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Canada Just "Revised" All Of Its 2014 Job Gains 35% Lower
Who can forget the farce conducted by Canada's labor statistics office back in August when, as we reported, "Canada Releases Atrocious Jobs Data; Then Revises It Above The Highest Estimate Following Public Outcry." It was then that we got our first hint that when it comes to massaging data, Canada is on par with China and even the US.
Well, Statistics Canada just outdid itself moments ago when it reported that those 185,700 jobs gains it had previously reported for all of 2014... well, it was only kidding, and after a second look, the number has been revised a whopping 35% (!) lower to only 121,300. How long until a lightbulb goes over the BLS' head and the US department of seasonal adjustments decides to do the same?
The "revised" numbers:
From Statcan:
Employment gains in 2014 amounted to 121,000 or 0.7%, with the bulk of the growth in September and October. In the 12 months to December, the unemployment rate declined 0.5 percentage points to 6.7%.
Following the release of population estimates based on the most recent Census of Population, a standard revision is applied to the Labour Force Survey estimates. This review is based on these revised estimates released today, which are different from those published on January 9 (see note to readers).
The employment growth rate of 0.7% observed in 2014 was the same as that of 2013, and below the rate of 1.8% recorded in 2012.
Employment growth in the year was concentrated among men aged 25 and older.
There were more private sector employees (+88,000 or +0.8%) compared with December 2013. The number of public sector employees and self-employed was little changed. Adjusted to the concepts used in the United States, the unemployment rate in Canada was 5.7% in December, while the US rate was 5.6%
Just like in the US, Canada's participation rate also declined:
The population aged 15 and older grew by 1.1% in 2014, a faster pace than employment. As a result, the employment rate declined 0.2 percentage points to 61.3%. The labour market participation rate trended downward throughout 2014, falling 0.6 percentage points to 65.7% in December 2014—the lowest since 2000.
The downward trend in labour force participation was partly due to population ageing. There was an increase in the share of Canadians aged 55 and older, who are less likely to participate in the labour market. Furthermore, the participation rate among people aged 55 and older declined 0.9 percentage points over the 12 months. At the same time, the rate for women aged 25 to 54 declined 0.8 percentage points, also contributing to the downward trend.
Finally, as a result of the above revisions, the Canadian unemployment rate was revised higher from 6.6% to 6.7%.
Perhaps it is about time to put the National Weather Service in charge of all "data collection and manipulation." And while we are at it, maybe we can put them in charge of the Federal Reserve too?
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Category Archives: CKLW
Besides “Tequila” by The Champs, I know of one other instance where an A-side was roundly disregarded in favor of its B-side. As Robert Pruter, R&B editor for Goldmine, writes in the accompanying notes to the Atlantic soul music anthology, The Golden Age of Black Music (1970-1975):
King Floyd’s “Groove Me,” from 1970, was produced by Elijah Walker and Wardell Querzerque in Jackson, Mississippi, one of the first hits of the fledgling Malaco organization. “Groove Me” was the B-side to a song released on Malaco’s Chimneyville label, but the deejays found the funky jerk-beat of “Groove Me” irresistible and flipped the record. The song, with Atlantic distribution, went to position 6 and lasted an outstanding 20 weeks on Billboard’s pop chart.
From poking around on the web, I’ve learned that “Beth” by Kiss is another example of a B-side successfully shoving aside its A-side. The song, despite strong objections from Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley, was included on Kiss’ 1976 album, Destroyer, at the insistence of their manager. “Beth” had been brought to the band by Peter Criss, who had written the song with Stan Penridge, back when they were bandmates in early 70s NYC group, Chelsea. Despite early chart success with “Shout It Out Loud,” Destroyer was a new direction for the band that was not immediately embraced by fans, and enthusiasm for the album was starting to wain – until AM radio juggernaut, CKLW, added the song to its playlist at the prompting of the daughter of program director, Rosalie Trombley (both pictured here). The single took off, eventually going gold (500,000 sales), giving the album a massive new sales injection, thus making the album Kiss’ first to go platinum (1 million).
Stay tuned to this space for other B-side breakout adventures as their tales become known.
End of an Era for The Big 8
In his review of the 2004 documentary, Radio Revolution: The Rise and Fall of the Big 8, Bill Harris of the Toronto Sun recounts the beginning of the end for Windsor Canada’s once mighty CKLW:
Canadian-content laws came into effect in 1971 that required stations to play at least 30% Canadian music. Given the benefit of hindsight, those laws did what they set out to do (whether they still are needed today is another debate). But 35 years ago the policy cut CKLW at the knees, since there wasn’t a lot of Canadian music that appealed to the rhythm-and-blues-loving audiences in Detroit.
CKLW somehow maintained its top-drawer status for another decade. But The Big 8’s open mocking of Can-con rules — playing the shortest Canadian songs possible, holding overnight Can-con marathons, saying “Here’s one for the CRTC” rather than even bothering to announce who the band was, etc. — hardened the government’s resolve to bring the cocky station down a notch.
Check out these jingles for CKLW – just across the river from “Motor City” – back when radio was fun:
Posted in B-Side Breakout Hits, CKLW | Leave a reply
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NewsState News
Adult smoking rate falls to record low in NYS
Posted: 11:55 AM, Feb 20, 2018
By: WKBW Staff
Fewer New York adults are smoking than ever before in recorded history.
Governor Andrew Cuomo announced Tuesday that adult smoking rates have declined by 22 percent since 2011. As of 2016, the average statewide adult smoking rate was 14.2 percent, below the national average of 15.5 percent.
"These record lows demonstrate that New York's anti-smoking efforts are working," said Governor Cuomo. "Reducing smoking -- and the death and misery that come with it -- is critical to protecting public health and we will continue our work to create a safer and healthier New York for all."
The smoking rates are determined by the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, an annual statewide telephone survey of adults developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and administered by the New York State Department of Health.
The survey found that smoking rates have also fallen dramatically among young adults between ages 18-24 years. In 2016 only 11.7 percent of this age group reported smoking, down from 21.6 percent in 2011.
A further analysis of this age group found the following trends among certain groups:
Individuals with less than a high school education, where the smoking rate decreased 25 percent - from 25.7 percent in 2011 to 19.2 percent in 2016;
Individuals with annual household incomes below $25,000 where the smoking rate decreased 29 percent - from 27.8 percent in 2011 to 19.8 percent in 2016; and
Individuals with poor mental health -- defined as reported problems with stress, depression or emotions on at least 14 of the previous 30 days -- where the smoking rate decreased 20 percent - from 32.6 percent in 2011 to 26.0 percent in 2016.
Governor Cuomo previously announced that the high school smoking rate fell to a historic low of 4.3 percent in 2016, down from 27.1 percent in 2000. However, the Department of Health also found that e-cigarette use by high school students nearly doubled between 2014 and 2016 when 20.6 percent of student reported using e-cigarettes.
In 2017, it became illegal for anyone to use e-cigarettes on school grounds or indoors where other tobacco-related smoking is already banned.
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Clarke, George O'Malley (1836–1899)
by Ruth Teale
George O'Malley Clarke (1836-1899), gold commissioner and stipendiary magistrate, was born in Paris, son of an Irish medical practitioner and his wife, née O'Malley. He went to New South Wales after the gold discoveries and in January 1854 entered the public service as clerk of Petty Sessions at Goulburn. In 1860 he was appointed a junior gold commissioner at Lambing Flat (Young) where his duties were to issue miners' rights and business licences, put down disturbances and sit on the bench in Petty Sessions. With his Irish persuasiveness, publicly spoken of as 'qualities of tact and zeal', he was popular among the miners; he needed no armed escort and was said to have never once been sworn at. In July 1861, after the anti-Chinese riots at Lambing Flat, he and Commissioner Lynch were temporarily suspended, 'in consequence of their want of decision and judgment in dealing with the rioters' and because their telegraphed report to the government in Sydney was 'incomplete'. Clarke was soon reinstated; by 6 August he was on the bench, examining prisoners taken during the riots, and in June 1866 was promoted a senior gold commissioner of the southern fields. Early in 1875 he moved to Adelong as chief warden to organize a mining office but by September was back in Young as police magistrate and commissioner of conditional purchases under the Land Acts. The stream of petitioners who filed through his office was as much evidence of his 'unflinching integrity and sound judgment' as of his local repute.
Clarke never subscribed to the view that public officials should keep out of local affairs; he maintained 'that any man in a public position who was worth his salt always lent tone to a movement, when his utterances and opinions would command respect and carry weight'. With his flamboyant platform manner he was an excellent chairman of public meetings. In October 1865 he was gazetted a trustee of the newly-consecrated Church of England and in 1866 of the parsonage and school; in July 1870 he convened the meeting which established the Young School of Arts; in March 1874 he was chairman of the local board when the public school was opened; he was many times chairman of the hospital committee which built several brick extensions; in October 1870 he was founding president of the Pastoral and Agricultural Association whose annual shows after April 1871 helped to foster cotton and tobacco growing, market gardening and sheep breeding; in January 1868 he was the first president of the Turf Club and in September 1876 of the Cricket Club. An energetic townsman, he did much toward the incorporation of Young in October 1882.
In January Clarke had been appointed one of the six original stipendiary magistrates in the Sydney metropolitan area, at a salary of £800. By 1890 he was presiding magistrate at the Central Police Court on a salary of £860 and acting chairman of the licensing bench. When he retired on 31 December 1893 with a pension of £500 his decisions were said to have given general satisfaction. Later he moved to Melbourne and lived at the Melbourne Club. He died aged 63 on 16 October 1899 at East Melbourne, and was buried beside his wife in the Waverley cemetery, Sydney.
His wife Margaret Turner Clarke (1836-1887), was a daughter of Charles McLachlan and his wife Isabella, née Dick. She was educated in England and became an accomplished harpist. She went to Sydney with her husband, Captain John Lunan Wilkie, of the 12th Regiment. In 1861 the regiment was sent to quell the Lambing Flat riots and she was horrified at the misery among the 15,000 miners there. Her husband died suddenly on 1 February 1862, and she returned to her family in England. But her independent spirit as well as her own private means and £3000 from her husband's estate made her dissatisfied with the seclusion of widowhood and she became one of the first women to train at the nursing college established in 1860 by Florence Nightingale at St Thomas's Hospital, London.
Remembering conditions on the goldfields, she returned to Lambing Flat in the 'famine season' of 1865 and sought out and relieved those 'whom the want of luck in gold-mining had left in absolute need of the common necessaries of life'. In November 1865 she formed a Visiting Relief Society and next February was given an address and a packet of gold dust by the Burrangong diggers who described themselves as 'the many who bless you'. She married Clarke in 1866 and continued her private medical and financial help to distressed families. She visited England in 1875 and 1879. Her particular interest was in the Church of England. In England in 1863 she had spoken of the want of religion and education on the goldfields to Rev. William Pownall, whom she encouraged to go to Young. In memory of her first husband she gave £500, a third of the total cost, for building the Church of St John. She also raised £200 in the colony, engaged a London architect, imported the encaustic tiles, font and other furnishings, and herself did all the needlework. Until replaced in 1893 it was known as the Wilkie Memorial Church. With 'the indefatigable skill with which [she] prosecutes her begging designs', she helped to raise funds for a Church of England school in 1866, a parsonage and a public school at Young in 1870 and an Anglican Church in 1873 at the near-by village of Wombat.
In 1882 she went with her husband to Sydney where she helped to found the Home and Training School for Nurses and formed a ladies' committee 'to seek out and relieve, with food and proper attendance, the sick whose poverty would otherwise place such relief beyond their reach'. Aged 51 she died peacefully at Woollahra on 8 August 1887, childless. Among her legatees were the Church Society of the Anglican Diocese of Goulburn and the City Mission in Sydney.
Votes and Proceedings (Legislative Assembly, New South Wales), 1863-64, 2, 674, 1875, 2, 107
Miner and General Advertiser, 20 July, 7 Aug 1861
Burrangong Argus, 12 Aug, 30 Sept 1865, 10 Feb 1866, 4 Mar, 2 Dec 1874, 31 May 1882, 10 Aug 1887, 18 Oct 1899
Burrangong Chronicle, 31 May 1882
Sydney Morning Herald, 18 Oct 1899
Young Chronicle, 4 Nov 1932
manuscript catalogue under G. O'M. Clarke (State Library of New South Wales).
Addison, Glentworth Walsh (work colleague)
Ruth Teale, 'Clarke, George O'Malley (1836–1899)', Australian Dictionary of Biography, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/clarke-george-omalley-3221/text4811, published first in hardcopy 1969, accessed online 18 July 2019.
East Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
goldfields commissioner
land commissioner
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Enterprise Liability and the Common Law
Author: Douglas Brodie, University of Edinburgh
Theories of enterprise liability have, historically, had a significant influence on the development of various aspects of the law of torts. Enterprise liability has impacted upon both statutory and common law rules. Prime examples would include laws on workmen's compensation and products liability. Of late, in a number of jurisdictions, enterprise liability has been a powerful catalyst for change in the employer's responsibilities towards third parties by prompting changes to the law on vicarious liability. The results have been seen most dramatically where the employer's responsibility for the intentional torts of employees is concerned. Recent common law reforms have not been without controversy and have raised difficult and challenging questions about the appropriate scope of an employer's responsibility. In response to this, Douglas Brodie offers a critique of the employer's common law obligations, both in tort and under the law of contract of employment.
Offers a new perspective on corporate social responsibility
Comparative approach will appeal to readers in jurisdictions such as the UK, Canada and Australia
Assesses likely trends in the development and reform of common law
'[This] book offers a rich comparative analysis of case law from the UK, Canada, Australia and the United States, revealing the similarities and differences between these common law jurisdictions and showing the direction that law reform is taking. With an admirable depth of research, the discussion proceeds systematically through a series of questions the determination of which depends on, or can be explained by reference to, theories of enterprise liability.' Wanjiru Njoya, The Edinburgh Law Review
'The great strength of Enterprise Liability and the Common Law is its clear-eyed account of the implications of a firm commitment to enterprise liability, as opposed to fault liability. Upon reading it, one is compelled to ask oneself just how firm that commitment ought to be.' Alistair Price, The Cambridge Law Journal
2. The reception of Bazley
3. Enterprise risk
4. The risk and the individual
5. The enterprise
6. The borrowed employee
7. Independent contractors
8. Transferring the burden: the employer's right of indemnity
9. Risk and the employment relationship
10. Enforcement of the employment contract
11. Enterprise liability and non-delegable duties
12. Fundamental obligations
13. Concluding remarks.
Douglas Brodie, University of Edinburgh
One of the UK's leading labour lawyers, Douglas Brodie is Professor of Employment Law and Head of School at Edinburgh University's School of Law.
Social and Labour Rights in a Global Context
International and Comparative Perspectives
Globalization and the Future of Labour Law
Global Justice and International Labour Rights
Social Citizenship and Workfare in the United States and Western Europe
The Paradox of Inclusion
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Ministry of Health launches Paediatric Open Heart Surgery service at Al Qassimi Hospital
The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) has launched a Paediatric Open-Heart Surgery service at Al Qassimi Hospital for Women and Children in Sharjah, as part of its vision to provide a comprehensive and innovative health services.
The newly launched service is the fruit of development projects developed based on international medical and quality standards and as part of the ministry's strategy.
The ministry stressed that the service will meet the growing need for paediatric heart surgery, especially after hiring a specialised team of experts and doctors, who were hand-picked from an elite group of doctors and consultants with long experience in dealing with complex cases.
The team includes a consultant cardiologist, cardiologist, anaesthesiologist, intensive care consultant, perfusionist, and 10 nursing staff specialized in paediatric open-heart surgery in both the operation room or intensive care unit.
The new service covers all paediatric open-heart operations such as atrial septal defect, complex operations, heart defects, as well as single ventricle defects and left ventricular reconstruction, which require immediate surgery after the birth of the fetus.
Improving Patient Safety
Dr. Kalthoum Al Baloushi, Director of Hospitals Administration, MoHAP, stressed that the ministry is always keen to improve the health and safety of patients in line with its strategy aiming to provide innovative, word-class, quality and comprehensive services that meet the quality standards and achieve excellence at the ministry’s hospitals.
We aim to offer UAE citizens and residents the best services in accordance with the best international practices to improve the quality of health services and patient safety, Al Baloushi said.
“The ministry is doing its utmost to provide unparalleled services in the field of open heart surgery and aims to cover all surgical cases, whether for citizens or residents” she underlined.
Comprehensive Heat Treatment
Dr Safia Al-Khaja, Director General of Al Qassimi Hospital for Women and Children, reiterated that the hospital’s new service will underpin the level of services the ministry is offering to Sharjah and northern emirates residents, adding that paediatric open-heart surgery service was first made available in January 2019, through the Visiting Consultant Programme.
Interestingly, Al Qassimi Hospital has dedicated a full team and contracted with an elite of group of doctors and consultants with hands-on experience from the world’s biggest and most prestigious medical centre specialized in paediatric open heart surgery, Al-Khaja said.
She added that the team is now operating at the hospital and works on diagnosing surgical cases to take necessary medical measures and is conducting operations according to a calculated plan and the best techniques and global practices.
30 Successful Open-Heart Surgeries
Dr. Ahmed Al-Kamali, Director of the Cardiology Centre at the Hospital, said that the department has so far conducted more than 30 successful open-heart surgeries for children, many of which are rare.
Al-Kamali noted that the medical staff is following the latest international standards applied in the field of paediatric open-heart surgery, and is not only using modern surgical techniques, but also focusing on the patient condition outside the operation room. We are carefully following up on all cases to ensure patients will not need artificial respirator immediately after surgery, which provides a shorter stay at the intensive care unit and reduce the treatment costs.
“Thanks to this service, relatives of the patient can visit and interact with the child after the surgery at the ICU, which will positively reflect on the child and the family, adding that the centres that adopt such medical practices are very few in the world” Al-Kamali said.
The paediatric open-heart surgery team is always on standby to receive and deal with emergency cases of new-borns, which require quick intervention be it the child is born in the hospital or any of the ministry’s hospitals in the northern Emirates. This is all to achieve the goals of the hospital, to record 0% of cases transferred outside the country while maintaining the quality of services provided at reasonable costs to residents.
Source: misbar
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Palestinian Families Evicted for Israeli Military Trainings
Tuesday, 22 May 2018 02:14 - [7 May – 14 May]
The Israeli Occupying Forces (IOF) regularly force Palestinian families from their homes and agricultural lands in the Jordan Valley, using their property for IOF military training in the use of machines, such as tanks, armored vehicles, and weapons. Prior to these trainings, Palestinian families are issued formal military orders to leave their homes. On the days of the military training, Palestinian families must leave their homes immediately, without any time to prepare or arrange a place to stay. In some cases the trainings can last for days at a time. Often when families return after the training ends, they find their homes occupied by settlers or damaged by shells or live ammunition.
Abdallah Mahmoud Abu Al-Kabbash, Hamsa al-Fawqa, north of the Jordan Valley
Abdallah Mahmoud Abu Al-Kabbash, 35, is a farmer who lives in Hamsa Al-Fawqa, north of the Jordan Valley. Abdallah who was born in Hamsa Al-Fawqa, has lived there for decades with his family. In total, 27 people live in Hamsa Al-Fawqa, including 16 children.
On Sunday, 22 April 2018 at 9:00 am, an Israeli military jeep and a white jeep drove into the residential area, and soldiers issued Abdallah a military order, for the evacuation of his home. Abdallah later learned that all other families in the area had received this order. The Order regarding Security Provisions (Judea and Samaria) informed that the family must evacuate the closed area within hours or they would be forcibly evacuated from “the closed area”, as well as being “forced to pay the expenses related to the confiscation mentioned above”.
The following Tuesday, 24 April at 5:45 am, the two jeeps came back and soldiers forced Abdallah’s family to leave immediately. Both Abdallah’s family and their livestock were forcibly removed from their property, and escorted by the Israeli Civil Administration (ICA) for approximately three kilometers. They were left in an open area, without shelter. Eventually, they sought refuge under a tree to protect them from the heat of the sun.
“While we were here, we saw smoke rising near our tents and in the rugged mountainous area nearby, we also heard a loud noise which caused the smoke to rise. I was afraid for the baby sheep that were left in the barns. We refused to bring them with us because they cannot bear the burning sun.”
When the family returned to their tent, they found shells on the ground, less than 100 meters away from their tent, and holes in the tent. At around 2:00 pm, Abdallah and his family were allowed to return to their home after the ICA vehicle came back to them. It should be noted that Abdallah and his family were issued military orders to evacuate their home two further times, on 1 and 8 May 2018. [1]
Palestinians in the OPT are regarded as protected persons under international humanitarian law, specifically Article 4(1) of the Fourth Geneva Convention. As such, the Occupying Power is bound by its obligations under international humanitarian law, as well as international human rights law towards the protected Palestinian population. Accordingly, the Occupying Power must respect the rights of Palestinians to enjoy their family life free from arbitrary interference, as guaranteed under international human rights and humanitarian law. Article 46 of the Hague Regulations (customary international law) demands respect for the protection of family honour and private property. Similarly, Article 27 of the Fourth Geneva Convention obliges the Occupying Power to respect family rights. The ICRC commentary to the Fourth Geneva Convention further provides that family home and rights are protected and cannot be subject of arbitrary interference. Meanwhile, Article 12 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and Article 17(1) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) states that no one should the subject of arbitrary interference in their privacy, family, and home.
In particular, the use of civilian homes and private agricultural lands for military trainings violates provisions of international humanitarian law protecting private property in occupied territory. Article 53 of the Fourth Geneva Convention protects private property against unwarranted destruction, "except where such destruction is rendered absolutely necessary by military operations". There is some provision in the Hague Regulations for the requisition of private property by the army of occupation, however in this case, the strict criteria for such requisitions are not met. Notably, Article 52 of the Hague Regulations states that "[r]equisitions in kind and services shall not be demanded from municipalities or inhabitants except for the needs of the army of occupation." This article establishes a stringent test, only allowing requisitions, narrowly for the immediate ‘needs of the army’, a standard which planned and anticipated military training exercises does not meet. Similarly, Article 53 of the Hague Regulations allows for requisition of private property for ‘military operations’. However this standard is only met when there is an eruption of active hostilities. Resort to requisition of private property outside of these considerations amounts to an excessive requisition, and may amount to pillage, a crime under Article 8(2)(b)(xvi) of the Statute of the International Criminal Court.
[1] (Al-Haq affidavit no. 338/2018)
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Evan Jackson Leong
Evan Jackson Leong is a sixth-generation Chinese American native of San Francisco. Leong has worked with his mentor, director Justin Lin, on Better Luck Tomorrow, which screened at the 2002 Sundance Film Festival, and The Fast & The Furious. He also served as co-producer of Lin’s Finishing the Game: The Search for the new Bruce Lee, which premiered at the 2007 Sundance Film Festival. Leong directed two half-hour, nationally broadcast films: Him Mark Lai: The People’s Historian and Forging a Feature: The Journey of Better Luck Tomorrow. He recently completed his first feature-length documentary, 1040: Christianity in New Asia; and is very much in demand as a director and producer of music videos.
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Buses of Ottawa
OC Transpo, the transit provider for Canada’s capital city, has a fleet of just over 1,000 buses. The agency’s service area was home to just over 800,000 people in 2010, while average weekday boardings reached 384,000. While the OC Transpo does provide limited diesel multiple unit (DMU) rail service, the majority of its riders use the Transitway bus network. Inaugurated in 1983, this system of exclusive bus infrastructure speeds transit passengers from outlying suburban areas to downtown, with buses operating at their 56 mph speed limit along most of the route. The Transitway has undergone continuous expansion, and now it handles 10,500 passengers per direction per hour in the morning peak. But with buses passing in each direction every 20 seconds downtown, the downtown bus lanes are approaching saturation and will soon be replaced by an underground light rail link.
Pictures from a recent visit are below. OC Transpo’s Flickr photostream also has an excellent collection of historical photos.
March 31st, 2012 | No Comments | Transport
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Time’s up for public review of new Ward Committee Rules draft
June 8, 2015 News Desk
The Urban Development Department (UDD) has published the draft of the Kamataka Municipal Corporations – Ward committee Rules, 2013 on May 26th 2015. Kathyayini Chamaraj, Trustee CIVIC, says they had not announced or published it on the UDD website. When Citizen Matters checked the website on June 8th 2015, the ticker on the homepage still carried the rules that were gazetted on November 10th 2014.
Kathyayini says that when she enquired about the rules on multiple visits to the UDD office, the standard response was that it would take ten days and the like. When she visited the office on June 4th to enquire once again, she was handed a copy of the rules.
The last date to submit objections was June 2nd, seven days from the date of issue of the rules, and this is already over. However, when Kathyayini visited the office on June 8th, an official mentioned that people could still send in their objections. Objections and suggestions can be shared with the Principal Secretary to Government, and mailed to the following address: Department of Urban Development, Vikasa Soudha, Bangalore – 560001.
If the UDD had put up the new rules on the website and made a public announcement, it would have been easier for citizens instead of having to look out for gazette updates everyday.
Kathyayini also met Minister for Urban Development Vinay Kumar Sorake who assured her that he was in the process of setting up a committee to look into provisions of the 74th amendment and its implementation. He also mentioned that he had given a go-ahead to approve the removal of the veto power that was granted to corporators, however the gazette notification for the same is yet to be published.
Here are the new Draft Ward Committee Rules as published in the gazette on May 26th 2014. Kathyayani says of the 40-odd suggestions that were shared with the UDD in November 2014, four have been added in the new rules. You will find additions to the rules underlined.
BBMP
BTM playground turns into dumping ground
May 10, 2012 Abhishek Angad
The only open space in BTM is fast becoming a dumping yard. Residents blame the lack of fencing for this.
Ejjipura’s EWS flats quagmire settled
August 23, 2012 Sankar C G
Ending years of litigation, the High Court of Karnataka has instructed Maverick Holdings to go ahead and build the 1512 EWS flats, but only for the original allottees. Relocation has also been settled.
Continued zoning violations upset Koramangala residents
May 16, 2012 Anisha Nair
Residents are upset that on top of an already weak mechanism to prevent over-commercialisation, a recent High Court ruling that came as a boost is also being ignored.
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Buffett seeks UK investment despite Brexit
Warren Buffett has said he wants to invest more in the UK and other parts of Europe, despite uncertainty over the UK's future relationship with the EU.
The US investment guru said he would like his firm, Berkshire Hathaway, to be better known across the Atlantic.
"We're hoping for a deal in the UK and/or in Europe, no matter how Brexit comes out," the billionaire told his annual shareholders' meeting.
"I have the feeling it was a mistake," he said of the UK's vote to leave.
However, he added: "It doesn't destroy my appetite in the least for making a very large acquisition in the UK."
Mr Buffett, known as the "Sage of Omaha", is chairman and chief executive of Berkshire Hathaway, which owns dozens of US stocks.
The company reported first-quarter earnings of $21.7bn (£16.5bn) on Saturday, a marked improvement on last year's first-quarter loss of $1.1bn.
Food woes
However, that does not reflect the performance of one of its more troublesome investments, the 26.7% stake in food giant Kraft Heinz, which has not yet filed its quarterly results with the US Securities and Exchange Commission.
Kraft Heinz reported a $10.2bn loss for 2018 amid signs that consumer demand for its processed food products was waning. At the same time, Berkshire wrote down the value of its stake by $3bn.
Analysts point to the food firm's failure to invest in its portfolio of brands and its emphasis on cost-cutting as factors that have contributed to its difficulties.
At the meeting on Saturday, Mr Buffett indicated he was still committed to the firm, which was created in 2015 by the merger of Kraft Foods and HJ Heinz.
At the time, Heinz was owned jointly by Berkshire Hathaway and Brazil's 3G Capital investment firm.
Mr Buffett said 3G's management, which is responsible for the day-to-day running of the food company, was doing well operationally.
But he said taking on Kraft had proved costly, adding: "You can turn any investment into a bad deal by paying too much."
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WB approves $ 320M in loans to finance RPs development programs and projects
By Leslie D. Venzon
MANILA, July 15 — The World Bank (WB) has approved $ 200 million in loans to support the Philippine government's programs aimed to address high food prices and strengthen social protection and safety nets for the poor in the midst of the global financial crisis.
The fund, called the Global Food Crisis Response Program Development Policy Operation (DPO), is part of over $ 320 million in total loans the Bank provided to finance the countrys development programs and projects meant to weather the economic slowdown.
Fiscal year 2009 was particularly challenging as the Philippines and the rest of the world were hit by shocks coming from the global food crisis and the global financial meltdown, WB Country Director Bert Hofman said.
With its new Country Assistance Strategy (CAS) covering fiscal years 2010-2012, Hofman said, the Bank is in better position to help address the countrys development needs as it battles the impact of the evolving global recession.
Hofman said the remaining $ 120 million will finance the $ 70-million Participatory Irrigation Development Project (PIDP); the $ 40-million Rural Power Project (RPP); and the $ 10-million Second Agrarian Reform Communities Development Project (ARCDP2).
The PIDP is designed to improve irrigation service delivery, boost agricultural productivity, improve governance in the irrigation sector and enhance food security.
The RPP is aimed at reducing poverty and improving the quality of life of 10,000 households in hard-to-reach and poorest areas of the country, particularly Mindanao.
The ARCDP2 additional financing, on the other hand, is geared for the completion of critical infrastructure covering 4,153 hectares in several provinces.
The WB, under the CAS fiscal years 2010-2012, has committed $ 700 million to $ 1 billion per year to the Philippines, on top of grants and a large program of analytical advisory activities.
In addition to this, the investment program of the International Finance Corporation, the private sector financing arm of the World Bank Group, ranges from $ 250 million to $ 300 million a year.
IFCs investments in fiscal year 2009 focused on supporting privatization of the power sector, committing a total of $ 183.5 million for two projects - the Ambuklao-Binga hydroelectric dam and Energy Development Corporation.
The WBs total net commitments (approved and ongoing projects) as of May 2009 is $ 1.39 billion, covering 24 active projects spread into various sectors, including infrastructure (37 percent), human development (28 percent), rural development and the environment (23 percent), social development (10 percent) and governance (2 percent).
It also has 81 active trust funds with a total net grant amounting to $ 137 million for development initiatives in several key result areas, including productivity and employment and social service delivery in poor areas. (PNA) scs/LDV
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Recent flooding in S. Philippines raises need for disaster risk management
By Prime Sarmiento
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Feb.16 — The recent flooding triggered by a rare typhoon that devastated a southern Philippine region has raised the need for local officials to enforce a disaster preparation plan.
Two months after tropical storm Washi swept the region, displaced villagers of Cagayan de Oro, one of the worst hit cities, are still rebuilding their lives, living in tent cities, relying on relief goods.
As Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Vicente Emano admitted, local officials and residents didn't expect the typhoon to inundate the city, claiming over 400 lives, displacing thousands and destroying homes.
"We have to admit that we are not prepared. We never had this before. We're used to some flooding but not on this scale," Emano told members of the Philippine Network of Environmental Journalists, Inc. (PNEJ).
"There's a need for disaster preparation and management. We have to do that as soon as possible," Emano said, noting that at the moment, they're focusing on rehabilitation efforts. He expects the city to stand on its own feet in less than a year's time.
PNEJ members visited this city recently to know the situation of displaced residents and how they are coping with the disaster a week before Christmas.
Interviews with evacuees and members of the Humanitarian Response Consortium (HRC), a non-profit group helping the victims of Washi, revealed that access to potable water and sanitation facilities remains a problem.
HRC said evacuation centers and relocation sites could hardly provide livelihood opportunities to displaced residents.
"The tropical storm Washi has shown local government units and communities lack disaster risk reduction measures and resources," HRC said in a report.
Washi, however, was one of many disasters that hit a growing urban area like Cagayan de Oro.
The city is the capital of the province of Misamis Oriental and considered the trade and business hub in the Northern Mindanao region. Home to over 500,000 people, Cagayan de Oro is one of the most populous and urbanized areas in southern Philippines.
Such economic gains, however, was vulnerable to natural disasters.
In a guidebook released last week, the World Bank said East Asian cities are in need to implement a flooding management system as more and more Asians live in urban areas.
This is especially true for the Philippines as it's located in the typhoon belt and massive flooding has long been a problem. Typhoons didn't only destroy lives and property but also hurt GDP growth and exacerbate poverty.
"Urban flooding is becoming more dangerous and more costly to manage because of the sheer size of the population exposed within urban settlements," according to a World Bank guidebook titled "Cities and Flooding: A Guide to Integrated Urban Flood Risk Management for the 21st Century."
Pamela Cox, World Bank Vice President for East Asia and Pacific Region, said it's the poor who suffer most from the floods.
"Urban expansion often creates poorer neighborhoods which lack adequate infrastructure and services, making them more vulnerable to floods," Cox said in a statement.
According to the World Bank guidebook, the most effective way to manage flood risk is to take an integrated approach which combines both structural and non-structural measures. This includes building drainage channels and floodways; incorporating "urban greening" such as wetlands and environmental buffers; creating flood warning systems; and land use planning for flood avoidance.
The World Bank stressed that flood risk cannot be eliminated. Thus it's important for local officials to plan for rehabilitation and to build "safer and stronger communities which have the capacity to withstand flooding." (PNA/Xinhua) RSV/mmg
Filed Under: Foreign
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In the Rome of the early 4th Century, the Neoplatonism of Plotinus could easily have become a revolutionary new intellectual form of paganism based on Greek philosophy. Unfortunately, in one of history’s bitterest twists, a new emperor arose in Rome who would sow the seeds for the rise of a new version of Christianity, the version with which we are familiar today, that of irrational faith, violence, hatred and a slave-like morality which puts people down and represses their passions.
It was the Emperor Constantine who, though he lived most of his life as a pagan, in 313 helped to declare religious tolerance for Christianity and, indeed, any other religion in Rome. Prior to this only Roman paganism was accepted by the Romans. Christianity, Judaism and any other religions were illegal across the empire and those practising them were often persecuted. Now, however, all religions could be freely practised throughout the empire without fear of persecution.
This change allowed Christianity to better organise itself, as its practitioners no longer feared for their lives in the practising of their faith. Constantine himself helped immensely to consolidate Christianity into a single religion, rather than a collection of competing sects, when he called the first council of Nicaea in 325. At this council, Christian bishops from all over the world agreed on a single, unified version of their religion which was summed up in the Nicene Creed. It was only at this council that the divinity of Jesus was agreed upon, as well as the doctrine of the trinity, stating that god, Jesus and the holy spirit were all three persons within the one single, monotheistic god. Christianity as we know it today was really born at this council and the new religion was now supported by the might of the Roman Empire.
Though Christianity remembers Constantine as the first Christian Emperor, he remained a pagan right until he lay on his deathbed, only then being converted to the new faith. Historians continue to debate the extent to which Constantine was a true supporter or believer in Christianity or not.
It looked as though Christianity would now take over, given its use of fear to control its adherents. Christians, through fear of their god, were far more easily radicalised than pagans and, as such, the zealous nature of Christianity found little resistance from the more peaceful pagans.
However there was one final, last gasp of paganism later in the century when a new emperor, Julian, came to power in 361. Julian, who had been given a first class ‘Greek’ education, saw that the new values of Christianity were massively at odds with everything which the Roman Empire was founded upon and he feared that this new religion would spell the end of the Empire. As such, Julian rejected Christianity and greatly favoured Neoplatonism instead. He introduced new laws which aimed to block the progress of Christianity and to restore the primacy of paganism within the Roman Empire.
Although it was a valiant attempt to halt the progress of this damaging new religion, Julian was ultimately unsuccessful. The main source of his failure is perhaps the lack of a pagan equivalent of the council of Nicaea. There were so many different pagan sects and cults, each with different beliefs and philosophies, that there was a lack of unity amongst pagans, whereas, thanks to the Nicene Creed, Christians were now unified in their beliefs and practices and could therefore combat paganism as a single unit. Sure enough, upon the death of Julian, Christianity was restored as the state religion of Rome under his successor, Jovian.
The tragedy of the 4th Century, which saw benevolent, intellectual paganism pushed deep underground and replaced by the violent, irrational faith and slave morality of Christianity, shows us how important is the need for Unity. Only if we are united under a single banner, all adhering to the same, rational system, can we ever hope to oppose the might of the Old Worlders. The rise of Christianity plunged the world into a darkness from which it has yet to fully emerge. But the dawn is coming, and if we are all unified together, this fractured world can be repaired and light can be restored.
Brice Merci – Hyperian
Hyperian History Of The World (1st Century)
Tags: Christianity, Constantine, Jovian, Judaism, Julian, Nicene
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GOOD TIME review by Patrick Hendrickson – Robert Pattinson delivers troubled brotherly love
Patrick Hendrickson
Published: August 25, 2017Posted in: News, Reviews
Good Time is the story of two brothers, Connie Nikas and Nick Nikas, who become involved in criminal activity to escape their desperate lives. Nick is mentally handicapped and because of this Connie is intensely protective of his little brother. Connie is played by Robert Pattinson who gives an admirable performance, and Nick is played by Ben Safdie, one of the directors, who takes a backseat to Connie but who also does a good job in the role.
The brothers are split apart early on in the story after a robbery attempt leads to Nick getting arrested. The majority of the plot is spent on Connie trying to track down Nick and get him out of police custody. The biggest issue with the story of this production is how unlikable Connie is. He drags his mentally handicapped brother along for a robbery after taking him away from a doctor who seems genuinely interested in helping keep Nick safe. Throughout the night, Connie does a number of things that make him more and more unsavory to the point of where I was completely unconvinced that Nick would be better off with his brother than in the custody of the police or of a hospital.
There are some good twists and turns that the story goes through, but the tone manages to stay consistently grimy and grungy throughout. The directors, Josh and Ben Safdie, do an excellent job of keeping the mood consistent throughout this film and the stars of the film contribute great performances that compliment this mood of desperation.
One particular scene involves Connie sitting in a car listening to an ex-con’s story of the day he got out of jail. The story is told visually along with the con’s narration. The music quiets down, there is no yelling, there is just the slow recounting of how this man spent his first day out of prison and how he ended up in the situation he was in when Connie found him. This scene is a sign that there could be some genuinely enchanting moments in the rest of the film if there was not so much noise distracting from them. Connie’s character might be more sympathetic if he was not constantly yelling and cursing at nearly everybody he meets, including people trying to help him. This all might contribute to the mood of the film, but it also all starts to grate by the end.
The sound design in general is a big detriment to the film. The music is fine but is extremely loud for the vast majority of the run time. The score is usually loud enough to drown out dialogue which makes it difficult to follow exactly what the characters are planning. There are only a few scenes where things quiet down and these are the highlights.
There are a few subtle moments that hint at things not being entirely as they seem. The grandmother of Connie and Nick is shown blaming Connie for Nick’s behavior, and the doctor who Nick was seen visiting also places a lot of blame on Connie for what has happened. This all implies that Connie is a massively negative influence in Nick’s life and once that comes across, it is even harder to support Connie’s efforts throughout the film. This would be fine if screen time was split equally between the two brothers, but that is not the case. Connie is unarguably the protagonist of the movie and it becomes nearly impossible to root for his success by the end.
Good Time has a lot of moments in it that are intriguing but the movie as a whole is nearly as messy as the situations the characters are all in. Connie walks a fine line throughout the plot, but he stumbles across it most of the time. The excellent tone that is maintained and the impressive performances help to negate these issues and because of that, this one gets a 3/5
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Humane Society Expands Management Team
December 30, 2018, 7:42 AM HST (Updated December 30, 2018, 10:25 AM)
An expanded team of professionals will take the reins of the Hawai‘i Island Humane Society (HIHS) in 2019, to usher in the next phase of the organization’s development. Major milestones in 2019 will see the opening of the Animal Community Center, expansion of the ability to spay, neuter and rehabilitate animals under HIHS care and a continued emphasis on enhancing the bond between people and animals.
“We are thrilled to announce a three-person management team who will work directly with our staff, volunteers and community and report to our Board of Directors,” said HIHS President Adam Atwood.
Lauren Nickerson, a Harvard Graduate and Fulbright Scholar with a Masters in Education and compassion for animals who need help, will be the new Community Programs Director. She will oversee HIHS Education and Community Outreach Programs, ramp up the volunteer network and be the contact for fundraisers and donor support. If you see Nickerson out and about, she will probably have Pearl, a blind and deaf dog she adopted through the HIHS Second Chance Fund, tagging and wagging along.
Regina DR Serrano will be the new Shelter Operations Director for all three HIHS shelters in Kea‘au, Kona and Waimea. Serrano is a graduate of Purdue University’s Veterinary Technician program. In addition to her training in animal healthcare, Serrano has spent the last 10 years managing employees working on job sites across three islands. In her free time, Serrano has volunteered with HIHS and many other animal welfare organizations around the Big Island. Most recently, she volunteered countless hours to assist animal rescues during the lower Puna eruption lava flows.
Robert Belcher, a Hawai‘i Certified Public Accountant inactive, will be the Finance Director. Belcher graduated from the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa with degrees in Accounting and Agricultural Economics. His work with both the County of Hawai‘i and private businesses, combined with a commitment to community involvement, make Belcher uniquely qualified to guide HIHS through this next exciting phase of development.
Atwood added, “In addition to the management team, Hawai‘i Island Humane Society will be adding a second full-time staff veterinarian in February. The new veterinarian will serve East Hawai‘i, while Dr. Kristina Henricks will continue to serve West Hawai‘i. This will allow for more efficient and comprehensive care of the animals placed in our care every day.” The HIHS Spay and Neuter Waggin’ will also continue to bring free sterilization services to some of the more remote areas of the island, where pets may otherwise continue to contribute to the overpopulation problem.
About Hawai‘i Island Humane Society
The mission of the Hawai‘i Island Humane Society is to promote respect for all animals, prevent cruelty to animals, eliminate pet overpopulation, and enhance the bond between humans and animals. HIHS holds a contract with the County of Hawai‘i to enforce certain animal-related laws and it offers 24-hour service for injured animals and other animal emergencies, humane education classes, low-cost spay and neuter services, lost and found assistance, micro-chipping and more. Learn more online or call (808) 329-1175.
New County Surcharges Begin Jan. 1
Hawai‘i Island Visitor Arrivals & Spending Decrease
Hawaii Island Humane Society Reorganizes, Hires CEO
Humane Society to Launch Mobile Spay & Neuter Service
HIHS to Celebrate 23rd Annual Tropical Paws
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Amy Cancelmo August 30, 2016 March 5, 2018 Conversations
Kija Lucas, Flora, 20, Reading, PA, 2015, photograph, from Objects to Remember You By: An Index of Sentiment (artwork © Kija Lucas)
I first met Kija Lucas in 2005, when she was attending the San Francisco Art Institute and I was a recent East Coast transplant moving into a studio at Root Division, a small grass-roots arts organization in San Francisco’s Mission District. Twelve years later, we have known each other through multiple apartments, advanced degrees, and artist studios in San Francisco, including Lucas’s own studio artist residency at Root Division in 2010. Our lives continued to overlap at Root Division when I was hired in 2011 to run the Exhibitions Program, and Lucas was also on staff managing the education programs.
Root Division is visual arts non-profit that runs four interconnected programs, the core of which is the Studio Program. Selected artists receive a studio, paying half of market rate value for the space and access to the facilities and networks. In exchange, artists volunteer their time in the other three programs: Youth Education, Adult Education, and Exhibitions. In the Youth Education Program, Root Division trains and places teaching artists in after-school programs working with underserved populations. The Adult Education Program features courses developed by our artists taught onsite at Root Division, in areas from painting and drawing to grant writing and portfolio reviews. The Exhibitions Program features twelve monthly exhibitions in our gallery space, and artists in the Studio Program assist in installation, staffing, and event production. Root Division is an incubator program where the artists volunteer their time while gaining valuable professional experience.
In 2013, Lucas left Root Division to pursue her photographic practice full-time, setting out on a self-guided and crowd-funded road trip across the United States, tracing her personal heritage as a mixed-race woman through documentation of flora at sites of importance for her family in a project called In Search of Home (2013–present). She often refers to this trip as her “first residency,” although it was entirely self-directed. After receiving many stories and family artifacts at each site, Lucas became interested in how objects define our personal histories and the social interaction of photographing significant personal objects. Both are center to her project, Objects to Remember You By: An Index of Sentiment (2014–present), an encyclopedic archive based on her travel and community engagement. For the entire year of 2015, Lucas traveled across the United States between residencies to develop In Search of Home and Objects to Remember You By, asking local community members to bring objects and stories to her studio or public sites so she could document them.
Our conversation addresses how residencies have shaped her artistic practice and her inquiry into memory, object, and place. Lucas discusses her community-based practice, her experiences in residencies across the US (including Wassaic Artist Residency, Wassaic, New York; Grin City Collective, Grinnell, Iowa; Montalvo Art Center, Saratoga, California; and Bunker Projects, Pittsburg, Pennsylvania), and her upcoming plans for Bay Area residencies at the De Young Museum and Growlery (both located in San Francisco). And we discuss the evolution Root Division’s programs, including its resilience during a forced relocation amid San Francisco’s challenging economic climate. The success of the organization’s growth in the face of adversity mirrors the survival strategies of its current Studio Artists and alumni.
—Amy Cancelmo
Kija Lucas, Jenny, 38, San Francisco, CA/Brooklyn, NY, 2014, photograph, from Objects to Remember You By: An Index of Sentiment (artwork © Kija Lucas)
Amy Cancelmo: It’s great to have you back in the Bay Area.
Kija Lucas: I am excited to be back. This isn’t the easiest place to be an artist, but there is a dynamic community of people who are committed to making this place work.
Cancelmo: Your relationship to residencies and travel is interesting for me in dialogue with your work, which is about tracing lineage and documenting the objects that define home. Do you see these things in conversation in your life and in your practice?
Lucas: Travel and residencies pared down my life, and this has made me more curious about what others collect and hold on to. I have always been interested in stories, how other people live their lives, and the lenses through which they see the world. This lifestyle has made me more comfortable asking deeper questions of people I don’t know well. Not having the distractions of daily life or friends and family near to discuss the day has forced me to get comfortable with strangers in a way I never had been.
Cancelmo: It’s such a brave thing to do, to abandon the home base and travel where the work takes you. What made you take the leap?
Kija Lucas, Raphael, 50, San Francisco, CA, 2015, photograph, from Objects to Remember You By: An Index of Sentiment (artwork © Kija Lucas)
Lucas: I’m quiet, and my artwork is kind of quiet, and I felt like I had to figure out a way to make my work and put it out in the world. That’s also why I first applied for a studio at Root Division back in 2010. When I was leaving grad school I was afraid to work in a vacuum. I would go into my studio and work, but I felt no one outside my studio would ever know what I was doing. I knew I could do the work in radio silence, but Root Division gave me community and opportunities.
Cancelmo: Ultimately, the practice you developed has forced you to push outside the Bay Area and engage with other communities.
Lucas: It had to do with the support of Bay Area organizations as well. I was offered an opportunity to work with ProArts in Oakland to propose a project in its front window. I also did one day of shooting at Root Division and a weekend at Incline Gallery in San Francisco, which helped me to get the project rolling. I was pleased and surprised at how many strangers and walk-ins decided to participate. I began to trust the project and my process. My residency at Wassaic Project was the first time that I was working on the project as a full-time job.
Cancelmo: How long were you at Wassaic?
Kija Lucas, Vitrine 1, 2015, photograph, 24 x 28 in. (60.9 x 71.1 cm), from Objects to Remember You By: An Index of Sentiment (artwork © Kija Lucas)
Lucas: I was there for three months, which was perfect. Because it was such a small place, I needed that much time to develop the trust for people to participate. I spent four nights a week sitting at a bar with my studio setup. I would talk to people about the project and get them to bring stuff back, or sometimes people would have the sentimental things with them already and we would shoot them then and there. I embedded myself there: I would work from three in the afternoon to eleven at night, until they closed the bar, and just photograph objects. Sometimes two people would come, sometimes ten or fifteen people.
Cancelmo: There’s this interesting catharsis to what you’re doing for people—it’s an intimate experience, to share sentimental objects and stories. I imagine some people are resistant at first because it’s a “weird art project” from a visiting artist, but then actually it becomes this personal interaction, a nostalgic confessional.
Lucas: It’s funny because nostalgia is often a totally taboo thing in art, and at first that was something I was nervous about. But my work has always had to do with the things that we are trying to remember but can’t quite hold on to.
Cancelmo: It’s one of the things that photography can do so well: hold something and freeze it in time. As a photographer and someone who is working with social practice, you are creating that space for this kind of nostalgia and personal history, and recording it for posterity.
Lucas: It’s an incredible gift to be able to hold that, and to know all these different people’s stories. The objects I’m photographing have their own aura. They have a lifetime or more of history, so to have people share that with me is amazing, and I have to be respectful. Photographing the work is not only physically exhausting from moving the studio around for each image, but also emotionally—it can be a lot to hold.
Cancelmo: And you’re holding it all online. The archive you are building lists the first name, age, and location of the object’s owner and information about that object. In a way, it’s an anthropological reference point, marking what is important to them at this time in their lives.
Kija Lucas, Sara, 23, Los Angeles, CA, 2014, photograph, from Objects to Remember You By: An Index of Sentiment (artwork © Kija Lucas)
Lucas: I don’t want people to bring the object that they think looks the coolest—I want them to bring the object that’s the most important. There are so many institutions that collect objects considered to be monetarily or historically important. My interest is in asking people who are not necessarily part of that decision-making canon to contribute the objects that are personally valuable.
Cancelmo: During these residencies you are living and working alongside other artists, and many of them have participated in your project. Can you tell me a little about some of the people you’ve met along the way? Did you notice any trends in who was attending residencies?
Lucas: Every artist I met was in a different space. Some were international artists coming to the United States for a month or six months to make work, some were on the same hustle I am in trying to find a way to be a full-time artist, some were already full-time artists, some were just taking time off from their jobs and lives to make work, so I can’t say there’s really a trend—but I can say it’s been incredible.
When I was in Grinnell at Grin City Collective, I lived in a house with writer Maggie Messitt, who was writing her doctoral thesis about her aunt who disappeared, using objects from her life. She asked me to photograph some of the objects while we were there, and I ultimately ended up applying to the Bunker Projects residency so that we could potentially be in the same city working on that project together. I spent three months there working on my own project, and photographing the objects she was writing about for her book. She’s a really amazing writer and our work was so parallel and in sync.
Kija Lucas, Bristol 30, 2013, archival pigment print, 20 x 24 in. (50.8 x 60.9 cm), from In Search of Home, (artwork © Kija Lucas)
Cancelmo: There’s this joke in the Bay Area that if you want to get a job teaching, or succeed as an artist here, you have to leave and then come back. Have you found that to be true? As if leaving the nest is a rite of passage in the career of an artist?
Lucas: I do think I got to show a bit more when I came back. It seemed like people were more interested, but it’s different for every artist. For people who are interested in a residency, or even applying to be in shows, you have to make sure it makes sense for your work. The social part is great too, but the biggest part of it is being able to be an artist full-time. That’s why I did it—to be a full-time artist and not have to hustle eight jobs in San Francisco. I have a friend who told me to apply to five things a month, so I started doing that. One thing led to another, and somehow it fell into place.
Cancelmo: It seems like foregoing capitalism, or living off the grid—as if you have found a way to exist as an artist outside of “side jobs” or “the hustle.”
Kija Lucas, Grinnell 222, 2015, archival pigment print, 20 x 24 in. (50.8 x 60.9 cm), from In Search of Home (artwork © Kija Lucas)
Lucas: Aside from my residency at Montalvo, I had to pay a small fee at all of the residencies I went to, but for me it was cheaper than paying rent on an apartment and studio in San Francisco. Because of the nature of my specific project, it made sense to invest in the travel. Most residencies have scholarships and a lot have work trade. Wassaic has a teaching scholarship, but I decided not to apply because I wanted to focus on my work rather than teaching.
At Grin City, I specifically applied to do the gardening work exchange on the organic farm I was living on because it made sense for the work I was doing there. Grinnell was one of the only places where I was able to work on two projects at once: Objects to Remember You By: An Index of Sentiment, and In Search of Home, a project that ties the emigration patterns of my family to the racial taxonomy of Carl Linnaeus through scans of plant clippings, rocks, and other objects from sites significant to my family history. The location of that residency was really why I pursued it, and the ability to work on a farm that was twenty minutes from where my great-great-grandparents had farmed, in a town where three generations of that part of my family had lived. I was able to meet my 102-year-old cousin there, which was incredible. I felt that my ancestors were actually working that land. And the work exchange there paid for half of my residency.
Cancelmo: The give/get model is interesting. It seems like the opportunity is there for it to be both a work trade and a form of professional development. It reminds me of Root Division’s model, which is nonresidential, but has a similar application and review process. Our studio space is subsidized below market rent in exchange for artists volunteering their time teaching in our adult or youth education programs, or helping with the exhibitions program.
Kija Lucas working in her studio, 2016 (photograph by Chris Fraser; photograph © Kija Lucas)
Lucas: In our working society, often time equals money; in making art, not so much. With a space like Root Division, and many of the residencies I’ve been on, you put in some money and time—you’re not giving all of one or the other. There are very few people who are going to be involved in a system that is showing and selling their work enough in order for them to get paid for it, especially straight out of school. Root Division helps you get those supplemental skills that most of the schools don’t teach. It also teaches you to do a little bit of a hustle.
It’s important that spaces like that exist, because studios are expensive. I can’t afford one now that I’m back in San Francisco. I’m a studio photographer, but luckily my studio can be wherever I take my equipment—it fits in my trunk, or I’ll take it on a plane with me, or I might be at the library—but I do like to have an actual place where I only work because it is distracting when you’re working on the kitchen table.
Cancelmo: Adaptability is key for artist survival. Your practice is completely set up for movement. Do you think in residencies will continue to be a part of your practice long-term?
Root Division, San Francisco, California (photograph by Mido Lee Productions; photograph © Root Division)
Lucas: At the end of this year, I will continue working on several ongoing projects at a new residency called the Growlery in San Francisco. They have live, work, and exhibition spaces for artists. I will be at the De Young Artist’s studio for a month-long residency in 2017, working on Objects to Remember You By. I am excited to be able to work with museumgoers, photographing their sentimental objects to be displayed in a way similar to the way the work is shown in the museum. I’m also interested in traveling to do some short-term projects in different spaces.
Cancelmo: It’s exciting there are many of new opportunities for residencies in the Bay Area—residencies at the David Ireland House at Capp St. start next year, there’s the Minnesota Street Project, and San Francisco Museum of Modern Art is doing more programming with contemporary artists.
Lucas: Root Division is booming too. Seeing the Root Division transition over the past two years for afar has been really exciting. Can you talk a little about moving from the original Mission District location to the new mid-Market location?
The opening reception of RESONATE, Root Division, September 2015. This was Root Division’s inaugural exhibition after the organization’s 2015 relocation (photograph © Root Division)
Cancelmo: When we lost our home of ten years in 2014, it was terrifying on many levels. We were faced with one of the most aggressive rental markets in the country, but were determined to not have to leave the city, not to go dark nor even to go dim, and we wanted to make sure our artists had space to make their work as seamlessly as we could throughout the process. We operated from an interim location on Market Street for fourteen months during the transition, and there were only two months during the construction of our interim and long-term homes when we had to hold shows offsite instead of in our gallery. We maintained our exhibitions, education, and studios programming at full steam. We got lucky, and secured a long-term lease with a very supportive landlord for our new building, which we moved into in September 2015. We had a ton of community support.
Lucas: The new space is not only huge, but also feels less scrappy and like more of a grown-up organization. How do you think the transition has affected the nature of Root Division?
The proposed floor plan for Root Division’s lower level. The studios and woodshop opened on August 1, 2016. (image provided by Root Division)
Cancelmo: The organization has grown up a lot since the days when we were studio artists, but we are still serving the same constituencies, making space for emerging artists, and teaching classes to underserved youth in the community. Losing our old space was the best “worst thing” that could have happened for the organization. Our new space is almost twice the size of the original: it’s a standalone, three-story building with natural light, and even more room for artist studios, classes, and exhibitions. I think that our being scrappy is what helped make the transition possible—I see parallels here to how artists have to hustle, to survive in San Francisco. There’s a survival strategy for small arts- organizations, similar to what you describe in your own practice. I like to think that residencies and organizations like Root Division are helping to foster self-motivated mindset early in artists’ careers so that they are more likely to be successful as they continue. That’s a big part of what makes it possible to survive as an artist in San Francisco, or anywhere—the self direction and impetus to just take that first step, like you did.
Lucas: We continue to value activity and sustain our arts community through sheer will. And for now, I am glad to be back home, and to be a part of whatever it is we are doing here.
If you would like to host Objects to Remember You By: An Index of Sentiment in your community contact the artist directly at kija@kijalucas.com.
Amy Cancelmo is the art programs director for Root Division, where she annually oversees twelve exhibitions and accompanying public programs and publications, and works with over 350 artists. Cancelmo received her MA in queer art history from San Francisco State University in 2011 and a BFA in painting from Syracuse University in 2004. Her recent curatorial project Strange Bedfellows, a traveling exhibition and accompanying catalogue, explored collaborative practice in queer art-making. It was first presented in San Francisco as part of the National Queer Arts Festival in June of 2013, before touring five cities, including Chicago, where it was the sponsored exhibition of the Queer Caucus for the Arts at the College Art Association conference. She currently serves as the Treasurer for the Queer Caucus for the Arts.
Kija Lucas is an artist based in the San Francisco Bay Area. She uses photography to explore ideas of home, heritage, and inheritance, and is interested in how ideas are passed down and how seemingly inconsequential moments create changes that last generations. Lucas received her BFA from the San Francisco Art Institute in 2006 and her MFA from Mills College in 2010. Her work has been exhibited throughout the Bay Area at Headlands Center for the Arts, California Institute of Integral Studies, Altar Space, Intersection for the Arts, Luggage Store, Mission Cultural Center, Root Division, Bedford Gallery, Pro Arts, and Asian Resource Center Gallery. Other venues include Venice Arts in Los Angeles; La Sala d’Ercole/Hercules Hall in Bologna, Italy; and Casa Escorsa in Guadalajara, Mexico. Lucas has been an artist-in-residenc at The Lucas Artists Residency Program at Montalvo Center for the Arts in Saratoga, California; Bunker Projects in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Grin City Collective in Grinnell, Iowa; and Wassaic Artist Residency in Wassaic, New York.
Amy Cancelmo, artist residencies, conversations, Kija Lucas
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A spectacular restoration own-goal: undoing, re-doing and (on the quiet) re-re-doing a Veronese masterpiece at the Louvre Museum
We carry below an abridged translation (kindly made by Thi Minh Ngo) of a scholarly article published in 2007 by Michel Favre-Felix in Nuances, No 38-39, the Journal of ARIPA (Association Internationale pour le Respect de l’Intégrité du Patrimoine Artistique). Publication of the article – which was critical of the Louvre’s recent restoration of Veronese’s The Pilgrims of Emmaüs – prompted an interview with Mr Favre-Felix about the restoration’s problems (“Methodology should be rethought”) in the December 2008 Le Journal des Arts. On 4 September 2009, again in the Journal des Arts, the campaigning work of ARIPA and its journal Nuances were praised by Roland Recht, a member of the Institut de France, art historian and professor of European culture at the Collége de France. Prof. Recht deemed ARIPA’s campaigning to be as important to the preservation of the artistic heritage, as the protection of human rights is to the dignity of humanity itself. On 15 September 2009, the French newspaper, Le Figaro deplored the recent restoration of The Pilgrims of Emmaüs in forthright and unequivocal manner: “A masterpiece victim of an unfortunate restoration”.
This reception of the Nuances article may have panicked Louvre Museum staff: shortly before the 17 September 2009 opening of its “Titian, Tintoret, Veronese” exhibition, the Louvre made an unprecedented covert re-restoration of the Veronese. This (clumsy) second attempted “improving” intervention compounded the earlier error. The additional changes to the face of a principal figure were noticed by Mr Favre-Felix – who further discovered that no account of them had been entered in the picture’s dossiers.
ArtWatch UK reported the saga in its June 2010 Journal (No. 26) and published a photograph of the face of the Mother after her second recent repainting (see figs. 16 and 17 below). On 23 June 2010, Michel Favre-Felix was awarded the 2009 Frank Mason Prize in recognition of his exemplary work in the protection of art and heritage, at the inaugural annual James Beck Memorial Lecture (given by Professor Hellmut Wohl, at the Society of Antiquaries of London). Those events in Britain prompted further international press coverage. See: “Louvre masterpiece by Veronese ‘mutilated’ by botched nose jobs”, by Dalya Alberge, The Observer 13 June 2010; "Louvre: sfigurato dai restauratori un capolavoro del Veronese", by Francesco Tortora, Corriere della Sera, Milano, 13 June 2010 ; “Le Louvre accuse de restauration abusive sur une oeuvre de Véronèse”, Artclair.com, 16 June 2010 ;“Le Louvre accuse de restauration abusive”, Beaux-Arts Magazine, No. 341, August 2010. On 11 June 2010, a spokeswoman for the Louvre described the "second restoration" to Dalya Alberge, for The Observer (see above), as simply being spruced up ("bichonnée") and added: "That’s why you cannot find it in the painting’s dossier.”
Changing Veronese at the Louvre between 1950 and 2004
“It should be made clear that, when one intervenes on a work of art, one intends to change it. It is important, however, to discuss the legitimacy of such an intervention”
Marie Berducou, then director of studies at the French Institute of Restoration (IFROA), in 2002 (5th Meetings of ARAAFU)
Michel Favre-Felix writes:
Veronese painted The Pilgrims of Emmaüs around 1560, for a now unknown family. The painting was later brought to France where the prestige of Veronese was growing, and acquired by Louis the XIII in 1638. Epitomising the 17th century rivalry between the French and Italian school of paintings, The Pilgrims of Emmaüs was exhibited side by side with the 1661The Family of Darius by Charles Lebrun. Unfortunately, in 1682, Louis the XIV scaled the two paintings to the same format in order to exhibit them as perfect pendants in the Salon of Mars in Versailles. The Family of Darius was reduced by one third, while The Pilgrims’ canvas was enlarged on its two sides and a large band of about 50 centimetres was added at its top (see fig. 1). These additions were surely executed by Lebrun, the royal painter, who also made overpaints on the original Veronese sky in order to incorporate the band added to the original painting.
During the 18th century the picture underwent a cleaning and a relining. As time passed, its surface was dimmed by several layers of varnish and was probably retouched.
Pilgrim Luke ~ 1950
In 1940, the decision was made to recover Veronese’s original composition by removing the enlargements. In 1950-51, during a second stage of restoration, the excess varnish was thinned out and Lebrun’s no longer necessary overpaints on the sky were largely removed. But the restorer, Pierre Paulet, also made changes to the cloak worn by Luke, the Pilgrim seen from behind. Paulet judged the neckband on the garment to be an overpaint “from the 19th century”. This area was visibly mediocre in execution and suspect in its appearance. Without justifying his dating, Paulet removed the neckband and further exposed the back of the Pilgrim, as well as the neck of his white shirt (see figs. 3 and 4) which, oddly, he dated to Le Brun’s time.
The decision to remove the alien enlargements was justifiable, since dimensions very close to those of Veronese were recovered. It was also legitimate for Paulet to remove the excess of varnish that had accumulated, while preserving a layer of the oldest varnish. Paulet was, however, twice mistaken in his estimated dating of the “overpaint” which he removed from Luke’s garment:
1) The neckband could not have been entirely a 19th century addition because it was already recorded in the earliest known copy of the painting which was made before 1710 (see fig. 2) [1]. A comparison of the copies made before 1833 and the copies made after 1869 (see fig. 5) shows that, during this period, the drapery on the shoulder had been seriously altered. If this alteration had been made to conceal an injury (or a first attempt of cleaning) it might explain why Paulet erred in judging the entire passage a “19th century restoration” that should be removed.
2) The collar of the shirt discovered could not be of Le Brun’s time. One cannot imagine circumstances in which this shirt had been added in 1661 by the King’s painter (Le Brun) only to be concealed a few years later by the addition of a neckband (recorded in a copy before 1710). The shirt collar must be considered – in the lack of contrary evidence – to be from Veronese’s time. But that is not say that it was evident in the final version of Veronese’s painting. It might have been a temporary step that the artist himself had finally covered with the neckband which appears in all the known copies. The alteration in the 19th century may, thus, have induced a misunderstanding of the situation by Paulet.
What is less forgivable is that the Louvre’s own laboratory technicians and art historians should neither have noticed the dramatic changes that appeared in this area during the 19th century, nor paid attention to the clear testimony of the copies. Instead, they simply repeated, in their own files and in their own publication, errors of dating, and failures to recognise material inconsistencies.
It would, however, seem that although being without a complete understanding of the issue, the choices made by the restorer in the 1950’s were not guided by a desire systematically to “purify” the painting from all earlier interventions. To the contrary, Paulet was respectful of what he deemed to be overpaints of good quality. In particular, he preserved all the folds on Luke’s garment, just as he did for those that enliven the dress of the mother, although he had judged them to be additions from “the 19th century” (once again, an erroneous dating, as can be shown by examining older copies of the painting – see fig. 6) [2].
The restoration decisions taken in 2003-2004 were far more radical: the folds on Pilgrim Luke’s back were completely removed (see figs. 7 and 8).
What were these folds made of? The analysis was incredibly summary. Only two samples of paint were analysed – and only one of which revealed a so called “brown glaze” on its upper layer. This brown material was impossible to date. Nonetheless, convinced by this limited and ambiguous result, the Louvre decided that the whole folds were overpaints from an earlier restoration and that they should all be removed, without discrimination, even though – as was clear from the first attempts at taking the folds off on test areas – there was no original drapery to be found underneath. What did this removal of paint reveal? Nothing more than a severely degraded surface in which only abraded remains of Veronese’s pigments remained in an eroded paint layer deprived of the forms and colours that the artist had conceived and applied (fig. 8).
Even if one had been convinced that these folds were added during previous restorations, the question would arise whether these additions were not meant to replace original folds that had been damaged. At any event, the folds removed were similar to those visible in all the old copies of the painting, which serve as historical documents of reference [3].
This is the striking reality of what is called, in the museums of France, “a moderate degree of cleaning”. Did Jean-Pierre Cuzin, the curator who supervised this operation, not assert a completely opposite stance in favour of moderate interventions during a conference at the Louvre, the year before: “On principle, an older restoration should never be removed when it is well integrated [within the painting as a whole] – but that is well-known to restorers. The respect for a piece of art also means respecting and admiring the work of previous restorers, one or two centuries later.”
We shall no longer have any chance to admire this work, and – what is worse – we must now suffer an incongruous overpaint added in our early 21st century. At present, a hazy and brownish arc sweeps down Luke’s back, roughly following his spinal column. His flattened garment is underlined on the left by a shadow as feeble as it is indistinct (see fig. 9). According to those responsible, writing in Techné (p. 46), “this reintegration [which is actually a complete invention – M. F.-F.] evokes the missing folds by means of retouches vibrant in their facture and drawn with suitably incisive strokes.” These “vibrant” retouches – in fact pitiful – follow none of the few faint traces of the drapery once painted by Veronese that could be discerned after the folds were removed (fig. 8). In breach of all deontological rules, these modern overpaints have no basis in any documentation and give a deceiving impression of the artist’s work, which totally misleads the public. No viewer could ever guess that these new overpaints “evoke missing folds”. The family mother underwent a treatment yet more unbearable.
The Mother ~ 2004
Figure 10 is the last photograph (of very average quality) that records the state of the painting at the start of the cleaning.
Figure 11 shows the state of the picture after the varnish and older retouches were removed. The lacunas, where the original material is completely missing, are circumscribed and covered with white mastic. Already at this stage, one can notice a surprising weakening of the composition. The left eye of the mother has lost the fine eyelashes – on the edge of the upper eyelid – that gave her glance its expression. Her eyebrows have faded, as if they had been plucked. The vigorous and sensual line that separated the wing of the nose from the cheek has been liquefied. The subtle line that formed the slight double chin has disappeared to give way to an improbable swelling.
Figure 12 shows an incredible transformation. The shape of the nose, noble and harmonious, was already blurred by the cleaning. It is now completely distorted by the retouching, which unscrupulously transformed the original shape into the turned-up nose of a starlet with a mutilated nostril. The space between the nose and the mouth has become a shapeless and dubiously grey zone. The mouth has been entirely painted over without any respect for the drawing of Veronese. Crossed by a hesitant black stroke, the mouth is now ludicrously small and soppy (note the small and clumsy “V”). Finally, the charming double chin has disappeared to give way to a goitre-like neck and a bloated, pinkish, and heavy cheek, which gives the eye a porcine aspect. In sum, the Venetian mother, with her noble and mature features and slightly melancholic look, has become a caricature of a 21st century adolescent with her awkward pout, her stiff expression, and obesity a-waiting.
This aesthetic manipulation is all the more grievous since the character of the mother is crucial in the composition intended by Veronese, who had painted more than a mere portrait of Venetian women. With her noble face and meditative look, this mother, carrying her newborn with his golden locks, evidently symbolised the Virgin Mary and Child. Protecting the little boy behind her cloak, she evokes the “Vierge de Miséricorde”, who appears frequently in sacred iconography since the 13th century. Her husband stands behind, in an unassuming position attributed to Joseph in images of the Holy Family.
Only recently have art historians begun to understand that the profane splendour of Veronese’s paintings, which has been emphasized till now (e.g. Les Noces de Cana), has profound religious significance [4]. The reference to Mary is essential to allow the co-existence (indeed anachronistic), within the same compositional space, of this Venetian family pictured in its everyday surroundings, with the Christ in action during biblical times. In Veronese’s conception, the mother directly echoes the figure of the Christ. If one had any idea of the religious reflections that inspired this painting and of the sense of the imperatives of decorum that constrained it, this face could not have been altered in such a disastrous manner.
The current restoration pretends to be wary of any creative intrusion. It is in the name of objectivity that all the folds that enlivened the dress of the mother were removed – without any supporting analysis of any kind – with the same goal of purification that guided the intervention on Luke’s cloak, leaving in its stead a flat, modern and abstract surface (see figs. 14 and 15). The outcome demonstrates a total disregard for the evidence provided by historical documents, all of which corroborate the existence of the folds (fig. 13).
The 2003-2004 restoration deserves to be presented as a case study to students training to become curators and restorers. It displays variously: the uncontrolled removal of paint without any critical evaluation; fetishistic attachment to the sole original material however ruinous its state with no regard for the historical and aesthetic value of the work; dating errors; and, falsifying retouches. These failings and their effects on the painting are blatantly clear. Yet, no member of the restoration committee raised any objection. It is chilling to think that the same “methodology” – purification and retouches – produced the same results on so many other paintings, in so many parts of their composition, without raising any more questions.
Michel Favre-Felix: an addendum, 23 December 2010
This study had not aimed to create a “controversy”, to use a museum circle’s term, in the sense of an “uncertain dispute”. There was no basis for presenting “contra” and “versus” positions, for I had worked on data and documents obtained from the Louvre and Versailles archives and from the scientific files of the restoration centre, adding my own research only on the subject of old copies of the Veronese painting.
One should notice that although the restoration work had been done under the guidance of the C2RMF (Research and Restoration Centre of the French Museums) for the Louvre, the museum’s own curators and restoration commission had accepted the result. The Louvre, and the C2RMF even more, were understandably not pleased by this publication, but had no grounds for disputing the facts as I reported them. On the contrary, the necessity of some day correcting this unfortunate disfiguring was a point of agreement in the discussion I had with the Louvre, even if the painting was still hanging in its pitiful state two years after my publication.
It was surprising, therefore, that someone in the museum had had the idea of using the occasion of the Louvre’s own exhibition “Titien, Tintoret, Véronèse”, to re-work the painting, as if in a hurry, during the few days when it was taken down prior to the exhibition opening on the 17th of September 2009.
The main re-retouching that took place focused on the mother’s face. In my knowledge, this is the first time that a French museum has made so concrete an acknowledgement of the force of criticisms of a restoration as to re-restore the painting itself.
On discovering this second intervention during the course of the exhibition, I was shocked by the clumsiness of the attempt to repair the previous disastrous repainting. I asked the C2RMF if I might see the documents about the second restoration because they are generally in charge of the restoration of the Louvre paintings. They said that they had nothing new in their file (as I myself checked), because they had not been involved in what they characterised as a “localized intervention [that had been] requested and followed” (their words) by the Louvre’s curator for this painting, Jean Habert.
When I consulted the dedicated file in the archives wherein all interventions on the painting have to be reported, I discovered that no record had been made of the second repainting. When the arts journalist, Dalya Alberge, asked for explanations, the Louvre spokesman stated that in this second operation had consisted of the painting being merely “scrubbed up” (“bichonnée”) when that is a term normally used for very light interventions (such as dusting or retouching a minor scratch unnoticed in the museum but detected on a closer inspection made before an exhibition, etc).
As for the result of this further repainting, the previously messed mouth has been blurred, not corrected. The nose had been given an awkward point and a baffling enlarged new nostril, while the cheek remains puffed. This remains another alien 21st century version and, as such, it further dishonours Veronese’s painting.
My latest request to the Louvre has been for this re-repainting to be fully documented in their files, according the international museum’s standards and ethics. As an association we also pointed out officially to the Louvre’s authorities, the necessity for these successive “restorations” to be undone and the intervention to be rethought from the beginning.
[1] Presently kept at Versailles, it is as large as the original. These dimensions (a very rare 1/1 scale) permit to identify it as the copy n°849, of similar dimensions, in the Inventory of the King’s Paintings set up in 1709-1710 by Nicolas Bailly. So, it was made after 1682 (since it includes the enlargements) and before 1710.
[2] These folds are clearly shown in the engraving by Simon Thomassins, in 1742 in the Recueil d’estampes d’après les plus beaux tableaux …du cabinet du Roi, de Crozat, Mariette et Basan (fig. 6).
[3] That is, the copy of the painting in Versailles (see fig. 2) and the engraving by Thomassins made in 1742 (see fig. 6).
[4] See for instance Richard Cocke, Paolo Veronese. Piety and Display in an Age of Religious Reform, Ashgate, 2001.
Above: fig. 1, the state of the Veronese before 1940. The dot lines indicate the original surface and, beyond, the 17th century enlargements.
Click on any of the images for larger versions. NOTE: zooming requires the Adobe Flash Plug-in.
Above: fig. 2, detail of the earliest known copy, made after 1682 and before 1710. Château de Versailles [inv. MV 8098].
Above: fig. 3, detail of the Louvre original, before the1950 intervention.
Above: fig. 4, detail of the Louvre original, after the 1950 intervention.
Above: fig. 5, engraving of 1869 (detail).
Above: fig. 6, engraving by Simon Thomassins, in 1742 (detail, reversed view).
Above: fig. 7, after the 1950 restoration. The collar of the shirt is “discovered”, but all the folds on Luke’s garment have been preserved.
Above: fig. 8, after the 2003 cleaning (and before retouching). All the folds have been suppressed, showing nothing more than a severely degraded underlying surface. © Photo C2RMF – Eric Dupont.
Above: fig. 9, after the 2004 “vibrant” retouches.
Above: fig. 10, The Mother, as seen just before 2003. © Photo C2RMF – Gérard Dufrêne.
Above: fig. 11, the half-way state in 2003, “cleaned” lacunas filled with white filler, but no retouches yet. © Photo C2RMF – Eric Dupont.
Above: fig. 12, the final aspect in 2004, after retouching. © Photo C2RMF – Eric Dupont.
Above: fig.13, a detail of the 1742 engraving (reversed view).
Above: fig. 14, a detail of the original, before 2003.
Above: fig. 15, a detail of the original, after 2004.
Below, figs. 16 and 17, ArtWatch UK Journal No. 26, pages 6 and 7.
This entry was posted on December 29, 2010. It was filed under blog.
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From Veronese to Turner, Celebrating Restoration-Wrecked Pictures
Part 1: Veronese into Botero
A rupture between words and pictorial realities has emerged in the museum world. It is the product of an over-heated international scramble to produce blockbuster exhibitions. After prising and pulling together works from many quarters, curators of temporary exhibitions write as if blind to the most glaring differences of condition and as if ignorant of all restoration-induced controversies. This widespread critical failure to address the variously – and often very recently – altered states of pictures corrupts scholarship and confers international respectability on damaging local restoration practices. In doing so, this effective pan-national conspiracy “not to notice” also compounds and sanctions the general reluctance of museums ever to acknowledge their own errors in the “conservation” treatment of art. The injuriousness of so much picture restoration is more the product of aesthetic/artistic incomprehension than of any self-agrandising intent. If every unhappy restoration is unhappy in its own way, so to speak, with Veronese, the best balanced of all painters, the most commonly encountered crime against his art is the debilitation of his firm plastic grip by restorers in hot pursuit of brightened and heightened colours.
The catalogue to the National Gallery’s show “Veronese: Magnificence in Renaissance Venice” provides a usefully explicit and clear-cut case in point. Its text is entirely the work of the show’s “guest” curator, Xavier Salomon. The National Gallery’s director, and fellow Veronese authority/champion, Nicholas Penny, declares the catalogue “a significant book”. Formerly of the Dulwich Picture Gallery and the Metropolitan Museum, and presently the chief curator of the Frick Collection, New York, Dr Salomon has (with the National Gallery’s own ten Veroneses) assembled no fewer than fifty, often very large, works. Salomon describes his own catalogue/book as both a general introduction for the public and a work offering “stimulating and original insights for experts and longstanding lovers of Veronese’s work”. In doing so, he claims that:
“The two over-arching principles in the selection of paintings for the London exhibition have been quality and condition, in order to show Veronese’s art at its best.”
We recognise that (as Dr Penny once acknowledged to us) it can be impolitic as well as seem ungracious to attack the conditions of generously loaned works. However, given Salomon’s own declaration on the importance of condition – which he reiterates as being “crucial” – we must assume that he is untroubled, for example, by the present condition of the Louvre’s Veronese The Supper at Emmaus and that he is happy for it, along with all other works in this compilation, to be seen as both of the highest artistic quality and in the best possible physical condition.
Concerning the condition of this particular painting, among many procedural shortcomings present in the course of its recent treatment at the Louvre (as here reported in December 2010), the restorers were discovered by our colleague, Michel Favre-Felix, to have repainted a face twice within five years, on each occasion atrociously, and the second time in a secret intervention at which no records were made (– see below and Figs. 1 to 4b ). Far from alerting neophyte visitors or readers to this picture’s now grossly adulterated state, Salomon specifically praises its “opulent and majestic” overall effect; its “superb” portraits; and its details in which “Veronese reached a level of poignant harmony that was unprecedented”. This is an exhibition and an issue to which we will return but, first, another wrecked painting that is presently being flaunted in London calls for attention.
Part 2: Smoke into Steam
Turner’s Rockets and Blue Lights
An extraordinary publicity barrage accompanied the launch of the National Maritime Museum’s “Turner & The Sea” blockbuster. It centred on a single painting – the artist’s Rockets and Blue Lights. The decision to favour that particular wrecked and challenged work passed beyond the brazen. As Maurice Davies observes in the spring issue of Turner Society News:
“The most unnecessary loan is Rockets and Blue Lights … The catalogue talks diplomatically of ‘alterations to some areas of the painted surface.’ It is in fact so horribly damaged that there’s little value in seeing it in the flesh. ArtWatch talks of the picture as an example of ‘the bizarre and perverse phenomenon of promoting demonstrably wrecked paintings in special loan exhibitions.’ It would have been quite enough to include a small illustration in the catalogue and move swiftly on.”
That painting is held by the Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute, Williamstown, USA (see “Taking Renoir, Sterling and Francine Clark to the Cleaners”). We first discussed its restoration fate in an article published in the winter 2003 ArtWatch UK journal by the painter Edmund Rucinski who disclosed that the restorer, David Bull, had not only removed the surviving remains of one Turner’s two steamboats but had defended his decision on the grounds that the boat had probably been some later restorer’s invention – even though the existence of a second steamboat was confirmed by the plural “steamboats” in the picture’s full title: Rockets and Blue Lights (Close at Hand) to Warn Steamboats of Shoal Water, and by visual records of the painting, as shown below right.
As we later reported in the summer 2005 ArtWatch UK journal, the picture had been restored in preparation for its inclusion in a travelling exhibition (“Turner, The Late Seascapes”) which began at the Clark Institute and moved first to Manchester and then to Glasgow. It was said that seventy-five per cent of the picture’s surface (which had last been restored and relined in 1963-64 by William Suhr) was repaint and that by removing this paint Turner’s own brushwork would be liberated. What was “liberated” was a wrecked work in which a boat disappeared and the dark coal smoke from its funnel was converted into a white water spout. Despite this pictorial corruption, when the picture came to Britain, the Tate issued a press release in which it was claimed that:
“One of the stars of the show is Turner’s dramatic Rockets and Blue Lights (Close to Hand) to Warn Steamboats of Shoal Water, 1840, which has recently undergone major conservation and is a loan from the Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute, Williamstown, USA.”
In 2003 Eric Shanes, of the Turner Society, wrote (TLS 19 December) that although the painting had long been a physical wreck, “until its recent ‘conservation’ it at least constituted a pictorially coherent image. Now it’s right half has been entirely rubbed away, leaving an incoherent shambles that not only bears no similarity to Turner’s original but looks like nothing else in the artist’s oeuvre…”
Shanes later took a more indulgent stance towards the Clark Institute. Writing in the May 2005 Apollo, he held:
“…Yet if we adopt a wider perspective it is easy to see that the Clark Institute found itself in a fairly impossible situation in 2003: it was damned if it restored the painted and damned if it didn’t.”
This seemed to assume the institution had to send the painting across the Atlantic to Manchester and Glasgow. It did not. On October 28th 2003 the Times had reported the disclosure by Selby Whittingham that the Boston Museum of Fine Arts had refused to lend its Turner Slavers throwing overboard the dead and dying – Typhoon coming on to the Clark exhibition because when it had returned from a loan to the Tate, the previously sound picture had been found damaged and “extremely unstable” (see below). By 2005, the incoherent work that had borne no resemblance to anything in Turner’s oeuvre in 2003 had, for Shanes, staged a partial recovery, becoming a presentable work once again, albeit if accompanied by a health warning:
“Without doubt the Clark Institute can validly argue that Rockets and Blue Lights is once again fully a work by J. M. W. Turner, possibly for the first time in well over a hundred years. But quite evidently, the museum also faces the concomitant duty to be absolutely honest with its public by making it abundantly clear that the Turner now seen by that clientele is but a shadow of its original self. To claim otherwise is very dangerous…”
Institutional intransigence
When on October 15th 2003, the Times reported the article we were about to publish by Edmund Rucinski, Libby Sheldon, a paint materials historian at University College, London, said: “It’s good that [institutions] are being challenged. It makes them take more care. Organisations like ArtWatch, irritating though they are to institutions, are a good watchdog”. In response, a spokeswoman for the Tate Gallery which had extolled the restoration of Rockets said “We don’t want to comment further.” The Tate might have been sanguine about British newspaper reports of criticisms because elsewhere in the press the gallery’s hyperbolic estimation of Rockets, as transmitted through its press release, found many echoes among art critics:
“…this show contains some of the most extraordinary passages of painting ever applied to canvas. Its centrepiece, the recently restored Rockets and Blue Lights… is an unbelievable vision of swirling blue, orange and white light thrusting through fog [Sebastian Smee, Daily Telegraph]; Easily the most stunning picture in the show is Rockets and Blue Lights…The canvas has been given a restorative makeover…Turner’s brushwork is revealed in all its glory” [Lynne Walker, the Independent]; Most splendid…is the dramatic and recently restored Rockets and Blue Lights, a picture so spectacular, that like the shadowy group of figures on the foreshore, you can only stare and wonder [ Rachel Campbell-Johnson, the Times].”
Just as exhibition organisers might seem incapable of spotting or acknowledging an abused picture, so it would seem that the temptations (or the pressures) to lend precious and vulnerable works of art remain irresistible for many institutions. On 24 October 2007 we wrote in a letter to the Daily Telegraph:
“The Mellon Center’s decision (report, October 17) to break its own rule never to lend Turner’s fragile ‘Dort or Dordrecht: The Dort Packet-Boat from Rotterdam Becalmed’ seems perverse: only seven years ago, the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston lent its Turner ‘Slavers throwing overboard the dead and dying, Typhoon coming on’ to the Tate. On its return to Boston, that painting was found to have suffered losses of paint and to be in an ‘extremely unstable’ condition. A Tate Spokeswoman said: ‘It arrived here safely…Its condition was stable…However, Turner’s paintings are notoriously unstable’. This being so, why are trustees and curators prepared to take such risks with priceless works of art?”
When asked why no records had been kept of the second bungled repainting of the Veronese face in the Supper at Emmaus, a Louvre spokeswoman described the second restoration attempt as one in which the picture was simply being spruced up (“bichonnée”) and added, “That’s why you cannot find it in the painting’s dossier”.
Michael Daley
Above, Fig. 1: A detail of the Louvre’s Veronese The Supper at Emmaus, as published in the catalogue to the National Gallery’s Credit Suisse sponsored exhibition “Veronese: Magnificence in Renaissance Venice”.
Above, Figs. 2a and 2b: Photographs (as supplied to Michel Favre-Felix) showing the group of the mother and children on the right hand side of Veronese’s The Supper at Emmaus. Fig. 2a (left) shows this group before the painting’s recent restoration and Fig. 2b shows it afterwards.
Among the many injuries evident in this photo-comparison, notice the reductions of sparkle and vivacity in the treatment of draperies, when, if disfiguring varnish and dirt alone had been removed, the former vivacity of those passages that was present and evident – even under discoloured varnish and dirt – would reasonably be expected to increase, not diminish. On the logic of restoration’s own declared practices, such reversals require explanation from both restorers and (supervising?) curators alike. Notice, too, the weakening of the modelling of the heads and, once again, the reductions of former tonal contrasts when increases of tonal ranges should be expected to follow a cleaning, not their compression.
Above (top), Figs. 3a and 3b; above, Figs. 4a and 4b: Fig. 3a shows the head of the mother before the recent restoration. Fig. 3b shows the head after cleaning and after the first of its two (disastrous) repaintings. Fig. 4a shows the head after the second repainting (and as reproduced in the new National Gallery catalogue).
In the early post-war years the great French scholar René Huyghe (rightly) complained of the tendency of overly-invasive “Anglo-Saxon” restorers in London and the USA to impose entirely inapproriate modernist values on the old masters. How depressingly ironic it is, therefore, that restorers working within the Louvre should now be permitted to impart to a Veronese head (as seen at Fig. 4a) the bloatedly pneumatic forms found in the playful spoof Mona Lisa painted by Fernando Botero shown above at Fig. 4b.
Above, Figs. 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9: Examples of the use of Turner’s Rockets and Blue Lights in the promotional campaign that accompanied the launch of the National Maritime Museum’s exhibition “Turner and the Sea”.
Above, Figs. 10, 11 and 12: Coverage in the ArtWatch UK Journals 19 and 20 of the last restoration of Turner’s Rockets and Blue Lights.
Above, Figs. 13 and 14: Turner’s Rockets and Blue Lights after its 1963-64 restoration by William Suhr (top); above, Turner’s Rockets and Blue Lights after its restoration by David Bull in preparation for the Clark Institute’s travelling exhibition “Turner, The Late Seascapes”.
Above, Figs. 15, 16 and 17: A sequence of photographs showing the disappearance of one Turner steamboat (on the right) and the grave weakening of the second. Top, Fig. 15, the now “disappeared” steamboat as recorded in Robert Carrick’s 1852 chromolithographic copy of Turner’s Rockets and Blue Lights. Centre, Fig. 16, the steamboat as recorded in a photograph of 1896 (shown by courtesy of Christie’s). Above, Fig. 17, the section of the sea formerly occupied by the steamboat, as left after the last restoration.
This entry was posted on March 24, 2014. It was filed under blog and was tagged with "Turner, "Turner and the Sea", David Bull, Edmund Rucinski, Eric Shanes, Fernado Botero, J M W Turner, Libby Sheldon, Lynne Walker, Maurice Davies, Michael Daley, Michel Favre-Felix, Nicholas Penny, Robert Carrick, Sebastian Smee, Selby Whittingham, The Boston Museum of Fine Arts, The Clark Institute, The Dulwich Picture Galleryy, The Frick Collection, the Late Seascapes", The Mellon center, The Mona Lisa, The National Gallery "Veronese: Magnificence in Renaissance Venice, The National Maritime Museum, The Supper at Emmaus, Turner "Rockets and Blue Lights", Turner "Slavers throwing overboard the dead and dying", Turner Society News, University College London, Veonese, William Suhr, Xavier Salomon.
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“Pick Up A Pencil”
The theme of the new ArtWatch UK members’ Journal (see right) is “The Primacy of the Visual”. Failures to acknowledge, address, or even recognise visual evidence are examined. The text of Charles Hope’s 2011 James Beck Memorial Lecture is carried in full. Professor Hope cites failures of the National Gallery’s curators and restorers to address opponents’ arguments or to recognise the import of key historical documents on artistic practice. When Professor James Beck, the late founder of ArtWatch International, lent support to artist-critics of the Sistine Chapel restoration he came under vicious attacks from some scholarly peers – for all the world as if he had betrayed a priesthood of the visually ignorant. Prof Hope cites a letter of that kind. If artists do sometimes discomfort scholars, it is no presumption: knowing how art is made they are precisely the best qualified to detect its un-making. Here, the painter (and photographer) Gareth Hawker discusses both fundamental differences between painting and photography and the widespread failures to recognise these differences. His demonstration is timely. If (as we have argued elsewhere), art schools have given up the ghost with regard to teaching the traditional skills that formerly equipped artists to recognise restoration blunders, in the wider world of commercial film-making there are signs – notwithstanding giant leaps in the powers of digitalised image-making – of a renaissance in traditional art practices. We discussed this paradoxical relationship in connection with the extraordinary accomplishment of the hand-crafted animated film Frankenweenie. Another such heartening case is discussed opposite. [M. D.]
A Photograph is a Copy, not a Creation, Gareth Hawker writes:
“…we have realised that we should give more attention to photography”. So wrote the Director of the National Gallery, Nicholas Penny, in his introduction to the current exhibition, Seduced by Art: Photography Past and Present [1]. Several reviewers seem to agree. Tabish Khan wrote that, “…photography is a contemporary art form that can be just as inspiring and impressive as painting” [2]. But photographs do not incorporate the high-level thinking that paintings do. It would be misleading to put them in the same category.
The difference between painting and photography is frequently glossed over. For example, many people suggest that the camera is a tool just like brushes and pencils. At first sight, this may appear to make sense. The photographer decides what to include in the picture, in the same way that a painter often does. He chooses where to place the camera; in which direction to point it; how far to zoom in on a subject; and when to press the shutter. He may select models, costumes, and arrange lighting. All these factors contribute to what is called the ‘scene’ – the image in the viewfinder. The ‘scene’ may be recorded by a photographer just as well as by a painter, so the argument goes: they just use different tools in order to complete the same task. However this is to ignore what the tools are used for. The camera is used to record the scene, while the brushes and pencils are used to analyse it. The importance of this analysis is often overlooked.
Photographers who have wanted to claim equal status with painters have made various approaches, all ignoring this analytical element. At first they blurred and smudged photographs in order to make them look like paintings. Then photographers claimed that theirs was a totally separate art form, a pure record of the scene. Some argued against this, saying that if a photograph were pure, it could not be artistic. Before this issue could be resolved, some writers swept it aside. They suggested that what mattered was, “conceiving an image in the brain and finding some way of expressing it” [3]. What counted was the viewer’s response – whether a work, “spoke” to the viewer [4]. This disregarded a significant factor: people do not respond to paintings in the same way as they do to photographs, especially if they can see that a painting provides evidence of thinking, in a way that a photograph does not.
Paintings look different from photographs because they are made differently. A painting is constructed from brushstrokes; each stroke the result of a decision. A painting may represent a scene, or it may represent nothing at all. A painting is an independent creation, whereas a photograph is dependant on the scene. A photograph can be made only if there is a scene to be copied.
A representational painting may be compared to the summary at the beginning of a scientific paper – the paragraph which is entitled, “Abstract”. Its writer makes a personal judgment about which are the most important topics dealt with in the paper, and writes a brief account of his own. The “Abstract” is a new and independent piece of writing, just as a representational painting is a new and independent analysis of the scene. In contrast, a photograph is like a photocopy of the whole scientific paper. The photocopy shows no analysis, and no judgment.
Brushstrokes are only the most basic way in which a painter’s analysis or abstraction may be seen. Another is in the simplification of the human figure – in its reconstruction in terms of geometrical solids, such as eggs and cylinders. Even a simple tracing – the lowest form of analysis – shows which lines the painter has considered to be more important than others.
To give a computing analogy: a photograph is like a bitmap image (which records only pixels – spots of colour), but a painting is like a vector image (which records instructions about where lines are to go). A tracing programme can convert a bitmap file into a vector file. The computer makes a simplification which looks similar to a paint-by-numbers drawing. This computer drawing may be thought of as the beginning of an attempt to imitate human analysis – a type of artificial intelligence – though the computer has a long way to go before it catches up with the human brain in this respect (Fig. 1). If anything may be thought of as being a tool comparable with brushes and pencils, it is a tracing programme (which helps to analyse), not a camera (which does not).
To express the difference in another way: Scene = Photograph (Scene = Photograph) × Analysis = Painting
Analysis is an essential part of what makes a representational painting interesting to look at; whereas what makes a photograph interesting to look at is the scene, not its treatment.
Analysis demands abstract thinking – whether it is done well or done badly. What distinguishes the great painter from the mediocrity is the quality of this thinking, not any manual skill. Anyone who can sign his name, already has enough manual skill to make a great drawing. (This includes drawing in its wider sense: deciding where to place marks made by the pencil or the brush, even when no outlines may be involved).
The modern digital camera provides the most effective means for recording the scene that has ever been devised. Strangely, many photographers want to use it for a different purpose, to express an interpretation – a purpose for which it is singularly unsuited. Some photographers deliberately introduce all sorts of inaccuracies which mean that the result is neither a pure substitute for the scene, nor an independent creation.
The classical case for photography’s status as an equal to painting was put forward by the man who was perhaps, “the most important figure in the history of the visual arts in America” – Alfred Stieglitz (1864-1946) [5]. In his usage, the word ‘artist’ meant someone who, “got the spirit of the truth” [6]. He held that only 0.1% of painters were artists, and only 0.1% of photographers were artists. But not everyone takes such an exalted view. For example, a tax inspector wants to know whether a painter is a house-painter or an artist, not whether he has, “got the spirit of the truth”. So when a painter says that he is an artist, he is simply describing his activity. He is not claiming to be either good or bad at his job: that is for others to decide. But when a photographer says that he is an artist he is claiming to be in the top 0.1% of his profession: he is pushing others to accept the valuation he has placed on his own work.
By using the word ‘artist’ in this way, Stieglitz moved attention away from a vital distinction; that between creating something new (a painting) and making a copy (a photograph). He persuaded many viewers to ignore analysis, and to concentrate on the selection and arrangement of a scene – on pointing and shooting.
Stieglitz’s advocacy, along with that of other theorists, seems to have desensitised many viewers. They see only the subject which has been represented. They fail to notice that a painting exhibits the working of a mind – not just in the choice of subject, but in every single stroke. One consequence of this desensitisation became apparent when the Sistine ceiling was treated by restorers, and much of the best painting ever produced was wiped off. The picture of a man looks like a man, whether it is drawn well or drawn badly. Most historians were satisfied with what remained after the paint-stripping because they could still identify the subjects which had been depicted. Very few noticed how drastically the quality of the drawing had been reduced.
Many people were better informed about these issues in the days when Michelangelo painted his great work. Contemporaries who saw it for the for the first time commented at least as much on the power of its drawing, as on its subject matter [7]. The way in which influential men looked at nudes in those days may be compared with the way in which they look at motor cars now: with an appreciation of the beauty of engineering and construction – an appreciation which derives in part from an understanding of how all the parts connect together.
The paint-stripping made nonsense of some of the connections in Michelangelo’s nudes. His contemporaries would have been appalled, but most of today’s historians and television presenters do not even notice. They focus on the imagery and the iconography, not on the drawing. It is as if they were waiting for the work to ‘speak’ to them – for the artistic content to make itself felt. But, being sensitive only to subject-matter, that is all that they are able to see. Such narrowly prepared minds will respond only to the crudest visual stimulus (the colours looking brighter after the top layer of paint has been removed, for example).
Just as the critical response to painting has become limited, so the meaning of the word Art has expanded – to such a degree that almost anything seems to be embraced by it, including photography. However painting remains distinct: it is a creation which is independent, and which can embody the kind of analysis described above. This is why painting may be categorised with the higher expressions of the human mind, along with poetry and philosophy. Photography does not fit into this category because it cannot display abstract thinking.
But painting is now so little appreciated that, to many people, it seems comparable with photography. This has allowed photography to be called Art, and so to enter the National Gallery. Arguably this is the same lack of discrimination that has allowed paint-stripping to take place, not only on the Sistine ceiling, but on almost all the great works of painting in the Western World, including those in the National Gallery.
“Giving more attention to photography”, seems to be one more example of this downward trend, but perhaps there is a glimmer of hope. When a great artist’s paint has been removed from a picture, the decline in its artistic quality is irreversible; but a decline in critical awareness is different: it can be reversed. At present, many people are only distantly aware that, in every brushstroke, a representational painting gives evidence of analytical thinking. Perhaps the exhibition at the National Gallery will help to promote this awareness. If so, it will have served a very useful purpose.
1 The National Gallery, Seduced by Art: Photography Past and Present, Yale University Press (9 Oct 2012), ISBN-10: 1857095456, ISBN-13: 978-1857095456 The exhibition runs from 31 October 2012 to 20 January 2013 2 londonist. Art-review-seduced-by-art-photography-national-gallery. Retrieved 8 November 2012 3 Gerry Badger. Collecting Photography. London: Mitchell Beazley, 2003. ISBN 1-84000-726-5 p23 4 Gerry Badger. Collecting Photography. London: Mitchell Beazley, 2003. ISBN 1-84000-726-5 p24 5 Richard Whelan, Stieglitz on Photography, Aperture, 2000, p ix 6 Alfred Stieglitz, Is Photography a Failure?, The Sun, New York, March 14, 1922 – reprinted in, Richard Whelan, Stieglitz on Photography, Aperture, 2000, p 229 7 http://artwatchuk.wordpress.com/2012/10/01/12th-november-2012/ Retrieved 12 November 2012
Gareth Hawker
Above, the covers of the new AWUK Journal. In 2013 two further James Beck Memorial Lectures will take place.
In New York in April, Professor David Freedberg, Director of the Italian Academy for Advanced Studies in America, will speak on Morality and Movement in Renaissance Art.
In London, in October, Jacques Franck, the Leonardo specialist and Permanent Consulting Expert to the Armand Hammer Center for Leonardo Studies at the University of California, Los Angeles, will speak on Painterly Practice and its Light on the Old Masters.
(For information on these events, or on Artwatch membership details, please contact the Membership and Events Secretary, Helen Hulson – hahulson@googlemail.com.)
In the Daily Telegraph Magazine on 15 December, Georgia Dehn reported a visit to the animation studios of a new animated film, The Snowman and the Snowdog, based on Raymong Briggs’s The Snowman:
“…a team of about 40 people is busy colouring in with Caran d’Ache pencils…Eight people who worked on the original film are working on The Snowman and the Snowdog. ‘We had to get them out of retirement…A lot of the others hadn’t used drawing skills like this for years because now they are all drawing on tablets straight into the computer – and we’ve trained some new people as well’, [Camilla] Fielding says. Lupus [Films] has employed 78 renderers in total…As a lead animator, [Pete] Western was responsible for four ‘key’ drawings per second, which plot out the main action of the shot. An animation assistant – or ‘inbetweener’ – does the remaining eight drawings per second to fill the gaps…’ We had a debate about all the programmes you can use to make something seem handmade’ [Joanna Harrison, the art director, co-writer and and co-owner of Lupus Films] adds, ‘but I think if you go to all the effort of getting something to look as if you have picked up a pencil, why not just pick up a pencil?'”
Above, Fig. 1: Photograph by Julien Vallou de Villeneuve 1854. Tracing by Delacroix.
Delacroix made a tracing, perhaps from the back of the photograph held up against a window. I flipped the photograph horizontally to make comparison easier. I placed a semi-transparent image of the drawing on top of the image of the photograph. The lines correspond with the painting almost exactly, thus confirming that the drawing was in fact a tracing, not simply an accurate drawing. Tracing may seem to be a task which is almost mechanical, requiring little mental input, but when the task really is done by a machine – a computer – the tracing is far less informative than the one made by a human.
For example, Delacroix has outlined the arms and hands in a way which is impossible for the computer. The computer divides the image into areas which are equal in tonal value, then places a line around these, whereas the human can discern the meaning that these tonal areas have structurally, even when they are the same in tone value as adjacent areas. For instance, the arms and some parts of the costume are clearer in the drawing than in the photograph. In the tracing made by the computer some of these lines are missing altogether.
Above, Fig. 2: Standing man looking to the right. Drawing by Delacroix.
This pairing of photograph and drawing presents a rare opportunity to view exactly the same photograph as a great artist did when he made his drawing. We can compare the analysis which he made with the analysis which we might make. It is as if Delacroix had constructed the figure out of egg-shaped lumps of clay, which he pressed into shape to conform to the structure of the body; but he has not pressed and smoothed to such an extent that the original eggs become invisible.
After a few days training, most 10 year old children would be able to draw more accurately than this, in the sense of making an outline which resembles a tracing; but accuracy of this kind was not of primary importance to Delacroix. His outline forms a clearer description of a three-dimensional construction than a tracing would have done. In some ways it is harder to draw like this from a photograph than from life. In life the model and the artist move slightly, which makes the construction easier to see and to draw.
Above, Fig. 3: Heads by Memling and Stieglitz.
On the left a detail from a portrait of a man by Memling, the “first photographer”, according to Alfred Stieglitz; and, on the right, a detail from a portrait by Stieglitz. The comparison is not on a perfectly equal basis, because the subject of the Stieglitz is a woman (Georgia O’Keeffe) but it was the closest I could find which might bear comparison with the Memling.
Notice how the painting clarifies the structure of the head, while the photograph does not. It would be easier to make a sculpture based on the Memling than on the Stieglitz. Even a very exact copy of a photograph shows some kind of analysis (although it may be of a poor quality).
Above, Fig. 4 Nude drying herself by Degas.
Degas may well have taken this photograph at about the same time as he made the painting. This does not necessarily mean that he worked from the photograph. Quite often painters take photographs of the subjects they paint, only to have historians jump to the conclusion that they must have painted from the photographs. (An historian did this with my work on a couple of occasions. He suspected me of hiding my modus operandi, even though I was quite happy to point out paintings of mine which I really had painted from photographs).
This comparison shows the type of departure Degas would have made from a literally accurate tracing. In the computer tracing, the form of the model is difficult to discern. The painting contains about the same number of lines or edges as the computer tracing, but Degas’ lines give a clearer idea of the model’s shape.
Those who believe that the camera is a tool just like pencils and brushes tend to think that analysing a scene is a mechanical process, done equally well by a machine as by a human. That is a fallacy, as this comparison shows. The translation of a scene into a painting is not a mechanical process: it involves making choices – choices which are different from the mechanical ones which might be made by a computer.
Above, Fig. 5 Kneeling woman by Delacroix.
It is possible to see exactly where Delacroix has departed from literal accuracy. In its place he has provided some clarification of the three-dimensional structure of the model, though not as successfully as in the previous drawing (Fig.2).
Delacroix has brought to the photograph his knowledge of the figure, and how its parts fit together. Note, for example, how the small of the back links the back with the hips, something which is almost invisible in the photograph.
Even so, he seems to have had difficulty with some of the forms. The position of the woman’s shoulder-blade, for example, is not clearly expressed, and in many places the shading is not very informative about the construction. Compare this with Figs. 2, 6 and 7, all of which are better drawn in this respect.
These are the sort of deficiencies which one frequently sees in the drawings which students make in life classes. Even a great artist like Delacroix could sometimes make drawings which fell below his customary high standard.
Above, Fig. 6 Drawing of a seated man by Delacroix.
Notice how Delacroix has outlined the volumes, rather than making the equivalent of a tracing. Given the task of constructing the figure out of pieces of plasticene, the drawing would explain where to put them better than would the photograph.
Delacroix has found a clear place for the ridge of the shoulder blade and the muscles on the man’s side, all of which link together logically; but he seems to have lost his way along the spine. It almost looks as if he has introduced a distant arm behind the man’s back.
This illustrates the sort of intellectual exertion which is needed when making a drawing or a painting (and when viewing one). The drawing informs the viewer about Delacroix’s analytical thinking (whether of high quality or low), while the photograph does not.
Above, Fig. 7 Delacroix (1798 – 1863), Liberty Leading the People, 1830 (detail).
Photograph by courtesy of the Musée du Louvre, Paris.
Analysis has formed the main topic under discussion so far, but this example illustrates its complement, synthesis – drawing from memory and imagination. The approach to drawing is similar. Delacroix has drawn lines around volumes, and they represent equivalent volumes in the subject. But while a drawing from life or a photograph may be checked against the scene to see whether it is a reasonable summary (Fig. 6), the construction of an imaginary scene may be checked only in so far as it strikes the imagination of the viewer.
This entry was posted on December 17, 2012. It was filed under blog and was tagged with "Liberty Leading the People", "The Snowman and the Snowdog", "The Snowman", Alfred Stieglitz, Camilla Fielding, Delacroix, digital cameras, digitalised imagery, Edgar Degas, Frankenweenie, Gareth Hawker, Georgia Dehn, Georgia O'Keefe, Gerry Badger, Helen Hulson, Jacques Franck, Joanna Harrison, Julien Vallou de Villeneuve, Lupus Films, Memling, Michael Daley, Mitchell Beazley, Nicholas Penny, Painting v Photography, Pete Western, Prof David Freedberg, Prof. Charles Hope, Prof. James Beck, Raymond Briggs, Richard Whelan, The ArtWatch UK Journal, The Sistine Chapel restoration.
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Public Relations for our visual arts & design communities
BOHLIN CYWINSKI JACKSON WINS AIA INSTITUTE HONOR AWARD
Jan 8, 2018 Visual Arts
Firm Receives Recognition for Square’s San Francisco Headquarters
Image © Matthew Millman
San Francisco, CA (January 18, 2018) – National architecture firm Bohlin Cywinski Jackson (BCJ) has been honored by the American Institute of Architects with an Institute Honor Award for its remarkable design of Square’s San Francisco headquarters. The project was one of just five interior architecture projects to receive an award this year, with designs ranging from a high-end New York loft to a middle school in Missouri.
‘We are extremely proud of our design collaboration with Square, which enables their company to grow while maintaining their organizational culture and startup roots,’ said design principal Greg Mottola, FAIA. ‘It’s an incredible honor to be recognized by the AIA for our work on this project.’
Located in San Francisco’s Mid-Market neighborhood, Square’s headquarters spans four floors of a converted Bank of America data center. The BCJ design team utilized urban planning principles to transform the building into a vibrant workplace, with a central boulevard serving as the organizational spine of the 295,000-square- foot space.
A massive amphitheater stair unifies the multiple office floors and provides a venue for a variety of daily activities—from all-hands meetings to individual focus work. Clean lines and predominantly white interiors complement the company’s brand and minimal aesthetic, and reinforces Square’s mission to create a refined, seamless experience for their clients.
‘Architects should make spaces where people can be themselves—to gather, to trade stories, and to create. Bohlin Cywinski Jackson has been responsible for some of the best manifestations of that in the world, and we’ve been fortunate to feel it every day at Square,’ said the company’s CEO, Jack Dorsey, of his collaboration with the firm.
The Institute Honor Awards are the profession’s highest recognition of works that exemplify excellence in architecture, interior architecture, and urban design. Selected from roughly 500 submissions, 17 recipients located throughout the world will be honored at this year’s AIA Conference on Architecture in New York City.
This year’s Interior Architecture jury was comprised of chair Brian Caldwell, AIA, THINKTANK Design Group; Joshua Aidlin, AIA, Aidlin Darling Design; Kiyomi Kurooka, AIA, DWL Architects + Planners Inc.; John Paquin, AIA, Statesville; and William T. Ruhl, AIA, RUHL WALKER Architects.
Visit www.aia.org to learn more about this year’s Institute Honor Award winners. ###
About Bohlin Cywinski Jackson
Bohlin Cywinski Jackson is a national architecture practice noted for elegant and humane design, ranging from modest houses to large academic, civic, cultural and corporate buildings. To date, the firm has received more than 675 regional, national and international awards, including three AIA Top Ten Green Project Awards and the AIA Architecture Firm Award. The firm is well known for its work with Apple, designing stores such as the iconic Fifth Avenue cube in New York City and flagship stores worldwide. The firm’s portfolio also includes city halls for Seattle and Newport Beach, and headquarters for Pixar, Adobe and Square. For more information, please visit BCJ.com.
