into the bombing in Addis Abeba, which killed two and wounded more than 50, was already ongoing. The police were initially investigating a total of 18 individuals in two separate counts. The first 10 individuals were under investigation suspected of negligence in relation to security laps at the rally; while the other eight were being investigated suspected of direct involvement in the bombing. Among the ten suspected of negligence include former Addis Abeba Police deputy commissioner Girma Kassa and and ten other police officers with different ranks, many of whom, including the deputy commissioner were granted the right for bail by the federal first instance court. Among the eight suspected of direct involvement, one is Tesfaye Urgi, former anti-terrorism division head at Ethiopia’s National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS), who was detained at later date. But in the last week of September, the police have charged five of the eight, namely Birhanu Jafar, Tilahun Getachew, Getu Girma, Bahiru Tolosa and Dessalegn Tesfaye, with terrorism. despite the police’s accusations that they have found a bomb similar to the one detonated at the rally in the house of Tesfaye Urgi, prosecutors have so far failed to press charges on him, prompting the judges to issue a final ultimatum to do so for today, Nov. 16. Meanwhile, at the hearing conducted today the judges have dismissed the preliminary objections presented by the defense team of the five suspects who then have submitted a not guilty plea. And Tesfaye Urgi? The police have brought him to the court for what was expected to be filing of formal charges by prosecutors. However no charges were filed, instead the police said they now have a new file on him the nature of which is not known yet. The court adjourned another hearing for Monday Nov. 19.
In a fresh twist, the AG said on Monday that evidences show the direct involvement of the top leadership of NISS. He restrained from giving further details on the allegations, but said the attack was a coordinated act which at the core of it aimed to create the impression that, because the accused are from the ethnic Oromo background, Prime Minister Abiy’s own constituency of ethnic Oromos didn’t approve him as the prime minister of the country.
However, many consider his statement as pointing fingers at Getachew Assefa, former long time serving head of NISS who was sacked by PM Abiy Ahmed and was replaced as head of the elusive spy agency in June 2018. Getachew Assefa has since gone to reside in Mekelle, the capital of Tigray regional state. In the last week of September, Getachew was elected as one of the nine executive committee members of the TPLF, a party governing Tigray regional state.
Gross human rights violations
In a press briefing, the Attorney General Berhanu Tsegaye said that the arrests were made following five months of investigations, which he, stressing on the complexity of the case, said has extended beyond and above ethnicity, political and religious affiliations of the accused.
Unlike his reserved details on the bombing suspects, the AG went to great length to describe the investigations into the gross human rights violations. According to him, the rights violations which are all compounded in gruesome practice of torture by the security and intelligence apparatus of the state on those Ethiopians who were particularly jailed after having been accused of terrorism offenses and opposition political party members.
Narrowing down the allegations into the practice of torture, the attorney general pointed out that its investigations have uncovered that the practice was not only limited to prison cells, but also seven illegal private detention facilities found in the capital Addis Abeba alone.
The AG’s allegations are familiar tales for Ethiopians which were out in the open especially following the mass release in February this year of thousands of prisoners of conscience. What came as a chilling experience for many, however, was to hear the AG admit publicly what every Ethiopian knows inside out. He went on describing torture methods, including but not limited to, removing fingernails, inserting pen on suspects’ noses, leaving suspects overnight tied to trees and naked, electric shock, hanging bottles of water on male genitals, gang raping women and sodomizing male suspects, using pliers to pull male genitals, and waterboarding.
Main suspects of these chilling allegations are mostly drawn from the country’s top spy agency, the National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS – both for federal and regional states), and prison police. Top in this list is Yared Zerihun, former deputy head of NISS and Commissioner General of the federal police commission, the later a stint which lasted from April 19 to June 06/2018. Yared was appointed to lead the federal police by PM Abiy Ahmed during his first cabinet reshuffle in April but resigned in June citing ill health. Although he tops the list, Yared was apprehended on Thursday Nov. 15 in what the police said was a hotel room in Dukem, 30 km south of Addis Abeba while trying to escape.
The number of suspects in this category as of yet stands at 37. But the AG implied this number could grow once those on the run and those who have fled the country are apprehended.
Massive corruption
At the heart of the investigations into massive corruption is the state owned Metals & Engineering Corporation (MetEC), which was first set up in 2010 and took huge stakes in the construction of Ethiopia’s multi-billion dollar state owned mega projects including the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, ten sugar factories, and a fertilizer factory. The AG accuse MeTEC officials that between 2012 and 2018 only they have made international procurement worth 37 billion birr (around US$2 billion) without proper tender where relatives of the MeTEC officials and those within their networks appeared as the bigger players while the projects the it took faced unprecedented delays.
Major among this scandal are the purchase by MeTEC of two outdated ships from the Ethiopian Shipping Lines (now renamed Ethiopian Shipping & Logistics Services Enterprise) and dozens of old aircraft which were used for private purposes among the former officials, including its CEO Major General Kinfe Dagnew. One of these aircraft has now vanished, with its whereabouts suspected to be in Egypt.
Mismanagement of funds and corruption within MeTEC was a target of a series of reporting by the independent Wazema Radio, an Amharic podcast established by exiled Ethiopian journalists, in the weeks preceding the AG’s crackdown. However, a simultaneous release of two hours documentary by major state owned broadcast media, including the national broadcaster, ETV, narrating some of the major misdeeds within MeTEC has left Ethiopians in shock, despite raising ethical questions on the presumption of innocence until proven guilty.
The 63 suspects who were arrested during the weekend of November 09 have all appeared at the federal high court 10th criminal bench in the capital Addis Abeba for a pre-trial hearing on Monday November 12 which lasted until 9 PM local time. The court has denied all suspects the right to bail and has granted the police 14 days to remand and investigate all.
Monday’s trial was followed by dramatic arrests of high level officials from MeTEC and NISS, Major General Kinfe Dagnew and Yared Zerihun on November 13 and 15 respectively. The pre-trial hearing for M.G. Kinfe Dagnew & six others, including his brother Esayas Dagnew, Chief Operation Officer of the state monopoly Ethio Telecom until June 2018 when he was sacked, Fistum Yeshitila, a former entertainment news anchor at the national broadcaster ETV took place within two days at the federal court 10th criminal bench. Judges have denied M.G Kinfe’s request for public defenders after the police said they have evidence of a recent money deposit & withdrawal by the general amounting 100, 000 birr. The police also argued that Major General Kinfe has a bank deposit at Awash Bank amounting 5, 335 birr, as well as a house and private car and therefore he should not be eligible for public defenders, an argument the defendant denied all together. “I have nothing, no house no car, no property; all I have is my own self,” M.G Kinfe said. The court has however allowed his brother Isayas Dagnew to get public defenders and adjourned the next pre-trial hearing until Nov. 19/ 2018.
Similarly, a pre-trial hearing at the federal Court 10th criminal bench today, the police accused Yared Zerihun of gross human rights abuse & corruption. Yared is also accused of collaborating with the former head of NISS, Getachew Assefa, now treated as fugitive after a warrant is issued for his arrest.
The police have accused Yared of ordering prison police to torture prisoners such as having them attacked by ants, pulling their genitalia with pliers, ordering the hanging upside down of prisoners, as well as forcing them to travel to Eritrea and bring weapons to incriminate themselves. The court adjourned a hearing on Nov.20 when Yared is expected to bring his own defense lawyer.
On his part, Yared, who was detained yesterday, told the court that he has been deprived of contact with anyone outside the prison & is kept alone in a room. The police denied both & requested 14 more days to remand & investigate Yared. The court will rule on the police’s request on Nov 20.
The arrests have continued and the latest high profile official to have been arrested today was Colonel Assefa Yohannes, general manager of the defense power engineering department at MeTEC. The police accused Colonel Assefa of resigning a contract with more than US$5. 7 million between Tana Beles I Sugar factory and an unnamed Chinese company. He is also accused of helping yet another unnamed company, which signed a contract of US$ 6.4 million with MeTEC, to disappear with more than US$1.9 million of the project money. Like the rest, Colonel Assfa’s pre-trial hearing is adjourned until Monday November 19. The Colonel told the court that he too cannot afford for private defense lawyers and therefore would like to have public defenders. The court is expected to decide on his request come Monday. AS
News: Second tripartite meeting between Eritrea, Ethiopia and Somalia to take place in Amhara regional state
Commentary: Sidama-Wolayta conflict: a pristine myth turning into reality? Hoola Halaleho
The EU provides another €750 million to support peace and security efforts in Africa
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Silas Colgrove
Federal (USA)
Home State: Indiana
Command Billet: Commanding Regiment
Unit: 27th Indiana Infantry
see his Battle Report
A lawyer before the Civil War, Colgrove listed Winchester, Indiana, as his residence when he was appointed lieutenant colonel of the three-month 8th Indiana Volunteer Infantry on April 26, 1861. The 8th, under the command of Colonel William P. Benton, saw service in the (West) Virginia campaign in the battle at Rich Mountain. The remainder of their term was spent at Beverly, (West) Virginia.
Colgrove was appointed colonel of the newly formed three-year 27th Indiana Infantry in September 1861. Colgrove, a disciplinarian, was described by his men as "tyrannical," and they appealed for his resignation or removal by the Governor. In spite of their pleas, Silas Colgrove would be the only colonel of the 27th Indiana.
The 27th moved east to Washington, D.C., and then to Frederick, Maryland, where they camped during the winter of 1861-62. In the spring of 1862, Colgrove and the 27th participated in the Shenandoah Valley (Virginia) Campaign and fought in the engagements at Front Royal and Winchester. The 27th saw action at Cedar Mountain, Virginia, in August 1862.
At the battle of Antietam, the colonel was in "the thickest of the fighting" and had his horse shot from under him, but he was not injured. While fighting in Daniel Miller's famous Cornfield, his Regiment sustained casualties of nearly 50%.
The 27th was not actively engaged again until 1863 and the battle of Chancellorsville, Virginia. Colgrove sustained minor injuries at Chancellorsville and Gettysburg before serving in the Atlanta campaign. As part of General Henry Slocum's XII Corps, Colonel Colgrove and the 27th followed Robert E. Lee's Confederate army into Pennsylvania. They did not take part in the fighting at Gettysburg until the third day when Colgrove became conspicuous for his impulsive behavior. Receiving garbled orders, he understood the Confederates to be in a weakened emplacement and he ordered an attack with two Union regiments. The ill-conceived attack at Spangler Meadow resulted in the 27th Indiana losing one-third of its men and retreating into its previous position.
The XII Corps was transferred to the west in September 1863 and became part of the XX Corps under General Joseph Hooker, after wintering at Tullahoma, Tennessee. The 27th joined William T. Sherman's Atlanta campaign and lost 68 killed and wounded at the battle at Resaca, Georgia, on May 15, 1864, while inflicting a loss five times as large on the Confederates--including capture of the colors, colonel, and many men of the 38th Alabama regiment. Colonel Colgrove was seriously wounded June 22, 1864, in the battle of Peachtree Creek.
After the fall of Atlanta, a reorganization took place and the veterans of the 27th were transferred to the 70th Indiana under Benjamin Harrison.
Colonel Colgrove resigned from the service December 30, 1864, and returned to Indiana where he took part in the treason trials.
After the War
Following his service in the Civil War, Colgrove was appointed to a judgeship in Winchester and was elected president of the Cincinnati, Fort Wayne & Grand Rapids Railroad. He was elected circuit judge for Randolph and Delaware Counties in 1865 for a term of six years and was elected to an additional six-year term in 1873.
In 1888, Colgrove moved to Washington, D.C. to work for the Pension Office. His health forced him to resign in 1893. Silas Colgrove died January 13, 1907, in Lake Kerr, Florida. It is believed he was cremated, and his ashes scattered over Lake Kerr.
Information here from a Bio Sketch at Indiana in the Civil War, and another at Civil War Indiana.
5/24/1816; Woodhull, NY
1/13/1907 Lake Kerr, FL
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atomicsoda // newcastle united / one place for all the interviews, quotes, news, blogs
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Hungarian Officials Can Now Censor the Media
Posted by News Fetcher on January 01 '11 at 12:45 PM
By Soulskill from Slashdot's deptartment:
An anonymous reader writes "Hungary is set to regulate the media, including web-published content, under a new law applicable today. The law requires all the media to provide a 'balanced view' and must not go against 'public morality,' and places all publications under the control of a new regulating body, whose top members have all been nominated by Prime Minister Viktor Orban. Orban, whose strong ways have been compared to Putin's, has been tightening his grip over Hungary. 'In the seven months since Orban came to power with a two-thirds parliamentary majority, he has implemented retroactive taxes in violation of the constitution, curbed the Constitutional Court's power, effectively nationalized private pension funds and put ruling-party allies in charge of at least four independent institutions, including the audit office.' Citizens sentenced in application of the new law can still challenge it at the European Court of Human Rights — see you in a few years."
Has the Industrialized World Reached Peak Travel?
Posted by News Fetcher on January 01 '11 at 11:30 AM
Harperdog sends this excerpt from Miller-McCune: "A study (abstract) of eight industrialized countries, including the United States, shows that seemingly inexorable trends — ever more people, more cars and more driving — came to a halt in the early years of the 21st century, well before the recent escalation in fuel prices. It could be a sign, researchers said, that the demand for travel and the demand for car ownership in those countries has reached a saturation point. 'With talk of "peak oil," why not the possibility of "peak travel" when a clear plateau has been reached?' asked co-author Lee Schipper ... Most of the eight countries in the study have experienced declines in miles traveled by car per capita in recent years. The US appears to have peaked at an annual 8,100 miles by car per capita, and Japan is holding steady at 2,500 miles."
Replacing Traditional Storage, Databases With In-Memory Analytics
storagedude writes "Traditional databases and storage networks, even those sporting high-speed solid state drives, don't offer enough performance for the real-time analytics craze sweeping corporations, giving rise to in-memory analytics, or data mining performed in memory without the limitations of the traditional data path. The end result could be that storage and databases get pushed to the periphery of data centers and in-memory analytics becomes the new critical IT infrastructure. From the article: 'With big vendors like Microsoft and SAP buying into in-memory analytics to solve Big Data challenges, the big question for IT is what this trend will mean for the traditional data center infrastructure. Will storage, even flash drives, be needed in the future, given the requirement for real-time data analysis and current trends in design for real-time data analytics? Or will storage move from the heart of data centers and become merely a means of backup and recovery for critical real-time apps?'"
Ubisoft's Draconian DRM Patched?
An anonymous reader writes "It appears that Ubisoft's controversial DRM scheme launched last year that required players to have a permanent connection to the Internet has been patched to no longer stop the game when connectivity drops, though an Internet connection is still required when starting the game."
Zimbabwe Gov't Websites Hit By Pro-WikiLeaks DDoS Attack
An anonymous reader writes "Pro-WikiLeaks hacktivists have struck a blow against the-powers-that-be in Zimbabwe, bringing down three government websites through distributed denial-of-service attacks. The attacks appear to be in support of newspapers who published secret cables in the ongoing WikiLeaks saga, to the annoyance of the country's leadership. Grace Mugabe, wife of Zimbabwe president Robert Mugabe, was recently reported to be suing a newspaper for $15 million after it published a WikiLeaks cable that claimed she has benefited from illegal diamond trading. The Zimbabwe government's online portal at www.gta.gov.zw and the official ZANU-PF website continue to be offline, and the Finance Ministry's website now displays a message saying it is under maintenance."
Apple Privacy Concerns Go To Court
An anonymous reader writes "From the article: 'Apple is being sued for allegedly letting mobile apps on the iPhone and iPad send personal information to ad networks without the consent of users.' Some of the apps listed are on the Android Market as well, but there is no mention of a similar problem for Google. One wonders if Apple could be persuaded to strip access to the unique phone identifiers from apps." A followup article with an industry lawyer suggests that this lawsuit could be the first of many as users push back against privacy intrusions by app developers and ad networks.
Do Sleepy Surgeons Have a Right To Operate?
By timothy from Slashdot's deptartment:
Hugh Pickens writes "BusinessWeek reports that a commentary from the New England Journal of Medicine calls on doctors to disclose when they're deprived of sleep and not perform surgery unless a patient gives written consent after being informed of their surgeon's status. 'We think that institutions have a responsibility to minimize the chances that patients are going to be cared for by sleep-deprived clinicians,' writes Dr. Michael Nurok, an anesthesiologist and intensive care physician. Research suggests that sleep deprivation impairs a person's psychomotor skills — those that require coordination and precision — as much as alcohol consumption and increases the risk of complications in patients whose surgeons failed to get much shuteye."