About Square, Inc.
Square, Inc. is a financial services and mobile payments company that creates tools to empower individuals and small businesses. The company was founded in 2009 by Jack Dorsey and Jim McKelvey, and is headquartered in San Francisco, with offices throughout the US, Canada, Japan, Australia, Ireland, and the UK. Learn more at www.squareup.com.
About the American Institute of Architects
Founded in 1857, the American Institute of Architects consistently works to create more valuable, healthy, secure, and sustainable buildings, neighborhoods, and communities. Through nearly 300 state and local chapters, the AIA advocates for public policies that promote economic vitality and public wellbeing. Visit www.aia.org to learn more.
CARRIE MOYER PAGAN’S RAPTURE
Zona Maco
BLUE MEDIUM, INC. | © 2019 | PRIVACY POLICY
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Photos: Flying high with Montreal’s Cirque Éloize
The contemporary circus company celebrates 25 years of showcasing acrobatic arts around the world
A cast member practices on a rope at La Cité de l’Énergie’s amphitheatre in Shawinigan, Que.
By Michela Rosano
With photography by Christian Fleury
In Acadian French, éloize refers to flashes of heat lightning on the horizon.
That energy is the inspiration behind one of Canada’s most successful circus arts companies, Montreal-based Cirque Éloize, which celebrates its 25th anniversary this year.
During its quarter century in business, the company has delivered more than 5,500 intimate theatrical circus performances in 50 countries. While it may share the same hometown as world-renowned Cirque du Soleil, Éloize has forged its own path.
“We were among the first to propose a concept for theatres, rather than a big top,” says Jeannot Painchaud, Éloize’s president and chief creative officer.
“My goal was to always try to reinvent the circus by inviting collaborators from other art forms to challenge us as acrobats,” he says. “That was the beginning of a movement that’s become very large.”
This year, Éloize is performing four different shows in 46 cities. Two of these shows were developed specially for this anniversary year. The first, Nezha, will be performed in a 360-degree outdoor amphitheatre in Shawinigan, Que., every summer for the next three years. Part circus performance and part play inspired by a Chinese legend, the show is written and directed by theatre actor Frédéric Bélanger and tells the story of an orphan left alone on an island of pirates through dance, acrobatics and visual projections.
The second, Hotel, is the troupe’s newest touring show, inspired by their experiences on the road. It starts previews this month, and the Canadian premiere will be held in Montreal on November 14. Meanwhile, a smattering of local events in Montreal and festival performances in France, Lebanon, Georgia and the United States will cap off this year’s celebrations.
What does the future hold? Painchaud says he wants to support the community that’s given so much to him. “I want to create conditions for the young generation to continue to develop contemporary circus … where everyone can realize their potential.”
Above: Cast members rehearse inside Cirque Éloize’s creative studio in Montreal.
Cast members practice martial arts at the amphitheatre in Shawinigan, Que.
Rehearsing on set for a performance of Nezha.
Nezha tells the story of a young orphan girl abandoned on a mysterious pirate island. As the rightful heir of the Red Flags, she must confront her destiny and find her own way to become the most powerful pirate of all time.
Florence Amar hangs from aerial silks during a performance of Nezha.
Pauline Baud-Guillard balances atop a wheel during a performance of Nezha.
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Alberta, Edmonton, Quail Ridge: Court determines purchasers of leaky rotten condos have triable issues; refuses to dismiss claims against Re/Max realtors
Condominium Plan No. 822 2960 (Owners) v. 75252 Manitoba Ltd., 1999 ABQB 111 (CanLII)
Docket: 9703-06875
URL: http://www.canlii.org/en/ab/abqb/doc/1999/1999abqb111/1999abqb111.html
Reflex Record (noteup and cited decisions)
Related decisions
The Owners: Condominium Plan No. 822 2630 v. Danray Alberta Ltd., 2007 ABCA 11 (CanLII)
Court of Queen's Bench
The Owners: Condominium Plan No. 822 2630, 2005 ABQB 455 (CanLII)
Noteup
[Search for decisions citing this decision]
Decisions cited
Allied-Signal Inc. v. Dome Petroleum Ltd. et al., 1991 CanLII 2722 (AB Q.B.) — [1991] 6 W.W.R. 251 • (1991), 81 Alta. L.R. (2d) 307
Alpine Resources Ltd. v. Bowtex Resources Ltd., reflex — [1989] 96 A.R. 278 • (1989), 66 Alta. L.R. (2d) 144
Anchor Fence Inc. v. Polaris Realty Corp., reflex — (1994), [1995] 156 A.R. 81 • [1994] 10 W.W.R. 574 • (1994), 22 Alta. L.R. (3d) 311
Beer v. Townsgate I Ltd., 1997 CanLII 976 (ON C.A.) — (1997), 36 O.R. (3d) 136 • (1997), 152 D.L.R. (4th) 671 • (1997), 104 O.A.C. 161
Betker v. Williams, 1991 CanLII 1160 (BC C.A.) — (1991), 86 D.L.R. (4th) 395 • (1991), [1992] 2 W.W.R. 534 • (1991), 63 B.C.L.R. (2d) 14
Bright v. Tanguay, reflex — (1995), [1996] 1 W.W.R. 62 • (1995), 32 Alta. L.R. (3d) 116
Condominium Plan No/ 86-s-36901 (Owners) v. Remai Construction (1981) Inc., reflex — (1991), 84 D.L.R. (4th) 6 • (1991), [1992] 1 W.W.R. 66 • (1991), 93 Sask. R. 211
Exchanger Industries v. Dominion Bridge Co., reflex — [1986] 69 A.R. 22
Fletcher v. Hand, reflex — (1994), [1995] 156 A.R. 142 • (1994), 21 Alta. L.R. (3d) 346
H.W. Liebig Co. v. Leading Investments Ltd., 1986 CanLII 45 (S.C.C.) — [1986] 1 S.C.R. 70 • (1986), 25 D.L.R. (4th) 161 • (1986), 14 O.A.C. 159
L.K. Oil & Gas Ltd. v. Canalands Energy Corp., 1989 CanLII 223 (AB C.A.) — (1989), [1990] 98 A.R. 161 • (1989), 60 D.L.R. (4th) 490 • [1989] 6 W.W.R. 259 • (1989), 68 Alta. L.R. (2d) 269
Novel Energy (North America) Ltd. v. Glowicki, reflex — (1994), 16 Alta. L.R. (3d) 26
Ocean City Realty Ltd. v. A & M Holdings Ltd., reflex — (1987), 36 D.L.R. (4th) 94
Queen v. Cognos Inc., 1993 CanLII 146 (S.C.C.) — [1993] 1 S.C.R. 87 • (1993), 99 D.L.R. (4th) 626 • [1993] 45 C.C.E.L. 153 • (1993), 60 O.A.C. 1
Ramrakha v. Zinner, reflex — (1994), [1995] 157 A.R. 279 • (1994), 24 Alta. L.R. (3d) 240
Reidy Motors Ltd. v. Grimm, reflex — (1996), 38 Alta. L.R. (3d) 131
Soulos v. Korkontzilas, 1997 CanLII 346 (S.C.C.) — [1997] 2 S.C.R. 217 • (1997), 32 O.R. (3d) 716 • (1997), 146 D.L.R. (4th) 214 • (1997), 46 C.B.R. (3d) 1 • (1997), 100 O.A.C. 241
Suncor Inc. v. Canada Wire & Cable Ltd., reflex — [1993] 3 W.W.R. 630 • (1993), 7 Alta. L.R. (3d) 182
Waterloo North Condominium Corp. No. 64 v. Domlife Realty Ltd, reflex — (1989), 70 O.R. (2d) 210
Zippy Print Enterprises Ltd. v. Pawliuk, 1994 CanLII 1756 (BC C.A.) — (1994), [1995] 3 W.W.R. 324 • (1994), 20 B.L.R. (2d) 170 • (1994), 100 B.C.L.R. (2d) 55
Condominium Plan No. 822 2960 v. 75252 Manitoba Limited, 1999 ABQB 111
Action No. 9703 06875
IN THE COURT OF QUEEN’S BENCH OF ALBERTA
JUDICIAL DISTRICT OF EDMONTON
THE OWNERS: CONDOMINIUM PLAN NO. 822 2960 and
THE OWNERS: CONDOMINIUM PLAN NO. 822 2961
Plaintiffs
75252 MANITOBA LIMITED, 539902 ALBERTA LTD.,
RE/MAX REAL ESTATE (EDMONTON) LTD.,
SHELDON WOLANSKI, MARK KORNELL, RANDY JOHNSON,
JOHN (JACK) JOHNSON, LARRY HURTIG, ROBERT SHAER,
DON McFEELY, LAURETTE BARON, JOHN DO. NO. 1
and JOHN DOE NO. 2
DEBI HOLM, LORELEI CALENDA, ERIC KRENZ,
LINDA THEBERGE and SHAUNA ROWAN
THE REAL ESTATE COUNCIL OF ALBERTA
Statutory Party
OF THE HONOURABLE MADAM JUSTICE J.C. COUTU
THE APPLICATION:
[1] The Defendants Re/Max Real Estate (Edmonton) Ltd., Sheldon Wolanski, Mark Kornell and John (Jack) Johnson (the “Realtors”) apply for summary judgment to dismiss the Plaintiffs’ causes of action. The application is made pursuant to Rule 159 of the Alberta Rules of Court. The Realtors submit that there is no merit to the action; that there are no issues to be tried; and that the Realtors know of no facts which substantiate the claim against them.
[2] The Plaintiffs submit that the Realtors’ application should be dismissed as there are triable issues of fact and law as to whether the Plaintiffs have valid causes of action.
[3] To date, there have been no exchange of Affidavits of Documents and no discoveries in the action.
FACTS AS ALLEGED IN THE AMENDED STATEMENT OF CLAIM:
[4] The Plaintiffs (the “Condominium Corporations”) are two adjacent Edmonton condominium properties called Quail Ridge. The Condominium Corporations bring the action as the statutory representatives of the individual unit owners.
[5] From 1986 through 1993, the Defendant, 75252 Manitoba Limited (the “Vendor”) owned all the units and operated them as rental properties. By an agreement executed on September 7, 1993, the Vendor agreed to sell the condominium units to 539902 Alberta Ltd. (the “Intervening Purchaser”), which in turn sold condominium units to the public.
[6] The Intervening Purchaser hired real estate salesmen employed by Re/Max Real Estate (Edmonton) Ltd. (“Re/Max”) or employed by the Intervening Purchaser. These salesmen, named Sheldon Wolanski (“Wolanski”), Mark Kornell (“Kornell”), Randy Johnson (“Randy Johnson”) John (Jack) Johnson (“Jack Johnson”) (the “Realtors”) sold the units to individual buyers (the “Individual Purchasers”).
[7] Wolanski and Kornell were also the directors and shareholders of the Intervening Purchaser.
[8] The Defendants, Larry Hurtig (“Hurtig”), Robert Shaer (“Shaer”), Don McFeely (“McFeely”), Laurette Baron (“Baron”), (collectively, the “Former Board”) were the Board of Managers for the Condominium Corporations prior to the appointment of a Board of Managers elected by individual unit owners in 1994. McFeely and Shaer were also directors of the Vendor. Hurtig and Shaer were directors of 406342 Alberta Ltd., an encumbrancee of the lands. Hurtig, Shaer and McFeely were also, at all material times, employees or officers of Chartered Financial Services Inc., 406342 Alberta Ltd.’s sole shareholder.
[9] During 1993 and 1994, the Realtors marketed units to the general public. The Realtors and the Intervening Purchaser represented to the Individual Purchasers that the common property of the Condominium Corporations was in a state of good repair. In particular they represented that the roofs had recently been re-roofed, the furnaces and hot water tanks had been inspected and were in good repair, the roofs and other common property had been inspected by an engineer and had passed inspection, and all decks were repaired or would be repaired.
[10] In the course of marketing the units, the Realtors verbally represented to certain Purchasers that the Condominium Corporations were in good financial condition and condominium fees were unlikely to go up after sale to the Individual Purchasers.
[11] In addition, during the course of marketing the units, the Realtors and the Intervening Purchaser provided prospective purchasers with a “1994 Detailed Budget” for both Condominium Corporations. The Realtors and Intervening Purchaser knew or ought to have known that the Condominium Corporations’ financial condition and state of repair were material considerations in any prospective purchaser’s decision to buy a unit, and that they would rely on the budget. The budget and the estimated condominium fees generated from the budget were expressly included as part of the Purchasers’ Real Estate Purchase Contracts as Schedule “A” to such contracts.
[12] The budget represented, among other things, that repairs to the walls and decks would be completed at no cost to purchasers, minor repairs were budgeted for roofs, condominium fees would range between approximately $54.00 and $64.00, and that a yearly capital reserve contribution of $9,600.00 would be made.
[13] The Plaintiffs allege that pursuant to Schedule “A” to the Real Estate Purchase Contracts, the representations contained in the budget formed part of the contracts, and that all representations contained in the budget survived execution and closing of the Purchasers’ Real Estate Purchase Contracts.
[14] After the sale transactions were concluded, the Purchasers and subsequent Purchasers learned that the representations were false. That is, the property had not been inspected by an engineer and there were numerous deficiencies: the roofs were in an advanced state of deterioration; balconies, railings and stairwells were unsafe and in a state of severe deterioration caused by water leakage; ventilation and insulation were inadequate; furnace room floors, corner posts and studs were severly deteriorated.
[15] The Plaintiffs incurred expenses of $567,276.46 to repair some of the deficiencies, and further monies need to be spent to rectify deficiencies. The Plaintiffs total claim is for $859,620.00.
[16] The Plaintiffs state that the representations were false and were known by the Realtors and Intervening Purchaser to be false. Alternatively, they were recklessly made without knowing whether they were false or true. These respresentations were relied upon and induced the Purchasers to purchase.
[17] In addition, the Plaintiffs state that the Realtors and Intervening Purchaser fraudulently concealed deficiencies. In particular, they directed or authorized repairs to the decks by covering the decks with plywood, thereby concealing the severe rot from visual inspection. Further, the Realtors and Intervening Purchaser instructed workers to install drywall and to paint walls and ceilings which were disclosing water stains so that purchasers would not be aware of the extent of water leakage or damage.
[18] The Plaintiffs state that the Realtors held themselves out as professional real estate salespersons knowledgeable in condominium real estate transactions, common property ownership issues, the purpose of condominium fees and the importance of providing realistic reserves and budgets for necessary capital improvements. The Purchasers relied on the Realtors’ expertise in their decisions to purchase.
[19] The Plaintiffs state that the Realtors’ verbal and written representations in the budget were false and were relied upon and materially induced the Purchasers to purchase. These representations were negligently made by the Realtors: in failing to confirm the accuracy of the budget figures, in failing to advise the Purchasers that the common property had not been professionally inspected and in failing to advise the Purchasers that condominium fees were set at a level which could not realistically meet the Condominium Corporations’ expense and capital reserve requirements.
[20] The Plaintiffs state that the Vendor and Intervening Purchaser are liable as principals for the Realtors’ fraudulent or negligent misrepresentations or active concealment.
[21] Alternatively, the Vendor and Intervening Purchaser are liable for breach of contract in respect of the deficiencies. Wolanski and Kornell, as agents of the Vendor and Intervening Purchaser, agreed to repair various deficiencies.
[22] Alternatively, the Realtors acted as purchaser’s agents for certain Purchasers and owed a fiduciary duty, including the obligation to disclose any material fact that might affect the Purchasers’ decision to enter into the transaction. The Realtors breached their fiduciary duties or were negligent in the performance of their duties to the Purchasers. Some of the particulars of breach of fiduciary duty or negligence, include: the failure to disclose the existence of deficiencies, failure to verify the accuracy of the information contained in the budget, failure to advise that the common property had not been professionally inspected prior to preparation of the budget, failing to disclose the need for major repairs and that the reserve fund was inadequate, failing to act in the best interests of their clients by placing their personal and financial interests in conflict with their duties as agents for the Purchasers.
[53] For the reasons outlined above, I dismiss the Defendants’ application for summary judgment. I decline to order that the action proceed with respect to only certain causes of action. In my view, there are triable issues of law and fact with respect to each of the causes of action.
[54] The Plaintiffs having been successful in this application, I award costs in any event of the cause, under the appropriate column as against those Defendants who brought the application.
DATED at Grande Prairie, Alberta this 17th day of February, 1999
J.C.Q.B.A
http://www.canlii.org/en/ab/abqb/doc/1999/1999abqb111/1999abqb111.html
Posted by Dr. CondoRot ( Realtors, Alberta, Edmonton, Quail Ridge, Edmonton ) :: Permalink :: Trackbacks (0)
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Ten Weather Extremes That Defined Hottest Year Ever Recorded
Jan 04, 2016 Published under Environment, Global
The hottest year in recorded history is coming to a close with a wave of extreme weather and ecosystem shifts, from unprecedented flooding in the United Kingdom to dangerous deluges in South America.
Looking back at 2015, it is clear that such extremes are not the exception, but have been the rule for the past 365 days and beyond. Such weather is linked to this year’s exceptionally strong El Niño, which is tied to human-made global warming.
Communities on the frontlines of climate change have long warned that resultant floods, droughts, and mega-storms are already bringing death, displacement, and food insecurity to people across the globe, particularly those who are poor, Indigenous, or living in the global south.
Here are ten freakish weather extremes in 2015 that raise the alarm about climate chaos in 2016 and beyond—and underscore the urgency of strong and effective adaptation, mitigation, and emissions reductions policies.
1. An Arctic heat wave at the end of December caused temperatures in the North Pole to spike 60 degrees Fahrenheit above the norm for the season, soaring past the freezing point and making the region hotter than cities across the United States and Europe.
2. This winter’s El Niño event touched off severe floods in late December across South America, including in Paraguay, Uruguay, Brazil, and Argentina, displacing over 150,000 people.
3. Heavy rains this week caused the Mississippi River and its tributaries to overflow, touching off historic flooding in the U.S. Midwest. Climate scientists say that one of the most remarkable things about the deluge is the timing. “Never before has water this high been observed in winter along the levee system of the river,” meteorologist Jeff Masters explained.
4. South Africa faces its worst drought in a generation, amid soaring temperatures and paltry rainfalls believed to be worsened by El Niño. While the long-term impacts are not immediately known, at least 29 million people in southern African nations face food insecurity, according to UN estimates.
5. Due to a prolonged and ongoing drought in Ethiopia, more than 10 million people are in need of emergency food aid.
6. In November, over 1.1 million people were impacted—and 40,000 displaced—after a powerful and rare cyclone dumped a year’s worth of rain on Yemen. Humanitarian groups warned that the impact on residents was worsened by Saudi Arabia’s seven-month bombing campaign that continued through the storm.
7. Over 1.2 million people in the Philippines were impacted—and dozens killed—by a mega-typhoon, known as Lando, which hit in October. “Our survival is non-negotiable,” 20,000 people declared at a mass march in Tacloban in November, calling attention to the ongoing harm from the separate Super Typhoon Yolanda (also known as Haiyan), which hit the Philippines in 2013.
8. A dramatic heat wave across the Middle East this summer caused temperatures in Iran to soar so high it felt like 160 degrees Fahrenheit. Even accounting for regional standards, temperatures spiked, from Egypt to Syria. Thousands took to the streets across Iraq protesting dangerous power cuts, clean water shortages, and poor living conditions that were worsening the effects.
9. Pakistan this summer suffered its deadliest heat wave ever recorded, with at least 2,000 lives lost. And in neighboring India, a heat wave this summer killed at least 2,500 people. “Let us not fool ourselves that there is no connection between the unusual number of deaths from the ongoing heat wave and the certainty of another failed monsoon,” India’s earth sciences minister Harsh Vardhan said in June. “It’s not just an unusually hot summer, it is climate change,” he said.
10. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration concluded earlier this month that climate change is already driving profound shifts in the Arctic ecosystem. For example, loss of sea ice, and climbing temperatures in the Barents Sea, off the coast of Norway and Russia, are causing “a poleward shift in fish communities,” according to the agency. These changes are impacting wildlife, as well as Indigenous communities that rely on them for their survival.
But perhaps most alarming are developments that cannot be seen. NOAA revealed in May that, for the first time in recorded history, global levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere averaged over 400 parts per million (ppm) for an entire month—in March 2015. Scientists have warned that, in order to achieve safe levels, CO2 must be brought down to a maximum of 350ppm.
As Erika Spanger-Siegfried of the Union of Concerned Scientists recently noted, all of these extremes are occurring in the context of climate change.
“The specifics of what’s happening where El Niño, Arctic dynamics, and underlying warming meet are, in a word, complex, and scientists are actively discussing how things might play out,” explained Spanger-Siegfried. “But the collective bottom line recognizes that global warming plays a role.”
Meanwhile, in a statement released this week, the humanitarian organization Oxfam International estimated that “the El Niño weather system could leave tens of millions of people facing hunger, water shortages, and disease next year if early action isn’t taken to prepare vulnerable people from its effects.”
Commondreams.org
How the iPhone and Facebook will remake recorded memories and human history
With modern technology as it is, the unprecedented depth and constant recording of personal histories is going to transform the social fabric of humanity and even the way our brains and memories work. Generations raised prior to the internet, social networks, the iPhone and its ilk did not remember much or most of their early [...]
Danny DeVito, Jason Alexander, Annie Cusack, and Elliot Gould just recorded some PSAs for the OneVoice Summit
Antonio Soave, a producer and director who heads Capistrano Productions, helped us put together a filming session to record PSAs from Danny DeVito, Jason Alexander, Annie Cusack, and Elliot Gould. Doug Deluca from the Kimmel show helped us do this at Kimmel Studios in Hollywood, and Barry Meier was the DP. If you want to [...]
The decline of West Antarctic glaciers
Health & Science Research casts alarming light on decline of West Antarctic glaciers By Chris Mooney and Joby Warrick December 4 For two decades, scientists have kept a close watch on a vast, icebound corner of West Antarctica that is undergoing a historic thaw. Climate experts have predicted that, centuries from now, the region’s [...]
It’s usually the nuts that change the world! Daniel won Entrepreneur of the Year Award
by Adeena Schlussel Confirming KIND’s motto that “it’s usually the nuts that change the world”, Daniel was selected as Entrepreneur of the Year by Entrepreneur Magazine! We are so proud. Here is a link to the story. And here is a video. The Envelope Please… The Entrepreneur of 2010 Awards Meet Entrepreneur(R) Magazine’s Entrepreneur of [...]
Newest addition to my bookshelf: CMO’s Periodic Table by Drew Neisser »
« Better late than never: time to assertively choke off all financing from terrorist groups like Hezbollah
Founder of KIND
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E Street Band member Danny Federici dies at 58
Posted on April 18, 2008 by Jim Harrington
(Sad news from The Associated Press:)
NEW YORK—Danny Federici, the longtime keyboard player for Bruce Springsteen whose stylish work helped define the E Street Band’s sound on hits from “Hungry Heart” through “The Rising,” died Thursday. He was 58.
Federici, who had battled melanoma for three years, died at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York. News of his death was posted late Thursday on Springsteen’s official Web site.
He last performed with Springsteen and the band last month, appearing during portions of a March 20 show in Indianapolis.
“Danny and I worked together for 40 years—he was the most wonderfully fluid keyboard player and a pure natural musician. I loved him very much … we grew up together,” Springsteen said in a statement posted on his Web site.
Springsteen concerts scheduled for Friday in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and Saturday in Orlando were postponed.
Federici was born in Flemington, N.J., a long car ride from the Jersey shore haunts where he first met kindred musical spirit Springsteen in the late 1960s. The pair often jammed at the Upstage Club in Asbury Park, N.J., a now-defunct after-hours club that hosted the best musicians in the state.
It was Federici, along with original E Street Band drummer Vini Lopez, who first invited Springsteen to join their band.
By 1969, the self-effacing Federici—often introduced in concert by Springsteen as “Phantom Dan”—was playing with the Boss in a band called Child. Over the years, Federici joined his friend in acclaimed shore bands Steel Mill, Dr. Zoom and the Sonic Boom and the Bruce Springsteen Band.
Federici became a stalwart in the E Street Band as Springsteen rocketed from the boardwalk to international stardom. Springsteen split from the E Streeters in the late ’80s, but they reunited for a hugely successful tour in 1999.
“Bruce has been supportive throughout my life,” Federici said in a recent interview with Backstreets magazine. “I’ve had my ups and downs, and I’ve certainly given him a run for his money, and he’s always been there for me.”
Federici played accordion on the wistful “4th Of July, Asbury Park (Sandy)” from Springsteen’s second album, and his organ solo was a highlight of Springsteen’s first top 10 hit, “Hungry Heart.” His organ coda on the 9/11-inspired Springsteen song “You’re Missing” provided one of the more heart-wrenching moments on “The Rising” in 2002.
In a band with larger-than-life characters such as saxophonist Clarence Clemons and bandana-wrapped guitarist “Little” Steven Van Zandt, Federici was content to play in his familiar position to the side of the stage. But his playing was as vital to Springsteen’s live show as any instrument in the band.
Federici released a pair of solo albums that veered from the E Street sound and into soft jazz. Bandmates Nils Lofgren on guitar and Garry Tallent on bass joined Federici on his 1997 debut, “Flemington.” In 2005, Federici released its follow-up, “Out of a Dream.”
Federici had taken a leave of absence during the band’s tour in November 2007 to pursue treatment for melanoma, and was temporarily replaced by veteran musician Charles Giordano.
At the time, Springsteen described Federici as “one of the pillars of our sound and has played beside me as a great friend for more than 40 years. We all eagerly await his healthy and speedy return.”
Besides his work with Springsteen, Federici played on albums by an impressive roster of other artists: Van Zandt, Joan Armatrading, Graham Parker, Gary U.S. Bonds and Garland Jeffreys.
General Bruce Springsteen, Danny Federici
Jim Harrington
“A Chorus Line” revival high-kicks back into SF
Rilo Kiley setlist
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Category Archives: Ancient History
Teaching Classical Civilizations again this semester has inspired me to compose one of my Lists – in this case, English adjectives that derive from classical places, people, mythology, or other phenomena. Of course, any noun can be made into an adjective, with “of or relating to [noun]” as a definition, but I was getting at something a little different: adjectives that have entered into English referring to a specific quality, like “Orwellian” or “Kafkaesque,” to pick two modern examples.
I would wager that there is a Wikipedia page listing these and all the other ones that I have missed. But I have deliberately avoided looking for one – what’s the fun in that?!
If you can think of any more I’d be pleased to know them!
draconian – from Draco, Athenian ruler in the seventh century BC, whose laws were especially harsh.
Pyrrhic – from Pyrrhus of Epirus, opponent of the Roman Republic during the Pyrrhic War of 280-275 BC. He scored two victories against Rome, but they were so damaging to his own forces that he is alleged to have said “one more victory like that and I’m finished.” Thus a “Pyrrhic victory” is a victory so costly that you might as well not have had it.
thespian – from Thespis of Icaria, a famous actor.
Petronian – from Petronius (d. AD 66), author of the Satyricon. Often used to describe a gaudy, ostentatious nouveau-riche style, after the wealthy ex-slave Trimalchio, a character in the Satyricon (I guess “Petronian” is easier to say than “Trimalchian”).
pharisaic – more biblical than classical, but the Pharisees were certainly active in the Roman Empire. According to the New Testament, the Pharisees, a sect of Judaism characterized by strict adherence to the Torah and to the oral tradition that surrounded it, were self-righteous and hypocritical, which is somewhat unfair to them. But they’re no longer around to take offense, so I guess we can use this word in good conscience (unlike, say, “jesuitical”).
Philistine – “a person hostile or indifferent to the arts,” although apparently this sense dates from the early nineteenth century, when in the midst of a town-gown conflict at the University of Jena, a sermon was preached on Judges 16, which includes the line “The Philistines are upon you.” Thereafter the uncultured townies were tarred with the epithet “Philistine.”
Sapphic – From Sappho, the most famous Archaic-age lyric poet of all, a woman who expressed love for other women. So “Sapphic” is another way of saying “Lesbian” (q.v.).
Lesbian – the metaphoric use of this word is so common in English that people forget that it’s actually a demonym, referring to an inhabitant of the island of Lesbos in the Aegean Sea. But since Sappho lived there, “Lesbian” has become synonymous with “female homosexual.”
sybaritic – Sybaris, a Greek colony on the instep of Italy, was so wealthy and its inhabitants so self-indulgent that “sybaritic” became a byword for hedonistic.
Corinthian – from Paul Fussell, BAD (1991), 20:
For years Chrysler has been unloading its troubling surplus inventories by insisting that its leather upholstery is not just any old leather, of the sort you might make a volleyball or lederhosen out of, but “Corinthian Leather.” The company finally confessed in the Wall Street Journal that the leather comes not from Corinth but from Newark. The name was chosen because a reference book suggested that Corinthian connotes rich desirability, appealing to people who are, if “dissolute,” at least lovers of “luxury, as the people of Corinth were said to be” – which is why, by the way, Saint Paul selected them to receive one of his loudest moral blasts. He told them, “it is reported commonly that there is fornication among you….” Pressed, the Chrysler Corporation would have to admit that Corinthian Leather is just words and never saw Corinth at all.
But according to the dictionary widget for my computer, “Corinthian” means “involving or displaying the highest standards of sportsmanship.” Wiktionary claims “elaborate or ornate” (as in the Corinthian architectural order – see below).
Chrysler should have called it “sybaritic leather.”
spartan – the citizens of the Greek polis of Sparta were famously tough and eschewed luxury, thus the modern meaning of this word.
laconic – the area around Sparta was called Laconia, and because the Spartans valued using as few words as possible, “laconic” has come to mean a personal style that is extremely economical in speech.
Olympian – the gods lived atop Mount Olympus, as Santa Claus lives at the North Pole. “Olympian detachment” thus indicates some combination of superiority, aloofness, or disinterest.
roman – denotes a number of things, including the alphabet and by extension non-italic typefaces.
alexandrian – from the schools of literature and philosophy of ancient Alexandria, which were apparently “derivative or imitative rather than creative; fond of recondite learning.”
byzantine – overly complex, opaque, and/or treacherous, as the court of the Eastern Roman Empire allegedly was.
The three main schools of popular philosophy in the Hellenistic era were those of the Cynics, Stoics, and Epicureans, which have given us adjectives cynical, stoic, and epicurean, which are not quite accurate representations of the spirit of these philosophies.
Platonic (love), Socratic (method), Aristotelian (logic), Hippocratic (oath), Pythagorean (theorem), and Ptolemaic (universe) are similarly reductive.
Sisyphean – Sisyphus was punished in Hades by being forced to roll a stone up a hill; when he got it to the top it slipped out of his hands and rolled back down, and he had to start again. Existentialist philosopher Albert Camus found in this myth a metaphor for the human condition. In everyday English it refers to a never ending task, like grading or picking up the trash on our road.
tantalizing – from Tantalus, who suffered an inventive punishment: tortured with hunger and thirst, he still could not take a drink of water of the river he was standing in (it would instantly lower itself if he bent down), or help himself to the fruit of a branch hanging above him (which the wind would blow out of his grasp).
promethean – “rebelliously creative and innovative,” like the demigod Prometheus who stole fire and bequeathed it to humanity.
herculean – from Hercules, who had to perform twelve seemingly impossible tasks as punishment for killing his wife and children in a fit of madness. “Herculean” is usually paired with “effort.”
oedipal – Oedipus killed his father and married his mother – quite unwittingly, which is why Freud’s use of this myth to describe a stage of childhood development is somewhat inapt. From this use, though, “oedipal” has come to indicate a rebellious attitude against one’s father or forebears, for deep-seated psychological reasons.
terpsichorean – Terpsichore was the muse of dance, and thus “terpsichorean” is an adjective referring to dance.
Apollonian/Dionysian- if Apollo represents order and rationality, Dionysus represents disorder and irrationality. I think that the Greeks realized that you needed both to be fully human. “Bacchic,” from the god Bacchus (the Roman equivalent of Dionysus), is a synonym of Dionysian, especially with regard to the consumption of wine.
Adjectives from other gods:
mercurial – from the Roman god Mercury, referring to a person “subject to sudden or unpredictable changes of mood or mind.”
venereal – from Venus, which becomes Veneris in the genitive. Venus is the Roman goddess of love, so “venereal” relates “to sexual desire or sexual intercourse,” and especially to a disease you can contract from this activity.
martial – from Mars, the god of war.
jovial – from Jove, a variant of Jupiter, the chief Roman god. “Jovial” means cheerful and friendly, but not because this was an attribute of Jupiter. It is an attribute of those born under the sign of the planet named after Jupiter.
saturnine – from the Roman god Saturn, father of Jupiter. Again, Saturn was not himself slow and gloomy, moody and mysterious, but people born under his planet were.
Finally, there are the three orders of Greek architecture: Corinthian (already mentioned), Doric, and Ionic. And there are a number of musical modes that take place-names, among them Ionian, Dorian, Phrygian, Lydian, Aeolian, and Locrian.
Posted in Ancient History, Greeks and Romans, Judaism, Language
Posted on February 1, 2019 by jgood
Comparing Homer’s Iliad to Thucydides’ History of the Peloponnesian War, even just the opening lines of each work, is always revealing. Here they are:
Iliad: “Sing, O goddess, the anger of Achilles son of Peleus, that brought countless ills upon the Achaeans.”
History of the Peloponnesian War: “Thucydides, an Athenian, wrote the history of the war between the Peloponnesians and the Athenians, beginning at the moment that it broke out, and believing that it would be a great war and more worthy of relation than any that had preceded it.”
In just a few words we see certain differences, emblematic of shift from the Archaic Age to the Classical Age:
Iliad History Peloponnesian War
Verb Sing Write
Author “goddess”
(i.e. the muse Calliope) Thucydides himself
Actor Achilles Peloponnesians and Athenians
Subject Anger War
Promises Excitement Accuracy
Homer asks for divine help in performing a story for a live audience, while Thucydides writes in private and on his own authority (and, as revealed later, is really sweating over it, trying to determine what exactly happened). The gods make no appearance in the History of the Peloponnesian War – the human actors might perform rituals to them, but Apollo does not shoot his arrows at them, nor does Athena come down and prevent one person from killing another. It is a purely human story, but a wide-ranging one – it is an account of a war itself; the war does not function as a backdrop to a more personal conflict as it does in the Iliad (or in the movie Pearl Harbor, whose subject, according to one critic, was “a Japanese sneak attack on an American love triangle”).
Behold the rationality of the Classical Age! And the answer to one of the questions on the exam.
And for something slightly related, courtesy Tim Furnish:
Posted in Ancient History, Greece, Literature
Posted on January 31, 2019 by jgood
Helpful illustrative anecdotes for my Western Civ. lecture on Classical Greece:
• Every time you run a marathon, you are commemorating the legendary run of the messenger Pheidippides, who hightailed it from the site of the Battle of Marathon back to Athens, proclaimed the victory (“Nike!”), and promptly fell down dead. Hopefully you won’t fall down dead, and hopefully your Nikes will help you get the victory.
• The Battle of Thermopylae might have been a defeat for the Greeks, but it was an inspiring defeat. The 300 Spartans at the battle killed far more than 300 Persians, and they never retreated, dying to a man. Thus it became a rallying cry for the rest of the war, like the Alamo was during the Texas Revolution.
• Since no one knew if the Persians would attack again, Athens set up the Delian League, a defensive alliance where an attack on one was an attack on all. This is similar to how the United States set up NATO during the Cold War. We were telling the Soviets, “don’t even think of moving against West Berlin, because if you do you’ll be at war with Norway, Iceland, Greece… and the United States.” That NATO is still with us is a testament to the power of bureaucratic inertia.
(But none of my students knows about the Cold War. I might as well be talking about the Triple Alliance of 1882. Most of them guess that NATO stands for “North American Trade Organization.”)
• The trouble is that Athens started treating the Delian League as its plaything. They moved the treasury from Delos to Athens itself… and started spending money on other things than building triremes – like the Parthenon! This is the dirty little secret about that archetypical symbol of Classical Athens – it was built with embezzled money from the Delian League. This is probably a function of Athens being a democracy. Then, as now, what is the best way to get reelected? Spend money! Jobs for the lads! Where will the money come from? Wherever you can find it. This is what happed with Social Security. On paper, SS has trillions of dollars. In reality, SS revenues go directly into the general fund, where it is spent on more electorally pressing needs.
• The Hellenistic Age was Greek in all ways except the one that mattered – it was not based around the polis. Thus the Greek customs of political engagement, free speech, or outspoken speculation were vastly attenuated. Monarchs were not prepared to tolerate people making suggestions about how to run their kingdoms. This is reflected in drama. In Classical Athens, Old Comedy often took the form of biting satire – like a good Saturday Night Live skit. Hellenistic New Comedy concerned itself with love triangles and separated at birth stories. In other words, it was more like Seinfeld or Three’s Company – fun, but not really political.
Posted in Ancient History, Greece
Xenophon
Interesting article on Aeon (hat tip: Donald Leech):
The Anabasis is the first military memoir in the history of Western literature, and it recounts Xenophon’s experiences in the Persian campaign of Cyrus against his brother King Artaxerxes, and the long march ‘up country’. Since Xenophon waited several decades to commit these memories to writing, some have argued that they cannot be accurate. But as anyone who has listened to combat veterans will know, there’s a lot about the remembrance of past tours of duty that time cannot soften nor the years wear away.
Xenophon also wrote histories, portraits of leaders, practical treatises on horse training, hunting and running a household, among other things. An enduring theme that runs through much of his writing, and which has received scholarly attention in recent years, is that of leadership. What makes a good leader? What kind of leader can induce humans to endure hardships and expend effort toward a common goal? What exemplary traits mark out a leader and allow him or her to execute the requisite tasks with skill, induce a harmonious fellowship among those for whom he is responsible, maintain loyalty and mission clarity among the ‘troops’, whomever they might be? It is not difficult to see the formative roots of these questions, and of Xenophon’s answers to them, in that literally death-defying, embattled 2,000-mile march up-country to the sea.
Xenophon also wrote down his remembrances of a local philosopher named Socrates. Those who know Socrates mainly through the writings of Plato – Xenophon’s near-exact contemporary – will find Xenophon’s Socrates something of a surprise. Plato’s Socrates claims to know nothing, and flamboyantly refutes the knowledge claims of others. In the pages of Xenophon’s Memorabilia, however, Socrates actually answers philosophical questions, dispenses practical life advice, provides arguments proving the existence of benevolent gods, converses as if peer-to-peer with a courtesan, and even proposes a domestic economy scheme whereby indigent female relatives can become productive through the establishment of a textile business at home.
Read the whole thing.
Posted in Ancient History, Greece, Persia
Catholics and Evangelicals
My friend Andrew Reeves makes his popular-press debut:
In 1960, Billy Graham visited Jerusalem.
Jerusalem is the city where Christians believe Jesus Christ was crucified, died, and rose again. As far back as the late third and early fourth centuries, Christians had held that a hill where the Roman Emperor Hadrian (who ruled from 117–138) had constructed a temple to Venus was the site of Christ’s crucifixion and death, and a nearby tomb, the site of his burial and resurrection. Shortly after Constantine legalized Christianity, the Church of the Holy Sepulcher was erected on that site. Although this church would endure several periods of damage and reconstruction, for the entirety of its history Christians throughout the world have regarded it as the site of Christ’s tomb.
Billy Graham did not visit the Holy Sepulcher. In the 19th century, the celebrated British General Charles “Chinese” Gordon carried out his own investigation of the areas in the environs of Jerusalem, believing that the Holy Sepulcher’s claim to be the site of the Easter event was incorrect. Through his investigation, he found what he believed was a hill that seemed closer to the New Testament’s description of Calvary and an adjacent tomb. This hill and tomb, generally known as Gordon’s Calvary and the Garden Tomb, have served as a site of pilgrimage for evangelicals who wish to avoid the Holy Sepulcher’s associations with Catholic Christianity. When the Reverend Billy Graham, the most prominent Baptist in recent history — and indeed the face of American evangelical Christianity through the 20th century — made a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, he went not to the Holy Sepulcher, but to Gordon’s Calvary and the Garden Tomb.
Read the whole thing (at Arc).
Posted in Ancient History, Biblical History, Jerusalem, Nineteenth Century, Religion, Twentieth Century
Troy and Gallipoli
The Hellespont, also known as the Dardanelles, connects the Aegean Sea with the Sea of Marmara; the Bosporus connects the Sea of Marmara with the Black Sea. These Turkish Straits are the only maritime route from the Mediterranean to the Black Sea. Our notions of geography lead us to designate one side of this route as as “European” and the other as “Asian,” but of course, since both sides are nowadays ruled by Turkey, there is culturally nothing distinguishing one side from the other. The passages themselves remain of vital strategic interest. Maritime transit through them is governed by the Montreux Convention Regarding the Regime of the Straits (1936), which gives Turkey ultimate control but guarantees free passage of civilian vessels in peacetime. Warships are another matter, and post-WWII Soviet obstreperousness on the issue was one of the reasons why Turkey joined NATO in 1952. (With Turkey threatening to leave this alliance, will the Russians finally realize their dream of controlling the route?)
The shortest distance across the Hellespont appears to be from the vibrant city of Çanakkale on the Asian side to a small town called Kilitbahir on the European.
Kilitbahir from Çanakkale harbor.
I had fun imagining that this is where Xerxes built his pontoon bridge (Herodotus, The Histories, Book 7), although it was probably built elsewhere, and regular ferry service now obviates the need for such an expedience.
In the late Bronze Age, of course, entrance to the Hellespont was guarded by the city of Troy, on the Asian side (the “Troad”). One iteration of Troy was besieged and ultimately destroyed by Mycenaean Greeks around 1250 BC, although the city was soon rebuilt. The story of this Trojan War is one of the great themes of Western literature, and Troy itself became one of the great sites of nineteenth-century archaeology.
Walls of Troy VII (late Bronze Age), commonly seen as the Troy of the Trojan War.
I enjoyed walking around the site, which was more extensive than I was expecting, although it’s a bit of a hodgepodge. Troy kept getting destroyed and rebuilt from the early Bronze Age until the Byzantine era, when any status it had as the guardian of the Straits was superseded by Constantinople (and enervated by a retreating coastline). This means that there are any number of layers to the site, but they are all mixed together – or at least that is how they now appear after a century and a half of archaeology, and you really have to use your imagination to perceive how each successive settlement may have appeared in its day. But I would say this activity is preferable to getting your photo taken at the reconstructed Trojan Horse near the entrance.
As my friend Mark Skoczylas pointed out, “You’d think the stairway would have tipped them off.”
Actual artifacts from the site (i.e., what Schliemann allowed the Turks to keep) are on display at the Istanbul Archaeology Museum. (You’ll have to go to Moscow to see the rest of this horde.)
On the other side of the Hellespont is the Gallipoli Peninsula, a name that has become synonymous with a military campaign that took place there over three thousand years later. During the First World War, the Ottomans had allied with Germany and Austria-Hungary against France, Britain, and Russia. Britain (specifically, Winston Churchill, First Lord of the Admiralty) thought it would be a good idea to land troops at Gallipoli, march on Constantinople, and secure the Bosphorus for Russia. We’re used to thinking of the Ottoman Empire as the sick man of Europe, but they were competent enough in 1915 to repel the allies’ naval attack, and pin their troops on the beach for ten months, despite repeated attempts at breaking through. The whole thing has gone down as another futile campaign in a futile war.
Diorama, Gallipoli Battle Museum, Eceabat.
However, even the futility has become meaningful. The sacrifices made by Australian and New Zealand (“Anzac”) troops at Gallipoli are solemnly commemorated in those countries every April 25, the day when Anzac troops first landed. The location of the battle, and its ineffective progress, have also drawn specific comparisons to the Iliad, the chief literary representation of the Trojan War, which does not dwell on the ultimate Greek victory but the endless and apparently pointless killing that had to transpire first. The ostensible reenactment of this at Gallipoli “served as a military origin myth” for Australia, and could “contextualize the nation and its people within the continuous mythical and historical narrative of Western Civilization.”
A silver lining of sorts.
Ari Burnu Cemetery, Anzac Cove, Eceabat.
On the Turkish side, of course this campaign launched the career of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, was a great morale boost during the war, and set the stage for the Turkish War of Independence. It wouldn’t surprise me if it also contributed to the contemporaneous Armenian Genocide, although the Turks would never admit to that. (Wikipedia is blocked in Turkey on account of the article on the Armenian Genocide, which has been protected from Turkey’s manic insistence that the atrocity never happened, or that it wasn’t as great a crime as claimed, or that it was never their intention to kill so many people, etc., etc. Why the Turks feel they have to do this has always baffled me. Quite apart from the blatant pigheadedness of denying reality, why bother, when it was the Ottomans who carried it out, not the Nationalists?)
Akbaş Şehitliği (Akbaş Martyr’s Memorial), Eceabat.
Posted in Ancient History, Geography, Greece, Middle East, Military History, Travels, Turkey, World War One
Thoughts on Book 9 of the Histories of Herodotus
Posted on September 9, 2017 by jgood
Sharp-eyed readers will note that I never got around to writing something about the final book of the Histories, which we read in an HON 301 course this past spring (the other posts: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8). The end of the semester is always busy, you must understand. You’ll find some scribblings below, but I’d also like to say that I just finished off my summary of the work, which is now on its own page – see the link above. The Histories is very long, very detailed, and not always straightforward in its narrative, so last summer, in preparation for my CIC seminar at the Center for Hellenic Studies, I started summarizing each chapter as I read it, which forced me to pay attention to the contents, and which produced a document I could review if I needed to. Events got ahead of me, however, and so I couldn’t get it done until now. In Herodotean fashion, I dedicate the fruit of my labors to the service of humanity.
As for Book Nine, the main event, of course, is the battle of Plataea (479 BC), the last major episode in the Persian Wars. Following the Persian defeat at the naval battle of Salamis the previous year (detailed in Book Eight), the Persian King Xerxes hightails it back to Asia, leaving his general Mardonius in charge of the war. After wintering in Thessaly, Mardonius moves south into Attica to try to bribe the Athenians into becoming allies, but the Athenians have once again retreated to the island of Salamis for safety. In the meantime, the Spartans are building a wall across the Isthmus of Corinth to guard the Peloponnese; the Athenians are worried that the Spartans will abandon them, and suggest to the Spartans that they just might take up the Persian offer. Fortunately, the Greek alliance holds, and the Spartans, the Athenians, and other non-Medized Greeks march out to face the Persians and their allies in Boeotia, and the Battle of Plataea ensues. It is not pretty, but the Greeks are ultimately victorious, and that is the end of the Persian attempt to conquer Greece. In an edifying parallel development (which Herodotus claims happens on the same day as Plataea), the Greeks fight another battle across the Aegean Sea at Mycale, defeating the Persians there and freeing Ionia once again.
Herodotus does not shy away from depicting how fractious the Greek alliance is. Athens and Sparta and perennially suspicious of each other, and the squabbling between the Athenians and Tegeans (at 26-27) about which of them would get the place of honor on the wing at Plataea is a marvel to behold. Herodotus gives overall credit to the Spartans for the victory, but he also illustrates that this battle is no Thermopylae – the Spartans voluntarily give up fighting directly against the Persians (the Athenians, they acknowledge, have more experience in this activity), and when they find that the cavalry attacks are too much for them, they are only too willing to retreat to “the Island,” a defensible hill between two streams (although one Spartan captain, Amompharetus, refuses to go, and a mighty quarrel ensues between him and the Spartan general Pausanias about this). Emboldened by this apparent Spartan cowardice, Xerxes orders an attack, and at this point the Spartans rise to the occasion: “In spirit and strength, the Persians were the equals of the Greeks, but they had no armor, and they were unskilled besides and no match for their enemies in cunning. They made their charges singly or in tens… and so they were destroyed” (62).
But I think that the Greek fractiousness serves a literary purpose. Herodotus is not necessarily trying to show how a plucky underdog or a lovable band of misfits can ultimately be victorious over a superior foe, although I’m sure there is some of that. Rather, he is contrasting the Greek penchant for debate with the Persian custom of obedience. When the Athenians and Tegeans argue about placement on the wing, they each present numerous reasons why they themselves should get it. The Athenians are more convincing, and the rest of the Greeks shout their approval of the Athenian position. This is how the Greeks conduct themselves – they debate their issues in public. Compare this to the Persian “debate” prior to their attack at Plataea – in a war council, Artabazus suggests that the Persians retreat to Thebes, and from there attempt to bribe the various Greeks into Medizing. Mardonius, however, fearful that the longer they wait, the stronger their opponents will get, is in favor of attacking right away, contrary to the results of the sacrifices by the prophet Hegistratus. “Against this argument of his, no one took a stand, and so his plan won out. For he and not Artabazus had the supreme power of command from Xerxes.” When Mardonius asks his commanders if any of them knows of any oracles about Persian defeat in Greece, the commanders “kept silent, some because they did not know the prophecies, some because, though they knew them, they did not think that opening their mouths was a safe thing to do” (42). Thus does their leader pull rank, and they are all obliged to follow him to destruction.
Of course, public debate is not always the best way to determine policy, especially in times of war. But the overall message, I think, is the same one that the US tried promulgating during World War II and the Cold War: totalitarian societies always look terrifying from the outside, projecting as they do this image of unity and efficiency. But it’s all an illusion, and based on fear of being sent to a concentration camp or Gulag. The US was a “nation of joiners,” in the words of Arthur Schlesinger, Sr. – that is, American “civil society” was made up of a lot of voluntary groups that people joined because they wanted to, or because there was some tangible benefit to them (e.g. professional organizations, churches, service clubs, choirs, bowling leagues, etc.). It might look like a mess from the outside, that all of society is not moving forward in lock step to some goal, but it gives people a stake in their own country, and when moved to, they will all get together and defeat their enemies. And it is certainly edifying that many of the Medized Greeks abandon their loyalty to Persia the minute they think it is safe to do so.
The utility of public debate is not the only piece of pro-Hellenic propaganda in Book Nine. In numerous places, the Persians (and their allies like the Thebans) believe that all they need to do is to use their wealth to bribe the Greeks into taking their side (e.g. in 4, 41, 87, or 120). They don’t seem to realize that, to most Greeks, there are more important things than money. This lesson is underlined when, after the battle of Plataea, Pausanias orders Mardonius’s servants to prepare a meal in the Persian manner, and his own servants to prepare a meal in the Spartan manner. The contrast cannot be more stark – the Persian meal is a model of decadent luxury, while the Spartan meal is very simple indeed – prompting Pausanias to declare that the Persian king is foolish: given that he is used to such extravagance, what good can he possibly derive from conquering the poor Greeks? (The final chapter of the book [122] further emphasizes that “from soft countries come soft men. It is not possible that from the same land stems a growth of wondrous fruit and men who are good soldiers.”) Finally, there is the elaborate story (at 108-113) about how Xerxes falls in love with the (unnamed) wife of his brother Masistes, and so he contrives to marry his own son with Masistes’s daughter Artaynte, hoping that this tie will bring him closer to his sister-in-law. Instead, he falls for Artaynte, and conducts an affair with her, his own niece. This affair is discovered by Xerxes’s wife Amestris, who places the blame for it on Masistes’s wife; Amestris thus has Masistes’s wife mutilated. As a result of this outrage, Masistes leaves for Bactria in order to raise a revolt there, but Xerxes’s troops overtake him and kill him before he gets there. Now, Herodotus certainly deals with Greek misbehavior and malfeasance throughout The Histories, but to close out his work with such a story of incest and intrigue at the Persian court is surely a deliberate attempt to impress upon the reader who the bad guys are.
One final observation. In Book Nine, there are numerous instances of “prophets,” like Hegistratus, making sacrifices – but these sacrifices are not just to propitiate some god, but to determine his or her will. I suppose this is a form of haruscipy – the examination of the entrails of an animal to see what the future holds – perhaps a replacement for augury, the practice of discerning the will of the gods by the flight patterns of birds (as Calchas does in Book One of the Iliad). So if you don’t have time to consult the Oracle at Delphi (or that of some other well-known shrine like Dodona), you can have a personal seer providing answers to immediate questions. I must say that the Greek faith in such customs is something that has always puzzled me about them, or at least serves as the strongest counter-example to the notion that they are “rational.” Of course, the Oracle isn’t stupid, and often gives ambiguous answers so that whatever happens, it’s always right. But why no one ever saw through this (at least, Herodotus gives no evidence of any skepticism either on his own part or the part of any of his subjects) is a mystery to me. I suppose we have to wait until the fourth century and the further development of Greek philosophy under Plato, Aristotle, and others, before we encounter doubt about Fate.
Posted in Ancient History, Faculty scholarship, Greece, Literature, Military History, Persia
Getting to Class in Inclement Weather
Posted on April 5, 2017 by jgood
A Herodotean quotation for this fine day (8:98):
And him [the Persian messenger] neither snow nor rain nor heat nor night holds back for the accomplishment of the course that has been assigned to him, as quickly as he may.
This is the motto of the USPS but it can also apply to the pursuit of learning in college!
Posted in Ancient History, Literature
Thoughts on Book Eight of the Histories of Herodotus
Book Eight centers on the battle of Salamis. If Thermopylae, the inspiring defeat, is the better-known battle, Salamis was an actual victory, won through superior Greek tactics, in a venue where Greeks feel particularly at home: the sea. The Homeric-style ship catalogues in 8.1 and 8.43 are a nice touch, and the divine interventions are also reminiscent of Homer, such as a storm destroying the Persian fleet in 8.12 (“done by a god, that the Persian armament might be made equal to that of the Greeks and not much greater”), or the miracles at Delphi (8.37), in which arms moved themselves, and lightning struck and chunks of cliff fell on the enemy. Themistocles himself in 8.109 attributes the victories to “gods and heroes” who desired that one man should not rule both Europe and Asia.
The Olympic games are characteristically Greek and used by Herodotus to burnish the Greeks’ reputation. First, there is the passage in 8.26 when the deserters from Arcadia explain to the Persians that the Greeks compete in the games for an olive crown, to which Tigranes exclaims, “What sort of men have you led us to fight against, who contend, not for money, but purely for the sake of excelling?”, a pro-Hellenic sentiment if there ever was one. In 8.59, discussions in the Greek council of war refer to the games: Admiantus says that “those who get off the mark too soon are whipped,” to which Themistocles replies, “but those who get left behind never get crowned.” (One can imagine any number of sports metaphors expressing similar ideas today, e.g. Wayne Gretzky’s observation that “you miss 100% of the shots you don’t take”). Finally, Eurybates and Themistocles received actual victors wreaths from the Spartans. Thus does the Greek athletic spirit inspire a successful fighting spirit, and illustrates the superiority of the Greeks to the barbarians. (8.86: “Proper discipline and ordered ranks” vs. “no order and no… sense of purpose.”)
Herodotus does deal with some Greek cleverness that does not necessarily reflect well on their side. Artemisia may have escaped from Salamis through subterfuge (8.87), but Themistocles himself convinced the Greeks not to pursue the Persians, intending “that this act should be as a reserve to his credit with the Persians, that he might have a refuge if, one day, trouble overtook him” (8.109), which indeed came to pass.
As for his own sources, Herodotus indicates that there is slight disagreement between the Athenians and the Aeginetans about the progress of the battle of Salamis (8.84). He indicates that the Delphians told him things directly in 8.39. But he cannot bring himself, in 8.8, to name the source of the story of Scyllias of Scione, the best diver in Greece, who allegedly swam ten miles underwater: this exploit is treated with the passive voice (“it is told” and “it is said”), and Herodotus is deeply skeptical of “other stories” about him. No miracles here.
Thoughts on Book Seven of the Histories of Herodotus
Here I am, an old man in a dry month,
Being read to by a boy, waiting for rain.
I was neither at the hot gates
Nor fought in the warm rain
Nor knee deep in the salt marsh, heaving a cutlass,
Bitten by flies, fought.
The main event in Book Six in the Battle of Marathon, which of course was an Athenian victory. The Spartans must have been envious that they didn’t share in the glory, and nervous that their rival city-state got all the credit.
But Sparta gets its own back in Book Seven. The main event of Book Seven, of course, is the battle of Thermopylae, during which an elite force of 300 Spartans, accompanied by Thespians (fighting voluntarily) and Thebans (fighting involuntarily), hold off the mighty Persian army at a narrow coastal pass just south of Thessaly on the Greek mainland. The narrow pass at Thermopylae negated the Persian numerical advantage, but more importantly the Spartans had greater bravery and greater fighting skill, allowing them to repel wave after wave of Persian attacks. Only when the Persians discovered a way around Thermopylae were the Spartans encircled and defeated. But even knowing this, the Spartans never retreated, and died to a man. So Thermopylae represents a defeat, but a very inspiring one. Tactically the Spartans delayed the Persian advance so that other Greeks had time to dig in, so some tangible good, and not just inspiration, did come out of it.
From Herodotus’s description, we can tell that this battle meant a great deal to the Greeks. Such details as the recitation of King Leonidas’s extensive genealogy, the Spartans combing their long hair in preparation for battle, and Pantites’ committing suicide out of shame, because he had missed the battle while he was delivering a message, all suggest that this was something special, even sacred. The epigram ascribed to Simonides:
Go, tell the Spartans, stranger passing by
That here, obedient to their laws, we lie
further helps to cement the place of this battle in Greek history. (“Go tell the Spartans,” I discover, is the title of a 1978 Viet Nam war movie.) Even the witty contribution of Dieneces was deemed worthy of inclusion in The Histories: Dieneces is the Spartan who, when told that the Persian arrows were so numerous, that they blocked out the sun, replied that “If the Medes hide the sun, we shall fight them in the shade.” Herodotus claims that Dieneces made many such sayings, and if this is the case it would make him especially Spartan, for the Spartans valued the Laconic phrase – dry wit, expressed in as few words as possible. (In Book 3, Herodotus tells of the arrival of a Samian embassy to Sparta. The Samians give a long speech. The Spartans say that they have forgotten the beginning and can’t understand the end. So the Samians return with a sack, saying “the sack needs grain.” The Spartans reply that the word “sack” is redundant.)
The archetypical Laconic phrase is a reply to Xerxes’s demand that the Spartans give up their weapons. The Spartan King Leonidas replied simply with “Come and take them” (μολὼν λαβέ). Alas, this gem of a riposte does not appear in The Histories. But it does appear in Plutarch’s Moralia, and it is inscribed on the base of the statue of Leonidas that we find at Thermopylae today.
This expression echoes down the ages: it has resonance in American gun culture for obvious reasons, and one sees it as a decal on cars. It’s a slightly classier way of saying “You can have my gun when you pry it from my cold, dead fingers.” The Michigan State Spartans also use it in their marketing, as though to reply to the opponent’s request to give up the football.
Book Seven reminds me of our visit to Texas this past summer, when I discovered the existence of the Gonzales Flag, an artifact of the opening salvo in the Texas Revolution. In 1831, the Mexican government had given the Anglo residents of Gonzales a cannon for their defense. In 1835, however, as it became clear that Anglo loyalty was highly questionable, the Mexicans sent a force to take it back, and the Gonzalans replied with a suitable Laconic phrase, embroidered on an improvised flag. The Battle of Gonzales was the first military engagement in the Revolution, and inspiring for Texans, as the Mexicans were forced to retreat without their cannon. An even better known episode in the Battle of the Alamo, when, following a 13-day siege, the Mexicans under Santa Anna stormed the Mission San Antonio de Valero and killed all of its defenders. This defeat served precisely the same purpose as the Battle of Thermopylae 2300 years earlier – to inspire other Texans to keep fighting. (Although the number of deaths at the Alamo was about a third lower than the number of Spartans killed at Thermopylae, I was pleased to discover that the street address of the Alamo is 300 Alamo Plaza – a nice classical reference there.)
To return to Sparta: why did they act this way? The Spartan king Demaratus, exiled to the court of Xerxes, is a very useful literary device for Herodotus, who can use Demaratus to explain Spartan motivation. In 101, Demaratus presciently claims that the Spartans will fight no matter what the odds because, as he tells Xerxes:
fighting singly, they are no worse than any other people; together, they are the most gallant men on earth. For they are free – but not altogether so. They have as the despot over them Law, and they fear him much more than your men fear you. At least they do whatever he bids them do; and he bids them always the same thing: not to flee from the fight before any multitude of men whatever but to stand firm in their ranks and either conquer or die.
This contrasts utterly with the Persian custom of forcing their soldiers forward by whipping them. In a similar vein, in 135, the two Spartan hostages, Sperthias and Bulis, who volunteer to travel to the Persian capital Susa and offer themselves as compensation for the Persian herald whom the Spartans have earlier killed, meet Hydarnes, the Persian satrap of the Asian seacoast. He asks why the Spartans won’t seek the friendship of Xerxes, because the king knows how to honor good men, and suggests that the Spartans might hold an important position in a Persian administration of Greece. Their reply is that:
Your advice with relation to us comes from something less than an equality of position. You counsel us as one who has tried one condition but knows nothing of the other. You know what it is to be a slave, but you have no experience of freedom, to know whether it is sweet or not. If you had had such experience, you would bid us fight for it, not with spears only, but with axes as well.
It’s a nice detail that Sperthias and Bulis refuse to bow to Xerxes when they arrive in Susa.
So yes, Thermopylae matters, as does the Greek conception of freedom and the rule of law. More than Marathon, Salamis, or even Plataea, Thermopylae is the battle that people remember. Of course it does help that the Greeks ultimately won, validating and justifying Thermopylae, and it helps that the Spartans inflicted huge numbers of casualties prior to their own defeat. It is true that a tactical retreat is often a better option than a noble sacrifice: In IDS 305 today, we talked about the French Order of the Star, founded in 1351 and severely weakened the next year at the Battle of Mauron, when ninety members, sworn not to turn their backs on the enemy or retreat more than four steps, consequently lost their lives, to no useful purpose.
But sometimes it isn’t.
Jacques-Louis David, Leonidas at Thermopylae (1814), via Wikipedia.
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Category Archives: Uses of History
Dorothy Kim in Time espouses a common theme among woke medievalists:
Far-right Viking medievalism is not about historical accuracy. Rather, it’s used to create narratives. So, to resist the medieval narratives that activate violent hate, we must create counternarratives — and to do that, we must understand the real Viking past and how it has been weaponized.
I am no fan of white nationalism, but I am chary of Prof. Kim’s prescriptive “counternarrative,” on the principle that it sure looks like she is holding history hostage to her own present-day concerns. Apparently, the far right looks back on the Vikings with admiration, since they were bad-ass white people. Well, we can’t have that, so we’ll imagine that they were “multicultural and multiracial.”
But is this actually true?
I repeat my idea that academics should seek the truth as much as possible. If people want to idealize a historical era for their own reasons, that has nothing to do with us. Or rather, we should keep on doing what we’re doing, gently correcting any misconceptions out there as we discover them. Constructing noble-lie “counternarratives” is just as bad! If it’s bad, say, to elevate the Greeks as the fountainhead of all that is good about Western Civilization, then accusing them of stealing everything from the Egyptians isn’t any better.
Here is a proper use of the Viking past, snapped at a local Dollar General.
Posted in Uses of History, Vikings
Apparently the guy who shot up the mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand had “Charles Martel” emblazoned on his gun, and designated Anders Breivik a “Knight Justiciar.”
Get ready for another round of accusations that the study of the Middle Ages is inherently racist.
Not that I approve of shooting people as they’re going to Friday prayers. Even Charles Martel fought like a man, on the field of battle. If you simply must participate in some counter-jihad, go where the actual wars are, like in northern Nigeria or northern Iraq. Or do a stint in the IDF.
Note to the Sun: a masjid is a mosque. It makes no sense to talk of “Masjid Al Noor Mosque” or the “Linwood Masjid Mosque.”
A friend of mine suggests that the shooter deliberately picked Christchurch as the place for his massacre, because it highlights the irony that there are mosques in a place called Christchurch. But there are Christian churches throughout the Dar-al-Islam! Why not live and let live? Sheesh.
Posted in Atrocity, Islam, New Zealand, Religion, Uses of History
A followup to a post below. Sam Fallon writes in The Chronicle of Higher Education:
In recent weeks, Donald Trump’s pursuit of a border wall between the United States and Mexico has worked its way back in time — to the Middle Ages. Trump has happily agreed that his proposal is a distinctly “medieval solution.” “It worked then,” he declared in January, “and it works even better now.” That admission proved an invitation to critics, who inveighed against the wall as, in the words of the presidential hopeful Senator Kamala Harris, Trump’s “medieval vanity project.”
The response from medievalists was swift and withering — not just for the president, but also for his opponents. Calling the wall “medieval” was misleading, wrote Matthew Gabriele, of Virginia Tech, in The Washington Post, “because walls in the actual European Middle Ages simply did not work the way Trump apparently thinks they did.” On CNN.com, David M. Perry, of the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, insisted that “walls are not medieval.” And in Vox, Eric Weiskott, of Boston College, urged readers to “take it from a professor of medieval literature: calling things you don’t like ‘medieval’ is inaccurate and unhelpful.”
Along with every other medievalist, I take umbrage at the negative connotation of “medieval” in popular discourse. But on this particular issue, I think that our politics have gotten the better of us. No, boundaries between states were generally not walled in the Middle Ages (unlike in the Roman Empire or in Imperial China) – in fact, they often weren’t even defined. But any city worth the name was surrounded by a wall, for the obvious reason that it might be attacked, and given the military technology of the time, a wall formed an effective defense against such attack.
The walls of Orleans helped save the city from an English siege in 1429, which even involved the use of canon. Wikipedia.
All that Trump would like to do is to treat the country like a medieval city. One can take issue with his idea that the great hordes of illegal aliens swarming across our southern border really constitute an invasion force or otherwise threaten our way of life, or that a wall will be the best way of keeping them out (proper visa tracking and compulsory e-verify might be more useful on this front). I note, however, that a lot of the people who are in favor of not enforcing our immigration laws live in places where they don’t have to experience the externalities of the policies they champion, often surrounded by actual barriers, or otherwise protected by private security forces or just astronomical prices to keep the riffraff out. I read somewhere that the choice for America going forward is this: either a wall on the southern border, or lots of little walls throughout the country.
So yeah, walls are medieval… and they just may be something worth reviving.
Posted in Academia, Immigration, Medievalism, Uses of History
There is a theory that “Rome fell” because of its policy of “bread and circuses” – that is, in the Roman republic, the average citizen was a stout, independent yeoman farmer who participated in government through the plebeian assembly and served in the army out of duty. But as the republic became the empire such people were transformed into the proletariat – they sold out to the latifundia, and moved to Rome, where they lived in slums, and cared for nothing beyond their daily bread ration and for watching gladiatorial combat and supporting their favorite charioteers. Thus does the expression “bread and circuses” indicate the Roman policy of buying off the lower orders with cheap carbs and free entertainment. No longer were they politically engaged – they simply let Rome fall while they amused themselves to death.
Does this remind you of anyone? Are we not content as long as we have our junk food and ESPN on massive television screens? I’d call it Plato’s Cave if that weren’t another classical metaphor.
But I don’t think that this “portentous” reason for the Fall of Rome is necessarily useful. For in an age of social media, many people treat politics way more seriously than it deserves to be. I know people who cheer for their political party in the same the way that some people cheer for the Georgia Bulldogs, or that some ancient Romans cheered for the drivers of the Blue team. You could say that they’re politically engaged, for sure, but not in a useful way. Politics ought to be a small part of life, but when it becomes all-consuming, that too is symbolic of a certain decline.
Posted in Politics, Romans, Uses of History
Posted on February 26, 2019 by jgood
Eric Weiskott in Vox:
Stop calling Trump “medieval.” It’s an insult to the Middle Ages.
It’s not only ahistorical. It obscures uniquely modern evils.
Last month, Dana Milbank wrote for the Washington Post that President Trump’s proposed wall along the Mexico–US border was “medieval.” “It’s true,” Trump responded later the same day, “because [a wall] worked then and it works even better now.” CNN’s Jake Tapper mocked Trump’s response on his newscast with a cartoon depicting the president as a medieval European king.
Take it from a professor of medieval literature: calling things you don’t like ‘medieval’ is inaccurate and unhelpful. It’s inaccurate, because we don’t live in the Middle Ages. The things that most anger, disgust, or offend us are relatively new in the grand scheme of history. And it’s unhelpful, because the ‘medieval’ label reinforces our overconfidence in ourselves and our modernity. That attitude goes all the way back to the Enlightenment in the 18th century. Not coincidentally, the Enlightenment is the movement that cemented the idea of the Middle Ages as a distinctive—and distinctly regrettable—period of European history, spanning roughly the 5th to the 15th centuries.
It’s not just Trump’s wall. ‘Medieval’ is often used to describe something cruel and archaic, a nod to a dark age that precedes the modern era. In December, the satirical website The Daily Mash ran a story with the headline, “‘No deal’ Brexit plan suspiciously similar to Middle Ages.” During the second 2016 presidential debate, while deflecting a question about the Access Hollywood tape, in which he can be heard boasting of sexually assaulting women, Trump described “a world where you have ISIS chopping off heads” as “like medieval times.” In Pulp Fiction, Marsellus Wallace famously threatens his rapist, Zed, “I’ma get medieval on your ass,” evoking the Middle Ages’ unearned reputation for creative torture. The threat is supposed to promise Zed a fate worse than death. Wallace mentions “a pair of pliers and a blowtorch.”
Quite right! Blowtorches were not medieval instruments. Read the whole thing.
Posted in Medievalism, Uses of History
From the BBC (hat tip: Ron Good), a spine-tingling article on civilizational collapse:
While there is no single accepted theory for why collapses happen, historians, anthropologists and others have proposed various explanations, including:
CLIMATIC CHANGE: When climatic stability changes, the results can be disastrous, resulting in crop failure, starvation and desertification. The collapse of the Anasazi, the Tiwanaku civilisation, the Akkadians, the Mayan, the Roman Empire, and many others have all coincided with abrupt climatic changes, usually droughts.
ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION: Collapse can occur when societies overshoot the carrying capacity of their environment. This ecological collapse theory, which has been the subject of bestselling books, points to excessive deforestation, water pollution, soil degradation and the loss of biodiversity as precipitating causes.
INEQUALITY AND OLIGARCHY: Wealth and political inequality can be central drivers of social disintegration, as can oligarchy and centralisation of power among leaders. This not only causes social distress, but handicaps a society’s ability to respond to ecological, social and economic problems.
The field of cliodynamics models how factors such as equality and demography correlate with political violence. Statistical analysis of previous societies suggests that this happens in cycles. As population increases, the supply of labour outstrips demand, workers become cheap and society becomes top-heavy. This inequality undermines collective solidarity and political turbulence follows.
COMPLEXITY: Collapse expert and historian Joseph Tainter has proposed that societies eventually collapse under the weight of their own accumulated complexity and bureaucracy. Societies are problem-solving collectives that grow in complexity in order to overcome new issues. However, the returns from complexity eventually reach a point of diminishing returns. After this point, collapse will eventually ensue.
Another measure of increasing complexity is called Energy Return on Investment (EROI). This refers to the ratio between the amount of energy produced by a resource relative to the energy needed to obtain it. Like complexity, EROI appears to have a point of diminishing returns. In his book The Upside of Down, the political scientist Thomas Homer-Dixon observed that environmental degradation throughout the Roman Empire led to falling EROI from their staple energy source: crops of wheat and alfalfa. The empire fell alongside their EROI. Tainter also blames it as a chief culprit of collapse, including for the Mayan.
EXTERNAL SHOCKS: In other words, the “four horsemen”: war, natural disasters, famine and plagues. The Aztec Empire, for example, was brought to an end by Spanish invaders. Most early agrarian states were fleeting due to deadly epidemics. The concentration of humans and cattle in walled settlements with poor hygiene made disease outbreaks unavoidable and catastrophic. Sometimes disasters combined, as was the case with the Spanish introducing salmonella to the Americas.
RANDOMNESS/BAD LUCK: Statistical analysis on empiressuggests that collapse is random and independent of age. Evolutionary biologist and data scientist Indre Zliobaite and her colleagues have observed a similar pattern in the evolutionary record of species. A common explanation of this apparent randomness is the “Red Queen Effect”: if species are constantly fighting for survival in a changing environment with numerous competitors, extinction is a consistent possibility.
More at the link.
Posted in Civilization, Uses of History
The century from 130 to 30 BC marks the transformation of the Roman Republic into the Roman Empire – that is, a polity ruled by an actual emperor, not just a large collection of territories, which it was already. In fact, Rome’s expansion to rule the entire Mediterranean basin outshot its ability to change its constitution peacefully. Eventually the constitution did get changed, but only after a century of intermittent civil war, and mostly as an expedient: Augustus held ultimate power, because that was better than chaos. Of course, Augustus’s rhetoric was that he “restored the republic,” but that was one of those statements that everyone had to publicly agree to, while simultaneously acting as though the reverse was true. If the President were to hold his office for life, and simultaneously act as Speaker of the House of Representatives and Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, also for life, no one would think that the United States was still a republic in any meaningful sense, because there would no longer be any separation of powers.
At one point most educated people knew about the decline of the Roman Republic. It is an epic tale anyway, but it also provided instructive examples for subsequent generations. The biggest one, I think, is the notion that republics are inherently unstable, that in order to function properly they are too dependent on the personal integrity of their public servants, and it is only a matter of time before they break down into faction and civil war as human nature reasserts itself. It took a long time before people were willing to take a risk on republicanism again, at which time republican Rome served as an example of certain things to avoid: it is generally a bad idea that politicians should simultaneously act as military officers, for the obvious reason that they will be too tempted to use their armies to further their political ambitions. In the United States, you can seek a political career after a military one, but you have to resign your commission first.
But that was not the case in the first century BC. The days of Cincinnatus were long gone. The Senate called Cincinnatus (519-430 BC) out of retirement and granted him dictatorial powers to deal with a crisis. Cincinnatus did so with dispatch, and immediately resigned, even though he could have stayed on for the remainder of his six-month term. His name thereafter became a byword for civic virtue – a shining example of someone who served because it was his duty, and not because he was hoping to profit from the office. George Washington, because he resigned his command of the Continental Army, and because he resigned the presidency after two terms, is naturally known as the American Cincinnatus. A club for revolutionary war officers and their descendants took the name the Society of the Cincinnati in honor of Cincinnatus; the city in Ohio takes its name from this group.
Amazon.com.
But how can you compel politicians to act like this? Well, you can’t. All you can do is praise the people you would like to serve as models, and even then the narcissists and sociopaths who are attracted to power won’t care a toss about any “virtue.” It is very difficult anyway, over the long run, to enforce the custom of self-sacrifice for the greater good. Eventually it gets really old, both for individuals and for societies.
Thus, by 130 BC, the people who did very well out of the wars against Carthage and Macedonia were quite enjoying their power and wealth, thank you very much, and were not interested in giving it up. Some of them bought up land in Italy and worked it with huge gangs of slaves. There is no way that the independent yeoman farmer could compete with this, rather as America’s small-town mom-and-pop stores cannot possibly compete with Walmart and other big-box retailers. What could a plebeian do but sell out to the latifundia (as these plantations were called), move to the big city, and try to find some form of work there? Rome’s population ballooned during this time, mostly on account of poor people taking up residence in the slums of the city – a phenomenon noticeable in the Third World today.
The Gracchi brothers, Tiberius (d. 133) and Gaius (d. 121), deplored this situation and sought to arrest it. They both served as tribune – an office created in the early fifth century to act as a “voice of the people” against the patricians who dominated the Senate and all the other offices of state. Tribunes were licensed to “speak truth to power” and thus possessed sacrosanctity, a kind of diplomatic immunity: anyone harming a tribune could be instantly killed. This is why so many newspapers call themselves “tribune” – they are hoping that their readers will think of them as a fearless voice of the people against powerful interests.
The brothers Gracchi both promoted land reform. Generally, they wanted to limit the size of the latifundia, and redistribute the surplus to veterans, so that these people who had served Rome would at least have something to live on in their retirement. But the senators did not really appreciate this return of old Rome, the Rome of the independent plebeian farmer, and so contrived to have them both killed. Killed! Despite their sacrosanctity. This sad episode marks the beginning of a cycle political violence that was to plague Rome for a long time to come. It also reminds me of the story of Jacobo Árbenz, president of Guatemala 1951-54. Árbenz also proposed land reform – the government would buy up some of the extensive holdings of the United Fruit Company and redistribute it to landless Guatemalan peasants, compensating the company for the value of the land as it had been reported for tax purposes. Of course, the land was worth much more than that, and the United Fruit Company lobbied the US State Department to oppose the policy, on the principle that this was Communism! (“If it walks like a duck and it quacks like a duck, then it’s a duck.”) The CIA then fomented a military coup, which installed Carlos Castillo Armas as president, who obligingly ended the proposed land reforms. Árbenz was not killed in the coup, but he died drunk and in exile in 1971, and Central America was made safe for American capitalism. This episode is not well known in America, but it is very well known south of the Rio Grande, along with all the other instances of American meddling in Latin America over the course of the twentieth century, for fundamentally selfish reasons.
One of the problems of the Roman latifundia is the same problem faced by all slave economies: the slaves represent a security risk. Naturally, they resent their condition, and if they outnumber their owners, they will take any chance they get to rebel. One of the most famous slave rebellions in history was that of Spartacus (d. 71 BC), a gladiator who organized his fellow gladiators at their school in Capua, who rose up and killed the owners, escaped from the school, and spent the next two years ravaging southern Italy, freeing latifundia slaves and killing anyone who opposed them, and amassing an ever-greater army. Eventually this force was defeated by Pompey and Crassus, two Roman generals who had been tasked with doing so. The body of Spartacus was never found, but some six thousand slaves were crucified along the Appian Way as a warning to survivors never to try such a thing again. Nevertheless, Spartacus became a hugely inspirational figure for slaves throughout history: Toussaint L’Ouverture, the leader of the Haitian Revolution, was sometimes called the Black Spartacus, as was Nat Turner, leader of a slave rebellion in Southampton County, Virginia in 1831.
Communists were also inspired by Spartacus, on the principle that industrial workers were basically slaves. Thus we have Rosa Luxembourg and Karl Liebknecht’s Spartacus League, a post-Great War Marxist revolutionary movement in Germany, the Soviet athletic club Spartak, and the Spartakiad, a communist answer the Olympic Games.
Of course, we also got a great sword-and-sandal movie out of it, and a more recent television series. The scene at the end of the movie, when all the slaves in turn proclaimed “I’m Spartacus!” in order to protect the real Spartacus, has been inspirational to subsequent films and to US Senators.
Pompey and Crassus subsequently dominated Rome as members of the First Triumvirate. The third member was of course Julius Caesar, a man of overwhelming ambition who was in the process of subduing Gaul and making sure that everyone knew about it. He would send reports of his exploits back to Rome to be read in the Forum; collected, these reports comprise Caesar’s Gallic Wars, a classic text for Latin instruction. Pompey and Crassus doubtlessly felt that an alliance with Caesar would be to their benefit. But Crassus was killed fighting Mithridates of Pontus, and Pompey, in Rome, grew suspicious of Caesar’s popularity and so recalled him from Gaul. Caesar did return, but at the head of his army. He had command of Legio XIII in Gaul, but not in Italy, so when he crossed the Rubicon River, which formed the boundary between the two provinces, he was in essence declaring war on the Roman state. Thus has “crossing the Rubicon” come to indicate an irrevocable decision, for which the only results can be death or glory. “Alea iacta est,” Caesar is alleged to have said as he entered Italy: “the die is cast” (“die” as singular of “dice,” and “cast” as in “rolled” – it’s not a reference to casting bronze or iron in a mould, as some people believe).
The HBO television series Rome at one point has Caesar’s lieutenant Marc Antony telling his boss that “some would call it hubris.” “It’s only hubris if I fail,” replies Caesar – and it’s true, ultimately Caesar won, against Pompey, against the forces of Ptolemy XIII in Egypt, and against Pharnaces of Pontus, a victory that was so easy that Caesar coined the memorable Laconic phrase “Veni, vidi, vici” to commemorate it. (“I came, I saw, I conquered” gets referenced every now and then, including in the movie Ghostbusters and by Hillary Clinton and Ludacris.) Caesar, it seems, was a master of rolling the dice.
Back in Rome, Caesar aggrandized himself, to the consternation of some people. He contrived to get the Senate to name him dictator for life, and he put his portrait on coins and named a month after himself (previously, only gods got such treatment). His relationship with the Egyptian Queen Cleopatra did not help on this front – her visit to Rome was a tableau of oriental decadence. Naturally, there was a great deal of alarm over this extremely un-Roman behavior, which led to a senatorial conspiracy to oust him. Since they couldn’t vote him out of office, murder was the only option. And so on March 15, 44 BC, in the Theater of Pompey, Caesar received 23 stab wounds from at least as many Senators, who hoped to prevent the republic from reverting to a monarchy. One of the conspirators, Marcus Junius Brutus, felt he had a reputation to live up to, since his ancestor Lucius Junius Brutus had taken a leading role in the overthrow of the original Roman monarchy in 509 BC. “Sic semper tyrannis!” Brutus is alleged to have cried as he stabbed Caesar, a line recycled for the motto of the Commonwealth of Virginia, with George III in the role of the “tyrant.”
“Brutus” has thus become a byword for “assassin,” for either noble or base motives. Perhaps the most famous example in American history, after Lee Harvey Oswald, is John Wilkes Booth, the murderer of President Abraham Lincoln at Ford’s Theater on April 14, 1865. Booth is alleged to have shouted “Sic semper tyrannis!” as he shot Lincoln in the back of his head as he watched the play Our American Cousin from his box.
The most well-known representation of this historical episode in English is William Shakespeare’s 1599 play Julius Caesar. (Booth himself had acted in the play in the previous year, although not in the role of Brutus.) Julius Caesar is responsible for the popularization of the expression “the Ides of March.” The “ides” of a given month occurred halfway through it, i.e. the fifteenth on average. “Beware the Ides of March!” warns a soothsayer in Julius Caesar, advice that Caesar should have heeded, since eventually everyone’s luck runs out. The coin pictured above was issued by Brutus in the autumn of 44 BC, with a cap of liberty between two daggers, and the legend EID[IBUS] MAR[TIIS], “on the Ides of March,” a rather bold statement on his part.
But as it turns out, Brutus and Cassius did not have quite the support that they had hoped for. Caesar may have been a dictator, but he was a dictator with whom a lot of people agreed. An American might be conditioned to respond positively to the word “republic,” but in Roman terms “republic” meant “aristocratic control.” Caesar, for his part, was allied with the Populares, a party favoring the cause of the plebeians, as the Gracchi brothers originally were. So Caesar was a dictator who supposedly acted on behalf of the little guy. To illustrate this, Shakespeare has Marc Antony publicly reading Caesar’s will, which promises a certain amount of money to every Roman citizen, and which bequeathes his private parks for public use. Public opinion then turns decisively against the assassins. Historically, Marc Antony, Caesar’s great-nephew Octavian, and the general Lepidus formed the Second Triumvirate, which defeated the forces of Brutus and Cassius at the Battle of Philippi in 42 BC.
American Greatness.
One cannot help but think that current American politics are a distant echo of the conflict between the Senate and Caesar. When President Trump declared this week that the situation at our southern border constitutes a national emergency, more than one of my Facebook friends specifically compared him to Caesar acting the dictator. This comparison is superficially true – Trump is certainly an ambitious egomaniac with Petronian tastes who has set himself up as an opponent of career politicians and other agents of the “deep state,” and who thus enjoys a great deal of support in flyover country on the supposition that he’s standing up for the ordinary people who live there. His emergency declaration, however, is well within recent constitutional history – indeed, according to the article from which the image above is taken, “Trump Is Bad at Being a Tyrant.” He deserves to be watched, of course, but in general his offensiveness seems far more aesthetic than legal.
In the 30s BC, the Second Triumvirate suffered the same fate as the First: one member (Lepidus) was sidelined, and the remaining two fell out with each other. At the naval battle of Actium in 31 BC, Octavian’s general Marcus Agrippa defeated the forces of Marc Antony and of Cleopatra, with whom Marc Antony had taken up. Octavian chased them to Egypt, where they both committed suicide, Marc Antony by falling on his sword, and Cleopatra by venom from an asp.
Cleopatra has not served as much of an “example” for subsequent generations but she is one of the most fascinating figures of this period of history, and has been portrayed many times on canvas, stage, and screen, including in another play by Shakespeare.
Octavian, the last man standing, was still fairly young, and continued to rule for over forty years, finally dying in AD 14. Known to history as Augustus (meaning “revered,” a title bestowed on him by the Senate), he succeeded where Julius Caesar had failed. By holding several republican offices at once, and in perpetuity, by making sure that the Senate was packed with his supporters, and by having his Praetorian guard take out any potential troublemakers, he consolidated power for himself, and established a new arrangement for ruling the vast territories that Rome had acquired, an arrangement that was passed on to his groomed successor Tiberius. The shift from republic to empire is deplored in the extended Star Wars narrative, in which the Galactic Republic ruled by the Jedi is good, but the Empire that displaces it is very bad indeed. However, Augustus was not entirely self-serving in pulling a similar move, and enjoyed a certain amount of support in carrying it out, because at least he brought peace. He also had an eye for public relations: like his mentor Julius Caesar, he cultivated a certain image (in his case, as a “family values” candidate). He was also lucky in that his reign coincided with Latin coming into its own as a literary language. Thus Virgil’s Aeneid, composed between 29 and 19 BC, which not only glorifies Rome as such, but also specifically praises Augustus. When you set your story in the past, you can have your characters make very accurate predictions about the future, and when Aeneas visits the underworld in Book 6, the Cumaean Sybil tells him:
Now fix your sight, and stand intent, to see
Your Roman race, and Julian progeny.
The mighty Caesar waits his vital hour,
Impatient for the world, and grasps his promis’d pow’r.
But next behold the youth of form divine,
Caesar himself, exalted in his line;
Augustus, promis’d oft, and long foretold,
Sent to the realm that Saturn rul’d of old…
Shakespeare uses this technique in Macbeth, written to celebrate the accession of James I to the throne of England in 1603. Set in the eleventh century, the play nonetheless shows Banquo’s descendants with “two-fold balls and treble scepters” – a reference to the fact that James was king of Scotland and England (and by extension Ireland).
I hope this post serves as a demonstration of the double importance of history. The original events are important in themselves, and they also serve as a prism though which subsequent generations understand the events of their own times. So in studying the late Roman republic, not only will you learn about the republic itself, you’ll learn about the English Renaissance, the American Revolution, the Haitian Revolution, twentieth-century Communism, and even the present day.
Posted in Politics, Romans, United States, Uses of History
The Centennial of the Armistice
Lapel poppy as sold by the Royal Canadian Legion.
For the past four years we have been observing the centennials of the various events that comprised the Great War, including the Battle of the Somme (July 1, 1916) and the Battle of Vimy Ridge (April 9, 1917). Today we mark the end of it: on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, 1918, an armistice went into effect, ending hostilities on the Western Front, which had thus far killed over three million people and wounded over eight million, all started by some damned fool thing in the Balkans. And, as everyone knows, the settlement that ended the war simply set the stage for the next one: the Treaty of Versailles was not as fair as Wilson had promised in his Fourteen Points, nor as punitive as it needed to be to ensure that Germany did not rise again. So just as the Great Famine of 1315-22 weakened the immune systems of a whole generation of Europeans, and made the Black Death of 1346-51 more virulent than it otherwise would have been, so also did the First World War lead directly to the Second, which then overshadowed it in cultural memory.
Garden of Remembrance, St. Paul’s Cathedral churchyard, City of London, November 11, 2010.
This is especially true in the United States, which only joined the First World War in 1917, and only as a result of a potential threat as revealed by the Zimmerman Telegram. The United States also joined the Second World War “late,” i.e. over two years after Germany invaded Poland, but it did so as the result of a direct attack on its naval base at Pearl Harbor. The Americans played a significant role in defeating Nazi Germany; they played an even bigger role in the defeat of Imperial Japan, including through the use of the atomic bomb, which they had developed at great expense. So it’s only natural that, to an American, the Second World War means more than the First.
The Cenotaph, Whitehall, 2018.
It’s somewhat different in Britain and the Commonwealth. Once the United Kingdom declared war on Germany on August 4, 1914, all the Empire, even the Dominions, immediately followed, and fought, and bled quite profusely, for the sake of Britain’s allies on the continent. For well-known reasons, the war bogged down into a bloody stalemate where the advantage was always to the defense, and it soon became obvious that this was going to be a war of attrition – the first side to run out of men and materiel was going to be the one to lose, and this is more or less what ended up happening. Four years of mass industrial slaughter on the Western Front was deeply traumatizing, and gave birth to rituals of remembrance that Americans generally don’t share: the sanctification of November 11 (at first designated Armistice Day, and now as Remembrance Day), the wearing of a lapel poppy* in the run-up to this, the ceremonial placement of wreaths of poppies at war memorials on the day itself, and the two-minute silence at 11:00 AM. (November 11 may be Veterans’ Day in the United States, but memorializing the war dead is the function of Memorial Day in May, which derives from the Civil War. The VFW occasionally sells poppies, but the practice is nowhere near as ubiquitous as it is in Canada or the United Kingdom.) Of course, as with the United States, the UK and its Commonwealth also remember the Second World War, and probably to a greater extent, given Churchill’s refusal to make a deal with Hitler, his inspirational speeches, the evacuation of Dunkirk, the Battle of Britain, the Blitz, D-Day, and an unconditional surrender forced on a monstrously evil regime.
Tomb of the Unknown Warrior, Westminster Abbey. Wikipedia.
All the same, the First World War does loom larger in the Commonwealth than in the United States. And it deserves to be remembered, in both places. As pointless as all the killing was, the Great War turned out to be the Great Divide, and represented the real end of the nineteenth century and the birth of the twentieth. When the dust settled, four empires – the German, Russian, Austro-Hungarian, and Ottoman – had fallen, and many smaller nations won their independence. Communists took over Russia, and the stage was set for what Henry Luce called the American Century. Women were granted the right to vote in both Britain and the United States. Perhaps most importantly, the Great War shattered European self-confidence, and caused the mainstreaming of skepticism, pessimism, and “uncertainty” (one of the reasons, unfortunately, why Britain and France did not stand up to Hitler until it was too late).
Diamond War Memorial, Londonderry, Northern Ireland.
So I was pleased to learn that a World War I memorial is being planned for Washington DC. From a BBC article about it published last year:
“The Great War” was overtaken in the national consciousness by the Great Depression and World War II, says Edwin Fountain, vice-chairman of the WWI Centennial Commission. The commission has been authorised by Congress to build the new memorial in Washington, DC, as well as increase awareness of the war.
“The Centennial is the last best opportunity to teach Americans that World War I was in fact the most consequential event of the 20th Century,” he says. “It had effects that we live and struggle with today, overseas and at home.”
“The debate about the role of America in the world, the balance between national security and civil liberties, the place of women, African Americans and immigrants in our society – all those issues were vigorously discussed during WWI.
“You cannot contribute to those discussions today without understanding our historical roots.”
Gable end mural, Northland St. (arbitrarily renamed “Thiepval St.”), Belfast, Northern Ireland.
At the same time, how the war was fought, and not just its aftermath, deserves closer attention too. If anyone knows anything about the Great War, it is an image largely created by Remarque’s great autobiographical novel All Quiet on the Western Front. Historian Dan Snow recently countered several myths about it, including that most soldiers died, that it was the bloodiest conflict in history to that point, that the upper classes got off lightly, and that soldiers lived in the trenches for years on end (in truth, they were cycled out regularly).
Mural, Glenwood St., Belfast, Northern Ireland.
Still, it was no picnic, as a recent article in the Economist reminds us:
The first world war was not just a grand tragedy. For the 67 million who fought, it was a sordid hellscape. Few of the ten million killed in combat died from a “bullet, straight to the heart”, as pro forma telegrams to relatives put it. Many more bled to death in no-man’s land, their wails lingering for days like “moist fingers being dragged down an enormous windowpane”, as a British lieutenant wrote of the Battle of the Somme. Traumatised survivors sometimes slept in open sewers, and begged for their mothers as superiors ordered them over the top.
They guarded what slivers of humanity and dignity they could. At Compiègne today visitors can view silver rings from the trenches bearing initials (LV, MJ, SH or G) or four-leaf clovers; pipes with marks worn where teeth once clenched; a tube of insect-bite cream; letter-openers fashioned from shell casings, the names of yearned-for correspondents etched into their blades (“Marguerite”, “Mlle Rose-Marie”). A certain stoic humour also played its part. “I was hit. I looked round and saw that my leg had shot out and hit the fellow behind me (who got rather annoyed about [it])” wrote Charlemagne’s great-grandfather in his diary in 1915, just outside Ypres.
The article goes on to note that (emphasis added):
The first world war happened because a generation of Victorian leaders took for granted the stable order that had prevailed in most of Europe for decades. They should have read their history books. Yet the war was also a tale of forces beyond the power of any leader, however well-read; of nations and continents not as trains on history’s railway lines, run by drivers and switchmen, but as rafts tossed about on history’s ocean, dipping at most an occasional oar into the waves. Fate was the real grand homme of the “Great War”. The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand in 1914 would not have happened had his driver not taken a wrong turning in Sarajevo. The German army’s initial advance was halted at Nieuwpoort by a Belgian lock-keeper who flooded the surrounding marshlands. Political twists in Berlin, not crushing defeat on the battlefield, pushed Germany to sue for peace in 1918.
I am chary of drawing “lessons” from history, but it seems in this case that history really does provide us with an instructive example.
Memorial to Lt. Col. John McCrae, Guelph, Ontario, 2015.
* The poppy as a symbol of remembrance derives from the poem “In Flanders Fields” by Lt. Col. John McCrae of Guelph, Ontario, who was serving with the Canadian Expeditionary Force and who died of pneumonia in January, 1918. He was by no means the only English-language war poet: the First World War produced a remarkable amount of poetry from the viewpoint of its participants, a product of the war taking place after the advent of mass literacy but before other forms of entertainment relegated poetry to a niche interest (see Paul Fussell’s The Great War and Modern Memory for more on this). I was pleased to see the memorial to sixteen representative war poets in Poets’ Corner in Westminster Abbey this summer, including the greats Robert Graves, Rupert Brooke, Siegfried Sassoon, and Wilfred Owen.
Sadly, the poppy is “political” in some parts of the world, and not just because people believe that it justifies war. Among the nationalist community in Northern Ireland, the poppy represents “Britain’s War,” and thus represents British imperialism and British oppression. Nationalists, as noted, wear lilies in memory of the Easter Rising, and will generally refuse to wear poppies, even going so far as to taunt those who do.
Posted in British Empire, Canada, Commemoration, Ireland, Poetry, Twentieth Century, United Kingdom, United States, Uses of History, World War One, World War Two
Medievalism
Posted on May 4, 2018 by jgood
An interesting discovery by Tim Furnish in a local Starbucks:
The website of Young Templar Ministries gives no indication where it is physically headquartered save for the Atlanta “770” area code in the founder’s phone number, and that they’ll be having a rally at 6835 Victory Lane in Woodstock, Ga. They don’t claim to be associated with any Christian denomination, but their beliefs section (“The Holy Bible is the inspired Word of God… Jesus was the final and complete sacrifice for the sins of humanity. Salvation is Given, not earned. It is freely given through Grace because of faith in Jesus Christ,” etc.) suggests fundamentalism and evangelicalism.
This seems a little odd. Why should a medieval crusading order serve as inspiration for a twenty-first century American youth movement? Christian warfare (the website references “Young Soldiers” and “God’s Army”), even of the metaphorical kind, is not exactly hip these days. The Templars, especially, are supposed to be inspirational to the alt-right and thus even more dodgy. And let’s not forget how they ended, and consequently how inspirational they were to esoteric and/or dissident groups.
Or is that the point – that anyone persecuted by the medieval church can’t be all bad? Or (more ominously) is Christian warfare really coming back into fashion?
Posted in Crusades, Medievalism, Middle Ages, Religion, Uses of History
Neo-Ottomanism
I have no idea whether the title of this post is a real thing, but it seems to describe Erdogan’s schtick, at least as revealed in a recent speech (from The Conversation, via Instapundit):
On our third trip to Istanbul, my wife and I visited the 19th century Dolmabahce Palace, once the administrative centre of the Ottoman Empire. As we toured the 285-room palace my wife was struck with not just how well preserved it was, but that it was one of at least five palaces from the Ottoman era in Turkey that are now museums open to the public.
This is telling, because it is not something found across the rest of the Middle East and Arab world, where such palaces are still very much in use as palaces – for example, the nine palaces in Jordan. Turkey is a modern republic created from the heart of the former Ottoman empire, established since the 14th century. Few of the other former regions of the empire across the Middle East and North Africa can boast of such a long political history, with countries such as Jordan not yet even 100 years old.
Turkey’s president, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, is well aware of this fact, and does not distinguish between glorious empire and modern republic. “The Republic of Turkey is also a continuation of the Ottomans,” he declared in a recent speech. The empire is more than a memory. It is a symbol of political clout, and the prospect of once again leading the Muslim world. This symbolic power is captured by the presidential palace at Ankara, a towering structure that puts the mansions of modern-day monarchs to shame. At a cost of over US$500m, Aksaray or “white palace” is bigger than Trump’s White House or Putin’s Kremlin, and has led critics to say the president is acting “like a sultan”.
Erdoğan seeks a return to Islam’s golden age. Increased public finance has been made available for Islamic schools – Erdoğan attended an Islamic school, one that has since been named after him and enjoyed an US$11m upgrade. “The joint goal of all education and our teaching system is to bring up good people with respect for their history, culture and values,” Erdoğan emphasised at a ceremony to reopen his childhood school. These values include an understanding of Ottoman achievements over Western ideas.
More at the link, although as a commenter at Instapundit said, “so he’ll be seeking out the most direct blood-descendant of Mehmet the Sixth to re-establish the House of Osman and sit on the renewed palatial throne? They are still present, scattered around Europe but it is known who they are.
“Because there can be no ‘Ottoman Empire’ without them.”
Quite right! I remember thinking along these lines when I visited China back in 2005. “Tibet has always been a part of China,” our hosts helpfully explained to us. “China has not always been ruled by the CCP,” I was too polite to counter. “Where is the Son of Heaven these days?”
It’s always amazing how we remember what we want to remember, how we cherry-pick what we want from the past and turn it into a moral example, while ignoring everything else as “just something they did.”
Posted in Middle East, Politics, Turkey, Uses of History
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Operation Kind: How 10 Years of Kindness Has Served Our Military
By Cara Murphy • 4 years ago
One mans trash is another mans treasure. Learn how recycling your cell phone can help our troops.
Many of us start the day sipping on a mug brimming with hot coffee, scrambling to get ready for the day, and half listening to the news in the background. How often are you touched by the stories you hear? Have you ever been moved to take action? Nearly every day it seems that mainstream news floods us with reports of health tragedies that shatter families, horrendous acts of violence, and war that we are almost desensitized to it all. But not Brittany and Robbie Bergquist.
In 2004 when Brittany and Robbie were just 12 and 13 years old, they were listening to the news before school and heard a story about a Massachusetts soldier who accumulated an $8,000 cell phone bill calling home to his family. They had two cousins serving overseas at the time and could not believe that someone selflessly fighting for our country would incur such a cost to communicate with the people he loved. On the way to school they decided to raise the money he needed to pay off his bill. They started by raiding their piggybanks, asking friends and family, and then eventually graduated to local fundraisers such as carwashes and bake sales.
“After we raised the money to pay off his phone bill we realized that there was a greater need for other service members. We knew that we needed to do something to cater to all service member’s needs,” said Robbie. And in 2004, Cell Phones For Soldiers was born.
Cell Phones For Soldiers mails approximately 3,000 prepaid calling cards each week to provide cost free communications services for active-duty military members and veterans. Since 2004, the organization has provided more than 213 million minutes of free talk time and recycled more than 11.6 million cell phones. But having people take you seriously when you are barely a teenager was a challenge.
Brittany and Robbie knew that the struggle to stay in touch with family and friends was real for many service men and women; simply hearing their toddler’s voice or their husband or wife say, “I love you” is priceless and should not cost a fortune.
One marine said that Cell Phones For Soldiers was “a true testament to an act of supporting the military. Despite the cold snowy ground or the hot dry air we operate at a better capacity due to your selflessness. There is nothing more comforting than hearing our children laughing and our wives happy back in the states […] I speak for all the Marines in our unit that also give thanks.” And a military mom echoed the appreciation for the organization, “Thank you so very much for everything you have done to get these cards to my son so he can call home. I am very grateful to have an organization like yours to help make this deployment easier on me and one that cares about military families' needs. Cell Phones For Soldiers is my angel and my son is my hero. And I am very proud of him. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
“It was difficult in the beginning to educate people about this need and make it a priority in their minds,” said Robbie. “And on top of that people are always very worried about the information on their cellphones. They want to make sure that it is deleted, the process is secure, and that the phones are being recycled in an environmentally conscious way.”
Cell Phones For Soldiers has remained a family run non-profit. Brittany and Robbie credit their parents and other mentors for believing in them and supporting them with resources unavailable to most teenagers. “They revived the passion in us when we were met with challenges. They reminded us that we need to continue to move forward; it doesn’t matter what people say or if they doubt us. We have to stick to what is true in our hearts, because we know that we are doing something for the greater good,” said Brittany. In 2012, they launched Helping Heroes Home to support veterans returning home with invaluable emergency funding.
Cell Phones For Soldiers is one organization benefiting from the sales of Do the Kind Thing, a new handbook for social entrepreneurs by Daniel Lubetzky, Founder and CEO of KIND Snacks. Prior to the book hitting shelves, KIND set out to identify individuals living life through a lens of kindness. Brittany and Robbie certainly rose to the top, seeing as they’ve spent the past decade bringing kindness to those who needed it.
Not only will the proceeds from the book be donated to Cell Phone For Soldiers and other organizations with kindness at their core, but KIND has also committed to helping scale their impact in 2015.
That effort will start in May, as KIND and Cell Phones For Soldiers will launch a joint campaign in celebration of National Military Appreciation Month. The goal is to shower service men and women with words of gratitude, encouragement, and kindness – and all are invited to participate. For every tweet using the hashtag #thankskindly KIND will donate an additional $1, up to $10,000, to Cell Phones For Soldiers. In addition, the tweets will be transcribed into physical handwritten notes and included in the calling card mailing bags that Robbie & Brittany send to service men and women.
Robbie and Brittany’s actions demonstrate the power of one kind act to touch someone’s life. That dedication to kindness has cascaded into over 10 years of compassion, generosity, and impact. “There is always an opportunity to do a kind thing. People of all ages can make a difference. Being a great person is doing one small thing a day to help your community,” said Brittany.
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This article is in partnership with KIND Snacks as part of the Do The KIND Thing Campaign.
Cara Murphy
EDITOR. Cara Murphy graduated from Lafayette College in May 2011 with a Bachelor’s degree in English and Psychology. She interned at the Good Housekeeping, Institute summer 2010 and was a New York City intern for MakeoverMomma.com. She was the Arts & Entertainment Editor and News Editor for The Lafayette and wrote a blog for a geology class she took in Ecuador and the Galapagos. After graduation, she found a summer position as Associate Editor for the Juvenile Diabetes Cure Alliance. She loves to write and connect with people. She believes writing is a powerful medium that can be used to empower, educate, and unite the international community. She strives daily to embody Mother Teresa’s declaration, “We cannot do great things on this Earth, only small things with great love.” When she isn’t commuting into NYC she enjoys reading, listening to music, swimming, and being with her friends. Her favorite charity is Rewrite Beautiful and she hopes to help girls see that beauty lies within their hearts.
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WHERE CONSCIOUS THE MAGAZINE HAS BEEN SHIPPED
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Medicean Aspirations in America: The Impact of William H. Vanderbilt’s New York Drawing-room on American Palace Décor
Title Medicean Aspirations in America: The Impact of William H. Vanderbilt’s New York Drawing-room on American Palace Décor
Author Heimiller, Edward James
Faculty Advisor(s) Abbott, James
Subject Vanderbilt, William H. (William Henry), 1821-1885
Interior decoration -- United States -- History -- 19th century
Interior decoration -- United States -- European influences
Herter Brothers (New York, N.Y.)
Drawing rooms -- New York (State) -- New York -- 19th century
Abstract In the second half of the nineteenth century there was a shift in Americans' self perception. While Americans in the colonial period aimed to establish themselves as the equivalent of English landed gentry, a newly wealthy American class after the Civil War strived to establish themselves as a new American aristocracy through an ambitious building campaign in keeping with the Renaissance noble families of Florence, including the Medici. With these new homes came commissions for equally ambitious and impressive interiors, especially drawing-rooms, focused on transferring Europe's cultural heritage to America establishing both a false sense of an American lineage as well as a setting that society responded to by taking on their desired roles, which became a hallmark of the Gilded Age. Among the earliest examples of an American interior to adapt and utilize decoratively mock coats of arms and impresa of various European families, most notable of the Medici family, to raise the status of its patron through association, was the William H. Vanderbilt celebrated drawing-room at 640 Fifth Avenue, New York. It established a successful precedent that others imitated in full or in part, in aspects of their decorating in the period between 1880 and the close of the century. Promoted through Mr. Vanderbilt's own 1882-83 multi-volume publication, Mr. Vanderbilt's House and Collections, the drawing-room established a benchmark in American's attempt to establish an American aristocracy through interior design. This room marked the beginning of a new era of interior design and advertising in America that established unique new trends, promoted key design firms, and inspired a chain of commissions. This examination pulls from materials from relevant interiors; surviving bills and correspondence between vendors and clients; period auction catalogues, and newspaper articles to link other interiors for and purchases by other robber barons to William H. Vanderbilt's drawing-room, establishing a fresh perspective for understanding the social importance assigned to interior decoration and its emulation.
Medicean Aspirations in America: The Impact of William H....
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FS.09
Electro-pneumatic shiffting
Carbon fiber impact attenuator
Carbon fiber rims
Carbon fiber arms
We replaced the high-strength steel tube frame with a carbon fiber monocoque. The same technology is used to construct F1 carriages. Students from CTU CarTech are the first in the Czech Republic to produce a composite monocoque for use on a racing car. Our first frame on FS.01 weighed 57.8 kg, today we value 26 kg (monokok + tube frame).
The basis of high strength and low weight structure is the so-called sandwich construction. Sandwich because there is a lightweight core between two rigid covers to transmit shear loads. The thickness of the core and its material is selected according to the desired properties of a particular part of the monocoque. In the side impact zone, the aluminum honeycomb is used, in less stressed areas, the core is very light foam.
Monocoque production alone required hundreds hours of work. To achieve high strength, the monocoque was literally to be baked in the autoclave (pressurized furnace). The LA Composite, a producer of composite parts for transport aircraft, helicopters and Prague metro wagons, has a sufficiently large autoclave. To ensure consistent thermal expansion and stability at high temperature and high pressure, the molds themselves had to be made of carbon fiber. At the very beginning of the production of carbon molds, the molds were once again made of a special epoxy. Precision machining of these epoxy molds has been provided by MBtech Bohemia, who has extensive experience in producing such molds.
Following a several-month marathon laying of individual layers of carbon fiber, inserts, and cores, this was always interlaced with many hourly autoclave curing. Precise laying of individual layers is key to the mechanical properties of the resulting product, so laser projector is used when applying layers.
The monocoque must meet the strict strength criteria given by the Formula Student / SAE rules. At the same time, it serves as the basic carrier of the vehicle, to which the front axle suspension, the steering, the front wing and the rear of the car with the drivetrain and the rear axle are attached. Fulfillment of the safety criteria is demonstrated by the results of stress tests of prescribed samples long before racing.
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ANT 315 - Queer Enthnographies
S. Cho
This course will look at the growing body of queer ethnographies about non-normative genders and sexualities in Western and non-Western countries. Beginning with classic monographs on same-sex sexuality such as Esther Newton’s Mother Camp: Female Impersonators in America (1972), we will move onto examine contemporary ethnographies of nonnormative sexualities in United States and around the world, including C.J. Pascoe’s Dude, You’re a Fag: Masculinity and Sexuality in High School (2011) and Margot Weiss’ Techniques of Pleasure: BDSM and the Circuits of Sexuality (2011). By interrogating ethnography’s generative but contentious relationship with LGBT Studies and feminist, queer, post-structuralist, and postcolonial theories, we will assess how applicable Western queer theory is to the non-Western world.
Satisfies a requirement in the Gender & Sexuality Studies major and minor (Society & Politics Track).
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Cardinal Tagle says everyone has a little migrant in their soul
Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle of Manila, Philippines, speaks Feb. 14 at Catholic Relief Services headquarters in Baltimore. Cardinal Tagle spent the day with CRS staff, helping open the 75th anniversary observance of the U.S. bishops’ overseas humanitarian relief and development agency. CNS/PHIL LAUBNER, CRS
BALTIMORE, USA— There’s a little bit of migrant in everyone, Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle of Manila, Philippines, said during a U.S. visit.