Some Hard Drive Nostalgia To Start Off the Year
ColdWetDog writes "It's the end of another calendar year and time for all sorts of retrospective pieces. Instead of going back to last year or even last decade, MacWorld has a quick slide show on the The Evolution of Hard Drives which more accurately would be described as 'A Dozen Pictures of Ancient Magnetic Storage Devices.' Still and all, it might be interesting to those young'uns who think that 10 Gigabytes is small."
Micro-USB Cellphone Charger Becomes EU Standard
Posted by News Fetcher on December 31 '10 at 11:30 PM
An anonymous reader writes "The European Commission has put into effect a June 2009 agreement stating that major cellphone manufacturers should standardize their charging/data connection ports to the popular Micro-USB format. CEN-CENELEC and ETSI provided the standards by which these 14 companies will abide by to make cell phone recharging and data transfer easy." Apple may even bring the next-gen iPad along for the ride.
EU Wants Power To Block China's Tech Buying
itwbennett writes "In an interview with German daily paper Handelsblatt, the EU's industry commissioner Antonio Tajani said he wants the power to block China from buying up European tech companies. Tajani envisions an authority along the same lines as the United States' Committee on Foreign Investment and would determine 'if the acquisition (of a company) with European know-how by a private or public foreign company represented a danger or not.'"
'No Refusal' DUI Checkpoints Coming To Florida?
schwit1 writes "With New Year's Eve only days away, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration expects this to be one of the deadliest weeks of the year on the roads. But now a new weapon is being used in the fight against drunk driving. ... Florida is among several states now holding what are called 'no refusal' checkpoints. It means if you refuse a breath test during a traffic stop, a judge is on site, and issues a warrant that allows police to perform a mandatory blood test."
Four IT Consultants Charged With $80MM NYC Rip-Off
theodp writes "It's I-told-you-so time for Slashdot commenter frnic, who smelled a crime last March after reading that New York City had dropped $722 million on its still-under-development CityTime Attendance System. Nine months later, US Attorney Preet Bharara charged 'four consultants to the New York City Office of Payroll Administration ... for operating a fraudulent scheme that led to the misappropriation of more than $80 million in New York City funds allocated for an information technology project known as "CityTime."' Three of the four consultants were also charged — along with a consultant's wife and mother — with using a network of friends-and-family shell corporations to launder the proceeds of the fraud. Dept. of Investigations Commissioner Rose Gill Hearn called it a shame that 'supposed experts hired and paid well to protect the city's interests were exposed as the fox guarding the hen house.'"
R2-D2 Creator Grant McCune Dead At 67
CBC reports on sad news for Star Wars fans: "Grant McCune, a special effects artist who earned an Oscar for his work on the 1977 film Star Wars, has died. He was 67. McCune died Monday at his home in Hidden Hills, Calif., of pancreatic cancer. McCune created scenes with miniatures, models and special effects for dozens of movies, including Spaceballs, Ghostbusters II and 2008's Rambo. He began in special effects in 1975 when he and friend Bill Shourt were hired to make a giant white shark model for Steven Spielberg's Jaws. They got no credit for the film, but McCune caught the eye of the film community and he became chief model maker for Star Wars, where he created R2-D2 and many of the creatures that populate the film."
YouTube Legally Considered a TV Station In Italy
orzetto writes "Italian newspaper La Repubblica reports that YouTube and similar websites based on user-generated content will be considered TV stations (Google translation of Italian original) in Italian law, and will be subject to the same obligations. Among these, a small tax (500 €), the obligation to publish corrections within 48 hours upon request of people who consider themselves slandered by published content, and the obligation not to broadcast content inappropriate for children in certain time slots. The main change, though, is that YouTube and similar sites will be legally responsible of all published content as long as they have any form (even if automated) of editorial control. The main reason for this is probably that it will force YouTube to assume editorial responsibility for all published content, which facilitates the ongoing € 500M lawsuit of Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi against YouTube because of content copyrighted by Berlusconi's TV networks that some users uploaded on YouTube. Berlusconi's Spanish TV station, TeleCinco, was previously defeated in court on the grounds that YouTube is not a content provider."
Our Lazy Solar Dynamo — Hello Dalton Minimum?
tetrahedrassface writes "Solar maximum is supposed to be occurring, and everything from satellite communications to your toaster or radio could be affected. The only problem is that this just isn't happening, and NASA continues to revise downward the original prediction. In fact, the new forecast for Solar Cycle 24 is a lot smaller, and is now pegged at almost 40% of what was previously predicted. Recently, two scientists at the National Solar Observatory have followed the lead of a prominent Russian scientist, who almost five years ago forecast a dearth of sunspots and the subsequent cooling of Earth for the next several cycles. With Britain currently experiencing the coldest winter in over 300 years, and no new sunspots for the last week, are we heading for a Dalton Minimum, or worse still, yet another Maunder?"
Tech History Behind New York's New Year's Eve Ball
Toe, The writes "A perennial icon of New Year's Eve is the geodesic ball which first dropped in Times Square in 1907. Over the past century, there have been seven iterations of this ball. The first one, made out of iron and wood, weighed 400 pounds and sported one hundred 25-watt bulbs. The current ball weighs almost six tons and uses 32,256 Philips Luxeon Rebel LEDs. The designers expect there to be more tech improvements to the ball soon. What do you think of the ball and the bizarre status it holds in our culture? How would you change it for years to come?"
Windows Phone 7 Marketplace Hack Demonstrated
Posted by News Fetcher on December 31 '10 at 11:45 AM
By Soulskill from Slashdot's matter-of-time deptartment:
broggyr writes "Seems it didn't take long to hack the Windows Phone 7 marketplace. Quoting WPCentral: 'For developers, the weakness in Microsoft's DRM for Windows Phone 7 applications has been well known for quite some time, and there have been calls for Microsoft to address these concerns ... Since then, a "white hat" developer has provided WPCentral with a proof-of-concept program that can successfully pull any application from the Marketplace, remove the security and deploy to an unlocked Windows Phone with literally a push of a button. Alternatively, you could just save the cracked XAP file to your hard drive. Neither the app nor the methodology is public, and it will NOT be released ... It is important to note that this was all done within six hours by one developer.'"
'Colonizing the Red Planet,' a How-To Guide
By Soulskill from Slashdot's add-water-and-stir deptartment:
Velcroman1 writes "A manned mission to Mars would be the greatest adventure in the history of the human race. And one man knows how to make it a reality. In fact, he just wrote the book on it — literally. Joel Levine, senior research scientist with NASA's Langley Research Center and co-chair of NASA's Human Exploration of Mars Science Analysis Group, just published 'The Human Mission to Mars: Colonizing the Red Planet.' The book reads like a who's who of Mars mission science, featuring senators, astronauts, astrophysicists, geologists and more on getting to Mars, studying its atmosphere and climate, the psychological and medical effects on the crew and other details. The most interesting bit: Levine presents a solution for funding the trip, something unprecedented for NASA: advertising. 'The suggestion is marketing to different corporations and professional sports leagues for advertising, which is something NASA never does.'"
Cheap GSM Eavesdropping a Reality
By Soulskill from Slashdot's poking-holes-in-the-ether deptartment:
Techmeology writes "GSM eavesdropping has been demonstrated at the Chaos Computer Club Congress in Berlin using a €10 Motorola phone and open source GSM firmware. Karsten Nohl and Sylvain Munaut replaced the firmware on the phone, enabling them to process all the data it received. They used already available rainbow tables to decrypt data being sent to and from other mobile phones. They have no plans to release the hack publicly, however they expect others to successfully attempt the hack. Mr. Nohl said the objective was to raise awareness of GSM's insecurity."
Google Patenting 'Exponential' Friend Spamming
By Soulskill from Slashdot's zuckerberg-beat-you-to-the-punch deptartment:
theodp writes "'The web is better when it's social,' declared Google as it unveiled its OpenSocial initiative. Sounds great, right? Well, maybe not so much, unless you're keen on giving companies the capability to 'exponentially' bombard you with advertising across all of your social networking sites. On Thursday, the USPTO published Google's patent application for Propagating Promotional Information on a Social Network, which the search giant explains 'generally relates to creating and providing promotional information (e.g., advertising, public service announcements, etc.) to users of a social network (e.g., FACEBOOK, MYSPACE, ORKUT, LINKEDIN, TWITTER, etc.).' By doing so 'across multiple social networks,' Google adds, 'the impact of the other promotional information may exponentially expand to other users of a social network."
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Fines for polluters in Wisconsin drop 78% in one year, records show
The DNR issued violation notices in 2014 against the operators of a Dane County manure digester linked to significant manure spills Fines assessed by the state for such offenses are down drastically. Credit: Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
Editorial | DNR Enforcement: DNR, DOJ need to carry bigger sticks
By Lee Bergquist of the Journal Sentinel
Financial penalties for violations of Wisconsin environmental laws fell sharply in 2015 to their lowest level in at least a decade.
Data released by a conservation organization show forfeitures paid by individuals and companies for violating state law totaled $306,834 last year.
That's down 78% from nearly $1.4 million paid out in 2014. It's also the lowest amount paid out for violations dating back to at least 2006, according to data.
The figures are the most recent showing Department of Natural Resources enforcement activity has dropped off under the administration of Gov. Scott Walker, a Republican who took office in 2011 with a pro-business agenda and a vow to make the DNR more friendly to the private sector.
The statistics show forfeitures collected between 2006 and 2010 under the administration of Gov. Jim Doyle, a Democrat, totaled $15.2 million.
During Walker's 2011-'15 tenure, it dropped more than half to $6.4 million.
The data were released by the Wisconsin Wildlife Federation on Wednesday from public records the organization says it received from an employee in state government. It declined to identify the source.
The DNR said it could not corroborate the figures. Spokesman Andrew Savagian said in an email that "enforcement staff can't tell from the format if this is our data." The Department of Justice, which prosecutes cases referred by the DNR, also said it could not immediately vouch for the accuracy of the data.
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported in February on a drop in enforcement activity in 2015 in several categories. The paper reported the number of cases the agency accepted; the number of notices of violation; and the number of referrals to the Department of Justice all fell in 2015 compared to the average between 2010 and 2014.
The paper has previously reported enforcement drops in other years of the Walker administration.
Earlier this year, Walker said declining enforcement was a good sign because it showed the DNR has been working upfront with the public to avoid problems.
"My goal is to have no citations, because when an agency issues a citation, that means something went wrong," Walker told reporters.
According to data from the Wisconsin Wildlife Federation, there were no financial penalties in 2015 that involved confined animal feeding operations, which are large-scale farms also known as CAFOs that have come under fire from environmentalists.
There were also no forfeitures in categories covering hazardous waste and public water supplies, according to the group.
Financial penalties for wastewater management, which involve permits to municipalities and factories that treat water before releasing it to public waterways, fell from a 10-year average of $455,407 to $12,057 last year.
"I don't have the answer to why it has fallen, but it's too dramatic," George Meyer, executive director of the Wisconsin Wildlife Federation, said of the forfeiture totals.
Meyer headed up the DNR under former Govs. Tommy Thompson and Scott McCallum, both Republicans, and previously served as enforcement administrator at the agency.
In Meyer's view, the possible explanations are: fewer on-site inspections by the DNR; a drop in the number of prosecutable cases referred to the Justice Department; or a reduced number of prosecutions by the Justice Department.
Meyer said a trend of fewer sanctions makes it unfair for the majority of people and businesses that follow the law.
"Ninety-five to 99% of the companies out there are doing an outstanding job with compliance," Meyer said. "These are the 5% who are not complying with the law. They're cutting corners.
"It's good business to have an effective deterrent."
The DNR said in an email that the goal of the agency is to "increase compliance and reduce the need for enforcement actions. DNR and DOJ continue to take environmental enforcement seriously and are committed to addressing violations."
The agency says it has used a "stepped enforcement" for decades to resolve cases at the lowest level of penalty for the circumstance.
Justice Department spokesman Johnny Koremenos said in a statement:
"Attorney General Schimel takes his prosecutorial role seriously and ensures all referrals received by the Wisconsin Department of Justice from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources are thoroughly reviewed and DOJ attorneys work diligently to do what's best for Wisconsin."
The DNR is nearing completion on a major reorganization aimed at streamlining its regulatory work because officials say with fewer employees, the DNR must be retooled to carry out its duties.
But environmentalists say they are worried the agency will further de-emphasize environmental protection.
Earlier this year, the agency said employment had dropped 15% since 1995. The DNR's head count stood at 2,641, including vacancies. There were then 365 vacant positions and 90 were in the process of being filled.
The DNR's Savagian said in a statement all environmental enforcement positions in the agency have been filled, and an additional enforcement position and seven investigators are in the process of being hired.
About Lee Bergquist
Lee Bergquist covers environmental issues and is author of "Second Wind: The Rise of the Ageless Athlete."
@leebergquist
lbergquist@journalsentinel.com
All Politics Blog
From Madison and around the state, to Washington D.C., a daily dose of political news and glimpses behind the scenes.
Pence addresses criticism of Waukesha rally
Johnson seeks review of why Orlando gunman was taken off terror watch list
Rep. Ron Kind draws anti-trade protest at convention
National Politics Video
See all Truth-O-Meter ratings
Inside State Politics
Journal Sentinel coverage of the legislature, governor's office and other state politics in Madison and around Wisconsin.
Chris Abele hasn't owed state income taxes for 14 years
Four face off in GOP primary for 83rd Assembly District
Democratic candidates flock to Milwaukee-area legislative races
Walker wants to greenlight east-west I-94 project
Submit questions now for today's live show at noon
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Cidolfas's Anime Reviews: Saber Marionette J
I'll be honest here: I'm entering this arena about ten years too late. Saber Marionette J is a decent anime, but one that hasn't aged very well, thematically, graphically, or musically. It has its positive aspects, but it isn't one I particularly enjoyed sitting through.
The basic idea is an interesting one. When humanity tried to colonize another planet, the colony ship malfunctioned, leaving only a single shuttle to land on the planet - with six crew members, all male. Three hundred years later, there are six countries on the planet, each one consisting entirely of male clones of one of the original crew members. The closest they come to having females are "marionettes", female robots who lack any kind of emotion or personality, but are used for everything from housework to fighting wars.
Into this mix comes Otaru Mamiya, your average anime guy, who accidentally awakens a "saber marionette". But not just any marionette - this one comes with a "maiden circuit", which gives her the emotions that the other marionettes lack. After some hijinks, Otaru finds himself living with not one, but three marionettes: Lime, the perky, childish one; Cherry, the demure housekeeper with a sharp tongue; and Bloodberry, the sexy fighter. And then there's his incredibly annoying neighbor Hanagata, who has a rather freaky crush on Otaru (obsession is more like it). And of course they can't just live normally, no: they have to help fight a war with Gartlant, run by Faust, the evil empire-building guy. Funnily enough, Faust has three of his own marionettes with "maiden circuits", and as you might expect there are plenty of battles involving all six of them.
That sounds pretty good on paper. Unfortunately, SMJ falls flat on its face most of the time. The animation style looks extremely dated by now. The script is embarrassingly corny, and the themes it tries to present have been done dozens of times in much better ways. Neither the English nor Japanese performances offer much, with the exception of Lime, who's a breath of fresh air in both languages, and Otaru's English actor's pretty good as well (his Japanese actor sounds like he's about twelve years old). The rest of the English cast ranges from decent (Cherry and Bloodberry) to god-awful (pretty much all the bad guys). The Japanese cast is a bit better, but you have the disadvantage of having to dart back and forth between the subtitles and the action, and sometimes the action goes pretty fast.
To be honest, I didn't enjoy most of the story. The last two episodes were pretty touching, but way too clichéd. There are some good parts, but it plods through most of its episodes and never really lives up to its potential. I suppose it's still a classic, but viewing it ten years later removes most of the fun.
Favorite Character: Lime
Back to Cidolfas's Reviews
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Crazy Battle Megaman Snow Rider Yahtzee Snowy Treasure Hunter 2
What�s Up For The LA Auto Show?
What should we all be looking out for during the upcoming Los Angeles Auto Show? After all, this much coveted international auto show would already be opening its doors not only to vehicle manufacturers and press people but also the public as well. You may even get some ideas on how to make your vehicle look like that cool one you saw by just using new auto parts Nissan.