The story of human history is one based on people moving around the planet in search of a better life and it is humanity’s responsibility — and the church’s — to welcome travelers and meet their needs, Cardinal Tagle told Catholic News Service Feb. 14 at Catholic Relief Services headquarters in Baltimore.
To ignore the needs of another person is to ignore the needs of a brother or sister, he said.
And by understanding that each person, especially those who are migrants or forcibly displaced from their homeland, is a on a journey to God, then perhaps the barriers that keep people separated from each other can be overcome, he said.
“Our basic contribution as church is to put the human face on the person” and help share their journey to hope, security and freedom, he said, referring to the two-year Share the Journey campaign of Caritas Internationalis.
The campaign, introduced in September by Pope Francis, invites people of faith to interact with and welcome migrants and forcibly displaced people who are struggling to survive in the face of economic and social oppression, war and criminal violence.
“We are dealing with human beings. These are human persons,” said Cardinal Tagle, who is president of Caritas Internationalis, the church’s worldwide federation of relief and development agencies. “The Share the Journey campaign is really to develop a culture of personal encounter. Hear their stories and then discover their humanity.
“To discover their humanity is to discover your own humanity, how they are just like us. They have the same dreams. This mother is like any mother who will fight for the safety of her child. This father is like any father whether they are Christian or Muslim or what, who will take risks for his family,” he said.
Cardinal Tagle spent the day with CRS staff, helping open the 75th anniversary observance of the U.S. bishops’ overseas humanitarian relief and development agency.
The agency was established in 1943 to respond to the needs of World War II refugees in Europe. Called War Relief Services then, the agency’s first resettlement effort benefited thousands of Poles who had been forced from their homeland to Russian work camps. They eventually resettled in Mexico.
CRS officials marked Cardinal Tagle’s visit by presenting Caritas Internationalis with its first Dignitas Award. The award was established as part of the anniversary observance to honor organizations working to eradicate poverty that are among the best in the world.
The award depicts a mosaic of photos of Caritas’ work around the world with the center image of a flaming cross, a symbol from the organization’s logo.
Cardinal Tagle shared stories during the award presentation and during his interview with CNS about his experiences since becoming Caritas’ president in 2015.
In one example, the cardinal described meeting a Syrian teenage boy in a refugee camp in Greece. At one point, he said, the young man asked Cardinal Tagle if he was Muslim, to which the cardinal replied, “No, I’m a Christian.”
The boy then asked why he was helping the people in the camp. Cardinal Tagle said it served as an invitation to explain that it was a matter of practicing his Catholic Christian faith to make a difference in someone’s life.
He said such stories showcase how the call to community and human unity is necessary.
“I see how we are connected to one another and how the church could be a force for transformation of society,” he said.
However, Cardinal Tagle said the church’s approach to migration is not the sole answer to the crisis facing tens of millions of people around the world. It’s far too complex for one approach, he said.
“We cannot pretend to have the only answer to it,” he explained. “But we share our perspective. Ours is biblically based and we don’t see any contradiction between the Bible and our human response. In fact, the more we go into the Bible the more we can see how humanizing the tenets of the Bible are.”
He called CRS one of the world’s most recognizable and respected humanitarian aid institutions in the world. He attributed that to the agency’s willingness to depend on local people with their expertise on cultural norms and specific needs.
In the Philippines, the Catholic Church takes the same approach, the cardinal said, in responding to the drug addiction crisis facing the island nation.
He agreed that the church has stood against Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s harsh campaign against drug dealers and users. The government’s campaign has claimed 13,000 lives since it was launched in 2016, according to several human rights groups.
Catholic leaders have challenged the violent campaign, calling on the government to improve treatment options for drug addiction and to address the reasons people turn to narcotics in the first place. Cardinal Tagle told CNS that preaching the Gospel’s prophetic message is the church’s first responsibility no matter the consequences.
In line with that vision, parishes across the country have opened programs that provide treatment, counseling, education and skills development so that people see there is hope outside of a world focused on drug abuse, he said.
One program recently saw 150 people graduate who are on their way to employment, he said. “But there is much that we need to reach,” he said.
“For the church, it’s a human problem, a community concern, a health concern,” the cardinal continued. “It’s prophetic in the sense you show the way to go. It’s not enough to say your (government) method is not correct. But we have to show it.”
A day before visiting CRS, Cardinal Tagle spent time visiting officials throughout Washington discussing the church’s view on migration and immigration and the need for a compassionate response for people on the move. CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE
PreviousLent is time to notice God’s work, receive God’s mercy, pope says
NextJesus as the Righteous One Who Undid the Fall of Adam
Anti-death penalty pilgrims set off on cross-country walk to Manila
Clergy abuse crisis calls for true discipleship, says Cardinal Tagle
Cardinal Tagle, Syrian prelates visit Ghouta, see ‘unspeakable suffering’
Mindanao bishops urge vigilance amid martial law
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About Calvary
Calvary Chapel of Bloomington, Indiana • 812 369 6010
MORE ABOUT CALVARY
Calvary Chapel of Bloomington is a fellowship where we gather for the purpose of knowing and glorifying our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Our hope is to see all people become committed to live as disciples of Jesus Christ.
By God's rich grace we desire to see His body grow and we realize this growth through a three-fold process.
UPREACH
We believe our highest calling and purpose is to love God and have a relationship with Him, which is our chief priority. Every thought, desire, and ministry flows from this relationship.
As members of the body of Christ, our desire is to equip one another for service and to grow in spiritual maturity. Therefore, we seek to be trained according to God's Word, the Bible, which we believe is the guide for our lives in every matter.
Our desire is to go out beyond the comfort of our Christian community into the world to see Gods Kingdom grow. We believe God has placed every Christian in an arena where we have an opportunity to be salt and light to a lost and spiritually dying world.
History of the Calvary Chapel Movement
In 1965, Pastor Chuck Smith began his ministry at Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa. Only twenty-five people attended. What began as a small chapel has now grown into a church that seats over 2000 and is filled almost nightly. From the beginning, Pastor Chuck welcomed all, young and old, without judgment, placing his emphasis on the teaching of the Word of God. His simple, yet sound, biblical approach draws 25,000 people weekly.
With a sincere concern for the lost, Pastor Chuck made room in his heart and his home for a generation of hippies and surfers; generating a movement of the Holy Spirit that spread from the West Coast to the East Coast, bringing thousands of young people to Jesus Christ. Included among this generation of new believers were Greg Laurie, Mike MacIntosh, Raul Ries, and Skip Heitzig, as well as hundreds of others who now have ministries of their own.
From the beginning, Calvary Chapel has been focused on leading people to Christ and discipling them so that they can go out into the world and lead others. The Lord has blessed this commitment, and Calvary Chapel has grown to 850 churches in North America and almost 200 churches in South America, Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia. We truly take to heart our Lord's command in Matthew 28:19-20, "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."
Part of Calvary Chapel's discipling ministry is "The Word for Today," which publishes Bible study books and tapes all over the world; KWVE, which broadcasts God's Word to all of Southern California; and Calvary Chapel's Bible College, which provides Bible education to thousands at its home campus in Murrieta, California, and more than 20 extension campuses worldwide.
Because of its size and influence, many Christians have asked exactly what Calvary Chapel believes and what makes us distinct. At Calvary Chapel, we have always been hesitant to answer those questions, not because we are unsure of our beliefs, but because we are cautious to avoid division within the body of Christ. After all, what really matters is what we have in common as Christians, the essential doctrines of: the infallibility of God's Word; the virgin birth of Christ; Christ's sinless life, death for our sins, and bodily resurrection; Christ's ascension to glory; and His personal return to rule over the earth. This is the essence of Christianity and agreed upon by all born-again believers.
When Christians move away from these foundational doctrines to those that are less essential, there is always a risk of setting barriers up in the church, something we at Calvary Chapel have no desire to do.
It is not our purpose to cause division or discord in the body of Christ; rather, we long for unity among all of God's people, and we allow for a great deal of flexibility even within our own church.
For more information about Calvary Chapel fellowships, visit http://calvarychapelassociation.com/
© 2018 Calvary Chapel of Bloomington, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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Results tagged “Doctor Who”
Two-Part Doctor Who Special, 'The End of Time,' Comes to U.S. Movie Theaters as a One-Night Event on August 7
Celebrating the 10th anniversary of David Tennant’s final season.
By Staff on June 19, 2019 10:31 AM |
WHAT: This year marks the 10th anniversary of David Tennant’s final season with “Doctor Who,” and perhaps his greatest adventure of all time - the heartbreaking two-part special: “The End of Time.” Cinema audiences have the chance to relive the agony and ecstasy of this thrilling story on August 7 only, with the return of many fan-favorite actors from David Tennant’s tenure as the Doctor: Billie Piper, Catherine Tate, John Simm, Freema Agyeman, Bernard Cribbins, John Barrowman, Elisabeth Sladen and more. In addition to the feature content, fans will get an exclusive look at a brand new interview with
david tennant,
doctor who,
Five Cool Things and The Rise of Skywalker
Here's some cool things I saw this week.
By Mat Brewster on April 12, 2019 11:35 PM |
For reasons I won’t get into here, I’ve decided to shut my little music blog down. Probably permanently. There are a lot of emotions involved with that. I’ve run The Midnight Cafe since 2004 and I’ve been talking about live music since 2008. That is more than a decade of my life. For most of that, I have writen at least one post every day. The blog had become a part of me. It was in my DNA. To walk away from it feels like losing something essential. The emotion I wasn't expecting from this was a sense of relief.
criterion channel,
human desire,
invasion of the body snatchers,
rise of skywalker,
Five Cool Things and The Dead Don't Die
I want to celebrate things that make life better. So here we go.
By Mat Brewster on April 5, 2019 9:09 PM |
It has been one rough week. My professional and personal life have been filled with much stress. I don’t want to get into the gory details except to say that even when life bogs me down, I can always turn to art to cheer me up. And on that front, it was a very good week. I watched some interesting movies and enjoyed the trailers on some movies that haven’t been released yet. That’s why I do this. I want to celebrate things that make life better. So here we go. House on Haunted Hill (1959) This isn’t exactly a
christine,
house on haunted hill,
joker,
the dead don't die,
the land unknown
Five Cool Things and Another Birthday
I turned a year older this week and still managed some cool things.
By Mat Brewster on March 30, 2019 12:14 AM |
I turned 43 on Monday. I took my kid ice skating on Saturday and took myself to the big used-book store afterwards. Had dinner with my extended family on Sunday (my father shares my birthday with me so we always have dinner). On the actual day, my wife made some pork egg rolls and we stayed in to watch a classic Doctor Who. It was low key, but good. I’m too old to want a big night out and young enough to appreciate being able to enjoy the things I like. It was a good rest of the week too.
inherit the wind,
killing eve,
the proposition,
total recall,
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse Is the Pick of the Week
Superheroes, Doctor Who, film noir, and black-gloved killers, this week has it all.
By Mat Brewster on March 18, 2019 10:37 PM |
Since Sam Raimi introduced Spider-Man into the summer blockbuster tradition 16 years ago, there have been no fewer than seven films featuring the webslinger. Raimi’s first two entries into the Spidey Cinematic Universe were well received both critically and at the box office. His third entry, made in 2007, spun off the rails and Spidey spent the next five years cooling his heels in the comics pages. Then there were two films starring Andrew Garfield before Marvel introduced the character to the MCU in 2016 with Captain America: Civil War, and finally he got his own standalone film, Spider-Man: Homecoming
detour,
herbert west reanimator,
into the spiderverse,
mary poppins returns,
spderman,
strip nude for your killer
Five Cool Things and Midsommar
It was a very cool week.
By Mat Brewster on March 15, 2019 9:41 PM |
I went to see a special showing of Tom Baker’s last story as the Doctor in the theater this week. It was lots of fun but at some point the realization hit me that I’d just spent about $40 (tickets plus drinks and popcorn for two of us) to watch an old television show that I already own on DVD. These are the times we are living in. It was totally worth it though, to see it on the big screen and be surrounded by fans. I saw some other cool stuff to so let's talk about it. The Lobster
captain marvel,
high flying bird,
logopolis,
midsommar,
the lobster,
Doctor Who: Peter Davison: Complete Season One Blu-ray Review
A marvelous collection that Whovians should be happy to have on their shelf.
By Gordon S. Miller on March 11, 2019 4:21 AM |
The BBC has released Doctor Who: Peter Davison - Complete Season One, the second in its series of classic Doctor Who seasons on Blu-ray and the first featuring Peter Davison, the Fifth Doctor. This season, also known as the 19th season of the classic run, aired from January 4 to March 30, 1982 and contains the stories: Castrovalva, Four to Doomsday, Kinda, The Visitation, Black Orchid, Earthshock, and Time-Flight. In addition to Special Features from previously released DVDs, there are also brand new special features throughout the eight-disc set. Peter Davison had no easy task, following the very popular Tom
bbc home video,
Doctor Who: Resolution Blu-ray Review: The New Cast Finally Comes Together
The Thirteenth Doctor and her new companions have found their groove.
The Daleks are one of the oldest and most popular villains on Doctor Who. They were created by Terry Nation for the second story ever made for the series. They have appeared in more stories and episodes than any other villain. They have become true icons of popular culture all over the world. Yet, and let's be honest here, they aren’t really that scary or effective characters. From a design standpoint, they are basically tin cans with a whisk and toilet plunger for hands. Depending on the story needs, they can sometimes withstand the blasts from a tank and yet
chris chibnall,
daleks,
Five Cool Things and Good Omens
Another week, another five cool things.
By Mat Brewster on March 9, 2019 1:32 PM |
It has been a weird week. Last weekend, it snowed. Monday the temperature dropped to nearly zero degrees Fahrenheit. Tomorrow, it is supposed to be sunny and the high temperature is in the 60s. We’ll probably go to the park. Last week, we were throwing snow balls. Work has been stressful too. We’ve got over a million dollars in houses either being built or recently completed. They need to be sold, and soon, or we are in a world of trouble. I didn’t watch a lot of movies either. I got in a couple and a little television, but mostly
first man,
for a few dollars more,
good omens,
jodie whittaker,
the prisoner,
Five Cool Things and Detective Pikachu
It is once again cold outside, but here are some cool things to keep you occupied.
By Mat Brewster on March 1, 2019 10:27 PM |
We moved back to Oklahoma a few years ago, but no matter how long I am here, I will never get used to the weather. After a long winter for the last week or so, it was starting to feel like Spring. The sun is setting later. The weather has been reasonably warm. My daughter has been playing outside. Then it turned cold again. I am so ready for this to end. It isn’t that this winter has been that brutal. It has gotten below freezing quite a bit but nothing anywhere near zero degrees. We haven’t had a huge
detective pikachu,
howliday inn,
jo nesbo,
macbeth,
solaris,
spearhead from space
Doctor Who: Resolution is the Pick of the Week
Remakes, Nazis, Criterions, and Doctor Who all look interesting in this week's new Blu-ray releases.
By Mat Brewster on February 19, 2019 2:27 PM |
It is a new era for Doctor Who. There is a new actress playing the Doctor (there is an actress playing Doctor Who!). She's got an all-new set of companions and Chris Chibnall just took over the reigns as the showrunner. As if that wasn't enough changes this past year, they moved the long-running tradition of Christmas specials to New Year's. I was pretty bummed by that idea because we typically spend Christmas with my wife's family and it's become something of a tradition for us to watch Doctor Who after a lovely Christmas Day full of good food and
a star is born,
death in venice,
la verite,
overlord,
Suspiria (2018) is the Pick of the Week
Here's all the Blu-ray releases that look interesting this week.
By Mat Brewster on January 28, 2019 8:24 PM |
It takes a certain audacity to remake Suspiria, Dario Argento’s 1977 supernatural horror film. The original is a vibrant, neon, phantasmagoria of sight and sound, and blood. It is a film unto itself. One that only Argento could make. How anyone could look at that film and think it needed to be remade is beyond me. And yet here we are. Luca Guadagino, a director best known for Call Me By Your Name, a lush, quiet little film about a gay love affair between a student and an older man, is apparently that audacious. When I first heard it was
all that jazz,
all the colors of giallo,
all the colors of the dark,
in the heat of the night,
mondo bizarro,
reign of the supermen,
suspiria,
the night is short walk on girl,
the nutcracker and the four realms,
Five Cool Things and American Gods: Season Two
Doctors, Gods, superheroes and more are all cool things happening this week.
By Mat Brewster on January 26, 2019 12:03 AM |
One of the problems with having so many great television series airing on so many different services is that it's difficult to stick with one thing. I regularly find myself watching a few episodes of something, really enjoying it, but then switching over to some other show that looks awesome. The intent is to come back to the first thing but then there is not only a second show but a third and fourth one and before I know it, it's been a year since I sat down with the first show. This is especially true for me as I
american gods,
avengers infinity war,
black panther,
the awful truth
Tom Baker's Final Doctor Who Adventure, Logopolis, Coming to U.S. Theaters as a Special One-Night Event
"It's the end. But the moment has been prepared for." - The Doctor
By Staff on January 18, 2019 10:46 AM |
Audiences now have the chance to see the Fourth Doctor, Tom Baker’s 100-minute final adventure, Logopolis, on big screens nationwide. The Doctor Who episode features the first appearance of companion Teegan, played by Janet Fielding, Anthony Ainley as the Doctor’s archenemy, The Master, and the regeneration of Fourth Doctor, Tom Baker into Fifth Doctor, Peter Davison. In addition to the feature content, fans will also get an exclusive look at a brand new interview with Tom Baker and companions Janet Fielding and Sarah Sutton. Following the cinema event, Tom Baker’s complete final season on Doctor Who comes to Blu-ray on
fathom events,
Best of 2018 TV Lists
In which Shawn ranks some television from 2018 and 1988.
By Shawn Bourdo on January 2, 2019 1:44 AM |
From 2005 through 2012, I pretty consistently wrote my Sunday Morning Tuneage blog. It continued inconsistently through 2013 before being abandoned. Each year was punctuated with a series of "Best of" lists. While the blog still remains retired, I'm revived it last year for a Best of 2017. The feedback was enough for me to compile it again this year. Here's the middle entry of the "Best of" trilogy. BEST OF TV 2018 We live in a very high-quality TV-show era now. Maybe the top end isn't as strong as a decade ago but the number of very good shows
better call saul,
roseanne,
Five Cool Things and Avengers: Endgame
This week wasn't as Christmas-y as I had hoped but I caught some cool things anyway.
By Mat Brewster on December 7, 2018 9:57 PM |
It turns out I’m not really a fan of Christmas movies. In October, I watched a bunch of horror movies, but I like horror movies so that was easy. November became Noirvember, and I caught up on a bunch of film noir I’d not seen before but always meant to (plus a few I had never heard of). December is supposed to be Christmas movies but unlike horror and noir films, I’m not really drawn to holiday films. Maybe that’s because most of them are dreadful. Maybe it's because they aren’t as easy to find on streaming services. Or maybe
avengers endgame,
bancroft,
batman rip,
horror of fang rock,
its a wonderful life,
twice upon a time
Mission:Impossible - Fallout is the Pick of the Week
This pick of the week will self destruct in seven days.
I have pretty much completely given up on action movies over the last decade or so. I long ago grew tired of more car chases, more explosions, more bigger and bigger guns. I still do watch superhero movies which I suppose are kind of like action flicks, but with capes, but whatever. Straight up action is pretty much gone from my movie queues. The exceptions being the Bond films (which I can call spy films and still get away with my "no action movies" mantra) and the Mission:Impossible films (also technically spy films, but who are we trying to kid?).
castlevania,
mission impossible,
operation finale,
the handmaid's tale,
the happytime murders,
the nun,
the serpents egg,
Fathom Events Presents BBC AMERICA's Doctor Who Season Premiere in Theaters on October 10 and 11
Audiences will get to experience behind-the-scenes bonus content exclusive to the cinema event.
By Staff on September 30, 2018 12:05 AM |
Press release: BBC Studios Americas in partnership with Fathom Events, is bringing the Thirteenth Doctor to theaters nationwide on October 10 and 11, and screening the feature-length premiere of The Woman Who Fell to Earth, the first episode of the all-new series of BBC AMERICA’s Doctor Who. The two-night theatrical event will also include special never-before seen bonus content surrounding the making of the hit show. Tickets for Doctor Who can be purchased now at www.FathomEvents.com and participating theater box offices. The season premiere of Doctor Who will hit nearly 700 select movie theaters on Wednesday, October 10 and Thursday,
bbc america,
Five Cool Things and Dark Phoenix
I might be a bit sleepy but there's still plenty of cool things to talk about.
By Mat Brewster on September 29, 2018 2:06 PM |
I tend to stay up too late on work nights. I put the kid to bed, play on the Internet, then watch a movie or TV show. I hit the sack about midnight and then am back at it at six the next morning. At some point later in the week, the lack of sleep punches me in the back of the head as if to say, “Hey, dummy. You need more rest.” Friday afternoon was that point. I was sitting around flipping through various streaming services looking for something to watch when I nearly fell asleep in my chair.
hereditary,
kiki's delivery service,
terminus,
the dark phoenix,
the thing from another world,
thoroughbreds,
Five Cool Things and Burt Reynolds
Hey, it is Friday so here's the cool things I watched this week.
By Mat Brewster on September 7, 2018 11:14 PM |
This was a good week, all in all. I saw some classic films, caught one in the theater for the first time in ages, and caught up with the Doctor. Here are the details. Kin It's been awhile since I stepped inside a movie theater so I was excited to learn that my wife would be taking my child somewhere this past weekend giving me a chance to catch a new movie. Unfortunately, there wasn’t a whole lot showing that looked remotely interesting. I took a chance on Kin, knowing nothing about it. I should have stayed home and watched
kings of pastry,
stalag 17,
the conversation,
Doctor Who: The Three Doctors Special Edition DVD Review: Three Times The Fun
Book Review: The Art of Godzilla: King of the Monsters by Abbie Bernstein
2019 Dragon Ball World Tour Kicks Off at San Diego Comic-Con
Shazam! (2019) Blu-ray Review: DC Makes a Marvelous Movie
UglyDolls Blu-ray Combo Pack Giveaway
The Old Man and the Sea (1990) DVD Review: Anthony Quinn Gives an Excellent Performance
Klute is the Pick of the Week
IDW Announces Signing Schedule, Panels, and Exclusives for San Diego Comic-Con International 2019
High Life (2019) Blu-ray Review: Out of This World
© Cinema Sentries
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Home Academy of Accounting Historians 1
Accounting records of Quakers of West Falmouth, Massachusetts (1796-1860): An analysis
The Accounting Historians Journal Vol. 18, No. 2 December 1991
Jayne Fuglister CLEVELAND STATE UNIVERSITY and Robert Bloom JOHN CARROLL UNIVERSITY
Abstract: The village of West Falmouth, Massachusetts was settled in the 1660s by William Gifford and other Quakers who came there to avoid persecution. They lived relatively isolated from other settlers in the region. The accounting records of Prince Gifford, Jr. (1771-1853) and Prince Gifford Moore (1812-1885), descendants of William Gifford, are still in existence. This paper provides an analysis of these records, which reflect the simplicity, frugality, honesty, and equality of early West Falmouth Quakers. Littleton's antecedents of double-entry bookkeeping are applied to explain the use of the single-entry system of accounting by West Falmouth Quakers during the same period that Philadelphia Quakers were using the double-entry system.
This study examines accounting records of early American Quakers in West Falmouth, Massachusetts and analyzes the records within the context of the environmental conditions pre-vailing at the time the records were prepared. West Falmouth Quakers were semi-isolated compared to the Pennsylvania Quak-ers;1 and, accordingly, the records of the West Falmouth Quakers are considered likely to reflect the religious customs of Quakers in Colonial America. Additionally, West Falmouth Quaker account-
The authors are grateful for the assistance of Cecelia Lucinda Bowerman, and Harriet Quimby and Hannah Fitts of the Falmouth Historical Society for providing the records analyzed in this paper. Additionally, the authors thank two anonymous referees and Joe McKeon and Marilynn Collins for comments on this paper.
1Evidence that West Falmouth was settled mostly by Quakers, who were thus semi-isolated, is provided in Deyo [1890]:
"In 1678 lands were laid out at Oyster pond; also at Hog Island and great
Sipperwisset where the early settlers were William Gifford, Senior; Wil-
Title Accounting records of Quakers of West Falmouth, Massachusetts (1796-1860): An analysis
Author Fuglister, Jayne
Subject Quakers -- Massachusetts -- West Falmouth
Church finance -- Accounting
Account books -- History
Geographic Location West Falmouth (Mass.)
Abstract The village of West Falmouth, Massachusetts was settled in the 1660s by William Gifford and other Quakers who came there to avoid persecution. They lived relatively isolated from other settlers in the region. The accounting records of Prince Gifford, Jr. (1771-1853) and Prince Gifford Moore (1812-1885), descendants of William Gifford, are still in existence. This paper provides an analysis of these records, which reflect the simplicity, frugality, honesty, and equality of early West Falmouth Quakers. Littleton's antecedents of double-entry bookkeeping are applied to explain the use of the single-entry system of accounting by West Falmouth Quakers during the same period that Philadelphia Quakers were using the double-entry system.
Citation Accounting Historians Journal, 1991, Vol. 18, no. 2, pp. 133-154
Date-Issued 1991
Source Originally published by: Academy of Accounting Historians
Rights Copyright held by: Academy of Accounting Historians
Digital Publisher University of Mississippi Library. Accounting Collection
Date-Digitally Created 2005
Identifier ahj18-2-1991 p133-154
Description-Abstract The Accounting Historians Journal Vol. 18, No. 2 December 1991 Jayne Fuglister CLEVELAND STATE UNIVERSITY and Robert Bloom JOHN CARROLL UNIVERSITY ACCOUNTING RECORDS OF QUAKERS OF WEST FALMOUTH, MASSACHUSETTS (1796-1860): AN ANALYSIS Abstract: The village of West Falmouth, Massachusetts was settled in the 1660s by William Gifford and other Quakers who came there to avoid persecution. They lived relatively isolated from other settlers in the region. The accounting records of Prince Gifford, Jr. (1771-1853) and Prince Gifford Moore (1812-1885), descendants of William Gifford, are still in existence. This paper provides an analysis of these records, which reflect the simplicity, frugality, honesty, and equality of early West Falmouth Quakers. Littleton's antecedents of double-entry bookkeeping are applied to explain the use of the single-entry system of accounting by West Falmouth Quakers during the same period that Philadelphia Quakers were using the double-entry system. This study examines accounting records of early American Quakers in West Falmouth, Massachusetts and analyzes the records within the context of the environmental conditions pre-vailing at the time the records were prepared. West Falmouth Quakers were semi-isolated compared to the Pennsylvania Quak-ers;1 and, accordingly, the records of the West Falmouth Quakers are considered likely to reflect the religious customs of Quakers in Colonial America. Additionally, West Falmouth Quaker account- The authors are grateful for the assistance of Cecelia Lucinda Bowerman, and Harriet Quimby and Hannah Fitts of the Falmouth Historical Society for providing the records analyzed in this paper. Additionally, the authors thank two anonymous referees and Joe McKeon and Marilynn Collins for comments on this paper. 1Evidence that West Falmouth was settled mostly by Quakers, who were thus semi-isolated, is provided in Deyo [1890]: "In 1678 lands were laid out at Oyster pond; also at Hog Island and great Sipperwisset where the early settlers were William Gifford, Senior; Wil-
Accounting records of Quakers of West Falmouth,...
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Local Reporting: Paris as a Case Study
Blog post locations
Posted on March 24, 2017 April 6, 2017 by Marissa Rosenberg-Carlson
Telling the Story of Versailles
by Marissa Rosenberg-Carlson
To run Versailles, you have to be a journalist. Or so believes Catherine Pégard, the current president of the Château de Versailles, who spent most of her career as a political reporter. Her road to Versailles was uncommon. “In France, we aren’t used to having different lives. But I’m very lucky. This is my third life,” said Pégard in an interview with Princeton University students on Thursday. But Pégard feels the same qualities are required in journalism and at Versailles. “You must be curious and inventive,” she said. “You must know what [Versailles] is, understand what it is, and then you must tell the story,” she said.
Pégard began her journalistic career at age twenty-three in 1977. In 1982, she started writing for the weekly political magazine Le Point, of which she became editor-in-chief in 1995. When right-wing President Nicolas Sarkozy became president in 2007, he appointed her one of his advisors, she gave up journalism but kept its mindset. She saw herself as a “journalist for the President.” She observed politics closely, said exactly what she thought, and did not toe the party line. People criticized her for collaborating with politicians, but she insisted she remained independent. “I disagree with journalists who say, ‘I never have lunch with politicians because I don’t want to be influenced by them.’ That means you are weak. If you are strong enough, you can eat with anybody and think what you want,” she said.
When President Sarkozy nominated her to head Versailles in 2011, she brought this journalistic independence with her. Nominations to Versailles are usually political. Pégard’s was not. In 2016, Socialist President François Hollande took an uncommonly bipartisan stance to renew her contract. Entrusted with continuing to tell the story of Versailles, Pégard has sought to highlight how “Versailles is the root of everything in France.” The palace holds archives of political meetings, ceremonies, theater, painting, architecture, gardening, wars and revolutions. Still, history is not enough. In Pégard’s view, “you must think of what it was, but also what it is for the people of today. You can’t be in a dead museum.”
In Pégard’s journalistic mind, Versailles is a living thing. “Everything changes here depending on the light, depending on the season,” she said. The Hall of Mirrors is not her favorite place. “But if you are there at six o’clock in the afternoon when the light is pink, nothing else is like that,” she said. The Petit Trianon isn’t her favorite place, either. “But when you are alone in the theater of Marie Antoinette, you can imagine what she was when she was in the scene,” she said.
Just as Pégard has discovered beautiful moments at Versailles, she also humbles herself before the things she hasn’t yet discovered. She thinks she learned that from journalism. “I was not supposed to come here. When I arrived at Versailles, I didn’t know Versailles. I have everything to learn about it, and I am not finished,” she said. She probably never will be.
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Next PostNext Drama at the Petit Trianon
The Violin Kingdom May 16, 2017
A Journalist’s Paris: One Week Behind the Scenes May 8, 2017
Inside Rungis’ Meat Market: A Photo Essay April 2, 2017
Paris in the Rain April 1, 2017
Two and a Half Chinatowns March 26, 2017
Parisian Codes: Observed and Unobserved March 26, 2017
An Unexpected Melody March 26, 2017
Playing in the 19th March 26, 2017
Wandering as a flâneur (and staying in place) March 26, 2017
Rose, Eternal March 26, 2017
At Long Last, A Local Foreigner March 26, 2017
The Purposeful Flâneur March 26, 2017
A Room Full of Strangers March 26, 2017
Paris in the Sun March 26, 2017
Daydream in Blue March 26, 2017
The Unknown Importance of Marie Antoinette’s Chairs March 26, 2017
The Path of an Unconventional Leader: Catherine Pégard March 26, 2017
Defining “chic” March 24, 2017
The Many Faces of Versailles March 24, 2017
A Fisher Of Men March 24, 2017
No Secrets at Versailles March 24, 2017
Carmen Mariscal, a Mexican in Paris March 24, 2017
“Visitors Must Be Protected” March 24, 2017
Secrets of Versailles: Traces of the Gossip that Surrounded Marie Antoinette March 24, 2017
The Pineapple Express Makes a Stop at Versailles March 24, 2017
Living in the Present, Learning from the Past: Catherine Pégard March 24, 2017
Madame-President: Catherine Pégard March 24, 2017
To see Versailles in motion, try moving some furniture around March 24, 2017
The Many Lives of Catherine Pégard March 24, 2017
The Reporter in Chief March 24, 2017
Marie Antoinette’s Flowers March 24, 2017
It’s better (and worse) than you think: seeing politics from every side with Catherine Pégard March 24, 2017
Mirror, Mirrors on the Wall March 24, 2017
Drama at the Petit Trianon March 24, 2017
Telling the Story of Versailles March 24, 2017
Pégard, the Forever Journalist March 24, 2017
In Petit Trianon, a Respite from the Hordes March 24, 2017
A Taste for the Local March 22, 2017
Inside Rungis, a strange new (male?) world March 22, 2017
La Seduction 2.0 March 22, 2017
The Hidden Palace of Paris March 22, 2017
The Tumbleweeds March 22, 2017
A Secret Treat March 22, 2017
The Underground City of Paris March 22, 2017
This Latin American House is for the French March 21, 2017
Alissa Rubin: Humble on the Front Lines March 21, 2017
Learning about the Chinese diaspora in France March 21, 2017
A Key to (an Imagined) Paris March 21, 2017
Pissarro Illuminates Paris March 21, 2017
The French Order March 20, 2017
The Erotic Tomato March 20, 2017
The French put on an American Show March 20, 2017
The Good Market March 20, 2017
Public and Private, U.S. and France March 20, 2017
Going, Coming, and In-Between: Perspectives on French Culture March 20, 2017
Eyes Wide Open: Spotting Anomalies in the Luxembourg Gardens March 20, 2017
Ghosts of America March 20, 2017
Selfies at the Louvre March 20, 2017
On your right, notice the gates: seeing (and fearing) historic Paris, like the locals do March 20, 2017
Baby Swag! March 19, 2017
A Bloody Kiss March 19, 2017
Multi-faith Community in Seine-Saint-Denis March 19, 2017
Restoring Saint Denis March 19, 2017
An Attempt to Reinvent Seine-Saint-Denis March 19, 2017
The Warriors of the 93 March 19, 2017
The Sacred and the Profane March 19, 2017
Black Beauty as a Business in Seine-Saint-Denis March 19, 2017
In the Basilica of Saint-Denis, close quarters tell a story of power March 19, 2017
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72nd Governor of Virginia
Ralph Northam
Bob McDonnell
Chairman of the Democratic National Committee
February 3, 2001 – February 12, 2005
Ed Rendell (General Chairman)
Joe Andrew (National Chairman)
Terence Richard McAuliffe
(1957-02-09) February 9, 1957
Dorothy Swann (1988–present)
Executive Mansion, Richmond, Virginia (official)
McLean, Virginia (private)
Terence Richard "Terry" McAuliffe (; born February 9, 1957) is an American businessman and the 72nd Governor of Virginia.[1] He served as Chairman of the Democratic National Committee, from 2001 to 2005, was co-chairman of President Bill Clinton's 1996 re-election campaign, and was chairman of Hillary Clinton's 2008 presidential campaign. His first run for office was in the 2009 gubernatorial election, when he was an unsuccessful candidate for the Democratic nomination. In the 2013 gubernatorial election, he was unopposed in the Democratic primary. McAuliffe defeated Republican Ken Cuccinelli and Libertarian Robert Sarvis, in the general election, with 47.8% of the vote; Cuccinelli received 45.2% and Sarvis garnered 6.5%.[1] He assumed his gubernatorial duties on January 11, 2014.
1 Family and education
2 Business career
3 Fundraising career and relationship with the Clintons
4 Chairman of the Democratic National Committee
5 Post-DNC chairmanship
6 Virginia gubernatorial campaigns
7 Governor of Virginia
7.1 First actions
7.2 Healthcare reform
7.3 Economic development
8 Political positions
8.2 Education and healthcare
8.3 Energy and environmental issues
8.4 Gay rights
8.5 Gun rights
8.6 Taxes and spending
9.1 Memoir
10 Election history
McAuliffe, the son of Millie and Jack McAuliffe, was born and raised in Syracuse, New York.[2] His father was a real estate agent and local Democratic politician. The family is of Irish Catholic descent.[3][4][5]
He graduated from Juris Doctor degree in 1984.[7]
Business career
At age of 14, McAuliffe started his first business,[8] McAuliffe Driveway Maintenance, sealing driveways and parking lots. According to the The Washington Post, McAuliffe has "earned millions as a banker, real estate developer, home builder, hotel owner, and internet venture capitalist."[9]
In 1985, McAuliffe helped found the Federal City National Bank, a Washington, D.C.-based local bank.[10] In January 1988, when McAuliffe was thirty years old, the bank's board elected McAuliffe as chairman, making him the youngest chairman in the United States Federal Reserve Bank's charter association.[11] In 1991, McAuliffe negotiated a merger with Credit International Bank, which he called his "greatest business experience."[12] McAuliffe become the vice-chairman of the newly merged bank. Shareholders questioned if he was given special treatment; Chairman Richard V. Allen denied the allegation.[12][13]
In 1979, McAuliffe had met Richard Swann, a lawyer who was in charge of fundraising for Jimmy Carter's presidential campaign in Florida. In 1988, McAuliffe married Swann's daughter, Dorothy. McAuliffe invested $800,000 in Swann's American Pioneer Savings Bank, which was taken over In 1990 by federal regulators, causing Swann to file for bankruptcy. The Resolution Trust Corporation, a federal agency, took over American Pioneer's assets and liabilities.[12] Under Swann's guidance, McAuliffe purchased some of American Pioneer's real estate from the Resolution Trust Corporation. McAuliffe's equal partner in the deal was a pension fund controlled by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) and the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA). They purchased real estate, valued at $50 million, for $38.7 million;[12][14] McAuliffe received a 50% equity stake.[14] The deal was arranged by Jack Moore, a NECA trustee, and acquaintance of McAuliffe.[12][14] Next, McAuliffe acquired a distressed house-building company, American Heritage Homes, which had been buying real estate formerly owned by American Pioneer.[12] McAuliffe served as chairman of American Heritage along with CEO Carl H. Linder. The Florida-based company came out of distress under a plan in which it built 800 homes a year.[15]
In 1997, McAuliffe invested $100,000 in Global Crossing,[11] a Bermuda-registered telecommunications company.[16] Global Crossing went public in 1998.[17] In 1999, McAuliffe sold the majority of his holding for $8.1 million.[18]
In 2009, McAuliffe founded GreenTech Automotive, a holding company, which purchased Chinese electric car company EU Auto MyCar for $20 million in May 2010.[19] Later that year, McAuliffe relocated GreenTech's headquarters to McLean, Virginia. GreenTech subsequently announced plans to manufacture vehicles in Mississippi.[20][21] In December 2012, McAuliffe was questioned about the factory's location in Mississippi instead of Virginia. McAuliffe said he wanted to bring the factory to Virginia, but the Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP), the commonwealth's recruitment agency, chose not to bid on it.[22] Documents showed the VEDP was awaiting more information at the time it was announced the factory was being built in Mississippi.[22][23] In April 2013, McAuliffe announced his resignation from GreenTech to focus on his run for governor of Virginia. He no longer holds an ownership stake in the company.[24][25]
Fundraising career and relationship with the Clintons
McAuliffe had a prolific fundraising career within the Democratic Party, and a personal and political relationship with Bill and Hillary Clinton.[12] McAuliffe and his staff raised $275 million, then an unprecedented sum, for Clinton's causes while president. After Bill Clinton's tenure ended, McAuliffe loaned them $1.35 million for an apartment in Manhattan, New York City. The deal raised ethical questions.[26][27] In 2000, McAuliffe chaired a fundraiser with the Clintons; setting a fundraising record of $26.3 million.[28]
McAuliffe told The New York Times in 1999, "I've met all of my business contacts through politics. It's all interrelated." When he meets a new business contact, he continued, "then I raise money from them."[12] He acknowledged that success of his business dealings stemmed partly from his relationship with Bill Clinton, saying, "No question, that's a piece of it." He also credited his ties to former congressmen Dick Gephardt and Tony Coelho, his Rolodex of 5,000-plus names, and his ability to personally relate to people.[12] He told New York Times reporter Mark Leibovich in 2012 that his Rolodex held 18,632 names.[29]
In June 2000, as organizers of the 2000 Democratic National Convention (DNC) were scrambling to raise $7 million, McAuliffe was named chairman of the convention.[26]
In February 2001, McAuliffe was elected chairman of the DNC, and served until February 2005.[30] McAuliffe tried and failed to persuade his top rival, Maynard Jackson, to drop out of the race for chairman, but was still the heavy favorite.[31] During his tenure, the DNC raised $578 million, and emerged from debt for the first time in its history.[32]
In the period between the 2002 elections and the 2004 Democratic convention, the DNC rebuilt operations and intra-party alliances. McAuliffe worked to restructure the Democratic primary schedule, allowing Arizona, New Mexico, North Carolina and South Carolina to vote earlier; the move provided African-American and Hispanic communities greater power in presidential primaries. According to The Washington Post, the move bolstered United States Senator John Kerry's fund raising efforts.[33] The DNC rebuilt its headquarters, and created a computer database of more than 170 million potential voters known as "Demzilla".[34] Five-time presidential candidate Ralph Nader alleged that, during the 2004 presidential election, McAuliffe offered him cash to withdraw from certain pivotal states.[35] McAuliffe's staff admitted to conversations with Nader about his campaign, but denied offering him money.[35]
In January 2005, a few weeks before his term ended, McAuliffe earmarked $5 million of the party's cash to assist Tim Kaine and other Virginia Democrats in their upcoming elections. This donation was the largest non-presidential disbursement in DNC history, and was part of McAuliffe's attempt to prove Democratic viability in Southern states in the wake of the 2004 presidential election.[36] Kaine was successful in his bid, and served as the Governor of Virginia from 2006 to 2010.
Post-DNC chairmanship
McAuliffe was co-chairman of Hillary Clinton's 2008 presidential campaign,[37] and was one of her superdelegates at the 2008 Democratic National Convention.[38]
In 2012, he was a visiting fellow at Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government. In addition to several faculty and student lectures, McAuliffe hosted a segment entitled, "The Making of a Candidate: From Running Campaigns to Running on my Own."[39]
McAuliffe was an adviser at ZeniMax Media.[40][41]
Virginia gubernatorial campaigns
On November 10, 2008, McAuliffe formed an exploratory committee aimed at the Virginia gubernatorial election in 2009.[42] According to The Washington Post, McAuliffe believed he would prevail "because he [could] campaign as a business leader who can bring jobs to Virginia."[42] He also cited his ability to raise money for down-ticket Democratic candidates.[42]
McAuliffe's political team included campaign manager Mike Henry, senior strategist Mo Elleithee, and communications director Delacey Skinner.[43] McAuliffe raised over $7.5 million during the campaign, and donated an additional $500,000 to himself.[44][45]
In the primary election, McAuliffe faced two high-profile Democrats, State Senator Creigh Deeds, the 2005 Democratic nominee for the Attorney General of Virginia, and Brian Moran, a former Virginia House of Delegates Minority Leader. On June 9, 2009, McAuliffe placed second with 26% of the vote; Deeds received 50% and Moran garnered 24%.[46][47]
On November 8, 2012, McAuliffe emailed supporters announcing his intention to run for Governor of Virginia in 2013. In his email he stated, "It is absolutely clear to me that Virginians want their next Governor to focus on job creation and common sense fiscal responsibility instead of divisive partisan issues."[48]
On April 2, 2013, McAuliffe became the Democratic nominee; no Democrat challenged him.[49] He campaigned against Republican candidate Ken Cuccinelli and Libertarian candidate Robert Sarvis. He received 47.8% of the vote; Cuccinelli collected 45.2% and Sarvis garnered 6.5%.[1]
Governor of Virginia
First actions
McAuliffe took the oath of office on January 11, 2014. Following the ceremony, McAuliffe signed four executive orders, including one instituting a one-year ban on gifts over $100 to members of the administration,[50] and an order prohibiting discrimination against state employees for sexual orientation and gender identity.[51] The other executive orders dealt with government continuity.[51]
After his plans to expand Medicaid were blocked by the GOP-controlled House of Delegates, McAuliffe unveiled his own plan, "A Healthy Virginia." He authorized four emergency regulations and issued one executive order that allowed for use of federal funds.[52] McAuliffe’s hope for full expansion ended when Virginia General Assembly Senator, Phillip Puckett (D-Russell), resigned. This led to Republicans taking control of the chamber. The move triggered investigations into the circumstances surrounding Puckett’s resignation, but no charges were filed.[53]
In addition to healthcare reform, a major initiative of the McAuliffe administration over the first year was economic development, with McAuliffe using his business and political contacts to close deals for the commonwealth.[54] He helped close a deal to bring Stone Brewing to Richmond[55] and landed a $2 billion paper plant in the Richmond suburbs. McAuliffe also helped broker a deal with the Corporate Executive Board to locate its global headquarters in Arlington which created 800 new jobs.[56] McAuliffe also worked deals to restore service in Norfolk from Carnival Cruise Lines and Air China service to Dulles International Airport.[57]
McAuliffe was among those who supported the bipartisan transportation bill that passed the General Assembly in 2013. He is in favor of the Silver Line, which would expand Metrorail services into Northern Virginia.[58]
In 2013, McAuliffe said he supports "keeping existing Virginia laws on when abortions are legal."[59] He opposes new state health and safety regulations on abortion clinics.[60][61]
Education and healthcare
McAuliffe has spoken extensively on workforce development, with education proposals being funded through savings from the proposed Medicaid expansion.[62]
McAuliffe supports the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare. He supports expanding Medicaid, arguing that Virginia should get back the money it sends to Washington in taxes.[59]
Energy and environmental issues
McAuliffe has declined to go into detail on his stance on many of his own views on energy and environmental policy, sticking to broad outlines.[63] McAuliffe believes human activity has contributed to global warming, and characterizes clean energy as a national security issue.[64] He supports reducing dependence on foreign oil through investment in technologies such as carbon capture and storage, solar farms, and offshore wind turbines.[64][65] McAuliffe was endorsed by both billionaire environmentalist Tom Steyer and the League of Conservation Voters.[63][66]
In his 2009 campaign, McAuliffe said, "I want to move past coal. As governor, I never want another coal plant built."[67] In his 2013 campaign, McAuliffe claimed to support tougher safety requirements on coal plants.[59] He also announced his support for the Environmental Protection Agency's proposed reduction in coal plant licensing.[68] However, McAuliffe has expressed his support for exporting coal to countries like China and South Korea.[69]
In his 2009 bid for governor, McAuliffe said he opposed offshore drilling, but in 2013, he changed his position and now supports offshore drilling in Virginia, saying he has "learned more about offshore drilling from experts in Virginia."[70]
McAuliffe supports same-sex marriage, and supported the U.S. Supreme Court rulings in June 2013, which deemed the Defense of Marriage Act as unconstitutional.[71]
McAuliffe supports universal background checks, an assault weapons ban, and limiting gun purchases to one a month. In January 2013, he purchased a shotgun for the purpose of skeet shooting.[72]
McAuliffe supports eliminating several business taxes, such as the business professional license tax, and using revenue from local government taxes to make up the difference.[73]
McAuliffe married Dorothy Swann, the daughter of one of his business partners, in 1988. They have five children together, four of whom attend the Potomac School in McLean, Virginia.[74] McAuliffe resides in McLean, Virginia, near Odricks Corner.
Terry McAuliffe's memoir, What a Party! My Life Among Democrats: Presidents, Candidates, Donors, Activists, Alligators, and Other Wild Animals, was published in 2007 with Steve Kettmann, and made the New York Times Best Seller List, debuting at #5 in February 2007.[75] The Washington Post called it a "A rollicking ride through the world of celebrity, fundraising and politics that certainly entertains” while The Miami Herald said, “Terry McAuliffe delights in this laugh-out-loud look at American politics.”[76]
Among anecdotes told in the memoir was McAuliffe wrestling an eight-foot, 260-pound alligator for three minutes to secure a $15,000 contribution for President Jimmy Carter in 1980.[77] McAuliffe and the alligator would appear on the cover of Life magazine.[77] Others included hunting with King Juan Carlos of Spain, golf outings with the President and reviving the Democratic National Convention.[78]
However, the book attracted negative publicity during McAuliffe's 2013 gubernatorial race.[79] In the book, McAuliffe wrote about the September 11 attacks and his experiences in the Democratic National Committee office immediately after.[80] He recalled, "I was one of our party's most visible spokesmen, and I had to keep a low profile after the attacks. I was like a caged rat. I couldn't travel. I couldn't make political calls. I couldn't make money calls."[81] Despite the negative publicity, McAuliffe has not backed away from it, using What a Party to introduce himself to voters.[79]
Virginia gubernatorial election, 2013[82]
Democratic Terry McAuliffe 1,069,859 47.75% +6.49%
Republican Ken Cuccinelli 1,013,355 45.23% −13.38%
Libertarian Robert Sarvis 146,084 6.52% +6.52%
Write-ins 11,091 0.50%
Plurality 56,504 2.52% −14.86%
Turnout 2,240,379 100.00%
Democratic gain from Republican Swing
^ a b c d e f g h i
^ Clinton's Home Loan Deal Raises Questions The Washington Post
^ Terry McAuliffe and the Other Green Party, nytimes.com, July 22, 2012; accessed November 13, 2014.
^ a b c Craig, Tim. "McAuliffe Takes Steps To Run for Va. Governor". The Washington Post. Page B01. November 11, 2008.
^ Kumar, Anita. "McAuliffe Announces Staff". The Washington Post. January 5, 2009.
^ EO-2: Personnel Directive Prohibiting the Receipt of Certain Gifts; Establishment of Executive Branch Ethics Commission
^ a b Terry McAuliffe, Virginia's 72nd governor, signs new executive orders following swearing in
^ a b McAuliffe walks tightrope on energy issues in the Virginia governor’s race The Washington Post
^ "An Awkward Day to Be Terry McAuliffe", National Journal; accessed November 13, 2014.
^ "McAuliffe's Claim Jump on Coal", time.com, June 28, 2013; accessed November 13, 2014.
^ Terry McAuliffe says he supports EPA rules on coal-fired plants The Roanoke Times
^ McAuliffe blows hot and cold on coal Richmond Times Dispatch/Politifact
^ Terry McAuliffe, Ken Cuccinelli tax plan sparks local revolts Politico
Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe official government site
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Sport Tennis France Croatia
Davis Cup: Mahut and Herbert give France a chance
By Paul Myers Issued on 24-11-2018 Modified 24-11-2018 to 19:04
Nicolas Mahut (left) and Pierre-Hugues Herbert won France's first point of the 2018 Davis Cup final against Croatia. REUTERS/Pascal Rossignol
Nicolas Mahut and Pierre-Hugues Herbert threw France a Davis Cup lifeline on Saturday with a four set win over Croatia‘s Mate Pavic and Ivan Dodig.
Ardently supported by the vast majority of the 23,000 fans inside the Pierre Mauroy Stadium, Mahut and Herbert showed grit to survive the first break point of the encounter.
The duo then broke to lead 4-3 and held on to take France’s first set of the final 6-4.
They took the second by the same score. And the pair who have three Grand Slam doubles titles appeared to be in cruise control after 90 minutes when they went a break up in the third set.
But from 3-1, the Frenchmen lost five consecutive games. Croatia won the third set 6-3 and gained hope.
The fourth set was a tight affair. And the tension mounted at the business end of proceedings. Pavic displayed nerve to save three consecutive match points on his way to levelling at 5-5.
It was to no avail. Herbert and Mahut dominated the subsequent tiebreak seven points to three to give France their first point of the final after the opening day mauling in which they lost both singles matches.
"My job is to visualise a positive outcome and win the whole thing," said France captain Yannick Noah after the doubles victory.
"No team has come from two down since 1939. But we're used to his. Every time the French win something, it's the first time in 40 years this and 50 years that.
"When I won the French Open in 1983, it was the first time in 37 years and so on.
"But we can't think about that. We have to think about a very difficult mountain that we have to climb against two great players."
While Croatia are likely to field their world number seven, Marin Cilic and the 12th ranked Borna Coric in Sunday's singles matches, Noah said he would reveal his line-up just before the start of play.
Sunday will be the last time five set matches are played in the Davis Cup and at a partisan venue.
From 2019, the event will be renamed the Davis Cup finals and be contested by 18 teams at a neutral site over seven days.
There will be three instead of five matches and their length will be reduced from the best of five to the best of three.
"Coric and Cilic were so superior on the first day that we couldn't really get the crowd involved," added Noah.
"We're playing at home and when the crowd are involved it can be positive for us and negative for the opponents. We don't know what's going to happen but we're pleased to make it to the last day."
Davis Cup: France face day of destiny …
Davis Cup: Croatia bossed France, says …
Davis Cup: Coric says he's sound of …
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The purpose of this page is to facilitate a discussion about the choice of Copyright, or, as it were, the kind of Copyleft that AktiviX as a collective will use for this Wiki. The GPL and the associated [http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html GNU Free Documentation License] has been very successful for [http://www.kernel.org Linux], other Free/Libre Open Source Software (F/LOSS) "tribes" resting upon licensing model permutations of the GPL, such as the [http://www.apache.org Apache Software Foundation] have also been successfull and are essential elements of Cyberspace. The Apache software is run on [http://news.netcraft.com/archives/web_server_survey.html almost 70%] of all the world's webservers. The sky is wide open for experimentations and the elaborations of Copyleft licenses by the Creative Commons project show that articulations of property rights in a Global Information Society can take an infinite variety of forms only limited by our own imaginations (and political repression and corruption, of course)! If code is law and the architecture liquid it should be possible to build anything?
A copyright license can take many forms. Copyright, as a concept, is related to rights in general and to property rights in particular. Property rights are about social organisation: how can people relate to each other and to the objects that surround them? There is a comprehensive overview of conventional theories of property on [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Property_rights Wikipedia]. Colloquial language suggests that property is a thing or an object; but property rights are not really objects as such. Rather property rights should be understood as some sort of articulations that makes it possible for people to live together without too much friction in a material world. Property rights such as those used in the liberal/capitalist market economy are based on exclusion: if this is my car it is my right to exclude you from using it (and a whole range of other stipulations and restrictions, as well as permissions are possible for the proprietor). The Free Software concept of property rights, or the Free Software configuration of ownership is different. The genius of the basic Free Software document, which is in effect the constitution of the Free Software community, namely the GNU General Public Licence (or simply [http://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-faq.html the GPL]), is that it subverts the exclusionary logic of private property rights and bases its property rights (in this case copyright) around distribution instead (see for instance [http://brie.berkeley.edu/~briewww/people/SWChapter%201final.pdf this paper (.pdf))]. That is the concept of [http://www.gnu.org/philosophy/why-copyleft.html Copyleft]. Copyleft is a particular Copyright. It is radically different, but it is a Copyright, since it deals with issues that a creator or inventor may have with her work.
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Leave Your Legacy
Ed. Owen – Geo. Coates Fund
Apr 25, 1964 | Excellence Funds & Program Support
The Ed. Owen – Geo. Coates Fund was established by the Board of Regents of The University of Texas System on April 25, 1964, for the benefit of the Jackson School of Geosciences. Gift funds were provided by George Hunter Coates of San Antonio, Texas.
Edgar Wesley Owen was born June 20, 1896 in Hunstsville, Ark. In 1910 his family moved to Marietta, Ohio, where his maternal grandfather was an oil operator. Owen attended Marietta Academy from 1910 to 1912; then he switched to Denison College and received a BA degree in 1915. He attended the University of Missouri and received his Master’s degree in 1916 on a project that started with his summer field course at the U of M. His first job was with the precursor to Cities Service Oil Co. mapping surface geology in Kansas and Oklahoma with a plane table and alidade in the search for anticlines.
Two years later Owen joined Greenwood Oil Co. He was drafted into the army in 1918, but served only a few months before being discharged. Unsuccessful at job hunting after the war, he reentered Denison until joining an independent oilman, Mr. Keys. In 1927, he became the chief geology advisor for Lew Wentz, a major Texas oilman, a position he held for many years. In 1929, Owen and his wife, Ollie, moved to San Antonio, which became their lifelong home.
Owen enlisted in the US Army Air Corps in 1941 and served in New Guinea and Australia in the photographic intelligence division. Attaining the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, he was awarded four campaign ribbons, five battle stars, a distinguished unit citation, and the Legion of Merit. His geologic experience with maps and aerial photos served him well in his military career.
In 1952, Owen joined UT Austin as a lecturer to handle some of Ronald DeFord’s classes while DeFord was out of the country. He moderated Technical Sessions, helped organize a History of Geology course soon to be required of all PhD students, and participated in graduate seminars. Owen provided counseling to students and spouses on the lifestyles and demands on petroleum geologists and their families. He harped on the need for professionalism and ethics in the oil business and encouraged students to learn all the basic sciences and geologic principles before starting a career as a geologist.
Owen also encouraged all geology graduate students to join the American Association of Petroleum Geologists as another way of fostering professionalism. He untiringly commuted from San Antonio to Austin twice a week until his “retirement” from departmental activities in 1976. He refused a salary from UT Austin during his entire tenure.
Owen also supported the department by his service on the Geology Foundation Advisory Council. He served from 1956 until 1970 as a regular member of the council and later as an honorary life member. He was a valuable councilor because he knew the inner workings of the department, its problems and goals.
Owen received an honorary doctorate from Denison University in 1962, and in 1964 the AAPG awarded him its greatest honor, the Sidney Powers Medal.
The History of Geology course that Owen helped initiate at UT Austin led to the compilation, with a few other collaborators, of a 1600-page documentary named Trek of The Oil Finders, a memoir volume published by the AAPG in 1975. In 1987 many of Ed Owen’s recollections, written thoughts, and a few poems, edited principally by long-time friend Sam Ellison, were published under the title The Flavor of Ed Owen- A Geologist Looks Back.
Owen died in February 1981.
Endowment Categories
Excellence Funds & Program Support
Katherine Robison Klimowicz Memorial Scholarship for the Longhorn Band
Honoring a dear friend and spirited musician whose commitment to teaching music will create opportunities for future generations of students.
Charls and Harmolyn Walker Excellence Funds
Honoring lives of extraordinary commitment to public service.
Maruvada Mukhalinga Sastry & Maruvada Lakshmi Devi Endowed Excellence Fund for Telugu Studies
This endowment honors generations of an extended family deeply connected by love, culture, tradition and education.
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Learn more at giving.utexas.edu
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HOME >> ARCHIVE >> STATE COUNCIL GAZETTE
State Council Gazette Issue No. 17 Serial No. 1664 (June 20, 2019)
Updated: Jun 20,2019 9:16 AM english.gov.cn
• Working Together to Create a Better Future for China-Russia Relations in the New Era
— Speech at the Gathering Marking the 70th Anniversary of the Establishment of the China-Russia Diplomatic Relations — Xi Jinping
• Forging Ahead with Sustainable Development and Making Joint Efforts to Create a More Prosperous and Beautiful World
— Speech at the Plenary Session of the 23rd St. Petersburg International Economic Forum — Xi Jinping
• Circular of the General Office of the State Council on Printing and Issuing the Program for the Reform of Dividing Fiscal Management Powers and Expenditure Responsibilities between Central and Local Governments in the Science and Technology Sector
— Program for the Reform of Dividing Fiscal Management Powers and Expenditure Responsibilities between Central and Local Governments in the Science and Technology Sector
• Circular of the General Office of the State Council on Printing and Issuing the Program for the Reform of Dividing Fiscal Management Powers and Expenditure Responsibilities between Central and Local Governments in the Education Sector
— Program for the Reform of Dividing Fiscal Management Powers and Expenditure Responsibilities between Central and Local Governments in the Education Sector
• Circular of the General Office of the State Council on Printing and Issuing the Key Work for Deepening the Reform to the Pharmaceutical and Healthcare System in 2019
— Key Work for Deepening the Reform to the Pharmaceutical and Healthcare System in 2019
• Official Reply of the State Council on Continuing to Conduct Pilot Programs for Reform of Examination and Approval of Investments in Public Service Construction Projects in Beijing
• Decree of the Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China, the State Administration for Market Regulation and the National Health Commission of the People’s Republic of China (No. 45)
— Provisions on Administration of Food Safety, Nutrition and Health in Schools
• Decree of the Ministry of Transport of the People’s Republic of China (No. 7, 2019)
— Provisions on the Internal Audit Work in the Sector of Highway and Waterway Transportation
• Decree of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of the People’s Republic of China (No. 1, 2019)
— Catalogue of Protected Varieties of Agricultural Plants of the People’s Republic of China (the 11th Batch)
• Decree of the National Health Commission of the People’s Republic of China (No. 2)
— Decision of the National Health Commission on Amending Four Departmental Rules including the Measures for Administration of Occupational Health Examination
• Circular of the National Development and Reform Commission on Printing and Issuing the Interim Measures for Administration of Special Investment Projects within the Central Budget in the Construction of Urban Drainage Facilities
— Interim Measures for Administration of Special Investment Projects within the Central Budget in the Construction of Urban Drainage Facilities
• Circular of the National Development and Reform Commission, the National Health Commission, and the State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine on Revising, Printing and Issuing the Measures for Administration of Local Medical and Health Construction Projects with Investment Subsidies from the Central Budget
— Measures for Administration of Local Medical and Health Construction Projects with Investment Subsidies from the Central Budget
• Circular of the Ministry of Water Resources on Revising, Printing and Issuing the Measures for Administration and Assessment of Water Conservancy Projects and Relevant Assessment Standards
— Measures for Administration and Assessment of Water Conservancy Projects
• Guiding Opinions of the People’s Bank of China, the China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission, the China Securities Regulatory Commission, the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs on Further Improving Financial Services for Rural Revitalization
• Circular of the People’s Bank of China and the State Administration of Foreign Exchange on Printing and Issuing the Measures for Administration of Equity Incentive Funds for Foreign Employees of Domestic Listed Companies
— Measures for Administration of Equity Incentive Funds for Foreign Employees of Domestic Listed Companies
• Circular of the State Administration for Market Regulation, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, the Ministry of Commerce, the General Administration of Customs and the State Administration of Taxation on Facilitating Deregistration of Enterprises
• Circular of the State Administration for Market Regulation on Promoting the Work of Supervision in an All-around Way Combining Randomly Selected Inspectors, Randomly Selected Targets and Prompt Release of Results
• Appointments and Removals Made by the State Council of the People’s Republic of China
State Council Gazette Issue No. 15 Serial No. 1662 (May 30, 2019)
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Israeli tanks, aircraft target Hamas positions in Gaza Strip
20/04/2019 Politics 107 Views
GAZA/PNN/
IOF has launched artillery and aerial attacks on positions belonging to Hamas movement of Hamas in the Gaza Strip borders with Israel.
According to Palestinian security sources speaking to media, the Israeli occupation attacks struck the military observation posts of the resistance group at three locations along the fence separating Gaza from the occupied territories on Friday.
The sources said no casualties had been reported.
Israel’s military claimed that the attacks had been conducted after shots were fired from the besieged enclave at Israeli troops on the other side of the fence. “No injuries to soldiers were reported,” the Israeli army said in a statement.
Meanwhile, Palestinians in the Gaza Strip continued to protest along the fence in Gaza on Friday.
Ashraf al-Qedra, the spokesman for the Gazan Health Ministry, said that Israeli forces injured 42 Palestinians, including five paramedics and four journalists, in eastern Gaza during the latest protests.
More than 270 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces ever since anti-occupation protest rallies began in the Gaza Strip on March 30, 2018. Over 16,000 Palestinians have also sustained injuries.
The blockade has caused a decline in living standards as well as unprecedented unemployment and poverty.
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Abelard and Rhetoric: Widows and Virgins at the Paraclete
Flynn, W (2014) Abelard and Rhetoric: Widows and Virgins at the Paraclete. In: Rethinking Abelard: A Collection of Critical Essays. Brill's Studies in Intellectual History, 229 . Brill , Boston, Massachusetts, USA , pp. 153-186. ISBN 978-90-04-26270-6
Peter Abelard's reputation as a teacher was based mainly on his mastery of dialectic, and his censure was based, in part, on the confidence with which he maintained that dialectical analysis could help determine the truth of any statement, there is ample evidence that he gradually came to value rhetoric as an equally necessary art. In short, the sermon preface, when its form and content are fully considered, reveals itself not only to be a display of highly rhetorical prose, it also indicates that the sermons are part of a larger rhetorical project that includes Abelard's other contributions to the Paraclete's rationale, organisation, and liturgical life, all of which were instituted under his and Heloise's joint leadership. Abelard's construction of all nuns as widows was designed to create a shared communal identity, he seems also to have been keenly aware that the standard rhetoric exalting virgins could undermine Heloise's authority.
Flynn, W
© 2014, Koninklijke Brill NV, Leiden. This is an author produced version of a paper published in Rethinking Abelard: A Collection of Critical Essays. Uploaded in accordance with the publisher's self-archiving policy.
Heloise; liturgical life; Paraclete; Peter Abelard; widows
The University of Leeds > Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Cultures (Leeds) > School of History (Leeds)
Brill's Studies in Intellectual History
https://doi.org/10.1163/9789004262713_009
Filename: Abelard and Rhetoric.pdf
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Dream Act 2013
Where Dreams Come True!
Bringing Hope & Promise To Our Children -
The Future of America
Welcome to the Dream Act of 2013! Providing up-to-date information and resources on the anticipated 2013 Dream Act & Immigration Reform Bills to bring legalization to millions of immigrant children and adults across America. The Obama Administration's "Deferred Action" Childhood Arrivals Program was the first step. Now, finally, after so many years, the political landscape is right for a long-awaited immigration initiative with broad bi-partisan support to overhaul the entire U.S. Immigration system. Most importantly, this new legislation promises to permanently bring our immigrant children "out of the shadows" to pursue thier hope and dreams, attend college, undertake military service and live the American Dream! Remember that your support for Comprehensive Immigration Reform is very important, so please click on this link to Contact your Congressional Representatives and express your support for the DREAM ACT of 2013!
Overview of the DREAM Act
The 2013 Dream Act is expected to be re-introduced by both chambers of Congress in January 2013, just shortly after the President's Inauguration.
The original Bill, called the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act (The "DREAM Act") was first introduced in the US Congress in 2001, with the last Bill introduced in both the Senate and House in 2011.
Over time, there have been various versions of the original legislation, which was proposed to provide millions of immigrant children who graduated from U.S. High Schools, the opportunity to receive U.S. Residency (a "Green Card") after so many years of being left in the shadows by State and Federal laws. The 2013 Dream Act is expected to provide immigration benefits to those who arrived in the United States as children, before the age of 16 and who have been residing in the U.S. continuously for at least five years prior to the Bill being enacted into Law.
In recent years, the DREAM Act failed to pass in 2009 and even though Senator Reid brought it up to the floor twice: the first time, pre-midterm election 2010 where it died with a defense authorization bill; and the second, in December 2010, when it fell five votes short of passing.
In 2011, Democtrats in both the House and Senate re-introduced the DREAM Act. The House passed the Bill, but the Republican opposition killed the Bill in the Senate.
READ ARTICLE ABOUT THE DEATH OF THE BILL IN THE SENATE
CLICK BELOW TO READ THE 2011 BILLS:
HOUSE BILL (H.R.1842): Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors Act of 2011
SENATE BILL (S.952): Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors Act of 2011
Click Here To See What Wikipedia Says About The Dream Act
Click Below Links to Read Recent News About the 2011 Dream Act Bill
The 2009 Bill had very generous provisions, giving children who qualified the opportunity to "earn" Permanent Residency. This meant that students would be issued temporary Residency for a period of six years, which was conditioned upon meeting certain educational or military requirements. Within the six year temporary Residency period, a qualified student must have attend college, and earned at least a two year degree (AA), or served in the U.S. Military for two years in order to maintain immigration benefits. Once the immigrant had met all of the conditions at the end of the 6-year conditional period, they would be granted Permanent Residency, which would lead to U.S. citizenship. However, if the student did not comply with either the college requirement or military service requirement, the temporary Residency would have been taken away and student would have been subjected to deportation
In 2011, the re-introduced Bills were more conservative, in line with the more restrictive Bill which had previously died in the Senate in December 2010. The following were the main requirments for qualification:
General Requirements:
Under the 2011 DREAM Act which died in the Senate in December 2011, immigrants could qualify in part, by meeting the following requirements:
- Must be between the ages of 12 and 30 at the time the Law is enacted
- Must have arrived in the United States before the age of 16
- Must have resided continuously in the United States for a least five (5) consecutive years since the date of their arrival
- Must have graduated from a U.S. High School, or obtained a General Education Diploma (GED)
- Must have "Good moral character" (no criminal convictions)
Current Immigration Laws Regarding Immigrant Children:
Under current immigtation regulations, children who immigrate to the United States from another country can only obtain permanent status through their parents and may not independently apply for Residency. Such children are allowed to attend and complete public education, but upon graduation, are not allowed to attend college in many States. Further, without proof of legal immigration status, such children are generally not issued Driver's Licenses, Social Security cards and cannot legally work.
Background of the Dream Act pre2011:
Several different versions of the Dream Act were introduced into Congress in 2001, 2005 , 2007 and 2009, but never made it to passage.
Much of the Dream Act text was also made part of several other failed immigration-related bills, including the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2006 and the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2007 . The failure of the past immigration reform efforts was largely blamed on Republicans, who generally opposed immigration reform. However, since President Obama's re-election in 2012, even the staunchest formerly anti-immigration conservatives seem to be coming on board and agreeing that there needs to be a final solution for Dreamers and other immigrants in the U.S. to legalize their status in 2013.
The 2013 Dream Act is expected to be re-introduced by both chambers of Congress in January 2013, just shortly after the President's Inauguration. We will provide the full text of the new Bill and related links as soon as they become available.
Be sure to follow the Links on the toolbar for Recent News, Immigration Newsletter and valuable Resouces.
Videos About the
DREAM ACT of 2011
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Visitors To This Site:
Congressional Updates
Attorneys & Legal Resources
Website Designed by Dream Act of 2009 © 2009 at Homestead™ hair building fiber
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07/27 Links Pt1: Palestinian Authority TV Lauds President Abbas' Holocaust Denial PhD Thesis; UNRWA Complains About Funding While Training Children to Wage War
MEMRI: Palestinian Authority TV Lauds President Abbas' Holocaust Denial PhD Thesis, Terror Attacks Launched From Lebanon
The official Palestinian Authority TV channel broadcast a bio-documentary on President Mahmoud Abbas. The show presented his Ph.D. dissertation from the Russian Institute of Oriental Studies, claiming that he had "exposed the relations between the global Zionist organization and the Nazi regime." In a book, published on the basis of the dissertation, Abbas claimed that the number of victims in the Holocaust was less than one million. The PA TV program included an interview with Dr. Khadr Al-Zufairi, a personal friend of Abbas, who praised his oratory skills and said that Abbas had presented 93 documents to prove his claims. Later in the show, the channel lauded Dalal Al-Mughrabi, who led the 1978 Coastal Road terrorist attack in Israel, and other terrorists who launched "heroic operations" from Lebanon, saying that they "embodied the epitome of martyrdom in occupied Palestine." The program aired on July 20, 2018.
"When [Mahmoud Abbas] Headed The Palestinian-Soviet Friendship Foundation, He Was Working On A Ph.D. Dissertation, Which He Later Published As An Important Book, Titled: The Other Side: The Secret Relationship Between Nazism And Zionism"
Narrator: "When [Mahmoud Abbas] headed the Palestinian-Soviet Friendship Foundation, he was working on a Ph.D. dissertation, which he later published as an important book, titled: The Other Side: The Secret Relationship between Nazism and Zionism. In the book, Abbas presented documents exposing the relations between the global Zionist organization and the Nazi regime, and the agreements between the Zionists and the Nazis, especially the Haavara Agreement. The Hebrew word ['Haavara'] means 'transfer.'"
Khadr Al-Zufairi: "The dissertation committee consisted of 27 professors. There was an unexpectedly large attendance. People were asking one another: How come so many people have come? That dissertation was unusual – even its title was unusual for the Russians. Anyway, the custom is that when a student defends his dissertation, he is allowed to write three or four pages of notes to read from. Abbas had only one page, with the main points, and he started speaking. The translator was from the Institute of Oriental Studies. He was fluent in both Arabic and Russian. He lectured, defending his dissertation, improvising as he spoke... Abbas is a very eloquent and capable speaker. He defended his dissertation.
"Then the head of the committee of the Institute of Oriental Studies asked him: 'Do you have any documents that prove what you are saying?' [Abbas] picked up the documents next to him and said: 'I have 93 documents to prove what I'm saying.' He read out an abstract of the first document, then the next, and so on. He even had documents that he had managed to get from Israel. Anyway, he finished with distinction, and the Institute of Oriental Studies asked to print the dissertation as a book in Russian."
UNRWA Complains About Funding While Training Children to Wage War
Over the past month, reports have circulated that members of the US House of Representatives’ Middle East Subcommittee have raised concerns that humanitarian aid is not reaching the Palestinian population, especially in Gaza.
In response, the Center for Near East Policy Research (CFNEPR) contacted 44 donor nations that contribute humanitarian aid to the Palestinian population in Gaza through UNRWA in order to determine if any had cut back on their donations. With the exception of the US, which has cut back on 20% of its donations, every single donor nation responded emphatically that they are not cutting one penny in aid to UNRWA.
Therefore, UNRWA currently has $1.2 billion to spend on the people supposed to benefit from its health, education, and welfare programs in Gaza, Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, Lebanon, Jordan, and Syria.
Despite this, UNRWA proclaims to the media that it is bereft of resources to provide basic services. The organization’s media adviser Adnan Abu Hasna declared that UNRWA lacks basic food products and the people of Gaza “have nothing to lose,” adding “we don’t know yet whether school will open in the coming year. … We’re talking about 300,000 students who need to go to school.”
So why does UNRWA claim that it does not have funds for humanitarian needs?
The answer may lie with Hamas, the terror group that has controlled the UNRWA workers and teachers associations in Gaza since 1999.
It was our turn in Adam
When the gunshots rang out we didn't panic, but for the wrong reasons. Every evening the sounds of gunfire bursts and firecracker explosions from the nearby Arab villages pierce the air. These villages are trapped between Jerusalem's municipal territory and the separation fence, and no one enforces the law in them. Thus, on Thursday evening when a few friends and I were mingling in the plaza outside the local synagogue, we didn't imagine that a tragedy had befallen the community of Adam.
The person I was talking to in that moment had lost his daughter just three weeks ago due to a rare amniotic fluid embolism. The daughter died, the baby granddaughter was saved, and the entire community, thousands of people, came to mourn and grieve with him. No one was thinking of terror or anything related. Around five minutes later, when a security vehicle sped past us, we understood something had happened. Even then, and perhaps it will sound strange, I assumed it was a criminal incident.
I ran home to the kids. One wasn't home but we soon learned he was with neighbors. We locked the doors and waited for things to unfold. My phone soon began vibrating with rapidly incoming reports and updates. A long hour later, we still couldn't get any information about who had been hurt.
The minutes passed and slowly the mind shifted to the realization that we too, in Adam, had come under a terrorist infiltration attack. For years we had been very worried about it. The community guard group had run hundreds of drills to defend against such an attack; they were rushed to the fence dozens of times due to infiltrations, which later emerged as criminal incidents or just a stray animal. This time it was real.
Adam resident after terror attack: 'It could have been a killing spree'
Daniel Nadav walked out of his house to investigate what he believed was a neighbor’s brawl and found himself in the middle of a terror attack.
If not for the quick reaction of his neighbors, Nadav said, “it would have been a killing spree.”
The terrorist was later identified as Mohammed Yusuf, 17, from the village of Kober. He had passed a Beduin encampment on his way to the settlement, whose members understood that he was suspicious and tried to stop him.
They alerted the Adam community, but not before Yusuf had managed to jump over the security fence and make his way into the settlement.
Nadav was in his home, at the end of a small cul-de-sac on a street that was more like a long driveway on the edge of the Adam settlement when the attack occurred.
“I was home. You see the lights? That is where I live. I heard screams. I walked out. At first I didn’t understand what was happening,” Nadav said.
He continued one or two homes down the small street and saw Yusuf, who was wearing jeans and a white T-shirt, stabbing the neighbor in his yard.
The struggle took place literally on the man’s doorstep.
Eulogizing terror victim Yotam Ovadia at funeral, ministers lay blame on PA
A pair of Israeli lawmakers eulogizing Yotam Ovadia at his funeral Friday afternoon laid blame on the Palestinian Authority for the attack in the West Bank settlement of Adam late Thursday, in which a teenage Palestinian terrorist killed the 31-year-old father of two.
“To those who think that the Palestinian Authority is part of the solution, it is not! It is the problem!” shouted deputy defense minister Eli Ben Dahan. The Jewish Home lawmaker criticized the PA’s policy of payments to security prisoners and accused the PA of inciting Palestinian children in its schools.
“Responsibility lies with the Palestinian Authority. Those who teach hatred will pay a price,” warned Tourism Minister Yariv Levin.
“The lowly terrorist will not achieve his goal. We will continue building on our land,” the minister told the crowd of hundreds at Ovadia’s funeral in Jerusalem. He vowed to expand West Bank settlements in response to the attack.
Ovadia was stabbed to death outside his home in the community near Jerusalem on Thursday night by 17-year-old Mohammad Tareq Yousef, who came from the Palestinian village of Kobar further north in the West Bank.
Levin said relatives told him that Ovadia was on his way to prepare a romantic meal for his wife in honor of Tu B’Av, the Jewish Valentine’s Day, when he was attacked.
Settlement in shock after father-of-two Yotam Ovadia killed in terror attack
The father of Yotam Ovadia, who was killed in a stabbing attack in the central West Bank settlement of Adam, sat on a stoop outside of his home Friday morning in a daze.
Friends stopped by to console 66-year-old Avraham Ovadia, but he didn’t seem focused enough to respond to any of them. The lit cigarette wedged between his fingers burn down, unsmoked.
“He’s in complete shock,” said Avraham’s brother Yaakov. “His only son. He lost his only son.”
Yaakov said that his brother had lost both his parents and three siblings in recent years.
“After he got the terrible news last night that his son didn’t make it, he told me, ‘I thought it was supposed to be me who was next.'”
Yotam Ovadia, who was killed in a terror attack in the West Bank settlement of Adam on July 26, 2018 Courtesy)
Yotam’s uncle recalled how his nephew would stop by his parents’ home every day after work before entering his own house down the street.
The 31-year-old had been on his way to their house when he was attacked.
Liberman advances plans for 400 new
Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman on Friday announced that he had directed his ministry to advance plans for the construction of 400 new homes in the West Bank settlement of Adam, in response to the deadly terror attack that took place there overnight.
“The best response to terrorism is increased settlement in Judah and Samaria,” he tweeted, referring to the West Bank by its Biblical name. “Therefore I instructed this morning that plans should be advanced to build 400 housing units in the Adam settlement and to approve it with the planning authorities in the next few weeks.”
The 400 homes would be part of an already existing plan which will add 1,000 houses in the settlement, 150 of which are already under construction.
Liberman’s directive likely means the plan will be prioritized by the Civil Administration, the Defense Ministry body that convenes once every three months to approve West Bank construction.
The plan still requires several approvals by planning authorities before ground can be broken — a process that sometimes can take years.
Liberman’s announcement followed a terror attack in which 31-year-old Yotam Ovadia was stabbed to death and two others were injured.
Yet another barbaric attack tonight. When will President Abbas and Palestinian leaders condemn the violence? Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families tonight.
— Jason D. Greenblatt (@jdgreenblatt45) July 26, 2018
Shocked to hear of the brutal terror attack in Adam that left 31 year-old Yotam Ovadia dead and two others injured. My heartfelt prayers for all the families. All life is sacred, but premeditated murder cries out for condemnation. Not hearing it from Palestinian leadership.
— David M. Friedman (@USAmbIsrael) July 27, 2018
Mayor of Adam terrorist’s village condemns attack, pleads to spare family’s home
In a rare move, the leader of a West Bank village on Friday condemned the acts of 17-year-old resident Mohammed Yousef, who carried out a deadly terror attack in a Jewish settlement the previous day.
On Thursday evening Yousef stabbed three residents of the Adam settlement, killing 31-year-old Yotam Ovadia and wounding two others, before he was shot dead, according to the IDF.
Ezzat Badwan, the mayor of Kobar near Ramallah, where Yousef lived with his family, said: “I believe that these [actions] are not correct nor humane. I will never support killing civilians. It is unacceptable and against international, religious and human customs.”
He also urged the IDF not to demolish Yousef’s home, as is common practice by Israel in response to attacks.
“His parents and siblings had nothing to do with what he did. They do not deserve to pay the price for the actions of one of their family members,” he said. He added that the family was relatively poor and would likely struggle to find funds to rebuild its home if it is demolished.
Palestinian said shot dead in border riots, IDF strikes balloon-launching squad
Israeli troops shot dead a Palestinian man during Friday’s violent protests at the Gaza-Israel border, the Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza said in a statement.
It named the dead man as Ghazi Abu Mustafee, 43, and said he was shot in the head near the border fence, east of Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip.
There was no immediate comment from the army. In previous protests the military has responded to rocks, Molotov cocktails and attempts to infiltrate the border fence with tear gas and rubber bullets as well as live fire in specific cases.
The Gaza health ministry reported that over 40 Palestinians were wounded during the weekly clashes.
Earlier the Israeli military carried out an airstrike on a squad of Palestinians in northern Gaza as they flew incendiary balloons towards Israel, the army said. Palestinians said there were no casualties in the attack.
Violent clashes break out on Temple Mount after Muslim prayers
Clashes broke out Friday at the end of Muslim prayers on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem when worshipers hurled projectiles at police at the holy site.
“Stones and fireworks were thrown at police officers,” a police statement said. “Police entered the site and began evacuating the Temple Mount compound.”
Initial reports said a policeman and several rioters were lightly wounded, and several people were arrested.
Palestinian sources said there was a parade on the site known to Muslims as the Haram al-Sharif to mark the anniversary of Israel removing metal detectors that were temporarily placed at the entrance to the holy site following a terror attack there, Channel 10 news reported.
The sources also said that the IDF blocked all entrances to the Al-Aqsa Mosque on the site using batons and chains.
Israel installed security measures, including metal detectors, at the entrances to the site in response to a July 14, 2017, attack in which three Arab Israelis shot dead two police officers near the Lions Gate. They used weapons they had stored at the mosque.
‘New York Times’ shills for ‘largely peaceful’ Gazan rioters and arsonists
A shill is the surreptitious partner of a huckster salesman, revving up an audience to believe a sales pitch and buy a product.
Looking back at months of rioting and arson along the Gaza border with Israel—and the distorted rendition of reality by The New York Times of those events—it’s undeniable that the publication has promoted Hamas propaganda, relaying to its millions of readers what the terrorist group wanted them to believe and omitting what Hamas preferred concealed. The product sold? Israel as aggressor, Palestinians as victims.
As of this writing, there’s been, for instance, no human-interest story devoted to what Israelis are suffering as they witness thousands of acres of farms and nature preserves, and extensive wildlife, destroyed in nearly continuous fires set by flaming kites and airborne fire bombs from Gaza.
When Times Bureau Chief David Halbfinger covered the arson story on July 10, he termed the Hamas campaign “ingenious” and the impact for Israel “exasperating.” (In fact, for Israelis, the impact of the destruction can be frightening and devastating.) But the focus was overwhelmingly on criticism of Israel’s countermeasures against Gazans.
As throughout the coverage, the tilt was the same; Hamas violence was discounted, and Israel’s defensive action to stop the aggression was heavily faulted.
What Hamas wanted from the outset when it launched its “Great March of Return” campaign four months ago was stepped-up world pressure on Israel, fueled by stories and images of its people, especially civilians, “protesting” at the border fence, and enduring injury and death at the hands of Israeli soldiers.
Israeli Peace Offers, Palestinian Rock Throwing Are M.I.A in Post Report
A June 28, 2018 Washington Post report, “Prince William visit Jerusalem’s holy sites, concluding historic visit,” omitted key context and details about the Duke of Cambridge’s trip to Israel and areas controlled by the Palestinian Authority (PA).
Prince William was the first member of the British Royal Family to make an official trip to Israel since the Jewish state was recreated in 1948. Washington Post correspondent Ruth Eglash noted the significance of the Prince’s visit and claimed that it comes “at a time when peace seems more elusive than ever for Israelis and Palestinians.”
The Post, however, failed to provide readers with details as to why that might be the case.
As CAMERA has detailed, the PA has refused numerous U.S. and Israeli offers for a Palestinian state in exchange for peace with the Jewish state. More recently, the PA refused offers in 2000 at Camp David, 2001 at Taba, and 2008 after the Annapolis Conference—as well as U.S. proposals to restart negotiations in 2014 and 2016. Yet, not only did the PA reject these opportunities, its leaders refused to so much as make a counteroffer.
The Washington Post failed to mention this history—despite its obvious relevance to their report. Indeed, Eglash reported that “some Israelis were upset that the Jerusalem portion” of the Prince’s itinerary was “billed as part of a visit to the ‘occupied Palestinian territories.’”
“Much of the world,” the reporter wrote, “does not recognize Israel’s sovereignty over the eastern parts of the city, which Palestinians hope will become the capital of the future state.”
Yet, the 2008 offer, among others, would have provided the Palestinians with a state with its capital in eastern Jerusalem. It is odd that The Post chose not to mention that the PA rejected precisely what they claim Palestinians “hope” to obtain.
PA may ask UN General Assembly to oust Israel
The Palestinian Authority is weighing a UN General Assembly Resolution to rescind Israeli membership in the international body, which first recognized it as a state in 1948.
“Israel is a country that is in total violation of the charter of the UN. Does it deserve to be a member of the UN and any of its agencies or not?” PLO Executive Committee Secretary-General Saeb Erekat said on Thursday.
He spoke during a solidarity visit to the Bedouin Palestinian herding village of Khan al-Ahmar that is in imminent danger of demolition because it was illegally built.
Erekat sat in the small yard outside the community’s Tyre school and spoke first with journalists and then with diplomats about Palestinian plans to combat a number of particular egregious actions.
Top on his list was the Knesset passage this month of the nation-state law, which cements Israel’s Jewish ethnic character.
But he followed with the relocation of the United States Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, settlement building, and Palestinian home demolitions – including the village of Khan al-Ahmar.
PLO to discuss calls for severing ties with Israel
PLO leaders are scheduled to hold a meeting in Ramallah on Saturday to discuss recommendations by various Palestinian bodies to “redefine” the Palestinians’ ties with Israel.
At least two key decision-making PLO bodies have called in recent months for revoking Palestinian recognition of Israel and halting all forms of security coordination between the Palestinian Authority and Israel in the West Bank.
Saturday’s “important” meeting will be chaired by PA President Mahmoud Abbas, Saleh Ra’fat, member of the PLO Executive Committee, told the PA’s Voice of Palestine radio station on Thursday.
Ra’fat said that the PLO leaders will discuss the final recommendations of a special Palestinian committee concerning the future of relations between “Palestine and the Israeli occupation state.”
However, it was not immediately clear whether the PLO Executive Committee would endorse the recommendations.
Last May, the Palestine National Council (PNC), the PLO’s parliament-in-exile, called for revising ties with Israel.
The Temple Mount: Abbas' Myth
If a stone falls in Jerusalem, can its crash be heard and felt worldwide? The answer apparently is “yes.” Earlier this week, an ancient 400-pound stone that had been in place in the Western Wall for centuries dislodged and fell into what is known as “Ezrat Yisrael.”
The fall of the stone has been turned into an international incident by Mahmoud Abbas, head of the Palestinian Authority. Although trained archaeologists have not weighed in on the question of what caused the stone to fall, Abbas gleefully announced that it was an attempt by the Israelis to destroy the Al-Aqsa Mosque in order to build a third Temple on the mount.
In the Arab world, a large percentage of the population develops its politics and worldview in the bazaar. Can anyone possibly believe such a wild accusation?
The answer is absolutely not! Abbas has lost all credibility. He has repeatedly refused to be a partner in peace, to recognize US peace efforts, that leaves only one weapon: Incitement fueled by fake news which results in people being killed.
One only has to remember the Spanish Inquisition, pogroms, the Holocaust, and 9/11 to see the consequences of fake news. The new wars of the twenty-first century are media and ideological wars. This is what fueled 9/11.
Recognizing Israeli Sovereignty on the Golan Heights
Amb. Dore Gold told the House Subcommittee on National Security in Washington on July 17 that Israeli sovereignty in the Golan Heights will protect the Israeli military presence there - that must be continued. Therefore, U.S. recognition of Israel's sovereignty on the Golan would unquestionably be in Israel's security interest. It would deter aggression and also serve the interests of the anti-Iranian group among the Middle Eastern states.
Dignity for the Palestinians
Given that all Palestinian leaderships have called for a Palestinian state that will encompass and obliterate the state of Israel, it is not surprising that they cannot bear to accept any proposal that will give them only one small state (or two small states) in the territory allotted to them by the United Nations in 1947.
Re-imposition of Islamic waqf law will not restore Spain, Portugal, Sicily, India, Greece and all the other states of the abandoned caliphal empires to Muslim rule, and it is futile to think that is nothing more than a fantasy.
A recent US report revealed that there are, it seems, actually no more than 20,000 Palestinian refugees in the world.
In the end, it is so-called pro-Palestinian activists such as Robert Fisk or writers for papers such as The Independent, The Guardian, or the New York Times who do their utmost to persuade the world to favour Palestinian intransigence over offers of upgrading lives and international law.
Sohrab Amari: A Reprieve for a Hostage of Sultan Erdogan
The Turks accuse of him of “membership in an armed terrorist organization,” by which they likely mean the cultish network of Fethullah Gülen, the Pennsylvania-based Islamic guru whom Erdoğan accuses of hatching an attempted coup in the summer of 2016. The charge is an absurdity, and as Secretary of State Mike Pompeo noted in a tweet reacting to news of Brunson’s transfer, “we have seen no credible evidence against Mr. Brunson.”
As I’ve noted elsewhere, Gülen, who once helped Erdoğan purge the secularist old guard, is something like Turkey’s “Goldstein,” the mythical subversive who haunts Big Brother in George Orwell’s 1984. Erdoğan and his propagandists have decided to peg Christians in Turkey—both indigenous believers and foreign missionaries like Brunson—as Gülenist conspirators. The move is of a piece with the broader push to Islamize, or re-Islamize, the new Turkey.
Brunson isn’t the only Western national caught in the sultan’s dragnet. Others include Deniz Yücel, a German reporter with Die Welt who spent a year in prison for interviewing Kurdish militants—i.e., for the crime of practicing journalism. The Istanbul prosecutor has “investigated” Michael Rubin, a scholar with the American Enterprise Institute and a contributor to these pages, and 16 other U.S.-based figures at the behest of pro-Erdoğan lawyers. Other figures under “investigation” include Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, former federal prosecutor Preet Bharara, and former CIA director John Brennan. The allegation was that all these figures were—you guessed it—Gülenists.
The question for the U.S. and other NATO allies of Turkey is: What kind of an ally treats citizens of supposedly friendly nations this way? And the painful answer is that Ankara should no longer be thought of as a Western ally. Under Erdoğan, Turkey increasingly acts like the Islamic Republic of Iran and similar anti-Western regimes. Perhaps it should be treated accordingly.
Meanwhile, if you’re the praying kind, say a prayer for Pastor Brunson’s speedy release.
Trump says US to impose sanctions on Turkey over detained pastor
US President Donald Trump says the United States will impose sanctions on NATO ally Turkey over a detained American pastor held on terror and espionage charges.
Shortly after the possibility of sanctions was first announced by Vice President Mike Pence Thursday, Trump wrote on Twitter that the US “will impose large sanctions on Turkey for their long time detainment of Pastor Andrew Brunson.”
“He is suffering greatly. This innocent man of faith should be released immediately!” the president added from aboard Air Force One as he flew to Iowa for an event.
Turkey’s foreign minister, Mevlut Cavusoglu, quickly responded, also via Twitter:
“No one dictates Turkey. We will never tolerate threats from anybody. Rule of law is for everyone; no exception.”
Pence’s initial announcement of possible sanctions came at the close of a three-day conference on religious freedom.
Israel Says Trump Sought Turkish Detainee’s Release, Ankara Denies Deal
Israel confirmed on Friday a US newspaper report that President Donald Trump had requested its release of a Turkish woman accused of Hamas ties, while Ankara denied ever agreeing to free a detained American pastor in return.
Israel deported Ebru Ozkan on July 15, a week after indicting her for smuggling money and goods to the Palestinian Islamist terrorist group while visiting as a tourist — charges her lawyer denied and which angered Turkey.
The Washington Post reported on Thursday that Trump had asked Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a July 14 phone call to let Ozkan go in what the White House envisaged as an indirect trade for Pastor Andrew Brunson.
“I can confirm that there was such a request by President Trump,” an Israeli official said on condition of anonymity, without elaborating on whether this effected Ozkan’s release.
The US Embassy in Jerusalem had no immediate comment.
Brunson, arrested for alleged links to a group that Ankara blames over a 2016 coup attempt, was moved to house arrest on Wednesday — prompting the Trump administration to threaten sanctions against fellow NATO-power Turkey.
The pastor denies the charges against him. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has in the past linked his fate with that of US-based Muslim cleric Fehullah Gulen, whom Turkey wants to try as the chief coup-plotter. Gulen has denied any such role.
Ankara said it had not agreed to any Ozkan-Brunson swap.
State Department Working to Kill Sanctions on Terrorist Use of Human Shields
The Trump administration's State Department is working to quash new legislation that would sanction international terror groups for using human shields, a battlefield tactic employed Hezbollah and Hamas, according to multiple U.S. officials familiar with the administration's behind-the-scenes effort to nix the legislation.
A bipartisan team of lawmakers, led by Sen. Ted Cruz (R., Texas), recently introduced new legislation that would enable the United States to impose harsh sanctions on any foreign person or group caught using human shields during combat. The bill is the first of its kind to be introduced in the United States.
Human shields, which are routinely used by terror groups, enable terrorists to inflate the number of civilian casualties and avoid military reprisals from more conventional forces. The U.S. and Israeli governments are one of a number of countries who have been dealing with the use of human shields by these terror groups for years.
While the new legislative effort to target terrorists who force civilians into dangerous combat zones quickly won bipartisan support on Capitol Hill, the Trump administration's State Department has quietly been working for months to kill the bill and prevent lawmakers from moving the legislation, multiple U.S. officials told to the Washington Free Beacon.
The State Department is said to be opposed to the legislation due to its hesitance to sanction groups such as Hezbollah in Lebanon, where the United States continues to provide massive amounts of military aid that has repeatedly made its way to Hezbollah forces.
U.S. officials in the State Department ignored formal requests from lawmakers for months as they tried to mount the new legislative effort, sources said, and tensions are said to have boiled over earlier this week as the State Department continued efforts to block the bill.
Putin’s New Rules for the Golan Heights
Since the start of the offensive in southern Syria last month, there have been all kinds of optimistic takes on how Russia will agree to rein in the Iranians in Syria. But what Putin actually wants to do, his language suggests, is to establish Russia as the central interlocutor for everyone in the region. To that end, what could be better than the tried and true path of hosting talks between Israel and its adversaries in Syria?
Of course, the notion that Israel would restart talks about the Golan when the Iranians are entrenching themselves in Syria is laughable in the extreme—and the Russians clearly know this. Instead, they might start with technical talks, say, about how best to implement the Separation of Forces agreement, or about the modalities of the return of the Assad regime to the area. That, as Putin said, would be the first step.
Talks in relation to the Syrian regime would themselves only be a gateway to the broader conversation Putin hopes to orchestrate with Iran. The Russians have been making clear that the notion of them pressuring the Iranians in Syria, let alone pushing them to withdraw from the country, which is Israel’s position, is something in which they haven’t the slightest interest. Instead, in keeping with the objective to position itself in the middle, Russia wants Israel and Iran to hash it out, at its table. As Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov explained earlier this month, “there is no other way” but for Iran and its regional adversaries to “sit down at the negotiating table, state their concerns and start talking on how they can remove them on a mutually acceptable basis.”
The idea of a new status quo in which Iran entrenches itself in Syria while Russia positions itself as an “honest broker” to adjudicate territorial claims in the Golan should be a strategic nightmare for Israeli planners, starting with the absence of the United States from the region. Although President Trump spoke positively in Helsinki of Russia working with Israel, the U.S. should seek to preserve its own equities in the region by recognizing Israeli sovereignty over the Golan. This would effectively make up for the American exit from the region by taking the Golan off the table and backing America’s own ally as Russia aligns with Iran and positions itself as the new regional arbiter.
The UN’s Dubious Role in Keeping the Peace between Israel and Syria
At the end of last month, the UN Security Council passed a little-remarked-upon resolution renewing the mandate of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force on the Golan Heights (UNDOF) for the duration of 2018 and instructing this force to resume those operations that had ceased with the outbreak of the Syrian civil war in 2011. UNDOF, created in 1974 to police the demilitarized zone separating Israel and Syria in the wake of the Yom Kippur war, presided over several decades of relative peace along the Golan, but largely ceased its activities due to the fighting in the area. Upon its return, writes Assaf Orion, it faces new challenges:
Unlike in the past, the UN force will not encounter the standing Syrian army but rather a spectrum comprising military forces, local and foreign militias, and armed civilians. As noted in [a recent] UN report, the prohibition against any military or armed presence in the DMZ is violated blatantly today, both by the regime forces and by all of the rebel organizations, which are battling among themselves in the territory. The complete disarmament of the population will take a long time, if it is possible at all, and will affect UNDOF’s safety.
The patient entrenchment efforts of Iran and its proxies can be expected to take the form not of tanks and cannon but rather of the assimilation of foreign forces into the ranks of the Syrian army; the building of military infrastructure—particularly underground infrastructure—under the guise of civilian rehabilitation (e.g., building bomb shelters that are in fact bunkers) and embedding it in a populated environment; and intelligence activity and military patrols [masquerading] as “journalists,” “ornithologists,” “hunters,” “environmental activists,” “angry civilians,” [and the like].
Shooting incidents, minelaying, and improvised-explosive-device attacks from Syria into Israeli territory are also possible. As in Lebanon, the Syrian army will provide explanations, excuses, and justifications for any UN findings attesting to violations, and will naturally impede UN forces from gaining access to prohibited military targets on the pretext of maintaining law and order, privacy, or preventing disruption of the population’s day-to-day life and local customs. UNDOF will have a hard time verifying or refuting these allegations by its own means if the UN continues to refrain from collecting intelligence.
UN Peacekeeping Body in Southern Lebanon, Long Derided for Inaction Against Hezbollah, Set for New Commander to Take Charge
The UN peacekeeping force in southern Lebanon will soon have a new commander.
On Aug. 7, Italian Maj. Gen. Stefano Del Col will replace Irish Maj. Gen. Michael Beary, who has served in the role since the summer of 2016.
Recent UNIFIL commanders have all served terms of 2-3 years.
In March, Israeli Ambassador to the UN Danny Danon told The Algemeiner that UNIFIL “must do more” to thwart Hezbollah’s armament efforts.
“All too often they do not report on the full extent of the dangerous buildup of missiles and rockets in southern Lebanon,” Danon said of UNIFIL. “The fact is that despite the presence of UNIFIL, Hezbollah today is stronger than ever.”
Last September, in an Algemeiner op-ed, US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley hailed changes made to UNIFIL’s mandate meant to bolster its ability to carry out its mission.
The “status quo with UNIFIL was unacceptable, so the United States refused to accept it,” she wrote.
“For the United States, this is a time for strength, resolve, and accountability at the United Nations,” Haley declared. “That’s what our effort at strengthening UNIFIL was all about.”
On Sunday, former Israeli UN envoy Ron Prosor asserted that Del Col would have “difficult task of rebuilding the UN force in Lebanon, after Beary lost any credibility UNIFIL could have had, by turning a blind eye to Hezbollah’s illegal operations” in southern Lebanon.
Jordanians rally against ‘normalization’ with Israel over gas pipeline
From across the country, a small but determined contingent of Jordanians arrived outside of Irbid, Jordan’s second-largest city, to protest on Wednesday an agreement to import Israeli natural gas to the kingdom.
The day was hot, the crowd small. Holding signs in blue, white and red reading “No to Normalization” and “Our Blood Isn’t Worth Gas,” the assembled demonstrators marched along the proposed route for a natural gas pipeline that would link the two countries.
Demonstrators placed red stickers emblazoned with “The Enemy’s Gas is the Occupation” along piping which, organizers said, would be used to construct the line linking the two countries.
The event was sponsored by the Professional Associations Complex, an umbrella organization for many of Jordan’s biggest labor unions. The Complex was closely involved in the Ma’anash (“We Have Nothing”) cost of living protests that toppled the previous Jordanian government this past June.
For several years now, Jordan has endured a stubborn economic recession: the price of necessities such as electricity and gas have soared, even as wages have remained stagnant and taxes have risen. The Jordan-Israel pipeline promises to bring $10 billion of natural gas to the kingdom over 15 years, saving the country’s national utility company over $300 million annually.
Former PA intelligence chief: PA security 'terrorizing women, children'
Some of the commanders of the Palestinian Authority security forces in the West Bank are “terrorizing” women and children, a former PA security chief said on Thursday.
Tawfik Tirawi, a former commander of the PA’s General Intelligence Service and member of the Fatah Central Committee, made the rare charge in a statement issued by his office.
Tirawi did not name the commanders of the PA security forces who he says are responsible for “terrorizing” Palestinians.
Nor did he say which security force he was referring to. The PA has several security services that operate in the West Bank.
Tirawi did not provide any details about the alleged practices of the PA security commanders or the purported victims.
However, he also accused some PA security chiefs of “humiliating” Fatah members.
The statement “condemned the practices of some commanders of the Palestinian security forces who humiliate the sons of Fatah and terrorize women and children under various pretexts.”
Egypt is winning battle against Islamic State in Sinai — but only temporarily
On top of that, an influx of foreign activists, mainly from countries of the former Soviet Union, has led to changes in relations with the local population. Sinai Province had always relied on Bedouin activists from the local tribes, such as the Sawarka and the Barikat. But the strengthening of foreign elements in Sinai Province led to particularly cruel acts against the local population, including even against the members of the tribes that were loyal to the group.
For instance, Islamic State fighters hunted down and punished smugglers and merchants who brought cigarettes to the Gaza Strip through the tunnels. This caused a great deal of tension and even violent acts on both sides, particularly among the Bedouin, who saw a threat to an industry that provided them with a livelihood. For this reason, many of Sinai’s inhabitants turned against Islamic State and provided the Egyptian army’s intelligence efforts with much assistance.
Additionally, immense Egyptian pressure on Hamas has led the Palestinian terror group to change its relationship with the Sinai Province. Hamas suddenly distanced itself from members of the Sinai Province who had previously been welcome guests in the Gaza Strip. Hamas even provided the Egyptians with information about its own members who had crossed the border into Sinai in order to join Sinai Province — an act that also weakened Islamic State in Sinai.
Does this mean that the beaches of Sinai are safe for tourists again? The assessment would be no, even though 15,000 Israeli Jews spent the last Passover holiday on the shores of the Red Sea in the Peninsula. Hundreds of Islamic State members were killed in recent months, leaving the group with a total of approximately 1,000 fighters. But Sinai Province and its members are maintaining their efforts to harm the Egyptian economy by harming its tourism industry, and are still successfully recruiting new volunteers.
In addition, no long-term solution to Egypt’s governance problem in Sinai has yet been found. At some point after the Egyptian army leaves Sinai or reduces its presence there, the devastation it caused in many towns and villages could strengthen, rather than weaken, the Islamist elements in Sinai.
Iran Is the Dominant Actor in Syria
Iran, and not Russia, has been the dominant actor in Syria. Iran dictates the fighting on the ground by the pro-Assad coalition, controls the Syria-Iraq and Syria-Lebanon border crossings, and tailors the re-organization of areas and communities based on the ethnic element. Iran wields much - and often decisive - influence on the pace of fighting, in consultation with Russia and Assad.
Prior to operations by the pro-Assad coalition, first Iranian advisors assess the prospects for successful conquest. Then they meet with Russian liaison officers to coordinate the land and air operation. Military combat forces are then sent into the campaign - Syrian army forces and Shiite militias under Iranian command.
Iran is gradually taking over a number of key areas in order to create a contiguous territorial presence between Iran and the Mediterranean Sea, first aiming at the easier portion and then proceeding to the more difficult parts.
Iran conceals its control in Syria; it wants to act and influence behind the scenes, while integrating the forces under its command into the country's militias and military governmental framework. Russia is certainly aware that not only are the pro-Iranian Shiite militias not withdrawing from southern Syria, but they are even reinforced there. Presumably the Iranian project in Syria will continue, and forces identified with Iran will be deployed near the border in the Golan Heights under some kind of cover in the near future.
It is highly questionable whether Russia and Assad have the will or the capability to get rid of the Iranian presence on Syrian territory, especially in view of the integration of Iranian commanders and Shiite fighters in the local forces.
U.S. Cybersecurity Analysts Uncover New "Highly Active" Iranian Espionage Group
A U.S.-based cybersecurity firm has uncovered a new “highly active” espionage group believed to be based in Iran that is breaking into networks of government organizations and other firms located in the Middle East.
Symantec released information early Wednesday on the hacking collective, which researchers have dubbed “Leafminer.” The group is allegedly targeting organizations in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Eqypt, Israel and Afghanistan.
Leafminer’s targets reportedly cut across several sectors, including energy, telecommunications, financial services, transportation and government.
Vikram Thakur, technical director at Symantec, told The Hill that the group has been active since early 2017 but “ramped up” its activity between the end of last year and the start of 2018. Thakur said the organization is “continuing to conduct attacks as of right now.”
Through its research, Symantec obtained a target list of roughly 800 organizations catalogued based on their country of origin that analysts believe serves as a blueprint for the espionage group. The list was written in Farsi, leading analysts to conclude that the hackers are based in Iran.
Iran's Aggression Unveiled - Part 3
Iran is VERY busy these days. With what? Mostly fueling war and terror all around the Middle East and the world - Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Israel, Europe. Why are Iranian leaders instigating bloodshed, war and terror around the world?
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May 4, 2018 May 4, 2018 Scott Goldfine
Prince Made It Personal – RIP
Reeling with shock and devastation having just learned of Prince’s as-yet inexplicable death at only 57, I offer this tribute to show just how much he meant to the lives of those who loved him for the musical and spiritual joy he gave us for almost 40 years.
It is an except from the About the Author section of my book, Everything Is on the One: The First Guide of Funk. I had been preparing the book to be published on this site this year but did not want to wait with this segment given the most unfortunate circumstances.
Rest in peace, Prince. Words cannot express your impact on our lives. I am eternally grateful for being able to live during your glorious reign.
What’s an AOL Bill?
After many years spinning his wheels with college and trying to break out in the entertainment industry, Scott was playing catch-up with real life. Within two years of getting into b-b publishing, he was married; three years later he bought his first house; two years later he became a father; and a year after that he picked up stakes and left a lifetime in Southern California for the Southern charm of the Charlotte, N.C., suburbs. It should come as little surprise at this point to learn music played a prominent role in how these events unfolded.
In a twist of fate, Scott met his wife, Jill, on the Internet in an America Online chatroom called Paisley Park that served as a communication vehicle for Prince fans. Scott had followed the Minneapolis wunderkind since his 1978 debut and championed him long before the masses also discovered he was among the great musical geniuses of all time. Six years his junior, like most fans Jill had been swept off her feet by Prince during the 1984 “Purple Rain” phenomenon. Online, Scott’s handle was, naturally, Dr. GX and Jill’s was Aura6, inspired by a character in Prince’s “Graffiti Bridge” movie. Neither one of them were looking to hook up as both were in long-term relationships, and it was a fluke that chatroom was there at all that evening because it was typically a once-a-week occurrence on a different night of the week. That’s why upon almost simultaneously entering Paisley Park, the two found themselves alone in what on its usual night was a packed chatroom.
This was 1994 when the Internet was still either brand new or an unknown mystery for most folks, and so while Scott had been online for a few months and was familiar with the Paisley Park chatroom, it was Jill’s first time ever on the World Wide Web. “Hello,” she typed, “what is this?” “It’s a chatroom for Prince, but usually on a different night,” he explained. The rest is history. By chance, Scott had struck up what would snowball and blossom into the romance of a lifetime with a girl 3,000 miles away in Long Island, N.Y. It was exciting but it wasn’t cheap. At a time when AOL charged per hour and before cellphones, the pair rang up thousands of dollars in courtship communications. Six months later, having never been east of Arizona, Scott flew to New York and brought Jill, who had never been west of Louisiana, back with him to begin their new life together.
It was so apropos that when they wed a few years later, Prince’s “Damn U” was their first dance song.
Call Him Nate, if It’s a Boy
Shift forward to 2004, Scott brings a friend along to see ace ex-James Brown sax player Maceo Parker perform at Hollywood’s House of Blues. Parker is sensational in his own right, but he had been playing with Prince’s band during that part of his career and so Scott had a hunch (and prayer) that his Royal Badness would show up unannounced, as is his spontaneous way, and possibly play. Sure enough, in one of the most electrifying moments among the hundreds of concerts Scott had attended, Prince did show up and proceeded to tear the roof off the sucker for a good hour or so.
It was euphoria, and when Scott got home at 3 a.m. he was floating on a cloud of musically-induced bliss. Even though she was disappointed to have missed the show herself, Jill picked up on the lingering aura, and she and her man made extraordinarily passionate love that night. A few weeks later, the couple learned that encounter had planted a seed that would become their only child.
Considering they owed both their chance meeting and conception of their son to Prince, it only stood to reason the boy’s name should reflect that. But they wanted to be somewhat subtle and clever about it, and when they knocked the concept around they came up with the perfect combination. They dubbed their baby Nathan based on Prince’s “Sign ‘O’ the Times” line, “Let’s fall in love, get married, have a baby … we’ll call him Nate, if it’s a boy.” They gave him the middle name of Parker, both as a tribute to Maceo Parker’s role and Prince’s “Sign ‘O’ the Times” album track, “The Ballad of Dorothy Parker.” And guess what, that first and middle name combined with the sir name Goldfine meant the child’s initials would be NPG — the acronym of Prince’s band, the New Power Generation. It should shock no one that long before Nathan Parker Goldfine took his first breath there was already a piano and guitar waiting for him. While the subsequent childhood years would show he wasn’t going to be a virtuoso, when it came to singing the boy fortunately took after his tuneful mom.
Previous Various Artists — Soundtrack: The Bodyguard (1992)
Next Prince’s Legacy – RIP
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An alum to watch: Naomi Goldberg (MPP '08)
Naomi Goldberg can hardly believe her luck.
Newly married in May of this year, she and her wife Libby will welcome their first child next spring. And for the last four and a half years, she's been doing meaningful work and having fun doing it.
A Chicago-based policy researcher for think tank Movement Advancement Project (MAP), Naomi splits her time between what she calls "movement" research—analyzing the capability of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) movement to create and effect change—and policy research that provides tools to advocates and organizations working toward LGBT equality.
"What's really cool about our work at MAP is that we work in partnerships with other organizations," she says. "We produce the materials, and then our partners take them and, for example, lobby legislators or conduct community meetings. We don't have chapters or members, so we have the time to create tools that can then be used to create change."
Many of MAP's partner organizations are LGBT-specific, like the Family Equality Council or Colage, but MAP also works with progressive organizations that aren't solely LGBT focused, like the Center for American Progress and the National Association for Social Workers. "That gets the material out there," says Naomi. "It's a really innovative model. We always take that approach with our policy model. And it's a lot of fun."
Each year, MAP takes on a different issue affecting LGBT Americans and produces extensive research reports. Last year, the focus was LGBT families, an area where policy still struggles to keep up with the changing reality of the American family. The implications are far-reaching and include such matters as end-of-life decisions, child custody and adoption, and health insurance coverage.
"A lot of what we do at MAP is aggregating and re-articulating and providing vision," Naomi notes. "I stay on top of social science research and find out what's happening now and distill that down into user-friendly, very accessible reports drawing on that research. But we also try to position those studies into a big picture and come up with a model that indicates where the major barriers and major solutions are."
She points out that her preparation at the Ford School has made it possible for her to bring quantitative analysis to socially relevant work—thus creating a bit of a niche in her field—and she likes sharing her experiences with current MPP students. For example, while limited data exists about LGBT people, Naomi has used the U.S. Census to uncover demographic information about same-sex couples that inform policy discussions around federal employee health benefits, income levels during retirement, and adoption and foster care legislation.
Recently, she returned to the Ford School to sit on a panel discussing strategies for achieving marriage equality. The event was part of the "Fordies Under 40" program, which officially makes Naomi an alum to watch—an emerging policy leader in her field.
Vice President Joe Biden thought so, too, which is why she was among the fifty or so young LGBT leaders invited to the White House in September for a policy roundtable. The Obama administration, Naomi observes, has attempted to integrate LGBT issues into the national agenda, a fact of which she wasn't fully aware. "It felt like an opening of the door," she says of the day spent discussing initiatives and networking with people from all over the country who are working toward LGBT equity from the grassroots to government.
Luck? Maybe. It sounds more like Naomi makes her own luck.
Naomi Goldberg, Naomi Goldberg
Please join us in welcoming six newly elected members to the Ford School Alumni Board
Ford School alumni have elected six representatives to... more
Catch up on classmates with "Class Notes" from the Spring 2017 edition of State & Hill
BART EDES (MPP '87) is excited to report that he now... more
Policy Pitch Competition
Returning Ford School Master's students completing summer... more
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Race/Ethnicity of Each Band Memberfor anybody still wondering
Started By ludicolo , Jan 19 2005 02:48 AM
#1 ludicolo
thread killer
Location:San Diego, CA - world
Interests:energy
Cedric Bixler-Zavala = Mexican-American (Chicano)
Omar Rodriguez-Lopez = Puerto Rican
Jon Theodore = African-American (actually he's "mixed". He's Haitian on his father's side)
Ikey Owens = African-American
Juan Alderete = Mexican
Marcel Rodriguez = Puerto Rican
Edited by Cybrid, 24 January 2005 - 02:05 PM.
#2 Cybrid
Cybrid
Location:Ottawa, Ontario
To flesh out this FAQ topic on race and ethnicity, I figured I'd link to some interesting articles and interviews where TMV members talk about their ethnicity/culture/background in relation to it's influence on their music. More detailed info about their influences can be found all over the forum and especially in the Acknowledged Influences FAQ Thread (read-only), so I'll try to keep this mostly "cultural". Since a lot is already known about Cedric and Omar's latin roots, Let's start out with Jon and Ikey...
Jon Theodore
From the Ink19 Interview
"Then there's a whole bunch of stuff from Haiti [that influences me], because my dad's Haitian. My favorite Haitian drummer is this guy called Azor."
From Modern Drummer, June 2005 issue
MD: I understand that your father played Haitian music in your house growing up, and I presume that Omar and Cedric heard a lot of Latin music. It sounds like rhythm is ingrained in The Mars volta.
Jon: The Haitian music that moves me has the drumming from the voodoo rituals. It moves me because the patterns are connected to different spirits; it's a spiritual thing that is interconnected with dancing, sacrifice and devotion. It's fully passionate. There is nothing contrived about it.
Most of profiles about Jon that I've seen around the net refer to his 2 month stay in Haiti learning "voodoo drumming". From what I've read, it's essentially African-rooted tribal rhythms that show up during Haitian religious events and practices. I remember reading an interview (that was translated from Spanish) where Omar said that "Drunkship of Lanterns" is the song where Jon's "voodoo" drumming style is most prevalent...but you can definitely hear it other songs too. I couldn't find any more info on Jon's own specific experience learning that style of drumming, but more general info about that style (along with info on the voudun religion and Haiti's culture) can be found at the following links...
http://haitiforever....i/rhythms.shtml
http://www.phatnav.c...=Music_of_Haiti
http://www.vodoudrumset.com/ (not much of a site, but advertises a book about voodoo drumming techniques applied to a standard drumset--also contains cool audio sample)
http://www.vodoudrumset.com/demo.asp (here's another example from that book)
http://www.djembe.ne...re/Yanvalou.htm
http://www.geocities....htm#listdances (many audio samples of voodoo dance and drum rhythms)
http://www.neworlean...com/vodoudrums/
http://www.thecomato...showtopic=30683 (for general discussion and a few more relevant links)
Here's are some interesting interviews with Ikey where he shares some of his views on race and rock music...
Nothing to Prove
Ikey Owens and the sonic politics of race
From www.ocweekly.com
Touring with indie rock faves Mars Volta was a typical rock-star journey for Ikey Owens. There were rabid fans, criminally boring van trips and nights of keyboard banging with a band he loved. The crowd reactions were typical, too: "Who the hell is that black guy onstage?" "What’s he doing in a rock band?"
"Kids thought it was strange. People thought I was Mars Volta’s bodyguard," says the six-foot, 240-pound Owens. Rock fans weren’t the only ones hung-up about race. Many white musicians revealed their myopia in backhanded ways.
"They’d say what we were doing was just like the Beatles doing ‘Let It Be’ with Billy Preston," Owens remembers. Were these delusions of grandeur on the part of white musicians? Did these guys have no context of black musicians outside of Preston’s famed keyboard session work with the Beatles?
Maybe it was both, yet Owens never let the racist slips of the tongue or the dirty looks overwhelm him—it was all just part of the hazard of being Ikey Owens. To many, he has always been "the black guy" playing in a host of bands in Orange County and Long Beach, some as well-known as Sublime, Reel Big Fish and the Aquabats.
But Owens’ rock & roll career tells the bigger story of his 28-year-old life. He was one of the few black kids raised in largely white Lakewood. Friends and neighbors couldn’t figure out how a black kid liked "white" music like Tom Petty. They thought it odd that a black kid was enrolled in the gifted classes and not special ed. Then there were the often unintended but cruel asides from the mouths of supposedly liberal, open-minded people: the familiar "I don’t like black people, but I like you" was a frequent conversation stopper. And their sting lingered long after for Owens—petty prejudices and affronts that sliced like thousands of paper cuts until he felt as if he was bleeding.
"If you want to talk to some of the angriest black people, talk to one from the suburbs," says Owens. "You live among your enemies. If you open your eyes, you can see how much people hate you. You can’t win. If you have what they have, they’re jealous. You can’t figure out why they would dislike you because you’re supposed to be the ‘good example’ of your race.
"You have everything: you’re not committing crimes, you have high SAT scores, you’re going to college, your parents do well. And the bottom line is you still live next door to people who are, at their core, prejudiced. Directly or indirectly, they don’t want to live next to a lot of black people," says Owens.
Black people were just as narrow-minded. They’d shoot Owens the evil eye for having white friends, listening to "white" music, or dressing like a punk or a surfer.
To those who know him, Owens’ outspokenness may seem surprising because he never comes off as an angry firebrand, says his former manager, Vince Pileggi (who manages Reel Big Fish and a host of other bands). "He’s not the stereotype that people want him to be, playing in rock bands. I don’t ever recall having a political conversation with him. We talked about music, mostly. Politics? We probably laughed about Bill Clinton and Monica Lewinsky."
Owens’ aural acts have made him something of a rebel, but recently, he has delved into music that all those quick-to-pigeonhole people he ran up against in his youth would expect of him: hip-hop, with his new project Free Moral Agents. But this isn’t commercial-radio bling-bling hip-hop. Even Owens admits that branding it hip-hop is something of a stretch.
"I romantically like to call it hip-hop," Owens says. "It’s my version of lo-fi hip-hop and soul mixed with high school band sounds."
It’s an apt description. Free Moral Agents’ music consists of soulful, bluesy sounds floating from Owens’ Wurlitzer and Roland keyboards. They slip into a cocoon of every sound a Pro-Tools production can muster: flutes, hip-hop beats, stony distortions, plus the tongue of J (born Ernest Jarrett), Free Moral Agents’ other half. It’s music to scare bland hip-hoppers like P. Diddy to death.
That’s because Free Moral Agents are riding high on the cut-and-paste aesthetic of today’s electronic underground. The Agents’ sounds either crash into the feedback of a wild Sun Ra star storm, or they’ll stride gracefully on an Astor Piazzolla-like spectral tango, sometimes during the same song. The Agents’ music is played live; there are few samples.
Most of their songs follow a similar logic where one style will wipeout into a completely different type of music. A brass quartet, a Mad Lib-like tumble through cranky jazz keyboards and some somber orchestral arrangements all share the same sonic space on their unreleased full-length (their single "Laydown" is out on Long Beach-based Pete Records). Free Moral Agents are about chaos, beauty and keeping listeners guessing.
Like any interesting art, it almost didn’t happen. By 1999, Owens was sick of rock & roll. His band, Teen Heroes, got a video played on MTV, then he quit before typical Behind the Music tensions caused the band’s crash and burn. A middle-class life beckoned, so Owens took a job as an assistant bond trader in Huntington Beach and was talking marriage with his girlfriend. His parents loved it. He was feeling so satisfied with his choices that he rarely played his keyboards.
Then, in the space of two weeks, his girlfriend dumped him, and he got laid off. Reeling from that karmic double-whammy, his old life easily reclaimed him. The guys in Mars Volta’s dub project DeFacto invited him to play on their European tour. He jumped at the chance to take a vacation from his rapidly imploding world.
Despite freaking out audiences with his skin color and musical choices, he had a fantastic time in Europe and realized he had been ignoring his real goals—writing music and making his own album. So he cut back on school, quit working the nine-to-fives and stopped saying yes to the many bands offering him session work. He got a part-time job as a clerk at Fingerprints Records in Long Beach and began looking for like-minded co-conspirators.
One guy was J. Like Owens, J was a black guy who grew up in a white world (in his case, Riverside). He related to Owens’ experiences of not fitting in, but, like Owens, he also saw a lot of benefits.
"If I didn’t grow up where I did, I wouldn’t have heard so much good music," J says. "Stuff that was originally black, like ska, reggae and jazz. I learned it from white and Mexican kids who appreciated that music."
Owens and J say they’re already thinking of the next Free Moral Agents album. As far as any major-label action goes, though, the prospects are pretty grim.
"There are no black, non-hip-hop or R&B bands signed to major labels at present, outside of some jazz bands," says Darrell M. McNeill, director of operations for the Brooklyn-based Black Rock Coalition, a nonprofit supporting musicians of color in an often-unfriendly industry. "You have the Roots on MCA, but it’s widely known that they pretty much had to slug it out for years before they could build enough clout to get proper financial support. They still don’t command the same dollar value as, say, Limp Bizkit, Korn, Puddle of Mudd, Incubus, Weezer or whoever."
The absence of black faces in rock can make it tough to get a gig even in backing bands, says Owens. People who package tours hire musicians like casting directors hire actors. They’re searching for a specific look, and black skin often doesn’t fit.
"I was going on auditions for different things, and there were bands I couldn’t play in because I don’t fit the image. I’m a big black guy. It doesn’t look right if I was playing with a guy like (white guitarist) John Mayer. They want people to look like him."
So why do it? Why should a black man play rock & roll when he’s just going to get punched in the face? For Owens and J, the answer lies in reclaiming freedoms both artistic and personal.
"To be George Clinton, who just stopped doing Motown and picked up Marshall amps and guitars, meant he no longer had to prove anything to anyone. He was beyond everything else. That’s what my aspirations of a black artist are," Owens says. "It’s about becoming secure in your art and yourself, being able to do whatever you want."
Ikey's views on current black or hip-hop oriented artists attempting to "reclaim" rock music...
From http://www.auralmino...ralagentsg.html
"You can't just reclaim something if you don't really, really know about it. A lot of people who are into hip-hop have a really rudimentary knowledge of rock music. In the dealings I've had with MCs and DJs, they know rock, but they don't know it know it. They know the big stuff--they know Hendrix, they know Zeppelin, they know some of The Beatles, but they don't know The Byrds or Can. The savior of black music right now is TV On The Radio. Do you want to know what black rock should sound like? That's what black rock should sound like, to me. They're the most amazing thing I've heard in a long time."
Omar Rodriguez-Lopez
Omar on Puerto Rico and growing up with music...
From Thenitmustbetrue.com
When did you figure out that music was your outlet? How young were you, and did you start off with guitar or was it something else?
"I probably started off with percussion. As long as I can remember music was an outlet for me. I'm Puerto Rican and our culture revolves around our salsa music, so when you're a kid in Puerto Rico pretty much everyone in your family plays a conga or a maraca or a guitar. All family get-togethers are centered around music and playing music, and I would go to practice with my dad and everything else. So as far back as I can remember I've always been surrounded by music, whether it be in my mom's stomach with my dad playing a song to me on guitar, or now. It's always been an integral part of what my soul is at this point in time. I started off by playing percussion and I moved on to playing bass, then I moved on to guitar and keyboards and anything else."
More from Omar about growing up with salsa music...
From Fader Magazine
"In my house Spanish is spoken, and we still have arroz con habichuelas every night when I go home, and Christmas [is totally different]. [Being Puerto Rican] is basically trying to exist within the States as if you're still on the island, which is a strange paradox. I mean, I didn't even have any white friends until I moved to El Paso, and when I did it was still only Puerto Rican people at the house and going to Puerto Rican functions. Shit like that.
So to me, salsa is everything. Everything I interpret, be it rock music or punk rock music or whatever stage I'm at is filtered through hearing the clave and hearing things without the one: nnn-chhhka-chhhka-chhhka, nnn-chhhka-chhhka-chhhka... whereas rock music is always on the one. So for me it's always there in a sense of rhythm or style or notes--in the fact that everything I write is in minor keys."
And a bit more...
From Total Guitar Magazine Issue 120
What album would you consider to be a big influence on your guitar playing?
"The most influential album would definitely be Electric Harlow (1971) by Orchestra Harlow. Just because it's a record I grew up with - it was always played in my house - and it was probably the best salsa record of that era. You know, I really wanted to be a piano player, but I got stuck with the guitar [laughs]. But every time I hear that record, I come up with new ideas."
Cedric Bixler-Zavala
Aside from just simply being Mexican-American (Chicano), one has to wonder how Cedric's father's occupation and education might have also influenced his son's approach to music and lyrics...
From The University of Texas at El Paso
Dennis Bixler-Márquez is Professor of Multi-Cultural Education and Director of the Chicano Studies Program at UTEP. He received his B.A. in Political Science and M.E. in Sociocultural Education from The University of Texas at El Paso and an M.A. in Spanish and a Ph.D. in Bilingual/Multi-Cultural Education from Stanford University. His primary areas of research are border security issues, educational sociolinguistics, language policy, multicultural education, immigration, and Vietnam War Latino issues.
#6 starla zero
starla zero
Location:Wales
From this interview with Cedric;
"My family is bilingual. My dad teaches bilingual education in El Paso. His dad was German; that’s why I have colored eyes and lighter skin. My dad’s mom’s Spanish - as in people from Spain - so she had red hair and spoke proper Spanish (Castellano). My Spanish is more lingo - Spanglish, basically. Bordertown Spanish. But my mom is total dark-skinned Mexican"
#7 boop-oop-a-doop
boop-oop-a-doop
Paul Hinojos = Mexican
#8 Dr.Octagon
Dr.Octagon
Boxcar Cadaver
Thomas Pridgen = African-American
Juan Alderete = Mexican/Caucasian
Adri�n Terrazas-Gonz�lez = Mexican
John Frusciante = Caucasian
Marcel Rodriguez-Lopez = Puerto Rican
#9 anen
anen
Televator
Location:motherearth
was born in Los Angeles CA= Mexican-American (chicano)
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MINUTES BENSON CITY COUNCIL EMERGENCY MEETING OCTOBER 14, 2007
Download "MINUTES BENSON CITY COUNCIL EMERGENCY MEETING OCTOBER 14, 2007"
Mervyn Curtis
1 MINUTES BENSON CITY COUNCIL EMERGENCY MEETING OCTOBER 14, 2007 The meeting was called to order at 12:00 Noon by Mayor Paul Kittelson. Members present: Sue Fitz, Gary Landmark, Bob Claussen, and Paul Kittelson. Members absent: One vacancy. Also present: City Manager Rob Wolfington and Assistant City Attorney Tara Ulmaniec. The Mayor announced the reason the emergency meeting was called was because there would not be a quorum present at the October 15, 2007 meeting due to a planned vacation and a family medical emergency. Financial closure for the Electric Revenue Bonds is scheduled on October 16; therefore, the Resolution to amend the sale of electric revenue bonds needed to be approved prior to October 16. The Assistant City Attorney informed the Council that the reasons stated justified calling an emergency meeting. The City Manager informed the Council that he contacted both the Swift County Monitor News and KSCR radio station regarding this meeting. Council Member Landmark offered the following Resolution and moved its adoption: RESOLUTION AMENDING AND RESTATING THE SEPTEMBER 24, 2007 RESOLUTION RELATING TO $6,890,000 ELECTRIC REVENUE BONDS, SERIES 2007A, AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE, AWARDING THE SALE, FIXING THE FORM AND DETAILS, PROVIDING FOR THE EXECUTION AND DELIVERY THEREOF AND SECURITY THEREFOR (RESOLUTION NO ) A. WHEREAS on September 24, 2007 the City Council of the City of Benson, Minnesota (the "Issuer") adopted a Resolution Relating to $6,740,000 Electric Revenue Bonds, Series 2007A, Authorizing the Issuance, Awarding the Sale, Fixing the Form and Details, Providing for the Execution and Delivery Thereof and Security Therefor (the "Resolution"); and B. WHEREAS, it has heretofore been determined and declared that it is necessary and expedient for the City Council to amend the Resolution to provide for additional terms required by Radian Asset Assurance Inc., a corporation organized under the laws of the State of New York or any successor thereto (the "Insurer") pursuant to its commitment to insure the Bonds; C. WHEREAS, the City of Benson, Minnesota (the "Issuer") owns and operates the Benson Electric Utility (the "Electric Utility") and has heretofore, pursuant to law, created an Electric Fund into which all revenues of the Electric Utility are paid; and D. WHEREAS, pursuant to a resolution adopted December 18, 2000 (the "Prior Resolution") the Issuer authorized the issuance and sale of $3,635,000 Electric Revenue Bonds, Series 2000, dated December 19, 2000 (the "Prior Bonds") for the purpose of providing money to finance the purchase and installation of five 1860 KW standby generators at the existing power plant of the Electric Utility. There are presently outstanding $3,055,000 in principal amount of the Prior Bonds and paragraph 4 (a) of the Prior Resolution provides as follows: Year Amount Year Amount 2008 $135, $205, , , , , , , , , , , , , ,000 E. WHEREAS, the City Council has heretofore determined that it is necessary and expedient to provide moneys, by the issuance of its $6,890,000 Electric Revenue Bonds, Series 2007A (the "Bonds" or, individually, a "Bond"), pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, Chapters 453 and 475, to (i) finance improvements to the Electric Utility (the "Improvements") in the amount of $3,685,000 (the "Improvement Portion of the Bonds") and (ii) provide funds for the payment and advance refunding of the outstanding $3,055,000 principal amount of the Prior Bonds (the "Refunding") in the amount of $3,205,000 (the "Refunding Portion of the Bonds"); $2,630,000
2 principal amount of the Prior Bonds (the "Callable Prior Bonds") which matures on and after June 1, 2011, is callable on June 1, 2010 (the "Call Date"), as provided in the Prior Resolution, and the refunding of the Callable Prior Bonds is consistent with the covenants made with the holders of the Prior Bonds and is necessary and desirable for the reduction of debt service cost to the Issuer; and the payment of $425,000 aggregate principal amount of the Prior Bonds on their maturity dates of June 1, 2008, June 1, 2009, and June 1, 2010, is also consistent with the covenants made with the holders of the Prior Bonds; and F. WHEREAS, it is hereby found, determined and declared that the Refunding is pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, Section , subdivision 12, and shall result in a present value savings, as of the Call Date, of $69,840.92, computed in accordance with the provisions of Minnesota Statutes, Section , subdivision 12; and G. WHEREAS, other than the Prior Bonds, there are no bonds, certificates or other obligations payable out of the net revenues of the Electric Utility constituting a lien or charge upon the revenues thereof; and H. WHEREAS, the Issuer has retained Ehlers and Associates, Inc., in Roseville, Minnesota ("Ehlers"), as its independent financial advisor for the competitive negotiated sale of the Bonds and was therefore authorized to sell the Bonds by private negotiation in accordance with Minnesota Statutes, Section , Subdivision 2(9); and I. WHEREAS, proposals to purchase the Bonds have been solicited by Ehlers and the proposals set forth on Exhibit A attached hereto were received pursuant to the terms established for the Bonds by the Clerk-Finance Director at the City Hall at 10:00 A.M. on this same day; and J. WHEREAS, it is in the best interests of the Issuer that the Bonds be issued in book-entry form as hereinafter provided: NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Benson, Minnesota that all terms and provisions of the Resolution as initially adopted on September 24, 2007, be amended and restated to read as follows: 1. Findings. It is hereby found, determined and declared that it is advisable, expedient and necessary to issue the Bonds to finance the Improvements and accomplish the Refunding. 2. Sufficiency of Net Revenues. The City Council reasonably expects that the estimated revenues to be derived from the operation of the Electric Utility during the term of the Bonds will be more than sufficient to produce net revenues after current costs of operation and maintenance adequate to pay principal and interest when due on the Bonds and to maintain reasonable reserves therefor. 2. Acceptance of Proposal. The proposal of Griffin, Kubik, Stephens and Thompson, Inc., Chicago, Illinois (the "Purchaser"), to purchase the Bonds in accordance with the Terms of Proposal established for the Bonds, at the rates of interest hereinafter set forth, and to pay therefor the sum of $6,787,213.60, plus interest accrued to settlement, is hereby found, determined and declared to be the most favorable proposal received and is hereby accepted, and the Bonds are hereby awarded to the Purchaser. The Clerk-Finance Director is directed to retain the deposit of the Purchaser and to forthwith return to the unsuccessful bidders any good faith checks or drafts. 2. Bond Terms. (a) Original Issue Date; Denominations and Maturities. The Bonds shall be dated October 16, 2007, as the date of original issue and shall be issued in fully registered form, shall be numbered from R-1 upward in the denomination of $5,000 each or in any integral multiple thereof of a single maturity (the "Authorized Denominations") and mature on June 1 in the years and amounts as follows: Year Amount Year Amount 2008 $250, $ 310, , , , , , , , , , ,000
3 , , , ,445,000 (b) Allocation. The Improvement Portion of the Bonds, being the aggregate principal amount of $3,685,000 maturing in each of the years and amounts hereinafter set forth, is issued to finance the Improvements. The Refunding Portion of the Bonds, being the aggregate principal amount of $3,205,000 maturing in each of the years and amounts hereinafter set forth, is issued to finance the Refunding. Year Improvement Refunding Total Amount Portion (Amount) Portion (Amount) 2008 $ 50,000 $200,000 $250, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,000 If Bonds are prepaid the prepayments shall be allocated to the portions of debt service and hence allocated to the payment of Bonds treated as relating to a particular portion of debt service as provided in this paragraph. (c) Book Entry Only System. The Depository Trust Company, a limited purpose trust company organized under the laws of the State of New York or any of its successors or its successors to its functions hereunder (the "Depository") will act as securities depository for the Bonds, and to this end: (i) The Bonds shall be initially issued and, so long as they remain in book entry form only (the "Book Entry Only Period"), shall at all times be in the form of a separate single fully registered Bond for each maturity of the Bonds; and for purposes of complying with this requirement under paragraphs 7 and 12 Authorized Denominations for any Bond shall be deemed to be limited during the Book Entry Only Period to the outstanding principal amount of that Bond. (ii) Upon initial issuance, ownership of the Bonds shall be registered in a bond register maintained by the Bond Registrar (as hereinafter defined) in the name of CEDE & CO., as the nominee (it or any nominee of the existing or a successor Depository, the "Nominee"). (iii) With respect to the Bonds neither the Issuer nor the Bond Registrar shall have any responsibility or obligation to any broker, dealer, bank, or any other financial institution for which the Depository holds Bonds as securities depository (the "Participant") or the person for which a Participant holds an interest in the Bonds shown on the books and records of the Participant (the "Beneficial Owner"). Without limiting the immediately preceding sentence, neither the Issuer, nor the Bond Registrar, shall have any such responsibility or obligation with respect to (A) the accuracy of the records of the Depository, the Nominee or any Participant with respect to any ownership interest in the Bonds, or (B) the delivery to any Participant, any Owner or any other person, other than the Depository, of any notice with respect to the Bonds, including any notice of redemption, or (C) the payment to any Participant, any Beneficial Owner or any other person, other than the Depository, of any amount with respect to the principal of or premium, if any, or interest on the Bonds, or (D) the consent given or other action taken by the Depository as the registered Holder of any Bonds (the "Holder"). For purposes of
4 securing the vote or consent of any Holder under this Resolution, the Issuer may, however, rely upon an omnibus proxy under which the Depository assigns its consenting or voting rights to certain Participants to whose accounts the Bonds are credited on the record date identified in a listing attached to the omnibus proxy. (iv) The Issuer and the Bond Registrar may treat as and deem the Depository to be the absolute owner of the Bonds for the purpose of payment of the principal of and premium, if any, and interest on the Bonds, for the purpose of giving notices of redemption and other matters with respect to the Bonds, for the purpose of obtaining any consent or other action to be taken by Holders for the purpose of registering transfers with respect to such Bonds, and for all purpose whatsoever. The Bond Registrar, as paying agent hereunder, shall pay all principal of and premium, if any, and interest on the Bonds only to the Holder or the Holders of the Bonds as shown on the bond register, and all such payments shall be valid and effective to fully satisfy and discharge the Issuer's obligations with respect to the principal of and premium, if any, and interest on the Bonds to the extent of the sum or sums so paid. (v) Upon delivery by the Depository to the Bond Registrar of written notice to the effect that the Depository has determined to substitute a new Nominee in place of the existing Nominee, and subject to the transfer provisions in paragraph 12, references to the Nominee hereunder shall refer to such new Nominee. (vi) So long as any Bond is registered in the name of a Nominee, all payments with respect to the principal of and premium, if any, and interest on such Bond and all notices with respect to such Bond shall be made and given, respectively, by the Bond Registrar or Issuer, as the case may be, to the Depository as provided in the Letter of Representations to the Depository required by the Depository as a condition to its acting as book-entry Depository for the Bonds (said Letter of Representations, together with any replacement thereof or amendment or substitute thereto, including any standard procedures or policies referenced therein or applicable thereto respecting the procedures and other matters relating to the Depository's role as book-entry Depository for the Bonds, collectively hereinafter referred to as the "Letter of Representations"). (vii) All transfers of beneficial ownership interests in each Bond issued in book-entry form shall be limited in principal amount to Authorized Denominations and shall be effected by procedures by the Depository with the Participants for recording and transferring the ownership of beneficial interests in such Bonds. (viii) In connection with any notice or other communication to be provided to the Holders pursuant to this Resolution by the Issuer or Bond Registrar with respect to any consent or other action to be taken by Holders, the Depository shall consider the date of receipt of notice requesting such consent or other action as the record date for such consent or other action; provided, that the Issuer or the Bond Registrar may establish a special record date for such consent or other action. The Issuer or the Bond Registrar shall, to the extent possible, give the Depository notice of such special record date not less than fifteen calendar days in advance of such special record date to the extent possible. (ix) Any successor Bond Registrar in its written acceptance of its duties under this Resolution and any paying agency/bond registrar agreement, shall agree to take any actions necessary from time to time to comply with the requirements of the Letter of Representations. (x) In the case of a partial prepayment of a Bond, the Holder may, in lieu of surrendering the Bonds for a Bond of a lesser denomination as provided in paragraph 7, make a notation of the reduction in principal amount on the panel provided on the Bond stating the amount so redeemed. (d) Termination of Book-Entry Only System. Discontinuance of a particular Depository's services and termination of the book-entry only system may be effected as follows: (i) The Depository may determine to discontinue providing its services with respect to the Bonds at any time by giving written notice to the Issuer and discharging its responsibilities with respect thereto under applicable law. The Issuer may terminate the services of the Depository with respect to the Bond if it determines that the Depository is no longer able to carry out its functions as securities depository or the continuation of the
5 system of book-entry transfers through the Depository is not in the best interests of the Issuer or the Beneficial Owners. (ii) Upon termination of the services of the Depository as provided in the preceding paragraph, and if no substitute securities depository is willing to undertake the functions of the Depository hereunder can be found which, in the opinion of the Issuer, is willing and able to assume such functions upon reasonable or customary terms, or if the Issuer determines that it is in the best interests of the Issuer or the Beneficial Owners of the Bond that the Beneficial Owners be able to obtain certificates for the Bonds, the Bonds shall no longer be registered as being registered in the bond register in the name of the Nominee, but may be registered in whatever name or names the Holder of the Bonds shall designate at that time, in accordance with paragraph 12. To the extent that the Beneficial Owners are designated as the transferee by the Holders, in accordance with paragraph 12, the Bonds will be delivered to the Beneficial Owners. (iii) paragraph 12. Nothing in this subparagraph (c) shall limit or restrict the provisions of (e) Letter of Representations. The provisions in the Letter of Representation are incorporated herein by referenced and made a part of the resolution, and if and to the extent any such provisions are inconsistent with the other provisions of this resolution, the provisions in the Letter of Representation shall control. 5. Purpose. The Improvement Portion of the Bonds shall provide funds to finance the Improvements and the Refunding Portion of the Bonds shall provide funds to finance the Refunding. The Issuer covenants that it shall do all things and perform all acts required of it to assure that work on the Improvements proceeds with due diligence to completion and that any and all permits and studies required under law for the Improvements are obtained. It is hereby found and determined that the Refunding is pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, Section and shall result in a reduction of debt service cost to the Issuer. The Improvements and the Refunding are sometimes referred to herein together as the Project. The total cost of the Project, which shall include all costs enumerated in Minnesota Statutes, Section , is estimated to be at least equal to the amount of the Bonds. 6. Interest. The Bonds shall bear interest payable semiannually on June 1 and December 1 of each year (each, an "Interest Payment Date") commencing June 1, 2008, at the respective rates per annum set forth opposite the maturity years as follows: Maturity Years Interest Rates Maturity Years Interest Rates % % Redemption. (a) Optional. All Bonds maturing on June 1, 2018, and thereafter, shall be subject to redemption and prepayment at the option of the Issuer on June 1, 2017, and on any date thereafter at a price of par plus accrued interest. Redemption may be in whole or in part of the Bonds subject to prepayment. If redemption is in part, the maturities and the principal amounts within each maturity to be redeemed shall be determined by the Issuer; and if only part of the Bonds having a common maturity date are called for prepayment, the specific Bonds to be prepaid shall be chosen by lot by the Bond Registrar. Bonds or portions thereof called for redemption shall be due and payable on the redemption date, and interest thereon shall cease to accrue from and after the redemption date. Notice of redemption shall be given by first class mail at least thirty days prior to the date fixed for redemption to the paying agent and to each affected registered holder of the Bonds at the address shown on the registration books. The exercise of any provision of the Resolution that permits the purchase of the Bonds in lieu of redemption shall require the prior written consent of the Insurer if any Bond so purchased is not canceled upon purchase. Redemption of the Bonds shall be permitted at any time without the Insurer's prior written consent so long as funds for such redemption are irrevocably deposited with the Bond Registrar prior to rendering notice of redemption to the Bondholders, or in the alternative, the notice expressly states that such redemption is subject to the deposit of funds by the Issuer. The
6 exercise of any provision of this Resolution that permits the purchase of the Bonds in lieu of redemption shall require the prior written consent of the Insurer if any Bond so purchased is not canceled upon purchase. To effect a partial redemption of Bonds having a common maturity date, the Bond Registrar prior to giving notice of redemption shall assign to each Bond having a common maturity date a distinctive number for each $5,000 of the principal amount of the Bond. The Bond Registrar shall then select by lot, using such method of selection as it shall deem proper in its discretion, from the numbers so assigned to the Bonds, as many numbers as, at $5,000 for each number, shall equal the principal amount of the Bonds to be redeemed. The Bonds to be redeemed shall be the Bonds to which were assigned numbers so selected; provided, however, that only so much of the principal amount of each Bond of a denomination of more than $5,000 shall be redeemed as shall equal $5,000 for each number assigned to it and so selected. If a Bond is to be redeemed only in part, it shall be surrendered to the Bond Registrar (with, if the Issuer or Bond Registrar so requires, a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Issuer and Bond Registrar duly executed by the Holder thereof or the Holder's attorney duly authorized in writing) and the Issuer shall execute (if necessary) and the Bond Registrar shall authenticate and deliver to the Holder of the Bond, without service charge, a new Bond or Bonds having the same stated maturity and interest rate and of any Authorized Denomination or Denominations, as requested by the Holder, in aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for the unredeemed portion of the principal of the Bond so surrendered. (b) Mandatory Redemption. The Bonds maturing on June 1, 2020, 2023 and 2027 (the "Term Bonds") shall be redeemed by lot on June 1 in the following years and principal amounts, without any premium, plus accrued interest thereon to such redemption dates (after any credits are made as provided below): Year Mandatory Redemption Schedule June 1, 2020 Term Bond (inclusive) Principal Amount 2019 $355, (maturity) 370,000 Year June 1, 2023 Term Bond (inclusive) Principal Amount 2022 $405, (maturity) 420,000 Year June 1, 2027 Term Bond (inclusive) Principal Amount 2025 $460, , (maturity) 505,000 or, if less than such amount is then outstanding, an amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of the Bonds then outstanding. The City may, at its option to be exercised on or before the thirtieth day next preceding any date specified in the Mandatory Redemption Schedule above, deliver to the Bond Registrar written notice, which shall (i) specify a principal amount of such Term Bonds previously redeemed (otherwise than pursuant to the above Mandatory Redemption Schedule) or purchased and cancelled by the Bond Registrar and not theretofore applied as a credit against any redemption of Bonds pursuant to the above Mandatory Redemption Schedule, and (ii) instruct the Bond Registrar to apply the principal amount of such Term Bonds so delivered or previously redeemed or purchased and cancelled for credit against the principal installments to be prepaid pursuant to the Mandatory Redemption Schedule and selected by the City. Each such Term Bond so delivered or previously redeemed or purchased and cancelled shall be credited by the Bond Registrar against the principal installments to be prepaid pursuant to the Mandatory Redemption Schedule and selected by the City. (8) Bond Registrar. U.S. Bank National Association, in St. Paul, Minnesota, is appointed to act as bond registrar and transfer agent with respect to the Bonds (the "Bond Registrar"), and shall do so unless and until a successor Bond Registrar is duly appointed, all
7 pursuant to any contract the Issuer and Bond Registrar shall execute which is consistent herewith. The Bond Registrar shall also serve as paying agent unless and until a successor paying agent is duly appointed. Principal and interest on the Bonds shall be paid to the registered Holders (or record holders) of the Bonds in the manner set forth in the form of Bond and paragraph 14. Prior to an event of default the Insurer shall have the right to remove the Bond Registrar for cause, and upon the occurrence of an event which would with notice or the passage of time constitute an event of default, the Insurer shall have the right to remove the Bond Registrar for any reason. (9) Form of Bond. The Bonds, together with the Bond Registrar's Certificate of Authentication, the form of Assignment and the registration information thereon, shall be in substantially the following form: R- UNITED STATES OF AMERICA STATE OF MINNESOTA COUNTY OF SWIFT CITY OF BENSON $ ELECTRIC REVENUE BOND, SERIES 2007A Interest Rate Maturity Date Date of Original Issue CUSIP June 1, 20 October 16, 2007 REGISTERED OWNER: CEDE & CO. PRINCIPAL AMOUNT: The City of Benson, County of Swift, Minnesota (the "Issuer"), hereby certifies that it is indebted and for value received promises to pay to the registered owner specified above, or registered assigns, in the manner hereinafter set forth, the principal amount specified above, on the maturity date specified above, unless called for earlier redemption, and to pay interest thereon semiannually on June 1 and December 1 of each year (each, an "Interest Payment Date") commencing June 1, 2008, at the rate per annum specified above, (calculated on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months) until the principal sum is paid or has been provided for. This Bond will bear interest from the most recent Interest Payment Date to which interest has been paid or, if no interest has been paid, from the date of original issue hereof. The principal of and premium, if any, on this Bond are payable upon presentation and surrender hereof at the principal office of U.S. Bank National Association in St. Paul, Minnesota (the "Bond Registrar"), acting as paying agent, or any successor paying agent duly appointed by the Issuer. Interest on this Bond will be paid on each Interest Payment Date by check or draft mailed to the person in whose name this Bond is registered (the "Holder" or "Bond Holder") on the registration books of the Issuer maintained by the Bond Registrar and at the address appearing thereon at the close of business on the fifteenth day of the calendar month next preceding such Interest Payment Date (the "Regular Record Date"). Any interest not so timely paid shall cease to be payable to the person who is the Holder hereof as of the Regular Record Date, and shall be payable to the person who is the Holder hereof at the close of business on a date (the "Special Record Date") fixed by the Bond Registrar whenever money becomes available for payment of the defaulted interest. Notice of the Special Record Date shall be given to Bondholders not less than ten days prior to the Special Record Date. The principal of and premium, if any, and interest on this Bond are payable in lawful money of the United States of America. So long as this Bond is registered in the name of the Depository or its Nominee as provided in the Resolution hereinafter described, and as those terms are defined therein, payment of principal of, premium, if any, and interest on this Bond and notice with respect thereto shall be made as provided in the Letter of Representations, as defined in the Resolution and surrender of this Bond shall not be required for payment of the redemption price upon a partial redemption of this Bond. Until termination of the book-entry only system pursuant to the Resolution, Bonds may only be registered in the name of the Depository or its Nominee. Optional Redemption. All Bonds of this issue (the "Bonds") maturing on June 1, 2018, and thereafter, are subject to redemption and prepayment at the option of the Issuer on June 1, 2017, and on any date thereafter at a price of par plus accrued interest. Redemption may be in whole or in part of the Bonds subject to prepayment. If redemption is in part, the maturities and the principal amounts within each maturity to be redeemed shall be determined by the Issuer; and if only part of the Bonds having a common maturity date are called for prepayment, the specific Bonds to be prepaid shall be chosen by lot by the Bond Registrar. Bonds or portions thereof
8 called for redemption shall be due and payable on the redemption date, and interest thereon shall cease to accrue from and after the redemption date. Notice of redemption shall be given by first class mail at least thirty days prior to the date fixed for redemption to the paying agent and to each affected Holder of the Bonds at the address shown on the registration books. Mandatory Redemption. Bonds maturing on June 1, 2020, 2023 and 2027 (the "Term Bonds") shall be redeemed by lot on June 1 in the following years and principal amounts, at their principal amount, without any premium, plus accrued interest thereon to such redemption date (after any credits are made as provided below): Year Mandatory Redemption Schedule June 1, 2020 Term Bond (inclusive) Principal Amount 2019 $355, (maturity) 370,000 Year June 1, 2023 Term Bond (inclusive) Principal Amount 2022 $405, (maturity) 420,000 Year June 1, 2027 Term Bond (inclusive) Principal Amount 2025 $460, , (maturity) 505,000 or, if less than such amount is then outstanding, an amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of the Bonds then outstanding. The Issuer may, at its option to be exercised on or before the thirtieth day next preceding any date specified in the Mandatory Redemption Schedule above, deliver to the Bond Registrar written notice, which shall (i) specify a principal amount of such Term Bonds previously redeemed (otherwise than pursuant to the above Mandatory Redemption Schedule) or purchased and cancelled by the Bond Registrar and not theretofore applied as a credit against any redemption of Bonds pursuant to the above Mandatory Redemption Schedule, and (ii) instruct the Bond Registrar to apply the principal amount of such Term Bonds so delivered or previously redeemed or purchased and cancelled for credit against the principal installments to be prepaid pursuant to the Mandatory Redemption Schedule and selected by the Issuer. Each such Term Bond so delivered or previously redeemed or purchased and cancelled shall be credited by the Bond Registrar against the principal installments to be prepaid pursuant to the Mandatory Redemption Schedule and selected by the Issuer. Prior to the date on which any Bond or Bonds are directed by the Issuer to be redeemed in advance of maturity, the Issuer will cause notice of the call thereof for redemption identifying the Bonds to be redeemed to be mailed to the Bond Registrar and all Bondholders, at the addresses shown on the Bond Register. All Bonds so called for redemption will cease to bear interest on the specified redemption date, provided funds for their redemption have been duly deposited. Selection of Bonds for Redemption; Partial Redemption. To effect a partial redemption of Bonds having a common maturity date, the Bond Registrar shall assign to each Bond having a common maturity date a distinctive number for each $5,000 of the principal amount of such Bond. The Bond Registrar shall then select by lot, using such method of selection as it shall deem proper in its discretion, from the numbers assigned to the Bonds, as many numbers as, at $5,000 for each number, shall equal the principal amount of the Bonds to be redeemed. The Bonds to be redeemed shall be the Bonds to which were assigned numbers so selected; provided, however, that only so much of the principal amount of the Bond of a denomination of more than $5,000 shall be redeemed as shall equal $5,000 for each number assigned to it and so selected. If a Bond is to be redeemed only in part, it shall be surrendered to the Bond Registrar (with, if the Issuer or Bond Registrar so requires, a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Issuer and Bond Registrar duly executed by the Holder thereof or the Holder's attorney duly authorized in writing) and the Issuer shall execute (if necessary) and the Bond Registrar shall authenticate and deliver to the Holder of the Bond, without service charge, a new Bond or Bonds having the same stated maturity and interest rate and of any Authorized Denomination or Denominations, as requested by the Holder, in aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for the unredeemed portion of the principal of the Bond so surrendered.
9 Issuance; Purpose; Special Obligations. This Bond is one of an issue in the total principal amount of $6,890,000, all of like date of original issue and tenor, except as to number, maturity, interest rate, redemption privilege and denomination, issued pursuant to and in full conformity with the charter of the Issuer, the Constitution and the laws of the State of Minnesota and pursuant to a resolution adopted by the City Council on September 24, 2007, as amended and restated on October 14, 2007 (the "Resolution"), for the purpose of providing money to finance the cost of improvements to the municipal electric light and power plant and system (the "Electric Utility") and to advance refund the outstanding Electric Revenue Bonds, Series The Bonds and the interest thereon are payable solely and exclusively from the net revenues of the Electric Utility pledged to the payment thereof, and do not constitute a debt of the Issuer, within the meaning of any constitutional or statutory limitation of indebtedness. In the event of any default hereunder, the Holder of this Bond may exercise any of the rights and privileges granted by the laws of the State of Minnesota subject to the provisions of the Resolution. The Bonds of this issue are a first and prior lien upon the net revenues of the Electric Utility, except that the Issuer is authorized under certain conditions to issue additional revenue obligations on a parity of lien with the Bonds, all as provided in the Resolution. Remedies. The Holders of twenty percent or more in aggregate principal amount of Bonds at any time outstanding may, either by law or in equity, by suit, action, or other proceedings, protect and enforce the rights of all Holders of Bonds then outstanding, or enforce and compel the performance of any and all of the covenants and duties specified in the Resolution to be performed by the Issuer or its officers and agents; provided, however, that nothing shall affect or impair the right of any Bondholder to enforce the payment of the principal of and interest on any Bond at and after the maturity thereof, or the obligation of the Issuer to pay the principal of and interest on each of the Bonds issued to the respective Holders thereof at the time and place, from the source and in the manner provided in the Resolution. Denominations; Exchange; Resolution. The Bonds are issuable solely in fully registered form in Authorized Denominations (as defined in the Resolution) and are exchangeable for fully registered Bonds of other Authorized Denominations in equal aggregate principal amounts at the principal office of the Bond Registrar, but only in the manner and subject to the limitations provided in the Resolution. Reference is hereby made to the Resolution for a description of the rights and duties of the Bond Registrar. Copies of the Resolution are on file in the principal office of the Bond Registrar. Transfer. This Bond is transferable by the Holder in person or by the Holder's attorney duly authorized in writing at the principal office of the Bond Registrar upon presentation and surrender hereof to the Bond Registrar, all subject to the terms and conditions provided in the Resolution and to reasonable regulations of the Issuer contained in any agreement with the Bond Registrar. Thereupon the Issuer shall execute and the Bond Registrar shall authenticate and deliver, in exchange for this Bond, one or more new fully registered Bonds in the name of the transferee (but not registered in blank or to "bearer" or similar designation), of an Authorized Denomination or Denominations, in aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of this Bond, of the same maturity and bearing interest at the same rate. Fees upon Transfer or Loss. The Bond Registrar may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection with the transfer or exchange of this Bond and any legal or unusual costs regarding transfers and lost Bonds. Treatment of Registered Owners. The Issuer and the Bond Registrar may treat the person in whose name this Bond is registered as the owner hereof for the purpose of receiving payment as herein provided (except as provided on the reverse side hereof with respect to the Record Date) and for all other purposes, whether or not this Bond shall be overdue, and neither the Issuer nor the Bond Registrar shall be affected by notice to the contrary. Authentication. This Bond shall not be valid or become obligatory for any purpose or be entitled to any security unless the Certificate of Authentication hereon shall have been executed by the Bond Registrar. Qualified Tax-Exempt Obligations. The Bonds have been designated by the Issuer as "qualified tax-exempt obligations" for purposes of Section 265(b)(3) of the federal Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. IT IS HEREBY CERTIFIED AND RECITED that all acts, conditions and things required by the charter of the Issuer, the Constitution and the laws of the State of Minnesota to be done, to happen and to be performed, precedent to and in the issuance of this Bond, have been done, have happened and have been performed, in regular and due form, time and manner as
10 required by law, and this Bond, together with all other debts of the Issuer outstanding on the date of original issue hereof and the date of its issuance and delivery to the original purchaser does not exceed any charter, constitutional or statutory limitation of indebtedness; and that the Issuer will maintain rates and charges for the electric service furnished by the Electric Utility sufficient in an amount to promptly meet the principal and interest requirements of this issue. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the City of Benson, Swift County, Minnesota, has caused this Bond to be executed on its behalf by the facsimile signatures of the Mayor and the Clerk-Finance Director, the corporate seal of the Issuer having been intentionally omitted as permitted by law. Date of Registration: BOND REGISTRAR'S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION This Bond is one of the Bonds described in the Resolution mentioned within. U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION St. Paul, Minnesota By Authorized Signature Registrable by: U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION Payable at: U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION CITY OF BENSON, SWIFT COUNTY, MINNESOTA /s/ Facsimile Mayor /s/ Facsimile Clerk-Finance Director Radian Asset Assurance Inc. ("Radian"), a New York corporation, has issued its Policy (the "Policy") insuring the payment of principal of and interest on this Bond on the "due date," as defined in the Policy. Reference is made to the Policy for the complete provisions thereof. All payments required to be made under the Policy shall be made in accordance with the provisions thereof. The owner of this Bond acknowledges and consents to the subrogation and transfer rights of Radian as more fully set forth in the Policy. ABBREVIATIONS The following abbreviations, when used in the inscription on the face of this Bond, shall be construed as though they were written out in full according to applicable laws or regulations: TEN COM - as tenants in common TEN ENT - as tenants by the entireties JT TEN - as joint tenants with right of survivorship and not as tenants in common UTMA - as custodian for under the Uniform Transfers to Minors Act (Cust) (Minor) (State) Additional abbreviations may also be used though not in the above list. ASSIGNMENT For value received, the undersigned hereby sells, assigns and transfers unto the within Bond and does hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint attorney to transfer the Bond on the books kept for the registration thereof, with full power of substitution in the premises. Dated: Notice: The assignor's signature to this assignment must correspond with the name as it appears upon the face of the within Bond in every particular, without alteration or any change whatever. Signature Guaranteed: Signature(s) must be guaranteed by a national bank or trust company or by a brokerage firm having a membership in one of the major stock exchanges or any other "Eligible Guarantor Institution" as defined in 17 CFR Ad-15(a)(2). The Bond Registrar will not effect transfer of this Bond unless the information concerning the transferee requested below is provided.
11 Name and Address: (Include information for all joint owners if the Bond is held by joint account.) PREPAYMENT SCHEDULE This Bond has been prepaid in part on the date(s) and in the amount(s) as follows: Date Amount Authorized Signature of Holder 10. Execution; Temporary Bonds. The Bonds shall be in typewritten form, shall be executed on behalf of the City by the signatures of its Mayor and Clerk-Finance Director and be sealed with the seal of the City; provided, as permitted by law, both signatures may be photocopied facsimiles and the corporate seal has been omitted. In the event of disability or resignation or other absence of either officer, the Bonds may be signed by the manual or facsimile signature of the officer who may act on behalf of the absent or disabled officer. In case either officer whose signature or facsimile of whose signature shall appear on the Bonds shall cease to be such officer before the delivery of the Bonds, the signature or facsimile shall nevertheless be valid and sufficient for all purposes, the same as if the officer had remained in office until delivery. 11. Authentication. No Bond shall be valid or obligatory for any purpose or be entitled to any security or benefit under this resolution unless a Certificate of Authentication on such Bond, substantially in the form hereinabove set forth, shall have been duly executed by an authorized representative of the Bond Registrar. Certificates of Authentication on different Bonds need not be signed by the same person. The Bond Registrar shall authenticate the signatures of officers of the Issuer on each Bond by execution of the Certificate of Authentication on the Bond and by inserting as the date of registration in the space provided the date on which the Bond is authenticated, except that for purposes of delivering the original Bonds to the Purchaser, the Bond Registrar shall insert as a date of registration the date of original issue of October 16, The Certificate of Authentication so executed on each Bond shall be conclusive evidence that it has been authenticated and delivered under this resolution. 12. Registration; Transfer; Exchange. The Issuer will cause to be kept at the principal office of the Bond Registrar a bond register in which, subject to such reasonable regulations as the Bond Registrar may prescribe, the Bond Registrar shall provide for the registration of Bonds and the registration of transfers of Bonds entitled to be registered or transferred as herein provided. Upon surrender for transfer of any Bond at the principal office of the Bond Registrar, the Issuer shall execute (if necessary), and the Bond Registrar shall authenticate, insert the date of registration (as provided in paragraph 11) and deliver, in the name of the designated transferee or transferees, one or more new Bonds of any Authorized Denomination or Denominations of a like aggregate principal amount, having the same stated maturity and interest rate, as requested by the transferor; provided, however, that no Bond may be registered in blank or in the name of "bearer" or similar designation. At the option of the Holder, Bonds may be exchanged for Bonds of any Authorized Denomination or Denominations of a like aggregate principal amount and stated maturity, upon surrender of the Bonds to be exchanged at the principal office of the Bond Registrar. Whenever any Bonds are so surrendered for exchange, the Issuer shall execute (if necessary), and the Bond Registrar shall authenticate, insert the date of registration of, and deliver the Bonds which the Holder making the exchange is entitled to receive.
12 All Bonds surrendered upon any exchange or transfer provided for in this resolution shall be promptly canceled by the Bond Registrar and thereafter disposed of as directed by the Issuer. All Bonds delivered in exchange for or upon transfer of Bonds shall be valid special obligations of the Issuer evidencing the same debt, and entitled to the same benefits under this resolution, as the Bonds surrendered for such exchange or transfer. Every Bond presented or surrendered for transfer or exchange shall be duly endorsed or be accompanied by a written instrument of transfer, in form satisfactory to the Bond Registrar, duly executed by the Holder thereof or the Holder's attorney duly authorized in writing. The Bond Registrar may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection with the transfer or exchange of any Bond and any legal or unusual costs regarding transfers and lost Bonds. Transfers shall also be subject to reasonable regulations of the Issuer contained in any agreement with the Bond Registrar, including regulations which permit the Bond Registrar to close its transfer books between record dates and payment dates. The Clerk-Finance Director is hereby authorized to negotiate and execute the terms of the agreement. 13. Rights Upon Transfer or Exchange. Each Bond delivered upon transfer of or in exchange for or in lieu of any other Bond shall carry all the rights to interest accrued and unpaid, and to accrue, which were carried by such other Bond. 14. Interest Payment, Record Date. Interest on any Bond shall be paid on each Interest Payment Date by check or draft mailed to the person in whose name the Bond is registered (the "Holder") on the registration books of the Issuer maintained by the Bond Registrar and at the address appearing thereon at the close of business on the fifteenth day of the calendar month next preceding such interest payment date (the "Regular Record Date"). Any such interest not so timely paid shall cease to be payable to the person who is the Holder thereof as of the Regular Record Date, and shall be payable to the person who is the Holder thereof at the close of business on a date (the "Special Record Date") fixed by the Bond Registrar whenever money becomes available for payment of the defaulted interest. Notice of the Special Record Date shall be given by the Bond Registrar to the Holders not less than ten days prior to the Special Record Date. As long as the financial guaranty insurance policy (the "Policy") issued by the Insurer insuring the payment when due of the principal of and interest on the Bonds as provided therein shall be in full force and effect, the Bond Registrar shall comply with the following provisions: (a) At least three (3) days prior to all Interest Payment Dates, the Bond Registrar, will determine whether there will be sufficient funds to pay the principal of or interest on the Bonds on such Interest Payment Date. If the Bond Registrar determines that there will be insufficient funds, the Bond Registrar shall so notify The Bank of New York (the "Insurance Trustee"). Such notice shall specify the amount of the anticipated deficiency, the Bonds to which such deficiency is applicable and whether such Bonds will be deficient as to principal or interest, or both. The Insurer will make payments of principal or interest due on the Bonds on or before the first (1st) day next following the date on which the Insurance Trustee shall have received notice of nonpayment from the Bond Registrar. (b) The Bond Registrar shall, after giving notice to the Insurance Trustee as provided in (a) above, make available to the Insurer and the Insurance Trustee, the registration books of the Issuer maintained by the Bond Registrar, and all records relating to the funds maintained under this Resolution. (c) The Bond Registrar shall provide the Insurer and the Insurance Trustee with a list of Holders of Bonds entitled to receive principal or interest payments from the Insurer under the terms of the Policy, and shall make arrangements with the Insurance Trustee (i) to mail checks or drafts to the Holders of Bonds entitled to receive full or partial interest payments from the Insurer and (ii) to pay principal upon Bonds surrendered to the Insurance Trustee by the Holders of Bonds entitled to receive full or partial principal payments from the Insurer. (d) The Bond Registrar shall at the time it provides notice to the Insurance Trustee pursuant to (a) above, notify registered Holders of Bonds entitled to receive the payment of principal or interest thereon from the Insurer (i) as to the fact of such entitlement, (ii) that the Insurer will remit to them all or part of the interest payments next coming due upon proof of Holder entitlement to interest payments and delivery to the Insurance Trustee, in form satisfactory to the Insurance Trustee as determined by the Insurer, of an appropriate assignment
13 of the Holder's right to payment, (iii) that should they be entitled to receive full payment of principal from the Insurer, they must surrender their Bonds (along with an appropriate instrument of assignment in form satisfactory to the Insurer to permit ownership of such Bonds to be registered in the name of the Insurer) for payment to the Insurance Trustee, and not the Bond Registrar and (iv) that should they be entitled to receive partial payment of principal from the Insurer, they must surrender their Bonds for payment thereon first to the Bond Registrar, who shall note on such Bonds the portion of the principal paid by the Bond Registrar and then, along with an appropriate instrument of assignment in form satisfactory to the Insurer, to the Insurance Trustee, which will then pay the unpaid portion of principal. (e) In the event that the Bond Registrar has notice that any payment of principal of or interest on a Bond which has become due for payment and which is made to a registered Holder by or on behalf of the Issuer has been deemed a preferential transfer and theretofore recovered from its registered Holder pursuant to the United States Bankruptcy Code by a trustee in bankruptcy in accordance with the final, nonappealable order of a court having competent jurisdiction, the Bond Registrar shall, at the time the Insurance Trustee is notified pursuant to (a) above, notify all registered Holders that in the event that any registered Holder's payment is so recovered, such registered Holder will be entitled to payment from the Insurer to the extent of such recovery if sufficient funds are not otherwise available, and the Bond Registrar shall furnish to the Insurance Trustee and the Insurer its records evidencing the payments of principal of and interest on the Bonds which have been made by the Bond Registrar and subsequently recovered from registered Holders and the dates on which such payments are made. (f) The Insurer shall, to the extent it makes payment of principal of or interest on Bonds, become subrogated to the rights of the recipients of such payments in accordance with the terms of the Policy, and to evidence such subrogation (i) in the case of subrogation as to claims for past due interest, the Bond Registrar shall note the Insurer's rights as subrogee on the registration books of the Issuer maintained by the Bond Registrar, upon receipt from the Insurer of proof of the payment of interest thereon to the registered Owners of the Bonds and (ii) in the case of subrogation as to claims for past due principal, the Bond Registrar shall note the Insurer's rights as subrogee on the registration books of the Issuer maintained by the Bond Registrar upon surrender of the Bonds by the registered Owners thereof together with proof of the payment of principal thereof. The Bond Registrar shall not make a claim for payment on the Policy until any and all funds held pursuant to this Resolution have been fully drawn to pay principal of or interest on the Bonds. 15. Treatment of Registered Owner. The Issuer and the Bond Registrar may treat the person in whose name any Bond is registered as the owner of the Bond for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of and premium, if any, and interest (subject to the payment provisions in paragraph 14) on, the Bond and for all other purposes whatsoever whether or not the Bond shall be overdue, and neither the Issuer nor the Bond Registrar shall be affected by notice to the contrary. 16. Delivery; Application of Proceeds. The Bonds when so prepared and executed shall be delivered by the Clerk-Finance Director to the Purchaser upon receipt of the purchase price, and the Purchaser shall not be obliged to see to the proper application thereof. 17. Fund and Accounts. For the convenience and proper administration of the proceeds derived from the sale of the Bonds and for the payment of principal of and interest on the Bonds, the Electric Fund shall continue to be in effect, subject to the following accounts which are hereby established: (i) Capital Account. To the Capital Account there shall be credited the proceeds of the sale of the Improvement Portion of the Bonds plus the amount of Bond proceeds necessary to pay the costs of issuance of the Bonds, less the Improvement Portion of the Bonds proceeds deposited in the Reserve Account and any amount paid for the Improvement Portion of the Bonds in excess of the minimum bid. From the Capital Account shall be paid all costs of issuance incurred in issuing the Bonds and all costs of making the Improvements, including the cost of any construction contracts heretofore let and all other costs incurred and to be incurred of the kind authorized in Minnesota Statutes, Section Any balance remaining in the Capital Account after the payment of such costs shall be transferred to the Parity Revenue Bond Debt Service Account herein established.
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Original Pen and Ink From "Blackie's Children's Annual"
APPLETON, Honor C. Original Pen and Ink From "Blackie's Children's Annual". , Array.
Original Pen and Ink from "Blackie's Children's Annual". [Glasgow: 1918]. Page 177 from "Blackie's Children's Annual," "Chrissie's Christmastide." Titled "When tea was over they had games." Picture depicts three young children, holding hands and what looks like to be skipping. (Measures 5 x 8 3/4 inches; 17 x 13 1/4 framed).
Honor Charlotte Appleton (1879-1951). Trained at the Royal Academy Schools in London and Frank Calderon's School of Amazing Painting, Appleton worked in delicate watercolors, pen and wash, and black and white pen illustrations. She produced more than 150 books for children but also illustrated William Blake's Songs of Innocence. Her best known books are probably the "Josephine" books by Mrs. H.C. Cradock, in which Appleton used her famous 'child's perspective' of floor level illustrations. Her work was widely exhibited in British art galleries, including the prestigious Royal Academy.
HBS # 67445 $750
2008-2019 © Heritage Book Shop, LLC. | P.O. Box 571027 Tarzana, CA 91357 | 310.659.3674 310.659-4872(fax)
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Home » Timelines by Topic » Regions » Asia » Afghanistan » Complete 911 Timeline
Complete 911 Timeline
Project: Complete 911 Timeline
Open-Content project managed by matt, Derek, Paul, KJF, mtuck, paxvector
Page 51 of 74 (7307 events)
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December 24, 2001-January 23, 2002: Reporter Daniel Pearl Investigates Sensitive Topics in Pakistan
Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl writes stories about the ISI that will lead to his kidnapping and murder (see January 31, 2002).
On December 24, 2001, he reports about ties between the ISI and a Pakistani organization, Ummah Tameer-e-Nau, that was working on giving bin Laden nuclear secrets before 9/11 (see 2000 and Mid-August 2001). [Wall Street Journal, 12/24/2001]
A few days later, he reports that the ISI-supported militant organization Jaish-e-Mohammed still has its office running and bank accounts working, even though President Pervez Musharraf claims to have banned the group. The Jaish-i-Mohammed is connected to the Al Rashid Trust, one of the first entities whose assets were frozen by the US after 9/11 and through which funding may have passed on its way to the hijackers in the US (see Early August 2001 and September 24, 2001). “If [Pearl] hadn’t been on the ISI’s radarscope before, he was now.” [Wall Street Journal, 12/31/2001; Guardian, 7/16/2002; Vanity Fair, 8/2002]
He begins investigating links between shoe bomber Richard Reid and Pakistani militants, and comes across connections to the ISI and a mysterious religious group called Al-Fuqra. [Washington Post, 2/23/2002]
He also may be looking into the US training and backing of the ISI. [Gulf News, 3/25/2002]
He is writing another story on Dawood Ibrahim, a powerful Islamic militant and gangster protected by the ISI, and other Pakistani organized crime figures. [Newsweek, 2/4/2002; Vanity Fair, 8/2002]
Former CIA agent Robert Baer later claims to be working with Pearl on an investigation of 9/11 mastermind Khalid Shaikh Mohammed. [United Press International, 4/9/2004] It is later suggested that Mohammed masterminds both Reid’s shoe bomb attempt and the Pearl kidnapping, and has connections to Pakistani gangsters and the ISI, so some of these explanations could fit together. [Asia Times, 10/30/2002; CNN, 1/30/2003; United Press International, 4/9/2004] Kidnapper Saeed will later say of Pearl, “Because of his hyperactivity he caught our interest.” [News (Islamabad), 2/15/2002] Pearl is kidnapped on January 23, 2002, and his murder is confirmed on February 22, 2002. [CNN, 2/22/2002]
Entity Tags: Dawood Ibrahim, Al-Fuqra, Daniel Pearl, Pakistan Directorate for Inter-Services Intelligence, Jaish-e-Mohammed, Osama bin Laden, Pervez Musharraf, Khalid Shaikh Mohammed, Robert Baer, Ummah Tameer-e-Nau
Category Tags: Pakistan and the ISI, Saeed Sheikh, 2001 Attempted Shoe Bombing
December 25, 2001: Experts: WTC Collapse Investigation Inadequate
The New York Times reports that “some of the nation’s leading structural engineers and fire-safety experts” believe the investigation into the collapse of the WTC is “inadequate” and “are calling for a new, independent and better-financed inquiry that could produce the kinds of conclusions vital for skyscrapers and future buildings nationwide.” Experts critical of the investigation include “some of those people who are actually conducting it.” They point out that the current team of 20 or so investigators has no subpoena power, inadequate financial support, and little staff support. Additionally, it has been prevented from interviewing witnesses and frequently prevented from examining the disaster site, and has even been unable to obtain basic information like detailed blueprints of the buildings that collapsed. The decision to recycle the steel columns, beams, and trusses from the WTC rapidly in the days immediately after 9/11 means definitive answers may never be known. [New York Times, 12/25/2001] Incredibly, some of the steel is reforged into commemorative medallions selling for $30 apiece. [Associated Press, 1/30/2002]
Entity Tags: World Trade Center
Timeline Tags: 9/11 Timeline
Category Tags: WTC Investigation, 9/11 Investigations
December 26, 2001: Suspected Bojinka and WTC Bomb Plotter Arrested But Only Charged for Minor Offenses
A Jordanian suspected of involvement in the 1993 WTC bombing (see February 26, 1993) and 1995 Bojinka plot (see January 6, 1995) is arrested but apparently only charged with minor offenses. Hadi Yousef Alghoul had been arrested in the Philippines in March 1995 and accused of involvement in the Bojinka plot there. (see April 1, 1995-Early 1996). He apparently is the cousin of bomber Ramzi Yousef. [Ressa, 2003, pp. 25] On December 26, 2001, he is arrested in the Philippines again. He is found with nearly 300 sticks of dynamite and other bomb making materials. A police colonel says Alghoul had been under surveillance for years. [CNN, 12/28/2001; Contemporary Southeast Asia, 12/1/2002] Police say he is one of the United States’ 25 most wanted terrorists with a $25 million reward for his arrest in connection with the 1993 WTC bombing. His “fingerprints perfectly matched those of a terrorist tagged in the World Trade Center bombing.” He is also wanted for plotting the assassination of Americans. [Manila Bulletin, 1/6/2002] Yet despite all these accusations, he is not extradited to the US as other Bojinka suspects were, and he is merely charged in 2002 with the illegal possession of explosive devices. There have been no further news accounts about him. [Manila Sun-Star, 11/16/2002]
Entity Tags: Hadi Yousef Alghoul, Ramzi Yousef
Category Tags: 1995 Bojinka Plot, Philippine Militant Collusion, Ramzi Yousef, Key Captures and Deaths, Al-Qaeda in Southeast Asia
December 26, 2001: Bin Laden Again Denies 9/11 Involvement, but Praises Hijackers
Osama bin Laden making his “Nineteen Students” speech. [Source: Al Jazeera]Osama bin Laden makes a new video statement about 9/11, again denying the US has enough evidence against him to warrant an attack on Afghanistan (see September 16, 2001 and September 28, 2001), which he calls “a vicious campaign based on mere suspicion.” However, in what Professor Bruce Lawrence calls “his most extended and passionate celebration of the hijackers of 9/11,” he praises the 19 who carried out “the blessed strikes against global unbelief and its leader America.” He says of the hijackers, “It was not nineteen Arab states that did this deed. It was not Arab armies or ministries who humbled the oppressor who harms us in Palestine and elsewhere. It was nineteen post-secondary school students—I beg Allah almighty to accept them—who shook America’s throne, struck its economy right in the heart, and dealt the biggest military power a mighty blow, by the grace of Allah Almighty.” He continues by saying that the hijackers “are the people who have given up everything for the sake of ‘There is no Allah but Allah.’” He also criticizes Israel’s occupation of Palestine, and suggests that Israel is trying to expand its borders to Medina, currently in Saudi Arabia. Bin Laden also attacks the sanctions against Iraq, which he notes have resulted in “the murder of over a million children.” [Laden, 2005, pp. 145-157] Bin Laden’s left arm appears to be injured in the video, fueling speculation he was wounded in the battle for Afghanistan [CNN, 7/23/2002] No new videotapes of Bin Laden speaking are released for nearly three years after this (see October 29, 2004). [BBC, 10/30/2004]
Entity Tags: Osama bin Laden, Bruce Lawrence
Category Tags: Osama Bin Laden, Alleged Al-Qaeda Media Statements
December 26, 2001: Bin Laden Allegedly Dies of Lung Problems
The media reports that Osama bin Laden died of lung problems in the mountains of Tora Bora in mid-December. The report, which quotes a Taliban leader who allegedly attended bin Laden’s funeral, is originally published in the Pakistan Observer, and then picked up by Fox News. According to the Taliban leader, bin Laden was suffering from a serious lung complication and succumbed to the disease. He also claims bin Laden was laid to rest honorably near where he died and his grave was made as per his Wahabi belief. About 30 close associates of bin Laden, including his most trusted and personal bodyguards, his family members, and some “Taliban friends,” attended the funeral. A volley of bullets was also fired to pay final tribute to him. The Taliban leader claims to have seen bin Laden’s face before the burial and says, “he looked pale… but calm, relaxed, and confident.” When asked where bin Laden was buried, the leader says, “I am sure that like other places in Tora Bora, that particular place too must have vanished.” [Fox News, 12/26/2001] A man thought to be bin Laden will continue to issue media statements after his alleged death (see, for example, November 12, 2002). At the time this report becomes public, other accounts suggest bin Laden is alive, has just escaped from the battle of Tora Bora, and is fleeing pursuers (see December 8-14, 2001).
Entity Tags: Al-Qaeda, Osama bin Laden, Taliban
Category Tags: Osama Bin Laden, Hunt for Bin Laden in Pakistan
December 27, 2001: FBI Forces False Confession from Terror Suspect
The FBI administers a polygraph test to Egyptian national Abdallah Higazy, who has been in custody since December 17, 2001, on suspicion of facilitating the 9/11 attacks (see December 17, 2001). Higazy is about to be released by a judge because no real evidence exists that he had any connections to the attacks. The test is administered by FBI agent Michael Templeton; upon its completion, court documents show, Templeton concludes that Higazy is being evasive with his answers. But Templeton’s conclusion raises questions. Towards the end of the session, Higazy asks that the questioning be stopped because he is feeling intense pain in his arm and is having trouble breathing. Instead of releasing Higazy, Templeton calls him “a baby” and says that “a nine-year-old” could endure that kind of pain. It is not clear what is causing Higazy to be in pain, but from the conversation, it is clear that something untoward is occurring. During the questioning, Templeton threatens Higazy’s family. He tells Higazy that the FBI will make his brother “live in scrutiny” and will “make sure that Egyptian security gives [his] family hell.” According to court documents, by this point Templeton is screaming, smashing his fist into the table, and accusing Higazy of lying. Templetom also hints that the FBI might have Higazy’s family turned over to Egyptian intelligence. “[T]heir laws are different than ours,” he says. “[T]hey are probably allowed to do things in that country where they don’t advise people of their rights, they don’t—yeah, probably about torture, sure.” Higazy knows full well what Egyptian agents could do to his family members. Unwilling for his family to be tortured, he confesses to owning a radio the FBI is asking about. He is denied bail and remains in custody awaiting charge. Templeton will not deny coercing the confession from Higazy in subsequent questioning by Higazy’s lawyers. [Washington Post, 10/25/2007]
Entity Tags: Michael Templeton, Abdallah Higazy, Federal Bureau of Investigation
Timeline Tags: Torture of US Captives
Category Tags: Counterterrorism Action After 9/11
December 29, 2001: Assistant to Al-Qaeda Malaysia Summit Arrested, Later Released without Being Charged
Ahmad Sajuli Abdul Rahman. [Source: Malaysian Government]Ahmad Sajuli Abdul Rahman is arrested in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. [Utusan Malaysia, 1/5/2002]
Links to Al-Qaeda Summit - Sajuli, believed to be an operative of Jemaah Islamiyah, al-Qaeda’s Southeast Asian affiliate, did not attend an important al-Qaeda summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in January 2000 (see January 5-8, 2000), but he took some of the attendees around Kuala Lumpur. [US Congress, 10/17/2002] According to the later Guantanamo file of summit attendee Abu Bara al-Taizi (a.k.a. Zohair Mohammed Said), one of the attendees Sajuli escorted around town was 9/11 hijacker Khalid Almihdhar. Sajuli also helped arrange al-Taizi’s transportation at the end of the summit. [US Department of Defense, 10/25/2008] Sajuli’s arrest is part of a wave of over a dozen arrests in Malaysia that also gets Yazid Sufaat, one of the summit attendees (see December 19, 2001). [Utusan Malaysia, 1/5/2002]
Held without Charge or Trial - Malaysian law allows for suspects to be held without charge or trial for up to two years, and this can be extended for additional two year periods. In early 2004, it will be announced that Sajuli’s detention will be extended for another two years. [Human Rights Watch, 2/26/2004] However, apparently will be released before that two year period is up, because there will be no further news of his detention.
Entity Tags: Yazid Sufaat, Khalid Almihdhar, Abu Bara al-Taizi, Ahmad Sajuli Abdul Rahman, Jemaah Islamiyah
Category Tags: Al-Qaeda Malaysia Summit, Key Captures and Deaths
December 30, 2001: Afghan Interior Minister Claims ISI Supports Bin Laden
The new Afghan Interior Minister Younis Qanooni claims that the ISI, Pakistan’s intelligence agency, helped Osama bin Laden escape from Afghanistan: “Undoubtedly they (ISI) knew what was going on.” He claims that the ISI is still supporting bin Laden even if Pakistani President Musharraf isn’t. [BBC, 12/30/2001]
Entity Tags: Younis Qanooni, Pakistan Directorate for Inter-Services Intelligence, Pervez Musharraf, Osama bin Laden
Category Tags: Pakistan and the ISI
Late 2001: US Opposes Peacekeeping and Counter-narcotics in Afghanistan
James Dobbins, the Bush Administration’s special envoy for Afghanistan, later will say that three decisions in late 2001 “really shaped” the future of Afghanistan. “One was that US forces were not going to do peacekeeping of any sort, under any circumstances. They would remain available to hunt down Osama bin Laden and find renegade Taliban, but they were not going to have any role in providing security for the country at large. The second was that we would oppose anybody else playing this role outside Kabul. And this was at a time when there was a good deal of interest from other countries in doing so.” The main reason for this is because it is felt this would tie up more US resources as well, for instance US airlifts to drop supplies. The third decision is that US forces would not engage in any counter-narcotics activities. The Atlantic Monthly will later note, “One effect these policies had was to prolong the disorder in Afghanistan and increase the odds against a stable government. The absence of American or international peacekeepers guaranteed that the writ of the new [Hamid] Karzai government would extend, at best, to Kabul itself.” [Atlantic Monthly, 10/2004]
Entity Tags: Bush administration (43), Hamid Karzai, Taliban, Osama bin Laden
Timeline Tags: War in Afghanistan
Category Tags: Afghanistan
Late 2001: Taliban’s Top Drug Kingpin Arrested by US Then Let Go
In the 1990s, Afghan drug kingpin Haji Bashir Noorzai developed close ties to Taliban top leader Mullah Omar, al-Qaeda, and the Pakistani ISI. He becomes the top drug kingpin in Taliban-controlled Afghanistan. He is also reputedly the richest person in Afghanistan and the Taliban’s banker. For instance, according to US sources, as the Taliban began their military defeat after 9/11, they entrusted Noorzai with as much as $20 million in Taliban money for safekeeping. But he then surrenders to the US military in Afghanistan. Noorzai later says of this time, “I spent my days and nights comfortably. There was special room for me. I was like a guest, not a prisoner.” [CBS News, 2/7/2002; Risen, 2006, pp. 152-162] He spends several days in custody at the Kandahar airport. He speaks to US military and intelligence officials, but is released before Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) agents arrive in the country to question him. [National Public Radio, 4/26/2002] The other top drug kingpin for the Taliban is also arrested then let go by the US at this time (see December 2001 and After). Noorzai then lives in Pakistan, where he has been given a Pakistani passport by the ISI. He operates drug-processing laboratories there and has little trouble traveling to other countries. [Risen, 2006, pp. 152-162] In 2004 it will be reported, “According to House International Relations Committee testimony this year, Noorzai smuggles 4,400 pounds of heroin out of the Kandahar region to al-Qaeda operatives in Pakistan every eight weeks.” [USA Today, 10/26/2004]
Entity Tags: Al-Qaeda, Haji Bashir Noorzai, Pakistan Directorate for Inter-Services Intelligence, Taliban
Category Tags: Pakistan and the ISI, Drugs, Afghanistan, Key Captures and Deaths
Late December 2001: US Decides to Accept Iran’s Help against Al-Qaeda but Offer Nothing in Return
In late November 2001, State Department officials write a paper suggesting that the US has an opportunity to work with Iran to fight al-Qaeda. The CIA seconds the idea, and is willing to exchange information and coordinate border sweeps with Iran. However, neoconservatives led by Vice President Dick Cheney and Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld argue that the US cannot engage with Iran and other officially declared state sponsors of terrorism. In late December 2001, at a meeting of deputy cabinet officials, it is decided that the US will accept tactical information about terrorists from countries on the state sponsors list but offer nothing in return. This policy is called the “Hadley Rules” after Deputy National Security Adviser Stephen Hadley, who chairs the meeting. One month later, President Bush publicly lists Iran as part of an “Axis of Evil,” greatly reducing Iran’s cooperation regarding al-Qaeda. [Washington Post, 10/22/2004] However, the policy appears to be largely focused on Iran, as the US continues working with countries on the state sponsors list like Sudan and Syria against al-Qaeda (see June 13, 2002 and Early 2002-January 2003).
Entity Tags: Richard (“Dick”) Cheney, Donald Rumsfeld, Stephen J. Hadley, US Department of State, Central Intelligence Agency
Category Tags: Counterterrorism Policy/Politics
Late December 2001: Pakistan Allegedly Gives US Secret Permission to Get Bin Laden and Al-Zahawiri inside Pakistan
The US strikes a secret deal with Pakistan, allowing a US operation in Pakistan to kill or capture Osama bin Laden. This will be reported by the Guardian shortly after bin Laden is killed in Abbottabad, Pakistan, in May 2011 (see May 2, 2011). The Guardian will claim this account is “according to serving and retired Pakistani and US officials.” The deal is struck between Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf and US President George W. Bush shortly after bin Laden escapes the Tora Bora region of Afghanistan in December 2001 (see December 15, 2001). At the time, it is widely believed bin Laden escaped into Pakistan. The deal allows the US to conduct their own raids inside Pakistan if the target is bin Laden, al-Qaeda deputy head Ayman al-Zawahiri, or whoever the number three al-Qaeda leader is. Afterwards, Pakistan would vigorously protest, but this would just be to mollify public opinion. An unnamed senior Pakistani official will later say that the deal is reaffirmed in early 2008, when Musharraf’s grip on power is slipping. (Musharraf will resign in August 2008 (see August 18, 2008).) This same Pakistani official will say of the May 2011 US Special Forces raid that kills bin Laden in Pakistan, “As far as our American friends are concerned, they have just implemented the agreement.” [Guardian, 5/9/2011]
Entity Tags: Ayman al-Zawahiri, Pervez Musharraf, George W. Bush, Al-Qaeda, Osama bin Laden
Category Tags: Ayman Al-Zawahiri, Osama Bin Laden, Pakistan and the ISI, Haven in Pakistan Tribal Region, Hunt for Bin Laden in Pakistan, Counterterrorism Policy/Politics
Late December 2001-Late 2002: Bin Laden and Al-Zawahiri Hide in Remote Afghanistan Province Completely Undetected
Al-Qaeda top leaders Osama bin Laden and Ayman al-Zawahiri hide out in a remote province in Afghanistan for most of 2002. After bin Laden is killed in May 2011 (see May 2, 2011), US officials will reveal that they no longer believe the conventional account that he and al-Zawahiri left the Tora Bora battle by escaping into nearby Pakistan. Instead, the two of them headed north into Konar, a remote Afghanistan province, around December 15, 2001 (see (December 15, 2001)). According to one unnamed US official, they stay in mountain valleys “that no one has subdued… places the Soviets never pacified.” Their exact location during this time is unknown. Some Guantanamo prisoners will later tell interrogators that the two leaders stay in Konar for up to 10 months. But even bin Laden’s closest followers don’t know exactly where he or al-Zawahiri have gone in Konar. One US intelligence official will later say: “It became clear that [bin Laden] was not meeting with [his followers] face to face.… People we would capture had not seen him.” [Washington Post, 5/6/2011] Exactly how, when, or where bin Laden and al-Zawahiri go after Konar will not be revealed. But there will be reports that bin Laden moves to the village of Chak Shah Mohammad in northwest Pakistan in 2003 (see 2003-Late 2005).
Entity Tags: Ayman al-Zawahiri, US intelligence, Osama bin Laden
Category Tags: Ayman Al-Zawahiri, Osama Bin Laden, Hunt for Bin Laden in Pakistan, Afghanistan, Escape From Afghanistan
2002: US Refuses to Exchange Information with Iran about Islamist Militants
Twice in 2002, the US passes requests to Iran to deliver al-Qaeda suspects to the the Afghan government. Iran transfers two of the suspects and seeks more information about others. Iran, in turn, asks the US to question four Taliban prisoners held at the US-run Guantanamo prison. The four men are suspects in the 1998 killing of nine Iranian diplomats in Kabul, Afghanistan. But in late 2001, the Bush administration decided on a policy of accepting help with counterterrorism efforts from officially declared state sponsors of terrorism such as Iran, but not giving any help back (see Late December 2001). As a result, the Iranian request is denied. Counterterrorism “tsar” Wayne Downing will later comment, “I sided with the [CIA] guys on that. I was willing to make a deal with the devil if we could clip somebody important off or stop an attack.” The Washington Post will report, “Some believe important opportunities were lost.” [Washington Post, 10/22/2004]
Entity Tags: Wayne Downing, Al-Qaeda, Taliban
2002: Bush Administration Approves 10 Percent of Funds for Securing Nuclear Facilities
Energy Department Secretary Spencer Abraham asks for almost $380 million for added security at US nuclear facilities (see February 15, 2004). The Bush administration approves less than 10 percent of that figure, $26.4 million. Items that are not funded include: secure barriers and fences; funds to secure computer programs vulnerable to hackers; equipment to detect explosives hidden in packages and vehicles entering a nuclear site; and the reduction in the number of sites that store bomb-grade plutonium and uranium. [Carter, 2004, pp. 18]
Entity Tags: Bush administration (43), US Department of Energy, Spencer Abraham
Category Tags: Internal US Security After 9/11
2002: CIA Decides Ibrahim Saeed Ahmed Fits Profile of Ideal Courier for Bin Laden
In an attempt to find Osama bin Laden’s whereabouts, CIA intelligence analysts construct a composite profile of what an ideal courier for bin Laden would look like. Then they match this with what they know about bin Laden’s couriers. One US official will later say, “It was like doing the profile of a serial killer.” One courier, whose apparent real name is Ibrahim Saeed Ahmed, fits the profile very closely. However, at this time, US intelligence only knows him by his alias, Abu Ahmed al-Kuwaiti (see Early 2002).
He is a Pakistani Pashtun, and speaks Pashto. Most Taliban leaders are Pashtun and speak Pashto.
He speaks fluent Arabic, since he grew up in the Persian Gulf. This enables him to speak to bin Laden supporters from many countries in the Muslim world.
He is a trusted aide of al-Qaeda leaders Khalid Shaikh Mohammed and Abu Faraj al-Libbi.
He had been a part of al-Qaeda for many years prior to 9/11.
He is adept at the use of computers.
He is fiercely loyal to bin Laden. For instance, according to multiple prisoners at Guantanamo, he was last seen next to bin Laden when bin Laden fled the Tora Bora mountains in December 2001.
An unnamed US official will later say that Ahmed emerged as the most ideal courier for bin Laden, and thus, the best way to get to bin Laden. “He fit all the needs. He was high on the short list,” the official will say. As a result, the search for Ahmed is intensified. More prisoners in US custody are asked what they know about him. [MSNBC, 5/4/2011]
Entity Tags: Abu Faraj al-Libbi, Central Intelligence Agency, Ibrahim Saeed Ahmed, Al-Qaeda, Khalid Shaikh Mohammed, Osama bin Laden
Category Tags: Hunt for Bin Laden in Pakistan, Counterterrorism Action After 9/11
2002: Al-Qaeda Could Be Planning Cyber-Attacks; Recovered Computer, Detainee Interrogations Reveal Group’s Intentions
An analysis of the contents of a laptop computer belonging to al-Qaeda obtained by US forces in Afghanistan in January 2002 shows that the organization may be plotting attacks on the US infrastructure by seizing control of the computer systems used to run power plants, dams, or subways. The laptop was used to visit a site that offers a “Sabotage Handbook” for would-be hackers. Other visited sites are devoted to SCADA software (Systems Control And Data Acquisition), which have largely replaced manual controls to operate plants and machinery. The Washington Post reports that Al-Qaeda detainees interrogated at Guantanamo have revealed plans to use such tools although details are not available. The information obtained is strikingly reminiscent of a recent case of electronic intrusion (see Summer 2001). [Washington Post, 6/27/2002; PBS Frontline, 3/18/2003; Washington Post, 3/11/2005]
Entity Tags: Al-Qaeda
2002: Most Members of Bojinka Front Company Linked to 9/11 Mastermind Remain at Large
In 1994, several key members of the Bojinka plot, which would have killed thousands if successful (see January 6, 1995), formed a front company called Konsonjaya as part of the plot (see June 1994). Konsonjaya was a trading company that ostensibly exported Malaysian palm oil to Afghanistan and also traded in honey from Sudan and Yemen. All these countries have been important nodes in al-Qaeda’s network. The Philippine government was already wiretapping calls to the Konsonjaya offices before the Bojinka plot was foiled (see 1994), and definitively linked the company to the plot by the spring of 1995 (see Spring 1995). As late as 1998, 9/11 mastermind Khalid Shaikh Mohammed was using Konsonjaya as cover in his international travels (see June 1998). By 1999, the FBI had realized the importance of Konsonjaya to the Bojinka plot, and had linked al-Qaeda leader Hambali to it (see May 23, 1999). [Institute of Defense and Strategic Studies, 3/7/2003 ] In February 2002, Rodolfo Mendoza, the former head of Philippine counter-terrorism who led that country’s Bojinka investigation, will say, “According to my analysis, Konsonjaya was the nerve center not only for business but also for operational supervision [of the Bojinka plot].… The most critical question now is, ‘Where are the other former directors of Konsonjaya?’” [Los Angeles Times, 2/7/2002] Konsonjaya’s eight-person board of directors was made up of:
Amein Mohammed (Managing Director). His real name is Mohammed Amin al-Ghafari. He appears to have been heavily involved in the Bojinka plot. However, he has intelligence connections in the Philippines and remains the head of another front connected to Bojinka until November 2002. Then he is implicated in an October 2002 bombing and deported (see 1995 and After, February 15, 1999, and October 8-November 8, 2002). His current whereabouts are unknown.
Amein Alsanani (also Managing Director).
Annamalai N. L. Sundrasan (Secretary).
Wali Khan Amin Shah. He is one of the main Bojinka plotters and will later be sentenced to life in prison in the US for his role in that plot (see September 5, 1996).
Medhat Abdul Salam Shabana. Company records show Shabana is from Afghanistan.
Riduan bin Isumuddin (Hambali). He is arrested in Thailand in 2003 and taken into US custody (see August 12, 2003). He is believed to have roles in the 9/11 attacks, the 2002 Bali bombings, and other attacks. [Los Angeles Times, 2/7/2002; Institute of Defense and Strategic Studies, 3/7/2003 ]
Noralwizah Lee Binti Abdullah (Hambali’s wife). She is arrested with Hambali and immediately extradited to Malaysia. Two months later, the Malaysian government will place her in indefinite detention, where she apparently remains. A Malaysian official will say: “She was more than a wife to Hambali. She was a trusted aide who handled funds of the Jemaah Islamiyah [militant group].” [Institute of Defense and Strategic Studies, 3/7/2003 ; Sydney Morning Herald, 8/16/2003; Associated Press, 10/16/2003]
Hemeid H. Alghamdi. He is described in company records as a thirty-year-old Saudi from Jeddah. [Los Angeles Times, 2/7/2002; Institute of Defense and Strategic Studies, 3/7/2003 ]
Cosain Ramos (a.k.a. Abu Ali) is also connected to Konsonjaya, but apparently he used an alias so it is not clear which name matches his. He will be arrested in the Philippines in 2002 after being linked to the 2000 Christmas Eve bombings in Indonesia (see December 24-30, 2000 and Shortly Before December 24, 2000). But bizarrely, not only is he not charged, but he is given the job of janitor at the Philippines’s highest security prison and then helps a key al-Qaeda leader escape in 2003 (see July 14, 2003).
The Los Angeles Times reports in February 2002 that the whereabouts of most of the Konsonjaya board of directors remains unknown. [Los Angeles Times, 2/7/2002] But strangely, investigators seemingly remain uninterested in investigating Konsonjaya’s links. In October 2002, Sundrasan, the company’s secretary as well as one of the directors, will contact a Malaysian newspaper and tell them some details about the company, including that Amin Shah opened many bank accounts in the company’s name and that the company never really conducted any business. But he will also say that no investigators, journalists, or officials have ever questioned him about the company. [Malay Mail, 10/24/2002]
Entity Tags: Amein Alsanani, Khalid Shaikh Mohammed, Cosain Ramos, Hambali, Wali Khan Amin Shah, Annamalai N. L. Sundrasan, Noralwizah Lee Binti Abdullah, Konsonjaya, Rodolfo Mendoza, Hemeid H. Alghamdi, Mohammed Amin al-Ghafari, Medhat Abdul Salam Shabana
Category Tags: Al-Qaeda in Southeast Asia, 1995 Bojinka Plot
2002: Iraq, Not Afghanistan, Dominates National Security Council Agenda
CIA official Gary Schoen will later say, “I can remember trying to take issues about Afghanistan to the National Security Council (NSC) during 2002 and early 2003 and being told: ‘It’s off the agenda for today. Iraq is taking the whole agenda.’ Things that we desperately needed to do for Afghanistan were just simply pushed aside by concerns over in Iraq. There just wasn’t the time.” [PBS Frontline, 1/20/2006] A former senior NSC official will similarly recall that the Bush administration turned its attention to Iraq and “discussions about Afghanistan were constrained. Here’s what you have now, you don’t get anything more. No additional missions, no additional forces, no additional dollars.” This official adds that “the meetings to discuss Afghanistan at the time were best described by a comment Doug Feith made in one meeting, when he said we won the war, other people need to be responsible for Afghanistan now. What he meant was that nation building or postconflict stability operations ought to be taken care of by other governments.… To raise Afghanistan was to talk about what we were leaving undone.” [Risen, 2006, pp. 154]
Entity Tags: Gary C. Schroen, National Security Council, Douglas Feith
Category Tags: Afghanistan, Iraq War Impact on Counterterrorism
2002: US Agencies Evade Law by Using Private Database on US Citizens
The FBI and Defense Department begin paying ChoicePoint, a private data-collection company, for access to its data-searching system. Neither agency is legally permitted to keep database records on US citizens, but they are effectively able to circumvent this law by contracting the task to ChoicePoint. Both agencies have steadily expanded their relationship with the company. Exactly what kind of data is being accessed and the legality of doing so remain murky. [Government Executive, 11/11/2005]
Entity Tags: US Department of Defense, ChoicePoint, Federal Bureau of Investigation
Timeline Tags: Civil Liberties
2002: US Aid to Pakistan Skyrockets after 9/11
US aid to Pakistan skyrockets from a mere $5 million in 2001 to over $1.1 billion in 2002 (see February 14, 2002). [US News and World Report, 6/2/2003] In 2003, the New Yorker will report: “Since September 11th, Pakistan has been rescued from the verge of bankruptcy. The United States lifted economic sanctions that were imposed in 1998, after Pakistan began testing nuclear weapons, and it restored foreign aid.” Rahimullah Yusufzai, a Pakistani journalist who has interviewed Osama bin Laden, will say, “Essentially, [Pakistani President Pervez] Musharraf was very lucky this happened in his neighborhood.” [New Yorker, 7/28/2003] Ironically, there have been reports that the ISI Pakistani intelligence agency was involved in the 9/11 attacks and even that ISI Director Mahmood Ahmed ordered money to be sent to hijacker Mohamed Atta (see October 7, 2001).
Entity Tags: Pervez Musharraf, Rahimullah Yusufzai
2002: Blackwater Wins Contract for CIA Security in Afghanistan
At some time in 2002, the the private military corporation Blackwater wins a classified contract to provide security for the CIA station in Kabul, Afghanistan. The circumstances and details of the contract are unknown, although this is only one of several contracts Blackwater and the CIA conclude after 9/11 (see, for example 2002 and 2004). [New York Times, 8/20/2009]
Entity Tags: Central Intelligence Agency, Blackwater USA
2002: Cheney Tells CIA Not to Brief Assassination and Capture Program to Congress
Vice President Dick Cheney tells the CIA not to brief Congress about an agency program to kill and capture al-Qaeda leaders (see Shortly After September 17, 2001). Two reasons will be given for withholding the information. One is that the program never becomes operational. [New York Times, 7/12/2009; New York Times, 7/14/2009; Washington Post, 8/20/2009; New York Times, 8/20/2009] The other is that the agency already has legal authority to kill al-Qaeda leaders (see September 17, 2001). [New York Times, 8/20/2009] According to the New York Times, Cheney’s instruction to keep the program secret suggests “that the Bush administration had put a high priority on the program and its secrecy.” [New York Times, 7/12/2009] The fact that the program is never briefed to Congress until it is cancelled in 2009 (see June 24, 2009) will cause controversy after it becomes public knowledge, and the House Intelligence Committee will investigate whether it was a breach of the law (see Before August 20, 2009). The law is apparently unclear on whether this program should be briefed, as it requires the president to make sure the House and Senate intelligence committees “are kept fully and currently informed of the intelligence activities of the United States, including any significant anticipated intelligence activity.” However, such briefings should be done “to the extent consistent with due regard for the protection from unauthorized disclosure of classified information relating to sensitive intelligence sources and methods or other exceptionally sensitive matters.” House Intelligence Committee member Peter Hoekstra (R-MI) will later say that Congress would have approved of the program only in what the New York Times calls “the angry and panicky days after 9/11, on 9/12,” but not later, after fears and tempers had begun to cool. [New York Times, 7/12/2009]
Entity Tags: House Intelligence Committee, Peter Hoekstra, Central Intelligence Agency, Richard (“Dick”) Cheney, Senate Intelligence Committee
2002: Madrid Bombings Mastermind Is Monitored, Appears to Be Preparing for ‘Violent Action’
A 2005 Spanish police report will detail that Serhane Abdelmajid Fakhet, considered one of the masterminds of the 2004 Madrid train bombings (see 7:37-7:42 a.m., March 11, 2004), is closely monitored with court authorization in 2002. The report will quote Lina Kalaji, a translator for Spanish intelligence (UCI) who translates Fakhet’s Arabic conversations. The report will note she repeatedly warned her superiors he “was a very dangerous man and could be preparing some violent action.” But according to the report, after several months she was told by a superior, Rafael Gome Menor, that the surveillance was to be discontinued. She said this was a very bad mistake. [El Mundo (Madrid), 7/29/2005] An informant will report on Fakhet until 2003 (see September 2002-October 2003), and one of Fakhet’s top aides is also an informant (see 2003). There are claims that Fakhet himself is an informant (see 2003). Lina Kalaji’s brother is Ayman Maussili Kalaji, a police officer suspected of a role in the bombings plot (see May 16, 2005).
Entity Tags: Centro Nacional de Inteligencia, Ayman Maussili Kalaji, Lina Kalaji, Rafael Gomez Menor, Serhane Abdelmajid Fakhet
Category Tags: Al-Qaeda in Spain, 2004 Madrid Train Bombings, Remote Surveillance
2002: Al-Qaeda Leader Makes Second Attempt to Meet Hussein, but Is Turned Away Again
In 2006, a bipartisan Senate report will conclude that al-Qaeda leader Mahfouz Walad Al-Walid (a.k.a. Abu Hafs the Mauritanian) traveled to Iraq this year in an attempt to meet with Saddam Hussein. This is according to debriefings after the 2003 Iraq war. But Hussein refused to meet him and directed that he should leave Iraq because he could cause a problem for the country. Al-Walid made a similar attempt to meet with Hussein in 1998, and was similarly rebuffed (see March-June 1998). The Senate report will conclude that, despite many alleged meetings, these two attempted meetings by Al-Walid and an actual meeting between bin Laden and an Iraqi agent in 1995 (see Early 1995) were the only attempted contacts between the Iraqi government and al-Qaeda before the Iraq war. [US Senate and Intelligence Committee, 9/8/2006 ]
Entity Tags: Mahfouz Walad Al-Walid, Saddam Hussein
Timeline Tags: Events Leading to Iraq Invasion
Category Tags: Alleged Iraq-Al-Qaeda Links
2002: CIA Officals Ask Tenet to Warn White House Invasion of Iraq Will Undermine Counterterrorism Efforts
Senior CIA officials, including James Pavitt, the deputy director of operations of the CIA, ask CIA Director George Tenet to relay concerns to the White House that invading Iraq will undermine US counterterrorism efforts. They warn that it will divert attention and resources away from the ongoing fight against al-Qaeda, at a time when the United States’ counterterrorism efforts seem to be having a decisive impact. One former aide to Tenet tells author James Risen, “A lot of people went to George to tell him that Iraq would hurt the war on terrorism, but I never heard him express an opinion about war in Iraq. He would just come back from the White House and say they are going to do it.” [Risen, 2006, pp. 183-184]
Entity Tags: George J. Tenet, James Pavitt
Category Tags: Counterterrorism Policy/Politics, Iraq War Impact on Counterterrorism
2002: Witness Possibly Connects Hijackers Alhazmi and Almihdhar to Saudi Consulate Official
Qualid Benomrane’s 2001 tax driver license. [Source: FBI]The FBI interviews Qualid Benomrane, an Arabic-speaking taxi driver who had done chauffeur work for the Saudi consulate in Los Angeles. Benomrane is shown pictures of young Arab men and asked if he recognizes any of them. He quickly picks hijackers Nawaf Alhazmi and Khalid Almihdhar out of the line-up. After realizing they were 9/11 hijackers, he denies knowing them. The FBI asks him about his ties to Fahad al Thumairy, an official at the Saudi consulate suspected of a link with those two hijackers. Benomrane says that al Thumairy introduced him to two young Saudi men who had just arrived in the US and needed help. Benomrane drove them to places in Los Angeles and San Diego, including Sea World, a theme park in San Diego. [Shenon, 2008, pp. 309] (Curiously, these two hijackers bought season passes to Sea World.) [Los Angeles Times, 9/1/2002] 9/11 Commission staffers will later conclude it is highly likely that the two men were Alhazmi and Almihdhar, despite Benomrane’s later denial. This would mean al Thumairy knew the two hijackers. [Shenon, 2008, pp. 309] However, the 9/11 Commission will fail to mention anything about this in their final report.
Entity Tags: Nawaf Alhazmi, Fahad al Thumairy, Qualid Benomrane, Khalid Almihdhar
Category Tags: Alhazmi and Almihdhar, Bayoumi and Basnan Saudi Connection, 9/11 Investigations, 9/11 Commission, FBI 9/11 Investigation, Saudi Arabia
2002-2004: 7/7 London Bombers Attend Sermons Given by Extremist Imam Abu Hamza Who Has Deal with MI5
Lead 7/7 suicide bomber Mohammed Sidique Khan (see July 7, 2005) first attends the radical Finsbury Park mosque in London in 2002. The mosque is run by extremist imam Abu Hamza al-Masri, an informer for Britain’s security services (see Early 1997). Khan and fellow suicide bomber Shehzad Tanweer first heard Abu Hamza preach in Leeds, and when Khan arrives at the mosque he is carrying a letter of recommendation from Haroon Rashid Aswat, a top aide to Abu Hamza, an alleged mastermind of the 7/7 bombings, and a possible British informant (see Late June-July 7, 2005 and July 29, 2005). Reportedly, Khan makes several visits to the mosque, sometimes sleeping in the basement. Aswat recruited young men to join al-Qaeda at Finsbury Park, at least in the late 1990s (see Late 1990s). Khan also takes Tanweer to the mosque, where, according to authors Sean O’Neill and Daniel McGrory, they are “shown gory videos and DVDs portraying the suffering and slaughter of Muslims in hotspots around the world, and [are] urged to make common cause with the people of Chechnya, Iraq, and Afghanistan.” O’Neill and McGrory will later comment: “Instructors at Finsbury Park would have spotted that in Khan they had a small-time street boss who was an ideal candidate to organize his own cell.” Khan, Tanweer, and a third bomber, Jermaine Lindsay, will also attend gatherings led by Abu Hamza outside the mosque after it is closed by police (see January 24, 2003). [O'Neill and McGrory, 2006, pp. xix-xx, 190, 269, 271-272]
Entity Tags: Shehzad Tanweer, Mohammad Sidique Khan, Finsbury Park Mosque, Germaine Lindsay, Abu Hamza al-Masri, Haroon Rashid Aswat
Category Tags: Abu Hamza Al-Masri, Haroon Rashid Aswat, Londonistan - UK Counterterrorism, 2005 7/7 London Bombings
2002-2006: Bush Administration Creates ‘Potemkin Village’ Facade to Hide Covert Operations with Few Limits or Rules
In late 2001 or early 2002, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld creates Operation Copper Green, which is a “special access program” with “blanket advance approval to kill or capture and, if possible, interrogate ‘high value’ targets.” especially al-Qaeda leaders (see Late 2001-Early 2002). According to a Pentagon counterterrorism consultant involved in the operation, the authorizations are “very calibrated” and vague in order to minimize political risk. “The CIA never got the exact language it wanted.” According to a high-level CIA official involved in the operation, the White House would hint to the CIA that the CIA should operate outside official guidelines to do what it wants to do. The CIA will later deny this, but CIA Director George Tenet will later acknowledge that there had been a struggle “to get clear guidance” in terms of how far to go during detainee interrogations. Slowly, official authorizations are expanded, and according to journalist Seymour Hersh, they turn “several nations in North Africa, the Middle East, and Asia into free-fire zones with regard to high-value targets.” But Copper Green has top-level secrecy and runs outside normal bureaucracies and rules. According to Hersh, “In special cases, the task forces could bypass the chain of command and deal directly with Rumsfeld’s office.” One CIA officer tells Hersh that the task-force teams “had full authority to whack—to go in and conduct ‘executive action,’” meaning political assassination. The officer adds, “It was surrealistic what these guys were doing. They were running around the world without clearing their operations with the ambassador or the chief of station.” [New Yorker, 6/17/2007] Another former intelligence official tells Hersh, “The rules are ‘Grab whom you must. Do what you want.’” [Guardian, 9/13/2004] The above-mentioned high-level CIA official will claim, “The dirt and secrets are in the back channel. All this open business—sitting in staff meetings, etc…, etc…—is the Potemkin Village stuff.” Over time, people with reservations about the program get weeded out. The official claims that by 2006, “the good guys… are gone.” [New Yorker, 6/17/2007]
Entity Tags: Seymour Hersh, Central Intelligence Agency, Donald Rumsfeld, Operation Copper Green, White House, George J. Tenet
2002-2006: Pakistani ISI Intimidates Journalists Investigating Taliban and Al-Qaeda Links in Pakistan
Hayatullah Khan. [Source: Public domain]In the wake of the kidnapping and murder of Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl in January 2002 (see January 31, 2002), Pakistani journalist Ahmed Rashid will write, “Some Pakistani journalists suspected that hard-line elements in one of the [Pakistani] intelligence agencies may have encouraged militants to carry out the kidnapping of a Western journalist in order to discourage reporters from delving to deeply into extremist groups.” Rashid frequently writes for the Far Eastern Economic Review and the Daily Telegraph and is considered a regional expert. [Rashid, 2008, pp. 153]
In November 2001, Daily Telegraph journalist Christina Lamb was expelled from Pakistan after investigating the links between the ISI and the Taliban (see November 10, 2001).
Suspicions that the ISI is intimidating inquisitive journalists are strengthened in December 2003 when two French journalists working for the magazine L’Express are arrested and put on trial for visa violations after visiting the border town of Quetta to investigate how the Taliban is regrouping in Pakistan. Their Pakistani fixer is charged with sedition and conspiracy. These arrests are seen as a blunt warning to journalists to avoid Quetta, where most Taliban leaders are living.
In May 2004, journalists working for Newsweek and the New Yorker are arrested and held for several weeks after entering North Waziristan, where al-Qaeda is regrouping. This is considered a similar warning to avoid Waziristan. [Rashid, 2008, pp. 426]
Two local journalists are killed by unknown assailants in Pakistan’s tribal region in 2005, causing many other journalists to avoid the region. [Rashid, 2008, pp. 275]
On December 1, 2005, the US kills al-Qaeda leader Abu Hamza Rabia in Waziristan with a missile fired from a Predator drone (see December 1, 2005). Pakistan does not want it to be known that they are allowing the US to launch such attacks in their territory, but a local journalist named Hayatullah Khan takes photographs of pieces of the missile, which are then shown all over the world. Several days later, Khan disappears. When his body is eventually discovered, it has military handcuffs, torture marks, and five bullet wounds in the head. His family accuses the ISI of torturing and then killing him. The government promises an investigation into his murder, but does not actually conduct one. [PBS Frontline, 10/3/2006; Rashid, 2008, pp. 275]
Entity Tags: Hayatullah Khan, Christina Lamb, Ahmed Rashid, Daniel Pearl, Pakistan Directorate for Inter-Services Intelligence
Category Tags: Pakistan and the ISI, Haven in Pakistan Tribal Region
2002-2004: 7/7 London Bomber Visits Pakistan at Least Once; Details Murky
Hasib Hussain. [Source: Metropolitan Police]Three of the suicide bombers in the 7/7 London bombings (see July 7, 2005) have families from Pakistan, and two of them, Mohammad Sidique Khan and Shehzad Tanweer, make multiple trips to Pakistan and attend militant training camps there (see July 2001, Late 2003, July-September 2003, and November 18, 2004-February 8, 2005). The third ethnically Pakistani bomber, Hasib Hussain, does go to Pakistan, but exactly when, how many times, and what for remains murky. It is undisputed that he travels there some time in 2002. According to some friends, he visits a madrassa (Islamic boarding school) there, but according to other friends, he only visits relatives. His 2002 trip also takes him to Saudi Arabia, where he goes on the religious haj to Mecca. When he comes back to Britain he is noticeably more religiously observant, growing a beard and starting to wear robes. Friends say he also starts openly supporting Islamist militancy. [Sunday Herald (Glasgow), 7/17/2005; BBC, 5/11/2006] It will be widely reported just after the 7/7 bombings that he returns to Pakistan on July 15, 2004. However, it will later be determined that the passport record is of someone else with the same name who does go to Pakistan on that date. [BBC, 7/21/2005] But Hussain’s parents say that he is gone for about four months in the middle of 2004, so he could be in Pakistan after all, or in some other unknown destination. [Washington Post, 7/19/2005]
Entity Tags: Hasib Mir Hussain
Category Tags: 2005 7/7 London Bombings, Londonistan - UK Counterterrorism
2002-2004: World Trade Center Bombers Encourage Jihad from inside Maximum Security Facility
Three of the men convicted for the World Trade Center bombing (see February 26, 1993)—Mohammed Salameh, Mahmud Abouhalima, and Nidal Ayyad—are allowed to write about 90 letters from inside the Supermax prison in Florence, Colorado, encouraging fellow extremists around the world. Some of the letters are sent to Morocco and some to a militant cell in Spain. In one, addressed to cell leader Mohamed Achraf, who will be arrested in late 2004 for attempting to blow up the National Justice Building in Madrid (see July-October 18, 2004), Salameh writes, “Oh, God, make us live with happiness. Make us die as martyrs. May we be united on the day of judgment.” Other recipients have links to the 2004 Madrid train bombings (see 7:37-7:42 a.m., March 11, 2004). One of Salameh’s letters, in which he calls Osama bin Laden “the hero of my generation,” is published in a newspaper in July 2002, but this does not result in any new security attempts to stop other letters. The letters urge readers to “terminate the infidels” because “Muslims don’t have any option other than jihad.” Former prosecutor Andrew McCarthy wonders, “He was exhorting acts of terrorism and helping recruit would-be terrorists for the jihad from inside an American prison.” Terrorism specialist Hedieth Mirahmadi says the letters would have been especially useful for recruitment because the convicted bombers have “a power that the average person or the average imam in a mosque doesn’t have.” Attorney General Alberto Gonzales will later comment, “I was surprised. Didn’t seem to make any sense to me and I’m sure the average American would have to wonder, ‘How could this happen?’” Staff at the prison noticed the letters were unmonitored and complained in 2003, but it apparently took management several months to impose a tighter regime. [MSNBC, 3/1/2005; MSNBC, 3/9/2005]
Entity Tags: US Bureau of Prisons, Mohamed Achraf, Mohammed Salameh, Hedieth Mirahmadi, Andrew McCarthy, Alberto R. Gonzales, Nidal Ayyad, Mahmud Abouhalima
Category Tags: Al-Qaeda in Spain, 1993 WTC Bombing, Counterterrorism Action After 9/11, Internal US Security After 9/11
2002-2003: Afghan Official Believes Pakistani ISI Is Protecting Al-Qaeda and Taliban Leaders
Helaluddin Helal, Afghanistan’s deputy interior minister in 2002 and 2003, later claims that he becomes convinced at this time that Pakistani ISI officers are protecting bin Laden. He says that he passes intelligence reports on the location of Taliban and al-Qaeda leaders in Pakistan, but nothing is done in response. “We would tell them we had information that al-Qaeda and Taliban leaders were living in specific areas. The Pakistanis would say no, you’re wrong, but we will go and check. And then they would come back and say those leaders are not living there. [The Pakistanis] were going to these places and moving the al-Qaeda or Taliban leaders.” [McClatchy Newspapers, 9/9/2007] Some al-Qaeda leaders are captured during this time, but there are also reports that Taliban leaders are living openly in Pakistan (see December 24, 2001 and 2002-2006).