There have been already some scoops and sneak peaks on what should we all be expecting for the mentioned auto show. One of the sources of such information is the Car Connection which you can access at www.thecarconnection.com. However, this is not the main site that would show you what they have been able to glimpse at the Los Angeles Auto Show.
According to the mentioned automotive and car web site, those who would be going to the Los Angeles Auto Show would be able to gape and gawk at the 2008 version of the Audi TT roadster. Plus, there also would be a chance for people to visit and look at the 200 Chrysler Sebring Convertible along with the very much hyped Nissan Altima roadster. The Nissan Sentra SE-R model would also be made available along with the Aston Martin V8 roadster which has yet to be named. These are just a few of the vehicles that have been made available for goers.
But this is not the end of all those vehicles you would be encountering once you walk through the doors of the LA Auto Show. The Car Connection also did report that there are also concept vehicles available for the public. One would be the Chrysler Nassau concept vehicle which is quite unique in its own way. And for Jeep lovers, the new Jeep Trailhawk concept would also be showcased there.
Other vehicles that have been �scooped� by The Car Connection include the new Chevrolet Silverado as well as the newest version of the Audi S8 vehicle. Honda would also be showing off a new environmentally friendly vehicle � the Honda FCX � although many are still questioning if indeed the Honda entrant would really be the answer to the environment problem.
About the Author: Jennifer Dylan is a 35-year-old gal who hails from San Francisco. She has a habit of updating herself on new car trends and models. She spends most of her time reading up on cars and hopes to test drive them. She works for one of the topnotch car parts dealer in the U.S.
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Shughart's Defense of IP
Free-market economist Professor William F. Shughart II attempts to defend the need for IP in "Ideas Need Protection," The Baltimore Sun (Dec. 21, 2009) (previously published in the Christian Science Monitor). Subtitled "Abolishing Intellectual-property, Patents Would Hurt Innovation: A Middle Ground Is Needed," the piece suffers from flaws found in others defenses of intellectual monopoly and pattern privilege. For example, Professor Shughart writes:
Article I, Section 8, of the Constitution explicitly delegates to Congress authority "to promote the progress of science and useful arts, by securing for limited times to authors and inventors the exclusive right to their respective writings and discoveries."
While it is true that copyright and patent are constitutional, this does not make these laws just. What the artificial law-writing coup-leaders wrote a document designed to help the state seize more power is simply not relevant to the normative question of whether there should be IP.
Pro-patent law arguments rest on the assumption that the patent system generates overall wealth--that its benefits are greater than its costs--without ever making this case. Instead, they point to ways that the patent system benefits some people, and never bother to even try to tally up the costs to make sure it's a net positive. In other words, they don't even take their own justifications seriously. Shughart makes the same mistake:
Developing and successfully commercializing new products and technologies typically requires large investments of time and treasure. Most research and development (R&D) investments end in failure.
Granting a temporary monopoly to the rare breakthrough is necessary, therefore, to provide its inventor with an opportunity to earn a return on the investment that led to the new idea--and to encourage additional such investments. Such protection is especially important in the pharmaceutical industry, where, in its absence, new drugs could be duplicated by competitors, and the incentive to invest would disappear, stifling the discovery process.
The word "therefor" is unwarranted; this is a non sequitur. Later on in the piece, he writes:
Incentives matter. Although there may be a passionate few who don't require payment for contributing to the common pool of knowledge, technological advancement will be much more rapid if an explicit economic payoff is available.
Much more rapid--? How much more? Who knows? The IP advocates don't. So how do they know it justifies the cost?
I found this to be an refreshing admission of the stifling effect mercantilist intellectual monopoly has on the spread of ideas:
To paraphrase the late economist Joan Robinson, patents and copyrights slow down the diffusion of new ideas for a reason: to ensure there will be more new ideas to diffuse ...
Unfortunately, he supports these laws anyway. Shughart also candidly and explicitly admits the monopoly character of of patent and copyright:
Granting a temporary monopoly to the rare breakthrough is necessary...
(Some IP advocates get very irked when patents are called monopolies. For example (as noted in Are Patents "Monopolies"?), patent attorney Dale Halling, in a piece entitled "The Myth that Patents are a Monopoly," writes, "People who suggest a patent is a monopoly are not being intellectually honest and perpetuating a myth to advance a political agenda." But it is common for IP advocates to acknowledge this. For example, Richard Epstein writes "Patented goods are subject to a lawful monopoly created by the state in order to induce their creation ... The legal monopoly granted by the patent is the only mechanism that allows the producer to recover those fixed costs...." And Objectivist IP attorney Murray Franck has argued that "if the creator's rights are not protected, his survival is jeopardized. If another can market his creation, the creator is deprived of the money he would otherwise earn." See also my comments here, noting that even the Supreme Court and other federal courts slip up and admit the monopoly character of IP on on a regular basis.)
Consider this argument our author makes:
It is true that other means exist for creative people to profit from their effort. In the case of copyright, authors can charge fees for reading their works to paying audiences. Charles Dickens did this, but his heavy schedule of public performances in the United States, where his works were not protected by copyright, arguably contributed to his untimely death.
Can Shughart really be arguing that we need copyright, for otherwise another potential Charles Dickens might drop dead early? (This reminded me of a bizarre argument made by patent attorney Gene Quin, noted in this post. In an online discussion, IP opponent David Koepsell had mentioned "that in the 19th and early 20th centuries, two of the most innovative countries on earth (The Netherlands and Switzerland) had no patent systems at all." In response, Quinn says: "Thank goodness the Swiss did have a Patent Office. That is where Albert Einstein worked and during his time as a patent examiner came up with his theory of relativity." So ... we need a state-granted monopoly system ... so that Albert Einstein could have had a job in Switzerland. What does one even say in response to such an "argument"?)
Professor Shughart continues:
The hard questions are: What kinds of ideas should be eligible for patent and copyright protection, and how long should that protection last?"
What's needed is a middle ground. Even if we can all agree that intellectual property is an important social commodity, one size doesn't fit all in the modern Digital Age.
While a 20-year monopoly may be appropriate for new drugs, it may not be appropriate for software, a new electronic game or, as Justice Sonia Sotomayor seemed to suggest during questioning in the Bilski case, a new "speed-dating service."
A 20-year patent monopoly on a method for speed-dating may not be appropriate?! How would Justice Sotomayor know, really?
As for there being "hard questions"--who can answer them? And if "we need a middle ground"--even though we have no evidence to know where the "optimum" is--how can we achieve this? Who can do it? Shughart's answer: Congress and the courts:
Rather than abolishing patent and copyright protection for some categories of intellectual property, Congress and the courts should consider varying the length for which exclusive monopoly privileges are granted, depending on the expected commercial vitality of the creative work. [emphasis added]
The state is neither benevolent nor competent (well, they are good at two things: destruction, and propaganda). There is no reason to believe Congress or the courts want, or are equipped, to find the "right" answers to such questions. (As J.H. Huebert observes about government courts: "In general, judges and those who appoint them have no reason to want to limit government. … Have not judges been responsible for some of the most outrageous expansions of government power? And, after all, are judges not a product of the same political system that gives us legislators and presidents? What president would appoint judges who would tell him he cannot do anything he wants? What Senators would confirm a judicial candidate who tells them that everything they have ever done in office is unconstitutional? The whole enterprise of libertarian constitutional theory ignores all we have learned from public choice economics about the incentives of government actors.") There is no reason to trust state employees to determine the optimum length of patent and copyright monopolies for various types of inventions and artistic works, much less by using "the expected commercial vitality of the creative work" as a test.
N.B: My original draft was done in very sarcastic style. At the urging of some friends, I ultimately decided to rewrite it in more standard, serious, respectful, straight style. But for those who like a bit of humor, here's the original sarcastic post:
Shughart's IP Parody
In "Ideas Need Protection," subtitled "Abolishing Intellectual-property, Patents Would Hurt Innovation: A Middle Ground Is Needed," free-market economist William F. Shughart II has penned a wickedly funny parody of typical arguments in favor of IP. Brilliantly, he somehow managed to slip it by the editors of The Baltimore Sun as well the Christian Science Monitor, where it was first published, without either publication realizing it was a parody.
Shughart mocks the arguments typically given in defense of intellectual monopoly and pattern privilege, such as appeals to authority and positive law, when he writes:
Ha ha! As if what the artificial law-writing coup-leaders wrote a document designed to help the state seize more power is relevant to the normative question of whether there should be IP. Good one, Professor.
He goes on, mercilessly lampooning the intellectual monopolists:
I like this. First, he demonstrates how pro-patent law arguments rest on the assumption that the patent system generates overall wealth--that its benefits are greater than its costs--without ever making this case. Instead, they point to ways that the patent system benefits some people, and never bother to even try to tally up the costs to make sure it's a net positive. In other words, they don't even take their own justifications seriously. The point is reinforced by the totally unwarranted word "therefore" inserted above, in a blatant example of non sequitur. Revisiting this theme later on in the piece, our author writes:
Much more rapid--? How much more? Who knows! The IP advocates don't! "What are they jabbering about? How do they know?", Shughart seems to be saying, if you read between the lines.
Professor Shughart has no doubt noted that although it gives IP advocates a case of the vapors if you call IP a "monopoly," too many hapless IP advocates just seem unable resist admitting this. Thus, he writes:
To paraphrase the late economist Joan Robinson, patents and copyrights slow down the diffusion of new ideas for a reason: to ensure there will be more new ideas to diffuse ... Granting a temporary monopoly to the rare breakthrough is necessary...
This is just a perfect impression of the typical blunder made by patent and copyright proponents when they inadvertently acknowledge the stifling effect mercantilist intellectual monopoly has on the spread of ideas. This is a very common faux pas of the monopolists, who forget to hide the fact that IP is, in fact, a monopoly. When IP'ers stray from the reservation like this, it really irks the organized pro-patent forces. For example (as noted in Are Patents "Monopolies"?), patent attorney Dale Halling, in a piece entitled "The Myth that Patents are a Monopoly," writes,
People who suggest a patent is a monopoly are not being intellectually honest and perpetuating a myth to advance a political agenda.
But, as Shughart demonstrates, all too often the pro-monopoly forces can't help themselves and inadvertently let the truth tumble out of their mouths. For example, we have pro-patent Richard Epstein (see Epstein and Patents), noting that
Patented goods are subject to a lawful monopoly created by the state in order to induce their creation ... The legal monopoly granted by the patent is the only mechanism that allows the producer to recover those fixed costs....
And here we have Objectivist IP attorney Murray Franck arguing that "if the creator's rights are not protected, his survival is jeopardized. If another can market his creation, the creator is deprived of the money he would otherwise earn."
And see my comments here, noting that even the Supreme Court and other federal courts slip up and admit the monopoly character of IP on on a regular basis:
"Section 154 and related provisions [e.g. Sec. 271] obviously are intended to grant a patentee a monopoly only over the United States market...."; "Congress made the policy choice that the "carrot" of an exclusive market for the patented goods would encourage patentees to commercialize the protected inventions so that the public would enjoy the benefits of the new technology during the patent term in exchange for granting a limited patent monopoly. In other words, the public expected benefits during 'the embarrassment of an exclusive patent as Jefferson put it.'"; "We hold that the disputed royalties provisions do not inappropriately extend the patent monopoly to unpatented parts of the patented system"; "A patentee, in demanding and receiving full compensation for the wrongful use of his invention in devices made and sold by a manufacturer adopts the sales as though made by himself, and therefore, necessarily licenses the use of the devices, and frees them from the monopoly of the patent."; "The Florida statute is aimed directly at the promotion of intellectual creation by substantially restricting the public's ability to exploit ideas that the patent system mandates shall be free for all to use. Like the interpretation of Illinois unfair competition law in Sears and Compco, the Florida statute represents a break with the tradition of peaceful coexistence between state market regulation and federal patent policy. The Florida law substantially restricts the public's ability to exploit an unpatented design in general circulation, raising the specter of state-created monopolies in a host of useful shapes and processes for which patent protection has been denied or is otherwise unobtainable. It thus enters a field of regulation which the patent laws have reserved to Congress. The patent statute's careful balance between public right and private monopoly to promote certain creative activity is a "scheme of federal regulation . . . so pervasive as to make reasonable the inference that Congress left no room for the States to supplement it."; "Whatever weight is attached to the value of encouraging disclosure and of inhibiting secrecy, we believe a more compelling consideration is that a process patent in the chemical field, which has not been developed and pointed to the degree of specific utility, creates a monopoly of knowledge which should be granted only if clearly commanded by the statute. Until the process claim has been reduced to production of a product shown to be useful, the metes and bounds of that monopoly are not capable of precise delineation. It may engross a vast, unknown, and perhaps unknowable area. Such a patent may confer power to block off whole areas of scientific development, without compensating benefit to the public. The basic quid pro quo contemplated by the Constitution and the Congress for granting a patent monopoly is the benefit derived by the public from an invention with substantial utility. Unless and until a process is refined and developed to this point -- where specific benefit exists in currently available form - there is insufficient justification for permitting an applicant to engross what may prove to be a broad field."; "I agree with the Court that the question before us is a narrow one. Neither the future of scientific research, nor even the ability of respondent Chakrabarty to reap some monopoly profits from his pioneering work, is at stake. Patents on the processes by which he has produced and employed the new living organism are not contested. The only question we need decide is whether Congress, exercising its authority under Art. I, 8, of the Constitution, intended that he be able to secure a monopoly on the living organism itself, no matter how produced or how used."
Anyway, Shughart must have noticed this habit of inadvertently admitting the true nature of the patent grant--a habit that makes fellow IP advocates grimace and exclaim, "Damn! He admitted it too!"--and imitated it here to perfection. "Those crazy patent guys," Shughart seems to be saying, with a sly smile and a twinkle in his eye, "can't get their story straight."
Here's another patentism Professor Shughart tackles. Sometimes IP advocates trot out the most ridiculous arguments when they have no other response available, such as this bizarre argument by patent attorney Gene Quinn (noted in this post). In an online discussion, IP opponent David Koepsell had mentioned "that in the 19th and early 20th centuries, two of the most innovative countries on earth (The Netherlands and Switzerland) had no patent systems at all." In response, Quinn says:
Thank goodness the Swiss did have a Patent Office. That is where Albert Einstein worked and during his time as a patent examiner came up with his theory of relativity.
You got that? We need a state-granted monopoly system ... so that Albert Einstein could have had a job in Switzerland. I mean, what does one even say in response to this, which is not even a pretense at serious argument? Our observant author must have noticed this and other such arguments, which he is clearly mocking here:
See? We better have copyright--you don't want another potential Charles Dickens to drop dead early, do you?
The IP advocate is here portrayed as unable to even definitively object to a 20-year patent monopoly on a method for speed-dating--"it may not be appropriate"! And the part about "these are hard questions" ... who can answer them, oh who?-- and "we need a middle ground"--even though we have no evidence to know where the "optimum" is. But wait for it--Congress might know! --
Shughart is so right here: the proponents of intellectual monopoly, like all interventionists, do indeed have an utterly misplaced, naive faith in the state's benevolence and competence. Why, let's have Congress should figure this out! Oh, I'm in stitches. And the courts--yeahhhhh, they'll do a great job--the same courts witheringly described here by J.H. Huebert:
In general, judges and those who appoint them have no reason to want to limit government. … Have not judges been responsible for some of the most outrageous expansions of government power? And, after all, are judges not a product of the same political system that gives us legislators and presidents? What president would appoint judges who would tell him he cannot do anything he wants? What Senators would confirm a judicial candidate who tells them that everything they have ever done in office is unconstitutional? The whole enterprise of libertarian constitutional theory ignores all we have learned from public choice economics about the incentives of government actors.
I will close by noting my favorite line of this sparklingly humorous essay: to determine the right length of patent and copyright monopolies for various types of inventions and artistic works, Congress should be not only trusted to want to do this, but should use "the expected commercial vitality of the creative work" as the test! Oh, man. I'm crying.
[Mises; SK]
[Posted at 01/28/2010 11:44 PM by Stephan Kinsella on Intellectual Monopoly comments(38)]
Stephan,
You say "While it is true that copyright and patent are constitutional".
Why do you perpetuate this collective self-deceit that the constitution empowered congress to grant such monopolies? It's a myth.
I can only assume it is because you'd rather impugn the constitution than the reputations of those legislators who subsequently, unconstitutionally enacted these privileges.