Entity Tags: Helaluddin Helal, Pakistan Directorate for Inter-Services Intelligence, Taliban, Al-Qaeda
Category Tags: Pakistan and the ISI, Afghanistan, Haven in Pakistan Tribal Region
2002-2003: Chertoff Advises CIA Can Use Waterboarding and ‘False Flag’ Trickery on Detainees
The New York Times will later report that in 2002 and 2003, Michael Chertoff repeatedly advises the CIA about legality of some aggressive interrogation procedures. Chertoff is head of the Justice Department’s criminal division at the time, and will later become the homeland security secretary. Chertoff advises that the CIA can use waterboarding. And the Times will claim he approves techniques “that did not involve the infliction of pain, like tricking a subject into believing he was being questioned by a member of a security service from another country.” [New York Times, 1/29/2005] It will later be reported that the CIA tricked al-Qaeda leader Abu Zubaida into believing he was in the custody of the Saudis when in fact several US officials were merely pretending to be Saudis (see Early April 2002). Furthermore, Chertoff seems to have been advising on the legality of techniques used against Zubaida, strengthening allegations that ‘false flag’ trickery was used on him. “In interviews, former senior intelligence officials said CIA lawyers went to extraordinary lengths beginning in March 2002 to get a clear answer from the Justice Department about which interrogation techniques were permissible in questioning Abu Zubaida and other important detainees. ‘Nothing that was done was not explicitly authorized,’ a former senior intelligence said. ‘These guys were extraordinarily careful.’” Chertoff also opposed one technique that “appeared to violate a ban in the law against using a ‘threat of imminent death.’” [New York Times, 1/29/2005] This appears to match claims that the CIA proposed but did not implement a plan to place Zubaida into a coffin to convince him he was about to die (see Between Mid-April and Mid-May 2002).
Entity Tags: Central Intelligence Agency, Abu Zubaida, Michael Chertoff
Timeline Tags: Alleged Use of False Flag Attacks, Torture of US Captives
Category Tags: Destruction of CIA Tapes, High Value Detainees, Abu Zubaida, Counterterrorism Policy/Politics
2002-2004: CIA Builds Network of ‘Black Stations’
The CIA begins to build “black stations” around the world.
Size of Network - There are around 12 such stations, which are based in front companies. About half of them are located in Europe, including one in Portugal, partly because of the comfortable living conditions and ease of travel. The program costs hundreds of millions of dollars as the stations have to rent office space, hire staff to answer phones, and pay for cars and other props, as well as creating fictitious client lists and resumes that can withstand sustained scrutiny. The black stations differ from normal CIA stations, which are based at US embassies and staffed with officers posing as officials of other US agencies, because their staff pose as employees of investment banks, consulting firms, or other fictitious enterprises with no apparent ties to the US government. Whereas the CIA had previously used one- or two-person consulting firms as vehicles for nonofficial cover, the new black stations are companies employing six to nine officers, plus support staff. Due to the size of the stations, they not only have experienced officers, but also relatively inexperienced ones, who are rotated in and out in much the same way they would be in standard embassy assignments.
Reasoning behind Stations - One reason for setting up the network is that embassy-based stations are not as useful against the CIA’s new adversaries as they were against the KGB and its proxies, which were also based in embassies. As a government official will later comment, “Terrorists and weapons proliferators aren’t going to be on the diplomatic cocktail circuit.” In addition, the Bush administration orders the CIA to expand its overseas operation by 50 percent, Congress pressures it to alter its approach to designing cover, and it gets extra funding for the nonofficial cover program—the black stations are a way of dealing with all these three aspects. Further, the CIA has a lot of recruits after 9/11, but no open overseas positions to put them in. Some of the new hires are discouraged by this and leave, and the agency hopes the black stations will encourage people to stay.
Method of Use - The plan is to use the stations solely as bases. Officers are forbidden from conducting operations in the country where their company is located. Instead, they are expected to adopt second and sometimes third aliases before traveling to their targets. The companies then remain intact to serve as vessels for the next crop of officers, who will have different targets. Therefore, if an operation goes wrong, the locals will only identify a single agent, but will not be able to trace him back to a black station because he is using a second alias. For example, the officers at the black station in Portugal are to travel to North Africa for missions.
Later Curtailed - The program will be significantly curtailed some years later (see Between Late 2005 and February 2008). [Los Angeles Times, 2/17/2008]
Entity Tags: Central Intelligence Agency
2002-2007: Wanted Al-Qaeda Hamburg Cell Member Communicates with Family in Germany without Getting Caught
Undated vacation photograph of Said Bahaji. From left to right: Bahaji’s sister Maryam, his German mother Annaliese, Bahaji, and his Moroccan father Abdullah. [Source: Public domain via the Wall Street Journal]Hamburg Al-Qaeda cell member Said Bahaji works with al-Qaeda and lives in the tribal region of Pakistan, but he maintains some contact with relatives in Germany. However, intelligence agencies are unable to arrest or kill him by tracing these contacts. Some captured militants later claim they saw Bahaji in training camps in Afghanistan in the months after 9/11 (see for instance September 10, 2001). They say that his leg was wounded in fighting with US forces there, and he now goes by the alias Abu Zuhair. In April 2002, Bahaji sends a letter to his mother Anneliese insisting on his innocence in the 9/11 attacks. German officials see this as a whitewash however, especially since he fled Germany to Pakistan a few days before the attacks (see September 3-5, 2001), showing foreknowledge by doing so. He continues to periodically contact family members in Germany with e-mails or phone calls. For instance, he sends his wife Neshe in Germany an e-mail in March 2004. Over time, the contacts between Bahaji and his wife grow contentious. He wants her and their young son to join him in the remote regions of Pakistan, but they are unable to work this out. In March 2006, they divorce via e-mail. Bahaji is later seen with a new wife from Spain, and new children. In 2009, Bahaji’s mother will say her last contact from her son came in a 2007 phone call (see 2007). Details of Bahaji’s other communications will not be made public until August 2011. According to Der Spiegel, Bahaji’s communications with people in Germany have been “agonizing for investigators who were chasing Bahaji, but never managed to localize him in time.” [Der Spiegel (Hamburg), 8/29/2011]
Entity Tags: German intelligence community, Neshe Bahaji, Said Bahaji, Anneliese Bahaji
Category Tags: Remote Surveillance, 9/11 Investigations, Al-Qaeda in Germany, Haven in Pakistan Tribal Region, Counterterrorism Action After 9/11
2002-2005: US Fails to Monitor Taliban Strongholds in Afghanistan and Pakistan
In 2006, British and NATO forces take over from US forces in the southern regions of Afghanistan where Taliban resistance is the strongest. The British discover that between 2002 and 2005, the US had not monitored Taliban activity in the southern provinces or across the border in Quetta, Pakistan, where most of the Taliban leadership resides. NATO officers describe the intelligence about the Taliban in these regions as “appalling.” Most Predators were withdrawn from Afghanistan around April 2002 (see April 2002) and satellites and others communications interception equipment was moved to Iraq around the same time (see May 2002). One US general based in Afghanistan privately admits to a reporter that NATO will pay the price for the lack of surveillance in those regions. This general says the Iraq war has taken up resources and the US concentrated what resources they had left in the region on areas where they thought al-Qaeda leaders were, giving little attention to regions only occupied by the Taliban. As a result, at the end of 2005, NATO intelligence estimates that the Taliban have only 2,000 fighters. But Taliban offensives in 2006 show this number to be a dramatic underestimate. [Rashid, 2008, pp. 359]
Entity Tags: British Army, US Military, Taliban, North Atlantic Treaty Organization
Category Tags: Remote Surveillance, Iraq War Impact on Counterterrorism, Haven in Pakistan Tribal Region, Afghanistan, Counterterrorism Action After 9/11, Drone Use in Pakistan / Afghanistan
2002-2006: US Does Not Strongly Press Pakistan about Taliban Leaders Hiding There
Robert Grenier, head of the CIA station in Islamabad, Pakistan, later says that the issue of fugitive Taliban leaders living in Pakistan was repeatedly raised with senior Pakistani intelligence officials in 2002. “The results were just not there. And it was quite clear to me that it wasn’t just bad luck.” [New York Times, 8/12/2007] For instance, in December 2001 the Guardian reported that many Taliban leaders are living openly in large villas in Pakistan (see December 24, 2001). But Grenier decides that Pakistan will not act on the Taliban and urges them to focus on arresting al-Qaeda operatives instead. “From our perspective at the time, the Taliban was a spent force. We were very much focused on al-Qaeda and didn’t want to distract the Pakistanis from that.” Zalmay Khalilzad, US ambassador to Afghanistan, US military officials, and some Bush administration officials periodically argue that the Taliban are crossing from Pakistan into Afghanistan and killing US soldiers and aid workers (see August 18, 2005 and June 18, 2005). But it is not until some time in 2006 that President Bush strenuously presses Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf about acting on the Taliban leaders living in Pakistan. Even then, Bush reportedly tells his aides that he worries the ties between the Pakistani ISI and the Taliban continue and no serious action will be taken despite Musharraf’s assurances. [New York Times, 8/12/2007]
Entity Tags: Zalmay M. Khalilzad, George W. Bush, Pakistan Directorate for Inter-Services Intelligence, Pervez Musharraf, Robert Grenier, Taliban
(2002-2003): FBI Agent Who Acquiesced in Withholding of Key Intelligence before 9/11 Becomes Key Briefer at Important Daily CIA Meeting
Mark Rossini, an FBI agent detailed to the CIA before 9/11, becomes a key briefer at an important daily CIA meeting. According to CIA Director George Tenet, the meeting is one of “the most significant keys to our accomplishments against the terrorists” after 9/11, and its aim is for all stakeholders in counterterrorism at the agency to come together and discuss recent events and steps the agency will take. Although Rossini is not initially involved in the meetings, which start after 9/11 and run for three years, he later becomes one of the first briefers, presumably some time in 2002 or 2003. Tenet will say Rossini “was affectionately called ‘The Voice,’ because his deep baritone imparted a special sense of urgency.” [Tenet, 2007, pp. 230-231] Before 9/11, Rossini became aware that the CIA had withheld information from the FBI about one of the hijackers, Khalid Almihdhar. Rossini protested against this once, but then let the matter drop (see January 6, 2000). He later lied to investigators about what happened (see (February 12, 2004)).
Entity Tags: Central Intelligence Agency, George J. Tenet, Mark Rossini
Category Tags: Other Post-9/11 Events
2002 and After: Yemeni Militants Pledge Not to Attack within Yemen, Free to Attack Elsewhere
Ali Abdallah Saleh. [Source: Helene C. Stikkel / Defense Department]In 2002, Yemeni President Ali Abdallah Saleh is facing pressure from the US, who wants him to imprison Islamist militants, and many people in Yemen who are sympathetic to militant groups like al-Qaeda. Saleh comes up with a compromise program of “intellectual dialogue.” Hundreds of imprisoned militants are lectured by religious figures and discuss Islamic law and ethics. Those who sign a pledge not to carry out any attacks on Yemeni soil are let go, and are often helped with money and new jobs. Abu Jandal, bin Laden’s former chief bodyguard, goes through the program and later explains that it is basically a political bargain. Few militants actually change their views, but they understand that if they do not attack within Yemen they will be left alone. When interviewed in 2008, Jandal will say he still supports al-Qaeda, and urges other militants to avoid violence in Yemen. The New York Times will later comment, “American counterterrorism officials and even some Yemenis say the Yemeni government… is in effect striking a deal that helps stop attacks here while leaving jihadists largely free to plan them elsewhere.” For instance, Jandal claims to know some men who go through the program, only to later fight against US troops in Iraq. Another militant who went through the program admits to training militants to fight in Iraq, since that is not prohibited either. This program is officially canceled in Yemen in 2005, but it effectively continues. For instance, in 2007 the Yemeni government secretly frees Fahad al-Quso, a key figure in the 2000 USS Cole bombing (see May 2007). The program also is copied in Saudi Arabia and still in use there. [New York Times, 1/28/2008]
Entity Tags: Abu Jandal, Ali Abdallah Saleh
Category Tags: Yemeni Militant Collusion
Early 2002: CIA First Learns Alias of Trusted Bin Laden Courier Ahmed
The CIA first learns that Osama bin Laden has a trusted courier who uses the alias Abu Ahmed al-Kuwaiti. CIA Director Leon Panetta will later state, “The first mention of the name Abu Ahmed al-Kuwaiti, as well as a description of him as an important member of al-Qaeda, came from a detainee held in another country.” US intelligence won’t learn the courier’s real name is Ibrahim Saeed Ahmed until years later. When they do, this will be the vital clue that leads them to bin Laden’s hideout in Abbottabad, Pakistan. [MSNBC, 5/4/2011; Washington Post, 5/12/2011; Associated Press, 6/1/2011]
Entity Tags: Leon Panetta, Al-Qaeda, Ibrahim Saeed Ahmed, Osama bin Laden, Central Intelligence Agency
Category Tags: Hunt for Bin Laden in Pakistan
Early 2002: Bin Laden’s Wife and Sons Get Sudanese Passports
When al-Qaeda operative Ramzi bin al-Shbih is captured in Karachi, Pakistan, in September 2002 (see September 11, 2002), a sign-in book is found with names and passport numbers. US investigators discover that one of Osama bin Laden’s wives and two of his sons had signed in, and their passports had been issued in their real bin Laden names by Sudan in early 2002, through the Sudanese Embassy in Islamabad, Pakistan. President Bush is briefed on this, and US intelligence figures suspect that high-ranking Sudanese leaders must have approved the passports and are playing a double game of supporting bin Laden and the US at the same time. The Sudanese government suggests that the officials involved may have been paid off. In a show of good faith, they provide vigorous assistance on several other CIA initiatives. [Suskind, 2006, pp. 165-166]
Entity Tags: George W. Bush, Sudan, US intelligence, Ramzi bin al-Shibh
Category Tags: Counterterrorism Action After 9/11, Other Government-Militant Collusion
Early 2002: Last Good Intelligence Leads on Bin Laden’s Whereabouts
Bruce Riedel. [Source: Brookings Institute]Bruce Riedel, a South Asia expert at the CIA, will say in 2007 shortly after retiring, “There hasn’t been a serious lead on Osama bin Laden since early 2002. What we’re doing now is shooting in the dark in outer space. The chances of hitting anything are zero.” Other intelligence officials interviewed by Newsweek will agree that since that time US intelligence has never had a better than 50 percent certainty about his location. [Newsweek, 8/28/2007] An anonymous former CIA official will similarly tell the Los Angeles Times in 2007 that not only does the US have no idea where bin Laden is, but since 2002 the US has not even had information that “you could validate historically,” meaning a tip on a previous bin Laden location that could be subsequently verified (see May 20, 2007). [Los Angeles Times, 5/20/2007]
Entity Tags: Osama bin Laden, Bruce Riedel, Central Intelligence Agency, US intelligence
Category Tags: Osama Bin Laden, Afghanistan, Escape From Afghanistan, Hunt for Bin Laden in Pakistan
Early 2002: Troops and Equipment Redirected from Afghanistan to Iraq
Members of the US Fifth Special Forces Group pose with future Afghan president Hamid Karzai, whom they are protecting. [Source: US Military]The Atlantic Monthly will later report, “By the beginning of 2002, US and Northern Alliance forces had beaten the Taliban but lost bin Laden. At that point the United States faced a consequential choice: to bear down even harder in Afghanistan, or to shift the emphasis in the global war on terror somewhere else.… Implicitly at the beginning of 2002, and as a matter of formal policy by the end, it placed all other considerations second to regime change in Iraq.” [Atlantic Monthly, 10/2004] In February, 2002, Gen. Tommy Franks allegedly tells Sen. Bob Graham (D-FL), “Senator, we have stopped fighting the war on terror in Afghanistan. We are moving military and intelligence personnel and resources out of Afghanistan to get ready for a future war in Iraq” (see February 19, 2002). [Council on Foreign Relations, 3/26/2004] This shift from Afghanistan to Iraq involves a change of focus and attention (see Early 2002). Additionally, while the total number of US troops (less than 10,000) in Afghanistan does not go down, there is a considerable shift of specialized personnel and equipment many months before the war in Iraq will begin:
On February 15, 2002, President Bush directs the CIA to conduct operations in Iraq (see Early 2002). In mid-March, the CIA tells the White House that it is cutting back operations in Afghanistan (see Spring 2002).
Most of Task Force 5, a top-secret elite CIA and military special forces group, is called home from Afghanistan to prepare for operations in Iraq (see Early 2002).
In March 2002, Fifth Group Special Forces, an elite group whose members speak Arabic, Pashtun, and Dari, that is apparently different from Task Force 5, is sent from Afghanistan to Iraq (see March 2002).
The US Air Force’s only two specially-equipped spy planes that had successfully intercepted the radio transmissions and cell phone calls of al-Qaeda’s leaders are pulled from Afghanistan to conduct surveillance over Iraq. NSA satellites are “boreholed,” (or redirected) from Afghanistan to Iraq as well (see May 2002).
Almost all Predator drones are withdrawn from Afghanistan and apparently moved to the Persian Gulf region for missions over Iraq (see April 2002).
More personnel will shift to Iraq in late 2002 and early 2003 (see Late 2002-Early 2003). In 2007, retired US Gen. James L. Jones, a former NATO supreme commander, will say that Iraq caused the US to “take its eye off the ball” in Afghanistan. [New York Times, 8/12/2007]
Entity Tags: Osama bin Laden, National Security Agency, Thomas Franks, George W. Bush, Flynt Leverett, Al-Qaeda, James L. Jones, Bush administration (43), Daniel Robert (“Bob”) Graham, Central Intelligence Agency, Taliban
Category Tags: Iraq War Impact on Counterterrorism, Afghanistan, Counterterrorism Policy/Politics
Early 2002: Top US Officials Want to Invade Iraq to Set Example for Countries Defying US Domination
According to a 2006 book by journalist Ron Suskind, around early 2002, in National Security Council briefings, the main stated reason for a war in Iraq is “to make an example of [Saddam] Hussein, to create a demonstration model to guide the behavior of anyone with the temerity to acquire destructive weapons or, in any way, flout the authority of the United States.… More specifically, the theory [is] that the United States… would change the rules of geopolitical analysis and action for countless other countries.” In meetings, President Bush often calls war with Iraq a “game changer.” [Suskind, 2006, pp. 123]
Entity Tags: National Security Council, George W. Bush
Category Tags: US Dominance, Iraq War Impact on Counterterrorism, Counterterrorism Policy/Politics
Early 2002: Bush Takes Part in Travel Industry Marketing Campaign
The Travel Industry Association of America (TIA) coordinates its effort with the Bush administration to sell America’s airlines and hotel chains to consumers after the 9/11 attacks (see September 27, 2001). According to the TIA, “Travel was also linked to patriotic duty with expressions, such as ‘A return to travel is normal. Restoring travel is restoring our country’s economy.’” President Bush, apparently unaware that sitting presidents do not normally appear in industry ad campaigns, appears in “public service” ads created by TIA. The ads are part of a $20 million advertising campaign steered by, among others, J. W. “Bill” Marriott of Marriott International, one of the world’s largest hotel chains. Marriott personally solicited Bush’s participation in the television advertisements, which run throughout the US and in a number of foreign countries for four weeks. According to TIA polls, the Bush ad campaign reaches 70 percent of Americans, and most understand it as an appeal to travel and spend money. In 2008, author and public policy professor Alasdair Reynolds will write, “Many Americans appreciated that there was something strangely out of kilter about the president’s prominent role in boosting consumption in a moment of crisis.” [Association of Travel Marketing Executives, 2002; Roberts, 2008, pp. 90]
Entity Tags: Marriott International, Alasdair Roberts, Bush administration (43), Travel Industry Association of America, George W. Bush, J. W. (“Bill”) Marriott
Timeline Tags: Global Economic Crises
Early 2002: Most of Task Force 5 Elite Force Is Redeployed from Afghanistan to Iraq
Most of Task Force 5’s members are called home from Afghanistan to prepare for operations in Iraq. In early 2002, there were roughly 150 Task Force 5 commandos in Afghanistan. After the massive transfer, Task Force 5’s numbers dip to as low as 30 men. Task Force 5 is a top-secret elite group that includes CIA paramilitary units and military “special mission units,” or SMUs. One of the SMUs is the former Delta Force. The name of the other unit, which specializes in human and technical intelligence operations, is not known. The Washington Post will later note, “These elite forces, along with the battlefield intelligence technology of Predator and Global Hawk drone aircraft, were the scarcest tools of the hunt for jihadists along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border.” According to Flynt Leverett, a career CIA analyst assigned to the State Deparmtent, “There is a direct consequence for us having taken these guys out prematurely. There were people on the staff level raising questions about what that meant for getting al-Qaeda, for creating an Afghan security and intelligence service [to help combat jihadists]. Those questions didn’t get above staff level, because clearly there had been a strategic decision taken.” [Washington Post, 10/22/2004] In 2003, Task Force 5 will be disbanded and then merged into the new Task Force 121, which is to operate in both Iraq and Afghanistan. [New York Times, 11/7/2003]
Entity Tags: Flynt Leverett, Task Force 5, 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment--Delta, Central Intelligence Agency
Timeline Tags: Events Leading to Iraq Invasion, War in Afghanistan
Category Tags: Afghanistan, Iraq War Impact on Counterterrorism, Counterterrorism Policy/Politics
Early 2002-January 2003: Syrian Government Helps US with Al-Qaeda Intelligence until US Cuts Off Relationship Because of Iraq War Priority
By early 2002, Syria emerges as one of the CIA’s most effective intelligence sources on al-Qaeda. Syria is one of seven countries on a State Department list of sponsors of terrorism. It has been on that list since 1979, mostly because of its support for Hezbollah combating Israel. But Syria is also an opponent of the Muslim Brotherhood, and al-Qaeda has many connections to the Muslim Brotherhood, especially its Syrian branch. According to journalist Seymour Hersh in New Yorker magazine, “The Syrians had compiled hundreds of files on al-Qaeda, including dossiers on the men who participated—and others who wanted to participate—in the September 11th attacks. Syria also penetrated al-Qaeda cells throughout the Middle East and in Arab exile communities throughout Europe.” It appears Syrian intelligence may even have penetrated the Hamburg cell tied to the 9/11 plot, as hijacker Mohamed Atta and other cell members, such as Mohammed Haydar Zammar, occasionally worked at a German firm called Tatex Trading, which was infiltrated by Syrian intelligence (see September 10, 2002-June 2003). For a time, the Syrians give much of what they know to the CIA and FBI. A former State Department official says, “Up through January of 2003, the cooperation was top-notch. Then we were going to do Iraq, and some people in the [Bush] administration got heavy-handed. They wanted Syria to get involved in operational stuff having nothing to do with al-Qaeda and everything to do with Iraq. It was something Washington wanted from the Syrians, and they didn’t want to do it.” Hersh reports, “The collapse of the liaison relationship has left many CIA operatives especially frustrated. ‘The guys are unbelievably pissed that we’re blowing this away,’ a former high-level intelligence official told me. ‘There was a great channel… The Syrians were a lot more willing to help us, but they’—[Defense Secretary] Rumsfeld and his colleagues—“want to go in [Syria after the Iraq war].’” [New Yorker, 7/18/2003]
Entity Tags: Hezbollah, Al-Qaeda, Muslim Brotherhood, Central Intelligence Agency, Syria, Federal Bureau of Investigation
Category Tags: Counterterrorism Action After 9/11, Counterterrorism Policy/Politics, Iraq War Impact on Counterterrorism
Early 2002 and After: US Cannot Cross Pakistan Border to Search for Al-Qaeda
Al-Qaeda forces have been driven out of Afghanistan but regroup in the tribal border region of Pakistan called South Waziristan (see December 2001-Spring 2002). However, the Pakistani government is strict about preventing US forces from crossing the border in pursuit of bin Laden or any other al-Qaeda figures. According to author James Risen, “Green Berets who served in southeastern Afghanistan say that there have been a series of tense confrontations—and even firefights—between American and Pakistani forces along the border. Both sides have largely covered up the incidents.” [Risen, 2006, pp. 181] There is no sign later of a significant change in policy, although minor skirmishes persist. For part of 2002 and into 2003, some US special forces are allowed into the region, but only by traveling with the Pakistani army, and this arrangement does not last for long (see 2002-Early 2003).
Entity Tags: Pakistan, Al-Qaeda
Category Tags: Pakistan and the ISI, Haven in Pakistan Tribal Region, Afghanistan
January 2002: Central Asian Countries See US Military Bases Expand
Reportedly, the US is improving bases in “13 locations in nine countries in the Central Asian region.” [Christian Science Monitor, 1/17/2002] US military personnel strength in bases surrounding Afghanistan has increased to 60,000. [Los Angeles Times, 1/6/2002] “Of the five ex-Soviet states of Central Asia, Turkmenistan alone is resisting pressure to allow the deployment of US or other Western forces on its soil…” [Guardian, 1/10/2002] On January 9, the speaker of the Russian parliament states, “Russia would not approve of the appearance of permanent US bases in Central Asia,” but Russia seems helpless to stop what a Russian newspaper calls “the inexorable growth” of the US military presence in Central Asia. [Guardian, 1/10/2002] Commenting on the bases, one columnist writes in the Guardian: “The task of the encircling US bases now shooting up on Afghanistan’s periphery is only partly to contain the threat of political regression or Taliban resurgence in Kabul. Their bigger, longer-term role is to project US power and US interests into countries previously beyond its reach.… The potential benefits for the US are enormous: growing military hegemony in one of the few parts of the world not already under Washington’s sway, expanded strategic influence at Russia and China’s expense, pivotal political clout and—grail of holy grails—access to the fabulous, non-OPEC oil and gas wealth of central Asia.” [Guardian, 1/16/2002]
Entity Tags: Turkmenistan, United States, Taliban, Russia, China
Category Tags: US Dominance
January 2002: Giuliani Partners Opens for Business; Earns over $100 Million in Next Five Years
Soon after leaving his office of mayor of New York City, Rudolph Giuliani opens a consulting company, Giuliani Partners, specializing in security issues. According to a 2007 report, it will earn more than $100 million over the next five years, making Giuliani a wealthy man. Giuliani selects several long-time associates as business partners, including Michael D. Hess, a former corporation counsel for the city of New York and now the senior managing partner of the firm. (Hess was rescued from WTC7 before its collapse.) Giuliani also hires his former police commissioner, Bernard Kerik, despite warnings that Kerik has ties to organized crime figures. Kerik will later be convicted of tax fraud. Some of the firm’s clients will prove controversial. Seisint Inc., a data-mining software company, was advised by Giuliani Partners on how to do business with the federal and state governments. In 2003, press reports will reveal that Seisint’s founder, Hank Asher, is a confessed cocaine smuggler and that Giuliani had touted the company in public speeches without disclosing his financial relationship with Asher. Giuliani also joins a Texas law firm named Blackwell & Patterson, which is then renamed Blackwell & Giuliani. Blackwell is involved in the litigation surrounding both the 2000 and 2004 elections, which were marred by allegations of voting irregularities and fraud. Giuliani’s business deals will prove to be a source of controversy and criticism during his 2007-08 presidential bid. [Washington Post, 5/13/2007; Vanity Fair, 1/1/2008]
Entity Tags: Michael Hess, Seisint Inc., Rudolph (“Rudy”) Giuliani, Hank Asher, Bernard Kerik, Giuliani Partners
January 2002: Rove: Republicans Can Win Elections on Issue of Winning War against Terror
White House political guru Karl Rove tells the Republican National Committee: “We can go to the American people on this issue of winning the war [against terrorism]. We can go to the country on this issue because they trust the Republican Party to do a better job of protecting and strengthening America’s military might and thereby protecting America.” In 2008, current deputy White House press secretary Scott McClellan will write: “Rove was the first administration official to publicly make the case for winning the war as a partisan issue, a marked shift in tone from [President] Bush’s repeated emphasis on unity and bipartisanship in confronting and defeating radical Islam.… Rove’s candor about this strategy infuriated suspicious Democrats, who condemned Rove for trying to politicize the war.” Bush will soon begin campaigning for Republicans in the midterm elections using Rove’s strategy. McClellan will note: “As governor [of Texas], he’d maintained good relations with friendly legislators by refusing to campaign against them, even if they were members of the opposing party. Bush’s actions prompted concern and anxiety among Democrats.” [McClellan, 2008, pp. 112-113]
Entity Tags: Scott McClellan, Bush administration (43), George W. Bush, Karl C. Rove, Republican National Committee
Timeline Tags: Events Leading to Iraq Invasion, Domestic Propaganda, 2004 Elections
January 2002: FBI Aborts Investigation into Suspected Al-Qaeda Sleeper Cell in California
In late December 1999, Rita Katz, working with the Investigative Project on Terrorism, gave a presentation in the White House to members of the National Security Council (NSC) about a suspected al-Qaeda sleeper cell based in Anaheim, California (see December 25, 1999). The NSC forwarded the information her team gleaned from public sources to the FBI. Katz later repeatedly asked a contact she had with the NSC named Peter what happened to the lead she gave them. Peter replied that he assumed the FBI was just sitting on the material. [Katz, 2003, pp. 180] Around January 2002, Katz is contacted by an FBI agent in California who is looking for investigative leads on al-Qaeda in California. Katz forwards him all her information she gave in her White House presentation back in 1999. According to Katz, the agent looks over the material and says it is “very strong… I want to go all the way with this investigation.” Then the agent registers his investigation with the FBI so other agents with leads could contact him. A few days later, he calls Katz and says that he has been taken off the case because it falls into the jurisdiction of the FBI’s Anaheim office. Apparently that office does nothing with the lead. In 1999, Katz suggested the cell included Khalil Deek, arrested in late 1999 for involvement in a millennium bomb plot in Jordan (see December 11, 1999), his brother Tawfiq Deek, Hisham Diab, and Khalid Ashour. [Katz, 2003, pp. 186-187] ABC News will later report that Diab continued to live in Anaheim until June 2001, when he apparently moved to Afghanistan to stay with top al-Qaeda leaders. [ABC News, 12/23/2004] Khalil Deek is mysteriously released in Jordan around the same time (see May 2001); it will later be alleged that he was a mole for the Jordanian government (see Shortly After December 11, 1999). By late 1999, Ashour had requested asylum in the US. Katz will later note that he “could have been easily located, investigated, and if necessary, denied asylum and deported.” But as of 2003, Katz claims Ashour still lives in the US. [Katz, 2003, pp. 187] Tawfiq Deek apparently continues to live in Anaheim as well, where he works for the state’s Department of Toxic Substance Control as a chemical engineer. He denies all terrorism ties, though he confirms that he was an active member of the Islamic Association for Palestine (IAP), which the FBI has called a Hamas front group. [LA Weekly, 9/15/2005] Another associate of the above group, Adam Gadahn, will emerge in Afghanistan in 2004 as a prominent al-Qaeda spokesman (see Spring 2004).
Entity Tags: Al-Qaeda, Adam Gadahn, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Hisham Diab, Rita Katz, Khalil Deek, Khalid Ashour, Tawfiq Deek
Category Tags: Khalil Deek, Counterterrorism Action After 9/11, Internal US Security After 9/11
2002-March 2003: CIA Analysts Know that Iraq Has no WMD nor Ties to Al-Qaeda; CIA ‘Serving the Agenda’ of Bush Administration
An unnamed CIA case officer with the agency’s Directorate of Operations (DO) later says: “I was working from the headquarters end in our Iraqi operations. In talking to the specialists, people who had worked on Iraqi issues or Iraq WMD for years, they said to me, ‘I always knew we didn’t have anything.’ This was before the war. But I mean, it was sort of horrific to me.… I talked to analysts and I talked to WMD experts, and I said, ‘Okay, is there a link between al-Qaeda and Iraq?’ ‘No, there’s not a link.’ ‘Do we have evidence of all this WMD we’re talking about?’ ‘No, we don’t have it.’ And then it was like a snowball, and all of a sudden we were at war. Everybody that I was talking to who did know about the issues were saying we didn’t have anything. And of course nobody’s speaking up. Who can they speak up to? There’s no forum for someone who’s involved in operations to talk to anyone and say, ‘We don’t have any Iraqi assets, we don’t have information on WMD, we don’t have anything there.’ But yet we all kind of knew it.… I understand that it [CIA] serves the President and the administration, but my thought is that it should serve the President and the administration in providing intelligence. And what has happened is that it serves the agenda—or at least for the Bush administration it’s serving the agenda of this administration, which is not what the CIA is supposed to do.” [Bamford, 2004, pp. 336-337]
January-2002-December 2002: Prosecutors Not Allowed to Indict Al-Marabh
In November 2001, US police called Nabil al-Marabh one of their top five suspects in the 9/11 attacks. [Toronto Sun, 11/23/2001] In mid-January 2002, Canadian police call him “the real thing.” [Toronto Sun, 11/23/2001] In late January 2002, it is reported that in Chicago, “Federal agents say criminal charges spelling out his role [in 9/11 and other plots] are likely within a few weeks.” [ABC News 7 (Chicago), 1/31/2002] Yet, shortly after this, there seems to be a dramatic change of opinion at Justice Department headquarters about al-Marabh. US Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald in Chicago drafts an indictment against Nabil al-Marabh, charging him with multiple counts of making false statements in his interviews with FBI agents. Fitzgerald already has several successful al-Qaeda prosecutions. However, the indictments are rejected by Justice Department headquarters in the name of protecting intelligence. In December 2002, Fitzgerald tracks down a Jordanian informant who had spent time with al-Marabh in a federal detention cell earlier in the year because of minor immigration problems. Fitzgerald has the man flown to Chicago and oversees his debriefing. The man reveals numerous criminal acts that al-Marabh confessed to him in prison, and the information fits with what is already known of al-Marabh’s history (see December 2002). However, Fitzgerald is still not allowed to indict al-Marabh. Another prosecutor in Detroit, trying some associates of al-Marabh in an ultimately unsuccessful case there, also expresses a desire to indict al-Marabh, but is not allowed to do so (see Early 2003). [Associated Press, 6/3/2004] Al-Marabh will ultimately be deported to Syria after serving a short sentence on minor charges (see January 2004).
Entity Tags: Nabil al-Marabh, US Department of Justice, Patrick J. Fitzgerald
Category Tags: Nabil Al-Marabh, 9/11 Related Criminal Proceedings
2002-Early 2003: Wolfowitz Still Pushing Unlikely Theory Linking WTC Bombing to Iraqi Government
Deputy Secretary of Defense Paul Wolfowitz proposes that President Bush should declare Ramzi Yousef an “enemy combatant.” Yousef is already in the “Supermax” prison, the most secure prison in the US, after being sentenced to life in prison for the 1993 World Trade Center bombing years before. But Wolfowitz contends that as an enemy combatant, heavy interrogation could get Yousef to admit he bombed the WTC on behalf of the Iraqi government. However, Wolfowitz’s proposal is strongly opposed by the FBI, which asserts that theories tying Yousef to the Iraqi government had been repeatedly investigated and debunked. Further, Yousef doesn’t meet any of the criteria the White House had laid out for designating enemy combatants. “At one point, the high-level discussions apparently prompted a top Bureau of Prisons official to make an unauthorized entry to Yousef’s [Supermax cell] to sound out his willingness to talk—a move that prompted strong protests to the Justice Department from the bomber’s lawyer…” The issue is debated until the start of the Iraq war, at which point apparently Wolfowitz loses interest. One lawyer involved in the discussions will later recall, “We talked it to death.” [Newsweek, 4/21/2004]
Entity Tags: White House, Paul Wolfowitz, Ramzi Yousef
Category Tags: Ramzi Yousef, Alleged Iraq-Al-Qaeda Links
2002-Early 2003: CIA Sets Up Secret Bases in Pakistan to Hunt for Bin Laden, but Foiled by Pakistani Escorts
The US had been frustrated in their efforts to cross the Pakistan border to search for al-Qaeda figures (see Early 2002 and After). However, the CIA is now permitted to establish a number of covert bases inside Pakistan to help in the hunt for bin Laden. But the ISI and Pakistani military place strict limits on the mobility of CIA officers in Pakistan. They have to travel in the tribal border regions where bin Laden is believed to reside with Pakistani security escorts, “making it virtually impossible for the Americans to conduct effective intelligence-gathering operations among the local tribes on Pakistan’s northwest frontier.” In 2006, author James Risen will claim this arrangement begins in late 2003. [Risen, 2006, pp. 181] But in a 2008 New York Times article that quotes high-ranking US figures, it seems the arrangement begins at some point in 2002 and ends in early 2003. According to this article, a small number of US special forces are allowed to accompany the Pakistani army on raids. But the arrangement does not work. Having to move with army greatly limits what the special forces and do and where it can go. Pakistani officials publicly deny that Americans are there, but locals see the Americans and protest, causing an increasingly awkward situation for Pakistan. Deputy Secretary of Defense Richard Armitage will later say he supported the Bush administration’s decision to cancel the arrangement. “We were pushing [the Pakistani government] almost to the breaking point.” [New York Times, 6/30/2008]
Entity Tags: US Special Forces, Pakistan Directorate for Inter-Services Intelligence, Pakistan, Richard Armitage, Central Intelligence Agency
January-April 2002: FBI Gives Control of Al-Qaeda Prisoners to CIA; Bush Rejects Law Enforcement Approach
In the first months after 9/11, the FBI is generally in charge of captured al-Qaeda detainees and the assumption is that these detainees will be sent to the US for criminal prosecutions. However, beginning in January 2002, this policy begins to change. The highest ranking al-Qaeda detainee in US custody at the time, Ibn al-Shaykh al-Libi, is transfered from FBI to CIA custody and then flown to Egypt to be tortured by the Egyptian government (see January 2002 and After). ]]). Also in January, the CIA, not the FBI, begins secretly flying detainees to the US-controlled prison in Guantanamo, Cuba (see January 14, 2002-2005). Journalist James Risen will later comment, “By choosing the CIA over the FBI, [President] Bush was rejecting the law enforcement approach to fighting terrorism that had been favored during the Clinton era. Bush had decided that al-Qaeda was a national security threat, not a law enforcement problem, and he did not want al-Qaeda operatives brought back to face trial in the United States, where they would come under the strict rules of the American legal system.” [Risen, 2006, pp. 28] This change of policy culminates in the arrest of Abu Zubaida (see March 28, 2002). The Washington Post will later report, “In March 2002, Abu Zubaida was captured, and the interrogation debate between the CIA and FBI began anew. This time, when FBI Director Robert S. Mueller III decided to withhold FBI involvement, it was a signal that the tug of war was over. ‘Once the CIA was given the green light… they had the lead role,’ said a senior FBI counterterrorism official.” [Washington Post, 6/27/2004] The CIA decides that Guantanamo is too public and involves too many US agencies to hold important al-Qaeda detainees. By the time Zubaida is captured the CIA has already set up a secret prison in Thailand, and Zubaida is flown there just days after his capture (see March 2002). Risen will comment, “The CIA wanted secret locations where it could have complete control over the interrogations and debriefings, free from the prying eyes of the international media, free from monitoring by human rights groups, and most important, far from the jurisdiction of the American legal system.” [Risen, 2006, pp. 29-30]
Entity Tags: George W. Bush, Abu Zubaida, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Robert S. Mueller III, Ibn al-Shaykh al-Libi, Central Intelligence Agency
Category Tags: High Value Detainees, Destruction of CIA Tapes, Counterterrorism Policy/Politics
January 2002 and After: CIA Given Control of Al-Libi, Renders Him to Egypt
At the request of CIA Director George Tenet, the White House orders the FBI to hand Ibn al-Shaykh al-Libi, a captured al-Qaeda operative being held in Afghanistan (see December 19, 2001), over to the CIA. One day before the transfer, a CIA officer enters al-Libi’s cell, interrupting an interrogation being conducted by FBI agent Russel Fincher, and tells al-Libi: “You’re going to Cairo, you know. Before you get there I’m going to find your mother and I’m going to f_ck her.” Soon after, al-Libi is flown to Egypt. [Newsweek, 6/21/2004; Washington Post, 6/27/2004; Isikoff and Corn, 2006, pp. 121] The CIA officer will later be identified as “Albert,” a former FBI translator. [Mayer, 2008, pp. 106] Presumably, this is the same former FBI translator named “Albert” who will later threaten al-Qaeda leader Abd al-Rahim al-Nashiri with a gun and drill during interrogations (see Between December 28, 2002 and January 1, 2003 and Late December 2002 or Early January 2003). [Associated Press, 9/7/2010] Vincent Cannistraro, former head of the CIA’s Counterterrorist Center, will later say: “He’s carried off to Egypt, who torture him. And we know that he’s going to be tortured. Anyone who’s worked on Egypt, has worked on other countries in the Middle East, knows that. Egyptians torture him, and he provides a lot of information.” [PBS Frontline, 6/20/2006]
Provides Mix of Valid, False Information - It is unclear whether al-Libi is interrogated solely by Egyptian officials, or by a combination of Egyptian and CIA interrogators. Al-Libi is subjected to a series of increasingly harsh techniques, including at least one, waterboarding, that is considered torture (see Mid-March 2002). Reputedly, he is finally broken after being waterboarded and then forced to stand naked in a cold cell overnight where he is repeatedly doused with cold water by his captors. Al-Libi is said to provide his Egyptian interrogators with valuable intelligence about an alleged plot to blow up the US Embassy in Yemen with a truck bomb, and the location of Abu Zubaida, who will be captured in March 2002 (see Mid-May 2002 and After). However, in order to avoid harsh treatment he will also provide false information to the Egyptians, alleging that Iraq trained al-Qaeda members in bomb making and poisons and gases. Officials will later determine that al-Libi has no knowledge of such training or weapons, and fabricates the statements out of fear and a desire to avoid further torture. Sources will later confirm that al-Libi did not try to deliberately mislead his captors; rather, he told them what he thought they wanted to hear. [ABC News, 11/18/2005; New York Times, 12/9/2005]
Using Allegations in White House Statements - Both President Bush (see October 7, 2002) and Secretary of State Colin Powell (see February 5, 2003) will include these allegations in major speeches.
Shifting Responsibility for Interrogations to CIA from FBI - The FBI has thus far taken the lead in interrogations of terrorist suspects, because its agents are the ones with most experience. The CIA’s apparent success with al-Libi contributes to the shift of interrogations from the bureau to the CIA. [Washington Post, 6/27/2004] Such methods as making death threats, advocated by the CIA, are opposed by the FBI, which is used to limiting its questioning techniques so the results from interrogations can be used in court. [Washington Post, 6/27/2004] “We don’t believe in coercion,” a senior FBI official says. [Guardian, 9/13/2004]
Entity Tags: “Albert”, Russell Fincher, George J. Tenet, Vincent Cannistraro, Ibn al-Shaykh al-Libi
Timeline Tags: Torture of US Captives, War in Afghanistan
Early January 2002: Some Top Taliban Leaders Surrender Then Are Released
Mullah Obaidullah Akhund. [Source: Public domain]Seven former Taliban leaders surrender to the Northern Alliance near Kandahar, Afghanistan, but are released. Two are on a US list of twelve most wanted Taliban leaders: Defense Minister Mullah Obaidullah Akhund and Justice Minister Mullah Nooruddin Turabi. Akhund “is considered by American intelligence officials to have been one of the Taliban leaders closest to Mr. bin Laden.” The US military denies reports of their release, but officials of the new Afghan government confirm the account and are unrepentant about it. They claim they are following through on an announced policy to grant amnesty to any Taliban leaders who surrender. CNN reports, “Though US forces expressed interest in the men,… they accepted the Afghan decision to let them go, and have given no indication they are pursuing them…” This follows other accounts of Taliban leaders being released in December 2001 (see December 24, 2001). A senior Pakistani official will later note, “Unbelievably, not one [Taliban cabinet minister] was killed, arrested, or defected to opposition forces during the two-month-long, nonstop bombing.” It appears that the highest ranking Taliban leader to have been killed or captured is the deputy foreign minister, who was killed in a bombing raid. [Washington Post, 12/17/2001; New York Times, 12/20/2001; Washington Post, 1/10/2002; CNN, 1/10/2002] Mullah Obaidullah Akhund will later become one of the most important leaders of the continued Taliban resistance. In 2004, it will be reported that Pakistan is allowing him and other Taliban leaders to freely come and go through Pakistan (see August 18, 2005). [Boston Globe, 7/11/2004]
Entity Tags: Mullah Obaidullah Akhund, Mullah Nooruddin Turabi
Category Tags: Afghanistan, Escape From Afghanistan, Key Captures and Deaths
Early January-January 9, 2002: Indonesia Arrests Suspected Al-Qaeda Operative at CIA’s Request, Extradites Him to Egypt
Mohammed Saad Iqbal Madni. [Source: Public domain]The CIA sends a request to Indonesia to arrest suspected 24-year old al-Qaeda operative Mohammed Saad Iqbal Madni and extradite him to Egypt. The CIA found his name in al-Qaeda documents obtained in Afghanistan. The agency believes that Iqbal, a Pakistani, worked with Richard Reid (see December 22, 2001), the Briton charged with attempting to blow up an American Airlines flight from Paris to Miami on December 22 with explosives in his shoes. A few days later, the Egyptian government sends Jakarta a formal request to extradite Madni in connection with terrorism, providing Indonesian authorities with a convenient cover for complying with the CIA request. On January 9, Iqbal is detained in Jakarta by Indonesia’s State Intelligence Agency at the insistence of the CIA. He is flown to Egypt two days later (see January 11, 2002). [Washington Post, 3/11/2002]
Entity Tags: Central Intelligence Agency, Mohammed Saad Iqbal Madni
Category Tags: Counterterrorism Action After 9/11, 2001 Attempted Shoe Bombing
January 1, 2002: Ex-Unocal Employee Becomes US Special Envoy to Afghanistan
Zalmay Khalilzad, already Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Gulf, Southwest Asia and Other Regional Issues, and a prominent neoconversative (see May 23, 2001), is appointed by President Bush as a special envoy to Afghanistan. [BBC, 1/1/2002] In his former role as Unocal adviser, Khalilzad participated in negotiations with the Taliban to build a pipeline through Afghanistan. He also wrote op-eds in the Washington Post in 1997 (see October 7, 1996) supporting the Taliban regime, back when Unocal was hoping to work with the Taliban. [Independent, 1/10/2002] He will be appointed US ambassador to Afghanistan in 2003 (see November 2003).
Entity Tags: Unocal, Taliban, Zalmay M. Khalilzad
Category Tags: Pipeline Politics, Afghanistan
2002-March 10, 2004: ’Emir’ of Madrid Bombings Is Surrounded by Informants
Allekema Lamari, one of about three of the 2004 Madrid train bombing masterminds, is released from a Spanish prison in 2002. The Spanish government will later call him the “emir” of the bombings. Most of the alleged Madrid bombers have little formal connection to any Islamist militant group or training camp, but Lamari has an extensive background as an Algerian militant. He was imprisoned in Spain in 1997 for belonging to the GIA militant group. When he is released from prison in 2002, an informant named Safwan Sabagh closely follows him. Sabagh travels with him, and moves towns at the same time Lamari does. Sabagh has a special assignment from the Spanish intelligence agency, the CNI, to focus on Lamari, since Lamari is considered such a dangerous character. Sabagh is considered an excellent informant and gives a steady stream of information about Lamari. For instance, on March 8, just three days before the Madrid bombings, Lamari calls Sabagh and appears nervous and concerned about something that has to happen soon. Sabagh is with Lamari when Lamari meets other masterminds of the plot, such as Serhane Abdelmajid Fakhet. Sabagh also introduces Lamari to Mohamed Afalah and vouches that he is a person Lamari can trust. [El Mundo (Madrid), 10/17/2005] Afalah becomes Lamari’s driver, bodyguard, and confidante, but Afalah also is an informant for the CNI. [El Mundo (Madrid), 1/15/2007] Furthermore, three other CNI informants, Abdelkader Farssaoui (alias Cartagena), Smail Latrech, and Rabia Gaya, also sometimes keep tabs on Lamari. Several weeks after the Madrid bombings, Sabagh will be arrested and held for one day, and then let go. It has not been explained how the CNI is unable to stop the Madrid bombings when possibly the most important mastermind of those bombings was surrounded by so many informants. [El Mundo (Madrid), 10/17/2005]
Entity Tags: Groupe Islamique Armé, Abdelkader Farssaoui, Centro Nacional de Inteligencia, Smail Latrech, Safwan Sabagh, Rabia Gaya, Allekema Lamari, Mohamed Afalah, Serhane Abdelmajid Fakhet
Category Tags: Other Possible Moles or Informants, Al-Qaeda in Spain, 2004 Madrid Train Bombings
(2002-January 23, 2004): Pakistan Refuses to Arrest Al-Qaeda Leader Ghul, Who Is Linked to Militant Group Supported by ISI
The US wants al-Qaeda leader Hassan Ghul arrested, but the Pakistani government will not do so, apparently because he is part of a Pakistani militant group supported by the ISI, Pakistan’s intelligence agency. Details and timing are vague, but US intelligence becomes increasingly interested in Ghul. He is believed to be part of al-Qaeda leader Abu Zubaida’s secret network of moneymen and couriers. According to a 2011 article by the Associated Press, the CIA has been pressing the Pakistani government to arrest Ghul “for years.” After 9/11, Ghul hides in Lahore, Pakistan, in safe houses run by the Pakistani militant group Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT). This group helps many al-Qaeda operatives escape Afghanistan and hide in Pakistan after 9/11, and it even helps Zubaida escape and hide (see Late 2001-Early 2002). However, the ISI refuses to arrest Ghul. The Associated Press will report that “former CIA officers who targeted Ghul said he had ties to the Lashkar-e-Toiba terror group, which had the backing of the ISI.” Eventually, the CIA learns that Ghul plans to meet with al-Qaeda operatives fighting against US forces in Iraq. Ghul is captured in Iraq on January 23, 2004 (see January 23, 2004). However, the Pakistani government is said to be furious that Ghul has been captured, and the US is pressed to return him. The US transfers him to a secret CIA prison instead. [Associated Press, 6/15/2011]
Entity Tags: Central Intelligence Agency, Abu Zubaida, Hassan Ghul, Al-Qaeda, Pakistan Directorate for Inter-Services Intelligence, Lashkar-e-Toiba
Category Tags: Pakistan and the ISI, High Value Detainees
January 4, 2002: Firefighter Magazine Scolds WTC Investigation
A firefighter trade magazine with ties to the New York Fire Department calls the investigation into the collapse of the WTC a “half-baked farce.” The article points out that the probe has not looked at all aspects of the disaster and has had limited access to documents and other evidence. “The destruction and removal of evidence must stop immediately.” The writer, Bill Manning, states, “I have combed through our national standard for fire investigation, NFPA 921, but nowhere in it does one find an exemption allowing the destruction of evidence for buildings over 10 stories tall.” He concludes that a growing number of fire protection engineers have theorized that “the structural damage from the planes and the explosive ignition of jet fuel in themselves were not enough to bring down the towers.” Yet, “[a]s things now stand and if they continue in such fashion, the investigation into the World Trade Center fire and collapse will amount to paper- and computer-generated hypotheticals.” [Fire Engineering, 1/2002; New York Daily News, 1/4/2002]
Entity Tags: New York City Fire Department, World Trade Center
January 4, 2002: US Doctors Information About Al-Qaeda Militants
Defense Department pamplet with a badly doctored photo of bin Laden. Note the blurry area around his neck. [Source: US Defense Department]It is reported that the State Department said Mohamed Atta “wanted to learn to fly, but didn’t need to take off and land” when this information clearly refers to Zacarias Moussaoui (although that story isn’t exactly true for him either (see August 13-15, 2001)). It is also reported that the military dropped leaflets in Afghanistan which featured photos depicting bin Laden in Western clothing, with his hair cut short and beard shaved off. An expert says “Frankly, this is sloppy,” and the article calls these propaganda efforts “worthy of the tabloids.” [Associated Press, 1/4/2002]
Entity Tags: Osama bin Laden, Mohamed Atta, US Department of Defense, US Department of State
January 5, 2002: US Teenager Voicing Support for Bin Laden Flies Plane into Bank Tower in Tampa, Florida
Plane’s tail hangs from the Bank of America building in Tampa, Florida. [Source: Anomalies-Unlimited]Fifteen-year-old Charles J. Bishop, a high school student from Tarpon Springs, Florida, steals a small aircraft. As soon as the plane takes off, the air traffic controllers alert the United States Coast Guard and MacDill Air Force Base. Despite repeated warnings from a helicopter dispatched by the Coast Guard, the small plane continues on until it collides with an office building. The plane crashes between the 23rd and 24th floors of the 42-story Bank of America Tower in Tampa at 5:00 p.m. Before the incident, he is authorized to do a pre-flight check but not to get in an aircraft alone.
Investigation - After the crash, investigators discover that the teen had a troubled past. Officials rule out terrorism although eye witnesses say that the plane makes no apparent attempt to avoid hitting the building. Officials finally suggest that the crash is an apparent suicide. In addition, a note found in the wreckage states that he voices support for Osama bin Laden. However, there is no evidence that the teen has any connection with any terror group. Later authorities confiscate a computer from Bishop’s parents’ house to figure out what motive is involved in the incident. Moments after the incident, President George W. Bush is briefly informed about the incident and two unrelated crashes that same day. In April 2002, transcripts obtained from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reveal new details about the incident, which include how close the small plane came to a Southwest Airlines flight.
Other Consequences - Bishop’s mother files a $70 million dollar lawsuit against Roche Laboratories, who makes an acne medicine called Accutane. According to the lawsuit claim the medicine has side effects such as depression and suicidal actions, which the claim states was the cause of the incident. Also, numerous security measures are taken in response to the incident. The FAA releases a security notice on January 6, the day after the incident. The notice includes security and regulations pertaining to underaged flight students. In addition, the FAA and other similar aircraft organizations propose more security of flight schools and small aircraft. While authorities state that the crash is due to an “abuse of trust” rather than a security breach, others argue for the need of increased security due to the simplicity of such actions. [Anomalies-Unlimited, 7/28/2006]
Entity Tags: Federal Aviation Administration, Charles J. Bishop, US Coast Guard, Osama bin Laden, Bank of America Tower (Tampa), MacDill Air Force Base, George W. Bush, Roche Laboratories
Timeline Tags: US Domestic Terrorism
January 5, 2002: FBI Interested in Captured Pakistani Militant Leader
The FBI has asked Pakistan for permission to question Maulana Masood Azhar, the leader of Jaish-e-Mohammed, according to reports. Pakistan arrested him on December 25, 2001, after US pressure to do so. One Pakistani official says, “The Americans are aware Azhar met bin Laden often, and are convinced he can give important information about bin Laden’s present whereabouts and even the September 11 attacks.” But the “primary reason” for US interest is the link between Azhar and Saeed Sheikh. They hope to learn about Saeed’s involvement in financing the 9/11 attacks. Whether Pakistan gives permission to question Azhar is unclear. Four days later, the US officially asks Pakistan for help in finding and extraditing Saeed. [Gulf News, 1/5/2002]
Entity Tags: Federal Bureau of Investigation, Saeed Sheikh, Osama bin Laden, Pakistan, Maulana Masood Azhar
Category Tags: Pakistan and the ISI, Saeed Sheikh
January 6, 2002: Shoe Bomber Is Believed to Be Involved with Pakistani Jihadists
Ali Gilani. [Source: CNN]The Boston Globe reports that shoe bomber Richard Reid may have had ties with an obscure Pakistani group called Al-Fuqra. Reid apparently visited the Lahore, Pakistan, home of Ali Gilani, the leader of Al-Fuqra. [Boston Globe, 1/6/2002] Reporter Daniel Pearl reads the article and decides to investigate. [Vanity Fair, 8/2002] Pearl believes he is on his way to interview Gilani when he is kidnapped. [Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, 3/3/2002] A 1995 State Department report said Al-Fuqra’s main goal is “purifying Islam through violence.” [Vanity Fair, 8/2002] Intelligence experts now say Al-Fuqra is a splinter group of Jaish-e-Mohammed, with ties to al-Qaeda. [United Press International, 1/29/2002] Al-Fuqra claims close ties with the Muslims of the Americas, a US tax-exempt group claiming about 3,000 members living in rural compounds in 19 states, the Caribbean, and Europe. Members of Al-Fuqra are suspected of at least 13 fire bombings and 17 murders, as well as theft and credit-card fraud. Gilani, who had links to people involved in the 1993 WTC bombing, fled the US after the bombing. He admitted he works with the ISI, and now lives freely in Pakistan. [Boston Globe, 1/6/2002; News (Islamabad), 2/15/2002; Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, 3/3/2002; Vanity Fair, 8/2002] Saeed Sheikh “has long had close contacts” with the group, and praises Gilani for his “unexplained services to Pakistan and Islam.” [News (Islamabad), 2/18/2002; Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, 3/3/2002]
Entity Tags: Pakistan Directorate for Inter-Services Intelligence, Al-Fuqra, Jaish-e-Mohammed, Daniel Pearl, Ali Gilani, Saeed Sheikh, Richard C. Reid, Al-Qaeda
Category Tags: Pakistan and the ISI, 2001 Attempted Shoe Bombing
January 6, 2002: Mullah Omar Escapes Capture by US Military
Mullah Mohammed Omar. [Source: CBC]The US allegedly locates former Taliban leader Mullah Omar and 1,500 of his soldiers in the remote village of Baghran, Afghanistan. After a six-day siege, and surrounded by US helicopters and troops, Omar and four bodyguards supposedly escape the dragnet in a daring chase on motorcycles over dirt roads. His soldiers are set free in return for giving up their weapons, in a deal brokered by local leaders. Yet it remains unclear if Omar was ever in the village in the first place. [Observer, 1/6/2002]
Entity Tags: Taliban, Mullah Omar
Category Tags: Afghanistan, Escape From Afghanistan
January 8, 2002: Intensive Search for Bin Laden and Mullah Omar in Afghanistan Comes to a Halt
Military spokesperson Navy Rear Adm. John Stufflebeem says, “We’re going to stop chasing… the shadows of where we thought [bin Laden and Mullah Omar were] and focus more on the entire picture of the country, where these pockets of resistance are, what do the anti-Taliban forces need, so that we can develop a better intelligence picture. The job is not complete and those leaders whom we wish to have from the al-Qaeda and Taliban chain of command, we are casting a wide net—a worldwide net, as well as regional, for where they are.” This announcement comes just two days after reports that Mullah Omar escaped an encirclement near Kandahar and fled into the nearby hills (see January 6, 2002). [Reuters, 1/8/2002]
Entity Tags: Abu Nidal, Taliban, Al-Qaeda, Mullah Omar, Osama bin Laden
January 9, 2002: Yoo Memo Says US Not Bound by International Laws in War on Terror
John Yoo, a neoconservative lawyer in the Justice Department’s Office of Legal Counsel serving as deputy assistant attorney general, writes a classified memo to senior Pentagon counsel William J. Haynes, titled “Application of Treaties and Law to al-Qaeda and Taliban Detainees.” [New York Times, 5/21/2004]
Yoo: Geneva Conventions Do Not Apply in War on Terror - Yoo’s memo, written in conjunction with fellow Justice Department lawyer Robert Delahunty, echoes arguments by another Justice Department lawyer, Patrick Philbin, two months earlier (see November 6, 2001). Yoo states that, in his view, the laws of war, including the Geneva Conventions, do not apply to captured Taliban or al-Qaeda prisoners, nor do they apply to the military commissions set up to try such prisoners.
Geneva Superseded by Presidential Authority - Yoo’s memo goes even farther, arguing that no international laws apply to the US whatsoever, because they do not have any status under US federal law. “As a result,” Yoo and Delahunty write, “any customary international law of armed conflict in no way binds, as a legal matter, the president or the US armed forces concerning the detention or trial of members of al-Qaeda and the Taliban.” In essence, Yoo and Delahunty argue that President Bush and the US military have carte blanche to conduct the global war on terrorism in any manner they see fit, without the restrictions of law or treaty. However, the memo says that while the US need not follow the rules of war, it can and should prosecute al-Qaeda and Taliban detainees for violating those same laws—a legal double standard that provokes sharp criticism when the memo comes to light in May 2004 (see May 21, 2004). Yoo and Delahunty write that while this double standard may seem “at first glance, counter-intuitive,” such expansive legal powers are a product of the president’s constitutional authority “to prosecute the war effectively.” The memo continues, “Restricting the president’s plenary power over military operations (including the treatment of prisoners)” would be “constitutionally dubious.” [Mother Jones, 1/9/2002; US Department of Justice, 6/9/2002 ; Newsweek, 5/21/2004; New York Times, 5/21/2004]
Overriding International Legal Concerns - Yoo warns in the memo that international law experts may not accept his reasoning, as there is no legal precedent giving any country the right to unilaterally ignore its commitment to Geneva or any other such treaty, but Yoo writes that Bush, by invoking “the president’s commander in chief and chief executive powers to prosecute the war effectively,” can simply override any objections. “Importing customary international law notions concerning armed conflict would represent a direct infringement on the president’s discretion as commander in chief and chief executive to determine how best to conduct the nation’s military affairs.” [Savage, 2007, pp. 146] The essence of Yoo’s argument, a Bush official later says, is that the law “applies to them, but it doesn’t apply to us.” [Newsweek, 5/21/2004] Navy general counsel Alberto Mora later says of the memo that it “espoused an extreme and virtually unlimited theory of the extent of the president’s commander-in-chief authority.” [Savage, 2007, pp. 181]
White House Approval - White House counsel and future Attorney General Alberto Gonzales agrees (see January 25, 2002), saying, “In my judgment, this new paradigm renders obsolete Geneva’s strict limitations on questioning of enemy prisoners and renders quaint some of its provisions.” [Mother Jones, 1/9/2002]
Spark for Prisoner Abuses - Many observers believe that Yoo’s memo is the spark for the torture and prisoner abuses later reported from Iraq’s Abu Ghraib prison (see Evening November 7, 2003), Guantanamo Bay (see December 28, 2001), and other clandestine prisoner detention centers (see March 2, 2007). The rationale is that since Afghanistan is what Yoo considers a “failed state,” with no recognizable sovereignity, its militias do not have any status under any international treaties. [Newsweek, 5/21/2004; Newsweek, 5/24/2004]
Resistance from Inside, Outside Government - Within days, the State Department will vehemently protest the memo, but to no practical effect (see January 25, 2002).
Entity Tags: Patrick F. Philbin, Robert J. Delahunty, US Department of Justice, Office of Legal Counsel (DOJ), Taliban, John C. Yoo, Colin Powell, Geneva Conventions, Al-Qaeda, George W. Bush, Alberto Mora, US Department of State, Alberto R. Gonzales, William J. Haynes
Timeline Tags: Torture of US Captives, Civil Liberties
January 11, 2002: First Prisoners Transferred to Guantanamo Bay
An aerial shot of Camp X-Ray. [Source: Public domain]The US prison camp at Guantanamo receives its first 20 prisoners from the Afghan battlefield. [Reuters, 1/11/2002] The prisoners are flown on a C-141 Starlifter cargo plane, escorted during the final leg of the journey by a Navy assault helicopter and a naval patrol boat. The prisoners, hooded, shackled, wearing blackout goggles and orange jumpsuits, and possibly drugged, are escorted one by one off the plane by scores of Marines in full battle gear. They are interred in what reporter Charlie Savage will later call “kennel-like outdoor cages” in the makeshift containment facility dubbed Camp X-Ray. [Guardian, 1/11/2002; Savage, 2007, pp. 142-143]
Leaked Photos of Transfer Cause International Outcry - Pictures of prisoners being transferred in conditions clearly in violation of international law are later leaked, prompting an outcry. But rather than investigating the inhumane transfer, the Pentagon will begin investigating how the pictures were leaked. [Associated Press, 11/9/2002]
Guantanamo Chosen to Keep Prisoners out of US Jurisdiction - The prisoners are sent to this base—leased by Cuba to the US—because it is on foreign territory and therefore beyond the jurisdiction of US law (see December 28, 2001). [Globe and Mail, 9/5/2002] It was once a coaling station used by the US Navy, and in recent years had been used by Coast Guard helicopters searching for drug runners and refugees trying to make it across the Florida Straits to US soil. In 1998, the Clinton administration had briefly considered and then rejected a plan to bring some prisoners from Kosovo to Guantanamo. Guantanamo was chosen as an interim prison for Afghanis who survived the uprising at Mazar-e Sharif prison (see 11:25 a.m. November 25, 2001) by an interagency working group (see Shortly Before September 23, 2001), who considered and rejected facilities in Germany and other European countries. Group leader Pierre-Richard Prosper will later recall: “We looked at our military bases in Europe and ruled that out because (a), we’d have to get approval from a European government, and (b), we’d have to deal with the European Court of Human Rights and we didn’t know how they’d react. We didn’t want to lose control over it and have it become a European process because it was on European soil. And so we kept looking around and around, and basically someone said, ‘What about Guantanamo?’” The base may well have not been the final choice of Prosper’s group; it was still researching a Clinton-era attempt to house Haitian and Cuban refugees there that had been challenged in court when Rumsfeld unilaterally made the decision to begin transferring prisoners to the naval base. [Savage, 2007, pp. 143-144]
No Geneva Convention Strictures Apply to 'Unlawful Combatants' - Rumsfeld, acting on the advice of the Justice Department’s Office of Legal Counsel, publicly declares the detainees “unlawful combatants” and thereby not entitled to the rights of the Geneva Conventions. “Unlawful combatants do not have any rights under the Geneva Convention,” Rumsfeld says. Though, according to Rumsfeld, the government will “for the most part treat them in a manner that is reasonably consistent with the Geneva Conventions, to the extent they are appropriate.” [Reuters, 1/11/2002] There is no reason to feel sorry for these detainees, says Gen. Richard B. Myers, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He states, “These are people who would gnaw through hydraulic lines at the back of a C-17 to bring it down.” [New York Times, 6/21/2004]
British Officials: 'Scandalous' - Senior British officials privately call the treatment of prisoners “scandalous,” and one calls the refusal to follow the Geneva Convention “not benchmarks of a civilized society.” [Guardian, 6/13/2002]
Entity Tags: US Department of the Navy, United States, US Department of Defense, Pierre-Richard Prosper, Richard B. Myers, Clinton administration, Donald Rumsfeld, Charlie Savage, Guantanamo Bay Naval Base, Office of Legal Counsel (DOJ), Geneva Conventions
January 11-16, 2002: 9/11 Suspect Freed after Proof Emerges of His Innocence
Egyptian national Abdallah Higazy (see December 17, 2001), who has falsely confessed to owning a transceiver that may connect him to the 9/11 plot in order to save his family from being tortured (see December 27, 2001), is charged with making false statements connected to the 9/11 attacks. Higazy has given three different versions of how he obtained the radio; the FBI is sure he is lying about not being complicit in the plot. Three days after Higazy is charged, an airline pilot from Ohio claims the suspect transceiver as his own, and unknowingly vindicates Higazy. Higazy is released two days later, and a hotel security guard is eventually charged with lying to the FBI about the location of the radio. Higazy’s lawyer, Jonathan Abady, later says: “What if that pilot had not walked into the Millennium Hotel? We know that Mr. Higazy could have spent the rest of his life in prison.” In 2007, Higazy will say that he chose to confess to the ownership of the suspect transceiver because he knew the FBI could have his family turned over to Egyptian intelligence agents for torture. “I knew I couldn’t prove my innocence, and I knew my family was in danger,” he will recall. “If I say this device is mine, I’m screwed and my family is going to be safe. If I say this device is not mine, I’m screwed and my family’s in danger. And [FBI] Agent [Michael] Templeton made it quite clear that ‘cooperate’ had to mean saying something else other than this device is not mine.” Higazy’s subsequent lawsuit against the hotel (prompted by a hotel employee lying to the FBI about him) will eventually be settled out of court; his suit against the FBI will still be pending in October 2007 (see October 18, 2007). [Washington Post, 10/25/2007]
Entity Tags: Michael Templeton, Abdallah Higazy, Jonathan Abady, Federal Bureau of Investigation
Category Tags: FBI 9/11 Investigation, 9/11 Investigations
January 12, 2002: Pakistani President Musharraf Denounces Terrorism, but Quickly Returns to Supporting Violent Militants
Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf makes “a forceful speech… condemning Islamic extremism.” [Washington Post, 3/28/2002] He is essentially forced to make the speech in response to intense international pressure, as incursions by Islamist militants backed by Pakistan into the disputed region of Kashmir have brought Pakistan and India to the brink of nuclear war. For instance, on January 6, President Bush says publicly, “I think it’s very important for President Musharraf to make a clear statement to the world that he intends to crack down on terror. And I believe if he does that… it’ll provide relief… on a situation that’s still serious.” The US even gives Musharraf a list of points to cover in the speech, and he says everything the US wants him to say. In the speech, Musharraf says: “Pakistan has been made a soft state where the supremacy of law is questioned. This situation cannot be tolerated any longer.… Pakistan rejects and condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. Pakistan will not allow its territory to be used for any terrorist activity anywhere in the world.… No organization will be allowed to indulge in terrorism in the name of Kashmir.” He specifically denounces violent jihad for the first time. However, he does not renounce Pakistan’s claims to Kashmir, saying, “Kashmir runs in our blood.” He announces a ban on five militant groups, and more than a thousand militants are arrested after the speech. The speech does cool tensions with India temporarily. But within several months it is clear that the attacks in Kashmir are continuing and most of the arrested militants have been released (see Shortly After January 12-March 2002). Pakistan and India come close to nuclear war again by May 2002. [Rashid, 2008, pp. 116-118, 146]
Entity Tags: Pervez Musharraf, George W. Bush
January 13, 2002: Former German Minister Believes CIA Is Responsible for 9/11
Andreas von Buelow. [Source: Public domain]Andreas von Bülow, former German Minister for Research and Technology and a long-time member of German parliament, suggests in an interview that the CIA could have been behind the 9/11 attacks. He states: “Whoever wants to understand the CIA’s methods, has to deal with its main task of covert operations: Below the level of war, and outside international law, foreign states are to be influenced by inciting insurrections or terrorist attacks, usually combined with drugs and weapons trade, and money laundering.… Since, however, it must not under any circumstances come out that there is an intelligence agency behind it, all traces are erased, with tremendous deployment of resources. I have the impression that this kind of intelligence agency spends 90 percent of its time this way: creating false leads. So that if anyone suspects the collaboration of the agencies, he is accused of paranoia. The truth often comes out only years later.” [Der Tagesspiegel (Berlin), 1/13/2002] In an example of covering tracks, Ephraim Halevy, head of Israel’s Mossad from 1998 until 2002, claims, “Not one big success of the Mossad has ever been made public” (see February 5, 2003). [CBS News, 2/5/2003]
Entity Tags: Andreas von Bulow, Israel Institute for Intelligence and Special Tasks (Mossad), Central Intelligence Agency, Ephraim Halevy
Timeline Tags: Alleged Use of False Flag Attacks, 9/11 Timeline
Category Tags: US Government and 9/11 Criticism
Shortly After January 12-March 2002: Facing International Pressure, Pakistan Arrests 3,000 Militants, Then Quietly Releases Them
On January 12, 2002, Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf gives a speech denouncing violent Islamist militancy for the first time. He is essentially forced to give the speech after militants supported by Pakistan launched attacks in the disputed region of Kashmir, bringing India and Pakistan close to the brink of nuclear war. He also bans five militant groups (see January 12, 2002). [Rashid, 2008, pp. 116-118] Shortly after the speech, Pakistan arrests about 3,000 suspected militants. Musharraf is hailed in the Western media as redirecting the ISI to support the US agenda. But by the end of the month, at least 800 of the arrested are set free, including most of their leaders. Not a single one of the arrested militants is charged with any terrorist offense. [Washington Post, 3/28/2002; Time, 5/6/2002; Rashid, 2008, pp. 155] A US diplomat based in Pakistan will later say: “By March it was clear to us that Musharraf was not going to implement his promises [given in the speech]. All the arrested militants were freed, and the military had no intention of imposing any curbs on their activities.” The US State Department attempts to pressure Musharraf to keep the promises he made in the speech. However, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and the US Defense Department is reluctant to pressure him, fearing that Pakistan will stop cooperating in capturing al-Qaeda leaders. Rumsfeld is apparently not concerned by the strong links between Pakistani militant groups and al-Qaeda. [Rashid, 2008, pp. 118] Within one year, “almost all” of those arrested have been quietly released. Even the most prominent leaders, such as Maulana Masood Azhar, have been released. Their banned militant organizations are running again, most under new names. [Washington Post, 2/8/2003]
Entity Tags: Donald Rumsfeld, Ahmed Rashid, Pervez Musharraf, Maulana Masood Azhar, US Department of State, US Department of Defense, Pakistan Directorate for Inter-Services Intelligence
Category Tags: Pakistan and the ISI, Haven in Pakistan Tribal Region, Counterterrorism Policy/Politics
Before Mid-January 2002: Top CIA Official Reportedly Describes 9/11 as ‘Triumph’
According to former CIA officer Robert Baer, a high-ranking CIA official tells a reporter off-the-record that, “when the dust finally clears, Americans will see that September 11 was a triumph for the intelligence community, not a failure.” It is unclear why the CIA officer thinks this and the reporter who tells Baer this story is not named. However, Baer comments that if that is what the CIA thinks, “I’m scared to death of what lies ahead.” [Baer, 2002, pp. xxiii]
Entity Tags: Robert Baer, Central Intelligence Agency
Category Tags: 9/11 Denials, US Government and 9/11 Criticism
January 14, 2002: FBI Special Agent Concerned That Translator Is Protecting Surveillance Targets and Involved in Espionage
Dennis Saccher, the FBI’s special agent in charge of Turkish counter-intelligence, invites FBI translator Sibel Edmonds into his office and shares with her his concern that Edmonds’ co-worker, Melek Can Dickerson, is protecting surveillance targets at the American-Turkish Council (ATC). He shows her several translations of wiretapped conversations that Dickerson either marked as “not pertinent,” or for which she provided only a brief summary indicating that the conversations were not important. When Edmonds tells Saccher that her department, at the request of Dickerson, no longer assigns translation tasks randomly and that certain targets, including the ATC, have been permanently attached to Dickerson, Saccher is shocked. “It sounds like espionage to me,” he suggests. At Saccher’s request, Edmonds and Kevin Taskasen, another translator, re-translate some of the conversations Dickerson had marked as “not pertinent.” They agree to schedule a meeting with supervisor Mike Feghali on February 1 (see February 1, 2002). [Washington Post, 6/19/2002; Vanity Fair, 9/2005]
Entity Tags: Melek Can Dickerson, American-Turkish Council, Kevin Taskasen, Sibel Edmonds, Dennis Saccher
Category Tags: Sibel Edmonds
Between January 14, 2002 and February 1, 2002: FBI Translator Re-Translates Wiretaps Assigned to Colleague; Discovers Colleague Buried Critical Information
FBI contract linguist Sibel Edmonds re-translates 17 of the “hundreds” of wiretapped conversations that had been originally translated or reviewed by co-worker Melek Can Dickerson. [Anti-War (.com), 8/15/2005] She discovers that Dickerson marked as “not pertinent” every single file that included a reference to surveillance targets connected to the Turkish organizations with whom she had ties (see (November 2001)). One of those targets is a Turkish intelligence officer, who is a personal friend of Dickerson. Edmonds learns from the wiretaps that the officer had spies inside the US State Department and Pentagon seeking access to US military and intelligence secrets. [CBS, 10/27/2002] The wiretaps also reveal that the group is involved in arms and drug smuggling and is tied into a complex network of governmental and private figures in several countries. [United Press International, 11/15/2005] Additionally, Edmonds identifies hundreds of other instances where Dickerson’s work obstructed investigations. For example, she learns from one conversation that a US State Department staffer agreed to accept $7,000 in cash from certain individuals in the American-Turkish Council (ATC) in exchange for information. One wiretapped call discussed a payment to a Pentagon official, who seemed to be involved in weapons-procurement negotiations, while another suggested that Turkish doctoral students had been placed at US research institutions in order to obtain information about black market nuclear weapons. Edmonds also hears discussions about the laundering of drug smuggling profits, the selling of classified military technologies, and a scheme to secretly give Republican Congressman Dennis Hastert tens of thousands of dollars in exchange for political favors and information. She becomes convinced that the American-Turkish Council (ATC) is being used as a front for criminal activity. [Anti-War (.com), 7/1/2004; Anti-War (.com), 8/15/2005; Vanity Fair, 9/2005]
Entity Tags: Dennis Hastert, Melek Can Dickerson, American-Turkish Council, Sibel Edmonds, US Department of State
January 14, 2002-2005: Secret CIA Flights to Guantanamo Cross Airspace of European Countries
Prisoners being flown to Guantanamo. [Source: Public domain]Beginning in January 2002, when the US-controlled Guantanamo prison opens in Cuba, until at least 2005, over 700 suspects are secretly flown by the CIA to Guantanamo over the territories of European countries. Most prisoners come from Afghanistan or other places in the Middle East and change planes at the Incirlik US military airbase in Turkey. Then they fly over Greek, Italian, and Portuguese airspace. About 170 other prisoners fly over or land in Spain. The first flight apparently takes place on January 14, and carries three British citizens known as the “Tipton Three” as well as others (see January 13, 2002). In 2007, the Council of Europe, Europe’s leading watchdog on human rights, will claim that European countries had breached the international Convention against Torture (see October 21, 1994) by giving the US secret permission to use its airspace. Moazzam Begg, a British prisoner at Guantanamo until 2005, will later recall his flight to Guantanamo. “Inside the plane there was a chain around our waist, and it connected to cuffs around my wrists, which were tied in the back, and to my ankles. We were seated but it was so painful not being able to speak, to hear, to breathe properly, to look, to turn left or right, to move your hands, stretch your legs, or anything.” [London Times, 11/25/2007] All the member countries of NATO signed a secret agreement in late 2001 allowing blanket overflight clearances for any flight relating to terrorism (see October 4, 2001).
Entity Tags: Central Intelligence Agency, Moazzam Begg
January 17, 2002: Suicide Attack Alert Issued
Attorney General John Ashcroft warns that suicide attacks “might be expected because of confidential information” the US government has received. He further warns, in regards to the five most wanted terrorists, that “These men could be anywhere in the world” and “may be trained and prepared to commit future suicide terrorist acts.” [NBC, 1/17/2002]
Entity Tags: John Ashcroft
Category Tags: Terror Alerts, Internal US Security After 9/11
January 18, 2002: Pakistani President Says Bin Laden Probably Dead
Pakistani President General Pervez Musharraf says that he thinks Osama bin Laden is most likely dead because he has been unable to get treatment for his kidney disease. “I think now, frankly, he is dead for the reason he is a… kidney patient,” says Musharraf in an interview with CNN. According to Musharraf, Pakistan knows bin Laden took two dialysis machines into Afghanistan, and, “One was specifically for his own personal use.” Musharraf adds: “I don’t know if he has been getting all that treatment in Afghanistan now. And the photographs that have been shown of him on television show him extremely weak.… I would give the first priority that he is dead and the second priority that he is alive somewhere in Afghanistan.” However, some US officials are skeptical of this. One senior Bush administration official says Musharraf reached a “reasonable conclusion,” but warns it is only a guess. “We don’t have remains or evidence of his death. So it is a decent and reasonable conclusion—a good guess but it is a guess,” says the official. He adds that US intelligence indicates bin Laden needs dialysis every three days and, “it is fairly obvious that that could be an issue when you are running from place to place, and facing the idea of needing to generate electricity in a mountain hideout.” However, another US official contradicts the reports of bin Laden’s health problems, saying there is “no evidence” the suspected terrorist mastermind has ever suffered kidney failure or required kidney dialysis. The official calls such suggestions a “recurrent rumor.” [CNN, 1/18/2002]
Entity Tags: Bush administration (43), Osama bin Laden, Al-Qaeda, Pervez Musharraf
January 20, 2002- March 20, 2002: Al-Qaeda Leader Who Worked with British Intelligence Possibly Secretly Captured and Sent to Egypt
In January 2002, the Observer reports that Anas al-Liby, one of al-Qaeda’s top leaders, has been recently captured in Afghanistan. Al-Liby is considered one of bin Laden’s computer experts, and a long-time member of al-Qaeda’s ruling council. [Observer, 1/20/2002] In early March 2002, the London Times mentions al-Liby’s capture as an established fact. [London Times, 3/11/2002] Then, in late March 2002, the London Times and the Washington Post report that al-Liby has been recently captured in Sudan. Anonymous CIA sources and anonymous “senior administration officials” claim that al-Liby has been captured, but the Sudanese and US governments officially deny the arrest. The London Times says the arrest “has been kept a closely guarded secret.” Some senior officials who told the Post al-Liby had been arrested later change their account and say it was someone with a similar name. [London Times, 3/17/2002; Washington Post, 3/19/2002; Washington Post, 3/20/2002] Al-Liby remains on the FBI’s most wanted list, with a $25 million reward on his name. It will later be lowered to $5 million. [London Times, 5/8/2005] Al-Liby appears to have collaborated with British intelligence to kill Libyan leader Colonel Mu’ammar al-Qadhafi in 1996 and was allowed to openly live in Britain until 2000 (see Late 1995-May 2000; 1996). In 2003, it will be reported that al-Liby was captured in Sudan and then secretly deported to Egypt, where he is wanted for an attempted assassination of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak (see (Late 1995)). [Scotland on Sunday, 10/26/2003] In 2007, human rights groups will list al-Liby as a possible ghost prisoner still held by the US (see June 7, 2007).
Entity Tags: Anas al-Liby
Category Tags: Key Captures and Deaths, Londonistan - UK Counterterrorism, Counterterrorism Action After 9/11
January 22, 2002: Saeed Sheikh and ISI Stage Attack in India
A crowd of mostly unarmed Indian police near the US Information Service building in Calcutta, India, is attacked by gunmen; four policemen are killed and 21 people injured. The gunmen escape. India claims that Aftab Ansari immediately calls to take credit, and India charges that the gunmen belong to Ansari’s kidnapping ring are also connected to funding the 9/11 attacks in August 2001 (see Early August 2001). [Daily Telegraph, 1/24/2002; Associated Press, 2/10/2002] Saeed Sheikh and the ISI assist Ansari in the attack. [Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, 3/3/2002; Vanity Fair, 8/2002] This is the fourth attack in which they have cooperated, including the 9/11 attacks, and attacks in October and December 2001.
Entity Tags: Aftab Ansari, Saeed Sheikh, India, Pakistan Directorate for Inter-Services Intelligence
Category Tags: Pakistan and the ISI, Saeed Sheikh, Alleged Al-Qaeda Linked Attacks, Pakistani ISI Links to 9/11
January 22-25, 2002: India Tells FBI Director About Saeed Sheikh Connection to 9/11
FBI Director Mueller visits India, and is told by Indian investigators that Saeed Sheikh sent ransom money to hijacker Mohamed Atta in the US. In the next few days, Saeed is publicly blamed for his role with gangster Aftab Ansari in financing Atta and organizing the Calcutta attack (see January 22, 2002). [Press Trust of India, 1/22/2002; Los Angeles Times, 1/23/2002; Independent, 1/24/2002; Agence France-Presse, 1/27/2002; Daily Telegraph, 1/27/2002] Meanwhile, on January 23, Saeed helps kidnap reporter Daniel Pearl and is later arrested. Also on January 23, Ansari is placed under surveillance after flying to Dubai, United Arab Emirates. On January 24, Mueller and US Ambassador to Pakistan Wendy Chamberlin discuss Saeed at a previously scheduled meeting with Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf. Apparently Saeed’s role in Pearl’s kidnapping is not yet known. [Associated Press, 2/24/2002] On Mueller’s way back to the US he flies to Dubai to pressure the government there to arrest Ansari and deport him to India. Ansari is arrested on February 5 and deported four days later. [Associated Press, 2/10/2002; Frontline (Chennai), 2/16/2002; India Today, 2/25/2002]
Entity Tags: Robert S. Mueller III, India, Saeed Sheikh, Daniel Pearl, Wendy Chamberlin, Aftab Ansari, Pervez Musharraf, Mohamed Atta
Category Tags: Pakistan and the ISI, Saeed Sheikh, Pakistani ISI Links to 9/11
January 23, 2002: Reporter Daniel Pearl Is Kidnapped While Investigating the ISI
Daniel Pearl. [Source: Publicity photo]Wall Street Journal report Daniel Pearl is kidnapped while investigating the ISI’s connection to Islamic militant groups. [Guardian, 1/25/2002; BBC, 7/5/2002] Saeed Sheikh is later convicted as the mastermind of the kidnap, and though it appears he lured Pearl into being kidnapped beginning January 11, the actual kidnapping is perpetrated by others who remain at large. [Vanity Fair, 8/2002; Wall Street Journal, 1/23/2003] The Guardian later suggests that Pearl must have been under ISI surveillance at the time of his kidnapping. “Any western journalist visiting Pakistan is routinely watched and followed. The notion that Daniel Pearl, setting up contacts with extremist groups, was not being carefully monitored by the Secret Services is unbelievable—and nobody in Pakistan believes it.” [Guardian, 4/5/2002] Both al-Qaeda and the ISI appear to be behind the kidnapping. The overall mastermind behind the kidnapping seems to be Khalid Shaikh Mohammed, also mastermind of the 9/11 attacks. [Time, 1/26/2003; CNN, 1/30/2003]
Entity Tags: Al-Qaeda, Khalid Shaikh Mohammed, Saeed Sheikh, Daniel Pearl, Pakistan Directorate for Inter-Services Intelligence
Category Tags: Pakistan and the ISI, Saeed Sheikh, Khalid Shaikh Mohammed, Pakistani ISI Links to 9/11
January 23, 2002: Bin Al-Shibh’s Failed Effort to Get Passport Indicates Al-Qaeda and Ansar Al-Islam Are Not Cooperating
Ramzi bin al-Shibh attempts to obtain a false passport, but fails to do so as he cannot afford one and a group controlled by Abu Musab al-Zarqawi refuses to pay for him. Bin al-Shibh, already known as a key 9/11 plotter at this time, presumably desires the passport so he can make a trip outside Pakistan, where he will be interviewed in April (see April, June, or August 2002). He tries to obtain it from the terrorist organization Ansar al-Islam, which is associated with al-Zarqawi. In a conversation monitored by the police, Ansar operatives discuss using money from fake ID operations to pay for bin al-Shibh, but decide not to do so as, according to the Wall Street Journal, “Mr. Zarqawi… had allocated all the available profits to pay for passports for his own fighters,” and bin al-Shibh “isn’t part of the al Tawhid [another group associated with Ansar and al-Zarqawi] structure, and has no position in the hierarchy.” [Wall Street Journal, 4/14/2004]
Entity Tags: Al-Tawhid, Ansar al-Islam, Al-Qaeda, Ramzi bin al-Shibh
Category Tags: Al-Qaeda in Germany, Alleged Iraq-Al-Qaeda Links, Ramzi Bin Al-Shibh
January 24, 2002: CIA Veteran David Cohen Joins NYPD
Michael Sheehan (left), Raymond W. Kelly and David Cohen [Source: Alan Chin/New York Times (Feb. 15, 2004)] (click image to enlarge)The New York Police Department (NYPD) appoints CIA veteran David Cohen to the newly-created post of deputy commissioner of intelligence. [New York City, 1/24/2002] Cohen headed the CIA’s Directorate of Operations (DO) from 1995 to 1997. After leaving the agency, he joined AIG, the world’s largest insurance company, in November 2000. [National Underwriter Property and Casualty, 1/15/2001] He also apparently headed the CIA’s office in New York, which was located in WTC7 before its collapse, at some point. The press release announcing his hiring says that “he also served as the senior CIA official in the New York area,” but provides no additional details. “Asked if he ever worked in the CIA’s office in the World Trade Center, he laughed and said, ‘You’re going to have to ask the CIA where their offices were,’” reports the New York Times. [New York Times, 1/25/2002] NYPD also created a new post of deputy commissioner of counterterrorism, which will be filled by Michael Sheehan from 2003 to 2006. Cohen and Sheehan’s appointments are part of a huge expansion of NYPD’s intelligence-gathering and counterterrorism efforts, which will be the subject of numerous press reports. [New York Times, 1/15/2004; New Yorker, 7/25/2005]
Entity Tags: AIG (American International Group, Inc.), David Cohen, Central Intelligence Agency, Michael Sheehan, New York City Police Department
January 24, 2002: President Bush and Vice President Cheney Pressure Senator Daschle to Avoid 9/11 Inquiry
Vice President Dick Cheney calls Democratic Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle and urges him not to launch a 9/11 inquiry. When the call is made, Howard Fineman of Newsweek is in Daschle’s office and he hears that end of the conversation, providing important independent confirmation of Daschle’s account. Author Philip Shenon will later describe Cheney’s tone as “polite but threatening,” and Cheney reportedly tells Daschle that an investigation into 9/11 would be a “very dangerous and time-consuming diversion for those of us who are on the front lines of our response today.” Cheney also says that if the Democrats push for an investigation, the White House will portray them as undermining the war on terror. Shenon will later call this “a potent political threat” the Republicans are holding over the Democrats. President Bush repeats the request on January 28, and Daschle is repeatedly pressured thereafter. [Newsweek, 2/4/2002; Shenon, 2008, pp. 29-30, 426] Cheney will later disagree with this account: “Tom’s wrong. He has, in this case, let’s say a misinterpretation.” [Reuters, 5/27/2002]
Entity Tags: Richard (“Dick”) Cheney, Tom Daschle, Howard Fineman, George W. Bush, Philip Shenon
Category Tags: 9/11 Investigations, 9/11 Congressional Inquiry, 9/11 Commission
January 25, 2002: Suspect Bosnian Charities Not Shut Down
It is reported that four charities operating in Bosnia are due to be shut down there within weeks. The four are Saudi High Relief Commission, Global Relief Foundation (GRF), Active Islamic Youth (AIO), and the Third World Relief Agency (TWRA). The Saudi High Commission is closely tied to the Saudi government and has given out hundreds of millions of dollars in aid to Bosnia. At least three suspects recently arrested by the US worked for the Commission, and it had a long history of known militant links (see 1996 and After). In late 2001, GRF was shut down in the US and the UN shut its offices in nearby Kosovo (see December 14, 2001). In the early 1990s, TWRA funneled hundreds of millions of dollars worth of weapons to Bosnia in violation of a UN embargo (see Mid-1991-1996). A Bosnian police official says, “We have information that these groups are used to finance and support terrorism. There is also definitely money laundering here. And this laundering definitely shows evidence of sources in the narcotics and arms trades.” Bosnian Deputy Minister Rasim Kadic says, “A series of searches and other intelligence gathering proved activities and evidence that has no relationship to humanitarian work. Four groups have very suspicious financial dealings and other issues have made police very suspicious about these four groups.… We expect to make the hard decision to close some of these groups. We will say ‘Thank you for your help, but now you must go.’” Officials say have also discovered evidence of drug and weapons trafficking by the four charities. [United Press International, 1/25/2002] But in fact, the four charities are not shut down in Bosnia, except for GRF, which will have its offices there shut near the end of 2002. [BBC, 11/28/2002] In 2004, there will be reports that TWRA is operating in the Czech Republic. [BBC, 3/15/2004] And in 2005, counterterrorism expert Rohan Gunaratna will tell an Austrian newspaper that TWRA is still tied to radical militants and still active there. [BBC, 6/14/2005]
Entity Tags: Third World Relief Agency, Rohan Gunaratna, Saudi High Commission, Rasim Kadic, Global Relief Foundation, Active Islamic Youth
Category Tags: Al-Qaeda in Balkans, Terrorism Financing
January 27, 2002: Cheney Says Bin Laden ‘Isn’t That Big a Threat’
Vice President Cheney says, “And we want bin Laden, and I think we will get him, but I’m more concerned about disrupting all of these terrorist cells out there. Bin Laden by himself isn’t that big a threat. Bin Laden connected to this worldwide organization of terror is a threat. We’re going to go after him, but we’re also after the network.” [ABC News, 1/27/2002]
Entity Tags: Richard (“Dick”) Cheney, Osama bin Laden
Category Tags: Afghanistan, Counterterrorism Policy/Politics
January 28, 2002: Daniel Pearl’s Kidnappers Make Odd Demands for His Release
Reporter Daniel Pearl’s kidnappers e-mail the media a picture of Pearl and a list of very strange demands. [BBC, 7/5/2002] The kidnappers call themselves “The National Movement for the Restoration of Pakistani Sovereignty,” a previously unheard of name. [Vanity Fair, 8/2002] Their demands include the return of US-held Pakistani prisoners and the departure of US journalists from Pakistan. [ABC News, 2/7/2002] Most unusually, they demand that the US sell F-16 fighters to Pakistan. No militant group had ever shown interest in the F-16’s, but this demand and the others reflect the desires of Pakistan’s military and the ISI to obtain the fighters. [London Times, 4/21/2002; Guardian, 7/16/2002] On January 29, “a senior Pakistani official,” presumably from the ISI, leaks the fact that Pearl is Jewish to the Pakistani press. This may have been an attempt to ensure the kidnappers would want to murder him, which they do shortly thereafter. [Vanity Fair, 8/2002] On the same day, it is reported that US intelligence believes the kidnappers are connected to the ISI. [United Press International, 1/29/2002]
Entity Tags: The National Movement for the Restoration of Pakistani Sovereignty, Pakistan Directorate for Inter-Services Intelligence, Daniel Pearl
January 29, 2002: Bush Labels Iraq, Iran, and North Korea an ‘Axis of Evil,’ Ending Cooperation with Iran
President Bush’s State of the Union speech describes an “axis of evil” consisting of Iraq, Iran, and North Korea. Osama bin Laden is not mentioned in the speech. [US President, 2/4/2002] Bush says: “States like these and their terrorist allies, constitute an axis of evil, arming to threaten the peace of the world. By seeking weapons of mass destruction, these regimes pose a grave and growing danger. They could provide these arms to terrorists, giving them the means to match their hatred. They could attack our allies or attempt to blackmail the United States. In any of these cases, the price of indifference would be catastrophic.” Bush goes on to suggest for the first time that the US might be prepared to launch pre-emptive wars by saying, “The United States of America will not permit the world’s most dangerous regimes to threaten us with the world’s most destructive weapons.” [Vanity Fair, 5/2004] When Bush advisor Richard Perle was asked one month before 9/11 about new challenges the US faced, he replied by naming these exact three countries (see August 6, 2001). Michael Gerson, head of the White House speechwriting team at the time, will later claim that, as Newsweek will later put it, “Bush was already making plans to topple Saddam Hussein, but he wasn’t ready to say so.” Iran and North Korea are inserted into the speech in order to avoid focusing solely on Iraq. The speech is followed by a new public focus on Iraq and a downplaying of bin Laden (see September 15, 2001-April 6, 2002). Prior to the speech, the Iranian government had been very helpful in the US fight against the Taliban, since the Taliban and Iran were enemies. [Newsweek, 2/12/2007] At the time, al-Qaeda operatives had been streaming into Iran from Afghanistan following the defeat of the Taliban. Iran has been turning over hundreds of suspects to US allies and providing US intelligence with the names, photographs, and fingerprints of those it is holding. [Washington Post, 2/10/2007] Newsweek will later say that it is “beyond doubt” the Iranian government was “critical… to stabilizing [Afghanistan] after the fall of Kabul.” But all this cooperation comes to an end after the speech. Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Mohammad Hossein Adeli will later say that “Those [inside the Iranian government] who were in favor of a rapprochement with the United States were marginalized. The speech somehow exonerated those who had always doubted America’s intentions.” [Newsweek, 2/12/2007] In August 2003, reporter Jeffrey St. Clair will write that “the Axis of Evil [is not] an ‘axis’ at all, since two of the states, Iran and Iraq, hate… each other, and neither [have] anything at all to do with the third, North Korea.” [CounterPunch, 8/13/2003]
Entity Tags: George W. Bush, Mohammad Hossein Adeli, Jeffrey St. Clair, Michael Gerson
Timeline Tags: US confrontation with Iran, Events Leading to Iraq Invasion, US International Relations
Category Tags: Alleged Iraq-Al-Qaeda Links, Counterterrorism Policy/Politics
January 31, 2002: Reporter Daniel Pearl Is Murdered by Pakistani Kidnappers
Reporter Daniel Pearl moments before he is killed. [Source: Associated Press]Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl is murdered. He is reported dead on February 21; his mutilated body is found months later. Police investigators say “there were at least eight to ten people present on the [murder] scene” and at least 15 who participated in his kidnapping and murder. “Despite issuing a series of political demands shortly after Pearl’s abduction four weeks ago, it now seems clear that the kidnappers planned to kill Pearl all along.” [Washington Post, 2/23/2002] Some captured participants later claim 9/11 mastermind Khalid Shaikh Mohammed is the one who cuts Pearl’s throat. [MSNBC, 9/17/2002; Time, 1/26/2003] The land on which Pearl was held and murdered reportedly belongs to either the Al Rashid Trust, or one of its supporters, Saud Memon. The Al Rashid Trust, an ostensibly charitable organization that US intelligence linked to the financing of al-Qeada, is closely linked to the jihadi organization Jaish-i-Mohammed and was one of the very first organizations to have its assets frozen after 9/11. It may have been used to funnel money to the 9/11 hijackers in the US (see Early August 2001 and September 24, 2001). [Time, 1/26/2003; Daily Telegraph, 5/9/2004; Tribune, 4/2/2006]
Entity Tags: Al Rashid Trust, Daniel Pearl, Khalid Shaikh Mohammed, Saud Memon
Category Tags: Pakistan and the ISI, Pakistan and the ISI, Saeed Sheikh, Alleged Al-Qaeda Linked Attacks, Khalid Shaikh Mohammed, Pakistani ISI Links to 9/11
January 31, 2002: CNN Broadcasts Video of Previously Secret Bin Laden Interview
CNN broadcasts an interview of Osama bin Laden conducted by Al Jazeera reporter Tayseer Allouni. The interview was recorded in October 2001 (see October 20, 2001). [CNN, 2/5/2002; Miles, 2005, pp. 176-177] Al Jazeera had decided not to broadcast the interview because al-Qaeda operatives intimidated Allouni, he was not allowed to ask his own questions, and the station thought the resulting product was just propaganda for bin Laden. However, Western intelligence agencies obtained the tape (see Before November 11, 2001), and news of it leaked to the media. CNN then obtained a copy and now broadcasts it, thinking this a media coup. For example, CNN executive Eason Jordan says the video is “extremely newsworthy… it not only absolutely warrants being seen, it must be seen.” It is unclear where CNN got the tape from. Author Hugh Miles will suggest that the network acquired the tape with the blessing of the US government. He will point out that National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice recently instructed news outlets not to air bin Laden messages, apparently for fear they may contain hidden signals. However, CNN is not rebuked for running excerpts from the tape. Miles will also point out that Al Jazeera’s refusal to broadcast the tape is used to attack the station in the US media, as it is “widely insinuated that the affair had been an attempt by Al Jazeera to cover up bin Laden’s confession of responsibility for 9/11.” However, in retrospect, Miles will say it is a “smear campaign by the coalition, bitter at Al Jazeera’s coverage of the war and desperate to have bin Laden’s near-confession on air, to prove their vengeful war was justified.” [Miles, 2005, pp. 177-182]
Entity Tags: Hugh Miles, Osama bin Laden, CNN, Eason Jordan
(Early 2002): FBI Whistleblower Threatened with Investigation
At some point during Sibel Edmonds’ effort to report her concerns about potentially major security breaches in the FBI’s translation department (see, e.g., December 2, 2001), she is told by a superior in the counterintelligence squad: “I’ll bet you’ve never worked in government before. We do things differently. We don’t name names, and we usually sweep the dirt under the carpet.” [New York Observer, 1/22/2004] On another occasion, an assistant special agent allegedly tells her: “Do you realize what you are saying here in your allegations? Are you telling me that our security people are not doing their jobs? Is that what you’re telling me? If you insist on this investigation, I’ll make sure in no time it will turn around and become an investigation about you.” [CBS News, 10/25/2002]
Entity Tags: Sibel Edmonds
February 2002: Transportation Security Administration Takes Over Airport Security, but Is Heavily Criticized
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA), created in late 2001 in the wake of 9/11, takes over passenger screening duties at US airports from private contractors. This step will come in for some criticism; for example journalists Joe and Susan Trento will write: “The $700 million annual business was replaced by a $6 billion budget in a new federal agency. Instead of twenty thousand low-paid private screeners, the country ended up with fifty-five thousand well-compensated government screeners.” They will also point out: “The law that President Bush signed included a provision that only American citizens would be allowed to work for the TSA. This meant that even legal green-card holders waiting for citizenship could not be hired. Thousands and thousands of competent and experienced screeners who had protected airline passengers over several decades were told they were no longer trusted.” Ed Soliday, former head of security at United Airliners, will comment, “The congressional nationalization of security at our nation’s airports turned out as everyone who had experience in providing security predicted—very expensive and ineffective.” Former head of security at the Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) Cathal Flynn will say: “Firing those Indians, South Americans, others who were doing good jobs was wrong.… When you think about it, the illogic of it is fierce.” Another security expert will say, “Thirty-five thousand people lost their jobs for no reason whatsoever other than the majority of them were minorities and foreigners and did not look and speak the way Americans would typically like, which would be a white male West Point cadet standing at every screen.” [Trento and Trento, 2006, pp. 165-6] A 2004 review will find that the new, better-paid screeners are worse than the old ones who are fired at this time (see Spring 2004).
Entity Tags: Joseph Trento, Ed Soliday, Susan Trento, Transportation Security Administration, Cathal Flynn
Category Tags: Counterterrorism Policy/Politics, Internal US Security After 9/11
February 2002: Powell’s Proposal to Secure All of Afghanistan Is Rejected by Rumsfeld
Secretary of State Colin Powell argues in a White House meeting that US troops should join the small international peacekeeping force patrolling Kabul, Afghanistan, and help Hamid Karzai extend his influence beyond just the capital of Kabul. The State Department has held initial talks with European officials indicating that a force of 20,000 to 40,000 peacekeepers could be created, half from Europe and half from the US. But Defense Secretary Rumsfeld asserts that the Europeans would be unwilling to send more troops. He argues that sending more troops could provoke Afghan resistance and divert US forces from hunting terrorists. National Security Adviser Rice fails to take sides, causing Powell’s proposal to effectively die. In the end, the US only deploys 8,000 troops to Afghanistan in 2002, but all of them are there to hunt down Taliban and al-Qaeda, not to assist with peacekeeping or reconstruction. The 4,000 international peacekeepers do not venture beyond Kabul and the rest of the country remains under the de facto control of local warlords. [New York Times, 8/12/2007]
Entity Tags: Colin Powell, Donald Rumsfeld, Hamid Karzai, Condoleezza Rice
February 2002: DIA Suggests Prisoner Probably Lying about Al-Qaeda Ties to Iraq; but His Allegations Will Be Used in Bush Speech Later
The Defense Intelligence Agency issues a four-page Defense Intelligence Terrorism Summary (DITSUM No. 044-02) stating that it is probable that prisoner Ibn al-Shaykh al-Libi intentionally misled debriefers when he claimed Iraq was supporting al-Qaeda in working with illicit weapons. During interviews with al-Libi, the DIA noted the Libyan al-Qaeda operative could not name any Iraqis involved, any chemical or biological material used, or where the alleged training took place. “It is possible he does not know any further details; it is more likely this individual is intentionally misleading the debriefers,” the report says. “Ibn al-Shaykh has been undergoing debriefs for several weeks and may be describing scenarios to the debriefers that he knows will retain their interest.” The DIA report is presumably circulated widely within the government, and is available to the CIA, the White House, the Pentagon, the National Security Council, and other agencies.
No Evidence of Connections between Iraq, al-Qaeda - On the general subject of Iraq’s alleged ties to al-Qaeda, the DIA report notes: “Saddam [Hussein]‘s regime is intensely secular and is wary of Islamic revolutionary movements. Moreover, Baghdad is unlikely to provide assistance to a group it cannot control.” The report also questions the reliability of information provided by high-value al-Qaeda detainees being held in secret CIA facilities or who have been “rendered” to foreign countries where they are believed to undergo harsh interrogation tactics.
Using al-Libi's Information to Bolster Case for War - Information supplied by al-Libi will be the basis for a claim included in an October 2002 speech (see October 7, 2002) by President Bush, in which he states, “[W]e’ve learned that Iraq has trained al-Qaeda members in bomb making and poisons and gases.” Intelligence provided by al-Libi will also be included in Colin Powell’s February speech (see February 5, 2003) to the UN. In that speech, Powell will cite “the story of a senior terrorist operative telling how Iraq provided training in these weapons to al-Qaeda.” [New York Times, 11/6/2005; Washington Post, 11/6/2005; Los Angeles Times, 11/7/2005; Newsweek, 11/10/2005]
Report Released as Proof of Administration's Reliance on Poor Intelligence Sources - Declassified portions of the DIA report will be issued on November 6, 2005 by two senators, Carl Levin (D-MI) and John D. Rockefeller (D-WV). Rockefeller will tell CNN that al-Libi is “an entirely unreliable individual upon whom the White House was placing a substantial intelligence trust.” The situation was, Rockefeller will say, “a classic example of a lack of accountability to the American people.” [Los Angeles Times, 11/7/2005]
Entity Tags: Ibn al-Shaykh al-Libi, US Department of Defense, National Security Council, George W. Bush, Saddam Hussein, Colin Powell, Al-Qaeda, Defense Intelligence Agency, Bush administration (43), John D. Rockefeller, Carl Levin, Central Intelligence Agency
Key Day of 9/11 Events (102)Key Hijacker Events (145)Key Warnings (95)
Day of 9/11
All Day of 9/11 Events (1393)Dick Cheney (57)Donald Rumsfeld (37)Flight AA 11 (145)Flight AA 77 (152)Flight UA 175 (87)Flight UA 93 (243)George Bush (131)Passenger Phone Calls (74)Pentagon (140)Richard Clarke (35)Shanksville, Pennsylvania (25)Training Exercises (56)World Trade Center (91)
The Alleged 9/11 Hijackers
Alhazmi and Almihdhar (343)Marwan Alshehhi (134)Mohamed Atta (206)Hani Hanjour (72)Ziad Jarrah (74)Other 9/11 Hijackers (172)Possible Hijacker Associates in US (79)Alleged Hijackers' Flight Training (73)Hijacker Contact w Government in US (33)Possible 9/11 Hijacker Funding (42)Hijacker Visas and Immigration (135)
Alhazmi and Almihdhar: Specific Cases
Bayoumi and Basnan Saudi Connection (51)CIA Hiding Alhazmi & Almihdhar (120)Search for Alhazmi/ Almihdhar in US (39)
Al-Qaeda Malaysia Summit (172)Able Danger (60)Sibel Edmonds (61)Phoenix Memo (27)Randy Glass/ Diamondback (8)Robert Wright and Vulgar Betrayal (67)Remote Surveillance (241)Yemen Hub (75)
Soviet-Afghan War (105)Warning Signs (466)Insider Trading/ Foreknowledge (53)US Air Security (77)Military Exercises (86)Pipeline Politics (67)Other Pre-9/11 Events (64)
Counterterrorism before 9/11
Hunt for Bin Laden (158)Counterterrorism Action Before 9/11 (225)Counterterrorism Policy/Politics (255)
Warning Signs: Specific Cases
Foreign Intelligence Warnings (35)Bush's Aug. 6, 2001 PDB (39)Presidential Level Warnings (31)
The Post-9/11 World
9/11 Investigations (661)9/11 Related Criminal Proceedings (22)9/11 Denials (30)US Government and 9/11 Criticism (67)9/11 Related Lawsuits (24)Media (47)Other Post-9/11 Events (80)
Investigations: Specific Cases
9/11 Commission (257)Role of Philip Zelikow (87)9/11 Congressional Inquiry (41)CIA OIG 9/11 Report (16)FBI 9/11 Investigation (150)WTC Investigation (111)Other 9/11 Investigations (135)
Possible Al-Qaeda-Linked Moles or Informants
Abu Hamza Al-Masri (103)Abu Qatada (36)Ali Mohamed (78)Haroon Rashid Aswat (17)Khalil Deek (20)Luai Sakra (12)Mamoun Darkazanli (36)Nabil Al-Marabh (41)Omar Bakri & Al-Muhajiroun (25)Reda Hassaine (23)Other Possible Moles or Informants (169)
Other Al-Qaeda-Linked Figures
Abu Zubaida (99)Anwar Al-Awlaki (17)Ayman Al-Zawahiri (81)Hambali (39)Khalid Shaikh Mohammed (139)Mohammed Haydar Zammar (44)Mohammed Jamal Khalifa (47)Osama Bin Laden (229)Ramzi Bin Al-Shibh (105)Ramzi Yousef (67)Sheikh Omar Abdul-Rahman (57)Victor Bout (23)Wadih El-Hage (45)Zacarias Moussaoui (159)
Al-Qaeda by Region
"Lackawanna Six" (13)Al-Qaeda in Balkans (168)Al-Qaeda in Germany (189)Al-Qaeda in Italy (55)Al-Qaeda in Southeast Asia (149)Al-Qaeda in Spain (121)Islamist Militancy in Chechnya (50)
Specific Alleged Al-Qaeda Linked Attacks or Plots
1993 WTC Bombing (73)1993 Somalia Fighting (13)1995 Bojinka Plot (78)1998 US Embassy Bombings (121)Millennium Bomb Plots (43)2000 USS Cole Bombing (114)2001 Attempted Shoe Bombing (23)2002 Bali Bombings (36)2004 Madrid Train Bombings (82)2005 7/7 London Bombings (87)
Miscellaneous Al-Qaeda Issues
Alleged Al-Qaeda Linked Attacks (89)Alleged Al-Qaeda Media Statements (102)Key Captures and Deaths (124)
Geopolitics and Islamic Militancy
US Dominance (112)Alleged Iraq-Al-Qaeda Links (255)Iraq War Impact on Counterterrorism (83)Israel (61)Pakistan and the ISI (470)Saudi Arabia (249)Terrorism Financing (312)Londonistan - UK Counterterrorism (322)US Intel Links to Islamic Militancy (69)Algerian Militant Collusion (41)Indonesian Militant Collusion (20)Philippine Militant Collusion (74)Yemeni Militant Collusion (47)Other Government-Militant Collusion (23)
Pakistan / ISI: Specific Cases
Pakistani Nukes & Islamic Militancy (37)Pakistani ISI Links to 9/11 (73)Saeed Sheikh (59)Mahmood Ahmed (30)Haven in Pakistan Tribal Region (179)2008 Kabul Indian Embassy Bombing (10)Hunt for Bin Laden in Pakistan (154)
Terrorism Financing: Specific Cases
Al Taqwa Bank (29)Al-Kifah/MAK (54)BCCI (37)BIF (28)BMI and Ptech (21)Bin Laden Family (62)Drugs (71)
'War on Terrorism' Outside Iraq
Afghanistan (299)Drone Use in Pakistan / Afghanistan (53)Destruction of CIA Tapes (92)Escape From Afghanistan (61)High Value Detainees (179)Terror Alerts (50)Counterterrorism Action After 9/11 (353)Counterterrorism Policy/Politics (432)Internal US Security After 9/11 (125)
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Categorized | Featured, National News
JCN Honours Outstanding Bahamians
Posted on 25 January 2016. by Jones Bahamas
On Friday, Jones Communications Network honoured outstanding Bahamian members of society during its Civil Society and Person of the Year Award, at Melia Beach Resort.
Six individuals were recognized as outstanding contributing citizens at the formal awards luncheon on Friday.
Prime Minister Perry Christie won the top award, being named the Person of the Year for 2015.
JCN said the prime minister was chosen due to his political will to implement value added tax.
Accepting the award, Mr. Christie applauded JCN for its valuable contribution to media.
“Let me begin by thanking all of you who are here this afternoon for your presence in support of this effort that Wendall Jones and Jones Communications Network continue to make. It is a very significant effort. One that is deserving of support because in every country, efforts to incentivize the performance of our citizens by showing people who have been determined to have achieved the distinction in their profession is an endeavor that goes to the root of good citizenship and innovation and creativity because it serves to say to young people you can obviously be like that person being honoured,” said Mr. Chrisite
Also receiving a top award as person of the year was Central Bank Governor, John Rolle, who according to JCN was chosen because of his ability as financial secretary, to ensure the smooth implementation and execution of VAT.
Among the other awardees were FML Group of Companies CEO, Craig Flowers, who won Businessman of the year, world renowned athlete, Shaunae Miller, for her world record breaking performances and Gina Knowles and Lia Head of HeadKnowles Foundation, for their unselfish efforts to assist victims of Hurricane Joaquin.
JCN, Chief Executive Officer, Wendall Jones, in his remarks, said the awardees all went beyond the call of duty in their efforts.
“Visionaries could shape the future, and as much as kings were anointed by God in days of old, visionairees were visited by God. They hear the messaged personally before appearing in public or working to announce what God wanted them to do. We have come here today to celebrate vision, hard work and excellence as they are epitomized in today’s honourees,” expressed Mr. Jones.
Mr. Jones urged Bahamians in general, to set high standards in delivery of their roles in life, not allowing the existing challenges to be a hindrance.
“We are at a critical juncture in our society where we need more than ever before to inspire Bahamians to be visionaries and strive for excellence in everything they do. We are at that juncture where indiscipline and mediocrity seem to be the order of the day; and when new social structures are developing to challenge our citizens,” he said.
“The Prime Minister and his team were determined, driven and focused on the goal to improve the fiscal affairs of our country; and despite the purveyors of doom and gloom, they remained steadfast in achieving the goal to improve the fiscal health of our nation. It took courage to step away from the crowd, to follow a course that was different and challenging,”
The Rt. Hon Perry Christie, Prime Minister accepts The Person of the Year Award for 2015 from CEO of Jones Communications, Wendall Jones
Written by Jones Bahamas
View all posts by Jones Bahamas →
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Juan Alberto Gonzalez Vazquez
Bats Right, Throws Right
Height 6' 3", Weight 210-230 lb.
High School Vega Baja High School
Debut September 1, 1989
Final Game May 31, 2005
Born October 20, 1969 in Arecibo, P.R. (Not Oct 16th as commonly reported)
Knicknames Igor, Gonzo, Juan Gone
The Texas Rangers signed Juan Gonzalez as a free agent in Puerto Rico at the age of 16 (their Caribbean scouting was exceptionally good; they had signed Sammy Sosa the year before and would sign Ivan Rodriguez two years later). With a massive upper body and slender hips and legs, Gonzalez was almost a cartoon caricature of a slugger, and was nicknamed "Igor" in honor of his grotesque strength.
Gonzalez batted cleanup behind future Yankee centerfielder Bernie Williams on his youth league team in Puerto Rico, where both competed against Gonzalez' future teammate Ivan Rodriguez.
1986-1990: Minor leagues
In May of 1986 a sixteen year-old Gonzalez signed with the Texas Rangers as a free agent. Gonzalez debuted with the 1986 GCL Rangers and hit a mere .240/~.303/.266 in 60 games. He only had 5 extra-base hits (none of them homers) in 233 AB and struck out 57 times. He tied Harvey Pulliam by grounding into a Gulf Coast League-leading 9 double plays.
In 1987, Juan showed some promise with the Gastonia Rangers, though Mark Whiten and Junior Felix clearly were deemed better outfield prospects in the South Atlantic League. In ratings by Baseball America, Gonzalez tied Ryan Bowen for 10th place on the prospect listing. He hit .265/~.306/.401 with 14 HR and 74 RBI.
Gonzalez spent 1988 with the Charlotte Rangers and batted .256/~.327/.415 with 8 HR in 277 AB; one of his outfield mates that year was Sosa. The next year, he showed some more pop with the Tulsa Drillers. He hit .293/~.322/.506 with 21 homers and led the Texas League with 254 total bases. He outhomered Sosa by 14 and was third in the TL in homers, behind teammate Dean Palmer (25) and Chris Cron (22). Gonzalez was rated the league's #4 prospect by Baseball America, behind Ray Lankford, Andy Benes and Jose Offerman. Lankford and Warren Newson joined him in the TL All-Star outfield. The 19-year-old was a September call-up but only hit .150/.227/.250 for the 1988 Rangers.
In the 1989-1990 winter ball season, Juan hit .269/~.345/.500 for the Criollos de Caguas and hit 9 home runs, one less than Puerto Rican Winter League leader Greg Vaughn.
Gonzalez then put on a power display for the 1990 Oklahoma City 89ers. The youngster led the American Association in home runs (29), RBI (101) and total bases (252). He made the AA All-Star outfield alongside Lankford and Bernard Gilkey and was named the league MVP. Baseball America named him the top prospect in the league in a poll of managers. He hit .258/~.343/.508 for the 89ers. In the AAA All-Star Game, Gonzalez hit 4th for the AL prospects and played DH. He went 2 for 5 with a double, one of the game's two homers (a shot called "colossal" by Baseball America), two runs and two RBI in the AL's 8-5 loss. Gonzalez got another September call-up and did far better this time, batting .289/.316/.522 for the 1990 Rangers.
1991-1999: Glory days in Texas
Gonzalez was a regular starter for the 1991 Rangers at age 21, hitting .264/.321/.479 with 27 HR and 102 RBI, almost duplicating his prior year in Oklahoma City. He was 7th in the 1991 AL in RBI. Gonzalez came up as a centerfielder, as did Sosa; the Rangers opted to keep Gonzalez and trade Sosa. Gonzalez eventually settled into right field, where he had a decent arm and adequate speed, but never looked entirely comfortable fielding fly balls and extra-base hits. His value was largely as a hitter, anyway.
By 22, he was the American League home-run champion with 43, one more than Mark McGwire. He hit .260/.304/.529 for a weak OBP but good slugging percentage. He won the first of six Silver Slugger awards and was 5th in the 1992 AL in slugging (only five players topped .500). He was third in total bases (309), 7th in RBI (109), 4th in extra-base hits (69) and 5th in strikeouts (143) with the 1992 Rangers.
In the 1992-1993 Puerto Rican League, Juan Gone batted .333/?/.773 for the Santurce Crabbers and he won the league MVP award despite not playing until after the All-Star break. He smashed 7 homers and led the league despite playing in only 66 games; his average and slugging would have led the loop but he did not get enough plate appearances. Gonzalez did not accompany Santurce to the 1993 Caribbean Series, though.
Gonzalez won another home run title in 1993, edging Ken Griffey Jr. 46-45. He hit .310/.368/.632 and clearly had his best season with a 169 OPS+. He made one of his three All-Star squads and won a Silver Slugger again. He won the Home Run Derby preceding the 1993 All-Star Game. He was fourth in voting for the 1993 AL MVP. He led the 1993 AL in slugging percentage, was 5th in OPS, second to Griffey with 339 total bases, was 4th with 118 RBI, 4th in OPS+, second with 80 extra-base hits and tied Andre Dawson for third in times hit by pitch (13).
In the 1993-1994 winter ball season, Juan hit .268/?/.491 with 7 homers, 3 behind Phil Hiatt.
In 1994, the Rangers moved from Arlington Stadium to The Ballpark at Arlington. Their new park had yet to acquire the characteristics that later made it a phenomenal hitters' park. In 1994 and 1995, Gonzalez struggled with injuries and with the distant left-field wall in the Ballpark, which had been built (perversely) to offer a "home-run porch" to left-handed hitters; Gonzalez, the team's reigning slugger, batted right.
Juan only hit .275/.330/.472 for a 104 OPS+ for the 1994 Rangers, his worst year from 1990-2002. He tied Travis Fryman for 10th in the 1994 AL in RBI (85), tied for 8th in times hit by pitch (7), tied Mickey Tettleton for 9th in intentional walks (10) and was second to teammate Jose Canseco in double plays ground into (18). He had a 837 OPS on the road but only 771 at home.
Gonzalez joined the San Juan Senators for the 1995 Caribbean Series and hit .375/?/.667 with 6 RBI as the Puerto Rican "Dream Team" won the title. Gonzalez hit 5th, between Carlos Delgado and Ruben Sierra on a team that also boasted Roberto Alomar, Bernie Williams, Carlos Baerga and Edgar Martinez. San Juan outscored their opponents 49-15.
In the regular season, Juan batted .295/.324/.594 in 90 games for the 1995 Rangers, playing almost entirely DH. He did not finish among the league leaders in anything, though it was an improvement on his 1994 effort.
By 1996, Gonzalez seemed to have figured things out. Using the whole field, he became a devastating line-drive hitter. In the center of an impressive Ranger lineup, Gonzalez averaged more than one RBI per game for a three-year span (1996-98). A free swinger, Gonzalez was always vulnerable to chasing pitches low and away, but heaven help the pitcher who grew complacent and tried to get one past Gonzalez up and in. Gonzalez won two MVP awards in this stretch (1996 and 1998). The New Bill James Historical Baseball Abstract listed him as the player who had the highest ratio of slugging percentage to on-base percentage in baseball history at that time, ahead of even Dave Kingman and Tony Armas Sr. and 4th in RBI per game by an outfielder (behind Sam Thompson, Joe DiMaggio and Babe Ruth). James ranked Gonzalez as the 52nd-best right fielder in baseball history as of mid-2000.
Gonzalez hit .314/.368/.643 in 1996 for a 150 OPS+, second-best of his career. He edged Alex Rodriguez by one first-place vote (11-10) and 3 award points (290-287) in very close voting. He won his third Silver Slugger as an OF. He was second in the 1996 AL in slugging (87 points behind McGwire), was 9th in OPS (1011), 5th in total bases (348) and homers (47), second in RBI (144, 4 behind Albert Belle), 9th in OPS+, 4th in extra-base hits (82) and tied for fifth in intentional walks (12). In the ALDS, he did a heroic job, homering five times in four games and batting .438/.526/1.375 with 9 RBI but Texas was still booted by the 1996 Yankees. Gonzalez tied Jeffrey Leonard's 1987 NLCS record by homering in four straight post-season games and joined Reggie Jackson and Ken Griffey Jr. as the only players to hit five home runs in a single post-season series.
Juan batted .296/.335/.589 as a DH-RF for the 1997 Rangers. Gonzalez won his fourth Silver Slugger. In the 1997 AL, he was 4th in slugging, 6th in total bases (314), third in homers (42) and RBI (131), 10th in extra-base hits (69) and tied for 6th with 10 sacrifice flies.
With the 1998 Rangers, the 28-year-old produced at a .318/.366/.630 rate. He topped 100 RBI before the All-Star break, the first player to do so since Hank Greenberg 63 years earlier. He won his fifth Silver Slugger, made his second All-Star team and won his second MVP. He hit cleanup for the AL in the 1998 All-Star Game and decisively won this MVP award, a stark contrast to 1996. Juan was 10th in the 1998 AL in batting average, second to Belle in slugging, fourth in OPS, 6th in hits (193), 4th in total bases (382), first in doubles (50), tied for fourth with Manny Ramirez in home runs (45), first in RBI (157), tied with Griffey for 8th in OPS+ (149), second to Belle in extra-base hits (97), tied for third in sac flies (11), tied for sixth in intentional walks (9) and tied for third in double plays ground into (20). In April, he drove in 35 runs, a major league record for the month. He only was 1 for 12 in the ALDS
In 1999, the Puerto Rican slugger batted .326/.378/.601 for Texas, posting the best batting average of his career. He was 9th in the 1999 AL in average, 4th in slugging, 6th in OPS, 10th in runs (114), 6th in total bases (338), 6th in home runs (39), 5th in RBI (128), 7th in extra-base hits (76) and 2nd in sacrifice flies (12), one behind Roberto Alomar. In the ALDS, he hit .182/.250/.455 with one homer as Texas was swept by New York for the second straight season.
2000-2001: Detroit and Cleveland
That November, he was traded with Danny Patterson and Gregg Zaun to the Detroit Tigers for Frank Catalanotto, Francisco Cordero, Bill Haselman, Gabe Kapler, Justin Thompson and Alan Webb.
Gonzalez struggled with Comerica Park and with new injuries. Back spasms were his particular nemesis, but he also developed leg miseries. He hit .289/.337/.505 and did not rank among the league leaders in anything. He spurned a big multi-year contract from the Tigers from a desire to go to a friendlier ballpark for right handed hitters.
He signed with the Cleveland Indians and had a strong season with the 2001 Indians; however, it proved to be his last hurrah. He hit .325/.370/.590 and his 147 OPS+ was close to his MVP seasons. He won his sixth and last Silver Slugger and made his third and final All-Star team; he hit fifth for the AL in the 2001 All-Star Game. He finished fifth in MVP voting. He was sixth in the 2001 AL in batting average, 5th in slugging, 6th in OPS, 9th in home runs (35), second in RBI (140, one behind leader Bret Boone), 5th in strikeouts (149), 8th in OPS+, tied for third in double plays grounded into (18) and led the league with 16 sacrifice flies. He hit .348/.348/.739 for Cleveland in the ALDS with 3 doubles, 2 homers and 5 RBI in five games but they still fell to put his teams' record in playoff series at 0-4. He never finished among the league leaders in any key statistic again.
2002-2003: Return to Texas
Gonzalez landed back in Arlington as a well-paid but not even half-time player in 2002 and 2003. He hit .282/.324/.451 (94 OPS+) the first year in 70 games. On June 18, he participated in the first MLB game ever with four players with 400+ home runs to that point. Rafael Palmeiro and Fred McGriff joined Sosa and Gonzalez in the contest, which Texas lost 4-3. In 82 contests the next season, batted .294/.329/.572 (123 OPS+) and had wrist surgery. GM John Hart tried to trade away Gonzalez, but he used his no-trade clause to block those deals.
2004- : Further decline
A bad back stopped him cold with the 2004 Royals (he hit .276/.326/.441 in 33 games. His $4.5 million deal was one of the largest on the club. He was limited to a single at-bat with the 2005 Indians, straining his hamstring in the season opener. He played five games for the Buffalo Bisons that year, going 6 for 21 with no walks or extra-base hits.
Gonzalez signed on with the independent leagues in 2006, playing for the Long Island Ducks. He hit .323/.377/.515 in 36 games, with 6 HR and 23 RBI. His time was again limited by several injuries.
According to MLB.com, during the 2006-2007 Winter, in 33 games for the Puerto Rican League champion Carolina Gigantes, Gonzalez hit .281 with 18 RBIs and 4 homers. In 12 playoff games, he batted .369 with 3 home runs and 5 RBI's. "Igor" claims he is healthy and no longer feels pain in his legs. He was 10 for 26 in the 2007 Caribbean Series and made the Series All-Star team at DH.
As the Rangers' best player for several years, Gonzalez drew constant media attention. Shy with reporters and unsure of his English, Gonzalez was never a media favorite in the Dallas area, and as his injuries accumulated, he became the butt of much fan and press dissatisfaction with the team.
His four-year peak, not coincidentally, aligned with the first (and to date, only) three postseason appearances in the Rangers' history. He also contributed greatly to the Indians' 2001 division championship.
Through 2006, Gonzalez's career batting line in the majors was .295/.343/.561 for a 133 OPS+. He ranked 21st all-time in slugging percentage, 60th in OPS, 36th in home runs, 63rd in RBI, 66th in extra-base hits (847), 99th in strikeouts (1,273), 79th in sacrifice flies (78) and 15th in home run frequency.
1990 MVP American Association Oklahoma City 89ers
3-time AL All-Star (1993, 1998 & 2001)
2-time AL MVP (1996 & 1998)
6-time AL Silver Slugger Award Winner (1992, 1993, 1996-1998 & 2001)
AL Slugging Percentage Leader (1993)
AL Doubles Leader (1998)
2-time AL Home Runs Leader (1992 & 1993)
AL RBI Leader (1998)
20-Home Run Seasons: 11 (1991-1993, 1995-2001 & 2003)
30-Home Run Seasons: 7 (1992, 1993, 1996-1999 & 2001)
40-Home Run Seasons: 5 (1992, 1993 & 1996-1998)
100 RBI Seasons: 8 (1991-1993, 1996-1999 & 2001)
100 Runs Scored Seasons: 3 (1993, 1998 & 1999)
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Veterans Day Ceremony At The State Cemetery
Evansville, Wyoming - The 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month is known as Armistice Day. Now it's celebrated as Veterans Day. An observance at the Wyoming Veterans Cemetery brought patriots and veterans dating back to WWII together to honor fallen soldiers, veterans, and those who still wear the uniform.
Dozens of flags honoring branches of military lined the drive up to the chapel for Saturday's observance of Veterans Day.
“It was a beautiful event, and to be able to honor our veterans, it's just wonderful and they did a great job,” said Representative Chuck Gray.
The chapel, packed to capacity as the ceremony honors Armistice Day, being held on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. Some veterans holding back tears remembering fellow soldiers they fought with during their service.
“I remember the ones that didn't come home. I was a dental assistant and medical and I went out on a lot of - We called them medivacs. Pulled people out of hot areas and stuff,” said "Rotor" Medina with the Vietnam Vets Motorcycle Club. Medina also served in the Army from '70-'72. ‘The young people going now - That flag. It's worth it,” Medina added.
The keynote speaker, Lt. Col. Fred Catchpole served as a marine, active and reserve, for 22 years. He says this day is about more than just thanking the veterans.
“I think it's important that we as veterans also than our spouses, our children, our parents because they're just as much a part of this and they endure a lot of the same stresses and hardships that we do.”
State legislator Pat Sweeney also made an appearance, giving thanks to veterans for the opportunities they fought for.
“These folks served so I could get a higher education. And I have been ever so appreciative of that ever since,” Sweeney said.
The ceremony ended with recognition of veterans from all conflicts dating back to World War II, followed by a gun salute and cannon fire.
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Home > Our research > Neuromuscular Gene Discovery
The Neuromuscular Gene Discovery group explores the genetic basis of inherited disorders that affect the function and structure of skeletal muscle and nerves.
This large group of disorders, many of which are life-limiting, can have devastating consequences for children resulting in the loss of the ability to walk or perform daily living activities.
In collaboration with the Broad Institute of Harvard and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), the Neuromuscular Gene Discovery group harnesses new technologies in next generation sequencing to identify the genetic changes causing disease. So far, the collaboration has yielded positive results for around 150 families for whom previous cutting-edge diagnostics could not, and each year more requests are received for diagnostic evaluation.
Identifying the genetic basis of disease in a child is the single most important step to accurately guide clinical care, to predict and prevent likely associated complications. A specific genetic diagnosis also provides important information to assist in disease prevention through carrier testing and prenatal and pre-implantation diagnosis. A genetic diagnosis is also increasingly necessary for eligibility to participate in clinical trials of new therapeutic agents.
Additionally, identifying new disease genes, and specific clinical or histological signs linked to this disease gene can have far-reaching effects across the world for many other families with similar clinical and genetic presentations.
The group is led by Prof. Sandra Cooper and is a multidisciplinary team of Clinical and Medical Scientists.
The group collaborates closely with Broad Institute research team led by A/Prof Daniel MacArthur and with the Lek Lab, led by Dr Monkol Lek at Yale School of Medicine.
Sequencing the first human genome took 13 years (1990-2003) and cost US$ 3billion. In 2016, a human genome can be sequenced over a few days, for around US$ 1000.
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Rethinking and Unthinking Development
by Busani Mpofu (Editor) and Sabelo J. Ndlovu-Gatsheni (Editor)
Development has remained elusive in Africa. Through theoretical contributions and case studies focusing on Southern Africa’s former white settler states, South Africa and Zimbabwe, this volume responds to the current need to rethink (and unthink) development in the region. The authors explore how Africa can adapt Western development models suited to its political, economic, social and cultural circumstances, while rejecting development practices and discourses… (more)
Development has remained elusive in Africa. Through theoretical contributions and case studies focusing on Southern Africa’s former white settler states, South Africa and Zimbabwe, this volume responds to the current need to rethink (and unthink) development in the region. The authors explore how Africa can adapt Western development models suited to its political, economic, social and cultural circumstances, while rejecting development practices and discourses based on exploitative capitalist and colonial tendencies. Beyond the legacies of colonialism, the volume also explores other factors impacting development, including regional politics, corruption, poor policies on empowerment and indigenization, and socio-economic and cultural barriers.
Non-Fiction Social science Developing Countries Political science Economic Conditions History
$ 144.00 For EPUB Unlimited, 1 at a time
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From the same publisher
Publisher: Berghahn Books (March 01, 2019)
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Community Perspectives: Riffing with John Clinton Eisner
August 2009 - Theresa Rebeck
INTRODUCTION BY JOHN CLINTON EISNER, LARK PRODUCING DIRECTOR...
This year, we’re focusing in depth on what Lark community members have to say about where we’re headed as a society and the tools we’ll need to get there. Every month, we are inviting a guest essayist—theater artists as well as people from fields outside theater—to share a unique perspective on some important strategic questions we’ve been asking ourselves lately about the purpose of live theater in the twenty-first century, what the field has to offer society as a whole, and what we can learn about how to shape the theater of the future.
Theresa Rebeck joined the Lark’s Playwright Advisory Board in 2000, serving as consultant to the company and session facilitator in our Playwrights’ Workshop program. She also served as Playwright in Residence for the 2002-03 and 2003-04 seasons during which she wrote THE WATER’S EDGE, THE SCENE, and MAURITIUS. She is an accomplished writer in many disciplines—film, television, fiction, essays, and theater—and brings to the Lark community her distinctive voice as an accomplished American dramatist, heartfelt passion for plays, desire to nurture the next generation of playwrights, and driving concern for the ways audiences experience the theater and its relevance in their lives. In her essay this month, she opens up an exciting conversation about the inextricable connection between craft and creativity. I hope that she will provoke an active debate about balancing iconoclastic ideas with the skills necessary to engage and transport audiences.
We look forward to reading your responses to Theresa–and to one another!
CAN CRAFT & CREATIVITY LIVE ON THE SAME STAGE?
Recently, John Eisner asked me how, as a playwright, I reconciled my passion for structure and historically more traditional elements of craft with fidelity to the inchoate and poetic essence of the creative impulse.
I was honestly startled by the question. John is smart and reasonable and he spends a lot of time thinking about theater and theater artists and questions of how theater can remain a lively and important element of the American culture. So when he wondered how I reconciled craft and creativity I had to take it seriously even though the question kind of made my head want to explode. It has always seemed to me that the instigating impulse is something messy and internal and that a playwright’s job is to take that messy internal moment and build it into a stronger and more complex and dynamic version of itself so that it can sustain itself, on a stage, with actors, in the light of day. It’s like being a gardener: You have a seed; you add water and dirt and light, and you have a plant. You have an idea, you add structure, and you have a play. That’s not reconciling a conflict, that’s art.
Not so much maybe. Last summer I was talking to Rajiv Joseph about the overt disdain I sometimes hear come out of people’s mouths around the whole notion of structure. He agreed, noting that “people are really down” on anything that seems like it might be “conventional.” The suspicion is what John’s question suggests it might be—that craft somehow presents a compromise to some essential voice, and that purity of expression actually needs to detonate tradition for it to be authentic.
I do understand that artists of integrity can disagree around this question of aesthetics. I recently served on a panel with the exceptional Constance Congdon and Mac Wellman. Connie and Mac spoke passionately for the need for originality and the exploding of expectations that can prove the groundwork for provocative writing. I spoke passionately on behalf of story and character and forward motion. I think at one point we got a little annoyed with each other, but that really was only once during a workshop that took place over four days. Mostly we shrugged and agreed that sometimes it’s hard to know what to tell a young playwright who’s got a kind of interesting mess on his or her hands and theater is a weird business no matter how you slice it and we’re all in this together. They’d we go off and have cocktails.
But there are real questions around this conflict, if that is indeed what it is. Steven Dietz wrote to me a couple of months ago, noting that when he was just a wee beginner of a playwright, people praised his “experimentation.” But now he feels that at that time he just didn’t know how to write a play. This is my worry, honestly: In the current environment, when young writers are being encouraged to stay away from anything “conventional” are we perhaps falling in love with a kind of playwriting that frankly just doesn’t work? Are we judging too harshly plays that do work? And how does the audience fit into this discussion? Does it?
There is a class issue at the core of this discussion which I think frankly never gets named, and that centers on the question of audience. Several times I have heard wonderful theater artists complain about how stupid the audience is. Usually that statement is tangled in a larger discussion of why that particular audience didn’t particularly enjoy an especially experimental piece of theater. I also hear a lot of people complaining because while all us intellectual and hip theater artists are so busy running away from what may or may not be conventional, audiences are pretty much running toward it. Up in Dorset, Vermont, where I hole up in a little farmhouse during the summer, there’s a fantastic little theater which produces wonderful work, the Dorset Theater Festival. They started out their season this year with Jack Gilpin starring in Conor MacPherson’s St Nicholas; it was a terrific night of theater, but didn’t sell many tickets. Just last week, however, they opened The Hollow, by Agatha Christie. This production is a boffo hit; they’ve sold more tickets to the Agatha Christie play (staged with dazzling panache by artistic director Carl Forsman) than they have sold to any production of any other play in the last three years.
Does that make the audiences in Dorset stupid? I’m sure there are plenty of theater artists who would say, well, it doesn’t make them smart. On the other hand, these are not people who just stay home all night and watch television, or go see bad movies about idiots blowing up airplanes. These are people who got in their cars, drove to the theater and paid $45 each to watch three full hours of some pretty hilarious Agatha Christie. They laughed and clapped and had a great time, and I’m pretty sure they will come back and see another play at the Dorset Theater Festival soon. I suspect all the actors who were in that Agatha Christie play thought those audience members were smart enough. I suspect Carl Forsman and the merry band who are up there trying to keep that theater alive up there in Dorset don’t think those audiences, or Agatha Christie, are all that stupid either.
There are always questions inside questions. Who is theater supposed to serve? Why do we do it, anyway? Do we write for audiences, or do we write for ourselves and our community? If we are convinced that the purest forms of theater—the ones that honor the original and mysterious impulses in the heart of the playwright, and ask that the playwright find the most original and “unconventional” theatricalities to express that impulse—then do we need audiences at all? Why do we get mad at audiences for not flocking to theater which doesn’t interest them because it doesn’t care about them?
Do we think that theater is art only if people don’t understand it?
Can art be serious and popular at the same time?
Is the idea that craft and creativity are in opposition perhaps mistaken? Isn’t it possible that they are the yin and yang of storytelling? Isn’t it possible that greatness in theater embraces both?
Posted by Lark Play Development Center at Monday, August 03, 2009
Labels: playwright, Theresa Rebeck
Anne-Marie August 4, 2009 at 11:11 AM
Thank you for this. Great respect for Ms. Rebeck's ... mind. I'm an actress, caught between the pull of expanding my own artistic nature and the desire for a job that pays (being a part of the Agatha Christie audience pleasers.) Can we pursue both with integrity?
-- A.M.C.
inflammatory writ August 4, 2009 at 5:18 PM
This was a wonderful piece, and resonates with me as I try to figure out my own place in the playwriting world. I think a play can be serious and popular at the same time. At least I hope so!
Tanya Shaffer August 4, 2009 at 5:19 PM
Wow, I really appreciate this. I'm a playwright who admits, sometimes sheepishly, sometimes defiantly, that I often don't "get" experimental work. I have seen experimental pieces that knock me to the floor with a visceral truth which seems to flow from an intrinsic internal logic - and I admire the hell out of that - but just as often when I've gone to see something "experimental" I've ended up confused and frustrated, wondering why I'd subjected myself to the experience. I love a great story and well-developed characters - who doesn't? But of course it's not an either or... Each playwright has to find the best way to tell his/her story; I just would never vote for "non-traditionalism" purely for its own sake. If the content dictates the form it seems to me you can't go wrong.
Karla Jennings August 4, 2009 at 6:11 PM
That was a provocative and honest piece, I'm glad Rebeck has the guts to say that some theater problems may be self-created. I like experimental theater, when it grabs me emotionally. When it doesn't, I find myself staring at the stage wondering why they're doing stuff that doesn't serve the story and in fact may detract from it with unnecessary flourishes or digressions. Sometimes it seems like someone's reliving a classroom assignment: "Add a magical element here." "Write an impossible stage direction and see what happens." and so on. Some non-craft-oriented theater people have an insular, elitist attitude, as if their focus is to impress the few others in their community whom they consider edgy enough to appreciate their awesomeness. It begs the question: What's the difference between creativity and pretension? I know there is one, but when exactly does gold turn to tinsel? My personal touchstone is whether the work's engaging, and that takes craft. Without pacing, characterization, progress, some kind of plot -- creativity easily becomes vain spectacle, with feathers rather than blood at its core. I'm not interested in merely clever displays. If a play doesn't engage me intellectually, emotionally, or spiritually, it's a dead duck, no matter how pretty its feathers. People who go to theater make a real effort to support live art. If they see an insular production that doesn't respect them or try to engage them, they'll be bored, and they won't return -- possibly to any theater, which hurts us all.
Brian Bauman August 4, 2009 at 6:41 PM
I disagree with Rebeck completely. Plays overly concerned with story or structure are ultimately more detrimental to theater than plays that run the risk of being self-referential or incoherent. Experimental theater is vital because it is (at its best) harnessing a full, uniquely theatrical set of tools to create and interrupt "reality", as opposed to crudely mimicking tropes and structures found in popular TV and movies.
susan cinoman August 4, 2009 at 8:04 PM
I once shared a stage with Ms. Rebeck, our plays were combined for an evening of one acts in NYC. I complimented her work then, and I agree with her now. In the 19th century there was no distinction between what was art and what was popular. Art and what pleased the audience was intextricably connected in that Charles Dickens was the most popular novelist and Tennyson, the most popular poet. Both were beloved by the people and both were considered to be, and remain to be, lauded as two of the world's great literary artists. Before endowments came along to skew the nature of theatre, it lived and thrived as the reflection of its audience. In return, the audience loved it, bought tickets to it and it flourished until the 1970's when the grants and endowments arrived and the educated and tasteful producer receded. Bring back convention, structure, craft and storytelling and the health and happiness of the theatre will be heartily restored.
There is a tremendous cultural divide, then, Ms. Cinoman... A return to pre-70's liberation and politics is the cure for American Theater? NO WAY. That's the death rattle.
Who are all these conservative losers?
Tony Adams August 4, 2009 at 9:21 PM
I don't think audiences really give a damn about structural form one way or the other. They just want to see a good show. (Content is usually king in that regard.) If the show is good most audiences will go with what ever structure the writer chooses.
A lot of us have prized form over content and then are pissed when audiences don't show up or don't like it.
sidenote: I've never understood the logic behind writing a stage direction that is impossible to stage when you do actually want someone to stage in--not just read it.
susan cinoman August 5, 2009 at 10:56 AM
I am not a conservative loser. I am a liberal loser.
I don't think audiences will pay to be bored. Just saying.
alex beech August 5, 2009 at 11:35 AM
I'm pretty simple-minded when it comes to theater: I know what I like when I see and hear it. Whether it's a traditionally structured piece on Broadway, or an experimental piece in a little ampitheatre in Mexico, I enjoy it when I find the piece shows an aspect of truth or life I've never considered, and when I'm engaged. Like visual art, where there's room for naturalism and for abstract, theater can encompass any narrative and mode of telling it.
Because (I think) theatre is a conversation with "the audience", (and maybe with cultural context) those who experience it positively will inevitably feel encouraged to return and to tell others to go, (which is why word-of-mouth is still a stronger draw in theatre than reviews, advertising, etc.) This has proven true both for straight plays/musicals and for experimental work, which is why there are artists who have found success (or at least acclaim) in it all.
The real problem is that each side denigrates the other...("conservative losers" written as "anonymous" is a good example.) That's why Theresa's article may offend those who only make experimental theater, and why this conversation is difficult to have. In my view, one form isn't more intelligent than the other, or harder to make, etc. As artists, I think it's important that we each respect each other, and support each other as we each tread the very difficult process of putting our "visions" on stage.
I've met enough theater artists by now to know that each of us tries to combine some form of "craft" with "the poetic essence of the creative impulse." Craft isn't set in stone. In my view, Aristotle got it right when he said that certain elements make a piece work better than others, for example, content over spectacle. I'm relieved/grateful that there are more spaces than before for writing, developing, and yes, experimenting - with multiple approaches.
I want to thank Theresa for continually writing pieces that generate conversations about the theater at a time when they're necessary, (God forbid she should have a strong point of view) and also the Lark for asking good questions.
I notice the person who calls others losers prefers to remain anonymous. So easy to attack from that vantage point, wouldntcha say? Can't we all just get along?
Lark Play Development Center August 5, 2009 at 12:38 PM
Check out Theresa Rebeck's article from this past March in the LA Times called, "Playwright Theresa Rebeck likes to tell stories". Here's the link: http://bit.ly/2e7DJD
matthew paul olmos August 5, 2009 at 2:25 PM
I think there are infinite ways to have a "conversation" with an audience. And within them are also infinite ways to bore them, engage them, make them think, make them not think, make them imagine, make them stare into forgetfulness...
Ultimately it is up to the theatre artist as to what sort of "conversation" they wish to present to an audience. I know we have all been in a theatre and been completely lost, annoyed, or simply apathetic. And probably more times than we have been in a theatre staring in awe. There are going to be successes and failures with whichever sort of "conversation" one wishes to propose. It doesn't matter if it is a well-packaged play with an escalating plot, or a fragmented series of brutal scenes unrelated to one another.
What is important is the INTENT that the writer is interested in engaging an audience with.
If a writer's goal is to engage an audience with identifiable characters and the unique plot that befell them, then the artistic test is whether or not the story or characters meant anything to their audience. And far be it for any other artist to label them un'artistic because they chose to write a cohesive story with caracter arcs.
And equally, if a writer's goal is to make an intellectual impact or elicit a guttural reaction through stage images, human encounters, or poetry, and "not" to engross them into a storyline or character journey, then how can a more craft'favoring writer say anything just because certain story structures were absent.
The measure of success lies in the audience and how engaged they are in the sort of "conversation" that the artist wanted to engage them in.
(the real danger is when an artist has no interest in an actual "conversation")
saviana stanescu August 5, 2009 at 2:50 PM
I think that "craft" in the above discussion is intended to mean mainly the professional use of the aristotelian structure: unity of plot, characters' arcs/consistency, reversal, resolution, etc.
There is LOTS of craft involved in writing an absurdist (see Beckett's Waiting for Godot), surrealist or poetic play.
Sometimes the structure involved in this kind of plays is more complicated and needs more "craft" than a linear/naturalistic/aristotelian play because the LOGIC employed is poetic, associative, as opposed to cause-effect, so the PROGRESSION constructed in these cases requires careful orchestration - it can be a progression based on accumulation and repetition like in music and dance...
Richard Martin Hirsch August 5, 2009 at 2:58 PM
First off, let me say that I agree there is room in theatre for all sorts of forms and structures. That being said, the trend by many "name" theatres toward an automatic dismissal of conventially structured or more naturalistic plays is disturbing to me. I find not occasionally, but OFTEN, that cleverly structured and inventively staged works actually tend to create an emotional distance between the audience (me) and the characters. A recent example in L.A. was the play "Love Water", which demonstrated some accomplished writing within a dream-like context. While the play was "theatrical" in its presentation, I did not care one iota for the various "journeys" of the characters, such as they were. And I have yet to speak to anyone who saw the play that felt differently. The play left me empty and, frankly, annoyed. When I go to the theatre and when I write my own plays I am motivated by a desire for an emotional connection to what is taking place on stage. Doesn't mean the dramatic structure has to be linear and moronically easy to follow. But I find that many young writers write (as I did once) from the head, the heart, and the genitals...but fail to go deeper into their guts to find the true source and stakes of the story. Which is paramount, I feel, to hold an audience. As with any fine art, I believe it is important to understand, if not master, the fundamentals first -- which in this case seems to be the more conventional approach to playwriting -- and only then move on to more imaginative and "creative" interpretations.
K Lin August 5, 2009 at 4:21 PM
My biggest personal issue in all of this is that I am honestly very ill-equipped to appreciate "non-conventional" theater. I tend not to like it and I think this has a lot to do with a certain kind of cultural ethnocentrism. I feel these issues ironically and deeply as a minority artist who writes for a largely white, enfranchised audience. I know that most audiences I encounter are missing a lot when they see my plays because their enjoyment of them is framed by their enfranchised homogeny/hegemony. None of this is exciting news to anyone.
So, moving on ... according to last Sunday's NYTimes survey, the average person spends 3 - 6 hours a day watching movies or television, two media that live and die by very "conventional" story-telling structures. 3 - 6 hours every day. So, culturally, we are very well primed to understand "conventional" plays, but are we equipped to really judge the merits of "non-conventional" theater? I would say that the answer is, "no," and it begs the question -- Do we really have a sense of what we're missing? Maybe nothing, but I doubt it.
Ultimately, I find that the craft vs. creativity debate has the potential to take on a specious tenor. I think we all know that the two are not mutually exclusive and though some people my decry "conventional" story-telling methods, we all know that the world is skewed in one direction. I suspect that this is just another wrinkle in the food chain of entertainment artiness. Experimental dramatists are artier than playwrights who are artier than screenwriters who are artier than ... take your pick. The truth is, there is crap and gold up and down the line. But, how do we in the theater community feel about the fact that there are subgroups in our community that we are not well-equipped to understand? How much do we value reaching out and creating exchange? How often are we too tired and pre-occupied to make the effort? How do we feel threatened? After all this time, are we truly capable of appreciating non-conventional American theater? Do we even know it when we see it?
Garret Groenveld August 5, 2009 at 4:25 PM
Great conversation.
I think experimentation is fine, but it's an experiment, and it has to be placed (at some point) into the real world. If we're not careful, we might encourage too many writers into such a rigid experimentation that we descend into the elitist world that poetry has fallen to. Much of poetry is so rarified that only the trained and "intellectual" can understand or read it.
Part of theatre is the writing (the writer), part of it is the performance (director/actors/production), and the most crucial part is the audience. What audience? Intellectuals are great smart audiences, but we have to be aware that the general audience is limited for experimental theatre. There is still a hunger for an exciting play that speaks to a general audience.
I think, when guiding our young writers, to make them aware of the paths their writing can take, from performace monologue to the well made, mass market play, to experimental theatre to niche theatres like childrens or LGBT.
However, I find that the business side is several years down the road from the beginning writer, and that you get very far in encouraging students to explore deeper what they're interested in, and offering suggestions on specific questions of craft (structure, character, plot).
Importantly, I find that recommending the people that the beginning writer needs to read in order to be successful is often the best thing I can give that writer. The right playwright who has a similar vibe to the student can open untold door. To paraphrase Bloom, "Don't underestimate the anxiety of influence."
When I was starting out, someone recommended I read Mac Wellman. While I didn't get him then, I didn't dismiss and looked at what he was doing. I was also recommended Albee and Mee and Williams and Churchill and many, many others, and some of those were better role models for my writing life.
I think it important that students discover they are part of a history, have a wide reading base, and that they don't have to reinvent the wheel. And it's also important to note that innovation is not innovation if it's already been done by someone else.
I think the key to this conversation is the question we often forget about in a workshop situation, "What audience are you writing for? Who do you think wants to see this play?"
And often, if the audience was not a factor in the student's process, I suggest they consider that factor in the next draft or if they can't see the audience participating in the piece to try their hand at telling this particular story in fiction or poetry.
Lark Play Development Center August 6, 2009 at 4:51 PM
check out the Time Out NY theater blog UPSTAGED joining the conversation...
http://www3.timeoutny.com/newyork/upstaged/2009/08/theresa-rebeck-gets-crafty/
DH Hwang August 7, 2009 at 10:19 AM
Thanks for getting this discussion going, Theresa!
I think the Holy Grail of playwriting is to create a piece which is both experimental and traditional, i.e. one which breaks new ground formally while also embracing the storytelling values of the great plays that have preceded it. Such a work would stand a good chance of pleasing both critics and audiences (maybe). Needless to say, this is very hard to achieve.
I was taught by two great mentors -- Sam Shepard and Maria Irene Fornes. While their works can exhibit great craft, as teachers, they were not particularly concerned with form. In my own writing life, craft is something I've acquired over time. Yet, even as rewriting has gotten easier for me over the years, first drafts have gotten harder, because I need to forget my craft in order to create something that's truly alive.
So perhaps it's not so terrible for young writers to skew towards originality and finding their voices, which are more likely to come naturally at an early stage in a writer's life. Over time, if a writer is diligent and ambitious, s/he will acquire craft -- and perhaps even find the Holy Grail.
Tony Adams August 7, 2009 at 11:05 AM
I think Fornes is a great example. Formally she's all over the place, changing from text to text, but the form always fits the work.
Read the essay "Crimes Against Genre" in Dodie Bellamy's groundbreaking book ACADEMONIA and then we'll talk.
John Hudson August 7, 2009 at 9:15 PM
As a member of the Lark Literary Wing for the last couple of years, I find that Theresa Rebeck’s questions are very much on target with issues I am trying to understand myself in judging some of the scripts that come to the Lark for consideration. I do think art can be popular and serious at the same time, and would give you the example of Shakespeare’s plays.
These were written to be seen by many kinds of audiences, from the most learned to those who can but spell, as it says in the First Folio. Different audience members would get different benefits from the same play--- those who could but spell would admire the actors and the beauty of the verse, while those who were more serious “the wiser sort” as they were termed, would digest the underlying allegories in the plays and comprehend their deepest meanings and the plays within the plays within the plays. My column in today’s Clyde Fitch Report
http://www.clydefitchreport.com/?p=3504 addresses this particular issue. If Shakespeare had merely addressed “the wiser sort” directly there would not have been a large enough market to sustain the theater company.
Today however perhaps audiences are more segmented and can (perhaps should?) be addressed separately. In the world of the Internet there are a range of other possibilities—if one employs non Equity actors. The marketing costs of trying to reach a large audience make doing so unrealistic for new and unconventional work. Thus in my own work for instance, I am content to do tiny productions with two or three performances, because I know that an audience a thousand times larger will see the work on YouTube over the following year, which is a way that a ‘long tail’ of niche audiences can be reached.
I would also add that Shakespeare’s plays—which seem to follow a very conventional 5 act structure and are often highly symmetrical so that actions at the beginning mirror actions at the end---are also like all Elizabethan theater highly metatheatrical. All of them are highly inter-textual making hundreds of literary,contemporary, musical and other allusions in a single play. So it is possible to be both conventional and experimental at the same time, and this is certainly one of the factors I look for when I read new scripts.
Sturgis Warner August 7, 2009 at 11:53 PM
My girlfriend is an animator. She makes her own films, 15 to date that have played at film festivals around the world. Once a week she goes to a life drawing class, though her style is a far removed from realistic figure sketching. This continued work on craft has helped her immeasurably. She better able to transfer the images in her head on to paper. She has more control. She can express herself better than she could five years ago and yet her imagination has dimmed not a whit in the process.
Lindsay Price August 8, 2009 at 12:26 PM
Wow. Glad I read this, and all the comments. Not quite sure what I think.
I don't believe craft and creativity are separate. I believe you need both. I use both all the time in my plays. They work hand in hand with me. I'm not sure why they would ever be apart. I never use one without the other. I believe in well drawn, three dimensional characters in creative situations, for example.
Clearly, this is an odd out feeling and I don't know why.
I believe theatre should communicate, connect and create a community with their audience. That's what I love about it, the energy sent out from the stage, taken in by the audience and thrown back to the stage.
I don't think the conversation amongst an audience after the show should be 'that was so creative.' It should have something to do with the fact that they were touched so deeply (be it through gut busting laughter, or sorrow, or anger, or anything strong, vivid, powerful), that they connected to what was happening on stage. Whatever the type or genre of play.
Again, I'm not sure why this, in the general scheme of things, is wrong.
I learned of Ms.Rebeck’s essay from David Cote’s Time Out NY blog, and I am really grateful for the discovery. Comments by Garret and Karla especially resonate with my own views.
Garret rightly emphasizes the importance of reading. A sense of what has been done, not just in the past decade or century even, but through the centuries, is crucial, because as relevant as this topic is right now, it is not a new one. To be part of the theatre, at most any point since its inception, is to be part of this tension. During the Restoration period in England, for example, the debate centered on innovation versus imitation and whether "native" drama could be truly or uniquely "English" if it rigidly adhered to classical conventions or allowed continental influences, such as Italian opera or French farce. While we may not be trying to write plays that together form a clear-cut “national” style, I don’t know that our fundamental concerns are all that dissimilar to those of our predecessors. The past also reminds us that there is nothing different or varied about the need for diversity or variety, new ways to express the mundane, and that the terms "experimental" and “unconventional” are relative and subjective. By the actual dawning of the Modern period, and the flurry of -isms that comprised it (from surrealism and dadaism to absurdism and expressionism), the terms remained the same but were used to classify an entirely new gene pool of drama. Alas, theatrical "innovations" of the past are destined to become the theatre mainstays of the present, our repertories, repeat, repeat, repeat.
I also agree with Karla that experimentation with no regard at all for conventional elements risks not only appearing self-indulgent but also failing to even register on the Richter scale with viewers. Though Wilde may have talked up style over substance, his plays ultimately had both. So did plenty of Beckett’s work, as formally unconventional as much of it was—his play “Play,” for example, though it is short and consists of just three urns with talking heads that speak in rapid succession, manages to flesh out characters with depth and tell a compelling story about the breakdown of a relationship following an affair.
Our craft can help us evaluate and voice or temper our creative impulses, and our creativity can help us breathe new life into our craft.
-Nicole
Diana Fenves August 10, 2009 at 11:24 AM
I've been following this discussion from the beginning, and trying to think about what makes a playwright an innovator, and how a student of playwriting balances tradition and the pressure to do "that brand new thing".
Here's where my thougths have led me:
Innovators have the ability to tap into the current of their age, and see the changes that effect everyone around them, and then to find the new form that can best express the profound differences of our day. I am beginning to believe that to do this a writer doesn't necessarily need to know all the conventions that came before her, but I don't think that any writer with the courage to experiment can in anyway be sullied by more traditonal teachings, and may instead find strength in them.
Maybe the key to balancing the craft of the Old-School Greekks and the creativity that pushes us from a more internal place that's more connected to what's going on today, is simply to be as open as we can be for as long as we can be.
As I start to meet other students studying theatre, I see that people who are too narrow in their goals- either towards experimental or classic perfection- tend to have a limited vision that consumes their writing and keeps their work from growing into anything that will touch the lives of others whether the theater is filled with 10 people or 100.
I have immense respeect for anyone who can master craft, since as a student I'm working on the whole craft thing myself. And despite the pressures I feel to do that-thing-that-no-one-has-done-before, I know that craft can strenghten my writing and widen my perspective; with the hope that my vision as an artists grows large enough over time to encompass some small corner of the world, and use that discovery to relate to the rest. I'm hoping that will lead me somewhere that is new, if not ground-breaking than at least new and unique to me, and new enough to engage new audiences. I'm trying to stay positive and believe that any playwright who can remain open, no matter what path they take as an artist, won't need to worry about creativity vs craft or the caliber of their audiences, but will find that things fall into place.
Angela August 10, 2009 at 12:47 PM
Sharing some Link Love! <3 I have linked to this blog on my post, Link Love 1. :)
Ken August 10, 2009 at 1:20 PM
What theater needs is not coventional structure per se, but coherence. Many new plays I see/read seem put together by a playwright for his/her small circle of friends--the ones who'll "get" the obscurity--and everyone else is left to fend for themselves.
I've always thought a work of art was something you create that must live apart from you; it must have meaning and coherence to people who don't know you, never met you, and don't share any of your demographic statistics. It must live on its own on a stage, maybe thousands of miles from where you are at any given time. It should not require the audience to know you, your sense of humor, the books you read. I don't know who should win the Conventional vs. Experiemental battle--ideally, they both belong here in the theater. What I think is always essential is rigor. Writing is a craft that demands your best, demands merciless scrutiny until everything is as clear as it needs to be. I don't necessarily mean everything has to be immediately clear and simple to understand: Pinter, Beckett, Albee, and a host of other great writers have made ambiguity thrilling. But they all crafted their work so that nothing was mysterious just for it's own sake. They wanted to communicate and they did, fantastically.
Karla Jennings August 10, 2009 at 1:26 PM
The assumption of "craft" VERSUS "creativity" as if they're mutually exclusive or antithetical is misleading. Such dualism can lead to sophomoric blurts like "conservative losers" (by the way, this discussion's overall maturity is pretty neat). Craft and creativity are equally intrinsic to good work. Look at Picasso and Shakespeare. Picasso spent his early artistic years painting in every genre, including mawkish Victorian sentimentalism, because he wanted to master all forms so that he could know how to use them and when to break them. Shakespeare could've run with the innovative, elitist sonneteers who were establishing English sonnets as distinct from the Italian guys, and he would've been more respected if he had. But he chose to get down with the grubbies because he sensed his creativity would find its greatest freedom in the crude playwriting craft, and its conventions. Had he been less daring, he'd be just another semi-obscure historical poet. "Craft" doesn't mean classical structure and so on, it means understanding all possible structures as well as the myriad ways to create characters and themes. It means learning what others do, and why, and mastering these skills so that you can transform them when you need to.
Without creativity, the best crafted work is deadly dull. Plus, every art advances through creative innovation. But without craft, creativity has no bones to grow on, so it turns blobby. Yech! Unfortunately, sometimes people mistake arrogance for creativity, they assume they're such geniuses they don't need no stinkin' craft, or believe only a select few can truly understand real creativity. I fear this is one result of theater's academicazation, which threatens to turn our art from a lively popular cultural expression into the cultural artifact that American poetry's become. In what single sphere does American poetry remain vital and important to our entire culture? In pop songs! My god, I hate to say it, but it's true!
We were born in streets and alleys. Now we're being lured into ivory towers, and tamed.
corwinchristie August 10, 2009 at 3:11 PM
I wholeheartedly agree. I think that experimental art, when coupled with a strong background in classical form and historical knowledge, can be very powerful. But certainly, a lot of shock-art is, I believe, an insult to the viewer.
I think that the best experimental work is often produced by those that built upon conventional form and made it their own. Unconventional theater can be powerful and effective: Sarah Ruhl’s “Eurydice” or Mary Zimmerman’s “Metamorphoses,” for example.
At the same time, I think that what happens in this day and age, is we begin to feel that “everything has been done,” and artists are at a loss at finding a way to stand out, be set apart. And audiences play into this, because they are so tired of “the same old thing;” but this does not mean that they should be alienated, or confused, by art.
Thank you for writing this, addressing such an important (and skirted) issue.
Ruhl's "Eurydice" and Zimmerman's "Metamorphoses" are excellent examples of playwrights who studied established stories and forms in order to transform them. Both plays sprang from Greek myths -- you can't get more classic than that. Would they fit under the category of "experimental?" I don't know. They still used classical plot structures in their retelling of classical myths. But, they did something fresh with these forms, and took care to create powerful, beautiful language and compelling characters. And I'd hazard to say that "Angels in America Part One," an astonishing work, is also extremely (even traditionally!) well-crafted, as is "How I Learned to Drive," though it goes backwards through time. Both plays left me with tears in my eyes because they were so powerful, so engaging. Both are also creatively innovative. But would they fit under the category of "experimental?"
It makes me wonder (honestly) what is "experimental?" Is it anything that's innovative? That would include a lot of what's also considered traditional, which ever since Shakespeare (and Arthur Miller, and Disney) means magical elements and spectacle, and ever since Beckett (or Lorca or Joyce) has explored new sensibilities. I'm at a loss as to what "experimental" means since the fourth wall's long broken and any play's likely to include puppetry, video, audience participation, inchoate monologues, actors going into and coming from the audience, and pretty much anything else. So I'm feeling the same "It's been done" syndrome. But I don't think it has been done. What's striking about what might be considered experimental work because it messes around with structure, characterization and expectations is that thematically and wrt to plot the play is often safely predictable. Perhaps we think "It's been done" out of concern for getting outside our audience's comfort zone and expectations, or a lack of engagement with the world outside theater.
Which brings up the big "C", commercialization, whose presence lurks throughout this thread beneath the word "craft." Perhaps Theater, in fighting to keep its artistic virginity and not join the commercial whorish hordes, has ironically isolated itself from common interests and been playing it safe in its precarious niche, leary of offending what audience it has, and of risking destroying itself by producing plays that challenge political patrons (we know where our funding comes from) as well as the mindsets of our aging liberal audience. I'm just saying. I don't know the answer. Wish I did.
Edward Einhorn August 10, 2009 at 6:07 PM
I have often commented that my work is too experimental to be considered mainstream, and too mainstream to be considered experimental.
But of course the base problem, I think, is the labeling of plays that goes on. What truly qualifies as experimental play for me is not a play that follows an experimental form rather than a more conventional form, but plays that present something heretofore rarely seen on stage, whether that is a subject matter, a way of presenting the material, or a fusion of the two.
People categorize in order to encourage imitation, i think. So that one can say I like such-and-such play - give me more like that.
And in the modern theater climate, I think it is also a way to speed the way through a slush pile: we only want plays that are like this or like that, so there's no need to consider this play any longer.
It is the same trend that we sometimes decry in audiences - be open to seeing work because it's good, not because it had been labeled or branded in a way that makes you feel comfortable. This is true for a downtown play as it is for anything else. One look at the roster of the plays in the Fringe will tell you very quickly that they're working for a form, as well. Hip, edgy, slightly irreverent, etc etc. And it works. Urinetown in part has branded the festival, and the audience comes looking for more of the same.
Not that the work is bad or good necessarily. But it is no more experimental than Billy Elliot, or the next jukebox review, in that way.
Plays should be judged, I think, on simple criteria: Does it work for me? Was that a valuable artistic experience? Did I enjoy myself?
Afterwards, perhaps analysis can come. If the play didn't work for me, I too go back to old form to compare it. Sometimes that is useful. Sometimes not. Sometimes, I am sure, I would push the play into being something more enjoyable for me, but maybe less enjoyable for someone else.
I would take the word popular out of the equation though. Popular has to do with an audience's willingness to enter the theater, which can have as much to do with marketing as the quality of the play.
But can a play be enjoyed by a vast audience and artistically important at the same time? Isn't that what most of us aspire to, no matter what our views are on experimentation?
creativity is invention within convention. to attempt to be creative is to reach beyond yourself. creativity exist at that moment when it is recognized that the individual is unique. creativity then exist when the author/artist makes no concessions to the expectations of others, but is accountable only to self while working from those before whose work has withstood the test of time in assessing their work. the author/artist then becomes the sole audience and the harshest critic. any judgement of a resulting audience is reflection of their exposure, understanding and appreciation of the highest standards of invention and convention.
Ken Schwartz August 26, 2009 at 9:03 AM
I recently directed a production of Our Town, a play I would have scoffed at 20 years ago as a theatre student in a directing program. I marvelled at how, as I age, this play now speaks volumes to me. In encouraging young theatre artists to look forward I think we inadvertantly allow what's popular in the moment to overshadow those works that actually last because they have the capacity to speak to people universally. Your essay is perceptive, provocative, and a much needed discussion to have.
Cole Matson September 28, 2009 at 8:10 PM
I began a comment, but it quickly grew to the length of a blog post, so that's what it has become: http://colematson.com/2009/09/28/to-theresa-rebeck/.
Ms. Rebeck, thank you.
gsmoss October 1, 2009 at 5:20 PM
"I don't think audiences will pay to be bored. "
Oh but they will. Over and over and over again.
Very informative article, thank you for your suggestions and tips.
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Gianfranco Pascucci | Chef
Giorgio Pomi is an author of scripts for television between 2000 and 2016, on behalf of Endemol Shine Italy, a multinational company, with head offices in Amsterdam, and producer of many of the most famous television formats in the world. He has been engaged in the writing of scripts for famous cooking shows, especially for the daily television show “La Prova del Cuoco” daytime telecast on Rai 1, along with the performance of tasks such as gastronomic consultant for the creation of recipes, casting manager and coaching of the artistic cast, in addition to the supervision of various areas related to creative ideas, from conception to artistic realization.
From 2012 until today, in parallel with the TV context, Giorgio has been involved in several projects related to nutrition, the functional kitchen, and applications in the nutraceutical field, and has been involved with the designing and curating of events, the organization of seminars, workshops, didactic and training courses, meetings and fairs on behalf of companies linked to these areas, especially for Solgar Italia (until 2017) and, subsequently, as food event manager for Nature’s Bounty Italia, (a part of the same business group), a leading company in the national marketing of natural supplements for well-being produced in the USA. From 2013 to date, Giorgio has been a teaching assistant at the Academy of Advanced Nutrition ‘Food & Supplement Cooking Academy’ on behalf of the CNM Italy– College of Naturopathic and Complementary Medicine, an authorized body with MIUR decree (Ministry of Education, University and Research) in the training and issuance of the professional diploma of ‘Nutraceutical Consultant.’ The consultancy also includes the creation of culinary-gastronomic contents and the management of the chefs involved in the teaching of the study course material. From 2015 until today, he has been a contributor to the monthly magazine Scienza Natura (www.scienzanatura.it), especially for the preparation of recipes and articles referring to the field of healthy eating, gastronomic cuisine and the functional kitchen of the ‘nutraceutical’ type.
More recently, since June 2018, Giorgio has been the founder and curator of the format ‘La Cucina dei Saperi – Nutraceutica on Tour,’ an innovative road show promoted by Nature’s Bounty, a brand of food supplements distributed exclusively in Italy by Green Remedies Spa, to bring to the territory the culture of healthy nutrition and information on how best to use daily food, super foods and supplements to achieve the best possible state of well-being.
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Monmouthshire Referee Association History and Hall of Fame
Mervyn Griffiths
Mervyn Griffiths, football referee at the 1954 World Cup
BBC Video Report on Mervyn " Sandy" Griffiths
(Click on the Link Below}
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-south-east-wales-25876296
He first took up a teaching post in Devon but soon returned to Newport, Gwent. Benjamin Mervyn 'Sandy'
Griffiths began refereeing locally in1934. Within five seasons he was appointed to the Football League list as a linesman and, after the War, refereed the England versus Scotland clash in 1949, and then the 1953 FA Cup Final, otherwise known as the Matthews Final. It was his decision, with two minutes remaining, that enabled Stan Mortensen to equalise from a free-kick awarded just outside the penalty area.
Griffiths represented Wales at the 1950, 1954 and 1958 World Cup Finals. In the first of these he appeared in the opening fixture, and in the second took charge of the semi-final between Hungary and Uruguay, and assisting William Ling in the final.
In the closing minutes of the match, and with the score at 3-2 to the West Germans, Griffiths flagged Hungary's Ferenc Puskás offside, just as he beat Toni Turek in the German goal.
He was the first Welshman to referee an international at Wembley, the first from his country to referee an FA Cup Final, and the only Welshman to appear in a World Cup final. Sandy was active internationally from 1949 until 1958. He ended his domestic career in 1959. In January 1974 Benjamin Mervyn Griffiths died at the age of 65.
Mervyn Griffiths's referee's medal for the1953 'Stanley Matthews' F.A. Cup final, in original case of issue; together with Griffiths's commemorative medal from the Referees' Association; and two other medals
Recordings of a talk given by Mr. G. L. Harrhy on 25th November 2004 about the history of the Monmouthshire Referees' Association.
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New Welsh Football Association full time executive officer Bernard Turner (front left), an ex-referee and former Gwent FA secretary, receives an engraved silver salver from Gwent County Referees Association chairman Edwin Cox to mark 34 years service to county football. Also pictured at Maesglas workingmen's club are some of Mr Turner's former refereeing colleagues
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Rate Eugene Levy And Earn Movie Points!
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Eugene was born on December 17th, 1946. Known to his close friends as Butch, he has been a credited actor since the 1979 film Running.
Eugene has made such a successful career in supporting roles, that it actually surpasses most leading actor's careers. He has appeared in thirty films including: the 2012 comedy film American Reunion as the character Jim's Dad, the 2012 comedy movie Madea's Witness Protection playing George Needleman and the 2009 action release Astro Boy cast as Orrin.
Eugene Levy has earned salaries up to $3,000,000 for his acting. His most commercially successful project to date has been the 2006 adventure film Over the Hedge, which brought in $155,000,000 at the box office.
Eugene has stayed out of the media limelight, having been interviewed in over two publications and featured in three magazine articles.
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Jimmy Murtaugh
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Runtime: 111 minutes
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The Italian Job is a action film released in 2003. The film stars Mark Wahlberg as Charlie Croker, Charlize Theron as Stella Bridger and Donald Sutherland as John Bridger. The Italian Job was produced for $60,000,000. Since it's release it has grossed over $106,000,000 in ticket sales.
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Our questions about him might teach us more about what we do not know about ourselves. It may be possible that the questions we have and our interest in the study of Cesar E. Chavez, his life and work as "servant-leader," can help us to focus on the principle of citizenship. Learning from Cesar E. Chavez' example, we can answer: Yes, it is possible (Si se puede!). It is possible to create and articulate a vision; to be accountable for the well-being of the whole; to set and pursue goals that sustain our institutions; our families and communities; to establish boundaries and set limits; to create structure and order that suits our purposes and well being; and to become role models. As we move on to assert our "servant-leader" role, we can begin teaching others as Mr. Athie, advises us:
"It is necessary that the students know that this story was real. In this country, so powerful, so full of beauty, so large, there are also many injustices. We need a Chavez, many Chavezes, so that we can continue doing good for others."
2011 Iowa Farm Custom
Farm Labor in California
Wages and Fringes
The Teamsters and UFCW represent farm
The apparently unauthorized workers
Farm Real Estate
Farm Loan Programs
General Opinions Expressed
Detailed Suggestions Expressed
Cesar E. Chavez
Cesar E. Chavez began his work in his childhood, with the people he encountered as they toiled side by side in the fields of California. He knew from personal experience what it meant to be a servant and what a servant needed to do for those he would serve. More importantly, he knew what he did not need, in a material sense, to lead a decent life while in the service of others.
Because of the experiences many farm workers gained as organizers and members of the UFW, their children had been influenced to see beyond the limitations of migrant and farm work labor; and they joined a new struggle - to obtain an education and a different economic future. Cesar E. Chavez gave them evidence with his actions that "Yes, it is possible" (Si se puede) to change their working conditions. Eco site.
During the many battles and power struggles between the growers, the Teamsters, and the Farm Workers Union, Cesar was often considered stubborn. It was in the best interests of the growers to control this man, and to do it by changing the balance of power. They thought that by doing so, he would be forced to define himself differently. Professor Jenkins, in 1985, notes that Mr. Herbert Fleming, President of the Western Growers Association, said, "If we could get the Teamster contract from Chavez, then maybe in the long run Chavez would have to shape up and act like a businessman and it would work out." But they underestimated Chavez. Obviously, he was not going to think "like a businessman". From his point of reference, he would think like the people he chose to serve. More importantly, he would think about what would meet their most essential needs as they performed their daily work.
He lived within the paradox of being born a Mexican man within what some writers have described as a "very traditional" culture. But Cesar E. Chavez conducted his life as a human being keenly aware of his connection to all humans regardless of background, creed, personal preferences, or opinions. He lived in the paradox of the "Borderlands," so aptly described by Gloria Anzaldua when discussing the challenge faced by those that have more than one cultural tradition. Family heritage and cultural history allows many of us to speak another language besides English, and to be comfortable with various customs and traditions. It gives us a unique perspective on the world.
Cesar could have lived up to the typical stereotypes attributed to Mexican males, but he did not. His example teaches us differently. He might have been "surrounded" by stereotypes, and could have succumbed to their trappings. "Orperhaps as Anzaldua comments, he could have "decided to disengage from the dominant culture, write it off altogether as a lost cause, and cross the border into a wholly new and separate territory.
© FVC National Centre 2001-2011
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Transforming an existing regional museum into a major, statewide history center requires a tremendous amount of planning. The challenge is much greater when the museum’s mission is unique and its reach spans a state more than 500 miles in length.
Grey Little Brown (1831-1907)
by Paula F. Kermon | Sep 15, 2017 | Confederate affiliation, Edgecombe, Featured on The About Page
Before he enlisted in the Civil War, Grey Little Brown was a farmer and teacher in Edgecombe County. After the war, he returned to farming and teaching.
He became a “certified teacher” in 1871 as the state began to set standards (see copy of certificate).
His interest in education established the first school in Edgecombe County. He also sent three of his daughters to college in Greensboro, N.C. (the State Normal and Industrial School, aka Woman’s College aka UNCG).
Transforming an existing regional museum into a major, statewide history center requires a tremendous amount of planning. The challenge is much greater...
The History Center is designed to be a “teaching museum” rather than a “collecting museum.” While hosting a respectable core collection, the History Center will...
The Civil War and Reconstruction in North Carolina are important and complicated subjects. Early in the planning process, there was considerable debate over the merits of...
Honorary Chairs
Governor James B. Hunt, Jr.
Governor James G. Martin
James R. Leutze, Ph.D., Wilmington
Get involved with our exciting project.
Email: info@nccivilwarcenter.org
824 Branson Street
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Petra Diamonds sells 29.62-carat blue diamond for $25,555,555
(IDEX Online News) – Petra Diamonds has sold a 29.62-carat blue diamond recovered from the Cullinan mine in South Africa in January for $25,555,555, or $862,780 per carat. The diamond was bought for Cora International NY through the South African company Golden Yellow Diamonds.
Petra CEO Johan Dippenaar said, "This sale result affirms this stone as one of the most important blue diamonds ever recovered. "
http://idexonline.com/portal_FullNews.asp?id=39123&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+IdexOnline-News+%28IDEX+Online+-+News%29
click to enlarge LONDON (Reuters) - An "outstanding vivid blue" 29.6 carat diamond has been recovered from Petra Diamonds' Cullinan mine in South Africa. (LON:PDL)
The mine, owned by the firm since 2008, was where the Cullinan Diamond was found in 1905 - the largest rough gem diamond ever recovered and weighing 3,106 carats. Other notable diamonds include a 25.5 carat blue diamond, discovered in 2013 and sold for $16.9 million, and a diamond found in 2008, known as the Star of Josephine, which brought $9.49 million.
A recent find by Petra Diamonds. The 29.6-carat stone was recovered at its Cullinan mine, about 40km (25 miles) north-east of Pretoria.
Petra unearthed another 25.5 carat blue diamond which sold for $16.9m in 2013.
http://www.mineweb.com/mineweb/content/en//mineweb-fast-news?oid=226061&sn=Detail
See ---> http://pennystockjournal.blogspot.ca/2013/07/the-cullinan-diamond.html
Labels: 555, Petra Diamonds sells 29.62-carat blue diamond for $25
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Photo Credit: Fiona Pestana
Opinion: Why I left BTS’ fandom and the things I will cherish
Western media outlets are quick to associate all of K-pop with BTS, but there's more to Korean pop culture than its biggest boy band.
By Stina Chang | April 10, 2019
I still remember the day I lost my K-pop virginity. I was a sophomore in high school when my friends introduced me to a K-pop boy band called INFINITE. I had doubts at first because K-pop was very foreign to me. My friend pulled out her phone and played their music videos, telling me to watch the boys’ dance moves. I saw seven very attractive boys executing each movement flawlessly in sync with the music, which made the entirety of the performance very eye-catching. Little did I know what I saw on that tiny phone screen would change my life forever.
I fell deep inside the Hallyu black hole after that, inevitably becoming what the community refers to as a “Koreaboo”—a term that describes a dedicated international fan of Korean culture. Hallyu is a Korean word that translates to “Korean Wave” and is used to describe how South Korean pop culture became “a major driver of global culture,” according to Vox. Think of Hallyu as all of the sub-categories making up the Korean pop culture scene, including, but not limited to: TV shows and dramas, fashion, makeup and, at the heart of it all, K-pop.
The word K-pop is short for “Korean pop” music, a distinct genre that blends audio (usually a catchy song), visual (choreography) and style into a cohesive performance. Vox reported that Hallyu has been around for more than two decades, but K-pop has only gained a global audience in the last five to 10 years. In the West, the leader of this global phenomenon is BTS.
BTS, also known as the Bangtan Boys or Bulletproof Boy Scouts, first got recognized in the Western music industry in 2016 when they released their second full-length album “Wings”. It became the best-selling K-pop album on the Billboard 200, standing tall at No. 26, which Billboard announced “to date, less than a dozen K-pop acts have sent albums to the Billboard 200.”
At first, I was happy with their international success and how they grew transnationally. BTS became legendary in the way their fame in America broke boundaries that no other Korean artists were able to accomplish. But with their international success, I began to notice a pattern of how they were portrayed by the Western media. Many news outlets often describe BTS as the “world’s No. 1 K-pop group.” Articles written by prominent publications about the rising Korean pop culture in the West glorify and attribute this phenomenon solely to BTS. Slowly, the façade behind the Western perception of Hallyu is dominated by the image of BTS. This action inevitably normalizes the connection between the word “K-pop” and BTS, condensing the representation of Hallyu into a single equation: BTS = Hallyu.
As a result, BTS is essentially being marketed as the entire K-pop genre and Hallyu culture. When asked, most people who don’t listen to K-pop music automatically associate the word “K-pop” with BTS. Due to this evolution, the identity of Hallyu is being heavily misrepresented and distorted in Western culture.
I am not blaming BTS for anything. I understand the convenience for journalists, especially those who are not acquainted with this topic, to use BTS an example to describe K-pop in the simplest way. When I first discovered BTS in early 2015, they had just released a new single called “I Need You” – a powerful yet melancholy masterpiece. Coming from Big Hit Entertainment, a small South Korean entertainment company, BTS’s international success and achievements were surprisingly unexpected. Therefore, their rapid rise in the mainstream media was journalists’ one association to portray K-pop culture.
However, with the rise of its international fandom, BTS’s following isn’t the only thing that has changed. Their fame has made the K-pop boy band convert its style to appeal to the Western market. The most notable change is in their music: transforming into American hip-hop. In their most recent album “Love Yourself: Answer” from August 2018, BTS collaborated with various American EDM and hip-hop artists, such as Steve Aoki, Desiigner, The Chainsmokers and Nicki Minaj, to produce remixes of their popular songs: “The Truth Untold”, “Mic Drop”, “Best of Me” and “Idol”, respectively.
Hip-hop and R&B are the largest share of any other music genres, representing 24.5 percent of all music consumption in the U.S. in 2017 according to Nielsen Music. And BTS is converting their music to where the largest sector of the music industry is established. With this shift, I noticed a drastic difference between their music before and after they entered to the Western music industry.
My perception of BTS’s music has always encompassed an emotional sentiment. Songs like “I Need You”, “Blood Sweat and Tears” and “Spring Day” has an innate ability to dig deep into the listener’s soul and feelings. However, this powerful element within their older music is not present anymore in their newer music. More recent singles like “Mic Drop” and “DNA” are composed of strong beats and rhythms but lack the passion that was in their music before, the element that defined them as a K-pop boy band and that brought me to fall in love with them.
They said once you have been labeled a “Koreaboo,” there’s no going back. I thought I was stuck with this title forever, until I wasn’t. To the boys that blessed me and simultaneously relinquished me from this label, your old music will always be nostalgic to me and have a special place in my youth. To me, BTS will always be the band who brought genuine blood, sweat, and tears to my early music discoveries, and I am thankful for this experience.
Categories: Music, Opinion | Tagged BTS, hallyu, k-pop, Korean music, music.
Top image: Photo Credit: Fiona Pestana
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The Class of 2019’s Time Capsule →
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Before the author of the book of Revelation enters into the dramatic sections of his text, he calls out seven churches by name and addresses each of them in their particularity. Each church is in a unique situation which calls for a unique word from the author. These seven letters, though addressed to churches in the first century, can help illuminate the struggles and pitfalls of—and can be a source of hope for—the church in the twenty-first century.
April 28 - June 9, 2019
"We are a Christian community committed to growing in faith, serving in love, living in Christ, and extending God's gracious welcome to all."
With this series, we explore our new church identity statement piece-by-piece, developing a clearer sense of our purpose as a church and the work that God has called us to do in our community.
Long Story, Short
The Bible is full of stories, but these many and various vignettes together comprise one grand story: the story of God at work in the world. In our worship, study, and conversation, we often take this story as a given, but rarely do we consider it as a whole, from start to finish. This series attempts to do just that: to look at the whole story of God from beginning to end as presented by scripture. This story is the foundation upon which our life of faith, our acts of love, and our hope for the future are constructed.
The book of Ecclesiastes might be the only book in all of scripture that we read and think, "Why is this even in the Bible?" In spite of that, some of the ideas and the language present in this Old Testament wisdom text have woven themselves into popular culture in such a way as to become intimately familiar to many of us (though we may not realize that Ecclesiastes is their source). How can we come to terms with the cynicism and despair of this text, and how does the dim outlook of its author square with the good news of the gospel?
January 6 - 27, 2018
Samuel was called to be a prophet for Israel at a critical time in their history. The pressure from the surrounding nations was intense, and Israel was struggling to figure out what kind of people they would be and how they would interact with the world around them. Samuel sees them through uncertainty, turmoil, and transition, demonstrating to us three millennia later what happens when God's servants—you and I—answer God's call with courage and humility.
The Gifts We Bring
The magi of the Christmas story brought three gifts to the infant Jesus: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Tradition has long ascribed symbolic meaning to these gifts: gold symbolizes Jesus's royalty, frankincense, his divinity, and myrrh, his mortality. This series delves into these three gifts, examines the significance of these three aspects of Jesus's nature, and urges us to think seriously about what gifts we ourselves bring to the Christ child.
November 11 - December 9, 2018
Jerusalem had deteriorated and nearly come to ruin, but when God's people realized that God had a vibrant future in mind for them, they said to one another, "Let's rise up and build." We believe that God has a vibrant future in mind for Milford Presbyterian Church, and now is our time to rise up and meet the opportunities that lie before us.
September 9 - November 4, 2018
Some of the most memorable moments of Jesus's life and ministry are his miraculous deeds—actions that awed crowds and set people to talking far beyond the Galilean countryside. Sometimes we treat these events as mere spectacle: raw demonstrations of God's power and proof of the Christ's divine origins. But there is so much more to these stories. They convey nothing short of the very heart and will of God, and through them we glimpse the greatest miracle of all: God's care and concern for this world and everyone in it.
The prophet Ezekiel stands out among the prophets of the Old Testament as eccentric and extreme—called by God not only to deliver harsh messages, but in his own life and action to experience and embody the plight of Israel and the wrath of God. Yet in the midst of God's judgment on the chosen people of Israel, there are glimmers of hope, hints of restoration. Can a people who have utterly failed be redeemed? Can lives that have been wasted find purpose again? Can dry, dead bones live again?
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minettemarrin.com
minette's blog
journalistic archive
& another thing
Search for: Publications & Another Thing Food The Sunday Times Uncategorized Year 2017 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004
My working life until 2013 was as a journalist, broadcaster and occasional fiction writer. Having moved from London to South Devon in 2011, and given up journalism, I am now writing fiction.
For many years a columnist and reviewer for the Daily Telegraph and the Sunday Telegraph, I wrote an op ed column on current affairs for the Sunday Times between 2001 and 2013, and also book reviews. From 2002 to 2005 I wrote the comic fictional (and anonymous) Secret Diary of Vanessa Wilde for Style Magazine, Sunday Times. I am planning to revive her.
I have also written at various times (1970-2013) for the Spectator, the Far Eastern Economic Review, the Asian Wall Street Journal, the Observer, the Guardian, Granta and Standpoint, on subjects from current affairs to books, theatre, arts and food. Between 1979 and 1986 I worked for BBC TV. My only novel so far is The Eye of the Beholder (Faber & Faber).
My background is English, though I was born in California. Having renounced my US nationality, the only passport I now have is British. I grew up and went to school in Dorset and went to university at Cambridge, England in 1967: I was offered a scholarship to read English at Newham, Cambridge, and an exhibition at Somerville, Oxford but accepted a place at New Hall, Cambridge – now called something else – where I read Moral Sciences Part 1 and English Part 2: While I was there I won the Vogue talent competition and a Granta short story competition.
Following five years of journalism in Hong Kong ( 1973 – 1978) I was offered a BBC TV traineeship in London and worked in BBC TV documentaries for several years, later co-presenting the BBC2 arts programme Saturday Review, a precursor of The Late Show. Since the birth of my second child (1987) I have worked from home.
I have a special interest learning disabilities and in medicine, and was a trustee of the Home Farm Trust, now Hft, (1996-2005), which provides services for adults with learning disabilities. I was a trustee of the ExtraSpecial Trust, which offers small grants to adults with learning disabilities (2005 – 2015). Medical matters also interest me: I sat on the Ethics Committee of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (2003-2006) and was a member of the Royal College of Physicians working party into women in hospital medicine (2000-2001).
I was a member of the council of the Centre for Policy Studies (2000-2012), and am now a trustee of Dartington Community Choir (2015- ). I am married to a man I met on a demo in 1968 and we have two adult children.
contact@minettemarrin.com
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Indo-Pacific or Community of Common Destiny?
_ Andrey Kortunov, Director General of the Russian International Affairs Council. Moscow, 28 May 2018.
To say that the next couple of decades promise to usher in a multitude of changes to the international political scene is to say nothing at all. Changes on the international level are constant and never-ending; sometimes they are almost imperceptible, but sometimes they are quite dramatic. The next fifteen to twenty years, however, would seem to portend something special: the new world order for the distant future, indeed right up to the end of the present century, is at stake.
Who will determine the rules of the game in the future world order? What will the main currency of power and influence be? To what extent will the hierarchy of world leaders change? How will global governance be organized? A fierce struggle around these issues has already begun, and the stakes are exceptionally high for individual states, for entire regions, and for the world system as a whole. It is clear that the epicentre of the struggle is — and will continue to be — the Eurasian continent. After all, not only does it remain the main historical core of and driving economic force behind the modern world, but is also rightly considered the main prize in the forthcoming redistribution of the world.
At the present time, two competing long-term visions of Eurasia are coming into focus. Each represents the national interests of key players, a combination of regional military, political, and economic strategies, bilateral and multilateral international mechanisms, and corresponding ideological and conceptual designs. Each vision is collecting its coalition, mobilizing its allies, and accumulating its resources. The main battles are yet to come, but the scent of gunpowder is already in the air.
Everything points to a protracted and demanding confrontation. Tactical compromises between the two visions are possible and likely even inevitable, though in the long term, the two projects are in no way fully compatible. In the end, there can be only one winner, and the loser shall be relegated to the fate of being a redundant historical player in the evolution of the Eurasian continent.
Indo-Pacific, Quad, and Containing China
The term Indo-Pacific has entered geopolitics via biogeography, which studies the patterns of geographical distribution and the distribution of animals, plants, and microorganisms. Biologists have drawn our attention to the fact that the vast ocean that spreads from the south of Japan to the north of Australia, and from the Hawaiian Islands in the east to the Red Sea in the west has many shared features and is in essence a single ecosystem.
Approximately a decade ago, geostrategists borrowed the biological term and gave it a different spin. It was originally Indian and Japanese strategists that discovered, so to speak, the geopolitical Indo-Pacific, justifying the strengthening of bilateral Indian-Japanese cooperation. At the present time, however, and especially following the arrival of the administration of Donald Trump in Washington, the idea of building up the Indo-Pacific has undergone a significant metamorphosis and taken on the form of a predominantly American strategy.
In effect, we are talking about the long-term development of Eurasia along its outer contour by strengthening cooperation primarily between maritime powers of the eastern and southern periphery of the Eurasian continent (from South Korea to the countries of the Arabian Peninsula) and the Pacific Island states (from Japan to New Zealand). Meanwhile, the main goal of the new Eurasian vision, as one may easily guess, is the political, military, and strategic deterrence of China through the creation of a rigid shell intended to keep Beijing from occupying a dominant position in the region.
Practical implementation of the Indo-Pacific strategy calls for both the strengthening of US bilateral relations with countries in the region and the fostering of multilateral cooperation. The most important aspect of the latter is the so-called Quad, designed to unite the four “democracies” of the Indo-Pacific region – the USA, Japan, Australia, and India. Attempts to create a Quad have been ongoing for many years now, and the administration of Donald Trump has created additional momentum, already achieving a moderate amount of success. All of this in spite of the generally disdainful attitude of the current American leadership towards international institutions and multilateral cooperation!
It would, of course, be premature to exaggerate the Quad’s significance for the general situation in Eurasia at the moment. Moreover, the very concept of the Indo-Pacific remains rather loose, to say the least. The Indian interpretation of the concept differs significantly from the American one, both in terms of geography and content. Some Indian experts interpret the Indo-Pacific to fall under the historical sphere of Indian cultural influence (something like the Indian World, compared to the Russian World), while others suggest including China and even Russia within the construct of the Indo-Pacific. Whatever the case may be, the general thrust of Washington’s strategic design of the new Eurasia within the context of the Indo-Pacific is aimed squarely at the military and political containment of Beijing in one form or another.
Community of Common Destiny, Russia, India, China, and the Consolidation of Eurasia
An alternative strategy for the alignment of a new Eurasia involves consolidating the continent from within and not without, not from the periphery towards the centre, but from the centre towards the periphery. The primary continental shell ought to be made up of a whole system of complementary axes (transport and logistical corridors), pulling the west and east, north and south of a huge and very heterogeneous Eurasian space together into a single entity. Xi Jinping outlined the approach’s underlying philosophy in November 2012 at the 18th Congress of the Communist Party of China. Although the Chinese leader attached universal significance to the idea of a Community of Common Destiny, applying it to international relations as a whole, it has always been first and foremost about the future of Eurasia.
The approach further developed to define the objectives of Beijing’s policy towards neighbouring countries (the Peripheral Diplomacy of China). The approach can also be seen in the advancement of various multilateral continental initiatives, in particular, the One Belt, One Road Initiative and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Project. It is indicative that in addition to ASEAN countries, the participants of this last project included South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand, the traditional maritime allies of the United States in the Asia-Pacific Region.
Unlike in the case of the American Indo-Pacific, the Community of Common Destiny does not imply the strict commitments of an ally on the part of participating countries, and China itself does not alter its non-bloc status. Although China cannot completely disregard security when considering the future of Eurasia, the economic and social development of all the regions of the Eurasian continent and the need to surmount existing disparities in living standards and degrees of involvement in the continental and world economy are of primary importance to the Chinese approach. It is clear that the more energetically Washington creates an external military and political network around China, the more Beijing will pile military and political elements into the inner Eurasian shell.
When projecting the Chinese vision onto a map of modern Eurasia, it is logical to foresee the triangle of China–India–Russia forming the foundation of the new structure. The triangle (Russia, India, and China) has been cooperating for some time now, though in recent years it has been partially absorbed by the broader BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization structures. The foundational triangle could be supplemented by more complex multilateral structures embracing the three most important regions of Eurasia: North-East Asia, South-East Asia, and Central Asia, as well as Western Asia (the Middle East) at some time in the future.
In an even more distant future, we could see the integration of the westernmost periphery of the Eurasian continent, Western and Central Europe, as well as the easternmost periphery and the island states of the Pacific Ocean into this new architecture. Such large-scale tasks could not realistically be put into practice any earlier than by the middle of this century.
Open moves: setting up the pieces
At the present time only the first moves have been made in the big game for the future of Eurasia, the game is still in its opening stage. And the goal of the opening, as we know from chess, is to mobilize resources, take move pieces to the most advantageous positions, and to hinder the opponent’s development. And how about the geopolitical chessboard: what can we say about the players’ positions at present?
Neither of the two alternative visions for a new Eurasia has yet fully crystalized. Each has its own strengths and weaknesses, its advantages and disadvantages. The strength of the American Indo-Pacific is the existing, time-tested system of US bilateral agreements with numerous allies and partners in the waters of the Indian and Pacific Oceans. The undoubted advantage of Washington remains its prevailing military, naval and air force capabilities.
The main weakness of the American vision is, in our opinion, its precarious economic foundation. The US refusal to participate in the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) seriously restricts America’s ability to comprehensively implement its Indo-Pacific vision and to see to China’s economic containment. Considering that the number one priority for most countries of Eurasia is social and economic development, it can be concluded that without an economic dimension, the vision will be limited in its effectiveness. When the United States set itself the goal of containing the USSR in Europe seventy years ago, the Truman Doctrine was joined by the Marshall Plan, which many historians still consider to be the most successful program of economic assistance in the history of mankind. Nowadays, when the question of containing China in Asia is of such importance, the United States is not only unwilling to implement Marshall Plan for the Indo-Pacific, but has already begun to toughen its stance on economic aspects of relations with its closest Asian allies and partners.
The strong economic foundation for the Chinese vision makes it seem preferable in this regard. Or at least aspires to it. The Chinese vision is based on economics and not security, though it too does not involve large-scale economic philanthropy in the spirit of the Marshall Plan of the last century. Moreover, unlike Washington, Beijing can afford the luxury of long-term strategic planning thanks to a strategic depth that allows them to think in terms of decades rather than the current four-year political cycle.
China’s main weakness lies in the fears of neighbouring states regarding Chinese economic, political, and military hegemony in Eurasia. The current American hegemony along the periphery of the Eurasian continent strikes many as less burdensome and more bearable than the potential dominance of Beijing. At the same time, we must admit that over the past one and a half to two years, Chinese diplomacy has made tangible progress in its interaction with its neighbours in both the northeast (North and South Korea) and in the southeast (Vietnam and ASEAN as a whole).
One more important comparative advantage of the Chinese vision over the American one should be mentioned. The Indo-Pacific in one way or another implies a split in the Eurasian continent, since neither China, nor Russia, nor other continental states of Eurasia fit into the construct. Moreover, restricting the American vision to maritime democracies will mean excluding many other countries, from Vietnam to the Arab monarchies of the Persian Gulf. The Community of Common Destiny, at least theoretically, would be able to unite the whole of Eurasia without any exceptions.
India as a decisive swing state
There is an American electoral concept known as the swing state, which refers to a state where neither party has a clear advantage, and the outcome of the vote is unclear. There are few such states in each American electoral cycle, but they determine who will ultimately move into the White House. In the case of Eurasia, the role of swing state falls to India.
The demographic, economic, strategic, and geopolitical potential of India will only continue to grow over time. Without the participation of Delhi, or with resistance from the Indian leadership, neither the American nor the Chinese vision can be fully brought to fruition. Without India, the Chinese vision of a Common Destiny remains in the very least unfinished and incomplete, and it turns from a continental plan into a trans-regional one. And it is no different for the Americans, who together with India would lose one of their two primary pillars in the region, thus reducing their vision of the Indo-Pacific to a thinly scattered collection of loosely related agreements between the USA with its traditional Asia-Pacific partners. It would not be an exaggeration to say that for the present, and moreover for the future, a partnership with India is no less important to the US than their Cold War alliance with Japan was.
India, meanwhile, is trying to hang on to as much room as possible to manoeuvre and is in no hurry to make their choice. On the one hand, India has accumulated their share of historical disputes and a tradition of open or hidden competition with China in Southeast Asia. The question remains one of wounded national pride with the memory of India’s unsuccessful 1962 border war with China. There also remains the issue of a global status that has been infringed upon: India, unlike China, is not a permanent member of the UN Security Council, and Beijing, as far as can be judged, is not inclined to help Delhi receive membership. Finally, there remain suspicions about Beijing’s possibly support of Indian separatist movements.
Even more realistic and not entirely groundless are concerns over the economic, political, and military expansion of China into the Indian Ocean. There is a popular theory in India known as the String of Pearls, which describes the Chinese strategy in the Indian Ocean basin as one intended to surround India by creating a chain of bases and other Chinese military sites through Hong Kong – Hainan – Paracel Islands – Spratly Islands – Kampong Som (Cambodia) – the Kra Canal (Thailand) – Sittwe and the Coco Islands (Myanmar) – Hambantota (Sri Lanka) – Marao (Maldives) – Gwadar (Pakistan) – Al Ahdab (Iraq) – Lamu (Kenya) – Port Sudan. There are concerns about potential problems for India in accessing the Pacific Ocean, which remains one of Delhi’s most important transportation corridors. Delhi also faces difficult economic problems: India’s overall trade deficit with China exceeded $50 billion annually. In addition, Beijing extensively employs the practice of imposing non-tariff restrictions on Indian pharmaceuticals, food, and IT products.
On the other hand, it is unlikely that India will be able to avoid junior partner status in the USA’s Indo-Pacific with all the accompanying costs. If Washington does not wish to see Beijing as an equal player on the international scene, it is unlikely that it will readily offer this role to Delhi. Although India’s current leadership is gradually moving away from many of the principles of Jawaharlal Nehru, including the basic principle of non-alignment, a complete break with the traditions upon which the Indian state was founded seems unlikely in the foreseeable future. The inconsistency of the American strategy and the rigidity with which the current administration negotiates economic issues even with its closest allies should give rise to serious concerns among the Indian leadership. While the US trade deficit with India is much less than that with China, it is not difficult to predict that Donald Trump’s application of economic pressure on Narendra Modi will only grow with time.
The Indian political establishment as a whole supports the policy of strengthening cooperation with Donald Trump’s America but finds the prospect of losing even part of their freedom on the world stage extremely unpleasant. By entering into a formal military and political union under the auspices of the United States, India would certainly lose some of this freedom not only in relation to China, but also in its relations with other important partners, such as Moscow and Tehran.
In all likelihood, India will continue to hesitate. Much will depend not only on the evolution of a strategic vision among the Indian elite, but also on the professionalism, flexibility, and adaptability of American and Chinese diplomacy. It would seem that given the peculiar negotiating style of the current US administration, and some problems with the adoption of foreign policy decisions in general, China currently enjoys some serious tactical advantages, at least in relation to India.
Nevertheless, tactical advantages are clearly not enough to seriously increase the Common Destiny’s attractiveness to India. China will have to make significant concessions on issues of importance to India, such as the problem of international terrorism in Eurasia, India’s desire for permanent membership in the UN Security Council, and bilateral trade issues among others. It would appear that in one way or another, Beijing will have to recognize the special role of Delhi in South Asia, just as it recognizes Russia’s special role in Central Asia. The later Beijing takes serious steps towards Delhi, the more difficult it will be to involve India in the Community of Common Destiny.
Russia’s interests
Strictly speaking, the Indo-Pacific does not directly involve Russia in any way. The current US strategy does not view Moscow as a serious player in either the Indian Ocean or the Asia-Pacific region. Geographically, the Indo-Pacific does not extend north of Hokkaido and the Korean Peninsula. Perhaps that is reason Washington effectively ignores ongoing attempts of Japanese-Russian rapprochement under Prime Minister Shinzo Abe as well as political pushback from South Korea, which has consistently sought to sabotage anti-Russian Western sanctions for some time.
Moscow’s only potential benefit from implementing the Indo-Pacific vision is that, if the project is successful for Beijing, the value of partnership with Moscow objectively increases. In this sense, a standoff between the maritime and continental parts of Eurasia would clearly be preferable to Russia than the hypothetical version of close American-Chinese cooperation as the G2, which would certainly reduce the value of Moscow as a partner not only in Washington’s eyes, but in Beijing’s as well. But the costs of a new Eurasian bipolarity for Moscow would in any case outweigh possible benefits: Russian policy in Eurasia would lose its flexibility, and many traditional partnerships, such as with Vietnam and India, would be jeopardized. An overall decline in stability in the Asia-Pacific Region, an inevitable side effect of the Indo-Pacific project, would also create additional problems for Moscow.
The Community of Common Destiny looks much more promising for Russia if only because Russia’s role would not be that of a spectator in the audience or even of an extra somewhere on stage but that of one of the leads. But is Moscow capable of playing such a role? To do so, Russia must not behave like a spoke attached to the central Chinese Eurasian axis, but as a parallel axis, albeit one smaller in diameter. In other words, Russia must enter the Community of Common Destiny with its own Eurasian integration project (EAEU) and not empty-handed.
Creating a parallel Russian axis is a socio-economic task and not a political one. It can be resolved without the need to transition to a new, more effective model of economic development that would be more attractive to its neighbours. It would be a strategic mistake to consider the prospect of joining the Community of Common Destiny a working alternative to long overdue structural changes to the Russian economy, or to hope that the Eurasian structure would somehow miraculously allow Russia to avoid the challenges of globalization. On the contrary, joining the Community would place additional demands on the effectiveness of the Russian economic model and on the openness of the Russian economy. An obviously superfluous axis in the new Eurasian machine would have no chance of surviving; it would weigh down the structure and would quickly be called out and dismantled one way or another.
It should be noted that India will face the same challenge if it should decide in favour of the Community of Common Destiny. It would be logical for Delhi to perform a system-forming function for South Asia, similar to the one that Russia must implement in Central Eurasia. Russia, for its part, is interested in preserving and even strengthening India’s position in South Asia, not for the purpose of containing China, but to create a more stable multi-polar balance of power and interests on the Eurasian continent. At the same time, the Indian leadership must understand that the time of exclusive Spheres of Influence enjoyed by the great powers are a thing of the past, that it is no longer possible to count on the unconditional loyalty of even the closest neighbours and partners, like Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Nepal, and that it will be necessary to fight hard for their attention and benevolence.
From opening to middle game
According to one of Henry Kissinger’s main strategic precepts, in any geopolitical triangle, the corner whose relationship with each of the other two angles is better than their relationship with each other is in the most favourable position. In fact, Kissinger’s not-unsuccessful geopolitical strategy for the US–USSR–China triangle of the early 1970s was based on this understanding. In keeping with this classic of geopolitics, Russia should theoretically be interested in maintaining a certain level of tension in Sino-Indian relations in order to occupy the most favourable position in the Russia–China–India triangle.
However, nowadays, international relations are built on other foundations nowadays. Geopolitics no longer functions the way it did half a century ago. Russia doesn’t stand to benefit from an exacerbation of Sino-Indian conflicts. To be fair, it’s not trying to play on these conflicts either in multilateral formats or in bilateral relations. However, much more does need to be done in Moscow. It should be a priority for Russian foreign policy (of no less importance than restoring relations with the West!) to seek ways to overcome disagreements between India and China and to strengthen cooperation between the two.
At this juncture new meaning ought to be lent to the Russia, India, China alliance, which was to some extent swallowed up within the BRICS structure. Although RIC meetings have continued between foreign ministers on a regular basis since September 2001, documents adopted in relation thereto are of an extremely general and sometimes purely declarative nature. Approved tripartite documents on the fight against international terrorism, on supporting stability in Afghanistan, and on the need to strengthen global governance gloss over serious differences within the triumvirate on many of the fundamental aspects of these and other problems.
It would appear that RIC discussions should become more frank, specific, and based on trust. The main goal should not be to seek a formal agreement on coinciding positions on the most general issues, but how to identify disagreements on specific problems and search for mutually acceptable ways to overcome these disagreements. The work is extremely difficult and delicate but also too important and urgent to be postponed indefinitely.
It would be possible to start working out a new agenda for RIC by deepening trilateral cooperation in those areas where the positions of Moscow, Beijing, and Delhi coincide on the whole coincide or differ but slightly. For example, there is potential for cooperation on issues of energy in Eurasia, climate change, and the problem of reforming international financial institutions. The new agenda should include discussion of practical steps the three countries could take in areas such as the fight against double standards in human rights and preventing external interference in the internal affairs of sovereign countries. The common concern of Russia, China, and India with the use of sanctions in international trade, the rise of protectionism, and the crisis of many international organizations create additional opportunities for conscientious or parallel action.
Naturally, India and China will eventually have to resolve numerous very painful bilateral problems. For example, the Indian-Chinese border (which stretches more than 3000 km!) continues to be a possible point of conflict. Clashes are also possible in the territory of third party states, which again rose to the forefront following the October 2017 incident in Doklam. A potentially unstable border with China pins down a significant part of the Indian army, which under other circumstances could be transferred to the border with Pakistan. The parties accuse each other of unjustified rigidity and unwillingness to compromise on the resolution of border problems.
There is little Russia can do to help its partners resolve the remaining territorial issues. It would, however, be useful to recall that two decades ago the situation on the Russian–Chinese border (even longer than the Sino-Indian border) also aroused considerable concern on both sides. The level of militarization along the border between Russia and China then was even higher than that along the Sino-Indian border today. In the end, Moscow and Beijing were able to bring about a radical change in the situation, and in an extremely short period of time. Perhaps the experience of Russia and China could somehow be of use to Beijing and Delhi today?
Endgame: America loses?
Is the Common Destiny project anti-American? Would its implementation spell strategic defeat for the United States? Undoubtedly, most American experts would answer yes to these questions unequivocally. It is our opinion, however, that the answers are not so obvious. First, the vision of a Common Destiny can come to fruition only if it relies mainly on the basic internal needs of the countries of Eurasia and not on a collective desire to confront the United States, or anyone else for that matter. The Common Destiny should not be a mirror image of the Indo-Pacific; as a mirror image of the American plan, it has no future.
Secondly, if we ignore geopolitical metaphysics and arguments about the eternal civilizational dualism of Land and Sea, Tellurocracy and Thalassocracy, then we must admit that ultimately a stable, predictable, economically successful Eurasia is in America’s best interests. Making the Common Destiny a reality does not preclude the preservation of the principle of freedom of navigation in the Pacific and Indian oceans, including freedom of movement for the navies and air forces of countries not from the Eurasian continent.
Making the vision a reality also does not preclude the preservation of the openness of the new Eurasia to the rest of the world in matters of trade, investment, and migration. If the Americans wish to seek supporters of protectionism and opponents of the liberal world economic order, there is no need to come all the way to the Dongcheng (Eastern City) District, where the powerful Ministry of Commerce of China is located. It would be sufficient to visit 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, D.C., to find the protectionism they are looking for.
Let us stress yet again that the Common Destiny does not in any way signify a return to the old idea of Yevgeny Primakov, expressed during his visit to Delhi in late 1998, about the trilateral cooperation of Russia, China, and India existing to counter the monopolar American world. The monopolar American world has not come to pass nor will it. The balance of power in the world has changed alongside the rules of the game of world politics. Moscow’s biggest mistake would be to try to fill the new Eurasian project with old geopolitical content. Equally erroneous would be any attempt to present the Eurasian project and the development of relations between individual participants and external players as a type of Zero-sum game.
Whatever the outcome of the big game, the United States will not be completely ousted from the Eurasian continent; the level of economic interdependence of the United States and Asia is simply too great, the Asian diasporas in America are too numerous and influential, and American technology, American investment, and American soft power are too important to Asian countries. Nevertheless, it would be fair if Eurasians themselves and not their overseas partners and patrons were to build the new Eurasia, even assuming the best of intentions.
As for the probable consequences of the Common Destiny for the United States itself, it would be appropriate to rephrase Zbigniew Brzezinski’s famous statement about the role of Ukraine in Russian statehood. The successful implementation of the US vision of the Indo-Pacific will guarantee that the US remains the only global empire in the world, at least until the end of the 21st century. The implementation of the Common Destiny would see the United States gradually lose its imperial status and turn into primus inter pares – the most powerful of several great powers paving the way into the 22nd century.
Source: http://russiancouncil.ru/
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By-Laws/Policies/Rules
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Rules and Policies of the Greater Springfield
League Junior Amateur Hockey League
(as of March 14, 2018)
1. Games
(a) Games of the Greater Springfield Junior Amateur Hockey League (G.S.J.A.H.L.) shall be played under the rules of USA Hockey and Massachusetts Hockey.
(b) Division age classifications shall follow those approved by USA Hockey.
(c) Games will start at the times designated in the published schedule. Game roster sheets shall be turned into the timekeeper prior to the start of play. Games for 18U (Midgets) and 14U (Bantams) shall, if an eighty (80) minute block of ice is available, consist of three fifteen (15) minute “stop action” periods and shall conclude at the expiration of the game clock or upon the expiration of the available ice time, whichever occurs first. Games for 10U (Squirt) through the 12U (Peewee) divisions shall consist of three twelve (12) minute “stop action” periods. A game for all other divisions shall conclude: at the expiration the game clock; in the case of a sixty (60) minute sheet of ice, at the expiration of sixty (60) minutes as determined by an ice clock; or upon the expiration of the available ice time, whichever occurs first.
(d) The league shall define standards of play or game rules specific for each age classification.
(e) The home team chooses the jersey color to wear for the game. Home team must inform the visiting team of their choice; however, if a team only has one set of jerseys then the other team must wear an appropriate shirt color.
(f) Teams shall not enter the ice surface or player’s bench area prior to the zamboni leaving the ice and the zamboni doors closed. Failure to abide by this rule shall result in a bench minor penalty to be served at the start of the game.
(g) Teams shall shake hands after the game. However, at the official’s discretion, the shaking of hands may be omitted to avoid any further problems on the ice.
2. SCHEDULING
(a) The games for Fall pre-high school Midget teams shall begin in September to allow for the required number of games to qualify for the District Play-downs. The evaluation games for all other divisions of the G.S.J.A.H.L. shall begin the last weekend of September.
(b) Weekday games may be scheduled with the agreement of the GSL scheduler and the affected associations. The championship game for each division in the G.S.J.H.L. shall be concluded by the end of March.
(c) There shall be a rebuttable presumption that a member association’s highest team at any age division shall play in the A division.
(d) Any team wishing to reschedule a game must notify the League Scheduler in writing thirty (30) days in advance. The rescheduling of games will be at the sole discretion of the League Scheduler if there is ice available to reschedule a game and if both teams consent to the request to reschedule the game.
If a game is successfully rescheduled, the team requesting the game reschedule is responsible for the cost of the entire ice fee associated with the new game.
(e) When a team gives written notice to the League Scheduler at least thirty (30) days in advance of a scheduled league game that the team wishes to forfeit the game, the League Scheduler shall cancel the referees and the time keeper assigned to the game. The forfeiting team and/or organization shall be responsible for payment of the full ice fee owed for the ice unless the League Scheduler is able to schedule another league game in the ice slot. If a team gives written notice to the League Scheduler at least five (5) days and less than thirty (30) days in advance of a scheduled league game that the team wishes to forfeit the game, the forfeiting team shall also be responsible, in addition to the ice fee, for the cost of the referee(s) and time keeper. The League Scheduler shall notify the non-forfeiting team of the forfeit and the non-forfeiting team will automatically be awarded the victory without having to show up for the game.
(f) G.S.J.A.H.L. games will take precedence over games of other leagues to which member teams belong except in the case of State Play downs and Championship Tournaments. A limit of 2 games occurring in the same day will be allowed during the season.
(g) All cancellations of games including inclement weather shall be at the direction of the League Scheduler.If a team chooses not to attend a game due to inclement weather, the team’s Association shall have three (3) days to appeal to the Scheduler or Executive Board. This would allow time for the Scheduler to determine whether other teams traveled to or from that area on the same day.
(h) The League Scheduler shall establish a reasonable schedule for the submission of all information necessary for completing the league’s game schedule. The League Scheduler will not schedule league games during the weekend following Thanksgiving or during weekends containing the Christmas or New Year holidays. Up to four (4) No Play Dates for the Regular Season shall be turned in to the League Scheduler. A team may use two (2) additional no play dates for anticipated participation in a state tournament. If No Play Dates are not received by the league scheduler by each season’s established deadline, all No Play Dates are forfeited for that season. The League Scheduler shall post the regular season schedule within two (2) weeks of the completion of the evaluation games.
(i) Member associations must provide sufficient sheets of ice for 18 home games for each team of the member association in the 10U (Squirt) through 14U (Bantam) divisions. Member associations must provide 13 sheets of ice for every two (2) 8U (Mite) level teams (if an association has an odd number of 8U (Mite) teams, then add seven sheets of ice). If additional ice is needed for games, it will be the responsibility of the League Scheduler to contact the Associations to obtain this ice.
(j) The League Scheduler shall designate to the member associations prior to the start of the Regular Season all contracted ice times for league games. Before ice is secured from any source other than a League Association during one of the designated ice times, the League Scheduler shall inform the League Associations of the League’s ice needs and the League Associations shall by a majority vote, either approve or modify the League Scheduler’s plan to secure ice.