[Comment at 01/29/2010 03:25 AM by Crosbie Fitch]
Maybe I am having a bad hair day today. It bothers me when so-called free-market advocates profess a need for "protection". They also seem to speak eloquently of the holiness of contracts. Surreal Contracts
The problem? Its all smoke and mirrors. The arguments of many who profess to be "free-market" advocates seems to boil down to the one essential point that the State is obligated to protect their business model through legislation, regulation, and the court system. Hypocritically, in the name of the free-market, the supposed free-market advocates claim that those who buy the products (IP) are not entitled to any State protection. They are simply left to drown.
If Professor William F. Shughart II really is a true "free-market" advocate, I fail to see how he can defend the position of the "evil" State protecting so-called intellectual property.
[Comment at 01/29/2010 06:05 AM by Steve R.]
Crosbie, I wish the Constitution were libertarian, but wishing does not make it so. Some activist and California new age types like to delude themselves, but I do not. The Constitution is a terrible document, not libertarian. That's just the way it is. It allows taxation, conscription, and IP law. Don't blame the messenger.
[Comment at 01/29/2010 07:45 AM by Stephan Kinsella]
It's still a hell of an improvement over what people had before.
[Comment at 01/29/2010 09:19 AM by Nobody Nowhere]
Nobody: "It's still a hell of an improvement over what people had before."
No it wasn't. The situation under the Articles of Confederation was better for liberty.
1. Wait a decent interval before replying.
2. What came before the Constitution was unrepresentative, often violent rule by distant British overlords, followed by insurrection and war. Prior to 1776, the typical person anywhere on the world was a serf at best and usually a slave. With the American and French revolutions around that time, the freedoms of many people increased. The widespread abolition of slavery by 1900 improved things further. Even granting your (dubious) supposition that no government at all would be better still, you must admit that the average person has historically been much better off in a constitutional democracy than they have been under a monarchy, or a military dictatorship, or any of the other systems of government to have been observed thus far.
"What came before the Constitution was unrepresentative, often violent rule by distant British overlords, followed by insurrection and war. Prior to 1776, the typical person anywhere on the world was a serf at best and usually a slave."
You are talking pre-1776. Between 1776 and 1789 the US government was under the Articles of Confederation. The British overlords had been defeated. There was representation. You said the Constitution was an improvement over what was before. What was before was the Articles of Confederation. Now, if you had said the Articles were an improvement over the British rule before, that is more arguable.
I DID say they were an improvement over the British rule before. More generally, that democracies have been an improvement over monarchies and dictatorships. I find it difficult to believe you disagree with that, even if we disagree on whether anarchy would be better still.
Nobody: "I DID say they were an improvement over the British rule before. More generally, that democracies have been an improvement over monarchies and dictatorships. I find it difficult to believe you disagree with that, even if we disagree on whether anarchy would be better still. "
You said the Constitution was better than what we had before--what we had before was the Articles. It was not better than that. If you meant the Constitution was better than British rule, that's more debatable. Also debatable is the contention that the move from monarchy to democracy was progress (monarchy <> dictatorship).
Stop attacking me and stop putting words in my mouth.
We had many things before, most prominent among them British rule.
End of discussion.
[Comment at 01/29/2010 06:50 PM by Nobody Nowhere]
The Articles of Confederation has always been an interesting instrument, and its being largely ignored in discussions about Post-1776 political history is disappointing. I wonder how many people have even heard of Article XI?
To the point it was more friendly to liberty, I have to wonder if this is accurate since it essentially left governance within each of the 13 colonies in the hands of their respective legislatures. The document did place significant constraints on federal power, but left each colony relatively free reign to do as it wished. In my admittedly crude vernacular, it sanctioned 13 sovereign "nations" (14 if Canada decided to enter the mix), and in my view did little to establish meaningful groundrules by which the 13/14 could work with a common voice vis a vis foreign governments.
Frankly, I believe that whatever its faults, the US Constitution was much more aligned with a true confederation allocating power between a federal entity and each colony. To my way of thinking, flaws in the US Constitution have less to do with its provisions, and more to do with the incremental creep that has followed as the federal government has moved from its original limited role to one where now in many respects it more closely represents the very system of government it was meant to displace. I daresay that even Alexander Hamilton, perhaps the strongest proponent of significant federal power, would be amazed and disgusted as to the extent federal power has expanded.
[Comment at 01/30/2010 09:32 AM by MLS]
It's worth pointing out here that Article 1, section 8 of the U.S. Constitution grants Congress a monopoly of a wide range of actions, and gives it the power to levy taxes, which is the root of the State's power. No wonder Mark Twain called it America's only native criminal class. So Art. 1, section 8 is the monopoly clause. It contains the progress clause, which is about patents and copyrights. As for Al Hamilton, a year or so ago The Economist claimed that he was the creator of the American state. A big government man and advocate of taxation and war, he was the most evil American in history IMO, even worse than the Body Count winner Lincoln. He wanted the federal government to assume the State's debts, which was probably the original American bailout. No Hamilton, no Big State.
On more than one occasion I have passed by the site where he expired, at 80 1/2 Jane Street in Manhattan (there's a plaque there), knelt down, kissed the sidewalk, and paid homage to the memory of Burr. It's a site every libertarian should visit.
[Comment at 01/30/2010 02:49 PM by Bill Stepp]
Aren't you forgetting something when you denigrate Lincoln for a high "body count" and call him "evil"? Namely, that the Civil War led to the abolishment of slavery. For one who is purportedly a libertarian to effectively say that slavekeeping is preferable to a war that frees slaves, or to a centralized state outlawing slavekeeping, or to both, seems more than a little hypocritical.
Nobody,
I knew someone would make this claim, which is belied by two inconvenient facts: (1) Lincoln fought the war not to free the slaves but to preserve the union; the abolition of slavery was a happy and unintended consequence of the war. And (2) slavery would have ended at a much lower cost in deaths, injuries, and property destruction, albeit at a later date had Lincoln's Little War (that's the title of a book) not been fought. See the recent book by Jim Powell Greatest Emancipations: How the West Abolished Slavery; and the series of arguments beginning with my comments starting Feb. 4, 2008, posted at the History News Network, James Stirling on the Economic Contradictions of Slavery-Based Agriculture, and the other commenters at this thread, including Jim Powell.
Btw, the libertarian Jeff Hummel votes Lincoln as the worst American prexie mainly for his body count. I go with Jim Powell's pick of Wilson because of the Fed, the income tax, the estate tax, WW I, the Alien and Sedition Act, his throwing a bunch of innocent people into the slammer (including Gene Debs) etc., etc. Woodrow's state institution building had more profound consequences for our current corrupt regime set up.
And what, pray tell, was wrong with preserving the union? A union that went on to become a powerhouse industrial nation, whose citizens have enjoyed among the highest standards of living and the greatest freedoms of any on the planet?
Bill, neither 'monopoly' nor 'patent' or 'copyright' are mentioned in the constitution, why do you join so many others to infer their presence? Is it indoctrination, hypnotism, or what?
I'm not saying the constitution is perfect, but there's a significant difference between the constitution sanctioning the granting of monopolies and corrupt legislators inferring such sanction.
Naming the clause with terms such as 'monopoly' or 'copyright' doesn't actually insert those terms into the clause.
>> Article I, Section 8, of the Constitution explicitly delegates to Congress authority "to promote the progress of science and useful arts, by securing for limited times to authors and inventors the exclusive right to their respective writings and discoveries."
>> While it is true that copyright and patent are constitutional, this does not make these laws just.
I don't see it.
Is that statement saying that (a) Congress can create any monopoly for any limited time period NO MATTER HOW MUCH such actions might hurt progress, OR is that statement saying that (b) Congress can create any monopoly for any limited time period SO LONG AS these promote the progress?
The first interpretation sounds very unreasonable for something we would find in the Constitution or even as an interpretation of the English sentence. The second is reasonable and is consistent with much of the rest of what the Constitution is trying to accomplish.
The only way to make these two equal under all cases is if it were true that monopolies for any time period always promote. Does anyone believe that? In fact, mathematics and many other things would fall under those scenarios.
Invent vs. discovery: well honestly, everything is discovered. Everything that exists and has behavior has so because of laws of nature. We merely discover these combinations.
Patent law is out of hand because those pushing it insist on ignoring that little question of, is progress promoted? It's much easier to dance around that question, if you support patents, when evidence and common sense points to openness and sharing as the fastest way to grow. Does anyone think that *not sharing* is the way to growth? Was anyone here denied light and interaction with the world from the moment they were born until they had that EUREKA moment? If we did not share and spread information, we'd still be living in caves or worse. All "inventions" require a tremendous amount of insight that the author of the "invention" never conceives of except by borrowing it from the rest of society.
Does anyone want to make a fool of themselves and doubt this in public? Perhaps this is why those pushing for liberal patenting as the norm like to dance a lot.
Alright, now I am calm... Will someone supporting patents (or not) explain why they think what I just stated is "obviously" flawed? Alternatively, feel free to agree with me that the granting of monopolies is not Constitutional if progress is not promoted. Maybe you can then try to argue that some particular patent or other does promote the progress.
[Comment at 01/31/2010 06:45 AM by Jose_X]
>> Invent vs. discovery: well honestly, everything is discovered. Everything that exists and has behavior has so because of laws of nature. We merely discover these combinations.
It was a mistake to have stated that. I looked up a quick contrast of these two terms and wrote that line above in haste, but I shouldn't have done so for there is an intention behind the word "invent" that we can relate to in general.
A different definition that what I looked at before states the following: "If you invent something such as a machine or process, you are the first person to think of it or make it."
Also, I was emotional when I said: >> Does anyone want to make a fool of themselves and doubt this in public? Perhaps this is why those pushing for liberal patenting as the norm like to dance a lot.
I welcome brave souls to attempt this feat, for I recognize they might just pull it off and incur much wealth and respect upon themselves for doing so.
Jose_X, you're missing the point. The constitution doesn't even empower congress to grant monopolies for a day. It empowers the securing of an individual's exclusive right, e.g. the author's natural right to exclude others from their writings (which should be limited to the author's natural lifespan).
The power to grant literary monopolies was going to be added to the constitution (but was decided against).
Crosbie,
Yes the Con stitution doesn't mention patents and copyrights per se; here is the "progress clause":
"To promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts, by securing for limited Times to Authors and Inventors the exclusive Right to their respective Writings and Discoveries;"
Notice the "limited Times" language. Natural rights don't come with an expiration date, so this was a wake up call to Congress to pass laws granting patent and copyright monopoly-crookopolies, which is exactly what happened. The original 13 states (except Delaware in the case of copyright, if my memory is correct) also passed them. And Crosbie, as you well know, the UK has no Con stitution, and still has IP laws, that grant IP monopolies for limited terms. What a con!
The union, i.e. the government, didn't become a powerhouse of anything, excapet theft, destruction and war. Production happens in the private sector, i.e. business, whereas the State just steals, monopolizes activities that should be performed by businesses, and kills. Government is a parasite; the private sector is a producer and a host for the crime sector known as the government.
[Comment at 01/31/2010 08:49 AM by Bill Stepp]
Are you really arguing that the American people would have prospered as much, or attained as much security and even freedom, without the union to keep the peace and safeguard those things?
A more plausible scenario is that it would have been like the Wild West everywhere -- violent and generally unsafe to invest in anything -- until the 20th century, then like the Roaring 20s everywhere until sometime in the 40s, and then law and order would finally have been imposed by goosestepping jackbooted thugs with swastika armbands, or maybe by Imperial Japan.
Not quite the anarchists' paradise you had in mind, eh?
Regardless of whether you think private policing would somehow avoid the obvious pitfalls and prove somehow to be superior to the public variety, surely you must realize that one thing government is demonstrably good for is defending its citizens against other governments, takeovers by some of which would indisputably make things worse.
Bill, natural rights DO come with an expiration date - the end of a mortal lifespan.
Dead people (and other non-people such as corporations) do not have natural rights.
The fact that various states had enacted forms of copyright (a la Statute of Anne) prior to the constitution is irrelevant. The Constitution of 1787 wipes the slate and cannot recognise any state's extant legislation.
Remember, copyright is a privilege, whether granted by queen Anne, or corrupt legislators after the constitution.
However, congress is not empowered by the constitution to grant such privileges. Nothing in the constitution empowers congress to grant copyright or patent.
It is precisely to further insinuate copyright as a natural right that its extension refers to the life of the author. That even this is not enough for a corporation is why it is extended further.
The duration of a monopoly (privilege) is nothing to do with the duration of a right. A natural right is always tied to the duration of a natural being (or beings). The monopoly can be granted for a day, a year, or a century - it's span is tied to the duration of the legislature (until the next revolution).
Here's a refutation of your 5th grade public school history of the American West:
"The Not So Wild, Wild West".
As for goose steppers and swastikas, Hitler couldn't even win the Battle of Britan and sealed Germany's loss in WW II by repeating the Little Napster's mistake of invading mother Russia. Moscow was his Waterloo. Uncle Sam didn't need to get involved. Ditto for the Rising (and losing) Sun.
People can pass property to others after their death via wills, trusts and such. The point is that property doesn't have an arbitrary, government-imposed lifespan, the way intellectual monopolies do. Intellectual monopolies are inconsistent with natural rights, but so is the Con stitution. See Lysander Spooner on this.
Bill, a will is that of a living person (their contingent transfer). It is not the act or will of a corpse.
The other statements you make are immaterial to whether the constitution sanctions the granting of monopolies.
[Comment at 01/31/2010 03:35 PM by Crosbie Fitch]
Crosbie, regardless of your confusing comment about acts not being the wills of corpses, the fact remains, as Stepp said, that people have the right to designate their heirs by a testament or will.
THe fact also remains that the Constitution does in fact authorize Congress to enact the copyright and patent laws. It is inexplicable to me that you think it doesn't. The language is right there--Congress is given the power to secure "for limited times to authors and inventors the exclusive right to their respective writings and discoveries." That is copyright and patent. It's unjust, but it ain't unconstitutional. What kind of law do you think this is supposed to be authorizing, if not copyright and patent?
[Comment at 01/31/2010 05:02 PM by Stephan Kinsella]
A troll writes:
Here's a refutation of your[snip!]
No. There is no such thing as a "refutation" of my anything.
None of the nasty things that you have said or implied about me are at all true.
As for whether Hitler would have won without the Allies or not, perhaps he would eventually have fallen, but after doing how much damage elsewhere in the world?
Consider that without the union you so despise, some other government would have been the first to have the A-bomb. Your anarchists' paradise, ignoring for now how implausible and utopian such an idea is, would not have lasted long before it became so much radioactive dust in the upper atmosphere. No U.S. nuclear deterrent -- no restraint on whoever else got the bomb first.
Consider that in our history, the U.S. had the bomb first -- and used it. With restraint, mind you. Restraint Nazi Germany would not have had, nor Imperial Japan, nor anyone else that might plausibly otherwise have been the first.
Go back in time and assassinate Lincoln, or back even farther and sabotage the creation of the union, and the alternate-history America won't be some sort of anarchists' paradise; at best it will be a hellhole of unregulated rapists, murderers, and thieves, and if by 1940 it miraculously hasn't been conquered by one expansionist power or another and ended up under despotic rule, then it will probably go up in a mushroom cloud by 1950.
Well, unless of course you can furnish some kind of actual evidence to support all three on-their-face-implausible contentions that you, and others on this site, have implied by endorsing anarchy:
1. An anarchy will somehow evade devolving into some unpleasant form of defacto mob rule resembling the worst inner-city slums in which a large poor class are neglected by, when not the playthings of, a few rich dudes that own everything;
2. It also will avoid the instability seemingly inherent in anarchy, that some will gain influence (generally by becoming wealthy), others will follow whatever self-proclaimed leaders seem most capable of protecting and providing for them, and then a defacto government will arise; and
3. Despite its by-definition disorganized nature, it will somehow manage to avoid being conquered by a foreign power, and it will somehow manage to avoid losing the nuclear arms race, and other arms races, and then getting blown up, gassed, or infected by some foreign power.
In my own estimation, the best chance of avoiding fate 3 is to be such a Somalia-like hellhole that it's as expensive and unprofitable to occupy long-term as Iraq is proving to be and it just isn't worth anyone's time and effort to nuke. If somehow it managed to avoid that pitfall, and pitfall #2, and became a land of prosperous and well-off people by some miracle, it would be viewed with envy and viewed as a threat pretty much assuring fate #3, against which it would by definition have no defense.