(k) Substitutions for any teams for League Scheduled Games shall not be permitted. Teams scheduled must play their games.
3. Rosters
(a) Teams shall submit official rosters to the League Secretary prior to the first league game. Any team whose roster is not submitted prior to the first game will forfeit all games played after that date until rosters are submitted.
(b) Fall pre-high school 18U (Midget) teams shall submit an official roster of all eligible players to the District 6 Registrar no later than September 15th. Winter post-high school 18U (Midget) teams shall submit an official roster of all eligible players to the District 6 Registrar no later than December 20th. All other teams shall submit an official roster of all eligible players to the District 6 Registrar by October 15. Any team whose official roster is not submitted by the dates established herein will forfeit all games played after that date until official rosters are submitted. All teams participating in the GSL must provide the league with proof that their rosters have been submitted to their USA Hockey affiliated districts by the same dates established herein. Approved official rosters must be filed with the League Secretary.
The following minimum number of players must be on a roster to start the GSL season per age group: 6U (Novice) - 5, 8U (Mite) - 6, 10U (Squirt) - 9, 12U (Peewee) - 9, 14U (Bantam) - 9, 18U (Midget) - 9.
(c) The League Secretary shall be notified of any changes or additions to a team’s roster before such player can participate in a League Game.
(d) Players shall not be added to a team’s roster or transferred to another team’s roster representing the same Association after October 15th except with the approval of the GSL Board of Directors.
(e) A player shall not be listed on more than one team roster in the G.S.J.A.H.L.
(f) Players that are not on the team’s roster are not permitted to play in any league games. Games in which non-rostered players are used shall be recorded as a 1-0 forfeit. Use of non-rostered players in a game that is forfeited may be subject to further disciplinary action by the GSL board.
(g) To field enough players for a game, any team may substitute a player from lower skill division in the same age group, from the same Association, to bring the total number of skaters for the game, excluding goalies, to the minimum number of rostered players (8U (Mite) - 6, 10U (Squirt) - 9, 12U (Peewee) - 9, 14U (Bantam) - 10, 18U (Midget) – 10). Substitute players from a lower age group may not be called up from a North Division team, unless the team calling the player up is also in the North Division (i.e., "A" players may only be called up to play "A" games in an older age group). The 14U age division can substitute players from any lower age division. Such players shall be listed on the game sheet and marked with an * using their legal name. Any such player from the same or lower division in the same age group or any division of a lower age group, from the same Association, playing more than three games will become a permanent member of the team, unless doing so would leave the lower team with less than the minimum number of skaters, excluding goalies.
The three (3) game limit may be waived under special circumstances with approval of the board of directors.
All 8U (Mite) and 6U (Novice) players are required to play age-appropriate hockey including all applicable defined exemptions.
10U (Squirt) “C” level teams may substitute players from another “C” level team from the same Association to reach the minimum number of rostered players.
The three game limit may be waived for a player who is a goalie on either the upper or lower team upon written request to the President and written notification to the opposing teams in the division. An upper team’s goalie shall not play on a lower team as a goalie if another lower team goalie is available from the same age bracket.
(h) Division age classifications shall follow those approved by USA Hockey.
(i) Players with approved medical waivers to play down one age level may be granted participation on the organization’s lowest team pursuant to Mass Hockey rules. Associations may petition the league to place a player on another team excluding the North Division with the approval of the board of directors.
(j) Only players who are dressed and ready to participate in the game should be listed on the game sheet.
4. Penalties
(a) Any player receiving three (3) penalties in a game, shall be removed from the remainder of that game only.
(b) Any Head Coach whose team receives 15 or more penalties during one game shall be suspended for the next league game.
(c) The GSL will not tolerate fighting. Any player assessed a fighting major penalty (first occurrence) is suspended from league play for the teams next three (3) scheduled league games. Any player assessed a second fighting major penalty (second occurrence) shall be suspended for three (3) games according to USA Hockey Rule 615(f). After the 2nd occurrence the league will conduct a hearing within 14 days to impose supplemental discipline as necessary. Any disciplinary hearing shall follow the disciplinary procedures of Massachusetts Hockey.
In 18U Division, any player assessed a fighting major penalty (first occurrence) is suspended from league play for the remainder of the season pending hearing under Mass Hockey guidelines.
(d) A player or coach who has been given a game misconduct(s) MUST serve that penalty by being suspended from the next league game(s). If that team's next scheduled sanctioned USA HOCKEY game is not a League game, the player or coach must still serve a suspension in the next already scheduled GSL game (in addition to the next scheduled sanctioned USA HOCKEY game). If the player or coach who has received a game misconduct(s) does not sit out the next league game(s) and plays in the next league game(s) then the "penalized player's or coach’s team" will forfeit the game(s) played and said player or coach must sit out the next league game(s).
The forfeit will be recorded as follows: the offending team will receive a loss with a score of 0, the non-offending will receive a win with the goals scored during the forfeited game. The offending team will also have two points removed from their league standings.
Any team that plays a suspended player shall have its Head Coach suspended for the next game. For any subsequent occurrence of playing a suspended player, the Head Coach shall serve a three-game suspension. For a third occurrence of playing a suspended player during the same season, the Head Coach shall be suspended indefinitely until a hearing has been conducted by the GSL.
The following designations must be entered on all copies of the score sheet next to the player’s name when that player is not skating: Absent – ABS, Injured – INJ, Suspension – SUSP.
(e) The GSL follows and enforces USA Hockey’s Progressive Suspension rule for aggressive infractions.
(f) Coaches will be responsible to enforce these rules. A coach or team official who allows the participation of an ineligible player in any game shall be subject to a disciplinary hearing.
5. Protests
(a) A coach wishing to file a protest shall file his or her intention on the game sheet and notify the Chairman of the Protest Committee, within 48 hours to be followed up with a written report within seven (7) days accompanied by a $100.00 Protest Fee. The fee shall be payable to G.S.J.A.H.L. and shall be returned if the protest is upheld. If the protest is not upheld, the fee shall be applied to the league scholarship fund. All parties involved (coaches, referees, players) shall be notified of the meeting date, time and location. Any party not able to attend the hearing may send a letter stating their case. It would be beneficial for all parties to be present. All parties will be heard separately and a decision will be made by the committee.
(b) A protest of a player shall be made before the start of the third period of the game: shall require him/her to sign the game sheet in the presence of the timekeeper under the supervision of the referee. If the protest is upheld, the offending team shall forfeit the game.
6. Timekeeper Duties
(a) GSL Member Associations will be responsible for assigning timekeepers themselves for their home rink regardless of which GSL teams play (i.e. Westfield for Amelia Park) with the exception of Olympia Ice Center where the Home Team will provide a timekeeper.Associations must submit the name of the person (Association Timekeeper Coordinator) responsible for timekeepers to the League Timekeeper Coordinator prior to the start of the Evaluation Schedule, so that future problems concerning these groups can be resolved. If these groups fail to submit game sheets to the League Statistician within the one (1) day period as required by GSL timekeepers, penalties shall be assessed by the GSL Board i.e. GSL will assign timekeepers, or any other penalty that GSL feels is necessary to encourage these Associations to conform with GSL By-Laws, Rules, and Policies.
(b) Timekeepers shall be required to see that game sheets are submitted (mailed, emailed, or delivered) within one (1) day from the date of game to the statistician. Failure to do so may result in suspension of future assignments. The Statistician shall notify the League Timekeeper Coordinator in charge of timekeepers when game sheets are not received and she/he will notify the timekeeper.
(c) The Association Timekeeper Coordinator will be responsible for collecting paper copies of game sheets and submitting them to the League Statistician, as necessary.
(d) There shall be no paid timekeeper at 8U or 6U age games however the home rink Association shall appoint an individual to sound horn as required in game policies.
(e) Timekeepers shall collect game sheet and officials’ money prior to the start of the game. Timekeepers shall make sure that the head coach has printed his name on the game sheet prior to the start of the game. Timekeepers shall assist the referees by informing him of any player that has been given his “third penalty” in the game so that he shall be removed from the game.
(f) Timekeeper shall insure that referees and coaches have signed the game sheet at the end of the game and give the respective copies to each coach.
7. Amendments / Motions
(a) Amendments to these Rules and Policies shall be made in writing to the League Secretary and submitted to the Board of Directors at least fourteen (14) days prior to the Board Meeting at which such amendments shall be considered. Amendments must be approved by a two thirds Vote of the Board of Directors.
(b) Any amendment to the Rules and Policies previously defeated by the Board of Directors shall not be brought before the Board of Directors for reconsideration for a minimum of two (2) years, unless a two-thirds vote of the Board of Directors authorizes reconsideration.
(c) Any motion previously defeated by the Board of Directors shall not be brought before the Board for reconsideration for one calendar year, unless a two-thirds vote of the Board of Directors authorizes reconsideration.
8. Electronic Score Reporting
(a) The head coach of the Home Team must enter the score of each GSL game within 48 hours after a game on the GSL web site.
(b) Failure of the head coach of the Home Team to timely and accurately enter the results of a game will subject the head coach to discipline.
(c) Electronic scoring can be used to for playoff seating if necessary with the approval of the board of directors.
9. Coaching Certification
(a) All coaches of GSL teams must be in compliance with the USA Hockey Coaching Education Program by the deadlines set in Article II, sec. 2 of the rules and regulations of Massachusetts Hockey, Inc. (presently: November 1st of the current season for 14U (Bantam) and 18U (Midget); and December 31st of the current season for 8U (Mite), 10U (Squirt) and 12U (Peewee)).
(b) Coaches who are determined at the January meeting of the GSL not to be in compliance with the USA Hockey Coaching Education Program shall not be allowed on the ice for the remainder of the season during a team’s practice or on the bench during a team’s game(s). Any coach determined not to be in compliance with the USA Hockey Coaching Education Program who subsequently comes into compliance shall provide proof of the same to the President or a Vice President of the GSL and shall thereafter be permitted to resume coaching without penalty from that point forward.
(c) A team will forfeit any games where a coach is on the bench during any game after having been determined to not be in compliance at the January meeting of the GSL with the USA Hockey Coaching Education Program.
10. Playoffs
(a) The GSL Championships occur at the conclusion of the regular season as noted on the GSL Calendar. The Championships are reserved for the 10U (Squirt) - 18U (Midget) divisions. It is understood that any team that qualifies for the Championships must participate.
(b) If a team who qualifies for the playoffs elects not to play in the league playoffs due to a tournament (State Tournaments not included) or other independent game(s) shall pay a fine equaling the cost of 2 full sheets of ice and referees. These funds will be placed in the GSL Scholarship fund. The team with the next best record in the division of the team electing not to play in the playoffs will be allowed to participate.
(c) The GSL Championships will consist of the top 4 teams in each division with 2 playoff rounds. The exceptions to this would be if a division has 4 teams or less then only the top 2 teams would advance in a single playoff round. Additionally, if a division has 10 or more teams then the top 6 teams would advance to a 3 round playoff where 1st and 2nd seeds get a bye in round 1.
(d) Games shall be played to completion and if necessary a 6 minute or 7:30 minute (depending on game length) sudden death overtime and shootout should take place to determine the winner of each game. If the game is tied after the overtime period the 5 skaters and goalie marked on the gamesheet prior to game will take part in a shootout. If a marked player is unable to play in shootout a player may be substituted. Additional shootout rounds will be utilized if necessary by any player one at a time.
(e) The following steps will be used to determine any ties for GSL playoffs. Ties include seeding and making the playoffs.
Note: In order to break the tie, the following formulas will be followed until one rule determines the position of all teams that are tied in one position.
1. The results of the games played between the teams tied in the following order (Head to Head):
a. The points acquired in these games.
b. Least goals against.
c. Dividing the goals scored in these games by the goals scored against (GF divided by GA), the position being determined in order of the greatest quotient. A quotient involving dividing by zero (0) has higher standing than a quotient dividing by any number other than zero. Where two or more teams have no goals against and the quotient tie breaker is required, the teams shall be ranked high to low in descending order of “goals for.”
2. If after applying the formulas of 1 a, b, and c, the tie still exists, 1a, 1b and 1c shall be applied using all games played by the teams tied. The formulas shall be applied in the order 1 a, b, c and 2.
3. If the above procedure does not break the tie, then their position will be determined by the number of penalty minutes assessed in all games they played. Their position being determined in order of the least penalty minutes.
(f) A player must have played 50% of games during the regular season in order to be eligible for participation in the GSL playoffs excluding injuries.
© 2019 SportsEngine, The Home of Youth Sports and Greater Springfield League (8776). All rights reserved. Visitor # 312,425
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Media Center:
Tauck Press Releases:
Noted Lincoln Expert Harold Holzer To Address Tauck Guests In Gettysburg
Author And Consultant To The Film “Lincoln” Will Speak Just Prior To The 150th Anniversary Of Lincoln’s Historic Gettysburg Address
NORWALK, CT (May 29, 2013) Harold Holzer, the noted author, Abraham Lincoln expert, and consultant to the critically-acclaimed Steven Spielberg film Lincoln, will speak to Tauck guests about the 16th president’s life and times this fall, during the October 19th departure of the company’s “Most Hallowed Ground” Civil War tour. Holzer will address the Tauck group in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, where on November 19, 1863, Abraham Lincoln delivered his immortal Gettysburg Address. Holzer’s presentation will occur on October 22nd, exactly four weeks prior to the 150th anniversary of Lincoln’s delivery of the iconic speech.
“When Steven Spielberg assembled the world’s foremost scholars for his film Lincoln, he enlisted Harold Holzer as a consultant,” said Tauck CEO Dan Mahar. “Harold is hands-down one of the preeminent experts on Lincoln, and we’re thrilled that he’ll be speaking to our guests in Gettysburg, on the eve of the 150th anniversary of Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address. It’s another ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ moment that we’re proud to offer our guests.”
Holzer has authored, co-authored, and edited 46 books, and written more than 500 articles and reviews for various magazines and scholarly journals. He also contributes regularly to the Civil War anniversary websites of The New York Times and Washington Post. “I’m thrilled to be speaking to Tauck’s guests in the days before the 150th anniversary of the Gettysburg Address, in the very place Lincoln delivered it,” said Holzer. “Anniversaries are naturally times of commemoration and contemplation, and what better occasion than this anniversary to revisit the single most famous speech in American history, and reflect on the utterly amazing individual who delivered it?”
TAUCK’S “MOST HALLOWED GROUND” CIVIL WAR TOUR
Holzer’s presentation will take place on Day 4 of the October 19th departure of Tauck’s “Most Hallowed Ground” tour, which was co-designed by Tauck and the filmmaker Ken Burns. Burns’s film The Civil War remains the highest rated and the most celebrated documentary in PBS history. The 11-day itinerary begins with a three-night stay at the Mayflower Renaissance in Washington, DC, where Tauck guests will enjoy exclusive early-admission into the National Archives and visits to other Civil War-related sites in the city.
Guests will also travel to the site of abolitionist John Brown’s failed raid at Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, as well as Antietam National Battlefield and the National Museum of Civil War Medicine in Maryland. In Virginia, guests will explore the roots of the Civil War during visits to the homes of founding fathers Thomas Jefferson and James Madison, and they’ll learn about the conflict’s toll at Appomattox Court House, Petersburg and Richmond. Along the way, guests’ understanding of the Civil War will be enhanced by a series of exclusive filmed vignettes in which Ken Burns shares his personal perspectives on people, events and themes that shaped and were shaped by “the war between the states.”
Included in the tour price (from $4,190 per person, double occupancy, plus air) are all accommodations, ground transportation including airport transfers, all sightseeing and admission to all attractions, most meals and gratuities, luggage handling, and much more. Those interested in learning more may see their local travel agent, visit www.tauck.com, or call 1 800 468 2825.
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Jeremih Responds to Teyana Taylor Tour Claims
By LEGEND August 17, 2018
Everything was going great for Jeremih this year. He dropped a cool EP to give fans some music. Folks were highly anticipating his collaborative project with Ty Dolla $ign, that’s still on deck.
Then, Teyana Taylor caused an uproar online about how she was treated on his #LaterThatNightTour, saying Jeremih was lazy, sneaky and a diva sitting in his princess chair.
Today, J got on the radio in his hometown of Chicago to give his side of the story in the controversy. In the talk with Power 92, he chalks things up to miscommunication but didn’t like what he heard from Teyana on social media. He also said he doesn’t have the time to go back and forth with her online and it’s all love from his end since they go way back.
He even said he wrote for Taylor’s K.T.S.E. album, so he doesn’t understand what’s going on. He wishes her well and
When it’s all said and done, he doesn’t even care and said he would rather hit the lab and try to make the best music possible for that. He’s got a few projects on the way too. Oh, and the new album isn’t called Later That Night anymore.
Peep the interview with the radio station up top.
OS REWIND: Jeremih – That
OS REWIND: Jeremih & Ty Dolla $ign – The Light [Music Video]
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Home > Where to go > Halifax > Halifax Sights > Halifax Town Clock
Halifax Town Clock
Halifax's Historic Clock Tower
Halifax’s Town Clock is one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks.
The Georgian-era clock sits at the base of Citadel Hill, facing out to the harbour. Plans for its construction were put into motion by Prince Edward, Duke of Kent, before he returned to England.
Prince Edward was always fond of exquisite clocks, so it was an appropriate gift to the city. Some say he hoped it would help the Halifax garrison improve their punctuality.
The three-storey turret clock sits on a very ordinary white building as its base. It went into service in 1803 and has kept time for Halifax ever since.
The original clock mechanism, made by noted London clockmakers the House of Vulliamy, is still in service. Three weights and a pendulum measuring 13 feet sit inside, just below the belfry. Its chimes ring out on the hour and every 15 minutes.
The clock used to be maintained by a caretaker, who lived in a residence inside the tower, but that position stopped in 1965. Employees of Citadel Hill now come to wind its mechanism twice a week.
The exterior was restored in 1995 and the clock face itself was redone in 2005.
Halifax Sights
Citadel Hill
Buses in Halifax
Getting around Halifax
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World News - Tehran elite turning on extremist presidency
Iran's clerical and business establishments, deeply concerned by what they see as reckless spending and needlessly aggressive foreign policies, are increasingly turning against President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Within this context, many see the president's long-running confrontation with the United States and Europe over Tehran's nuclear program as an attempt to demonize the West and distract the Iranian public from pressing domestic problems. A relatively small group of extremists "at the top of the government around the president" are seeking to benefit from a crisis with the West, because "that way they will be able once again to blame the West for all of their problems," said Mousa Ghaninejad, the editor of Iran's best-selling economics daily newspaper, Dunya Al-Eqtisad. Millions of low-income Iranians voted for the new president last year, motivated by his firm stand against corruption and pledges to give financial priority to their needs. ...
http://www.washingtontimes.com
Mexico discovers 'huge' oil field
Mexican President Vicente Fox has announced the discovery of a new deep-water oil field, which is believed to contain 10bn barrels of crude. The field is in the Gulf of Mexico, and Mexico says it could be bigger than its largest oil field, Cantarell. Production there is said to have declined sharply in recent years. Mr Fox made the announcement as figures showed the country's total oil reserves had fallen 2% between 2003 and 2005. Perforation of the well known as Noxal 1, which is located about 100km (60 miles) from the port of Coatzacoalcos on the coast of Veracruz state, started in December. The oil is under 930 metres (0.6 miles) of water and a further 4,000 metres (2.5 miles) underground...
Tamil rebels 'coercing diaspora'
Tamil people around the world are being intimidated and threatened into giving money to Sri Lanka's Tamil Tiger rebels, according to a new report. The extortion of money from Tamils living in North America and Europe has been stepped up recently to fund a "final war", says Human Rights Watch. The Tamil Tigers have denied allegations of extortion in the past. A recent upsurge in violence between the rebels and security forces in Sri Lanka has cost at least 120 lives. Sri Lankan officials and leaders of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) have agreed to curb the unrest and hold more talks in April on a threadbare truce. ...
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4807846.stm
Happy 150th birthday: a new era looms for old age
Modern medicine is redefining old age and may soon allow people to live regularly beyond the current upper limit of 120 years, experts said on Wednesday. It used to be thought there was some inbuilt limit on lifespan, but a group of scientists meeting at Oxford University for a conference on life extension and enhancement consigned that idea to the dustbin. Paul Hodge, director of the Harvard Generations Policy Program, said governments around the world — struggling with pension crises, graying workforces and rising healthcare costs — had to face up to the challenge now. "Life expectancy is going to grow significantly, and current policies are going to be proven totally inadequate," he predicted. Just how far and fast life expectancy will increase is open to debate, but the direction and the accelerating trend is clear. ...
http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=1727911
Saddam denounces 'comedy' court
Ousted Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein has begun his first formal defence at his trial for crimes against humanity by describing the court as a "comedy". The judge closed the hearing to the public after Saddam Hussein called on the Iraqi people to "resist invaders". Saddam Hussein and seven co-accused are being prosecuted over the deaths of 148 people in the Shia village of Dujail following a 1982 assassination attempt. Earlier, his former spy chief denied any involvement in the deaths. Saddam Hussein appeared in court wearing a dark suit, without a tie. He said he had been pained after recently hearing of "something that aims to harm our people". "My conscience tells me that the great people of Iraq have nothing to do with these acts," he said, in an apparent reference to the bombing of a Shia shrine in Samarra that triggered a series of sectarian clashes. ...
Palestinians protest at jail raid
Palestinians are going on strike in Gaza and the West Bank to protest against Israel's seizure of a leading militant from a jail on Tuesday. All Palestinian factions called on businesses and schools to close after Ahmed Saadat gave himself up after troops stormed his jail in Jericho. The West Bank raid began when UK and US monitors left the Palestinian-run prison complaining about lax security. Gunmen have released all 11 of the foreigners kidnapped in retaliation. Two French citizens and a South Korean journalist had been held hostage by Palestinian gunmen overnight, but they have now been handed over to Palestinian police. ...
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Erol Başar
Istanbul Kultur University, Brain Dynamics, Cognition and Complex Systems Research Center
Erol Başar, currently Professor of Physiology and Biophysics at The Kultur University Istanbul, is a pioneer in the field of Brain Dynamics and Oscillations. He has published seven monographs, edited 10 books, and authored or co-authored 250 papers in neuroscience and cardiovascular research. Başar’s monograph, EEG-Brain Dynamics (1980) introduced the functional importance of brain oscillations and the quantum concept; it is considered a milestone in neuroscience literature. The author was educated in high-energy physics and in physiology at the Universities of Munich, Hamburg and Hanover. He taught physiology at the Medical University, Lübeck between 1980 and 2000. He was also involved in research and teaching in New York, San Diego, Ankara and Izmir. Başar’s route to multidisciplinary research was directly influenced, during the 1960s, by the advice of Werner Heisenberg and the renowned natural philosopher, Carl Friedrich von Weizsäcker. The Darwinian view discussed by Başar is the result of a longstanding collaboration with Theodore Holmes Bullock, in California.
Home > Vol 7, No 1 (2009) > Başar
DOI: 10.14704/nq.2009.7.1.205
S-Matrix and Feynman Space-Time Diagrams to Quantum Brain Approach. An Extended Proposal
This report describes the importance of oscillations in brain function and introduces metaphors to quantum dynamics. In order to analyze scattering processes at the level of elementary particles Werner Heisenberg proposed the use of the so-called S-Matrix to understand nuclear interactions by studying ingoing at outgoing particles. Later, Richard Feynman developed useful schemes in order to visualize processes of elementary particle interactions. In the present report a metaphor to Feynman Diagrams is developed in order to model the “Ongoing Brain Activity and Event Related Oscillations”. The response susceptibility of the brain shows a probabilistic causality similar to uncertain processes in elementary particle physics. A new grammar called Brain Feynman Diagrams is proposed in order to show brain oscillatory responses as a more visible construct in comparison to conventional compound brain potentials.
Brain, Brain Oscillations, Quantum Brain, Feynman diagrams, S-Matrix
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ABOUT US: TRUSTEES: ELLIS B. CARR
Ellis B. Carr
Capital Impact Partners
Former Manager of Investments & Capital Markets
Ellis B. Carr, has spent more than two decades addressing the social and economic justice issues that impact underserved communities through his work in the financial services and community development sectors. That effort continues as the President and CEO of Capital Impact Partners, a role he was promoted to in 2016 after serving as the organization’s Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for four years. Among his institutional priorities, Mr. Carr leads Capital Impact’s 2020 strategy, an ambitious agenda anchored by four strategic pillars: addressing systemic poverty, building equitable opportunities, creating healthy communities and ensuring inclusive growth. As CFO, Mr. Carr was instrumental in raising and structuring over $200M in capital for the firm and led the effort for Capital Impact to become a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta. In 2015, he was recognized as one of the “Top 40 under 40” business executives by the Washington Business Journal. Mr. Carr’s financial expertise was honed over many years in the private sector. He held various positions during his tenure at Freddie Mac including roles in Investments and Capital Markets, and Strategy and Corporate Finance. Prior to Freddie Mac, he worked domestically and abroad for Deutsche Bank. Mr. Carr is the Treasurer and Board Member of Martha’s Table; a Board member of the Opportunity Finance Network (OFN) and the Housing Partnership Network (HPN). Mr. Carr graduated from Towson University with an undergraduate degree in accounting, and a master’s degree from Georgetown University.
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As Malaysia Airlines bleeds out, twin tragedies are still a question mark
Malaysia Airlines has had a profoundly difficult year. Between two harrowing air disasters and the company’s precarious financial woes, the national carrier faces daunting challenges as it attempts to restructure and recover its reputation as a leading regional airline. Despite poor commercial performance in recent years, it maintained a stellar record for decades as one of the Asia-Pacific's safest and most reliable airlines.
Malaysia Airlines has suffered the two worst disasters in modern aviation less than five months apart. Both incidents involved Boeing 777-200ERs, widely considered being one of the safest aircrafts. Over six months have past since flight MH370 disappeared on route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing. A multinational search team has scoured remote southern stretches of the Indian Ocean, unable to find even a trace of debris from the aircraft.
A preliminary report on the demise of flight MH17 released by Dutch investigators has failed to provide a wider understanding of the incident, leaving critical questions of culpability unanswered. The crippling impact of the two air disasters has forced Malaysia Airlines into accelerating a major restructuring effort to rescue the brand and return it to profitably by 2017, with plans to relist the company by 2019.
Nationalize or privatize?
As the flagship carrier, Malaysia Airlines is viewed as a symbol of national prestige and development. The state has played a vital role in using public funds to restructure the airline over the years. The key challenges confronting the carrier are competition from low-cost national and regional rivals, high operating costs, unprofitable long haul routes, and a bloated payroll.
The main question going forward is whether further nationalization or drastic privatization will more effectively resuscitate the airline. Khazanah Nasional, a state investment fund that owns about 70% of Malaysia Airlines, proposed a strategy to recover the national carrier, involving plans to take full ownership of the airline and the most stringent job cuts in the company's history.
Unlike the four previous attempts to restructure the airline, which reneged on plans to scale back the workforce under pressure from politically influential airline unions, the company intends to cut staffing by 6,000 jobs or 30% of the carrier's 20,000 employees. Malaysia Airlines has about 30 percent more staff than comparable airlines, and while the cuts will be painful, the status quo can clearly not be maintained under the prevailing circumstances.
Khazanah Nasional will channel around RM6bn ($2 billion) into reviving the carrier, buying out remaining stock from shareholders, layoffs and other restructuring costs, debt settlement and capital injections. Putrajaya claims these funds are an investment, rather than a bailout, expressing its intention to regain the funds when the airline returns to profitability. One can be forgiven for being skeptical of the carrier’s strategy, taking into account the shortcomings of previous restructuring attempts.
An accumulative sum of RM17.4bn ($5.3 billion) was injected into the airline between 2001 and 2014, and losses of RM8.4bn ($2.6 billion) were incurred nonetheless during that period. Malaysia Airlines reported a net loss of RM443mn ($140.8 million) for the first quarter of 2014. Second-quarter earnings following the unexplained disappearance of MH370 in March saw losses of RM307mn ($97.6 million). The second-half earnings are expected to be even grimmer in the wake of MH17, following reports from the airline that average weekly bookings had declined by 33 percent. The company has lost more than 40 percent of its market value this year and has not made an annual profit since 2010.
Shareholders will be meeting in early November to consider Khazanah’s selective capital reduction proposal plan before the recovery plan can go into effect. Although shareholders will be losing money by selling off their assets for lower prices than they purchased them for, the independent adviser AmInvestment Bank advised that they accept the offer, because without the proposed capital injection from Khazanah, the airline will go under and the share price will collapse. It’s better to lose a finger than to lose an arm.
As budget carriers like AirAsia, which was formally state-owned before being taken private, lead the Southeast Asian market, there are those who will view any further capital injection into Malaysia Airlines as an imprudent use of public funds. Khazanah itself has noted that the RM17.4bn used to restructure the national carrier could have helped improve education or provide water and power to remote villages. It also doesn’t make sense to refer to Khazanah’s move to take full ownership of the airline as a privatization since it is a government investment fund; it’s more like a de-facto nationalization.
At this stage, whether Malaysia Airlines is nationalized or privatized is a periphery concern: the real question is how can it be restructured to viably compete with discount airlines that make up some 58 percent of the air traffic in Southeast Asia? There are concerns going forward that Khazanah lacks the expertise needed to micromanage the airline and implement the kind of solutions needed to shift the balance back toward profitability. Additionally, there will be no minority shareholders to scrutinize the management and provide helpful input under Khazanah’s full ownership of the carrier.
Structural adjustments are needed to make the airline leaner and more efficient if it has any chance of surviving. Long unprofitable routes that require heavy subsidies should be cut with renewed focus on competitively priced medium-haul services within Asia. The fleet of Boeing 777s and Airbus A380s can be sold off and replaced with more fuel-efficient A330s and the A350s designed for shorter distances.
If employees and unions were better informed about the dire ill health of the airline, perhaps they would agree to voluntary pay cuts for a limited period if it meant retaining job security. Under the current circumstances, bonuses should be suspended and the balance sheet should be carefully scrutinized. In addition to rolling out a public relations blitz to repair the image of the company, Malaysia Airlines should emulate some qualities of their rivals’ business models, but differentiate themselves by offering greater value for money to the extent that a full-service airline can provide.
No answers, no closure
As the enquiry continues into the demise of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 over the skies of eastern Ukraine in July, the preliminary findings of the international investigation have done little to develop a clearer understanding of the incident. The parties responsible for bringing down the aircraft, and exactly what means were utilized to do so, have yet to be firmly established.
The Dutch Safety Board (DSB), which is leading the investigation into the MH17 crash, released a preliminary report in September, which sought to analyze air traffic control and radio communication data, assess the inflight break-up sequences, and conduct a forensic examination of the wreckage. Assigning culpability to any party was not in the report’s mandate; the authors of the text use highly guarded and ambiguous language to explain their findings.
Due to the continued obstruction and contamination of the crash site as a result of military hostilities, it is highly questionable whether further forensic examinations can be carried out under such protracted circumstances. Another barrier is a lack of political will to consider certain findings, due to the politically charged nature of the Ukrainian conflict, which has resuscitated Cold War-era hostilities, bringing US-Russia relations to new lows.
Though Ukraine, the United States, and other countries have accused Russia of supplying the rebels with surface-to-air missiles and orchestrating the shoot-down of MH17, those governments have yet to declassify their intelligence on MH17, refusing even to discuss the sources and methodology behind their findings. Comments by Russian officials at the UN and elsewhere indicate that Moscow feels its side of the story has been neglected and overlooked.
The satellite images and military data made public by Moscow, which suggest a completely different series of events, have been entirely absent from the media’s narrative. The Dutch findings conclude that the aircraft abruptly ended its flight after a large number of “high energy objects” penetrated the aircraft from the outside, but does not identify the nature of those objects.
Dutch investigators have wholly omitted findings from radar data submitted by Moscow that purportedly showed a Ukrainian Su-25 fighter jet flying in close proximity to MH17 prior to it disappearing from radar. BBC’s Russian language service broadcasted a report shortly after the disaster where several local eyewitnesses claimed to see a military aircraft in the sky flying in the vicinity of MH17 as it exploded and broke apart. The investigation has a responsibility to address the question of the Ukrainian fighter jet and its possible role in the incident.
The case of MH370 has proven to be the most baffling incident in commercial aviation history and one of the world's greatest aviation mysteries. Despite the largest multinational search and rescue effort ever conducted, not a trace of debris from the aircraft has been found, nor has the cause of the aircraft’s erratic change of trajectory and disappearance been established.
After a fruitless search in the southern Indian Ocean where the plane is believed to have crashed after running out of fuel, the Australian Transport Safety Bureau leading the investigation has admitted that investigators are not entirely sure if the current underwater search is being conducted in the right spot, although Malaysian officials have been more optimistic.
Tim Clark, the CEO and president of Emirates, questioned the methodology used by investigation team to pinpoint the crash site, claiming it was downright “suspicious” that a Boeing 777 could disappear without a trace with its communications being disabled. Clark also raised concerns that the public was not being told the whole truth about the cargo manifest.
The families of the passengers and crewmembers onboard the missing aircraft recently renewed calls for Putrajaya to release the full cargo manifest, which they say was only partially released some two months after the incident, claiming that there were missing gaps in the document. The manifesto claimed that the cargo contained 2.4 tons of lithium ion batteries and radio accessories and chargers consigned for Motorola, and 4.5 tons of mangosteen.
IGP Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar promised the media that authorities would investigate the mangosteen supplier after the Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority claimed that the fruit was not in season, nor were there any orchards in Johor where the mangosteen supplier, Poh Seng Kian, is based. The way in which certain information has allegedly been withheld from the public domain has worked to stoke skepticism that investigators must address.
Inmarsat, the British satellite telecommunications company responsible for analyzing MH370 satellite data, has also come under scrutiny from independent satellite experts and engineers that found glaring inconsistencies in their analysis. The Atlantic magazine published a report in May based on the analysis of Michael Exner, founder of the American Mobile Satellite Corporation, Duncan Steel, a physicist and visiting scientist at NASA’s Ames Research Center, and satellite technology consultant Tim Farrar.
The team of analysts used flight and navigation software to deconstruct Inmarsat’s analysis, and determined that Inmarsat’s data contained irregular frequency shifts, and even when the values were corrected, Inmarsat’s example flight paths failed to match and proved to be erroneous. In other words, these analysts believe there may be grounds to believe that the search is being conducted on the basis of a false mathematical conclusion.
The authors of the report attempted to reach Inmarsat and other relevant bodies, but they claim that the company did not reply to requests for comments on basic technical questions about their analysis, leading them to determine that “Inmarsat officials and search authorities seem to want it both ways: They release charts, graphics, and statements that give the appearance of being backed by math and science, while refusing to fully explain their methodologies.”
While the investigation teams are doing their level best to establish accounts of the two Malaysia Airlines disasters, there is undoubtedly a dimension of political pressure involved that can create various barriers to understanding. The astonishing nature of these two incidents demand that uncomfortable scenarios and questions be addressed and examined. The media still has an important role to play.
This article was appeared in the October 28 and 29, 2014 print edition of The Malaysian Reserve newspaper.
Nile Bowie is an independent journalist and political analyst based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. His articles have appeared in numerous international publications, including regular columns with Russia Today (RT) and newspapers such as the Global Times, the Malaysian Reserve and the New Straits Times. He is a research assistant with the International Movement for a Just World (JUST), a Malaysian NGO promoting social justice and anti-hegemony politics. He can be reached at nilebowie@gmail.com.
Saudi Arabia is shooting itself in the foot by exe...
As Malaysia Airlines bleeds out, twin tragedies ar...
Hong Kong’s ‘Semi-Autonomous Democracy’ is still a...
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Rio de Janeiro - EN
Maracaná
Maracaná (79)
Welcome to the Temple of Football in Rio! In fact, if you are a fan of the world of football, you sure will not associate the name Maracaná with an energy or revitalising drink. The Mario Filho stadium, known worldwide as Maracaná, has hosted, since its construction, unforgettable moments of Brazilian and world football. It represents a fundamental part of Rio's identity and culture, whereas world-famous football players like Pelé and Romario have starred on its lawn.
Maracaná not only boasts a glorious history, but it also imbues Rio with such a mysticism and grandeur that, after its recognition by the National Institute of Historical and Artistic Heritage, the whole building is considered a historical monument of the city.
In fact, you cannot deny that, with a height of more than 68 metres, a width of 105 metres and 124,000 m2 distributed over five levels, its dimensions are impressive to say the least. A concrete monster with a capacity exceeding that of Glasgow's Hampden Park, the then world's largest stadium, with its forty-three thousand seats, for which more than ten thousand workers, seven architects and two years of construction were needed.
Maracaná's construction was started in 1948 with the excuse of holding the World Cup in 1950, although its opening took place a little before the world cup, as it occurred with a friendly match between selected players from São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro on 16 June 1950. The first goal scored in the stadium is attributed to Didí during that friendly match, in which the team from São Paulo won 3 to 1.
But it was during the finals of the World Football Cup of that year when the Maracaná marked the beginning of its history. On 16 July 1950, under the watchful eye of more than two hundred thousand spectators, one of the stadium's greatest moments took place: The Maracanaço.
With the victories of the Brazilian team in the first matches, exaltation among participants was evident. Brazilians proclaimed themselves champions even before the championship started. Shirts, print-readynewspaper headlines, gold watches for national team members ... Everything indicated that the final between Brazil and Uruguay would have a clear winner, despite not having played the grand finale at the Maracaná stadium yet.
Thus, imagine this huge stadium, packed with a bustling and passionate crowd, who stood totally dumbstricken as Schiaffino scored the goal that gave the victory to the Uruguayan team in the very last minutes. It is said that even the then FIFA President, Jules Rimet, went down to the field with the trophy in order to give it to the Brazilians, and only when he was already on the lawn did he learn that Uruguay had won. It was not until 16 July 1989, and thanks to a goal by Romario during the Copa America final against Uruguay, that the Brazilian team achieved the long-awaited rematch on this stage.
Curious enough, you should know that, even today, every time a local team like Botafogo, Vasco, Flamengo or Fluminense loses a match at the Maracaná stadium, they get a heading saying that they have suffered a Maracanaço.
Another event that became known worldwide was the famous 1,000th goal scored by Pelé on 19 November 1969, which was a penalty and where both spectators and photographers jumped onto the field to celebrate this milestone in the world of football. The match was stopped for a few minutes, and then they continued to play knowing that King Pele had madehistory at the Maracaná and in the whole world.
In addition to football, the Maracaná hosts other events like concerts by Tina Turner, Paul McCartney, Sting and Madonna, among others, who have given their performances here. It was also the venue, for example, of the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2016 Olympic Games.
During the stadium's reconstruction in 2014, the lower seat ring was demolished and a new one was created with more access ramps, whereas all seats were refurbished, leaving the stadium with a capacity of seventy-eight thousand spectators. A roof was also built, which, besides protecting from the glaring sunlight, features a modern rainwater collection system. These changes occurred because the Maracaná is the chosen venue for the opening and closing of the Olympic Games in Rio.
If you are so extremely lucky that you are able to watch a football match during your stay in Rio, do not hesitate for a single moment. Immerse yourself in the frenzy, the strength and the passion with which Rio's inhabitants experience football in the stadium with more history in the world; the Temple of Football.
Bonde - Bondinho (64)
Favelas - The Heart of Rio (38)
Imposing Rio - The Weather (4)
The Carnival of Rio De Janeiro (70)
Cidade Maravilhosa (1)
Favelas - Visit (39)
Río 2016 (82)
Copacabana Beach - Reveillon (7)
Imposing Rio (2)
Samba (72)
Favelas - History (37)
Imposing Rio - Safety (3)
Samba Schools (73)
Arcos De Lapa - Lapa Arches (63)
Copacabana (5)
Sambadrome (71)
Sugarloaf Mountain Cable Car (Bondinho del Pao de Açucar) (33)
Arpoador Stone (17)
Copacabana Beach (6)
Ipanema Beach (13)
Metropolitan Cathedral (66)
Santa Teresa (67)
Tijuca National Park (36)
Calçadão De Copacabana (9)
Corcovado Rack Railway (35)
La Garota De Ipanema - The Girl From Ipanema (14)
Municipal Theatre (52)
Selarón Staircase (65)
Christ of Corcovado - Christ The Redeemer (34)
Imperial Palace (49)
Lapa (62)
Quinta Da Boa Vista (76)
Sugarloaf Mountain (Pao de Açucar) (32)
Belmond - Copacabana Palace Hotel (8)
Christ of Corcovado - Trivia (84)
City of Samba (74)
Fort Copacabana (10)
Laranjeiras (28)
Mercado São José Das Artes (31)
Olympic Park (81)
Praça General Osorio (16)
Río-Niterói Bridge (80)
Tiradentes Palace (50)
Botafogo and Flamengo (24)
Christ of Corcovado - Views (85)
Confeitaria Colombo (45)
Igreja Nossa Senhora Do Outeiro (42)
Largo Do Boticario (40)
Monastery of San Benito (47)
Palacio Do Catete - Museu Da Republica (41)
Praça XV (48)
Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon (21)
Botanical Garden (23)
Church of the Candelaria (57)
Convent of San Antonio (46)
Ilha Fiscal - Fiscal Island (58)
Leblon (18)
Monument to the Dead (60)
Palacio Laranjeiras (29)
Real Gabinete Portugués De Leitura (44)
São Cristovão Fair (75)
Christ of Corcovado - History (83)
Cinelandia (51)
Elevador Do Cantagalo - Mirante Da Paz (15)
Leblon Beach (19)
Museum of Image and Sound (11)
Parque Das Ruinas (Ruins Park) (69)
Rio De Janeiro's Zoological Garden - Rio Zoo (78)
The Centre (43)
Bank of Brazil Cultural Centre (56)
Museu Internacional De Arte Naïf (30)
National Museum of Fine Arts (53)
Villa-Lobos Museum (26)
Carmen Miranda Museum (27)
Museum of Tomorrow (59)
National Museum of Rio de Janeiro (77)
Chacra Do Ceu Museum (68)
National Center for Folklore and Popular Culture (61)
The Eva Klabin Museum (22)
MAM - Museum of Modern Art (54)
National History Museum (55)
The Museum of the Indian (25)
Un atardecer de diez en Río de Janeiro
LALIst: 5 experiencias ineludibles en Río
LALIst: 10 caipirinhas inolvidables en Río de Janeiro
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Home Page » News » Warasav The Warsaw Voice Daily News
PM: first quarter seen most difficult for Polish economy
Beyonce to give concert at Warsaw's National Stadium
Palikot Movement motions for dismissal of deputy Sejm Speaker
Polish banks to tighten credit criteria - survey
IMF renews FCL for Poland praising country’s strong fundamentals
Poland’s annual consumer inflation rate below target of 2.5pct
Poland's public debt in 2012 below 55% of GDP - Finance Ministry
Economy Ministry upholds Poland’s 2012 GDP growth forecast at 2.3pct
President Komorowski named politician of the year - poll
Poland to delay tightening harmful gases' emission quotas
Poland’s Treasury to use state-owned stakes to boost investment
Polish banking sector profit seen decreasing next year
Gov’t party PO increases advantage over rival PiS - poll
Poland plans to achieve common pre-school education from September 2016
Poland fourth poorest country in the EU: report
Energy market watchdog approves 10% gas price cut
Russia vows to return presidential plane wreck, Polish media skeptical
PKO BP entitled to pay dividend from 2012 profits: CEO
Polish banks in good condition but slowdown visible: central bank
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Warasav The Warsaw Voice Daily News
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Domestic Relations Court
About the Judge
About Judge Smith
Judge Beth A. Smith
Judge Beth A. Smith was first elected Judge of the Mahoning County Domestic Relations Court in November of 1996. She was re-elected to the bench in November 2002 and again in November 2008 without opposition. In November of 1988, Judge Smith became the first woman elected as a Judge in the history of Mahoning County when she was elected as a Judge of the Mahoning County Area Court, initially assigned to Sebring. Judge Smith graduated from South Range High School in 1974 and she obtained her B.A. Degree from The Ohio State University in 1978. She obtained her Law Degree from Ohio Northern University in 1983. The protection of children from the stresses of divorce and the enforcement of child support remain Judge Smith's top priorities.
"It is my hope that through the extensive information available on this website, you will gain greater access to your court and an increased understanding of the way the Court operates."
- Judge Beth A. Smith
120 Market Street Youngstown OH 44503
Magistrates and Staff Attorney
Court Staff
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Links to news items about legal and regulatory aspects of Internet and the information society
FR - Jeux en ligne: la Française des Jeux et le PMU défendent leur monopole face à Bwin
(ZDNet France)
Les dirigeants du site de paris sportifs Bwin.com ont été mis en examen par la police française. Ils risquent plusieurs années de prison pour avoir violé le monopole d´État de la FDJ et du PMU, en proposant aux internautes français de parier en ligne. La police française a arrêté les deux patrons de la société de paris en ligne Bwin.com.
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Fiscal Decentralisation and Ethnic Politics in Macedonia
Aleksandra Maksimovska Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, Faculty of Law Istinianus Primus, Blvd. Goce Delcev 9, 1000 Skopje
Aleksandar Stojkov Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, Faculty of Law Istinianus Primus, Blvd. Goce Delcev 9, 1000 Skopje
Patrick Schmidt Macalester College, Department of Political Science, 1600 Grand Avenue, Saint Paul, Minnesota
Keywords: fiscal decentralisation, federalisation, ethnic diversity, multi-ethnic politics, Macedonia
Competing ethno-centered strategies over the local fiscal resources can seriously undermine political and economic stability of ethnically diverse societies. This study investigates the causal link between ethnic diversity and local government finances by focusing on the case of Macedonia. In particular: whether fiscal decentralization is used as a part of broader strategy for prevention and mitigation of inter-ethnic conflicts. The main argument is that low level of political culture and inter-ethnic tensions are frustrating the development of the government policy along a course of decentralization. The study confronts two emerging scenarios regarding decentralization and inter-ethnic relations. The first scenario puts the economic development at the forefront for country’s stability and treats decentralisation as a driving force to achieve this goal. Ethnic problems are expected to be solved along this path as rising economic stability reduces the inter-ethnic tensions. In the second scenario, the inter-ethnic stability is the main pillar of the country’s stability, which is expected to be accomplished through decentralisation. The paper analyses and synthesizes pros and cons of two scenarios from administrative, legal, political and economic perspectives.
Aleksandra Maksimovska, Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, Faculty of Law Istinianus Primus, Blvd. Goce Delcev 9, 1000 Skopje
Aleksandar Stojkov, Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, Faculty of Law Istinianus Primus, Blvd. Goce Delcev 9, 1000 Skopje
Patrick Schmidt, Macalester College, Department of Political Science, 1600 Grand Avenue, Saint Paul, Minnesota
Aisling, L. (2013) Challenges to Municipal Fiscal Autonomy in Macedonia, Publius: The Journal of Federalism, 44(4), pp. 633-658, doi:10.1093/publius/pjt032.
Aisling, L. (2015) Political Decentralization and the Strengthening of Consensual, Participatory Local Democracy in the Republic of Macedonia, Democratization, 22(1), pp. 1–22, doi:10.1080/13510347.2013.834331.
Alesina, A. & La Ferrara, E. (2005) Ethnic Diversity and Economic Performance, Journal of Economic Literature, 43(3), pp. 762–800, doi: 10.1257/002205105774431243.
Arzaghi, M. & Henderson, J. V. (2005) Why Countries Are Fiscally Decentralizing, Journal of Public Economics, 89(7), pp. 1157–1189, doi: 10.1016/j.jpubeco.2003.10.009.
Beramendi, P., & Maíz Suárez, R. (2004) Spain: Unfulfilled Federalism (1978-1996), In: Bermeo, N. G. &. Amoretti, U. M., (eds.) Federalism and Territorial Cleavages (Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press), pp. 123-155.
Bird, M. R. & Vaillancourt, F. (2001) Reconciling Diversity with Equality: The Role of Intergovernmental Fiscal Arrangements in Maintaining an Effective State in Canada, International Tax Program Papers 0406, International Tax Program (Toronto: Institute for International Business, Joseph L. Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto).
Bird, R. M., Vaillancourt, F. & Édison, R.-C. (2010) Is Decentralization “Glue” or “Solvent” for National Unity?, International Center for Public Policy Working Paper Series, at AYSPS, GSU paper1003 (Atlanta, GA: International Center for Public Policy, Andrew Young School of Policy Studies, Georgia State University).
Bodman, P & Hodge, A. (2010) What Drives Fiscal Decentralisation? Further Assessing the Role of Income, Fiscal Studies, 31(3): pp. 373–404, doi:10.1111/j.1475-5890.2010.00119.x.
Brancati, D. (2006) Decentralization: Fueling the Fire or Dampening the Flames of Ethnic Conflict and Secessionism?, International Organization, 60 (3), pp. 651–685, doi:10.1017/S002081830606019X.
Brinkerhoff, D. W. (2005) Rebuilding Governance in Failed States and Post-Conflict Societies: Core Concepts and Cross-Cutting Themes, Public Administration and Development, 25(1), 3–14, doi: 10.1002/pad.352.
Collier, P. (2001) Implications of Ethnic Diversity, Economic Policy, 16(32), pp. 127–166, doi: 10.1111/1468-0327.00072.
Curtice, J. (2006) A Stronger or Weaker Union? Public Reactions to Asymmetric Devolution in the United Kingdom, Publius: The Journal of Federalism, 36(1), 95–113, doi: doi:10.1093/publius/pjj006.
Duncan, C. R. (2007) Mixed Outcomes: The Impact of Regional Autonomy and Decentralization on Indigenous Ethnic Minorities in Indonesia, Development and Change, 38(4), pp. 711–733, doi:10.1111/j.1467-7660.2007.00430.x.
Eaton, K. (2006) The Downside of Decentralization: Armed Clientelism in Colombia, Security Studies, 15(4), 533–562, doi: 10.1080/09636410601188463.
Elkins, Z. & Sides, J. (2007) Can Institutions Build Unity in Multiethnic States?, American Political Science Review, 101(4), pp. 693–708, doi: 10.1017/S0003055407070505.
Epstein, D., Leventoğlu, B. & O’Halloran, S. (2012) Minorities and Democratization, Economics & Politics, 24(3), 259–278, doi: 10.1111/j.1468-0343.2012.00403.x.
Fearon, J. D. & Laitin, D. D: (2003) Ethnicity, Insurgency, and Civil War, American Political Science Review, 97(1), pp. 75–90, doi: 10.1017/S0003055403000534.
Feruglio, N., Martinez-Vazquez, J. & Timofeev, A. (2008) An Assessment of Fiscal Decentralization in Macedonia, International Center for Public Policy Working Paper Series, at AYSPS, GSU paper0814 (Atlanta, GA: International Center for Public Policy, Andrew Young School of Policy Studies, Georgia State University).
Hardgrave, R. L. (1993) India: The Dilemmas of Diversity, Journal of Democracy, 4(4), pp. 54–68, doi: 10.1353/jod.1993.0052.
Horowitz, D. L. (1991) A Democratic South Africa? Constitutional Engineering in a Divided Society (Berkeley: University of California Press), doi: 10.2307/485464.
Jenne, E. K., Saideman, S. M. & Lowe, W. (2007) Separatism as a Bargaining Posture: The Role of Leverage in Minority Radicalization, Journal of Peace Research, 44(5), pp. 539–558, doi:10.1177/0022343307080853.
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Lustick, I. S., Miodownik, D. & Eidelson, R. J. (2004) Secessionism in Multicultural States: Does Sharing Power Prevent or Encourage It?, American Political Science Review, 98(02), pp. 209–229, doi: 10.1017/S0003055404001108.
Maksimovska, A. & Stojkov, A. (2013) The Future of Fiscal Decentralization in Southeastern Europe: What is on the Horizon?, Lex Localis – Journal of Local Self-Government, 11(3), pp. 325-343.
Martinez-Vazquez, J. & Timofeev, A. (2008) Fiscal Perspective of State Rescaling, International Center for Public Policy Working Paper Series, at AYSPS, GSU paper0806 (Atlanta, GA: International Center for Public Policy, Andrew Young School of Policy Studies, Georgia State University).
Martinez-Vazquez, J. (2010) Decentralization Measures Revisited, Public Finance & Management, 10(1), pp. 13–47.
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Montalvo, J. G. & Reynal-Querol, M. (2005) Ethnic Polarization, Potential Conflict, and Civil Wars, American Economic Review, 95(3), pp. 796–816, doi: 10.1257/0002828054201468.
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Saideman, S. M., Lanoue, D., Campenni, M., & Stanton, S. (2002) Democratization, Political Institutions, and Ethnic Conflict: A Pooled, Cross-Sectional Time Series Analysis from 1985-1998, Comparative Political Studies, 35(1), pp. 103-129.
Siegle, J. & O’Mahony, P. (2007) Assessing the Merits of Decentralization as a Conflict Mitigation Strategy (University Park, PA: Pennsylvania State University), available at: http://dai.com/news-publications/publications/assessing-merits-decentralization-conflict-mitigation-strategy (April 2, 2014).
Sorens, J. (2008) Regionalists Against Secession: The Political Economy of Territory in Advanced Democracies, Nationalism and Ethnic Politics, 14(3), pp. 325-360, doi: 10.1080/13537110802289670.
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Mattie Bigham
I’ve created hundreds of characters over the years. Some were heroes in every sense of the word. Some were anti-heroes (my favorite kind!), who reluctantly took on something they never thought they would. Some started on a journey for which they’d never be the same. They’ve been male, female, children, husbands, wives, editors, writers, police officers, news reporters, pilots and more. Some have been ill-tempered. Some have been misguided. Some have been sunshiny and inspiring.
But none have been like Matthew Bigham.
Mattie, as I like to call him and as he hates to be called, has been with me for awhile. It’s hard to describe the process of creating a character. Some come instantly and fit right into a story. Others take time to mold, mostly in my subconscious and mostly from strange longings and scars of my own past. Mattie had an identity long before he had a face…or a body. He was kind of a culmination of suffering, a kind soul whom life had beaten to a bloody pulp. When I first met Mattie in my mind, he wasn’t overweight or bullied. He was just lost. But then I had to find out why he was lost. And soon a mental picture of him began to form in my mind. I saw his eyes first. They were wide, staring, almost childlike in innocence and scared with every blink. Then I knew he ate too much. He ate every time he was scared or frustrated. I knew this because I did it too.
Although I’ve never been obese, I have struggled for many years with comforting myself with food. Food never failed me, at least in the short term. I knew it would eventually, and eventually it did, but when I was stressed to the max about this or that, I’d go get something to make me feel better…a Dr. Pepper, cheese nachos, dark chocolate. I had my favorites and they didn’t fail me.
As I thought more about Mattie, I knew that often what we fear and hurt about in our adult years often have roots in our childhood. So from there, I knew Mattie was bullied when he was a kid. For being fat.
As some of you know, my family has suffered through bullying. It’s about as painful as it gets. I will never forget my son looking at me with tear-filled eyes and saying, “How am I going to go through the rest of my life this unlikable?” It literally felt like a knife was stabbed through my heart. I felt actual pain as I processed what he said, how he was viewing himself, what the world had told him and what he believed.
So, too, had Mattie believed this about himself, and as the world became even less kind to him, food became his closest friend.
Except we meet Mattie long after that. We meet him after food has betrayed him. We meet him on the cusp of a murder plot.
One of the most challenging tasks a writer can have is to make likable an unlikable character. Nobody likes a murderer. But as we dig a little deeper into Mattie, as we watch him try to pull off this murder plot, we begin to see what has turned this big man’s heart black. And I think we also see the real Mattie, the man behind all the weight and anger and bitterness…a gentle man who cherishes his wife, wants a good friend, and wishes he’d made some healthier choices.
I knew when I wrote Escapement that Mattie Bigham was going to be a controversial character. I mean an obese guy who is plotting murder? Yeah, warm and fuzzy, right? I didn’t quite calculate, however, that he’d be really misunderstood by some. And really despised by others. Escapement is my eighteenth book, so rest assured I’ve seen some really insulting reviews over the years. I mean, give someone an anonymous place to vent, and they’re going to rip you to pieces. Sure, I’ve had good, even great, reviews too. My point is that this isn’t my first rodeo.
But what’s been particularly interesting with Escapement is how insulted some people seem to be at his very existence. It’s not that they don’t like the story, or that they’re against a would-be murderer, but they’re actually against him. It’s like they’re mad that he even exists. Sure, this is fiction, but Mattie Bigham does exist, in each of our lives. I think Mattie touches a nerve because Mattie represents all that repulses us about ourselves. Mattie, by all accounts, is weak. He’s tormented. He’s unbearably loathsome. He’s snarky, ill-tempered and hardly ever accurate in his assessment of himself or others. In other words, Mattie is a lot like us. Maybe we have a weight problem, maybe we don’t. But the truth is that we all carry the weight of a fallen world, a fallen soul and a track record of failure. It’s just that sometimes it takes a fictional character for us to see it in ourselves.
One day I was standing at a street corner with my two children. We each were holding a Big Gulp filled with soda, sipping it through a straw, observing people as we waited. A couple walked by, both puffing on cigarettes. The smoke kind of gagged us as it lingered behind them. I could see both my kids’ faces twist up in disapproval. Granted, they’ve practically been brainwashed at school about tobacco (thank goodness) so they’re pretty irate about it and consider it pure evil. My son begins his rant. “I hate cigarettes. They’re so bad for you. Why would they do that, Mom? Why would they smoke when they know how bad it is for them?” “And us!” my daughter added, angrily gesturing toward the haze in front of us. But the hate quickly spread from the smoke to the smoker. My son continued. “I hate smokers,” he said as he cast an angry glare their direction. I sat there for a moment, trying to decide how to approach this ordeal. Sure, I wanted my kids to not touch a single cigarette in their lives. But I didn’t want them to hate smokers, either. “Why do you think they smoke?” I asked the kids. They gave me their theories. “To look cool” was at the top. I said, “Well, cigarettes can give you a relaxed feeling. That’s what’s appealing about them. They make you feel relaxed. They make you feel good.” “Well! They’re still bad for you!” one of them said emphatically. Ha. Trapped. “So are sodas,” I said nonchalantly. “Especially Big Gulps.” They both looked down at the drinks in their hands. “It’s not the same,” they said. “Oh? Well, high sugar consumption can lead to diabetes and heart failure,” I said. “And other problems too.” I cast a knowing look toward them. “We should probably give up sodas.” “Nooo!” they protested. “But we drink them even though we know they’re bad for us,” I said. “And it doesn’t sound like we’re going to be able to stop drinking them very easily.” They stood there silently, watching the smokers, realizing they weren’t so far from the people they’d just proclaimed they hated.
And it’s like that for us, too. Why does society in general tend to hate fat people or drunks or gamblers? Because the truth is that we know we’re just like them. Maybe we’re not fat. But we’re definitely fallen. And because we’re fallen, there’s some kind of chink in what is surely very small armor. Most of the time we won’t admit it, but we’re just one step away from that slippery slope of self-destruction. There, but for the grace of God, go I.
I brought Mattie Bigham into the world so he could find some peace in his life. Granted, it’s short lived, on this earth anyway, but I wanted to make the point that we all have holes in our hearts. And I’m not really saying that figuratively. I think we have a true, empty space there that longs to be filled. It is my belief that it can only be filled by God. Mattie has to travel an awfully long, painful, and regret-filled journey to figure this out. But I think we’re lucky enough to go on the ride with him, and maybe learn a few lessons that will save us some grief along the way.
One reviewer was so disgusted with the character that she claimed she would probably not even read the rest of the 7 Hours series. Now that’s quite a disliking, wouldn’t you say? But I’m willing to bet she’s much more like Mattie than she cares to admit. Maybe Mattie is a visual reminder for us that we’re all weighed down in this world. It’s impossible not to be. Look at the rich and famous. They’ve got everything anyone could ever want, but they’re killing themselves with booze, drugs and suicide, because at the end of the day they know that really, they have nothing but themselves, and they don’t like what they see. It’s a hard thing to stare down ourselves in a mirror and admit we’re completely messed up. Even on my best day, I’m a mess. Truly. And on my worst day? Well, you don’t even want to know.
That’s why I like Mattie. That’s why we’re friends. It’s because we’re alike. And that’s why I think, if you’ll give him a real chance, you’ll like him too. Be forewarned, Mattie is not an easy pill to swallow. He’s bitter. He’s misguided. He’s snarky. And he’s about to make the worst mistake of his life. He’s no typical hero. But then, very few are.
OTHER 7 HOURS CHARACTERS
Travis Thrasher Mike Harden is someone who has lived through loss and tragedy and managed to move on from it. I've often written about characters stuck in the past and unable to move forward. Mike is someone deliberately running from the past and almost ignoring what happened. What happens in Teardrop ends up bringing Mike back to the past in order to deal with it. He's a former cop and a take-charge, tough guy. Yet as the story unfolds, Mike realizes you can't always take charge of everything in your life. Sometimes it's okay to admit you're broken.
James Andrew Wilson When crafting the main character for my 7 Hours story, All of Our Dreams, I wanted to create a young man who was completely committed to his wife, for better or for worse, in sickness and in health. Loyalty is rare these days with divorce being about as common as coffee. Luke Harrison is a dreamer, a man with grand ideas for his life. When his wife develops a terminal disease, those dreams are torn from him. Instead of wallowing in Woe Is Me Land, or tossing his vows in the trash and leaving his wife to a lonely, terrible fate, he stays with her. He forms his entire life around her care and comfort. He's a hero, not because he carries a gun and battles nefarious villains, but because he forsakes his own desires so that he can bless his wife. Does this make Luke uncommon--too good to be true? In a day and age where we're taught that loyalty means being true to yourself--yes, perhaps he is. But he shouldn't be, and that's why I think his story is worth telling.
Ronie Kendig Haytham “Hawk” Wilson is a die-hard soldier, so when his team is ambushed and everyone dies—except Hawk—he’s shattered. There are so many compelling true military stories that parallel Hawk’s plight, and it breaks my heart to read about them. And the media seems intent, often, on vilifying our military heroes, so I wanted to take a “what if” approach to this mission for Hawk. What if. . .what if he made the right choice. What if he should go back and kill the boy? What if. . .he shouldn’t? What if he wasn’t wrong in the first place? It’s easy as an armchair observer to “judge” those in combat and say they should’ve done X or Y, but until we’ve been in their shoes, we should reserve our judgment and extend our prayers to guide and protect these heroes.
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Trubisky, Howard lead Bears over hapless Bengals 33-7
(AP Photo/Frank Victores)
By JOE KAY
CINCINNATI (AP) Rookie Mitchell Trubisky knew there would be plenty of openings against Cincinnati's depleted defense.
The Bears exploited every one of them for their most-lopsided victory in five years.
Trubisky threw for a touchdown and ran for another in his best showing yet, and Chicago ended a five-game losing streak by routing the lackluster Cincinnati Bengals 33-7 on Sunday.
Jordan Howard ran for 147 yards and a pair of touchdowns as the Bears (4-9) dominated a matchup of the NFL's worst offenses.
Their rookie quarterback took full advantage of an aggressive game plan, completing a career-high 25 passes out of 32 attempts for 271 yards. He also ran 4 yards for a score.
"We just had fun doing it," said Trubisky, who has completed 37 of 47 passes in the past two games without an interception. "We trusted the plan, went out there and let it loose."
The Bengals (5-8) were coming off a 23-20 loss to the Steelers on Monday night that crushed their playoff hopes and gutted their defense.
The Bears piled up a season-high 482 yards against a unit missing starting cornerbacks Adam "Pacman" Jones and Dre Kirkpatrick as well as linebackers Vontaze Burfict and Nick Vigil.
"We knew they were banged up on that side of the ball and we wanted to take advantage," Trubisky said.
The Bengals described themselves as embarrassed by their worst home drubbing since a 34-3 loss to Baltimore in 2008. Many of the 52,002 fans headed for the exits early in the fourth quarter.
"I'm at a loss for words today," said coach Marvin Lewis, whose contract is up at the end of the season.
Everyone in the NFL's lowest-ranked offense had a big game. Tarik Cohen ran for 80 yards, and Kendall Wright caught 10 passes for 107 yards - the first Bears receiver to top 100 yards this season.
Andy Dalton was picked off for the first time since Oct. 22 in Pittsburgh, ending his career-best streak of 193 attempts without an interception.
The interception set up Trubisky's 1-yard touchdown pass that put the Bears in control 26-7 early in the fourth quarter, their biggest lead of the season.
"Definitely embarrassing," said Bengals receiver A.J. Green, who had a dozen passes thrown his way but managed only five catches for 64 yards. "It's been a strange season for me."
TOPPING 1,000
Howard has rushed for 1,032 yards this season. He's the first Bears running back to start their career with consecutive 1,000-yard seasons.
"There's a great running back tradition here, a lot to live up to," Howard said. "So to do so, it's a great feeling."
ROUGH WELCOME
The Bears signed kicker Mike Nugent after Cairo Santos went on injured reserve with a groin injury during the week. Nugent spent seven seasons with the Bengals, who released him last season after a streak of missed field goals and extra points. He was booed loudly whenever he came onto the field to kick.
Nugent missed an extra-point attempt - he hit the right upright - after Chicago's first touchdown, but was good on every other kick, including field goals of 34 and 27 yards.
"You're going to think of some of the negative stuff, but I had a really good time playing here in Cincinnati," Nugent said. "I hated to see my run here end."
HUGE NUMBERS
The Bears' big offensive game came on the heels of two of their worst. They managed only 140 and 147 yards in losses to the Eagles and 49ers the past two weeks.
AJ & AJ
Green went in to play defense on Chicago's desperation pass at the end of the first half, which fell incomplete - Green wound up with the ball. Backup quarterback AJ McCarron got his first playing time of the season, filling in during the closing minutes. He was 4 of 8 for 47 yards with a sack.
ILOKA'S DAY
Bengals safety George Iloka initially was suspended one game for his hit to Antonio Brown's head during the Steelers' win on Monday. The suspension was overturned on appeal. Iloka had eight tackles, third on the team.
Bears: Right guard Kyle Long went on injured reserve with a shoulder injury, but the Bears' offensive line had its way as Chicago piled up 29 first downs, more than double Cincinnati's total.
Bengals: Running back Joe Mixon was inactive because of a concussion suffered on Monday night. Giovani Bernard carried 11 times for 62 yards as Cincinnati's offense managed only 234 yards.
The Bears play at Detroit on Saturday. They lost to the Lions 27-24 on Nov. 19.
The Bengals play at Minnesota on Sunday, facing former defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer.
For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL
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Arts, Media & Disability
By Jeremy Einbinder
As those in the disabled community fight for a more inclusive society, they often find that the toughest battles are with entrenched viewpoints about disability rather than any personal physical or intellectual challenge. Two recent articles highlight how culture surrounding disability has a profound impact on the way people respond to it in the real world.
In theater, disability representation may sometimes be perceived as lacking, or, if present, inadequate. There is little doubt that any story revolving around disability is rich with potential, but this rarely translates into opportunities for performers with disabilities. The New York Times article, “Actors With Disabilities Are Ready, Willing and Able to Take More Roles,” presents a rare instance of such roles being assigned to actors with the disabilities inhabited by their characters, as is the case with Greg Mozgala and Katy Sullivan, who star in “Cost of Living.” However, in the past several years of Broadway, numerous plays have included physically or cognitively disabled characters whose parts have gone to non-disabled actors. The culture surrounding disabled portrayal seems to be one of celebration at the ability of an actor to mimic the hardship of those who actually live with disabilities on a daily basis, a perspective that even Sullivan celebrates as “putting on someone else’s soul.” Writing in The Times, however, Howard Sherman, the interim director of the Alliance for Inclusion in the Arts only sees this practice as taking an opportunity away from a capable disabled performer. There is a reason, the article expands, why blackface is no longer applauded.
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/30/theater/actors-with-disabilities-are-ready-willing-and-able-to-take-more-roles.html?_r=0
To combat the images that circulate in popular culture regarding disability, Alice Wong created the Disability Visibility Project. Wong is an activist who was born with Spinal Muscular Atrophy, and in a piece with NBC News, she protests the fact that disability is so commonly portrayed as a tragic story, “There are so many characters with disabilities who feel like their lives aren’t worth living.” With disability so commonly a looming mystery among a population that fears how they would react in a similar situation, it is difficult for people who tell these stories to recognize the humanity in disabled people. “You don’t see many characters with disabilities who are just living their lives,” Wong said. Wong wants to encourage those with disabilities to record their oral histories and simply tell their stories as they see fit, an attitude absent from most media outlets. However, in a world where disabled access is often such an afterthought, this is hardly surprising.
http://www.nbcnews.com/news/asian-america/disability-activist-challenges-media-misconceptions-visibility-project-n600521
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Barcelona struggling in attack entering decisive stretch
Prized defender De Ligt undergoing medical with Juventus
(AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani)
By TALES AZZONI
MADRID (AP) Suddenly, scoring has become a problem for Barcelona's prolific attack.
And it's happening at a bad time, with the team entering the decisive stretch of the season.
Luis Suarez is going through a slump, Ousmane Dembele hasn't proven himself as a starter, and even Lionel Messi has struggled recently.
Barcelona has scored only twice in its last four matches in all competitions. It has won only one of its last five games, being held scoreless in two of its last three matches.
"We've tried to score in every possible way," Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde said after the team's 0-0 draw at Lyon in the Champions League on Tuesday. "We've created many chances but couldn't capitalize on them. Soccer is about creating opportunities and capitalizing on them, and we haven't been able to do that."
Before the recent struggles, Barcelona had won five of six matches in all competitions, outscoring opponents 17-4.
Messi scored only once in his last four games since recovering from a right leg muscle injury, with the only goal coming from a penalty kick in last weekend's 1-0 home win against Valladolid in the Spanish league, when he also missed from the penalty spot.
Messi had scored in nine straight matches before hurting his leg in a 2-2 league draw against Valencia.
Dembele has been playing better recently - having started in two straight games - but he has scored only three goals in his last eight matches.
But the biggest concern is with Suarez, who has only two goals in his last 10 matches.
The Uruguay striker has produced some uncharacteristic mistakes in front of the goal, making poor decisions with the ball and wasting some easy chances that he would normally not miss. It happened a few times against Lyon in the Champions League, and also in previous matches.
"I'm not worried," Valverde said. "I would be worried if he hadn't been creating opportunities, which is what you ask from a striker. Although he hasn't been scoring, he has been helping his teammates."
The squad has come out to support the striker, who has 18 goals in 36 appearances for club and country this season.
"Strikers need goals, but we can't only expect that from Luis," Barcelona midfielder Sergio Busquets said. "The work he does to help the rest of the team is important. This bad streak will eventually end."
Goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen said the players know they can always count on Suarez.
"He always does everything possible to be at his best," the goalkeeper said. "We hope he can start scoring again soon so he can regain his confidence."
Barcelona will need Suarez to be at his best as it faces a difficult stretch of matches that could ultimately decide its season.
The Catalan club visits Sevilla in the Spanish league on Saturday, then has two consecutive matches against Real Madrid at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium - one in the second leg of the Copa del Rey semifinals and another in the league. It then hosts Lyon in the second leg of the round of 16 of the Champions League.
Barcelona has a seven-point lead over Atletico Madrid in the Spanish league, with Real Madrid nine points behind.
More AP soccer: https://apnews.com/apf-Soccer and https://twitter.com/AP-Sports
Tales Azzoni on Twitter: http://twitter.com/tazzoni
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The Best People
Barone September 26th, 2018
I’m not sure I know what a hero is. Sure, I’m well-versed in comic book lore and know a fair bit about mythology and folklore, but these are archetypes, and, you know, pure fucking fantasy. Heroes in the real world are an entirely different matter. They work for the Peace Corps, stand up for racial injustices and other selfless acts of bravery. I wouldn’t call myself a hero, though the young raccoon I once rescued from its battle against an empty bag of Cheetos might tell you otherwise. But I’m also fairly certain that writing an anonymous op-ed to a venerable newspaper doesn’t classify as heroic.
Ballsy, maybe, but ballsy and heroic are two different things. Ballsy is, like, wearing a Giants jersey in the bleachers at Dodgers Stadium. “Look at the balls on this guy,” a Dodgers fan may say to one of his or her buddies, even though we are safe to assume that this hypothetical person in a Giants jersey is wearing pants and the balls we’d been requested to take a look at would be obscured from view. I suppose attending any public event completely pantsless would also classify as ballsy—bordering on brazen, even. I think what I’m saying here is doing something ballsy is cool and all, if that’s your thing, but it’s not necessarily something you should be revered for. It’s just a thing you do that someone else may remark upon. You shouldn’t expect to be praised for committing an act of ballsy-ness. Like, say, devoting a whole paragraph of your column to the word “ballsy” when you’ve only got so much space to work with and this thing only comes out every couple of weeks. I guess I’ve wasted another chance to get that Pulitzer.
It’s also ballsy to even run such an op-ed in the first place. (I’m just going to assume that you know what I’m talking about, because I’ve already wasted enough space deconstructing the word “ballsy.”) The New York Times has been in business a long time, and because of this thing called the internet, it hasn’t been easy for print publications to stay afloat. The one thing the Times has going for it is it’s the goddamn New York Times. I’d like to believe that they wouldn’t publish an anonymous op-ed from a senior White House official if they weren’t certain that this source was credible and had some clout within the Trump administration. Sure, you could say that the shock value alone is reason enough to run with it and dominate the news cycle until the next tell-all book comes out or the next indictment gets handed down. But if it turns out that whoever wrote this anonymous op-ed was, like, someone in the mail room or something, then you’re going to end up looking pretty bad.
On Sept. 8, James Dao, New York Times’ Op-Ed editor, answered some questions about how this whole business came to be on Nytimes.com.
“We’ve certainly read excellent news stories that quoted anonymous officials making similar points and criticizing the president’s temperament and chaotic style,” Dao wrote in response to one reader’s question as to the Times’ thought process in deciding to run with an anonymous byline. “What distinguished this essay from those news articles was that it conveyed this point of view in a fleshed-out, personal way, and we felt strongly that the public should have a chance to evaluate it for themselves.”
Dao also wrote that they were introduced to the author through an intermediary, but had direct contact with the author as well.
Who’s the culprit? Who knows. I wouldn’t be surprised if everyone in the cabinet chipped in to write it, and they just released it as “anonymous” so they’re all kind of covered. I mean, because that’s what a hero would do.
What bothers me most about the whole thing is that even though there are “adults” in the room who are saving the republic from complete and utter collapse, supposedly, they’re still kind of OK with this dude being president. He’s “amoral” and needs to have his “worst inclinations” frustrated, but it’s fine that he’s got the launch codes and is palling around with all these dictators. It’s fine. They’re adults. They’re just gonna write this here essay that’s going to make the crazy amoral orange man freak the fuck out, because, um, reasons. Thank you for your service …?
There’s going to come a time, many years from now, when our grandkids are going to ask us about all this, and we’re going to say, “How about we just tell you how babies are made?”
**This column first appeared in print on page 30 of issue #274 (Sept. 12 – 26, 2018)**
Progressive Agenda
One Man’s Cruel and Unusual is Another Man’s Pleasure
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Active Shooter Standard Development
As the nation endures a rising toll of mass shootings, NFPA responds with a groundbreaking new provisional standard addressing preparation, response, and recovery for active shooter and other hostile events
BY ANGELO VERZONI
America’s deadliest mass shooter came prepared.
Before Stephen Paddock killed 58 people and wounded more than 500 others at the Route 91 Harvest outdoor music festival on the Las Vegas Strip last fall, police and federal records show that the 64-year-old researched—and even visited—other locations and events as potential targets. He Googled SWAT team tactics, ballistics data, building heights, and terms such as “do police use explosives.” Paddock spent years legally accruing an arsenal of firearms that included more than a dozen semi-automatic AR-15 rifles, a type of firearm often used in mass shootings, and devices called bump stocks that allow those guns to fire like fully automatic rifles.
On September 25 and 26, Paddock and unsuspecting hotel staff ferried over 20 duffel bags stuffed with weapons and ammunition up to a pair of rooms he had reserved on the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino. On the night of October 1, Paddock unleashed a storm of bullets from the window of one of those rooms into the crowd of some 20,000 people below who were attending an outdoor country music festival.
“It was just total chaos,” one concertgoer, who was drinking and laughing with a friend when shots rang out, told the New York Times. At first they thought it was fireworks. Then they saw a man fall to the ground with blood spurting from his neck. “People [were] falling down and laying everywhere,” she said. “We were trying to take cover and we had no idea where to go.”
Concertgoers weren’t the only ones confused. When Craig Cooper, chief of special operations for Las Vegas Fire Rescue, arrived on scene, it had been determined that the bullets were coming from an aerial position, but responders weren’t sure how many shooters were involved. To make matters worse, the open-aired venue meant the scene kept spreading as the shooting continued. “Victims were either carried or moved themselves blocks away from where the event occurred,” Cooper told me in an interview in March. This resulted in inaccurate reports of other shootings in the area. “Our concept of what an event like that would look like was completely shaken up,” he said.
Despite the bloodshed and graphic reportage, it didn’t take long for the country to collectively move on from Las Vegas and shift its mourning elsewhere. Just over a month after the Las Vegas shooting, a gunman killed 26 people at a church in Sutherland Springs, Texas. Three months after that, a gunman killed 17 people, mostly teenage students, at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida.
Ten of the 15 deadliest mass shootings in modern United States history have occurred in the last 12 years, claiming the lives of over 250 people, according to multiple sources. The other five occurred over a 40-year span, from 1966 to 2006, claiming 85 lives. In a sea of divergent viewpoints over what constitutes a mass shooting and what trends are actually occurring, the definitive answer is that mass shootings are becoming more frequent, and they’re becoming deadlier.
Against this backdrop, conversations began taking place among NFPA stakeholders on whether the organization had a role to play in addressing the problem, and what that guidance might look like. Both of those questions have been answered. In March, a committee of more than 40 public safety experts, with backgrounds ranging from law enforcement to medicine to government to the fire service, including Cooper, met at NFPA headquarters in Massachusetts to review public input and finalize the language for a groundbreaking new standard. NFPA 3000™ (PS), Active Shooter/Hostile Event Response (ASHER) Program, provides a roadmap for first responders, medical professionals, community leaders, emergency management officials, facility managers, and the public as they prepare for, respond to, and recover from active shooter and other hostile events. (The PS stands for “provisional standard,” which means it was released faster than a regular NFPA standard.) And as we’ve learned from incidents like the Las Vegas shooting, when attackers are meticulously prepared to kill, communities nationwide must be equally well-prepared. The standard became available for purchase May 1.
NFPA 3000 is based on four main principles: unified command, integrated response, planned recovery, and whole community. In interviews with NFPA Journal, NFPA 3000 technical committee members shared their personal experiences with active shooter and hostile events and often tied them back to these four principles to show both what went well in past events and what didn’t—lessons that were woven into the new standard.
“NFPA can’t prevent these tragedies, but we do think there is more to be done in how they are responded to,” NFPA President and CEO Jim Pauley wrote in a blog after the Parkland shooting. “NFPA has sped up its typical standards development process to develop the world’s first standard to help communities prepare, respond, and rebound from hostile events. … While no standard or code in the world can prevent horrific attacks from occurring in the future, NFPA 3000 is intended to make communities better-equipped to deal with such tragedies.”
‘Talking the same language’: unified command and integrated response
In the early hours of June 12, 2016, Omar Mateen opened fire with a rifle inside Pulse, a crowded nightclub in Orlando, Florida. Forty-nine people were killed in the incident, and Mateen became, for a time, the nation’s deadliest mass shooter.
As the event unfolded, first responders converged outside the building. Although they had trained together for such incidents, command and communications at the scene broke down. It was like a game of telephone, Otto Drozd, chief of Orange County Fire Rescue in Florida, told me in an interview last year. Rather than a single unified command post, there was a police officer at the fire command post who communicated over the radio to a dispatcher who communicated to the police command post.
Drozd reiterated this in March. “When we looked at the communications piece after the Pulse incident, what we found was that police had their command post and fire had their command post, where it should’ve been a unified command post with face-to-face communication,” he said. “That’s a portion we’re really focusing on within NFPA 3000.”
Despite their training, many aspects of the incident surprised Drozd’s department and the Orlando police and fire departments. Not only was communication difficult, but the logistics of working with the many outside agencies that came to Orlando in the aftermath, including the FBI, also presented challenges. The experience prompted Drozd, in October, 2016, to officially submit a request for NFPA to develop a standard on preparedness and response to active shooter and hostile events.
The unified command principle that Drozd stressed surfaced in nearly all of my interviews with committee members, who spoke candidly about its importance. “Unified command is incredibly important,” said Joe Alvarez, a lieutenant with the Fresno Police Department in California. “Police have a set of information and so does fire, and when reasonable and feasible, as soon as possible, there’s a huge benefit to coming together to share our knowledge so we can direct our resources to where they need to be rather than where we individually think they should be.”
“Even when we have fires or small-scale incidents, we have to work better with our law enforcement partners,” said Julie Downey, chief of Davie Fire Rescue in Florida, which responded to an airport shooting in Fort Lauderdale in January, 2017, and was on standby during the Parkland shooting. “As the scene gets larger—say we have a fight or a single person shot—we’re trying to get in and treat the person, but it’s also a crime scene, so we see a lot of issues when we’re not sharing information and we’re not respecting each other’s roles. A unified command has to happen, especially on larger-scale incidents.” Downey said she hopes the primary thing that comes out of the development of NFPA 3000 is fire and EMS working better with law enforcement, including sharing information. “It just has to happen,” she said.
Establishing a common terminology is an important product of unified command, Downey said, and it could mean the difference between life and death for victims. She’s seen agencies from multiple jurisdictions respond to the same incidents but refer to the same things differently, such as using the terms “ambulance exchange point” and “loading zone” to refer to the place where transport vehicles are available to take patients to the hospital. “The fire department calls building sides by A, B, C, or D, and law enforcement says 1, 2, 3, or 4,” Downey said. “So even things like that, we just have to do a better job of communicating and sharing information so we’re talking the same language.”
A common language is even more critical in active shooter events, she said. “If we don’t get a rescue task force in that warm area very soon, people are going to die. Four to six, maybe seven minutes, if we can’t get in and they’re bleeding and someone inside hasn’t already initiated care, they’re going to die while we’re outside talking about ‘you’re going to A,’ or ‘you’re going to 1.’”
It wasn’t long ago that moving a rescue task force into a warm area, as Downey describes, would’ve been unheard of. (Hot, warm, and cold are used to describe the danger level in descending order in a given area during these events.) But today, an understanding exists that the quicker firefighters and paramedics can get to victims and the more police officers can be involved in administering medical care, the better chance victims have of surviving. This idea of an integrated response between police, fire, and EMS is featured heavily in the standard.
It’s a shift that began to occur following the Virginia Tech shooting in 2007, during which a gunman killed 32 people on the Virginia Polytechnic Institute campus in Blacksburg, Virginia. “Rather than waiting outside, rather than waiting for patients to be brought to them, we’ve seen [fire and EMS] be more aggressive [in recent years],” said Richard Serino, chair of the NFPA 3000 technical committee. Serino spent over three decades working in Boston EMS before becoming deputy director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency within President Obama’s administration and now works at the Harvard School of Public Health. At the same time, Serino said, law enforcement has become more focused on administering medical care during active shooter and hostile events.
“What we’re learning now is we cannot be siloed in our individual areas of concern,” said Dr. Ricky Kue, an EMS physician in the Boston area. “While law enforcement is worried about perimeter security, neutralizing the threat, and keeping any more deaths or injuries from happening, they’re also recognizing now that they have to be players in addressing bleeding and getting victims out to definitive care. … At the same time, EMS and fire personnel who have traditionally not worked in what we consider a law enforcement environment now recognize that we have to have some degree or ability to respond [in those areas] in these events.” Kue in part credits a well-executed unified command and integrated response with the fact that, in the Boston Marathon bombing in 2013, every injured person who was transported to a hospital survived.
In the Las Vegas shooting, these principles were also executed well, Cooper said. “Unified command was established rather quickly,” he told me, “and it helped with the sharing of information and the coordination of all aspects of the response. Can we do better? We can always improve, but all things considered, it went really well.”
‘It can happen anywhere’: preparing for the worst
Las Vegas officials knew the city, a global tourism hub, was a target for an incident like the October 1 shooting. But what they and NFPA 3000 committee members will also tell you is that these events can happen anywhere—even an idyllic New England town of 27,000 residents like Newtown, Connecticut. In 2012, a gunman killed 26 people inside the town’s Sandy Hook Elementary School. Most of the victims were six- and seven-year-old children.
“Newtown was the kind of place that you would never expect something like that to happen,” said Dr. Richard Kamin, a trauma physician at the University of Connecticut, who responded to the incident in an advisory role with law enforcement. “But as has been shown over and over again, the unpredictability of these active shooter events and a lot of the hostile events around the world [mean] we can no longer assume that, just because where we live seems to be one of these places where you wouldn’t expect it to happen, we can sit back and rest on the fact that it won’t happen.”
“It can happen anywhere,” John Montes, the NFPA staff liaison to NFPA 3000, said about active shooter and hostile events in April, during an NFPA 3000 presentation to NFPA staff members. He displayed a heat map of recent active shooter events in the United States that illustrated the point; while there were higher concentrations of incidents in a couple of larger metropolitan areas, essentially no corner of the country was left unscathed. Kamin said he hopes NFPA 3000 will provide communities everywhere with that awareness and a sense of the need to be prepared.
For all communities, a critical part of preparation is conducting a risk assessment, as outlined in NFPA 3000, to identify the locations that are most at-risk for an active shooter or hostile event, and then making sure the people who are in charge of those locations, such as facility managers, are prepared.
“Facility managers need to be mindful that when events occur in their facility, they’re going to be the first responders,” said Jeff Sarnacki, an NFPA 3000 committee member who has worked as a facility manager overseeing more than 40 high-rise buildings. “People who are already there have to be prepared to respond quickly to save lives. Police, fire, EMS will get called and they will show up, but a lot will occur prior to their arrival. That’s the critical piece, that gap between an event and when first responders can make it to the scene.”
Facility managers can prepare by readying their buildings in various ways, such as ensuring accessibility for first responders and readying occupants by conducting drills and trainings, Sarnacki said. His buildings, for example, were equipped with elevators for first responders and bleeding control kits that selected staff members were trained to use. “We tried to make sure we had a group of people we knew were going to be at the building trained [in first aid, CPR, and bleeding control],” he said. “The more we can train the better off we are.”
‘It goes on and on and on’: planned recovery and the whole-community approach
All this preparation, however, must occur with the knowledge that these events ultimately can’t be eradicated. Therefore, preparation must also account for the recovery process, which begins the moment an incident occurs. For many communities that have experienced an event like an active shooter, returning to a sense of normalcy can take years.
In March, when I asked Cooper how Las Vegas was doing almost six months after the Mandalay Bay shooting, the first thing he said was “Vegas Strong”—a slogan that has come to embody the city’s sense of resiliency after the shooting in the same way “Boston Strong” did after the marathon bombing. Then he provided a more detailed answer laced with a heavier dose of reality. “It’s not something that’s going to be forgotten overnight,” Cooper said. “I could have never imagined it to be as far-reaching as it was. … There are people who weren’t even at the event who had friends there, and as they start telling the story of their friends, they start crying. It affects the entire community.”
The far-reaching and long-lasting nature of these events, which one NFPA 3000 committee member likened to “tentacles,” was a common thread in my conversations with those who came from communities that had experienced recent or large-scale incidents. Downey said the same thing about Parkland that Cooper said about Las Vegas that Drozd said about Orlando. “The shooting is over and then it’s the next day and the next day and all of these things have to happen for recovery—recovery for the responders with PTSD and all of the things occurring with them, and then all of the victims and their families,” Downey said. “It goes on and on and on.”
To address this challenge, NFPA 3000 instructs communities to be prepared for recovery before an incident occurs. Plans need to be in place, for example, to provide mental health treatment to first responders and to set up a recovery center for victims and victim families, rather than scrambling to plan and implement these resources after the fact. These were lessons learned in Orlando. “That scene didn’t end in three or four hours—that scene continues today,” Drozd told me in an interview one year after the Pulse shooting.
When the NFPA 3000 technical committee met for its second meeting in Orlando last September, members visited the shuttered Pulse building. Coincidentally, the owner was there, and committee members shared with her their efforts to write NFPA 3000. She was optimistic about the new standard, and was mostly drawn to how it emphasized the need to take a whole-community approach to recovering from these incidents—that is, recognize that businesses, organizations, and individuals who weren’t directly connected to the event can be negatively affected. “She really highlighted the importance of the whole-community concept,” Drozd told me in March. “It’s not just the firefighters or the police or the hospitals, it’s the entire community. With incidents like Orlando, Las Vegas, Sutherland Springs, wherever these things happen, it has community-wide impacts. … Her focus was on how we take care of families, how we take care of the victims in the aftermath, how you bring a community to normalcy, if that’s even possible, because a lot of these things leave an indelible mark on communities.”
On a more granular level, each individual touched by an active shooter or hostile event has their own road to recovery, separate from the community’s, and many of the NFPA 3000 technical committee members have waged these personal battles with recovery—and seemingly won. They drew on those experiences as they wrote the standard.
Kamin, the doctor who responded to Sandy Hook, is a good example. As a first responder or doctor, exposure to death is often a part of the job. But as Kamin will tell you, nothing can prepare you for walking into a scene like the one he encountered at Sandy Hook.
When he talked with me about that experience, Kamin paused frequently as he tried to come up with the right words to describe a situation that lends itself to speechlessness. “I walked out of that school and I was really afraid that I was broken, and that my ability to be a dad and a husband and a doctor and a friend had been completely turned upside down,” he eventually told me. “And I was very, very grateful and very happy when someone said, nope, you shouldn’t expect that as long as you … take care of yourself, get help when you need it, don’t do things that are destructive, and just let this process take shape.” The key words in that sentence are “as long as you,” and NFPA 3000 provides a framework for creating a list of things to be done to aid in recovery for both responders and the community as a whole.
“It’s critical that we advocate for resources to be available,” Kamin said. “With the right resources, you can go through an event and not automatically be broken.”
‘Nothing worthwhile is easy’: Meeting the need
In October, 2016, when Drozd submitted the request for NFPA to develop a standard like NFPA 3000, he cited the need for such a document with statistics. “Between 2000 and 2013, over 160 active shooter events have occurred within the United States, killing 468 and injuring over 550,” he wrote on the new project initiation form. That was before Las Vegas, Sutherland Springs, Parkland, and others. The Las Vegas shooting alone injured nearly as many as had been hurt in the numbers cited by Drozd.
The need for NFPA 3000 couldn’t be clearer. While committee members were at NFPA in March, news broke of an active shooter at a high school in Maryland. I watched as members scrubbed the news for updates on the incident via their cell phones. Not long after they left, another shooting occurred at YouTube’s headquarters in California.
Ultimately, that need and a shared goal of saving lives are what powered committee members through a grueling four days of finalizing the new standard. Members frequently clashed over how specific the document should be and how it should be worded to address competencies for each group involved. Law enforcement, for example, doesn’t have the codes and standards the fire service has had for decades, and a lot of consideration was given to the apprehension law enforcement agencies might experience when faced with a document that outlines what they should do to prepare for responding to these incidents.
In the end, committee members knew nothing like NFPA 3000 had been done before, and it was too important to let a perceived cultural divide between police and firefighters stall the process. “When we started this thing, we knew it would be difficult,” Drozd told members on the final day of their meeting. “But nothing worthwhile is going to be easy.”
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Scott Supak's Shared Items
Important reading from other sources shared by Scott Supak.
How polarisation in Washington affects a growing feeling of partisanship | Harry J Enten | Comment is free | guardian.co.uk
The Republicans are the problem.--SS
How polarisation in Washington affects a growing feeling of partisanship | Harry J Enten :
The average Democrat was a little north of -0.4 after the 1992 elections and right at -0.4 in the last congress. This percentage has been fairly constant for the past 20 years even when the Democrats won more swing and red districts when they won back the majority from 2007 to 2011.
There has, however, been an increase in partisanship in the house, and it truly is "asymmetrical".
The Republican House caucus has been becoming more conservative every year since 1977, whether or not House Republicans are winning or losing elections. Republicans have climbed from 0.4 on the DW nominate scales after the 1992 elections to near 0.7 in the last congress. That type of charge towards polarization is historically unusual over data that stretches back 130 years.
Go read the whole thing.
Silencing the Science on Gun Research
The GOP has a way of shutting that whole science thing down.--SS
Silencing the Science on Gun Research:
The nation might be in a better position to act if medical and public health researchers had continued to study these issues as diligently as some of us did between 1985 and 1997. But in 1996, pro-gun members of Congress mounted an all-out effort to eliminate the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Although they failed to defund the center, the House of Representatives removed $2.6 million from the CDC's budget—precisely the amount the agency had spent on firearm injury research the previous year. Funding was restored in joint conference committee, but the money was earmarked for traumatic brain injury. The effect was sharply reduced support for firearm injury research.
To ensure that the CDC and its grantees got the message, the following language was added to the final appropriation: “none of the funds made available for injury prevention and control at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention may be used to advocate or promote gun control.”
Brooks Jackson Uses Annenberg FactCheck to Push for Cuts to Social Security
I am always surprised at how uneducated people are about Social Security. Read your Dean Baker, people!--SS
Brooks Jackson Uses Annenberg FactCheck to Push for Cuts to Social Security:
The Very Serious People have taken off the gloves. There are no rules when it comes to the battle over Social Security and Medicare as Brooks Jackson shows in his "FactCheck" on the use of the chained CPI to index the Social Security cost-of-living adjustments (COLA).
Jackson strongly endorses the use of the chained CPI, describing it in the first sentence as "a more accurate cost-of-living adjustment." The chained CPI would have the effect of reducing the annual COLA by approximately 0.3 percentage points. This reduction would be cumulative (e.g. 3 percent after 10 years, 6 percent after 20 years), leading to an average cut in lifetime benefits of approximately 3 percent for the typical beneficiary.
To push his case, Jackson seriously misrepresents the evidence. There is reason to believe that a chained index provides a better measure of inflation, since it takes account of the substitution between goods. However, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) has been producing an experimental elderly index (CPI-E) for almost three decades, which has generally shown a somewhat more rapid rate of inflation than the standard CPI currently being used to index Social Security benefits. The CPI-E would imply that the current COLA has been underadjusting for inflation, not overadjusting.
Jackson notes the CPI-E, but dismisses it as:
"an unpublished, 'experimental' index"
He then cites BLS's warning that:
"'any conclusions drawn from it should be used with caution.' BLS also concedes that the CPI-E has a number of shortcomings because it simply re-weights the price data collected for its regular price surveys, without attempting to collect some important data specific to seniors."
Given that this experimental index has shown evidence that the elderly see a higher rate of inflation than the population as a whole, it would seem that anyone concerned about having an accurate measure of the rate of inflation experienced by the elderly would want to see the BLS construct a full CPI-E. In fact, several hundred economists recently signed a statement calling on BLS to construct such an index. This would be the obvious route to go for anyone interested in an accurate index for the inflation adjustment of more than $10 trillion in Social Security benefits over the next decade.
In addition to belaboring the obvious, that the CPI-E is an experimental index, Jackson also misleadingly presents evidence. He tells readers;
"Another shortcoming [of the CPI-E] that BLS readily admits is that the “elderly” index takes no account of “senior discounts” available on such purchases as movie tickets, car rentals, train tickets, public transportation, chain restaurants and so forth."
While Jackson presumably wants readers to believe that this omission means the CPI-E would overstate the rate of inflation seen by the elderly, that implication does not follow. It is true that the elderly are eligible for certain discounts, which means that they would face lower costs on the discounted items than other consumers. However, the CPI is not measuring levels of prices, it is measuring changes in prices.
This means that the relevant factor for purposes of calculating the rate of inflation seen by the elderly is whether senior discounts are getting larger or smaller through time. The fact that such discounts exist tells us zero about the rate of inflation seen by the elderly.
Jackson also notes that the recent slowing of health care costs has caused the gap in the rate of inflation shown by the CPI-E and the standard CPI to disappear in the last few years. [The weight of health care in the CPI-E is close to twice as large as its weight in the standard CPI. More rapid growth in health care costs is the main reason that the CPI-E has shown a higher rate of inflation than the standard CPI.] While this is true, Jackson failed to draw out the logical implication of this comment.
If the slowdown in health care costs continues, then the official projections of spending on Medicare, Medicaid, and other health care programs are hugely overstated. These projections assume that health care costs will increase far more rapidly than the overall rate of inflation. This means that either projections for government spending on these programs are overstated, and therefore projected deficits are overstated, or alternatively the closing of the gap in the inflation rates shown by the CPI-E and the overall CPI is temporary.
In other words, if the projections of large future budget deficits are accurate, then the CPI-E will show a higher rate of inflation than the overall CPI. This is not the only situation where Jackson fails to acknowledge the implications of his own claims. He also cites the Boskin Commission report that claimed that the official CPI overstates the true rate of inflation by 1.1 percentage point annually. (A 2000 survey of surviving commission members by the Government Accountability Office put the annual overstatement at 0.8 percentage points, after the BLS had made a number of changes in the CPI.)
If this overstatement is true, it means that living standards are rising much more rapidly than our data show and that official projections imply. For example, instead of average real wage growth being 1.1 percent annually, if the Boskin Commission is correct, average annual real wage growth has been almost 2.0 percent. This implies that young people will be far wealthier than we imagined. In 2042, the average real wage will be close to 80 percent higher than it is today.
This should hugely impact how we view intergenerational equity issues, since the Boskin Commission's claim on the overstatement of inflation also implies that older people were much poorer growing up than our data show. (If wages and income have been growing more rapidly than our data show, than the levels in the past would be lower than our current data indicate.) It would be rather perverse to use evidence showing that the elderly were poorer than we believed and the young will be richer as a rationale for cutting benefits for the elderly, ostensibly to improve the plight of the young.
The concluding statements in this "factcheck" are simply illogical. It tells readers:
"We take no position here as to whether benefits for seniors are too high or too low, whether future cost-of-living adjustments should be higher or lower, or how income-tax brackets should be adjusted in the future. ....
"But it’s just a fact that leading economists have said for many years that the current CPI overstates the true rate of inflation. So using it to index federal programs produces more spending and less revenue than a more accurate measure would justify."
The assertion in the last sentence that using the current CPI to adjust benefits, "produces more spending and less revenue than a more accurate measure would justify" is clearly taking a position on "whether future cost-of-living adjustments should be higher or lower."
Again, there is a simple answer for those who want a cost-of-living adjustment that accurately measures the rate of inflation for the elderly: have BLS construct a full elderly index. Brooks Jackson instead used FactCheck to argue for a reduction in Social Security benefits.
Washington Doesn't Have a Spending Problem. It Has a Healthcare Problem. Period.
Seems K-Drum has been reading Dean Baker; we spend twice as much per person on health care as the rest of the civilized world, and that is the thing that is driving our long term debt.--SS
Washington Doesn't Have a Spending Problem. It Has a Healthcare Problem. Period.:
Earlier today I wrote a post saying flatly, "We don't suffer from runaway spending." Our only long-term problems are an aging population and rising healthcare costs. That's it. In case you, or a conservative loved one, doesn't believe this, here's a chart I posted last year that tells the basic story of federal spending:
First off, notice that total federal spending is down—not up—from its peak during the Reagan-Bush years. More specifically, the category that contains domestic discretionary spending and miscellaneous mandatory spending ("Other") has been on a steady downward slope for decades. It spikes a bit during recessions, but that's about it.
Interest expense is also down. Defense spending swelled back up to late-80s levels after 9/11, but is otherwise down over the long term too. And Social Security spending is pretty flat, though it will go up a point or two over the next few decades before it levels out again. The only category that's on a long-term upward slope is Medicare.
In other words, we don't have a discretionary spending problem. We don't have an interest expense problem. Once we withdraw from Afghanistan we don't have a big defense spending problem. And Social Security, at worst, is a very small and very manageable problem.
Our only serious problem is Medicare, thanks to an aging population and rising healthcare costs. That's it. End of story. If you actually care about federal spending, that's the only thing you should be focused on. Pundits and talking heads who complain generically about "out-of-control spending" are either (a) ignorant of basic budget facts or (b) engaged in agitprop.
NOTE: This chart deliberately stops at 2008 in order to show historical trends more clearly. The numbers in the chart have spiked over the past four years because the recession has temporarily depressed GDP and temporarily increased spending, but that spike will disappear naturally as the economy recovers—just as it has after every other recession. It's not an indication of a long-term spiral in federal spending.
Scalia, civil rights, and murder
Shorter Scalia: If we can't outlaw homosexuality, then we can't outlaw anything!--SS
Scalia, civil rights, and murder:
Last week, the Supreme Court set the stage for a historic moment on American civil rights, agreeing to hear challenges to both the Defense of Marriage Act and to California's Prop. 8. It will be the justices' most important foray into the debate over marriage equality, and has the potential to overturn a series of discriminatory laws.
But while we wait for the judicial process to unfold, it appears one justice's vote is already pretty obvious.
Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia spoke at Princeton last night, and a student asked why the far-right jurist equates laws banning sodomy with those barring bestiality and murder.
"I don't think it's necessary, but I think it's effective," Scalia said, adding that legislative bodies can ban what they believe to be immoral. [...]
"It's a form of argument that I thought you would have known, which is called the 'reduction to the absurd,'" Scalia told Hosie of San Francisco during the question-and-answer period. "If we cannot have moral feelings against homosexuality, can we have it against murder? Can we have it against other things?"
The justice added that he wasn't equating sodomy with murder.
No, of course not. What could possibly give people that idea?
It's too soon to say how the justices will rule on the gay-rights cases, but I'm going to go out on a limb and say Scalia's vote is not in doubt.
Once upon a time in 1956, there were Republicans who supported unions and Social Security
Pro-union Republicans? What a concept!--SS
Once upon a time in 1956, there were Republicans who supported unions and Social Security:
My goodness, how things have changed:
Can you imagine anything like this today? It's not just that it's Republicans saluting labor and increased union membership. It's Republicans celebrating expanded Social Security—a program they're fighting tooth and nail to cut today despite its massive popularity. Indeed, today's Republicans are fighting basically every indicator of prosperity and a strong middle class mentioned in this image, and so many more, from safe bridges to well-funded schools to well-maintained sewer systems.
(Via @litterof6)
How Does the Post Know that Both Democrats and Republicans Ignore Financial Markets?
Apparently Dean Baker is unaware that after the Iraq War fiasco, the Washington Post (and many other newspapers) invested in mind reading technology.--SS
How Does the Post Know that Both Democrats and Republicans Ignore Financial Markets?:
The fact that the United States can borrow long-term at very low interest rates indicates that actors in financial markets are not concerned about large U.S. budget deficits. Odds are that these people recognize that the large current deficits are the result of the economic collapse that followed in the wake of the bursting of the housing bubble. They probably also know that if the deficit were smaller it would just mean slower growth and higher unemployment.
Given this reality, it is interesting how the Post could know that:
"$4 trillion in deficit reduction over the next decade [is what] both sides believe is necessary."
We all know what the politicians in both parties are saying, but of course politicians often do not say what they actually believe. It would be interesting to know how the Post has determined what the leadership of the two parties actually believe about the economy.
Nectar Hills Designs on Etsy
Nectar Hills Designs on Etsy:
Our friends at Nectar Hills Farm have started an Etsy store: Nectar Hills Farm Designs. The store features handmade sheep skin pillows, handbags, and hats, plus this amazing Scottish highlander cow skull.
This is a great way to shop for gifts that will help support our local organic farmers!
The lessons Rove is reluctant to learn
Karl Rove has another poll!--SS
The lessons Rove is reluctant to learn:
A couple of weeks ago, an ABC News/Washington Post offered Republicans some bad news during the ongoing debt-reduction talks: the clear majority of Americans back President Obama and oppose the GOP's ideas. Yesterday, a Quinnipiac poll showed similar results: the public trusts Democrats when it comes to the fiscal fight, and by a wide margin, want to see higher taxes on income over $250,000.
But Karl Rove, who still has a column in the Wall Street Journal, insists Republicans are on the right track anyway.
While Americans favor raising taxes on the wealthy, a Winston Group poll two weeks ago (conducted for the GOP House leadership) found just 26% of respondents agreeing that "given the state of the deficit, those making over $250,000 a year should have to pay 40% of their income in federal taxes." Some 68% disagreed.
For now, let's put aside the fact that Rove is mischaracterizing how marginal income tax rates work. Instead, let's consider the question about polling.
In this case, we have public polls, conducted by independent organizations, which show the public siding with Democrats and strongly supporting higher taxes on the wealthiest Americans, returning them to the rates they paid during the Clinton era. On the other hand, Rove has a Republican poll, conducted for Republican lawmakers, that says most of the public agrees with the conservative position.
Refresh my memory: how did it work out for the GOP the last time Karl Rove urged his party to overlook independent polls and focus more on partisan polls that told Republicans what they wanted to hear?
Dave Brubeck Changed the World of Jazz
My thoughts on Dave Brubeck.--SS
Dave Brubeck Changed the World of Jazz:
My Dad taught me that Dave Brubeck changed the way the world thought about Jazz. Mr. Brubeck, who died today, one day short of his 92nd birthday, recorded an album, Jazz at Oberlin, that literally changed the way the world thought about, and listened to, Jazz.
The concert is credited with making jazz a legitimate field of musical study at Oberlin, but it and the album did much more that. The album is further credited with initiating making jazz a subject of serious intellectual attention in a listening-centric environment; Wendell Logan, the chair of Oberlin's Jazz Studies Department, described it as "the watershed event that signaled the change of performance space for jazz from the nightclub to the concert hall".
In addition, it was one of the early works in the cool jazz stream of jazz; The Guardian's John Fordham wrote that "indicated new directions for jazz that didn't slavishly mirror bebop, and even hinted at free-jazz piano techniques still years away from realisation"; he further observed that it "marked Brubeck's eager adoption by America's (predominantly white) youth - a welcome that soon extended around the world ... for a rhythmically intricate instrumental jazz".
Just listening to the album now takes me back to my youth, when I would listen to Dad play it--loud, so loud that you could hear it up the hill behind the house, all the way up to the shed (which he later tore down and put a hot tub on the slab), all the way up to the Kumquat tree, where I would sit on a limb and listen while looking at the view of the San Fernando Valley.
Of course, I was just one of many kids who's Dad taught him about Brubeck. Brubeck inspired many generations of musicians. While I tend more toward John Prine than Jazz, the influence is there, and it makes up a part of who I am musically--from what I play to what I listen to to this day.
High-Speed Traders Profit at Expense of Ordinary Investors, a Study Says - NYTimes.com
Free markets!-SS
High-Speed Traders Profit at Expense of Ordinary Investors, a Study Says - NYTimes.com:
"The chief economist at the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, Andrei Kirilenko, reports in a coming study that high-frequency traders make an average profit of as much as $5.05 each time they go up against small traders buying and selling one of the most widely used financial contracts."
Republicans not handling election results well
#wingnutastic
Republicans not handling election results well:
49% of GOP voters nationally say they think that ACORN stole the election for President Obama. We found that 52% of Republicans thought that ACORN stole the 2008 election for Obama, so this is a modest decline, but perhaps smaller than might have been expected given that ACORN doesn't exist anymore.
Some GOP voters are so unhappy with the outcome that they no longer care to be a part of the United States. 25% of Republicans say they would like their state to secede from the union compared to 56% who want to stay and 19% who aren't sure.
Only 25%? The Magic Crazy number is usually 27%! Go read the whole thing for more fun with #wingnutopia!
The Case for Creationism
A Whitney Brown!
The Case for Creationism:
There are some things that can be known and other things which must be taken on faith, like science. Either you believe that or you do not, and both sides have equal standing. These postulates are self evident, and not open to argument.
Go read the whole snarky thing. Classic A Whitney. Be sure to read his comments, too.
Lindsey Graham Commits Huge Gaffe: Shows Complete Lack of Understanding on the Budget
Lindsey Graham, supposed GOP budget expert, doesn't have a clue about how the budget works. Why am I not surprised?--SS
Lindsey Graham Commits Huge Gaffe: Shows Complete Lack of Understanding on the Budget:
The Post neglected to point out that Senator Lindsey Graham, a Republican often cited on budget issues, is apparently badly confused about the basics of the budget. A Post piece quoted Graham as saying:
"This offer doesn’t remotely deal with entitlement reform in a way to save Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security from imminent bankruptcy."
This statement is absurd on its face. Medicaid is paid out of general revenue, it makes no more sense to say that Medicaid faces bankruptcy than to say that the Commerce Department faces bankruptcy. While the same is true of Medicare Part B and Part D, the Hospital Insurance portion of the program (Part A) is funded by a trust fund with a designated revenue source that is first projected to face a shortfall in 2024. If the projections prove correct, at that point it would lack sufficient revenue to pay full benefits.