Particularly there's an issue with immigration. A true anarchy can't very well have an immigration policy, so anyone would be free to enter it and try to make a go of it there. Assuming it somehow avoided becoming a hellhole to begin with, and instead became a prosperous land of opportunity, the desperate and destitute of the whole world would pour in and it would turn into a hellhole anyway. And if, by some miracle, it didn't, despotic regimes around the world would increasingly view it as an economic threat, both from its productivity and their own population starting to defect to it en masse, and would not suffer it to live.
And to top it off, in all practicality, I doubt anarchy is workable until we have the nanotechnology to banish scarcity of most material goods (except those requiring rare elements) and have a cheap green source of power (nuclear fusion?). That gets rid of the weight-of-poverty problem and many of the reasons for having a government to referee economic activities. With basic necessities non-scarce, the stakes are lower reducing the need for such refereeing. On the other hand, anarchists with nanotechnology and fusion power can't possibly last long before some nut releases some superbug that eats the planet, so...
Honestly, it just isn't workable without not only cheap green power and some way to make virtually unlimited amounts of food, shelter, and clean drinking water for free, but fundamental changes in human nature itself as well. You'd need to eradicate (not just ban, but actually eradicate) all forms of religious nuttery (especially of the more apocalyptic bent), cure all species of mental illness known to man, and a bunch of other things, and furthermore you'd have to FORCE these cures on the populace, which is hardly compatible with the freedoms you aspire for everyone to have!
"In a perfect world", maybe, but in a perfect world we wouldn't even be having this discussion in the first place. Here in the real one, anarchy sows the seeds of its own destruction; it's unstable even if not threatened by outside forces, and until its inevitable collapse it's only paradisiacal for the rich.
Stephan, my point is that live human beings have rights, but corpses do not. Bill was suggesting that a will demonstrates that human beings have natural rights beyond the grave. They do not.
The securing of an individual's (natural) exclusive right, is to protect the individual's natural ability to prevent anyone accessing or copying that which is exclusive to them, i.e. to remedy IP theft as much as to remedy any material theft.
Power to grant monopolies (in literary works, etc.) was proposed to be added to the constitution, but was not. But as we know, the monopolies of copyright and patent (covering published works) were granted anyway.
Crobie writes:
"Stephan, my point is that live human beings have rights, but corpses do not. Bill was suggesting that a will demonstrates that human beings have natural rights beyond the grave. They do not."
Crosbie, I neither said nor implied any such thing.
This is what I wrote:
"People can pass property to others after their death via wills, trusts and such." Obviously Jones (or his lawyer) can only draft his will when he is alive, and he has to sign it. He can't do that from the grave. Your interpretation of my point is daft.
Bill, I'm glad we've cleared that up. Many apologies for my inference that you were suggesting natural rights weren't limited by the individual's mortal lifespan.
Copyright is the suspension of the individual's natural right to copy. Such a suspension can be extended at the pleasure of the legislator - permanently if they fancy, and being transferable, certainly irrespective of any mortal's lifespan.
Of course, as we know, a legal suspension of a fundamentally harmless (if not culturally productive) act that comes naturally to people, is not only unethical, but doomed to be struck off the statute books - unless law is to represent the protection of privileges bought by corporations rather than the rights the people were born with.
This article write my essay is very informative for me.
[Comment at 11/06/2010 08:33 PM by Melany]
Unlike your comment.
[Comment at 11/06/2010 10:06 PM by Suzzle]
"Suzzle", you're a jerk. Stop posting "comments" on this board.
[Comment at 11/07/2010 05:11 AM by anonymous49]
Like I'm going to listen to an anonydouche whose SOLE CONTRIBUTION to this blog so far has been to call another commenter names?
[Comment at 11/07/2010 05:28 AM by Suzzle]
As if you've done something other than write ad hominens here?
[Comment at 11/07/2010 09:28 AM by Joe Henderson]
Actually, I have, back when we used to have real discussions in the comments and not just an endless parade of Beeswax and Lonnie cursing each other and random other folks saying "Great post! I really love this blog random words that may be a link".
"Absolutely fascinating. But what-all does it have to do with Copyright and Culture in the United States, 1831-1891, douchebag?" [Comment at 09/09/2010 12:52 PM by Suzzle]
What was the "douchebag" ad hominem about, well over a year after this was posted? It's one of your favorite epithets. And you obviously didn't read either the post there or the book it was about.
[Comment at 11/07/2010 02:21 PM by Joe Henderson]
That was a response to a completely off-topic comment that someone else posted. As for why the comment was posted so long after the original blog post, you'd have to ask the author of that off-topic comment that. I responded to the off-topic comment within a few hours or days.
[Comment at 11/11/2011 08:41 AM by computer repair Las Vegas]
Your Humanity: Prove you are human by retyping the anti-spam code.
For example if the code is unodosthreefour,
type 1234 in the textbox below.
QuatroSixQuatroZero:
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0016.json.gz/line1716
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__label__wiki
| 0.560198
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To conduct, promote, and encourage basic and clinical research on HIV/AIDS, and the factors that contribute to the spread of the disease in Israel.
The Israel AIDS Task Force’s volunteers and staff
Some 150 volunteers are active on the Task Force. A very small team of paid employees handles the administrative and organizational aspects of the Task Force, including: volunteer selection, recruitment, and training; fundraising and advocacy; and professional contact with official and voluntary institutions and professionals who assist the Task Force.
According to the Ministry of Health, there are over 6,000 ? registered HIV/AIDS patients in Israel, about a quarter of whom are under the age of 24. Nonetheless, based on past experience, the Israel AIDS Task Force estimates the number is much higher, since many people living with the virus are afraid to get tested and therefore are unaware of their status.
The importance of prevention activities in the field of AIDS
Educational outreach for teenagers about responsible sexual behavior. This is extremely important because these are our children, our country’s future generation.
HIV can effect anyone, regardless of age, sexual orientation, ethnicity, color, sex, and so on.
Prevention = investment. The lifetime cost of treating a person living with HIV is over one million dollars for medications, treatments, and hospitalizations. Consider how much the state could save by investing wisely in prevention; this is a critical and central issue, literally life and death.
It is extremely important to provide responsible, accurate, and up-to-date information about HIV/AIDS in order to de-stigmatize the disease.
The Israel AIDS Task Force has come a long way since its founding, and has expanded both its prevention and educational outreach and its support activities. The Task Force employs a small staff, while most of its activity is volunteer-driven. Some 150 volunteers are currently active on the Task Force.
The paid staff handles the administrative and organizational aspects of the Task Force, including: volunteer selection, recruitment, and training; management and operation of the different programs; fundraising and advocacy; and professional contact with official and voluntary institutions and professionals who assist the Task Force in Israel and abroad. The association’s board of directors includes professionals and people living with HIV.
In addition to being the only support organization for HIV-positive people, the Task Force sees its mission as working to change government policy and public attitudes. On the institutional-governmental level, the Task Force works to devise an enlightened, farsighted, compassionate, and judicious national policy, to improve medical care for HIV/AIDS patients, and defend their constitutional and legal human and civil rights. On the societal level, we work to improve the treatment of HIV-positive people and social attitudes towards them, reduce stigma, and combat ignorance and alienation.
Among our activities include: public campaigns to encourage testing; educational workshops for youth in general, and at-risk youth in particular; an educational outreach arm for the LGBT community (“Bela Doeget”); an information and support hotline, online forums, and the most comprehensive Hebrew-language website of its kind; awareness-raising projects in the Ethiopian community, in close collaboration with young people and opinion leaders in this sector; representing HIV/AIDS patients in Israel towards government authorities and the healthcare system; distributing life-saving drugs to migrant workers; and operating a psycho-social support program for patients and their families.
The AIDS Task Force’s various activities:
The information and support hotline
“Bela Doeget” educational outreach arm for the LGBT community
Drug distribution project
Ethiopian community
The organizational structure of the Israel AIDS Task Force and its different activity arms
General Assembly (Association members)
Board of Directors of the Association (Chairman and Board Members)
Association CEO
Professional staff (salaried position holders) and volunteers
Association Chapters
Be’er Sheva Chapter
Educational outreach workshops
Anonymous testing centers
Spokesperson and website
Educational outreach arm for the Ethiopian community
Educational outreach arm in LGBT community wing
Damage control program for injection drug users
Psycho-social services
Social support for the Ethiopian community
Addressing complaints
Humanitarian project – drug distribution
Boaz Ephraim Chair of the Board of the Israel AIDS Task Force for over half a decade, and at the same time a member of the organization’s professional team, serving as volunteer coordinator. When he joined the Task Force, Boaz served as Administrative Manager, and has stayed with the organization as a dedicated volunteer.
Noga Oron A pharmacist by trade, volunteering for almost half a decade in the Task Force’s flagship humanitarian project (drug distribution to migrant workers, asylum seekers, and victims of human trafficking). Chosen by the Board to receive, on behalf of the Task Force, the 2006 Israeli Presidential Volunteer Medal.
Dr. Einav Nof Dr. Einav Nof began volunteering at the AIDS Task Force some six years ago. In the past she managed the organization’s anonymous testing centers. As a Maccabi HMO family doctor, Dr. Nof initiated and led a program to involve family doctors in caring for people with HIV – a program that continues to this day, and in which Einav serves at the primary doctor for many patients. In addition to being a Board member, Dr. Nof also serves as the Task Force’s medical advisor.
Adv. Dror Shalev Graduated from the University of Liverpool with honors (LL.B.) in 1997, a member of the Israeli Bar since 1998. Today a founding partner at the SSC law firm (Shalev Stockholm-Cohen & Co.) in Tel Aviv. As part of the firm’s policy, Shalev participates in providing legal services to the needy, as a contribution to the community and as part of the Bar Association’s pro bono project. Active on the AIDS Task Force since 2010, both as a board member and on Task Force projects in a variety of different areas, including occasional legal advice on legal matters that come before the Task Force.
Boaz Wachtel One of Israel’s most prominent activists. Founder and Chair of the Ale Yarok party in 1999-2006. He has contributed greatly in his activity to fight AIDS and was a pioneer of medical marijuana (using marijuana for medical purposes for chronically and terminally ill patients). In addition, Wachtel is a prominent academic researcher, specializing in solutions for the Middle East water crisis.
Michal Ravid A lawyer by trade, with an MA in International Relations. Highly experienced in fundraising and producing benefit events for non-profits. For the last four years she has been helping the Task Force raise funds from the global MAC foundation, and sponsoring different Task Force events. Manages the Pink Illumination project in collaboration with the Israel Cancer Association, to raise awareness for early detection of breast cancer, and also helps raise funds for nonprofit Aviv for Holocaust Survivors.
Nitzan Horovitz A journalist and foreign affairs analyst, a documentary filmmaker, and a social activist. Served in the 18th and 19th Knessets on behalf of Meretz. He was a member of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee and established the gay lobby in the Knesset. Currently he serves as the chairman of the Public Council of the Israeli Association for Development and International Aid, a columnist for Haaretz, a radio presenter and Channel 2 and Channel 10 commentator on television. Nitzan is one of the leaders of the gay community in Israel for many years. StarY
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A blog by Alan Rhoda, Ph.D., mainly about philosophy, religion, and the metaphysics of time, free will, and future contingency.
An Evaluation of Thomistic Metaphysics – Part 2.1 – Act & Potency
By Alan Rhoda | March 1, 2017
My evaluation of Thomistic metaphysics begins where Feser does in his recent book Scholastic Metaphysics: A Contemporary Introduction, namely, with the theory of act and potency.* His chapter on this topic is 57 pages long, so I’ll need to break the topic down into parts. I’m going to parallel Feser’s section numbering to structure my discussion. The section titles, however, are mine. The first half of each section is mainly expository—my focus is on summarizing Feser’s (and Aquinas’s) views with a some of my own explanatory elaboration. The second half of each section is mainly critical and evaluative.
(*Feser’s book begins with a “prolegomenon” (Chapter 0) critiquing scientistic dismissals of metaphysics. Since that topic is tangential to Thomistic metaphysics proper, and since I have little to add by way of either critique or elaboration—it’s a wonderful chapter—I’m going to start with his Chapter 1.)
1.1. Origins of the distinction: accounting for change, persistence, multiplicity, and unity
The act–potency distinction originates with Aristotle, whose metaphysical views were shaped to a large extent by the dialectical context in which he found himself. Feser highlights two of Aristotle’s predecessors, Parmenides and Heraclitus, who came to deeply antithetical and radically implausible conclusions about the nature of change and multiplicity.
Parmenides and his pupil Zeno denied the possibility of change on the grounds that becoming requires the coming into being of something that is not, i.e., something that before the change has the status of literally nothing. And since nothing can come from nothing, change is impossible. Likewise, Parmenides and Zeno were monists who denied the possibility of multiplicity on the grounds that if there were two or more distinct things, they would have to differ in some respect. Since they obviously can’t differ with respect to being, they would have to differ with respect to non-being, which is nothing. And since a difference that amounts to nothing is simply no difference at all, it follows (so they argued) that no two things can be distinct. Hence, there can be at most one thing, namely, the One.
In contrast, Heraclitus (on the traditional interpretation at least) denied the possibility of persistence through change on the grounds that changing things cannot maintain sameness-of-subject-over-time. If A-at-T1 (say, a river) differs in any respect from A-at-T2 (e.g., by containing different water), then the former is utterly distinct from the latter. Hence (so the argument goes), nothing can persist through change. Change involves the ceasing-to-be of one thing and its replacement with something else. Feser suggests (p. 34) that similar reasoning can be used to argue that there’s also no real unity or commonality underlying the diverse manyness of things. What unity there is, is superficial or nominal (à la nominalism), i.e., merely a function of how we group things. What unity we find is something we project, and there is no unity in things for us to discover.
In each case, the positions attributed to Parmenides (no change, no multiplicity) and Heraclitus (no persistence through change, no real unity) are deeply counterintuitive. Being the commonsensical guy that he was, Aristotle wanted a way to do justice to both sets of arguments while avoiding the extreme conclusions of each. Thus, he wanted to affirm both that things can change and that they can persist through change, that there can be both a multiplicity of things and and a real unity or commonality among things. His proposed solution was a theory of act and potency.
The theory says that act and potency are correlative and (importantly) intrinsic principles of persisting substances. Act refers to being, i.e., what a substance actually is at a given time, whereas potency refers to a substance’s potential for becoming. To use a well-known Thomistic example from the First Way, a fire is actually hot—it is in act with respect to being hot—whereas a cold log just placed near the fire is not yet actually hot, but it can become hot—it is in potency with respect to being hot. As the log becomes hot, this potency is actualized. Because the potency is intrinsic to the log, the change takes place in the log. Hence, the log persists through the change (pace Heraclitus). And because the change is a transition between two states of being—from being actually cold to being actually hot—we don’t have something coming from nothing (pace Parmenides). Likewise, because the act of being hot is intrinsic to the log and the fire in each case, there is a real commonality among the two (pace Heraclitus). They both participate in the same act, one essentially (the fire) and the other accidentally (the log). And yet they remain distinct (pace Parmenides) in part at least because they have different potencies. The hot log has the potency to (again) become cold. The fire has no such potency.
My comments on the preceding
In my opinion, this is all plausible as far as it goes. Clearly insofar as anything exists there’s an intrinsic actuality to things. Things that exist do so as this or as that. They exist in some way or other. In all such respects we can say that the thing is “in act” with respect to what it is and how it is, its suchness, if you will. Equally clearly insofar as there is real becoming and persistence through change, there needs to be an intrinsic potency for things to change in the ways they do.
But however plausible this sounds, we should be alert to the fact that act and potency are being used by Aristotle to play (at least) two different sets of roles. The first is as principles of being and becoming. The second is as principles of unity and multiplicity. These two sets of roles, while overlapping, are not obviously coextensive. For example, while potency as a principle for becoming can differentiate between the fire and the log, or between one log and another, it’s not at all clear that potency (so understood) is the only way to differentiate between things and thereby ground multiplicity. Other possible ways of differentiating include, but are not necessarily limited to, spatio-temporal location, haecceities, and intrinsic and relational properties (other than those pertaining to becoming). So it should not be assumed that these two sets of roles (and others that may emerge later) for act/potency must stand or fall together. Indeed, while I think something like the Aristotelian analysis of intrinsic change has got to be right, I’m far less confident when it comes to unity and multiplicity. While the common use of act/potency talk in both domains may serve the salutary function of highlighting similarity and overlaps between the different sets of roles, it also risks conflating things that perhaps ought to be kept distinct. We shall have to keep this possibility in mind as we proceed.
1.1.2. How are act and potency related?
At this point (p. 36) Feser mentions, but tables until later, the issue of whether act and potency are “really” distinct (Aquinas), “formally” distinct (Scotus), or distinct in some other way.
He also notes (pp. 36-37) and discusses briefly a dispute among scholastics about whether anything other than potency “limits” act. Now this talk of potency “limiting” act strikes me as rather strange. What should we make of it? Feser gives the example of a round, rubber ball. The ball is “in act” with respect to roundness, but it’s not perfectly round—it’s round to a limited degree. It’s roundness is also limited in extent (its size) and to the place and time where the ball exists. Normally I think we’d say it’s the ball’s matter, the rubber of which it consists, that accounts for these limitations. Material objects occupy space and, qua material, have a potency (a susceptibility) to be moved and molded in different ways. They also have a coarseness due to their molecular structure and motion that prevents them from exactly having and holding an idealized shape like sphericity. The ball’s rubber has the potency to be arranged spherical-ishly, we might say, but not the potency to be formed into a perfect sphere.
I get this much, but it’s still not clear how the ball’s, or the rubber’s, potencies “limit” the ball’s act. As we have just seen, potency (of one sort at least) has to do with becoming, and act has to do with being. The rubber’s potencies certainly limit the ball’s potencies, but it’s also the ball’s act—it’s being a round, rubber ball—that determines or “limits” the ball’s potencies. As Feser himself emphasizes (p. 38), actuality is prior to and grounds potency (p. 38), and there can be no potency without actuality. But then why isn’t it more accurate to say that act limits potency, rather than the other way around? The fire and log example above seem to confirm this. The fire is actually hot. The cold log is potentially hot. But the log’s potency for becoming hot is limited by its actual material nature. After all, the log can’t become infinitely hot. After a certain point of heating its molecular constituents will come apart and the log as such will cease to be. So here again it seems that it’s the log’s act, it’s being the kind of thing that it is, that determines or limits its potencies or what can become of it.
Is there a way to make sense of this idea that potency “limits” act? I think so, but to do so we have to bring on board some additional metaphysical baggage that goes beyond the considerations of becoming and multiplicity noted above. Consider this passage quoted by Feser as the second of “twenty-four Thomistic theses”:
Because act is perfection, it is limited only by potency which is a capacity for perfection. Hence, a pure act in any order of being exists only as unlimited and unique; but whenever it (act) is finite and multiplied, there it unites in true composition with potency. (Feser, p. 37)
This presents yet a third conception of act and potency distinct from what has been mentioned so far. Here act and potency are viewed neither as principles of being and becoming, nor as as principles of unity and multiplicity, but rather as principles of perfection and limitation. Feser’s example of the rubber ball gives us a hint on how to make sense of this. Suppose we start by thinking of universals like roundness and humanity as quasi-Platonic entities, namely, as ideal Forms that are in some sense more real and more perfect than the things that participate in them. As is well-known, Aristotle was Plato’s pupil. He rejected the idea that these Forms existed apart from things. Instead of being extrinsic to things, Aristotle insisted that they were intrinsic. Common to all humans is the Form of humanity. The numerically same Form is in each of us. It is our nature or essence, and we all qua human share a common nature. Now let’s suppose that Aristotle’s Forms, like Plato’s, are normative Ideals. The Form of humanity includes all the fullness of what a human being can and ideally ought to be. Since none of us measures up to that ideal, either physically, mentally, or morally, there is a sense in which the Form is more real and more perfect than any of us. If that’s right, then it seems fair to say that we exist as particular limitations of that Form. I take it then that by “a pure act in any order of being” what is meant is an ideal and immaterial instance of that “order of being”. Aquinas famously believed that each angel was an essentially unique “pure act” in its own order of being. But humans are “finite and multiplied”, which raises the question of how the essentially unique and ideal Form that we share can be exemplified in so many, and often less-than-ideal, instances. Aquinas’s response to the question is matter. Matter is mereologically divisible (that’s part of its “potency”) and so can be parcelled out into a multiplicity of finite chunks that, when properly structured, can each severally exemplify a common Form. Each instance of humanity is therefore a “composition” of Form (act) and Matter (potency).
In the first place, it should be noted that this new role for the act/potency distinction is not obviously coextensive with either of the other two. It is not obvious, for example, that becoming entails limitation or imperfection. Nor is it obvious that multiplicity under a common universal must come by way of limitation. Perhaps there are good arguments for making these connections—and I grant that once we accept the broadly Platonic framework as modified by Aristotle these connections are not implausible—but absent a positive proof of such we should keep in mind the possibility that Aquinas’s use of the act/potency distinction in these three different ways conflates things that ought to be kept distinct.
The broadly Platonic framework as I’ve sketched it provides a way of understanding how matter is at once a principle of multiplicity and a principle of limitation. It also helps us understand how there can be a real commonality among things–they have the same Form–that are nevertheless different in a wide variety of ways. This is an idea that should be very attractive to anyone who believes in universal human rights. To be human, for example, is to intrinsically possess the Form of humanity. Any being that has that Form, regardless of its physical, cognitive, or even moral limitations, is still fully human. I strongly endorse this idea.
Granting, then, that matter can be a principle of multiplicity and limitation, I still don’t see why multiplicity in every “order of being” must be purchased via limitation (departure from an essential ideal) and materiality. Why can’t angels (or electrons), for example, share a common order of being and be distinct by something other than matter, e.g., spatial location, haecceities, non-essential intrinsic properties, or something else? (Like Aristotle, Aquinas probably wouldn’t have viewed matter as really distinct from space. It wasn’t until the 16th century with the experiments of Pascal and Torricelli that the possibility of a vacuum or space without matter became widely accepted.) Nor is it clear why we should identify either God or angels as instances of “pure act” in their own unique order of being. If angels can change (cf. Lucifer’s fall), then they require potency for becoming, at least initially. Why can’t the same be true of God as well? (This issue will come up again later.)
1.1.3. Divisions of act and potency
According to Feser (pp. 38ff.), potency can be subdivided into objective (i.e., merely conceptual) and subjective (i.e., real) potency. The latter, in turn, can be subdivided into active and passive potencies. Active potencies are better called “powers” because they are capacities to bring about effects, whereas passive potencies are capacities to be affected and changed. That the same term “potency” should be used for both active and passive potencies is both confusing and misleading. As Feser notes, it is passive potency that is potency in the strict sense that contrasts with act. So God who, according to Aquinas, is Pure Act is (qua omnipotent) loaded with active potency but utterly without passive potency. Hence, God is absolutely impassible and immutable (i.e., can’t be affected or changed).
Feser goes on to detail several distinctions with the category of passive potency, as well as several distinctions within the category of act (pp. 40–41). Here’s an image that someone else prepared based on Feser’s book:
Divisions of Act and Potency
For now I will only comment on the distinction between pure and mixed act. For Aquinas, both God and angels are pure act (actus purus). But God is absolutely pure act, whereas angels are only relatively pure. An angel is pure act because it is “form without matter”, but it is only relatively pure because its essence is in potency relative to its existence. God, in contrast, simply is His existence. His essence and His existence are one and the same, so the former can’t be in potency relative to the latter. Humans and rubber balls, of course, would be instances of mixed act.
The issue of the relation of existence and essence will come up again later when we get to Feser’s chapter 4, but it is worth noting that the idea that angelic essences are in potency relative to their existence introduces yet a fourth set of roles for the act/potency distinction. For here we’re not talking about potency as a principle of becoming, or potency as a principle of multiplicity within an “order of being”, or potency as a principle of limitation in relation to an order of being, but potency as a principle of existential limitation. Feser doesn’t spell it out here, but the underlying idea is that being, pure unfiltered being, which is God, has to be limited by a creaturely essence in order for anything other than God to exist. Being being limited in a certain way is what defines the creature’s essence, its order of being.
Summing up, then, we have (so far at least) four different sets of roles for act and potency:
Act Potency Posited to account for
being becoming intrinsic change
unity (form) multiplicity (matter) multiplicity (within an order of being)
perfection limitation limitation (with respect to a form)
existence essence limitation (with respect to being)
As I have noted above, it is far from obvious that these different applications of the act/potency distinction must stand or fall together. At the very least, there seem to be ways other than matter to account for multiplicity within an order of being. Moreover, limitation with respect to a form seems to require a broadly Platonic way of thinking about universals (Forms), which holds that Forms are more real and more perfect than their instances. (At the culmination of the Platonic heirarchy is the Form of the Good, which virtually contains all of the perfections of all of the other Forms. In later middle-platonic and neo-platonic thought, the Form of the Good became identified with God.) Likewise, limitation with respect to being presupposes the idea that being comes in degrees—something can be more or less real. These ways of thinking about universals and about being are not obvious and would be denied by a great many philosophers today. Most philosophers today would insist that being does not come in degrees but is categorical—something either is or it isn’t (full stop). Likewise, most philosophers would see universals as supplying merely necessary and sufficient conditions for kind-membership, not as quasi-Platonic Forms virtually containing the “fullness of being” of their instances. Hence, they would argue, multiplicity within a kind can be accounted for by addition (e.g., of non-essential properties) rather than by subtraction (i.e., limitation). Of course, that most modern philosophers disagree with Aquinas on these issues doesn’t make Aquinas wrong, but it does mean that we should require something substantial by way of argument before we accept the full metaphysical framework of act and potency sketched above.
Category: act & potency Thomism
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7 thoughts on “An Evaluation of Thomistic Metaphysics – Part 2.1 – Act & Potency”
Josh March 2, 2017
Dr. Rhoda,
Thanks so much for these blog posts! As someone who works in the Thomist metaphysical tradition, it is extremely helpful for me to see what critics pinpoint. I wanted to make a brief comment about your remarks re: Aristotle’s use of act/potency to account for unity/multiplicity and its relation to Thomas.
I think there is quite a bit of evidence to suggest that Thomas’ goes beyond Aristotle on this point. Although I haven’t quite been able to convince my fellow Thomists of its relevance, Thomas says very clearly on a number of occasions that multiplicity properly speaking is a transcendental feature of being qua being (multitudo est de transcendentibus). That is to say, just like unity/truth/goodness, etc. , “multitudo transcendens” is a positive perfection of being itself–as opposed to a mere “privation” of unity.
Now this doesn’t mean that Thomists should toss the idea that creatures are formally distinct from one another by virtue of their degrees of perfection. On the contrary, Thomas clearly holds something like the “Platonic” position you describe above. But the lesson of multitudo transcendens (which is absolutely original to Thomas) is that this is not all there is to say about multiplicity. Indeed, the fact that creatures are distinct in terms of act/potency belies the fact that they are a *deficient* multiplicity in comparison to God’s *perfect* multitudo (in the absolute *equality* of the community of Persons).
Anyway, I don’t want to ramble on about this, but I’m writing a dissertation on the topic, so it’s tempting. 🙂
Thanks again for these great posts!
Alan Rhoda Post author March 2, 2017
Hi Josh,
Thanks for your constructive comments. I welcome your further interaction with me on this and future posts.
Regarding the idea that “multiplicity properly speaking is a transcendental feature of being qua being” I’ve never heard about this. I can see how it could be viewed as an entailment of Thomistic metaphysics + Trinitarianism. And I presume there’s a story to tell about how this sort of multiplicity is compatible with divine simplicity. What’s not clear to me is how it might be relevant to beings other than God.
Best wishes regarding your dissertation.
Tom March 12, 2017
“[Feser] also notes…and discusses briefly a dispute among scholastics about whether anything other than potency ‘limits’ act. Now this talk of potency ‘limiting’ act strikes me as rather strange. What should we make of it?”
Totally agree with your response to this. Actuality defines and delimits potentialities, not the other way around. By turning it around I can only imagine Feser is describing the sense in which one can reason from a thing’s potentialities to the kind of thing it actually is. Maybe. Or perhaps he just wants to say that a thing’s potentialities limit its act in the sense that the potencies inherent in its act de-‘limit’ (define, describe) what its act might or might not become; kind of like walking backwards into the truth that ‘actuality delimits potentiality’. Not sure.
I’m excited you’re doing this Alan. Looking forward to it. As you know I’ve come to appreciate a lot about classical metaphysics (which we know isn’t convertible with Thomism, but he’s as good a place as any to lay out the issues). And to anticipate a question I’m sure you’ll get to – Do we want to say (with Process folk) that God’s ‘act’ (his concrete actuality) is entirely and without remainder contingent becoming whereas the divine perfections (omniscience, goodness, etc.) are (as Hartshorne argued) mere ‘abstractions’? But just as actuality grounds/delimits potentialities, so also does actuality determines/grounds abstractions. So we have to posit, it seems, some necessary, antecedent actuality. But I’m getting ahead of things. Very interested in seeing where you come out on this.
No pressure! We just want you to solve 2,000 of theological mystery!
2,000 years that is.
Scalia February 9, 2018
A potential limits act in that the actualization of potency is limited to its essence. Potency/Act is also known as Essence/Existence. An oak tree’s essence will not allow it to become a rational animal. Its act is thus limited by its potential.
Jeff September 17, 2017
Good to see you posting again, Alan!
With respect to your comment that “Of course, that most modern philosophers disagree with Aquinas on these issues doesn’t make Aquinas wrong, but it does mean that we should require something substantial by way of argument before we accept the full metaphysical framework of act and potency sketched above,” I’m thinking that many philosophers simply see no point in violating inductive criteria (not necessarily consciously, of course) like parsimony and breadth of explanation when accounting for those beliefs that we can’t seem to abandon without being logically inconsistent or unintelligible in some way. That being the case, it’s hard to see from that point of view what the language of “actus purus,” impassibility, etc. buys us which can’t already be accounted for with the much clearer language of existence, substance-attribute relationship, locality, temporality, causality (including teleology), etc that main-stream philosophy has been using for centuries.
Hopefully, when you’re done we’ll see more clearly if those philosophers are right. If so, a remaining question will be whether inductive criteria are to only be applied to certain subject matter (and why, if so) or all subject matter where it can be applied.
Tom Belt October 22, 2017
We miss you online voice a lot, Alan.
MOTTO: Seek first the true, the good, and the beautiful.
My name is Alan Rhoda. I have a Ph.D. in Philosophy from Fordham University (2004). My dissertation was on the skeptical problem of induction, and I have published 13 professional papers to date in philosophy of religion, metaphysics, and epistemology. The dominant theme of my research is the openness of the future, as contrasted with the fixity or settledness of the past. I have about 10 years' worth of academic teaching experience, primarily at UNLV and at Notre Dame. Originally from Las Vegas, NV, I currently reside near Indianapolis.
Proving Classical Theism? An Aristotelian Argument Examined
An Evaluation of Thomistic Metaphysics – Part 1 – Intro
Truth-in, Truth-at, and Just Plain Truth
Correspondence vs. Disquotation
Tom on Proving Classical Theism? An Aristotelian Argument Examined
Jeff on Proving Classical Theism? An Aristotelian Argument Examined
Proving Classical Theism? An Aristotelian Argument Examined – Open Future on An Evaluation of Thomistic Metaphysics – Part 1 – Intro
Scalia on An Evaluation of Thomistic Metaphysics – Part 2.1 – Act & Potency
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Dave West – Visual Artist
Dave West is a full-time artist born in South Wales in 1972 and living in Balbriggan since 2002. He studied Illustration at the Carmarthenshire College of Art & Design and recently completed a degree in Art History with the Open University.
He works mainly through the genres of landscape and still life. In his landscape work, he continuously explores new subjects, both locally, nationally and abroad. He seeks to explore the emotional connections between places and atmosphere.
Dave’s still life paintings have an autobiographical element. They are staged in strong lighting and feature meticulously rendered objects. Some throwaway, some nostalgic and other for their visual beauty.
In addition to his fine art practice, Dave teaches art both privately and in public art centres, colleges, and schools.
He has mounted numerous solo exhibitions including exhibitions at Draiocht Arts Centre, Iontas Arts Centre, and the Seamus Ennis Arts Centre.
He exhibits regularly in Group Shows including the Royal Hibernian Academy, Royal Ulster Academy and Eígse, and in the UK with the Royal West of England Academy, Royal Society of Oil Painters, Royal Society of Marine Artists, The New English Art Club and The Royal Society of British Artists.
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Baseball Researcher
The Pride of the Yankees Seeknay
Ever hear the story about the classic movie "The Pride of the Yankees" and how director Sam Wood turned the hopelessly right-handed actor Gary Cooper into a believable version of lefty baseball legend Lou Gehrig? Here's how Jeffrey Meyers related it in his biography of the Hollywood star, Gary Cooper: American Hero:
Since Cooper couldn't hit left-handed, the technicians devised an ingenious method of getting around the problem. They reversed the number on his uniform, had him run to third instead of first base and then reversed the print of the film.
Seems like a plausible way to solve the problem, but an awful lot of work. Like a complicated conspiracy theory, every aspect of the plan would have to have been carefully planned out and perfectly executed:
every other player in the shot would also have to don backwards uniforms
the second baseman, third baseman, and shortstop would all have to be left-handers and wear gloves on their right hand
as for a catcher, they'd have to track down both a left-handed mitt and a lefty to wear it and look believable behind the plate
the running lane halfway down the first base line would have to be removed, and a mirror version placed down the third base line
every shot would have to be carefully set up so that, when reversed, there would be nothing to belie the trickery: no outfield advertising, no ballpark features that are non-symmetrical, etc.
So, did it really happen? We'll see. First, let's examine what the newspapers of the day had to say about the story.
On December 31, 1941, just about a month before shooting for the movie began, the following Associated Press story ran in the Atlanta Constitution:
To Frank (Lefty) O'Doul, manager of the San Francisco Seals and former New York Giants outfielder, goes the task of coaching Gary Cooper for his role of Lou Gehrig in the film version of the late Yankee first baseman's career.
O'Doul, retained by Sam Goldwyn as technical adviser on the picture, will have as his first assignment teaching Cooper to throw and bat left-handed.
Then, three weeks later, the following story appeared in the January 21, 1942, issue of the Christian Science Monitor:
"The Pride of the Yankees" is the name of the moving picture based on the life of Lou Gehrig, for which Lefty O'Doul is now teaching Gary Cooper to throw left-handed. O'Doul has Cooper chopping wood, bowling, punching the bag and even tossing pebbles in the southpaw fashion.
Then, another month later, with shooting well underway, the following note appeared in the Hartford Courant of February 24, 1942:
Latest reports from the scene of action are that Gary Cooper, who is playing Lou Gehrig, with no previous experience at base ball, is still too rusty in both left-handed throwing and batting. Coaches are working feverishly to polish off the rough edges.
And, on July 13, 1942, just days prior to the movie opening, Shirley Povich of the Washington Post wrote:
Samuel Goldwyn, who produced "The Pride of the Yankees," the story of Lou Gehrig, did not completely trust Gary Cooper's ability to simulate a left-handed ball player, which, of course, was a prime essential in the script.
A heap of hokum came out of Hollywood concerning the efforts of Lefty O'Doul to teach Cooper how to throw and catch a ball left-handed. O'Doul, the old Giant who is a left-hander himself, was supposed to have converted the right-handed Cooper into some semblance of a southpaw first baseman, but apparently it didn't work out very satisfactorily.
In the "Pride of the Yankees" you'll see Cooper as a left-hander, wearing the first baseman's mitt on his right hand, taking throws pretty well and throwing the ball left-handed. But, chums, it will be an illusion. Everything you see Cooper doing left-handed in the picture, he's actually doing right-handed.
The camera men finally took charge of the job of converting Cooper into a left-hander. They had the valuable assistance of the wardrobe department. The first move was to rip the letters off the Yankee uniform of the cinema Gehrig and sew them on again, this time exactly as they would appear in a mirror-backward.
Then, to complete the illusion, they stationed Cooper not at first base for the fielding shots, but at third base. They let him throw right-handed and take all balls right-handed. Then they reversed all of the negatives, and the effect was complete. The word "SEEKNAY" was transformed into "YANKEES" across the chest of Cooper and his right-handed actions became left-handed in the reversed negatives, and everything worked out beautifully.
Here, Povich states that the film was flipped in order to compensate for Cooper's inability to catch and throw left-handed, making no mention of him batting right-handed and running down the third base line. (Never mind the erroneous assertion that Cooper wore a jersey with the words "YANKEES" (or "SEEKNAY") in the film. The road uniforms used in the movie featured "NEW YORK" across the chest, not "YANKEES.") Nevertheless, even before the movie had been released, some version of the reversal story was already public knowledge.
Before examining the truth behind that story, a couple of words about my research:
First, I examined every scene in the final cut of the movie, as well as a number of publicity stills, for evidence of the film being flipped. However, I cannot vouch for what may have taken place in scenes that ended up on the cutting room floor.
Second, it is important to keep in mind that continuity and accuracy in movies in "the old days" were simply not as important as they are today. A movie released in 1942 was meant to be seen once, maybe twice, in the movie theater. When its run was over ... it was over. Today, a movie has a significant life after its initial release. It is meant to be seen numerous times, not just in the theater, but also on television and at home, via DVD rentals and sales, as well as internet, on-demand delivery. Quite simply, given these multiple viewings, today's film fans are more likely to notice movie gaffs and thus movie-makers pay more attention to continuity and accuracy.
And now, on to the movie.
The first scene we'll examine is about 20 minutes into the film, and features Gary Cooper portraying Gehrig as he takes batting practice while playing for Columbia University.
There are a couple of clues in this scene that suggest that the shot is not reversed. First, notice that Cooper's Columbia jersey buttons together such that the left portion of the shirt placket is on top of the right. In other words, the buttons are attached to the right portion of the shirt and the button holes are on the left portion. This is, and has long been, the common pattern for men's shirts. Unless a special jersey was created that not only had backwards lettering ("AIBMULOC"), but a backwards-buttoning placket, the shot we see here was not reversed. Having the wardrobe department go to the trouble of fashioning a backwards-buttoning jersey would have been wasted effort. With limited viewings, movie-goers simply would never notice or care about the subtlety. Still think that might have happened? If so, they'd have also had to create a special, backwards-buttoning jacket and vest for Walter Brennan (at far left in the background). Nope. It just didn't happen.
Additionally, a second clue points to the shot not being flipped. Take a close look at the bat in Cooper's hands. The oval center brand reveals that it is a Louisville Slugger. And just above the brand is the angled "Powerized" logo. Here's a close-up of a different bat with these same markings:
From a distance, the center brand will look essentially the same, whether a shot is reversed or not. But since the "Powerized" logo is at an angle, even a somewhat blurry movie frame may belie if the shot has been flipped or not. In the above scene, the "Powerized" logo on Cooper's bat is correctly angled (bottom left to top right), and thus the shot is not reversed.
Anyone out there think that the movie-makers had Hillerich & Bradsby manufacture backwards-branded bats? Well, if they had gone to all that trouble, you'd think they might have gone to the trouble of finding out that the "Powerized" logo wasn't even introduced on bats until 1931, years after the scene was supposed to have taken place. Nope. It just didn't happen.
We next see Gary Cooper in action during a montage of shots in which Lou Gehrig learns to play ball at Hartford, his stint in the minor leagues. For now, we'll skip over that section of the movie and instead take a look at a sequence about half an hour into the film: Gehrig’s Yankee Stadium debut.
Here we see a shot at what is purportedly Yankee Stadium, but in actuality was Wrigley Field in Los Angeles. Wrigley Field was the longtime home of the Los Angeles Angels of the old Pacific Coast League, but is perhaps better remembered today as the location of numerous movie and television shoots.
In this scene, Gehrig's parents are seated in the stands, awaiting the appearance of their son. His mother was played by Elsa Janssen, whose Hollywood career is otherwise forgettable. His father was played by Ludwig Stössel, whom you might recall from an uncredited role as Mr. Leuchtag (at center in the screen shot below) in a movie released the following year: Casablanca.
Remember the following exchange between Mr. and Mrs. Leuchtag at Rick's?
Mr. Leuchtag: Frau Leuchtag and I are speaking nothing but English now.
Mrs. Leuchtag: So we should feel at home when we get to America.
Carl (the waiter): A very nice idea.
Mr. Leuchtag: To America.
Mrs. Leuchtag: To America.
Carl: To America.
Mr Leuchtag: Liebchen, uh, sweetness-heart, what watch?
Mrs. Leuchtag: Ten watch.
Mr. Leuchtag: Such much?
Carl: You will get along beautifully in America.
But back to "The Pride of the Yankees," note the long shadow cast by a light standard attached to the first-base-side roof. First, of course, this is historically inaccurate, as big league baseball didn't stage night contests until May of 1935 and it was not until May of 1946, almost four years after the movie's debut, that a game was played under the lights at Yankee Stadium. More importantly, however, shadows may help us determine whether or not a shot was reversed. Here's a fire insurance map of Wrigley Field:
courtesy of the Ball State University Libraries GIS Research and Map Collection
In this map, North is to the left. So the morning and mid-day sun would cast a shadow of the first-base-side light standard onto the field. But by the afternoon, these shadows would be gone, and shadows of the third-base side roof would fall onto the field. Good information to know as we examine more scenes in the movie.
Here we see Cooper entering the field, his jersey-buttons revealing that the shot is not reversed. Playing a southpaw, he wears his first baseman's mitt on his right hand.
A few minutes later in the film, Gehrig gets his big break when, as the story goes, Yankees first baseman Wally Pipp gets a headache. (That tale has been debunked, by the way. You can read about it at snopes.com.)
Here we see longtime minor league ballplayer George McDonald portraying the unfortunate Wally Pipp in action purportedly at Comiskey Park in Chicago. Note that there was no need for the movie-makers to flip this particular shot. Both Pipp and McDonald were lefties, so they simply had McDonald bat as has he normally would. Thus, we can use this most-certainly unflipped view of the Wrigley Field grandstand behind home as a reference for future shots. Note the two prominent angled features that I have highlighted in red below. If these were later seen to be reversed, it would prove that a shot had been flipped.
With Pipp quite literally out of the picture, Gehrig steps to the plate.
Note that both Gary Cooper's shirt buttons and the angled elements in the background grandstand reveal that the shot is not reversed. Furthermore, there is one additional clue to corroborate this. Take a look at this actual image of Lou Gehrig taken at Comiskey Park in Chicago:
... and now let's take a look at a detail from that image.
It's not often that one gets the chance to do baseball research by taking a close look at Lou Gehrig's crotch, but here's an opportunity. Note that, like the situation with men's buttoned shirts, flies similarly lay with the left side of the pants on top of the right side. In the shot of Gary Cooper at bat above, his fly is not reversed, thus the shot was not flipped.
Cooper doesn't actually take a swing in this shot. Instead, the director cuts to a shot taken from behind the backstop, showing a batter (presumably Gehrig) swinging, hitting the ball, and running to first. Since there is no continuous shot showing Cooper swinging and then running, there is no need to put him in a backwards uniform and flip the film. Instead, in the long shot, a double for Cooper portrayed Gehrig swinging and running to first.
The double was none other than Babe Herman, the veteran of 12 years in the big leagues and by this time a first baseman for the Hollywood Stars of the Pacific Coast League. (A few years later, Herman would make a brief return to the Brooklyn Dodgers for his 13th and final big league season.) Indeed, the Los Angeles Times of January 22, 1942, stated that "Hollywood's Babe Herman probably will double for Gary Cooper in the long-action shots of the Lou Gehrig film." In the photo below, Babe Herman (center) and Lefty O'Doul (right) teach Gary Cooper how to bat left-handed.
Babe Herman was an excellent double for Cooper. From a distance, the two men looked similar, as Herman was 6'4" and Cooper was 6'3". But Herman had the advantage of being a left-handed batting, left-handed throwing first baseman, so there was no need for his sequences to be flipped.
It should be noted that a different bit of Hollywood trickery was used in this distant action shot. Here's that shot again, but this time I've added a red line cutting the image in half:
The scene below the red line is footage shot for the movie at Wrigley Field. Everything above the red line was a matte painting of Comiskey Park overlaid to make it appear as if the action took place at that ballpark. The grid pattern of the backstop fencing conveniently helps to obscure the horizontal line between the two halves of the frame.
Also, notice how close in the right fielder is playing, especially against a lefty batter. The fielder plays so far in because, in order to appear in the action portion of the frame, he needs to be positioned below the red line. If he were further back, he would be obscured (or, even worse, partially obscured) by the overlaid matte painting. This movie "magic" is used elsewhere in "The Pride of the Yankees" to fake action at other ballparks such as Yankee Stadium and Sportsman's Park in St. Louis.
About 40 minutes into the film we once again see Cooper at the plate. (The screen shot below includes the faint remnant of a dissolve from an earlier shot of a Boston Braves jersey.)
Note that Cooper's jersey buttons, his fly, and the "Powerized" logo on his bat each indicate that the shot is not reversed. Right after Cooper's swing, the film cuts to a shot of the crowd, then a distant shot of the field. So, once again, there was no continuous shot of Gehrig batting and then running, so there was no need for the backwards trickery.
Half a dozen minutes later, we see Babe Ruth ground out to end an inning and Gary Cooper head towards first base for the bottom half of the inning. Notice the sun is at his back, with his shadow pointing towards right field.
In the next shot, Cooper picks up his left-handed first baseman's mitt from the ground near first. Notice that his jersey buttons are not reversed and his shadow still points towards right field. The shot is not flipped.
The final shot of the sequence shows Cooper apparently catching with his right hand during infield warm-ups.
As with the prior shots in the sequence, Cooper's jersey buttons the normal way and the lighting remains consistent, with the shadows pointing towards right field. Though Cooper's catch is not particularly smooth (he actually makes a bit of a stab at the ball), the actor succeeds at the task without the need to flip the image.
To review, the challenge for the movie-makers was to make the right-handed Cooper a believable left-handed Gehrig. To do this, he must appear to catch as a lefty, bat as a lefty, and throw as a lefty. How hard is it for a right-handed thrower to use his right hand to catch? Actually, catching with the opposite hand isn't very difficult. What about swinging left-handed? That, too, can be done with just a bit of practice. (Remember, he only needs to swing left-handed, not necessarily hit the ball as a lefty.) But it is almost impossible to teach a right-hander to throw left-handed so that it appears believable. Even the most accomplished of players, when asked to throw with their opposite hand, will look foolish. Throughout the movie, we see Cooper actually swing left-handed and in one shot (the one above) actually catch as a lefty. But throwing lefty was a different story.
Just a minute later in the film, we see Cooper once again swinging left-handed in an unreversed shot. This time he does so while winning prizes at a fair while on a date with his future wife, Eleanor (played by Teresa Wright).
Note that not only does Cooper's vest button the normal way for men (red arrow), but a woman in the background wears a dress showing the reverse style of buttoning (blue arrow) used by the opposite sex.
An hour into the film, with the Yankees playing the Cardinals in the 1926 World Series at Sportsman's Park, we see Cooper in a number of batting sequences. Each of the shots turns out to be unflipped, as evidence by the usual clues: how the actor's jersey buttons, the angle of his bat's "Powerized" logo, and the background angles of Wrigley Field's grandstand.
About 20 minutes later, Cooper portrays Gehrig on his wedding day, batting at Yankee Stadium.
As usual, the background angles of the Wrigley Field grandstand, the angle of the "Powerized" logo and the way Cooper's jersey buttons confirms that the shot was not flipped.
Before Cooper even takes a swing, the scene cuts to a long shot of Yankee Stadium:
As was the case with some of the earlier distant action shots, the bottom portion of the frame contains footage taken at Wrigley Field, while the top portion is a matte painting of Yankee Stadium. As we saw earlier, the batter portraying Gehrig in this shot is Babe Herman. And, once again, check out how ridiculously far in the right fielder is playing.
A dozen minutes later we see Gary Cooper getting ready to bat as he portrays Gehrig playing in his 2,000th straight major league game:
Note that his jersey buttons in the normal fashion and the "Powerized" logos on both of his bats are angled correctly. The shot is not reversed.
About five minutes later, the action moves to spring training in 1939 with Lou Gehrig experiencing problems related to his worsening illness. As Gehrig struggles, Bill Dickey (who plays himself) looks on. And his wife Violet also makes an uncredited, cameo appearance as herself.
In this scene, for the only time in the entire film, Cooper is seen batting and then running toward first base in a single continuous shot.
The sequence takes all of two seconds, but it is the only one in the movie that fits the story of reversing footage of Cooper batting right-handed and running to third. But did it really happen here?
At first glance there is nothing in the shot that belies whether or not the shot is flipped. Cooper wears a jacket and, at least in the actual batting sequence, we cannot see how it buttons. The bat is too far away to look for the "Powerized" logo, and there's little else to go on. The catcher is right-handed, so if the shot is reversed, the movie-makers would have had to find a lefty catcher. That seems highly unlikely, but still a possibility. At this point, the best evidence that the shot is not reversed is that the swing looks similar in style to lefty swings we've seen Cooper take earlier in the movie and it would seem strange that the trick would be used in this spring training sequence, but not in other more prominent scenes in the film.
As it turns out, however, a scene half a minute later provides a subtle clue. After discussing his troubles with manager Joe McCarthy (played by Harry Harvey), Cooper runs off into the distance. Since Cooper doesn't bat, catch or throw in this brief scene, it is a reasonable assumption that the footage was not reversed. As he runs, we can see that his right back pocket flap is tucked in, but his left back pocket flap is not.
Now look back at the batting sequence carefully. In the second shot above, where he has just finished his swing, one can see that his back right pocket flap is tucked in. In the third shot, in which he starts running towards first, we see the left back pocket flap is out. Again, it appears that Cooper has batted left-handed and run towards first base, with no flipping of the film.
We have now examined every scene in the movie that could conceivably have been reversed in order to compensate for Cooper's right-handedness, and in every case have found the shots to have remained as they were originally filmed: unflipped. Every scene, that is, except for those in which Gehrig is portrayed playing for Hartford. Let us now return to that minute-long sequence.
Ignoring the interspersed cuts in which we see Gehrig opening letters sent from home and newspaper headlines revealing his progress in the minors, here is a rundown of the sequence:
Cooper watches a right-handed first baseman take throws at first base from a left-handed coach. Afterwards, Cooper gives it a try and catches a ball thrown by the same lefty coach.
A base runner slides into a base.
Cooper wipes his brow.
Once again a base runner slides into a base.
Cooper takes fielding practice from a left-handed batter. First he catches a soft line drive and throws the ball back in. Then he fields a grounder and throws the ball.
Cooper practices some more at first base, taking throws by a right-handed coach.
Cooper wipes his brow again.
Cooper takes some batting practice against a right-handed throwing pitcher.
Cooper once again takes a throw at first base.
Suspiciously, in all but just a few shots in the sequence, Cooper and the coaches wear sweatshirts. Was this done to hide clues that might belie the reversal of the footage? Also, conveniently, the "H" logo on the caps of those seen in this sequence is symmetrical, so if the film were reversed, the caps would not give away the post-production trickery. Still, careful research will allow us to determine if any of these shots were flipped.
Here are three key frames from the initial scene in which Gehrig is being coached at first base. (Note that the third frame shows a bit of the dissolve into the next mini-scene, Cooper sliding into a base.)
A close look at the first frame reveals that the first baseman is none other than Gary Cooper's double: Babe Herman:
The Conlon Collection
As we've already seen, Herman was, like Gehrig, a left-handed batter. He was also a left-handed thrower. But in this sequence he is seen with a first baseman's mitt on his left hand, not his right hand, and he catches and throws flawlessly.
In the second frame we see the coach throw the ball with his left hand. But, for reasons we will see later on, the coach actually was right-handed.
Finally, as seen in the third frame, Cooper catches a ball at first base in a relatively smooth, seamless fashion.
In short, this first mini-scene has all the earmarks of having been flipped. And there's good reason to flip the shot, as it contained footage of Gary Cooper making a quality catch ... something that would have been very hard to do without this righty-lefty trickery.
There is not much to be learned from the sliding scenes. In both of the actual sliding portions of these shots, it is Babe Herman hurtling into the base, not Cooper. In the first of those shots, after the slide is complete, there is a jump cut to Cooper on the ground, but he didn't actually perform the slide. Note that Cooper's fly lays the normal way, but there would have been no need to reverse this shot anyway.
On the third mini-scene, sandwiched between the two sliding sequences, Cooper wipes his brow. At first glance, it seems that there is not much to this shot, but upon close examination this rather innocuous shot provides an important clue.
Note that Cooper's right hand has a significant bandage on the palm. With all the batting that Cooper did during the filming of the movie, it seems likely he would developed blisters. And where would these blisters form? On his bottom hand while batting. Since we've seen that Cooper batted left-handed throughout the film, that would be his right hand. Thus, it appears that this shot was not flipped.
In the next sequence, Cooper takes fielding practice from a left-handed batter. Twice during this sequence we see Cooper throw with his left hand. But is it really his left hand? Take a close look at his hand after his follow-through:
There is the same bandage we saw seconds earlier, but this time it has magically jumped from his right hand to his left. More likely it isn't magic: it is simply the film being flipped in order to make a right-handed thrower look like a natural lefty.
The next sequence is a bit difficult to research, as some of the footage is obscured by dissolves in and out of a shot of a newspaper headline. There are two distinct parts to the sequence:
Cooper, stationed at first base, catches and then throws a baseball.
A right-handed coach throws the ball and we see the ball enter a mitt of a left-handed first baseman.
Here's that first part, in which Cooper catches and throws a ball:
As was the case in the previous parts of the Hartford sequence, it would seem that this shot had to have been reversed in order to make the actions of the right-handed Cooper believable. However, though it is a bit difficult to see above, the jersey Cooper wears reads "HARTFORD." If this shot really was flipped, the letters must have been sewed on backwards. We shall soon see that is exactly what occurred.
In the second part, we see the coach throw the ball.
This is clearly the same coach who was throwing to Cooper and Babe Herman in the first portion of this minute-long sequence. But in that shot, the coach threw with his left hand. Now he's a righty. Here's a side-by-side comparison of the coach throwing left-handed in the first portion of the sequence (at left) and right-handed in this latest shot (at right):
Not only is the coach's motion perfectly flipped, but the shadows and background stands are mirror images of one another, as well. Obviously, one of the shots has been flipped. But which? The answer is that the first shot, the one in which the coach throws with his left hand, is the one that was flipped. Not only did we already determine that shot was backwards due to the clues supplied by Babe Herman, but in a moment another clue will corroborate this fact.
After the coach throws the ball, a player catches the ball:
Since the coach is actually a right-handed thrower, this shot is not reversed. And since the first baseman's mitt is on the right hand and the catch is smooth, it is likely that the person catching the ball is not Gary Cooper. If it were, why not have the camera show him? No. It is much more likely that the mitt is on the hand of Babe Herman.
The next portion of the Hartford sequence is another shot of Cooper wiping his brow. The shot is very much obscured by a dissolve of a newspaper, but the keen-eyed observer can make out the bandage on Cooper's hand. As it is seen on his left hand, the shot has been flipped.
Next we see Cooper taking batting practice.
As he has done throughout the film, Cooper bats left-handed. The coach is throwing right-handed. And in the next shot we corroborate the coach is a natural righty:
Note that the background features an outfield wall with advertising that is not reversed. Thus, the coach is truly throwing right-handed.
In the final seconds of the Hartford sequence we see Cooper once again taking a throw at first base and then making a return throw.
Here we have a clearer view of the "HARTFORD" jersey worn by Cooper ... a jersey that buttons in opposite fashion from every other jersey seen in the movie. Look closely and you will see that the right portion of the shirt placket lays on top of the left. Of course, in reality, the jersey buttoned in the normal fashion and the letters forming the word "HARTFORD" were sewn on backwards. The shot was flipped in order to make Cooper's right-handed action appear to be left-handed.
So, in this 60-second sequence, we've seen that there are a number of action shots that have been flipped in order to show Cooper catching and throwing left-handed. And, in one sequence in particular, Cooper has been placed in a backwards "HARTFORD" jersey in order to make the effect even more believable.
In summary, as far as the final cut of "The Pride of the Yankees" goes, Gary Cooper never wore a backwards Yankees uniform of any sort. He never batted right-handed or ran to third base after swinging. He did indeed learn to bat left-handed. And only in a handful of shots during a brief sequence portraying Gehrig's days at Hartford did the movie-makers resort to flipping footage in order to make Cooper appear to be a natural left-hander.
Now, I wonder if the Western Costume Company, the folks who supplied the uniforms for the movie, still has a backwards "HARTFORD" jersey somewhere in their collection. What a find that would be.
Update of February 19, 2013:
Thanks to a tip from Richard Sandomir, the New York Times reporter who recapped my research in his article of February 8, 2013, I was able to track down a brief account of the "flipping" story as recalled by Gary Cooper himself. The interested reader can find it at The Gary Cooper Scrapbook web site. In 1956, The Saturday Evening Post ran an eight-part series written by Cooper (as told to George Scullin) titled "Well, It Was This Way." In the final installment, published April 7, 1956, Cooper reminisced about the film, a favorite of both Cooper and his father:
Another picture dad and I were fond of was Pride of the Yankees, in which I played the part of the late Lou Gehrig. I nearly lost the role when the studio discovered to its horror that I had never played baseball in my life. Than, after getting the part, I discovered, to my private horror, that I couldn't throw a ball. The countless falls I had taken as a trick rider had so ruined my right shoulder that I couldn't raise my arm above my head.
Lefty O'Doul, now manager of the Oakland ball club, came down to help me out. "You throw a ball," he told me after studying my unique style, "like an old woman tossing a hot biscuit." But we went to work, and after some painful weeks he got my arm to working in a reasonable duplication of Gehrig's throw. There remained on outstanding difference. Gehrig was a southpaw, and I threw right-handed. To remedy this in close-ups, the letters on my uniform were reversed as in mirror writing, and the film was processed with the back side to the front. My right hand thus appeared to be my left.
Happily, the story Cooper told jibes perfectly with the research detailed above.
First, note that Cooper made no mention of issues regarding batting and/or running to third base. As we've already seen, these posed no problem, as Cooper simply learned to bat left-handed.
Second, Cooper noted that he had never played baseball and his right-handed throw was terrible. O'Doul came in to solve the most important problem: teaching Cooper to throw in a fashion that simply looked reasonable and not "like an old woman tossing a hot biscuit." Never mind that it was a right-handed throw, as that would be remedied by flipping the film.
Third, Cooper stated that the backwards trickery involved flipping "the letters on my uniform." He never stated that it was a Yankees uniform, and indeed it was just an altered Hartford jersey that made the movie's final cut.
In short, Cooper's statements are consistent with the results of the above research.
Posted by Tom Shieber at 6:12 PM 30 comments:
Labels: Gary Cooper, Lou Gehrig, New York Yankees, The Pride of the Yankees
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Spectator hit by Ryder Cup winner Hatton's golf ball at Dunhill Links
By admin on October 4, 2018 No Comment
A woman was injured when she was hit by a wayward shot from defending champion Tyrrell Hatton on day one of the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.
The spectator was seen bleeding from a head wound after the incident on the 15th hole at Kingsbarns Golf Club.
The woman was treated on the course by paramedics before being taken by buggy to the medical centre on site.
It comes less than a week after a woman suffered a serious eye injury after a ball struck her at the Ryder Cup.
The wayward tee shot from American Brooks Koepka occurred during the opening session at Le Golf National.
The injured woman was treated at the medical centre on site
Corine Remande, from Egypt, was hit on the par-four sixth hole in Paris and told the BBC that she has lost the sight in her right eye.
Koepka, who is also playing in the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, said he was heartbroken after learning of the extent of the injury suffered by Mrs Remande.
Brooks Koepka said: “Yesterday was probably one of the worst days of my life,”
“I haven’t had too many tragedies in my personal family where there’s been a loss or any kind of tragic accident so I’ve been lucky in that sense.
“I wasn’t told until I got to the course – I’m not the biggest person on social media – so when I got here and had about seven missed calls and 25 text messages I was like, ‘What’s going on?’. Then I was told the news and obviously I am really heartbroken. My stomach sank.”
The course is one of the three used for the pro-am event.
Spectator hit by Ryder Cup winner Hatton's golf ball at Dunhill Links added by admin on October 4, 2018
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All women racing team to debut in JKNRC
All-women racing team to debut in JKNRC
Chennai, July 1: An all-women professional racing team will be seen in action for the first time in the history of the JK Tyre FMSCI National Racing Championship.
Over 60 ladies from different parts of the country converged at the Karti Motor Speedway in Coimbatore earlier this week to bag the 12 coveted seats on offer.
They were all given basic driving lessons and training for the first two days, before the best 24 got to participate in the selection trials.
The top five, plus a celebrity driver in the form of Marathi actress Manisha Kelkar, were eventually picked who will now compete in the 21st edition of the JKNRC for Team Ahura Racing, starting this weekend.
“These are exciting times for Indian motorsport. We were pleasantly surprised to see so many women turn out for the Talent Hunt,” JK Motorsports head Sanjay Sharma said.
Local girl Roshni proved to be the best driver, taking the first place with the fastest time of 1:19.081 minutes. The other lucky girls were Lea Daran (Meghalaya; 1:20:137), Priyamvada (Bengaluru; 1:20.169), Megaa (Coimbatore; 1:20:712), C Hansuja (Bengaluru; 1:22:333) and Manisha Kelkar (Mumbai; 1:23.300).
Three-time national racing champion Sarosh Hataria’s Ahura Racing conducted the elaborate Talent Hunt and Driver Selection process. A five-member team evaluated the drivers based on fitness, car control, speed and lap times and picked the final 12.
“We got over 120 entries from all across India. As many as 60 women turned up eventually which is amazing,” Sarosh Hataria said. “Our goal is to make them truly competitive, to ensure that they upstage the boys,” he added.
“I have to thank Ahura Racing and JK Tyre for giving us this opportunity. All of us girls had a great time during the trials and now we are charged up to compete in the National Racing Championship. It’s a dream come true,” the winner Roshni said.
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The Reklaws – “Hometown...
The Reklaws – “Hometown Kids”
October 3, 2017 by Sharon Bhella
The country music community has been talking about this brother-sister duo all summer, and with a debut single as catchy as this one we’re sure it won’t be long before they hit the country music world by storm. We are very excited to share with you behind the scenes footage from The Reklaws latest music video for “Hometown Kids”.
In this exclusive behind the scenes video, directed by MTV award winning Ben Knetchel, you’ll get to see the story behind “Hometown Kids” and get to know Jenna and Stuart Walker a little better. True to the title of the song, the video was filmed in their hometown of Cambridge along with 40 of their closest friends showing off their fun and adventurous personalities.
The pair started off their careers back in 2012 as “The Reklaws” and were featured during the Boots and Hearts Emerging Artist showcase in 2013. After spending time in Nashville over the past three years, they proudly announced their major label debut with Universal Music Canada this year.
Stay up to date with The Reklaws here.
Tags: Behind the Scenes, BTS, Canadian, Country, Hometown Kids, Jenna Walker, New Music Video, Stuart Walker, The Reklaws
Jason Derulo – Talk Dirty
Watch This: Yelawolf ft. Kid Rock – Let’s Roll
Solange Knowles’ ‘Losing You’ Video!
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OpenGrok
Back when Sun launched OpenSolaris, I was pretty psyched about the whole thing, but one of the things that actually interested me the most was their online source browser. For those who haven't played with it, it's pretty much a reimplementation of LXR, which you may have seen in use over at lxr.mozilla.org.
Of course, at the time, the code to this part of the OpenSolaris web site wasn't available, so I just sort of wrote it off as "pretty cool, I wonder if it'll ever be released".
Well, apparently its code was actually released last week, it's called OpenGrok, it's written in Java, uses Lucene for its searching, and calls out to exuberant ctags to parse source code in a dizzyingly large variety of languages.
I just downloaded it and pointed it at a copy of the Subversion source code, and I've gotta say it's pretty cool. The instructions were pretty straitforward, just run a simple command to index your code, edit a few lines in WEB-INF/web.xml, drop the war file in Tomcat's webapps directory, and away you go.
It'd be nice if it had actual Subversion support built in (so far just CVS and SCCS), but that's on the todo list. Other than that my only complaint is that it requires Java 1.5. Requiring Java at all is a pain, but I can get over that, considering that it comes from Sun and all. The Java 1.5 thing really sucks though, since it means there's like zero chance it'll work with the open source Java implementations.
Also slightly annoying is the fact that while the code is available, there doesn't seem to be any way to contribute changes back, or at lease none that's mentioned on the web page. It's basically just source and binary distributions with some instructions on how to get started.
Hopefully a public source repository and some mailing lists will show up in the future, because it's really a neat tool, and I'd love to at least keep track of its development, if not actually contribute to it.
Chandan November 21, 2005 at 12:48 PM
Thanks for trying it out. For now, you can send any contributions, code changes or ideas to opengrok at sun-dot-com. (Work is in progress for getting full featured project hosting support on OpenSolaris org)
Intro J2EE Books
Subversion in C++?
Back From The Weekend
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