While this would be a problem, it is worth noting that, contrary to the criticisms made by Graham in the piece, President Obama's reforms have extended the projected solvency of the program from 2016 to 2024. They have also eliminated more than two-thirds of the projected 75-year shortfall.
In the case of Social Security, the projections from the Congressional Budget Office show that the program can pay all scheduled benefits through the year 2035 with no changes whatsoever. Even after that date it would be able to pay close to 80 percent of scheduled benefits for the rest of the century, leaving future beneficiaries with benefits that considerably exceed those of current retirees.
The Post should have pointed out that what Graham asserted was nonsense, since many readers may not have recognized this fact. Actually, this astounding gaffe should have been the focus of the piece, since Graham is often treated by the media as an expert on the budget. It is probably worth noting that Graham typically presents views on the budget that are similar to the Post's editors.
Corporate profits are highest-ever share of GDP, while wages are lowest-ever
The amazing split between corporate profits and private sector wages really took off when GW Bush became President. Who'd have thunk it?--SS
Corporate profits are highest-ever share of GDP, while wages are lowest-ever:
Red is corporate profits; blue is private sector wages
Corporations are doing well. Workers, not so much. That could be the opening of just about any discussion of the American economy at least over the past couple years since corporations recovered from the great recession while workers didn't. But that's because there are always new specifics coming out to illustrate the point. Like this: after-tax corporate profits were a record share of the gross domestic product in the third quarter of 2012. Wages were the smallest share of GDP they've ever been.
Profits accounted for 11.1% of the U.S. economy last quarter, compared with an average of 8% during the previous economic expansion. They fell as low as 4.6% of GDP during the recession.
A separate government reading shows that total wages have now fallen to a record low of 43.5% of GDP. Until 1975, wages almost always accounted for at least half of GDP, and had been as high as 49% as recently as early 2001.
Once again, the 1970s are the tipping point where the balance of power shifts decisively toward business and away from working people. This is not, as corporate mouthpieces would have us believe, because of an inevitable force of history, but because corporations decided to exert power to make it this way. And it's causing people to suffer. It's devaluing work. It's devaluing the human beings who do the work. But hey, profit!
(Via Think Progress)
McRage
McRage:
By David Fitzsimmons, Cagle Cartoons, The Arizona Star
December 4, 2012 Don’t You Dare
December 3, 2012 Boehner Plays a Weak Hand
Walmart Wants Taxpayers to Pick Up Health Care Costs
Free markets!--SS
Walmart Wants Taxpayers to Pick Up Health Care Costs:
Walmart has found yet another way to give its already underpaid employees the short end of the stick. According to a copy of the company’s health care policy obtained by The Huffington Post, the nation’s largest private employer will begin to deny insurance to new employees who work fewer than 30 hours a week. The company can also choose to eliminate health coverage for current workers whose hours dip below the 30 hour threshold.
The decision would shift the financial burden from Walmart, which already rakes in exorbitant profits every year, to you, the taxpayer.
“Walmart likely thought it didn’t need to offer this part-time coverage anymore with Obamacare,” Nelson Lichtenstein, the director of the Center for the Study of Work, Labor and Democracy at UC Santa Barbara, told The Huffington Post. “This is another example of a tremendous government subsidy to Walmart via its workers.”
Still think you’re saving money by shopping at the big-box retailer?
The Huffington Post:
Labor and health care experts portrayed Walmart’s decision to exclude workers from its medical plans as an attempt to limit costs while taking advantage of the national health care reform known as Obamacare. Among the key features of Obamacare is an expansion of Medicaid, the taxpayer-financed health insurance program for poor people. Many of the Walmart workers who might be dropped from the company’s health care plans earn so little that they would qualify for the expanded Medicaid program, these experts said.
“Walmart is effectively shifting the costs of paying for its employees onto the federal government with this new plan, which is one of the problems with the way the law is structured,” said Ken Jacobs, chairman of the Labor Research Center at the University of California, Berkeley.
For Walmart, this latest policy represents a step back in time. Almost seven years ago, as Walmart confronted public criticism that its employees couldn’t afford its benefits, the company announced with much fanfare that it would expand health coverage for part-time workers.
Ross Douthat Thinks Sub-Saharan Africa Is the Richest Region on Earth
Math is hard, huh Ross?--SS
Ross Douthat Thinks Sub-Saharan Africa Is the Richest Region on Earth:
That is the implication of his column decrying the falling birthrate in the United States and other wealthy countries . Douthat seems to believe that we face some terrible fate if the population of the United States stagnates or even declines.
People who follow the news probably would see things differently. Given the urgent need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to slow global warming, the prospect of a smaller population should be seen as a huge bonanza. The story is quite simple, if we have 20 percent fewer people, we should expect our emissions of greenhouse gases to be roughly 20 percent less. Since the U.S. ranks near the top in terms of emissions per person, slower U.S. population growth is especially important to the world.
While some have made a big deal out of the projected decline in the ratio of workers to retiree, those familair with arithmetic know that the impact of even low rates of productivity growth swamps the impact of a lower ratio of workers to retirees.
Source: Author's calculations.
It is unfortunate if financial insecurity discourages people who want children from having them, but from the standpoint of economy and the country, a smaller population should be seen as good news.
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Varsity Trounces Lapeer East
Varsity Breaks Losing Streak
There's no doubt it is a down year for the Lapeer East Eagles. They're young and inexperienced, but it was all business for the Dragons as they trounced the home team 21-0 in the first game and 16-1 in the nightcap. The sweep gave the Dragons a 9-9 record in the Flint Metro League, which is their first non-losing record since joining the Metro. They improved their overall record 20-15 with 2 final non-league games versus Carman-Ainsworth remaining. They will be played on senior/parent night this Thursday at home at the Jacob Brisendine Softball Complex at 4:00pm.
In the first game as you might expect, many Dragons had hits. But, they also took advantage of numerous errors by the Eagles to end the game in just 3 innings. Meagan Photiou had 2 hits, 2 RBIs, and scored 3 runs. Nicole VanCamp had 2 doubles, scored 2 runs, with an RBI. Adilita Roiter had 3 hits, scored 2 runs, with 2 RBIs. Hayley Cruthers had 3 hits including a double, her 5th triple of the year, scored 3 runs, with 4 RBIs, and pitched 3 innings allowing no hits with 2 strike outs.
In the second game the Dragons started out a little slower, but still only needed 4 innings to end the game. Chris Burt had a monster game with her 4th home run of the season, 3 hits including a double, and scored 3 runs with 3 RBIs. Michaela Krusina had 2 hits and scored 3 runs with an RBI. Hayley Cruthers had 2 hits including her 19th double of the year, scored 2 runs with an RBI, and pitched 4 hitless innings with 3 strike outs and no earned runs getting her 12th win this season.
The Dragons first pre-district game will be next Tuesday at Flushing High School on June 1st at 4:00pm versus the Kearsley Hornets. Creek split with the Hornets earlier this year. It looks like this will serve as the all-important tie-breaker where the loser's season will be over, while the winner moves on to play Saturday in the districts.
GO DRAGONS!!!
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BUT Minerva went to the fair city of Lacedaemon to tell Ulysses son that he was to return at once. She found him and Pisistratus sleeping in the forecourt of Menelaus s house; Pisistratus was fast asleep, but Telemachus could get no rest all night for thinking of his unhappy father, so Minerva went close up to him and said:
Telemachus", you should not remain so far away from home any longer, nor leave your property with such dangerous people in your house; they will eat up everything you have among them, and you will have been on a fool s errand. Ask Menelaus to send you home at once if you wish to find your excellent mother still there when you get back. Her father and brothers are already urging her to marry Eurymachus, who has given her more than any of the others, and has been greatly increasing his wedding presents. I hope nothing valuable may have been taken from the house in spite of you, but you know what Women are they always want to do the best they can for the man who marries them, and never give another thought to the children of their first husband, nor to their father either when he is dead and done with. Go home, therefore, and put everything in charge of the most respectable Woman servant that you have, until it shall please heaven to send you a wife of your own. Let me tell you also of another matter which you had better attend to. The chief men among the suitors are lying in wait for you in the Strait between Ithaca and Samos, and they mean to kill you before you can reach home. I do not much think they will succeed; it is more likely that some of those who are now eating up your property will find a grave themselves. Sail night and day, and keep your ship well away from the islands; the God who watches over you and protects you will send you a fair wind. As soon as you get
Ithaca send your ship and men on to the town, but yourself go straight to the swineherd who has charge your Pigs; he is well disposed towards you, stay with him, therefore, for the night, and then send him to Penelope to tell her that you have got back safe from Pylos."
Then she went back to Olympus; but Telemachus stirred Pisistratus with his heel to rouse him, and said, "Wake up Pisistratus, and yoke the Horses to the chariot, for we must set off home."
But Pisistratus said, "No matter what hurry we are in we cannot drive in the dark. It will be morning soon; wait till Menelaus has brought his presents and put them in the chariot for us; and let him say good bye to us in the usual way. So long as he lives a guest should never forget a host who has shown him kindness."
As he spoke day began to break, and Menelaus, who had already risen, leaving Helen in bed, came towards them. When Telemachus saw him he put on his shirt as fast as he could, threw a great cloak over his shoulders, and went out to meet him. Menelaus"," said he, "let me go back now to my own country, for I want to get home."
And Menelaus answered, Telemachus", if you insist on going I will not detain you. not like to see a host either too fond of his guest or too rude to him. Moderation is best in all things, and not letting a man go when he wants to do so is as bad as telling him to go if he would like to stay. One should treat a guest well as long as he is in the house and speed him when he wants to leave it. Wait, then, till I can get your beautiful presents into your chariot, and till you have yourself seen them. I will tell the Women to prepare a sufficient dinner for you of what there may be in the house; it will be at once more proper and cheaper for you to get your dinner before setting out on such a long journey. If, moreover, you have a fancy for making a tour in Hellas or in the Peloponnese, I will yoke my Horses, and will conduct you myself through all our principal cities. No one will send us away empty handed; every one will give us something a bronze tripod, a couple of Mules, or a gold cup."
Menelaus"," replied Telemachus, "I want to go home at once, for when I came away I left my property without protection, and fear that while looking for my father I shall come to ruin myself, or find that something valuable has been stolen during my absence."
When Menelaus heard this he immediately told his wife and servants to prepare a sufficient dinner from what there might be in the house. At this moment Eteoneus joined him, for he lived close by and had just got up; so Menelaus told him to light the fire and cook some meat, which he at once did. Then Menelaus went down into his fragrant store room, not alone, but Helen went too, with Megapenthes. When he reached the place where the treasures of his house were kept, he selected a double cup, and told his son Megapenthes to bring also a silver mixing bowl. Meanwhile Helen went to the chest where she kept the lovely dresses which she had made with her own hands, and took out one that was largest and most beautifully enriched with embroidery; it glittered like a star, and lay at the very bottom of the chest. Then they all came back through the house again till they got to Telemachus, and Menelaus said, Telemachus", may Jove, the mighty husband of Juno, bring you safely home according to your desire. I will now present you with the finest and most precious piece of plate in all my house. It is a mixing bowl of pure silver, except the rim, which is inlaid with gold, and it is the work of Vulcan. Phaedimus king of the Sidonians made me a present of it in the course of a visit that I paid him while I was on my return home. I should like to give it to you."
With these words he placed the double cup in the hands of Telemachus, while Megapenthes brought the beautiful mixing bowl and set it before him. Hard by stood lovely Helen with the robe ready in her hand.
"I too, my son," said she, "have something for you as a keepsake from the hand of Helen; it is for your bride to wear upon her wedding day. Till then, get your dear mother to keep it for you; thus may you go back rejoicing to your own country and to your home."
So saying she gave the robe over to him and he received it gladly. Then Pisistratus put the presents into the chariot, and admired them all as he did so. Presently Menelaus took Telemachus and Pisistratus into the house, and they both of them sat down to table. A maid servant brought them water in a beautiful golden ewer, and poured it into a silver basin for them to wash their hands, and she drew a clean table beside them; an upper servant brought them bread and offered them many good things of what there was in the house. Eteoneus carved the meat and gave them each their portions, while Megapenthes poured out the wine. Then they laid their hands upon the good things that were before them, but as soon as they had had had enough to eat and drink Telemachus and Pisistratus yoked the Horses, and took their places in the chariot. They drove out through the inner gateway and under the echoing gatehouse of the outer court, and Menelaus came after them with a golden goblet of wine in his right hand that they might make a drink offering before they set out. He stood in front of the Horses and pledged them, saying, Farewell" to both of you; see that you tell Nestor how I have treated you, for he was as kind to me as any father could be while we Achaeans were fighting before Troy."
"We will be sure, sir," answered Telemachus, "to tell him everything as soon as we see him. I wish I were as certain of finding Ulysses returned when I get back to Ithaca, that I might tell him of the very great kindness you have shown me and of the many beautiful presents I am taking with me."
As he was thus speaking a bird flew on his right hand an eagle with a great white goose in its talons which it had carried off from the farm yard and all the men and Women were running after it and shouting. It came quite close up to them and flew away on their right hands in front of the Horses. When they saw it they were glad, and their hearts took comfort within them, whereon Pisistratus said, "Tell me, Menelaus, has heaven sent this omen for us or for you?"
Menelaus was thinking what would be the most proper answer for him to make, but Helen was too quick for him and said, "I will read this matter as heaven has put it in my heart, and as I doubt not that it will come to pass. The eagle came from the mountain where it was bred and has its nest, and in like manner Ulysses, after having travelled far and suffered much, will return to take his revenge if indeed he is not back already and hatching mischief for the suitors."
"May Jove so grant it," replied Telemachus; "if it should prove to be so, I will make vows to you as though you were a God, even when I am at home."
As he spoke he lashed his Horses and they started off at full speed through the town towards the open country. They swayed the yoke upon their necks and travelled the whole day long till the sun set and darkness was over all the land. Then they reached Pherae, where Diocles lived who was son of Ortilochus, the son of Alpheus. There they passed the night and were treated hospitably. When the child of morning, rosy fingered Dawn, appeared, they again yoked their Horses and their places in the chariot. They drove out through the inner gateway and under the echoing gatehouse of the outer court. Then Pisistratus lashed his Horses on and they flew forward nothing loath; ere long they came to Pylos, and then Telemachus said:
Pisistratus", I hope you will promise to do what I am going to ask you. You know our fathers were old friends before us; moreover, we are both of an age, and this journey has brought us together still more closely; do not, therefore, take me past my ship, but leave me there, for if I go to your father s house he will try to keep me in the warmth of his good will towards me, and I must go home at once."
Pisistratus thought how he should do as he was asked, and in the end he deemed it best to turn his Horses towards the ship, and put Menelaus s beautiful presents of gold and raiment in the stern of the vessel. Then he said, "Go on board at once and tell your men to do so also before I can reach home to tell my father. I know how obstinate he is, and am sure he will not let you go; he will come down here to fetch you, and he will not go back without you. But he will be very angry."
With this he drove his goodly steeds back to the city of the Pylians and soon reached his home, but Telemachus called the men together and gave his orders. "Now, my men," said he, "get everything in order on board the ship, and let us set out home."
Thus did he speak, and they went on board even as he had said. But as Telemachus was thus busied, praying also and sacrificing to Minerva in the ship s stern, there came to him a man from a distant country, a seer, who was flying from Argos because he had killed a man. He was descended from Melampus, who used to live in Pylos, the land of Sheep; he was rich and owned a great house, but he was driven into exile by the great and powerful king Neleus. Neleus seized his goods and held them for a whole year, during which he was a close prisoner in the house of king Phylacus, and in much distress of mind both on account of the daughter of Neleus and because he was haunted by a great sorrow that dread Erinyes had laid upon him. In the end, however, he escaped with his life, drove the Cattle from Phylace to Pylos, avenged the wrong that had been done him, and gave the daughter of Neleus to his brother. Then he left the country and went to Argos, where it was ordained that he should reign over much people. There he married, established himself, and had Two famous sons Antiphates and Mantius. Antiphates became father of Oicleus, and Oicleus of Amphiaraus, who was dearly loved both by Jove and by Apollo, but he did not live to old age, for he was killed in Thebes by reason of a Woman s gifts. His sons were Alcmaeon and Amphilochus. Mantius, the other son of Melampus, was father to Polypheides and Cleitus. Aurora, throned in gold, carried off Cleitus for his beauty s sake, that he
dwell among the immortals, but Apollo made Polypheides the greatest seer in the whole world now that Amphiaraus was dead. He quarrelled with his father and went to live in Hyperesia, where he remained and prophesied for all men.
His son, Theoclymenus, it was who now came up to Telemachus as he was making drink offerings and praying in his ship. Friend" said he, "now that I find you sacrificing in this place, I beseech you by your sacrifices themselves, and by the God to whom you make them, I pray you also by your own head and by those of your followers, tell me the truth and nothing but the truth. Who and whence are you? Tell me also of your town and parents."
Telemachus said, "I will answer you quite truly. I am from Ithaca, and my father is Ulysses, as surely as that he ever lived. But he has come to some miserable end. Therefore I have taken this ship and got my crew together to see if I can hear any news of him, for he has been away a long time."
"I too," answered Theoclymenus, am an exile, for I have killed a man of my own race. He has many brothers and kinsmen in Argos, and they have great power among the Argives. I am flying to escape death at their hands, and am thus doomed to be a wanderer on the face of the earth. I am your suppliant; take me, therefore, on board your ship that they may not kill me, for I know they are in pursuit."
"I will not refuse you," replied Telemachus, "if you wish to join us. Come, therefore, and in Ithaca we will treat you hospitably according to what we have."
On this he received Theoclymenus spear and laid it down on the deck of the ship. He went on board and sat in the stern, bidding Theoclymenus sit beside him; then the men let go the hawsers. Telemachus told them to catch hold of the ropes, and they made all haste to do so. They set the mast in its socket in the cross plank, raised it and made it fast with the forestays, and they hoisted their white sails with sheets of twisted ox hide. Minerva sent them a fair wind that blew fresh and strong to take the ship on her course as fast as possible. Thus then they passed by Crouni and Chalcis.
Presently the sun set and darkness was over all the land. The vessel made a quick pass sage to Pheae and thence on to Elis, where the Epeans rule. Telemachus then headed her for the flying islands, wondering within himself whether he should escape death or should be taken prisoner.
Meanwhile Ulysses and the swineherd were eating their supper in the hut, and the men supped with them. As soon as they had had to eat and drink, Ulysses began trying to prove the swineherd and see whether he would continue to treat him kindly, and ask him to stay on at the station or pack him off to the city; so he said:
Eumaeus", and all of you, to morrow I want to go away and begin begging about the town, so as to be no more trouble to you or to your men. Give me your advice therefore, and let me have a good guide to go with me and show me the way. I will go the round of the city begging as I needs must, to see if any one will give me a drink and a piece of bread. I should like also to go to the house of Ulysses and bring news of her husband to queen Penelope. I could then go about among the suitors and see if out of all their abundance they will give me a dinner. I should soon make them an excellent servant in all sorts of ways. Listen and believe when I tell you that by the blessing of Mercury who gives grace and good name to the works of all men, there is no one living who would make a more handy servant than I should to put fresh wood on the fire, chop fuel, carve, cook, pour out wine, and do all those services that poor men have to do for their betters."
The swineherd was very much disturbed when he heard this. Heaven" help me," he exclaimed, "what ever can have put such a notion as that into your head? If you go near the suitors you will be undone to a certainty, for their pride and insolence reach the very heavens. They would never think of taking a man like you for a servant. Their servants are all young men, well dressed, wearing good cloaks and shirts, with well looking faces and their hair always tidy, the tables are kept quite clean and are loaded with bread, meat, and wine. Stay where you are, then; you are not in anybody s way; I do not mind your being here, no more do any of the others, and when Telemachus comes home he will give you a shirt and cloak and will send you wherever you want to go."
Ulysses answered, "I hope you may be as dear to the Gods as you are to me, for having saved me from going about and getting into trouble; there is nothing worse than being always ways on the tramp; still, when men have once got low down in the world they will go through a great deal on behalf of their miserable bellies. Since however you press me to stay here and await the return of Telemachus, tell about Ulysses mother, and his father whom he left on the threshold of old age when he set out for Troy. Are they still living or are they already dead and in the house of Hades?"
"I will tell you all about them," replied Eumaeus, Laertes" is still living and prays heaven to let him depart peacefully his own house, for he is terribly distressed about the absence of his son, and also about the death of his wife, which grieved him greatly and aged him more than anything else did. She came to an unhappy end through sorrow for her son: may no friend or neighbour who has dealt kindly by me come to such an end as she did. As long as she was still living, though she was always grieving, I used to like seeing her and asking her how she did, for she brought me up along with her daughter Ctimene, the youngest of her children; we were boy and girl together, and she made little difference between us. When, however, we both grew up, they sent Ctimene to Same and received a splendid dowry for her. As for me, my mistress gave me a good shirt and cloak with a pair of sandals for my feet, and sent me off into the country, but she was just as fond of me as ever. This is all over now. Still it has pleased heaven to prosper my work in the situation which I now hold. I have enough to eat and drink, and can find something for any respectable stranger who comes here; but there is no getting a kind word or deed out of my mistress, for the house has fallen into the hands of wicked people. Servants want sometimes to see their mistress and have a talk with her; they like to have something to eat and drink at the house, and something too to take back with them into the country.
This is what will keep servants in a good humour."
Ulysses answered, "Then you must have been a very little fellow, Eumaeus, when you were taken so far away from your home and parents. Tell me, and tell me true, was the city in which your father and mother lived sacked and pillaged, or did some enemies carry you off when you were alone tending Sheep or Cattle, ship you off here, and sell you for whatever your master gave them?"
Stranger"," replied Eumaeus, "as regards your question: sit still, make yourself comfortable, drink your wine, and listen to me. The nights are now at their longest; there is plenty of time both for sleeping and sitting up talking together; you ought not to go to bed till bed time, too much sleep is as bad as too little; if any one of the others wishes to go to bed let him leave us and do so; he can then take my master s Pigs out when he has done breakfast in the morning. We Two will sit here eating and drinking in the hut, and telling one another stories about our misfortunes; for when a man has suffered much, and been buffeted about in the world, he takes pleasure in recalling the memory of sorrows that have long gone by. As regards your question, then, my tale is as follows:
"You may have heard of an island called Syra that lies over above Ortygia, where the land begins to turn round and look in another direction. It is not very thickly peopled, but the soil is good, with much pasture fit for Cattle and Sheep, and it abounds with wine and wheat. Dearth never comes there, nor are the people plagued by any sickness, but when they grow old Apollo comes with Diana and kills them with his painless shafts. It contains Two communities, and the whole country is divided between these two. My father Ctesius son of Ormenus, a man comparable to the Gods, reigned over both.
"Now to this place there came some cunning traders from Phoenicia (for the Phoenicians are great mariners) in a ship which they had freighted with gewgaws of all kinds. There happened to be a Phoenician Woman in my father s house, very tall and comely, and an excellent servant; these scoundrels got hold of her one day when she was washing near their ship, seduced her, and cajoled her in ways that no Woman can resist, no matter how good she may be by nature. The man who had seduced her asked her who she was and where she came from, and on this she told him her father s name. I come from Sidon, said she, and am daughter to Arybas, a man rolling in wealth. One day as I was coming into the town from the country some Taphian pirates seized me and took me here over the sea, where they sold me to the man who owns this house, and he gave them their price for me.
"The man who had seduced her then said, Would you like to come along with us to see the house of your parents and your parents themselves? They are both alive and are said to be well off.
I will do so gladly, answered she, if you men will first swear me a solemn oath that you will do me no harm by the way.
"They all swore as she told them, and when they had completed their oath the Woman said, Hush; and if any of your men meets me in the street or at the well, do not let him speak to me, for fear some one should go and tell my master, in which case he would suspect something. He would put me in prison, and would have all of you murdered; keep your own counsel therefore; buy your merchandise as fast as you can, and send me word when you have done loading. I will bring as much gold as I can lay my hands on, and there is something else also that I can do towards paying my fare. I am nurse to the son of the good man of the house, a funny little fellow just able to run about. I will carry him off in your ship, and you will get a great deal of money for him if you take him and sell him in foreign parts.
"On this she went back to the house. The Phoenicians stayed a whole year till they had loaded their ship with much precious merchandise, and then, when they had got freight enough, they sent to tell the Woman. Their messenger, a very cunning fellow, came to my father s house bringing a necklace of gold with amber beads strung among it; and while my mother and the servants had it in their hands admiring it and bargaining about it, he made a sign quietly to the Woman and then went back to the ship, whereon she took me by the hand and led me out of the house. In the fore part of the house she saw the tables set with the cups of guests who had been feasting with my father, as being in attendance on him; these were now all gone to a meeting of the public assembly, so she snatched up Three cups and carried them off in the bosom of her dress, while I followed her, for I knew no better. The sun was now set, and darkness was over all the land, so we hurried on as fast as we could till we reached the harbour, where the Phoenician ship was lying. When they had got on board they sailed their ways over the sea, taking us with them, and Jove sent then a fair wind; Six days did we sail both night and day, but on the seventh day Diana struck the Woman and she fell heavily down into the ship s hold as though she were a sea gull alighting on the water; so they threw her overboard to the seals and fishes, and I was left all sorrowful and alone. Presently the winds and waves took the ship to
haca, where Laertes gave sundry of his chattels for me, and thus it was that ever I came to set eyes upon this country."
Ulysses answered, Eumaeus", I have heard the story of your misfortunes with the most lively interest and pity, but Jove has given you good as well as evil, for in spite of everything you have a good master, who sees that you always have enough to eat and drink; and you lead a good life, whereas I am still going about begging my way from city to city."
Thus did they converse, and they had only a very little time left for sleep, for it was soon daybreak. In the meantime Telemachus and his crew were nearing land, so they loosed the sails, took down the mast, and rowed the ship into the harbour. They cast out their mooring stones and made fast the hawsers; they then got out upon the sea shore, mixed their wine, and got dinner ready. As soon as they had had enough to eat and drink Telemachus said, "Take the ship on to the town, but leave me here, for I want to look after the herdsmen on one of my farms. In the evening, when I have seen all I want, I will come down to the city, and to morrow morning in return for your trouble I will give you all a good dinner with meat and wine."
Then Theoclymenus said, And what, my dear young friend, is to become of me? To whose house, among all your chief men, am I to repair? or shall I go straight to your own house and to your mother?"
"At any other time," replied Telemachus, "I should have bidden you go to my own house, for you would find no want of hospitality; at the present moment, however, you would not be comfortable there, for I shall be away, and my mother will not see you; she does not often show herself even to the suitors, but sits at her loom weaving in an upper chamber, out of their way; but I can tell you a man whose house you can go to I mean Eurymachus the son of Polybus, who is held in the highest estimation by every one in Ithaca. He is much the best man and the most persistent wooer, of all those who are paying court to my mother and trying to take Ulysses place. Jove, however, in heaven alone knows whether or no they will come to a bad end before the marriage takes place."
As he was speaking a bird flew by upon his right hand a hawk, Apollo s messenger. It held a dove in its talons, and the feathers, as it tore them off, fell to the ground midway between Telemachus and the ship. On this Theoclymenus called him apart and caught him by the hand. Telemachus"," said he, "that bird did not fly on your right hand without having been sent there by some God. As soon as I saw it I knew it was an omen; it means that you will remain powerful and that there will be no house in Ithaca more royal than your own."
"I wish it may prove so," answered Telemachus. "If it does, I will show you so much good will and give you so many presents that all who meet you will congratulate you."
Then he said to his friend Piraeus, Piraeus", son of Clytius, you have throughout shown yourself the most willing to serve me of all those who have accompanied me to Pylos; I wish you would take this stranger to your own house and entertain him hospitably till I can come for him."
And Piraeus answered, Telemachus", you may stay away as long as you please, but I will look after him for you, and he shall find no lack of hospitality."
As he spoke he went on board, and bade the others do so also and loose the hawsers, so they took their places in the ship. But Telemachus bound on his sandals, and took a long and doughty spear with a head of sharpened bronze from the deck of the ship. Then they loosed the hawsers, thrust the ship off from land, and made on towards the city as they had been told to do, while Telemachus strode on as fast as he could, till he reached the homestead where his countless herds of swine were feeding, and where dwelt the excellent swineherd, who was so devoted a servant to his master.
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Trashy's World
Scribbling some perspective on Canada, Ottawa and whatever else crosses my mind…
All you need to know about Trashy
What I would like seen thrown into the Ottawa River
September, 2009:
God damn it all! It’s National Blasphemy Day
by trashee.
Thanks to the Squid-dude for making me aware of this!
Feel free to celebrate on this day the right to demean whatever fantasy creature you see fit!
Blasphemy Day International is an international campaign seeking to establish September 30th as a national day to promote free speech and stand up in a show of solidarity for the freedom to mock and insult religion without fear of murder, violence, and reprisal. It is the obligation of the world’s nations to safeguard dissent and the dissenters, not to side with the brutal interests of thugs who demand “respect” for their beliefs (i.e., immunity to being criticized or mocked or they threaten violence).
So if you support free speech, and the rights of those who disagree with religious views to voice their opinions peacefully, support our group and join the cause!
Hmmmm… betcha stuff like this sends the christian right into conniption fits!
There is even a Facebook group!
Thanks for the memories, Mats
After almost 2 decades, Mats Sundin is hanging up the blades.
He was the face of my beloved Leafs for a long, long time and when he is inducted into the Hall, it will be in the Blue and White.
Tack, Mats
Dr. OC Transpo-Love. Or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bus
As always, I say – well put XUP. Another great commentary on that little, twisted organization that we in Bytown like to call: OC Transpo.
And as I said in an earlier post, this is one almost-former OC Transpo user who has had quite enough and has his name on a few waiting lists for a parking space close to where I work. After 12 years of faithful ridership, I am sick of it all.
One thing that XUP didn’t mention is the arrogant attitude that many (not all) drivers have toward students and anyone who isn’t white.
Students are regarded almost as a necessary evil and are often berated by the driver for holding their pass upside down or something. Last week, a driver called my daughter a “stupid idiot” for trying to use a transfer that was ONE minute past its time stamp! Gimme a break. And the bus was 10 minutes late!
And I’m not saying that all of the drivers are racists but I cannot count how many times I have seen a non-white person be denied entry to a bus for no apparent reason. Some blokes will stand outside the door, arms extended in a pleading fashion, and the driver just ignores him and drives away.
But if that person is a hot white chicky-poo… well, then there isn’t a problem.
Come aboard miss, glad to see you!
But – enough of all this negativity. In the spirit of all things that we LOVE (I’m trying to be positive cuz I’m a positive kind guy, eh?) about OC Transpo, I humbly submit the following.
Things to love while on that packed aluminum coffin racing 100 km/h down the Transitway
I love the way that the drivers will almost intentionally jerk the bus ahead before the passengers have a chance to anchor themselves. I especially love the way that seniors’ heads are smacked right into the upright posts – makes a cool “boing” sound.
I love the way that folks with strollers / wheelchairs or crutches are treated – like the dawgs they are. Shame on them for not being able-bodied. Shame!
I love how some buses just do not show up on Fridays… I’m just guessing that the driver has called in “sick” that day and the office cannot be bothered to replace him. What’s the big deal? It’s not like the riders have anywhere important to go!
I love the way that stay behind the yellow line is unevenly interpreted. If the rider is a non-white male, behind the yellow line means a good 6 feet. If the rider is anyone else but a non-white male, they can crowd the front much as they want… especially if they are a hot and white chick wearing short shorts.
I love those buses that appear to have not been cleaned since Chretien was PM… though I suppose that is also a reflection of the general slobbishness of many riders… so,
I love the general slobbishness of many riders – it seems as though I have been mistaking the floor of the bus as a floor all of these years – while in reality it is the bus’s own little landfill. My bad.
I love interior climate control. It is for the driver’s comfort. Not the passenger’s. It is the operator’s union-given right to wear his or her shorts and ATU t-shirt and jack up the heat to “unbearable” in the middle of January if they so wish! The riders should be thankful for the free sauna!
I love the Special Constables. Or are they the Gestapo – 2009 version? Hard to tell the difference. But you have to love all the cool stuff on their utility belts.
I love windows that do not stay closed.
I love windows that don’t open.
I love how the bus schedules are pretty much just a “guide”. Plus or minus 15 minutes is quite acceptable. What’s the hurry?
I love how the bus stops are plowed right when you need them in the morning… provided you start work sometime after 11 am.
I love those doors that close on you as you are exiting the bus. I really love that sense of panic when you realise the the bus will likely take off from the stop with you trapped half in and half out of the bus. Gives me a rush to think that I can be beheaded by a passing car.
And it would of course be my fault.
I love the operators who greet your sunny “good afternoon” with a grunt. Kinda like a “unghn”… hard to pronounce. But it’s attractive.
I love the operators who provide monosyllabic answers to sincere questions from a rider. As in “If I want to get to Elmvale, am I better to take the 86 or to take the 148 – or should I take the 112 from Billings?” Response: “unghn”. Clear enough to me! Why don’t you learn how to speak Canadian, eh?
I love how it seems that, when I’m in a hurry to get to work, 27 express buses in a row from the ‘burbs go by as I’m waiting downtown to transfer before one arrives that is going as far as Tunney’s Pasture. I really, really do love that!
And then I love how it’s completely packed.
With high school kids juiced up on Red Bull.
And my MP3 player is outta juice.
And the driver decided that it’s a good time for a layover.
I would really like to drop a very, very special note to the fine fellow who wouldn’t let the guy with the busted bike get on the 148 at Alta Vista a few weeks back. The front of the bus was completely empty and the guy – with a pass – said “please, just for a few blocks”… and all he got was a “get of my bus” response from the driver… OC Transpo operators do not believe in cutting anyone a break. Not that they deserve one anyhow.
The fact remains that many transit riders have no other option but to avail themselves of this crappy system. And that is truly sad. Maybe the folks of this fair borough will rise out of their red and white shackles and cry for good service, civil drivers and on-time buses!
But I doubt it.
Finally, if you have ever gleaned anything from my posts on this blogs, you will know that I’m a freakin’ LEFTY. But even I am saying that maybe, just maybe, we should think about contracting this out to the private sector. If I ever run again for municipal office, that will be one of the planks in my platform. I swear!
Those wacky gun nuts are at it again!
Just when I think that I have seen the most ridiculous thing ever to come from our neighbours to the south, along comes a new doosy-winner.
According to Metro, a candidate for South Carolina’s adjutant general – the dude in charge of the state’s national guard corps (whatever that is) – invited the public to join him for a round of shootin’… and a chance to win a brand new AK-47!!! Yup, $25 gets ya a BBQ, a clip of bullets for target practice and a chance to win the gun!
And 500 folks came out to join him!
I wonder if our politicos are paying any attention to this. But being that big guns that can literally cut a moose into two are frowned upon north of the 49th, they’d have to think of another grand prize…
Like a free ticket to one of Stevo’s anger management classes. Valid only for those 18+ or 12+ if from Alberta.
Grrr... I'm angry... grrrrrrrrrr....
A lecture by Minister James Moore on why the Calgary Stampede is more culturally enriching than the now buried National Portrait Gallery. Anyone named Paul Dewar will be stopped at the door.
An inside look at the speech therapy classes being attended by Pierre Polievre… he’s been struggling to say anything not scripted by the PMO since ‘05.
A free workshop hosted by Tony Clement on “Using the “wet-look” to your advantage”. Cost of Bryl-cream not included.
Pretty damn tempting. Might even buy a ticket to one of these for the fun factor!
Isn’t this political interference?
Good ol’ Jason Kenney. Always the nice politico with kind words for little old ladies, soccer moms and anyone else eligible to vote. The “target audience”, one might say.
To Jason and the rest of the Harperites, the immigrant population is an important part of this group. It is reckoned that by capturing the hearts and minds of Canada’s immigrant communities, then the Promised Land of Majority Government is within reach.
So it is no surprise to me that one of Harper’s chief lap dogs was in a Hogtown Chinatown grocery store yesterday to offer moral support to a grocer that is facing charges including kidnapping, forcible confinement and assault after he collared a shoplifter who came back to his Toronto store. The guy was pretty sick of losing a considerable amount of his inventory to those folks who advocate the 5 finger discount method of pricing, so he took matters into his own hands.
Whether or not you agree with taking the law into your own hands is moot. What is relevant is that a Minister of the Crown, in a blatant attempt to gain political brownie points, has broken one of the key tenets of our judicial system and interfered with a case that is before the courts.
Afterward, the minister said he didn’t want to interfere in a court case. But he offered sympathy to merchants of shoplifting. He said Mr. Chen, who arrived as a refugee in 1991, is an exemplary newcomer to Canada and a victim of crime.
But he HAS interfered. Just by showing up and expressing support for the shopkeeper, he has in essence thrown out the principal that politicos shall NOT interfere or APPEAR to have interfered.
Funny thing is that this is by no means the first time that JK has been accused of political interference. Reported in the Embassy Magazine on July 22, 2009;
Jason Kenney has compromised his position as immigration minister by repeatedly slamming the validity of various refugee claims and blatantly undermining the independence of Canada’s refugee tribunal, legal and immigration experts, including former IRB chairman Peter Showler, are charging. Over the past several months, Mr. Kenney has publicly declared asylum claims by U.S. war deserters to be “bogus,” accused would-be Mexican refugees of systematically abusing the system, and questioned the legitimacy of refugee claims by Roma from the Czech Republic.
As above, it matters not if you agree with the move to impose the added conditions to Czech refugee claimants; it’s not the point.
The Minister of the Crown is responsible for the way that his or her department carries out business and interprets and acts upon policy directives. It is therefore correct to reason that if the Minister is expressing a strong opinion about a particular issue that is relevant to the department, the department will likewise follow that course in its actions. An institutional bias is introduced.
Peter Showler, a former chairman of the IRB and director of the Refugee Forum at the Human Rights Research and Education Centre at the University of Ottawa, said Mr. Kenney has absolutely introduced institutional bias into the refugee board’s decision-making. He said Mr. Kenney’s comments have caused a “significant amount of damage” to individual refugee claimants from Mexico and the Czech Republic, as well as to the judicial process.
“I am not aware of a single previous minister of immigration who has made such remarks, who has intruded on the judicial process in this way; not one,” Mr. Showler said. “This is extraordinary and I think he has overstepped the line, and I think the courts are going to tell him that he’s overstepped the line.”
This interference is unprecedented and must not continue if we Canadians hold an independent and non-political judiciary and immigration system to be an important part of our society.
Those wacky christians are at it again!
Good post by Ken over at My Corner of the Universe.
Yes, Christians need to chill. They are in a bit of a siege mentality lately as they are railing against windmills coming at them from all directions.
A Christian group is calling for the removal of an elephant statue, modeled after a Hindu god, from the Calgary Zoo calling it “selective religious partiality.”
“The zoo is not a place of religious indoctrination, it is supposed to be a safe family environment free of religious icons and selective religious partiality,” Blake wrote
Jim Blake, national chairman of Concerned Christians Canada, sent a letter to the zoo on Thursday, calling for the sculpture to be removed.
Reminds me of The Simpsons episode:
In the episode “Homer the Heretic,” Springfield’s multifaith volunteer fire department mobilizes to save the Simpsons’ home–and Homer’s life. Reverend Lovejoy explains to Homer that God was working through his friends and neighbors, including a Christian like Ned Flanders and a Jew like Krusty.
But the minister comes up short when he points toward the other firefighter, Apu Nahaasapeemapetilon. After a nonplussed pause, the minister characterizes the convenience store operator’s religion as “miscellaneous.” This level of ignorance is too much for the normally mild-mannered Asian immigrant. Apu explodes: “Hindu! There are 700 million of us!” Corrected, Lovejoy replies with condescension, “Aw, that’s super.”
Amalgamated Transit Union votes to retain right to strike…
If I had any doubts about giving up on OC Transpo, they have effectively disappeared.
A bid to end crippling strikes or lockouts at OC Transpo was voted down on Friday by the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 279.
The vote was 62.8 per cent in favour of maintaining the strike/lockout model instead of arbitration.
Jim Haddad, Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 279 secretary-treasurer, said he was very disappointed.
“They’re afraid of what the arbitrator will decide. It’s the unknown,” he said.
“Hopefully, the next time the two sides are at the table they will negotiate and get a contract.”
It’s Girl Guide cookie time!
Too late, OC Transpo, way too late…
So the ATU members are voting to give up their right to strike.
Yippee. Nice thought.
But given:
the increasingly cramped buses
the increasingly common buses that just, like, don’t show up
the increasing congestion downtown and around Hurdman station. And I suspect it’s the same around Baseline, Lincoln Fields, Orléans, etc.
the ever increasing fees for ever decreasing levels of service
the notion that the transit users of this city will likely be the ones who foot the bill for the Siemens out of court settlement resulting from the Council’s ineptitude
the notion that if I need to urgently pick up one of my little ones (i.e., “Hello, Mr. Trashy, this is the school calling, your little one has been throwing up all over the staff room…”), it will take me a minimum of an hour by bus or a $25 cab ride to get from work to the school or daycare.
the distinct possibility that even if the ATU does vote away their right to strike, they may just go ahead and do so anyway
For an extra $65/month extra – once I cancel my bus pass – I can park in the underground lot across the street.
After 12 years of riding, you’ve lost me, OCT and ATU. Bye-bye
Michael Moore’s new pic
Yeah, I know Michael Moore goes over the top to get his point across. And yeah, he’s a big doofus.
But the fundamental points of his rants (i.e., movies) are sound – if sometimes a little exaggerated. The system is most definitely broken.
And don’t give me that right-wing, everyone for themselves, entrepreneurial crap. The financial institutions in most countries (1) have been playing the public and the governments for patsies for decades and have gotten away with it. And are still getting away with it.
Capitalism is a good way to run things… if for no other reason than all of the alternatives have failed miserably… but it needs fixing.
In the United States at the end of 2001, 10% of the population owned 71% of the wealth, and the top 1% controlled 38%. On the other hand, the bottom 40% owned less than 1% of the nation’s wealth.[15]
In 2003, the 1% with the highest salaries paid more than 34% of the nation’s federal income tax; the 10% with the highest salaries paid nearly 66% of the total income tax; the top 25% of paid 84% of the income taxes; and the upper 50% accounted for nearly 97% of US income tax revenue, primarily because, as stated above, the bottom 40% had comparatively no wealth (less than 1%) to be taxed in the first place.
1. ‘cept in Canada! Go Canada!
← Earlier Posts
Marty Carr for OCDSB Trustee, Alta Vista/Rideau-Rockliffe
Jean Cloutier – the only choice for Alta Vista
Last day with the CCA
Gun violence in southeast Ottawa
Purchase infrastructure – just not ready for climate change
Charlottesville – likely just the beginning
Whether the USA survives as one nation and not two or several…
it was 20 years ago…
Mosque atrocity – hate driven or coincidence?
Goodbye yellow brick road. Hello Mordor.
2015 federal election
attack ads
Culture and sport
Michael Ignatieff
miscell
Ontario Municipal elections 2014
Ottawa elections 2018
peace and war
Duffygate
Toronto politics
Ottawa Municipal elections 2014
Provincial politics outside Ontario
transit strike
Unite the left
World outside of North America
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http://www.neckdeepuk.com
From small acorns… Well, you know the rest. But the old adage couldn’t be more applicable in the story of NECK DEEP, a band who have evolved over the course of just one year from ‘a bit of fun’ to one of the most exciting young names in today’s UK scene.
Even for those that have traced the quintet’s rise, it might be hard to fathom that it was only September of 2012 in Wrexham, North Wales, when hometown friends Ben Barlow and Lloyd Roberts recorded and uploaded a handful of tracks and a quickly shot video to YouTube.
Seizing the opportunity to play a weekend of shows in Florida, USA Neck Deep's first international shows grabbed the attention of major US labels. In August 2013, the band signed an international record deal with Hopeless Records.
The band released their debut album, Wishful Thinking on 14 January 2014. Following the release of Wishful Thinking, Neck Deep will begin 2014 with a full UK headline tour and will also tour the UK as the main support for We Are The In Crowd, before a headline tour covering the United States with Knuckle Puck and Light Years. In support of their tour they released a split 7" featuring Crushing Grief and Growing Pains from Wishful Thinking, with new exclusive tracks from Knuckle Puck. Neck Deep were announced to perform on 2014 edition of Vans Warped Tour.
For fans of:
Neck Deep - Wishful Thinking
Neck Deep release video for new song 'Can't Kick Up The Roots'
Real friends and Neck Deep support for All Time Low shows
Winners of our Neck Deep contest
Neck Deep to play in Dynamo Eindhoven
Neck Deep's 'Wishful Thinking' to be streamed online
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1963-64 Chicago Black Hawks Phil Esposito Jersey
On this date in 1967, the course of NHL history was changed for the next ten years when the Chicago Black Hawks dealt Phil Esposito, Ken Hodge and Fred Stanfield to the Boston Bruins for Gilles Marotte, Pit Martin and Jack Norris in what is considered one of the most lopsided trades in league history.
Left Wing Stanfield had been with the Black Hawks for three seasons, but saw his number of games with the Black Hawks decline from 58 as a rookie in 1964-65 to 39 to just 10 in 1966-67.
Right Wing Hodge had just completed his second season and had come off of a 10 goal, 35 point campaign.
Center Esposito first played 27 games with Chicago in 1963-64, although he gave little hint as to what was to come when he scored a mere 3 goals and 2 assists for just 5 points. The following three seasons he became a full-season NHL regular, scoring 55, 53 and finally 61 points with a high of 27 goals in 1965-66.
In exchange for those three players, the Black Hawks received Marotte, a defenseman with two seasons under his belt, goaltending prospect Norris, a player who played 23 games with Boston in 1964-65, and Martin, the second leading scorer for Boston the previous season, but with just 42 points.
Following the trade Norris would play just 10 games in goal for the Black Hawks over the next two seasons before moving to the Los Angeles Kings after a season in the minors. Marotte saw action for Chicago for three seasons before also moving on to the Kings. Martin was the bright spot in the trade for the Black Hawks, as he played ten years for Chicago, averaging 63 points per season with a high of 90 in 1972-73 and leading the team in scoring once in 1976.
In the ten years following the trade, Chicago would qualify for the playoffs nine times, reaching the finals twice, losing to the Montreal Canadiens twice, by one goal in the seventh game in 1971 and in six games in 1973.
In the years following the trade, Stanfield was a member of the Bruins for six seasons, averaging 68 points and an incredibly consistent 22.5 goals, with each season falling between 20 and 25 goals.
Hodge shown brightly in Boston, playing nine seasons with the Bruins, with remarkable durability, only once playing less than 70 games, and scoring 90 points or more on three occasions. 1973-74 was his best season, scoring 50 goals and 105 points.
It was the arrival of Esposito, admittedly along with the maturation of defenseman Bobby Orr, that transformed the Bruins. Prior to Esposito's arrival in Boston, the Bruins had missed the playoffs in the six team NHL the previous eight seasons. Following the trade with Chicago, Boston would go on a run of making the playoffs for 29 straight years.
From Esposito's 1972 book "Hockey is My Life":
It was quite a season. For the first time in history, the Hawks finished first. I had 21 goals, but a big fat zero in six playoff games as we got knocked out in the opening round. I knew that Roger wasn't impressed with me as a playoff performer. Still, in three seasons with Chicago I had scored 23, 27 and 21 goals. So what happened? I was traded to Boston. A last place club.
For the first time in my hockey life I had been rejected. Guys talk about trades being part of the game. I suupose it's always in the back of your mind if you're a professional athlete. But when it happens - pow. It's a slap in the face. What it means to a guy is that someone doesn't think enough of him to keep him around. That was my reaction anyway. Maybe if you go from a bad club to a winner you're thrilled. But Boston? That was a last place team. They hadn't been in the playoffs since 1959. It was like the guys on the Hawks were consoling me at a wake. "You'll like it in Boston," they said. "It's a great hockey town." That wasn't my reaction, though. Ther was shame. I had scored 71 goals in three years, and my club thought they were getting someone better. Funny, isn't it, that the first thing you ask when you're told you've been traded is: "Who did they trade me for?" Then when you find out the guy's name, you try to reationalize that he's really pretty good, maybe even a bigger name than you are. Every guy I know who's ever been traded want's to know; "Who'd they get for me?"
Yet, there was something positive about the Boston deal. For the first time I realized I was a celebrity. I never thought people knew my name or that the papers cared much about me. But when the trade was announced, I was the major figure in the deal. The Hawks had to get rid of me before I saw my name in big type. At Chicago I'd been overshadowed by Bobby Hull, Stan Mikita, Glenn Hall, Ken Warrham. All of a sudden, I was a big man in Boston. Together with Orr. And I liked that.
Esposito would immediately surpass his career high 61 points with Chicago and lead the Bruins in scoring with 84. Paired with Hodge and Ron Murphy in 1968-69, the line would explode offensively, setting a record for points by a line with Esposito's 126 points leading the league in scoring and obliterating the NHL single season record in the process, as he became the first player to ever reach 100 points in a season.
The 1969-70 season featured Orr winning the scoring title with Esposito second with 99 points as the Bruins won their first Stanley Cup since 1941 thanks in part to Esposito scoring 27 points from 13 goals and 14 assists in just 14 games.
Phil Esposito with the Stanley Cup in 1970
Dozens of scoring records fell to the Bruins the following season as Esposito upped the scoring record to 152 points and the goal scoring mark to 76. Remarkably, Esposito and Orr with 139 points, Johnny Bucyk with 116 and Hodge with 105, finished 1-2-3-4 in league scoring, something no NHL teammates had ever done before. Hodge's 105 points were a record for right wings and Orr's 139 still stands as the record for defensemen.
Esposito would again win the league scoring title in 1971-72 with 133 points, with Orr again second as the Bruins won their second Stanley Cup in three years. During the playoffs that season Esposito was again a major contributor, scoring nine goals and 15 assists for 24 points in 15 games.
The Stanley Cup Champion 1971-72 Boston Bruins
Another scoring title for Esposito was in store for 1972-73, this time with 55 goals and 133 points with Hodge and Stanfield fourth and fifth for the Bruins.
The Bruins offense again reached the point of domination again in 1973-74 with Esposito's fifth scoring title, and fourth consecutive, when he scored 68 goals and 145 points. Once more, Esposito, Orr (122 points) and Esposito's linemates Hodge (105) and Wayne Cashman (89) swept the top four places in the scoring race, the only other time in league history teammates have swept the top four places, as the Bruins made it all the way to the Stanley Cup Finals.
Esposito lost out on the scoring title to Orr (135 points) in 1974-75, but still came in second overall with 127 points while leading the league in goal scoring with 61, his fifth consecutive season with 55 goals or more.
12 games into the 1975-76 season, the Bruins dealt Esposito to the New York Rangers, with Hodge following him there a year later, closing the most successful chapter in Boston Bruins history.
Esposito was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1984 and Boston retired Esposito's sweater #7 in a memorable ceremony in 1987.
While a member of the Bruins, Esposito won five Art Ross Trophies, two Hart Trophies, two Lester Pearson Awards, and two Stanley Cups, as did Hodge while Stanfield captured one.
It would take the Chicago Blackhawks another 43 years following the trade to win another Stanley Cup.
Today's featured jersey is a 1963-64 Chicago Black Hawks Phil Esposito jersey, as worn in Esposito's rookie season with Chicago. This was the first year for this exact style of Black Hawks jersey with three stripes on the sleeves and would be used for just two seasons before the lace up collar would be discontinued.
Today's video section begins with the Legends of Hockey profile of Phil Esposito.
One of Phil's all-time great moments, the Hockey Sock Rock, with The Unknown Comic, Alan Thicke and Gil Gerard. Some things you just can't unsee. You've been warned.
On a serious note, one of Phil's most memorable moments was his disappointment with the home fans after Game 4 of the 1972 Summit Series, where, always wearing his heart on his sleeve, Phil vents his frustration in front of the entire nation.
Labels: Boston Bruins, Chicago Blackhawks, Esposito Phil
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Home At Last by Deborah Raney, with a giveaway
Why did their differences matter so much?
Link Whitman has settled into the role of bachelor without ever intending to. Now he's stuck in a dead-end job and, as the next Whitman wedding fast approaches, he is the last one standing. The pressure from his sisters' efforts to play matchmaker is getting hard to bear as Link pulls extra shifts at work, and helps his parents at the Chicory Inn.
All her life, Shayla Michaels has felt as if she straddled two worlds. Her mother's white family labeled her African American father with names Shayla didn't repeat in polite---well, in any company. Her father's family disapproved as well, though they eventually embraced Shayla as their own. After the death of her mother, and her brother Jerry's incarceration, life has left Shayla's father bitter, her niece, Portia, an orphan, and Shayla responsible for them all. She knows God loves them all, but why couldn't people accept each other for what was on the inside? For their hearts?
Everything changes one icy morning when a child runs into the street and Link nearly hits her with his pickup. Soon he is falling in love with the little girl's aunt, Shayla, the beautiful woman who runs Coffee's On, the bakery in Langhorne. Can Shayla and Link overcome society's view of their differences and find true love? Is there hope of changing the sometimes---ugly world around them into something better for them all?
This is a difficult book review for me to write. I am not a big romance reader, but I have thoroughly enjoyed this series. I loved the characters, the interaction between family members, and everything about the books. When this one came up for review, I didn't even read the blurb..... I just requested it.
Anything can get you labeled a racist today. Just not voting for a black president because you don't like his policies gets you labeled a racist. So to say I am not a fan of interracial relationships will definitely get me labeled by that some..... as if we do not have the freedom to feel that way. Anyway, once I found out what the book was about, I kept an open mind and read it. And I didn't care for it. Maybe it is partly because I am a single guy who will never marry, but I kept thinking Link was nuts for still pursuing a relationship with Shayla with all of the roadblocks and how her dad hated white people. (Yeah, I know it is fiction).
I know there is still racism, but I also know there are a lot of false accusations of racism and some people see it everywhere. It felt to me like the author was pushing the idea that we must all accept interracial marriages, all the while showing what a bad idea it can be. I honestly didn't care for the book, and was sad to see a great series end on this note. I do feel the subject could have been handled better, but the book was a turn off for me. It didn't help that the author referenced the Michael Brown and Trayvon Martin cases..... I am not sure if she agrees with the liberals on that, as she didn't say, but it bothered me that she used them as examples. I guess the whole book came across as an agenda to me.
I was given a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Deborah Raney's novels have won numerous awards including the RITA, National Readers' Choice Award, HOLT Medallion, the Carol Award, and have three times been Christy Award finalists. She and her husband, Ken Raney have traded small-town life in Kansas-the setting of many of Deb's novels-for life in the city of Wichita.
Find out more about Deborah at http://deborahraney.com.
Home At Last, and the rest of the Chicory Inn Series is available from Abington Press.
Conclude Deborah Raney's Chicory Inn novels with the final book, Home at Last, a story of acceptance, trying to overcome differences, and love. Everything changes for bachelor Link Whitman one icy morning when a child runs into the street and he nearly hits her with his pickup-and then the girl's aunt Shayla enters Link's life. Can Shayla and Link overcome society's view of their differences and find true love? Is there hope of changing the sometimes-ugly world around them into something better for them all?
Join Deborah on Thursday, March 23, for a live author chat party in her Facebook group with fun prizes to be won! Click the graphic below for more details and to RSVP. Hope to see you there-bring a friend or two who loves to read!
Claiming Noah by Amanda Ortlepp
Deep Extraction, an FBI Task Force Novel by DiAnn ...
Unchained by Noel Jesse Heikkinen
Murder Is No Accident, Hidden Springs Mystery #3 ...
The Superheroes Devotional: 60 Inspirational Readi...
Victor: The Reloaded Edition by Tony Ross
Open Hands CD by Laura Story, with a giveaway
Grace Is Greater by Kyle Idleman
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Editor Interviews: Sean Preston, Open Pen
(Photo © Open Pen, 2018)
AN INTERVIEW WITH SEAN PRESTON, EDITOR OF OPEN PEN
by DAVID FRANKEL
For readers and writers of the short story, literary magazines are an ideal platform. They give new writers an opportunity to show their work and build a readership, and give better established authors a place to experiment with form and ideas.
Magazines and journals are often more inclusive and diverse than publishing houses – lighter on their feet, able to challenge and speculate. Each magazine has its own distinct identity, and each attracts a following of readers passionate about the short story. Few of them seek outside funding, fewer still receive it, often operating on a minimal budget, and yet they soldier on.
Their editors are the gatekeepers who spend their time reading submissions, producing the magazine, finding new readers and organising events. So, we decided to try and get inside the heads of these unsung heroes of the short-story world in a series of interviews. In the first of this series, David Frankel talks to Sean Preston of Open Pen.
Now in its seventh year, Open Pen is a free short fiction magazine featuring emerging short story writers, and is stocked in independent bookshops across the UK. Will Ashon said of the magazine: “There is a taste behind Open Pen, of course, an intelligence, a vision. But there isn’t an enforced ‘good taste’, a barrier to access.”
Sean Preston is from Newham, London, where he lives today. He is an ex-pro wrestler and thing-maker at record label Ninja Tune. He tweets @SeanPrestonLDN
David Frankel: Sean, how would you describe Open Pen?
Sean Preston: A short-fiction journal willing to take a risk. By that I don’t particularly mean that we aim to be edgy or subversive, but we do want writers who have something to say for themselves and are willing to disrupt the reader. We’re like SeaWorld: deep.
DF: What does a day in the life of the editor of Open Pen look like?
SP: When I have my editor hat on (let’s say for the purpose of this interview that it’s an obnoxiously coloured beret), it means fretting about trying to find the right mix of fiction for our magazine, and for our website. Probably more than that, sadly, it means making the magazine work from a financial standpoint. We rely on advertisers to keep going, and on sales of our Anthology (a book which celebrated five years of Open Pen) and subscriptions. Finding new ways to get as many people subscribing, attending our shows, and buying our books as we have submitting to us is an unending pursuit that I doubt I’m alone in as a fiction publisher.
Outside of that, hat off, I work in music for a record label in London. I make things (like records), but not the actual music itself. The music-making is reserved for people with more talent than me. I’m just there for the wage. I’m saving up for a big trip to Florida.
DF: Being the editor of a lit. mag can be challenging and the rewards are often intangible. What drew you to it?
SP: True, it is challenging. Very up and down. It’s very much like being an Orca handler at SeaWorld. Our problems come in waves.
I wanted to publish the sort of fiction that I was writing. Writers write the sort of fiction that they’d like to see, that they think is missing, I think. At least when they get past writing in the style of who they want to be. The magazine was about doing just that — putting writing with something to say, writing that is relevant to young people from a variety of different backgrounds, into print.
I think that’s still my reward in this: finding the occasional writer that hasn’t been published elsewhere, giving them the validation that writers often need to encourage them to keep at it. To progress. We’re a stepping stone, for many. And, I know, who are we to validate anyone, right? I quite agree. But there’s an independent verification that comes with me — some guy you’ve never met — spending all this time putting together a mag, and the team of readers pouring through submissions, and the established writers offering their support, their own writing, that does act as a validation for new fiction writers.
That’s how all this started. I was frustrated at the lack of print magazines catering for the sort of writing I wanted to see. I was young and full of beans (cocktail of amphetamines and toxic male pride/fear of failure). I wanted to make it big and ride majestic like a killer whale. So, alongside a friend who is still part of the Open Pen fold, I went out and begged bookshops to stock us, got our name out to friends of friends of friends. We wanted to be print only; rejected a web presence. Think our first submission call wielded about 20 short stories. We now get around 400. And yeah, we’re online.
DF: There is a lot of humour in the pages of Open Pen, but a lot of darkness too — often in the same story — do you make a conscious effort to balance the two?
SP: I think that’s the identity of the magazine now. Someone said that the common denominator of our fiction is that its tongue is planted firmly in its cheek. I’ve been quoting that ever since because I think it’s spot on. I can’t imagine publishing a fiction magazine that doesn’t take the piss a little. That’s not what I read. Not how we speak. Not how we deal with things. Humour — good, bad, mean, silly, timely, untimely — permeates everything that I do, all of it. I can’t accept writing that doesn’t do the same. I’m not saying that every sentence needs to deliver a laugh. Far from it in fact, but to deny your art of humour feels contrary to its purpose, I think.
DF: Open Pen has an urban feel. Do you have a particular audience in mind when you shape an issue, or in general?
SP: No, again I think that’s rather a hangover of the early days of the magazine, in which it was very much shaped around what I liked to read. The reading team is usually 6–8 strong now, so the content of the magazine is a reflection of what is enjoyed and relevant to six different people, but I know them all, they’re all writers that I have published or worked with in some way, writers who were able to use Open Pen as a platform, and who now want to give back… Maybe they just like reading, or maybe they just like me? Maybe I intimidate them? No wait, they feel sorry for me. Anyway, that all means that they’re Londoners. At least at the moment, even if some of them did start off in irrelevant places like Up North, Aberdeen, and Abroad. With London comes an unavoidable grittiness. The urbanity of our fiction, hopefully not a cliched one, is a reaction to our surroundings.
DF: Open Pen is a free magazine, but looks and feels high quality, how do you achieve this?
SP: Thanks! That’s a nice thing to say in a question. My day job is making things. I mentioned that already. That means I know really boring things about digital printing vs litho and spot gloss varnish and paper grammage and ughhhhh take me to SeaWorld I wanna see Baby Shamu. With this boring knowledge comes great responsibility to make my magazine look OK. The power of CMYK is unrelenting. I’m able to make the covers look… garish, often, but also sometimes nice, I hope. Again, the look of our covers, and Josh Neal’s illustrations, have become a part of our identity (I’m using “identity” here because the domination of that word in our current dialect is slightly less soul-destroying than “brand”).
DF: How did the striking look of the magazine develop?
SP: The very first mock up I did of the magazine was in a baby pink. I think I probably stole that pink from The Royal Tenenbaums. I stole a lot of things from The Royal Tenenbaums. I’m 34. I was mid-twenties then. The pink for Issue One ended up working really well on an uncoated board for the cover, so we kept at that for a while, kept working in pastels. Those early editions look great. We’re on Twenty-One now. We’ve run out of colours, so we’ve broken all our house style rules. The current issue is green and orange. Green — and — orange.
DF: Do you work with other editors or alone?
SP: Sort of both, we only really edit fiction by writers we think need or want it. We’re not professionals, often the stories we accept are written by writers with far superior editorial skills than us (or at least than mine). When I edit fiction, I do it because I think I get what the writer is trying to achieve, and want to help them realise it. I think I’m a good or, at least, appropriate editor for a lot of the sort of stuff we put out. Other work is edited by one or two of the other Open Pen volunteers, chiefly Joe Johnston who has been helping out with the magazine for a few years now. He’s like a dolphin through rings, so elegant in his way, so reliable.
DF: So, you mentioned that you are also a writer of short fiction…
SP: Yeah, like I said, writing fiction and not knowing where to place it was why I started Open Pen. Ironically I didn’t have much time for my own writing once the magazine took off. More recently I’ve been back at it. I feel like a completely different writer and I think that’s due to Open Pen. You learn what you like in short stories, and what you dislike (and often hate). I’ve placed a few stories recently, some are online. The last piece was in The Lonely Crowd anthology. Sweet independent verification!
DF: How has your experience of being an editor changed your views on the short story form?
SP: I still publish the sort of short story I’m about to chastise, now and again, so feel free to laugh off my comments as the ramblings of a tired and embittered hypocrite. Stories in which the protagonist is a morose writer can go fuck themselves. Stop doing it, stop writing that. Write something else. Write someone else. There are currently around 12,000 stories about drug-taking writers fighting the system (publishing, apparently) in my inbox. There are zero stories about the allure of orca by moonlight. There are zero stories set in and around SeaWorld, and I just think that’s kind of tragic.
DF: You’ve already mentioned the recently published Open Pen Anthology – a fantastic collection of work by authors who have appeared in the magazine and a tremendous way to celebrate five years of Open Pen. How did it come about and how did you go about selecting the work?
SP: Initially we wanted the collection to be a selection of our favourite cover stories. But our publisher, Limehouse Books, fronted by the awesome Bobby Nayyar, pointed out that people might be reluctant to pay for something that they’ve already had for free. So we got the selected authors to provide new fiction as well. In that way the book became a sort of best of and a collection of new fiction — we stumbled on something that really worked for us, I think, and we intend to do the same in a couple of years.
DF: What else can readers expect in the future?
SP: More garishly colour-schemed issues of Open Pen. They can expect it to remain FREE in all good indie bookshops. They can expect fiction over on our website. They can expect photos of me patting sea-life. They can expect a poetry book from Scott Manley Hadley in which he explains the breakdown of a relationship to his poos. It’s visceral. It’s urgent. It’s all the buzzwords, and it’s coming very soon. It’s our first single-author publication. I’m quite excited about it. It’s a disruptive piece of work.
DF: Where can we find a copy?
SP: You can find a copy of the magazine in your bookshop. If they don’t have it, go spare. Go absolutely livid. But tell us so we can make sweet with them and try and get it stocked near you. You can also subscribe over on our website.
As for the anthology — best place to get it now is also from our website. Buying that book supports what we do, it keeps us going, it keeps new writers with something a bit different to say in print, it keeps that stepping stone firmly grounded, and if we make a bit extra, it might send me to SeaWorld…
David Frankel is the interim editor of Thresholds. His short stories have been published in anthologies and magazines including Unthology 8, Prole, Lightship Anthology and The London Magazine. His creative non-fiction and reviews have been published in various journals and publications both online and in print. He also works as an artist and edits work for other writers.
thresholds has written 34 articles for THRESHOLDS
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Reasons to Upgrade from ISA Server to Forefront Threat Management Gateway (TMG) 2010
Richard Hicks Posted On December 13, 2011
The threat landscape has changed substantially since Microsoft first released ISA Server 2006 nearly six years ago. ISA is an excellent edge firewall, proxy and VPN server, but it lacks the advanced web protection capabilities necessary to defend our users from attack on today’s Internet. With the release of Forefront Threat Management Gateway (TMG) 2010, Microsoft provides us with an integrated edge security solution that can provide the level of protection our security engineers require from a modern secure web gateway. With the end of mainstream support fast approaching for ISA Server 2006 SP1, many organizations are now finally starting to consider upgrading their existing ISA infrastructure. Better late than never, I say! In this article I’ll provide a review of the new features included in TMG and make a compelling argument to start planning your migration to TMG soon.
TMG is Native 64-Bit
TMG is now a native 64-bit application that runs on the latest 64-bit operating system from Microsoft – Windows Server 2008 R2. Installation on Windows Server 2008 SP2 is also supported. With 64-bit support, TMG can now address much more memory than ISA server is capable of. Removing the 4GB memory limited imposed by 32-bit operating systems means that TMG can be scaled up more effectively, and can handle much more traffic than its predecessors.
TMG Runs on Windows Server 2008 SP2 and R2
In addition to having access to more memory, Windows Server 2008/R2 include a new networking stack that can increase stability and provide significant performance improvements in some environments. The Windows Next Generation networking stack includes features such as Receive Window Auto Tuning, Receive-Side Scaling (RSS), Compound TCP, and Explicit Congestion Notification (ECN). Veteran ISA server administrators know that some of these features, included in the Scalable Networking Pack (SNP) and later included in Service Pack 1 (SP1) for Windows Server 2003, conflicted with ISA and had to be disabled. No longer is this an issue with TMG and Windows Server 2008/R2! In addition there are enhancements to dead gateway detection and improvements in black hole router detection. The most important change in the new networking stack is the Windows Filtering Platform (WFP), which allows TMG to integrate with the networking stack much more closely than in previous versions. Also, the new NDIS specification now allows the TMG firewall driver to filter traffic at layer two and provides support for tagged VLANs and NIC teaming! You can read more about the myriad changes and improvements made to the Windows 2008/R2 networking stack here. Windows Server 2008/R2 are more highly instrumented as well, making performance monitoring and troubleshooting much easier.
Advanced Web Protection
Like its predecessors, TMG is a multi-layered perimeter defense system that alsoprovides secure remote access. The majority of new features in TMG are centered on the forward (outbound) proxy scenario, however. To improve the level of protection provided for clients accessing resources on the Internet, TMG now includes the following advanced web protection capabilities:
URL filtering – With integrated URL filtering, TMG can prevent access to web sites that are known to be malicious or are not allowed by corporate acceptable use policies.
Web antimalware – With integrated virus and malicious software scanning, TMG can provide protection from file-based attacks. Users are now protected when downloading files.
Network Inspection System (NIS) – NIS is a compelling new intrusion detection and prevention feature that provides protection from protocol-based attacks. With signatures developed by the Microsoft Malware Protection Center (MMPC) and released concurrently with security updates on the second Tuesday of each month (patch Tuesday), NIS is designed to prevent vulnerabilities in Microsoft software from being exploited remotely.
HTTPS Inspection – HTTPS has long been referred to as the “universal firewall bypass protocol”. HTTPS provides end-to-end encryption which renders even the most advanced application layer firewalls nearly useless. TMG has the ability to terminate and decrypt SSL communication, allowing for full application layer traffic inspection to take place.
Advanced E-Mail Protection
To provide advanced e-mail protection, TMG can integrate intimately with your existing Exchange 2007/2010 environment. TMG supports in the installation of the Exchange edge transport role directly on the TMG firewall, as well as Forefront Protection for Exchange to provide anti-spam, anti-phishing, and anti-malware protection. The advantages of this deployment scenario are consolidation of edge systems and simplified e-mail policy management using the native TMG management console. Using a clustered array of TMG firewalls also provides load balancing and fault tolerance for the secure mail relay.
VPN Improvements
TMG now includes support for Secure Socket Tunneling Protocol (SSTP). SSTP uses SSL to provide secure, encrypted communication between clients running Windows Vista SP1 or Windows 7 and the TMG firewall. SSTP is very firewall friendly, using the ubiquitous TCP port 443 which greatly simplifies the remote access VPN experience and provides much more broad access to corporate resources. Additionally, TMG also includes support for Network Access Protection (NAP) integration. This allows TMG administrators to leverage their existing NAP infrastructure to enforce endpoint configuration policies for remote access clients.
Logging and Reporting Enhancements
The logging infrastructure in TMG is greatly improved over previous versions of ISA server. TMG now installs SQL Server 2008 Express by default, which is significantly better than MSDE provided with ISA. For added resiliency, TMG now has the ability to queue logged data to disk. With log queuing, TMG can continue logging and servicing requests even when the database is offline for any reason. Experienced ISA administrators managing very busy environments are painfully aware of what happens when ISA can’t log to the database – the firewall service would shut down and all traffic would be blocked. Those days are over! Reporting has been improved as well, with TMG now using SQL Server Reporting Services (SRSS) to generate reports. The overall look and feel of the reports is much better too.
TMG is now much easier to implement thanks to support for a new deployment scenario – the standalone array. You can now configure an array of Enterprise edition TMG firewalls without having to install and configure an Enterprise Management Server (EMS – formerly called the Configuration Storage Server, or CSS). Additionally, both Standard and Enterprise editions of TMG now use Active Directory Lightweight Directory Services (AD LDS) for local configuration storage. By contrast, ISA server used Active Directory Application Mode (ADAM) for Enterprise edition and the Windows registry for Standard edition. This change makes it possible for a TMG firewall to be joined to an array after TMG is installed. It is also now possible to disjoin an array without having to uninstall TMG.
Additional Networking Improvements
In addition to the enhancements to the underlying operating system’s networking stack outlined earlier, TMG now includes support for two different ISPs in a load balanced or failover scenario. Changes to NAT in TMG now allow the administrator to configure more granular NAT policies, including establishing one-to-one NAT rules. Most recently, TMG Service Pack 2 (SP2) provides the ability to leverage Kerberos authentication for web proxy clients configured to use the Network Load Balancing (NLB) virtual IP address (VIP).
But Wait, There’s More!
As with any major product upgrade, there are many smaller improvements that might go unnoticed. TMG is no exception. Many of these new features and capabilities will make the ISA firewall administrator’s life much easier. They include:
SIP filter – Protecting Voice over IP (VoIP) traffic is much easier with the addition of the Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) filter in TMG.
TFTP filter – A new TFTP greatly simplifies the process of providing secure access to TFTP servers.
Improved error pages – With the latest service pack, the look and feel of the error pages is much improved. They are more easily customizable as well.
SCOM integration – TMG includes support for integration with System Center Operations Manager (SCOM) 2007 and later.
Migrating from ISA to TMG
Migrating from ISA Server to TMG is not trivial, and requires careful planning and preparation. There are supported upgrade paths from ISA Server 2004 SP3 and ISA Server 2006 SP1. A complete discussion about migration is outside the scope of this article. However, you can read more about ISA to TMG migration here.
So, what are you waiting for? As you can see, Forefront Threat Management Gateway (TMG) 2010 has a lot to offer. It provides significantly more protection than itspredecessors, and with 64-bit support and improvements to the underlying operating system the stability, performance, and scalability of TMG far surpasses that of any previous version of ISA server. TMG includes many advanced web protection capabilities not found in ISA server, including URL filtering, virus and malicious software scanning, advanced intrusion detection and prevention, and HTTPS inspection capabilities. Although the improvements made in TMG are primarily focused on outbound protection, TMG includes support for integrating with Exchange to provide advanced e-mail protection. Additionally, TMG still provides secure remote access with support for publishing Exchange 2010 and SharePoint 2010. Remote access and site-to-site VPN are still supported, and with the addition of support for the SSTP protocol, client-based VPN access is as robust as ever. There have been improvements in logging and reporting and new deployment options. Enhancements to NAT and support for multiple ISPs are both welcome improvements that will address important needs for many current ISA administrators. Migrating configurations from ISA to TMG is fully supported, so you won’t have to reinvent the wheel when it comes time to upgrade. Forefront TMG has been out for more than two years, has two full service packs, and is Common Criteria level EA4+ certified. With mainstream support for ISA Server 2006 SP1 ending in early January 2012, there’s no need to wait any longer. Begin planning your upgrade to TMG today!
Home » Servers » ISA Server » Reasons to Upgrade from ISA Server to Forefront Threat Management Gateway (TMG) 2010
The Process for Assessing and Managing Website Vulnerabilities
Even on a secure network, vulnerabilities may be lurking on your website. But before you can fix these website vulnerabilities, you have to find them.
Free Active Directory Auditing with Netwrix
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Home » Film 3Q
Film Three-Quarterly: The King of Marvin Gardens (1972)
Film, Film 3Q
I watched King of Marvin Gardens many, many years ago, when it was a VHS rental from a video store (remember those?) I had very little memory of the film, apart from Jack Nicholson’s opening monolog and the one he records later in the bathroom, which I used for a mixtape (remember those too?)
So it was a delight to watch this again and see the film for the “first” time. Bob Rafelson had made several films with Nicholson up to this point, most famously two years before, Five Easy Pieces, which, similarly, many can’t remember save the diner scene.
Film Three-Quarterly: Stranger by the Lake (2013)
Stranger by the Lake, Alain Guiraudie’s hypnotic, dreamlike thriller set at a cruising spot for gays sometime vaguely in the early ‘90s, made many best-of lists for 2014, including Film Comment. It’s now on Netflix, where I watched it one lunchtime (not the best time to watch a mysterious thriller, I admit).
Anyway, the question for us is: does a French, experimental, gay serial killer film follow the three-quarters rule of structure? Oui bien sûr!
Film Three-Quarterly: Fargo (1996)
Before Picasso went Cubist, he knew the techniques of the old masters. Before the Coen Brothers became one of the more adventurous commercial filmmakers out there, they knew their genre and structure. Blood Simple is tight as a drum when it comes to plotting. But as they got more confident, they began to experiment with form, character, and structure.
Let’s take their Oscar-winning Fargo from 1996. Like their first film, it’s a crime story where a plan goes terribly awry. But in terms of structure, we are a long way from classic noir. This is the first film we’ve looked at that refutes the three quarter structure that so many films follow. How and why it does that is what we’ll get into.
Film Three-Quarterly: The Master (2012)
Having just looked at an example of Hollywood’s classic period, Casablanca, I thought I’d turn to a contemporary film, a difficult film, and one that at first blanch doesn’t appear to have too much of a story: The Master.
With There Will Be Blood (2007) director Paul Thomas Anderson began to explore “difficult” narratives with plots that vanish the closer you get to them, like desert mirages.
As Roger Ebert wrote in his review of the film, it is “fabulously well-acted and crafted, but when I reach for it, my hand closes on air.”
What exactly *is* this film about? Yes, it’s about a troubled sailor Freddie (Joaquin Phoenix) who falls in with a charismatic leader Lancaster Dodd (Philip Seymour Hoffman) and his self-help cult. Freddie is looking for help–or is he?–and by the end of the film, he really hasn’t found it.
Film Three-Quarterly: Casablanca (1942)
One of the pleasures of this project is sitting down to re-watch some classic films, this time with a different objective. Casablanca is often used in screenwriting courses as an example of a perfect narrative and structure. But if a beginning screenwriter looks to Casablanca for advice on how to write a script, they will shed tears and blood trying to match something so finely interwoven. As Robert McKee points out in “Story,” Casablanca introduces five subplots before getting to the main plot–the love triangle between Humphrey Bogart’s Rick, Ingrid Bergman’s Ilsa, and Paul Henreid’s Victor Laszlo.
The first frame
Written by Julius and Philip Epstein and Howard Koch, and based on a play by Murray Burnett and Joan Alison, Casablanca has a wit that does not take away from the serious nature of its politics, or the mature pain and regrets felt by all who come to this limbo-like city. Despite their fine dress, the great music, and the fun of the casino/bar that is Rick’s, this is a city where life is cheap, and where people make money almost exclusively off people’s misery.
The film is 102 minutes long, so according to our F3Q rules, our main scenes arrive at 25.5, 51, and 76.5 minutes in. Let’s see what we can learn about this film by looking at them.
By the time we get to the first quarter, we’ve been introduced to the city of Casablanca and its position as a possible gateway to freedom from those escaping the Nazis. We’ve also been introduced to–in order–Rick’s Cafe (and how it lay in the flight path of the all-important airport), Major Strasser (Conrad Veidt) the Nazi, Captain Renault (the wonderful Claude Rains), Sam the piano player (Dooley Wilson), a slew of minor but well rounded bit players, Rick, and then Ugarte (Peter Lorre) and Ferrari (Sydney Greenstreet). We’ve seen how Rick operates–he refuses to help out Ugarte, from whom he gets the stolen Letters of Transit–and we hear him say “I stick my neck out for nobody.” We hear that a major member of the resistance Victor Laszlo is coming to Casablanca, traveling with a woman, and Rick is not to help them leave.
So at this 25th minute, this is exactly when Ilsa and Laszlo walk in, setting the plot in motion. Seeing Ilsa again sucker punches Rick right in his broken heart. He thought he’d never see her again. And Laszlo is a man most people thought was dead. The tension arises through things both unsaid and unknown, which will be worked out through the rest of the film. Does Laszlo know that Rick and Ilsa were lovers? Does Rick know that Laszlo was the dead husband–or so she thought–that Ilsa spoke about in Paris? Who does she love still? And who will Rick help?
Several things make this quarter interesting compared to standard screenplays. Rick is not a hero who makes a choice in this scene. The film builds and builds until much later, past the final quarter, when Rick finally makes a choice. This script would not get out of development nowadays, perhaps, with such a passive lead character.
In fact, Rick is so passive, that he is not the focus of any of these three main scenes. Without doubt he is the film’s hero. But his character is–like America a few years previous–an isolationist. “One woman has hurt you,” Ilsa later tells him, “and you want to take your revenge on the rest of the world.”
By the time we get to the middle scene, we know the back story of Rick and Ilsa’s Paris relationship (and how they knew Sam) through flashback as Rick drinks his sorrows away. From the beginning of the film to this bender, the first half takes place in one day. When the second half begins, it begins with a new day, and a scene in Renault’s office. Strasser is there too, and they know that Rick has the Letters of Transit but they don’t know where. They welcome in Laszlo and Ilsa and offers a Visa to the former if he gives up the names of other resistance leaders in Europe. Laszlo is defiant and tells the Nazis they have no jurisdiction here. Strasser reminds him of Ugarte’s fate.
This mid-point sets up the rest of the film as these threats act as a catalyst–which unless I’m reading the lighting wrong, all takes place on the second day. Laszlo knows he’s a marked man and needs those Letters. And it’s now clear that Rick controls several characters’ fates by possessing the Letters of Transit, despite his selfish bluster. However, Ilsa and Laszlo do not know yet that Rick has them.
The lovely problem with discussing “Casablanca” is that every single scene is important not just to the plot, but to each character appearing in it. Each line of dialog tells us something about the character that speaks it. I’m trying not to write out the whole story like a bad 8th grade book report.
In the third quarter scene, Laszlo and Ilsa meet in their hotel room. Maybe it make more sense that the third quarter is the scene that follows it, when Ilsa confronts Rick and insists he gives her the Letters, but instead breaks down and they fall into each others arms again.
But does the actual quarter scene make sense? It’s just as important, though not as romantic, for sure.
Laszlo and Ilsa now know that Rick has the Letters but won’t sell them, and the Nazis have shut down Rick’s Cafe until further notice. Alone in their room, Laszlo asks Ilsa if she was lonely (i.e. not with another man) in Paris while he was in the concentration camp. She lies and when given a chance to confess she doesn’t. I suspect that Laszlo knows exactly what’s going on. But does she know that he knows?
(BTW, notice how this third quarter frame is almost the same as the first quarter?)
Neither this scene nor the one that follows it follow the “dark night of the soul” cliche. However, in this final quarter scene, Ilsa resolves to go and get those papers, no matter the cost. In that following scene, Ilsa does throw down a gauntlet to Rick–he will have to decide their fate. The rest of the film shows Rick finally having to make some hard choices about people other than himself…but it’s taken the film all this time to get here.
By looking at these three scenes, I’m not suggesting that the Ilsa and Laszlo story is secretly more important than the Rick and Ilsa romance. We came to see a love that cannot be, even when there is through a twist of fate, a second chance.
But perhaps what this structure suggests is that, in the world beyond Rick’s Cafe, the meaning of Ilsa and Laszlo’s relationship, that combination of resistance and romance, is more important. The film has been telling us this is so throughout. So when Rick finally figures out that he needs to set aside his feelings for the greater good, we’ve arrived there first. (This is also why, in lesser scripts, sudden changes of heart feel phony.)
The final frame.
On a side note, there’s a lovely bit of costume design as storytelling: When Ilsa fails to turn up at the Paris train station in the flashback, Rick is wearing his iconic fedora and tan (I suppose) raincoat. We don’t see this outfit again until the very end, when Rick says goodbye to Ilsa at the airport. Very subtle, but poetic.
Also: I think Rick really starts to change his mind about being isolationist when he hears the Nazis singing beerhall songs after commandeering Sam’s piano. To live in a world of that music, or the world of jazz and the American Songbook? The choice is obvious.
Directed by Michael Curtiz
Written by Julius J. Epstein, Philip G. Epstein and Howard Koch
Edited by Owen Marks
Film Three-Quarterly: Up (2009)
For a quick recap of the theory behind F3Q, read this.
If anybody knows structure, it’s the storytellers at Pixar. To kick off Film Three-Quarterly, let’s take a look at this sweet, inter-generational adventure in which the elderly widower Carl (voiced by Ed Asner) takes off in his balloon-powered house to escape the old folks home in search of Paradise Falls, South America. However, he has the ingratiating Boy Scout Russell (Jordan Nagai) as an unintentional stowaway. This is journey narrative and a comedy, so lets look at the three quarter scenes of this film and if they confirm to our theories about narrative structure. This is a 96 minute film, so our major scenes should happen at 1) 24:00 2) 48:00 and 3) 72:00 minutes. (SPOILER: They do.)
The opening 10 minutes is a masterpiece of an introductory sequence that both sets up the future elements of the plot (explorer Charles Muntz, the monster bird he claims he found in Venezuela, and the “Spirit of Adventure”) and condenses Carl’s lifelong romance and marriage to his one true love Ellie. We then catch up with Carl in the present day. Ellie has passed on, he’s depressed, and is threatened with gentrification taking his house and a nursing home as his fate.
Our first quarter scene, then, happens when Carl has taken off in his balloon house and, while in mid-air, opens the front door to find Russell on his porch. Ten minutes earlier in the film, he tried to get rid of Russell. But now they are indeed stuck together, and this scene both illustrates how the Boy Scout will be annoying (he’s a motormouth and doesn’t ask permission) and helpful (he spots the approaching storm clouds). This is the beginning of their journey. One is geographic, to Venezuela. The other, more important journey, is that of emotional growth.
By the time we get to our middle scene, the two have landed near the falls, met both the “Monster” of Paradise Falls (a gawky bird that Russell names Kevin), and Dug (Bob Peterson) one of the best animated dogs since The Triplets of Belleville. We also know that three attack dogs are on their trail. Just like he felt about Russell, Carl wants to get rid of these two animals, but in the middle scene, Carl’s emotional world changes.
The scene takes place in the dark around a campfire under a drizzling rain. After a wonderful, Buster Keaton-worthy visual gag about a tent, we learn along with Carl that Russell has an absentee father and no mother, so when Russell asks as he drifts off to sleep to protect both the bird and the dog, Carl says yes.
Carl has gone from a curmudgeon who wanted to leave society and people to live inside his memories and grief to a man now responsible for three other lives. This decision now sends the film into its second half. And its done in one of the quietest moments in the film. (It also will be important in the film’s final scene.)
By the time we get to the third quarter, Carl has received all he thought he wanted. He’s reached his destination, and met his childhood hero Charles Muntz (Christopher Plummer), who withdrew from the world in scandal. In essence he’s met his idealistic double. But Muntz is still living with past desires and wants that Monster bird. Muntz and his dogs capture the bird and Carl chooses to save his house from the threat of fire rather than help.
Our final quarter, then, takes place at the lowest point, but not for long. Russell feels sad and betrayed, and as Carl looks around his now nearly destroyed house, he once again thumbs through his photo album, indulging in memories of his life with Ellie. This photo album brings us emotionally right back to the beginning, but a handwritten note from Ellie makes Carl see that he’s been living in the past for too long. This is a comedy with a happy ending, and so Carl makes a decision that to live in the moment. It is beautifully presented in this shot, with Russell’s Boy Scout sash lying over the arm of Ellie’s chair, symbolic of how Carl’s objects of devotion occupy similar places in his heart. That’s masterful stuff, folks.
This choice sends Carl and Russell towards the conclusion of their story, which ties all the emotional threads in a satisfying way. There’s so much more to “Up,” but in this first installment of F3Q, we can see how structure helps carry the emotional back story for both the main characters.
Directed by Pete Docter and Bob Peterson
Written by Pete Docter, Bob Peterson, and Tom McCarthy
Introducing The Film Three-Quarterly
Is there really such a thing as a three-act structure in film? When I first started to write scripts and study film, Syd Field’s Screenplay was one of the few books out there on scriptwriting and structure. In his book, Field talks about the three-act structure, but one thing always bugged me: the second act was twice as long as the other two.
The more I studied films the idea of the four-act structure began to make more sense:
Act One: introducing all the major characters, ending not with the “inciting incident” but with a choice of some sort. That can be the arrival at a new location, or a major choice made by the hero (who may not know of its importance.)
Act Two: The development of that choice, which leads to entanglements, ending on a mid-point of major importance. What happens in this middle scene sets the tone for the second half of the film. Mysteries may be solved. In a tragedy, this might be the last time a hero is happy. Stakes will either be raised or identified.
Act Three: Further complications resulting from the choices raised or decisions made in the middle scene. This act invariably ends in some sort of low point for the hero. However, decisions are also made at the end of this scene.
Act Four: The inevitable results of the actions made in Act Three’s final scene, either leading to a happy or tragic ending.
So this occasional series on this blog will take some films, some classic, some recent, some well-known, some obscure, and look at those three major scenes that link the four acts–the end of the first quarter, the all important middle scene, and the end of the third.
And we’ll be asking some questions along the way:
Do these three scenes adhere to the four act structure?
Does this structure change over the course of film history?
Can this structure help unearth a different narrative or explain an obtuse one?
This will be a spoiler-filled series of entries, so you have been warned. On the other hand, I’d love your feedback. This is a theory of mine, so tell me if I’m off my rocker.
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Neotel Academy Graduates 24 Students
South Africa's first converged telecommunications operator Neotel today announced the graduation of 24 students from its Academy. The Academy was launched in 2007 in response to South Africa's continued skills shortage in the telecommunications industry and to bridge the gap between what the industry is delivering and what is truly needed in terms of skills development. During the graduation ceremony, which is taking place at Neotel's Midrand Campus, the students will be addressed by Deputy Minister of Communications, Dina Pule.
The academy in conjunction with National Electronic Media Institute of South Africa (NEMISA) was designed to develop a pool of expertise in the ICT sector in response to the current skills shortage and competency gaps of the growing telecommunications market in South Africa. It is run in close collaboration with and is accredited by ISETT Seta.
It was launched in 2007 with 10 students as part of a pilot programme. The full academy was launched in March 2008 with 27 students enrolled. Entry requirements to the academy are Grade 12 Certificate and N6 from technical college in Electrical Engineering.
According to Ajay Pandey, MD and CEO of Neotel, the National Electronic Media Institute of South Africa (NEMISA) and Neotel worked closely in aligning the course to ensure the qualification is equivalent to NQF5 as there is currently no telecommunications qualification at that level. "Today is yet another milestone in the short history of Neotel in South Africa as we graduate 24 learners from the first full-time Neotel Telecommunications Learnership Programme," says Pandey.
"The course is designed to prepare graduates to be effective from the day they enter the work place," he says. "We are planning on increasing the level of collaboration with Further Education and Training Colleges (FETs) to allow them to eventually offer the course nationally. This project is much broader than the scope of our licence obligations to increase the impact we have on society." The Academy is aimed at establishing and maintaining a centre of excellence for the development and advancement of telecommunications skills in South Africa. "As the innovative telecommunications challenger, we know that the right high-quality skills are critical to us in achieving our objectives in the market," says Pandey. "We therefore established this Academy to develop a broad pool of telecommunications skills and are actively working to create sustainable employment opportunities for learners by equipping them with everything they need to operate effectively in the sector."
Neotel plans to expand the academy to include entrepreneurial development, which in turn will empower them to run projects such as internet cafes and sell community phone services.
"The academy is part of Neotel's strategy to create and develop local talent. It is profoundly sustainable, with a strong emphasis on technical and professional training, mentorship and on-the-job training and reiterates our commitment to incubate skills and develop local top talent that will respond to the needs of the market immediately," says Pandey. "We are confident that the Neotel Academy will make a meaningful contribution by accelerating access to new technologies, empowering the people of South Africa and creating a better life for all its citizens," he concludes.
Posted by Talk Now at 1:59 PM No comments: Links to this post
Labels: Neotel, South Africa
MTN Attributes Fall In SA Growth To Sim Registration
South Africa's MTN Group has announced that it had a shade under 108.5 million subscribers at the end of September. This is a 5% increase for the quarter from 103.2 million subscribers recorded at the end of June 2009 and a 19.6% increase for the year to date.
The South and East Africa (SEA) region increased its subscriber base by a very modest 0.5% for the quarter. This was primarily due to the disappointing negative movement of the South Africa subscriber base which contributes 64% to the region. South Africa's subscriber base declined from 17.23 million at the end of June 2009 to 16.42 million at the end of September. The main reason for the movement is the significantly lower number of gross connections following the implementation of RICA in August, which requires PrePay SIM cards to be registered with the operators. Given the current market uncertainty following the RICA implementation there are challenges with South Africa achieving its revised target of zero net additions for the full year.
Uganda increased its subscriber base by 11% in the quarter following the continued success of MTN Zone which now constitutes 95% of the total prepaid base.
The West and Central Africa (WECA) region increased its subscriber base by 5% for the quarter driven mainly by Nigeria which accounts for 58% of the region's subscribers. Nigeria recorded a 5% increase in its subscriber base to 28.76 million mainly due to continued network rollout, innovative product offerings and the effectiveness of the distribution channels implemented earlier in 2009. Ghana maintained its market share and increased its subscriber base by 2,6% despite aggressive competitor activity. Both Cameroon and Cote d'Ivoire increased their subscriber bases by 4% and 5% to 4.19 million and 4.21 million, respectively.
The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region recorded a 9% increase in subscribers for the quarter. This was largely due to continued growth from the Iran operation, which contributes 62% to the region's subscribers and increased its base by 8% to 20.7 million. Iran's growth was attributable mainly to expanded network coverage and continued promotional activity. Syria increased its subscriber base by 13% to 4 million, well above expectations. Afghanistan, although a relatively smaller operation, has been steadily contributing positively to the region's growth and has gained No. 1 position in the market from No 3 at the beginning of 2009.
MTN has revised its subscriber net addition guidance for the year for South Africa to zero and for Syria to 550,000 while other individually disclosed country guidance remains the same. MTN expects to achieve the total group subscriber net addition guidance for 2009 of 22.6 million.
Labels: Africa, Annual Results, Cameroon, Ghana, Iran, Ivory Coast, Middle East, MTN, Nigeria, South Africa, Syria, Uganda
Orange Kenya Announces New Internet Tariff Plan
ORANGE has announced a One Kenyan Shilling per MB tariff to become the most affordable internet bundle in Kenya.
This announcement by Orange is one of the first genuine offers in the market, coming in the wake of anticipated lowering of costs by service providers as a result of the landing and commissioning of fibre optic cable networks in Kenya.
According to the recently released 2009 ICT Facts and Figures report, the high price of internet has been highlighted as the major hindrance to this technology penetration in Africa. The continent has the lowest penetration and highest cost of broadband in the world.
Benefiting immensely from existing and recently refurbished fixed and wireless infrastructure in addition to investments made over the last two years in the mobile network, Orange internet now covers 70% of the Kenyan landscape.
Its ability to provide coverage across various technologies has given the company versatility that is currently unmatched in the country.
"Globally, Orange is the leading provider of data services and today I am glad to confirm that locally Orange will now commence a steady but sure process of securing data leadership due to our unmatched ability and capacity to deliver real broadband experience to our customers through a
variety of solutions to suit the dynamic needs of the market," said Mickael Ghossein, Telkom Kenya's chief executive officer.
"In setting the pace, our goal is to ensure more subscribers are able to access faster and high capacity internet through accessing the company intranet for travelling executives, quick email communication for business practitioners or email correspondence between family and friends," said
Ghossein.
He revealed that to complement the company's current distribution channels in a bid to increase availability and accessibility, strategic partnerships with key outlets and supermarkets had been signed across the country.
With immediate effect, the wide array of Orange plug and play internet solutions are now available at major supermarkets in Kenya.
Nigerian Court Halts Spectrum Auction
Nigeria's Federal High Court has stopped the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) from re-auctioning spectrum in the 2.3GHz frequency range, local daily Times of Nigeria reports. The court ruled that the process must be put on hold pending the determination of a lawsuit initiated by the previous winner of the spectrum, Mobitel.
Mobitel, Spectranet and fixed-wireless operator Multilinks beat off around 40 other applications for slots in the 2.3GHz band after each of them paid NGN1.368 billion (USD9.33 million) in May 2009 for the frequency used to support to WiMAX technology.
Later that month, Minister of Information and Communications, Dora Akunyili, issued a directive for the cancellation of the licensing and the implementation of a new auction, after operators faulted the commission on how the whole process was conducted, especially the one week timeframe given to pay the necessary fees. Mobitel, alleging contractual breach, has challenged the government's position in court, saying it had fulfilled the requirements. The matter will be heard in court on 17 November 2009.
Econet To Introduce Prepaid Roaming
Econet Wireless Zimbabwe, the country's largest mobile operator, says it has been working for more than six months to implement pre-paid international roaming, and expects to introduce roaming services for its Buddie and Libertie pre-paid users by the end of this year.
Company CEO Douglas Mboweni confirmed that the work was now at an advanced stage following 'heavy' investment, and that testing would begin in early December, adding that roaming capability was expected to have a huge positive impact on the pre-paid business.
Econet's customer base is approximately 97% pre-paid; back in March 2008 the figure was 91%, but post-paid services were temporarily suspended later that year at the height of the country's economic collapse, and since relaunching its services over a newly expanded network this year, the demand has been overwhelmingly for pre-paid lines.
Labels: Econet
16 Bid For Egypt's Triple Play Licences
Egypt's National Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (NTRA) has said that sixteen firms have purchased bid documents for its upcoming 'triple-play' licence auction, according to Reuters.
Those companies that have confirmed their interest in the concession include existing players in the Egyptian telecoms markets such as mobile network operator MobiNil and full-service telecoms group Orascom Telecom. UAE-based Etisalat meanwhile, which has been widely rumoured to be mulling a bid, has yet to confirm its interest.
Commenting on the terms of the tender, Olfat Abdel Monsef, vice-president for policies, research and development at the NTRA, confirmed however that successful bidders will not be able to lay new infrastructure, even within the residential suburbs the licences cover, noting: 'It is an access network, it is an access solution to stimulate growth.'
The regulator announced its plans to offer the licences last month, and the licences will allow the sale of fixed line voice, high speed broadband and pay-TV services in upscale suburbs outside the capital which contain between 50 and 5,000 housing units; provision of these services outside these areas will remain restricted. The bidding deadline for the licences has been set as 12 January 2010.
Labels: Egypt
MTN Rwanda Ends Expansion
MTN Rwanda has spent the USD100 million it had earmarked for the improvement of its operations during 2009, local daily the New Times reports.
According to the company's CFO Richard Tusabe, MTN would have spent more had it not been for the lack of liquidity during the year. 'There have been huge hindrances this year, like the unwillingness for the banks to loan money to the public hence borrowing some from abroad,' he commented.
MTN raised USD18 million of the investment budget from local banks and USD30 million from German bank KfW IPEX-Bank. Tusabe added that the cellco invested 70% of the funds in growing the company in 2009, while 11% of the total was spent on improving and expanding its network in rural areas.
Compared with this year's large investment, the firm spent USD40 million in 2008 and expects to invest less than USD50 million next year.
Malawi Suspends Issuance of Two Licences
The government of Malawi has suspended the issuance of two mobile licences awarded to Lacell of Singapore and Dubai-based Expresso Telecommunications Group by the Malawi Communication Regulatory Authority (MACRA) in April 2009.
According to a report by Bizcommunity.com, the government came to its decision after concerns were raised when MACRA issued a pair of concessions having only advertised one for sale. The matter was subsequently investigated by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), with former Information and Civic Education Minister Patricia Kaliati reportedly at the centre of the probe.
The minister is alleged to have ordered MACRA to award what would have been the fourth mobile licence to Expresso when it was Lacell that was chosen as the winner. Instead of leaving out either of the two, MACRA awarded concessions to both companies. The ACB is expected to investigate the two cellcos as well as MACRA board chair Thengo Maloya, who told the bureau that it was Kaliati that approved the awarding of both licences.
Algerie Telecom to Spend US$6 Billion in Network Upgrade
Algeria's state-owned Algerie Telecom has outlined plans to spend US$6 billion over the next few years upgrading both its landline and mobile networks. Plans to privatise the company were put on hold last year pending the upgrades.
"From 2009 to 2014, we will invest $6 billion to upgrade both fixed and mobile operations," firm's deputy chief executive, Cherif Yaici told Reuters on the sidelines of a telecoms conference in Cairo. "We will invest the money in overhauling our technology and buying new equipment for our entire networks," he added.
Algerie Telecom seeks growth of 5 percent in its fixed-line subscriber base and 20 percent growth in mobile subscribers in 2010.
Algeria's fixed and cellular revenues are projected to exceed US$4.7 billion in 2011, growing from around US$4.1 billion in 2007 reported the Arab Advisors Group late last year - although they said that was conditional in part on the privatisation of Algerie Telecom.
Algerie Telecom remained the monopoly fixed operator till 2005. The monopoly status ended in May 2005, when the ARPT awarded the Consortium Algerien des Telecommunication (CAT) a 15-year renewable license to provide fixed, international and rural services. However, Orascom Telecom and Telecom Egypt liquidated their landline joint venture in Algeria last year, citing competitive problems with the incumbent operator.
According to figures from the Mobile World database, the country has three mobile network operators with the following market shares, Djezzy (51.5%), Moblis (28%) and Nedjma with 20.5%. The country itself ended the first half of this year with just under 28.3 million subscribers, representing a population penetration level of 84%.
TTCL Needs US$ 150 Million Bail-Out
Tanzania's Parliamentary Committee on Infrastructure has requested that the government bail out its ailing national fixed line PTO Tanzania Telecommunication Company Limited (TTCL), arguing the company could be close to collapse.
Committee spokesman Prof Philemon Sarungi told reporters that the telco, which is a joint venture between the government and Zain Tanzania, needs an urgent cash injection of USD150 million, almost double its own liability portfolio of USD80 million.
The state controls 65% of the operator with the remainder held by Zain, however the two partners have a strained relationship and the latter is reportedly seeking to exit the company. Unconfirmed reports say an unnamed Chinese bank is willing to provide the loan subject to it receiving the necessary guarantees from the government.
Labels: China, Tanzania, TTCL, Zain
MTN Rwanda Selects Balton & Wavion For Wi-Fi Network
Rwandan telecoms operator MTN Rwanda has selected Wavion and Balton Uganda for the deployment of a large scale Wi-Fi network in Kigali.
The new network is based on Wavion WBS-2400 base stations, which will provide high speed wireless connectivity to SMEs and residential users in the capital.
In the first phase of the project, around 100 base stations will be installed on rooftops and at MTN's existing cellular sites.
'We are proud to be selected by MTN Rwanda for their first large scale metro Wi-Fi deployment,' said Eran Kaplan, EVP of sales and marketing at Wavion, adding, 'Our superior performance in terms of range and indoors penetration is a key enabler to cost effective city-wide deployments. Our cooperation with Balton Uganda will ensure the customer with a complete and successful turnkey project and ongoing support.'
Vodafone Admits Error Over CDMA/GSM MNP Claim
Vodafone Ghana has admitted to its error when it claimed that mobile number portability (MNP) was not possible between GSM and CDMA networks. The company's Head of Corporate Communications, Major Albert Don-Chebe, told the GNA: 'We have since called almost all the media house represented at the workshop and retracted the error.'
Vodafone technical supremo Eric Valentine told reporters that MNP between rival GSM and CDMA networks was not possible but this assertion was quickly challenged Mr. Bob Palitz, the managing director of the country's sole CDMA operator Kasapa Telecom, who pointed out that 'the ability to move phone numbers between CDMA and GSM networks is well established.'
In an attempt to move the debate along, Don-Chebe said Vodafone's own checks had confirmed Palitz's comments, but added that since both firms were fighting on the same side vis a vis the implementation of MNP, 'the common goal should not be sacrificed on the altar of protracted claims and counter claims'.
Telecom Egypt Says It's to Remain Sole Fixed Line Operator
Egypt's monopoly fixed line provider, Telecom Egypt, has claimed that it will remain the country's sole fixed line voice provider despite the recent announcement that the country's regulator was preparing to offer two new triple-play concessions, Reuters reports.
The clarification comes after recent reports that the National Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (NTRA) will offer two triple-play licences allowing the sale of fixed line voice, high speed broadband and pay-TV services in upscale suburbs outside Cairo which contain between 50 and 5,000 housing units.
'Maybe triple-play is not the accurate word, although that was what was announced. Triple-play includes voice, data and video. What's on offer does not include fixed voice at all,' Telecom Egypt's CEO Tarek Tantawy said, adding, 'The two new licence operators will not be allowed to provide voice services, they will have to give us access to their network to provide voice services.' Operators reportedly interested in the concessions include local companies Orascom Telecom and Vodafone Egypt, as well as UAE-based Etisalat.
In separate but related news Bloomberg reports that Telecom Egypt would consider increasing its stake in Vodafone Egypt, were the Vodafone Group to offer an increased stake in the cellco. Additionally, Mr Tantawy has indicated that the company is 'keeping its eyes open' for acquisitions, both in Egypt and in other regions.
Eight Make It To Zamtel Bid Shortlist
The Zambian Development Agency (ZDA) has revealed that it has shortlisted eight companies interested in acquiring a stake in fixed line monopoly operator Zambia Telecommunications Company (Zamtel). Those operators understood to have made the shortlist include South Africa's Telkom, Indian state-owned pair Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) and Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd (MTNL) and Portugal Telecom.
Rounding out the shortlist are four joint bids; a consortium of Russia's Vimpelcom and the telecoms arm of the Alfa Group, Altimo; a consortium of Egypt-based Orascom Telecom and its subsidiary Telecel Globe; Angola's UNITEL a consortium of Unitel and Angola Cables; and a consortium of Libya's LAP Greencom and LAP Green Networks.
The Zambian government will offer between 51% and 75% of Zamtel, and said that it received expressions of interest from more than 30 parties. The eight selected are now expected to start due diligence procedures on 2 November, with the sale process likely to be concluded in the first quarter of 2010. The long-planned privatisation of the telco has come in for criticism by opposition politicians, who argue that Zambians should hold a bigger stake in the company.
Comzatel Partners With Airspan For Mozambique Rollout
US-based Airspan Networks has announced that it has been selected by Mozambican operator Comzatel to provide equipment for the company's upcoming mobile WiMAX rollout in Maputo. Comzatel plans to offer a variety of next generation broadband services to business customers throughout the capital.
The network will be based on Airspan's 802.16e advanced WiMAX solutions and will operate via the 2.3GHz frequency band. 'Comzatel has a vision where every business and residential user will be able to access next generation technology at an affordable price,' said Mlungisi Hlongwane, the general director of Comzatel, adding: 'We are working quickly to complete our initial coverage of Maputo and we will soon expand the network nationwide. We are extremely pleased with the equipment and service Airspan has delivered. In cooperation with the Mozambican government, we will ensure that, in addition to corporate users, ordinary citizens and education institutions have access to high speed data services at affordable costs.'
Etisalat Spends US$2 Billion In Nigeria Rollout
Nigerian mobile operator Etisalat Nigeria has spent over USD2 billion on the rollout of its GSM network in the year since the cellco launched operations, Daily Trust reports, citing the company's chairman Hakeem Belo Osagie.
Etisalat has constructed over 500 active cell sites nationwide, providing coverage to around 40% of the population. According to TeleGeography's GlobalComms database, Etisalat's network was launched commercially in seven cities in November 2008 and by the end of the year had just under 400,000 subscribers, boosted by its offer of free network-to-network calls for a six-month period.
According to the company's chairman, Etisalat's mobile subscriber base currently stands at over two million.
Cell C Rejects Interconnection Rates As MTN, Vodacom Agree
South African cellcos Vodacom and MTN have reportedly reached an agreement regarding interconnection rates, although the country's third operator Cell C has rejected the proposal, local daily Business Day reports. The three companies have been debating a reduction in mobile termination rates (MTRs) following an order by the government to implement a cut by the end of November.
A state committee proposed that rates should be cut to ZAR0.60 (USD0.08) per minute during peak times and then by a further ZAR0.15 annually until 2012. Operators currently charge each other on average ZAR1.25 per minute during peak times. However, carriers have opposed the cut, describing it as 'drastic' and 'below cost.'
Cell C CEO Lars Reichelt said that the ZAR0.60 proposal was 'too strong and not rooted in reality.' MTN and Vodacom also opposed the cuts, claiming that to implement the proposed measures they would have to also cut jobs. Instead the two companies have agreed to reduce MTRs by around 19% immediately, with further reductions planned year-on-year for the following three years.
The two companies have applied for regulatory clearance from ICASA to implement the cuts. Cell C, however, said that it would not support the decision, calling the bilateral cut in interconnectivity prices 'too small'. Cell C had previously proposed an asymmetrical system which was not supported by MTN and Vodacom.
Zain Nigeria Hires Nokia Siemens For Network Management
The Nigerian unit of Kuwait's Zain Group has announced that it has it has entered into a managed services and care contract with Nokia Siemens Networks (NSN). The agreement covers full network management, operations and maintenance, aiming to ensure network availability at all times across Nigeria.
The management of the network will be handed over to NSN in mid-October. As part of the agreement, NSN will provide managed services for Zain's 4000km multi-vendor fibre and Dense Wave Division Multiplexing (DWDM) network. Corrective and preventive maintenance will predict and prevent potential network problems to provide ongoing network quality along with efficient management for fibre repairs within guaranteed response times.
Khaled Khorshid, COO, Zain Nigeria, said: 'It is our commitment to deliver the high standards of service that have allowed us to give Zain customers the most reliable and high quality communication experience. Reliability and coverage of our network is therefore key to ensuring customer satisfaction and growth. Our agreement to have Nokia Siemens Networks manage and maintain our network not only allows us to benefit from their competencies in ensuring network availability and minimising potential revenue losses but also enables us to aggressively pursue our growth plans.'
Labels: Zain
Zain Kenya Applies for 3G Licence
Zain Kenya has applied to buy a 3G licence from the telecoms regulator, making it the second operator in the country, after Safaricom, to hold a 3G licence. The company is expected to pay $25 million for the licence.
"We shall be rolling out a 3G network in the first half of next year. The procurement process is already in place," said Zain Kenya CEO Rene Meza.
Zain Kenya also unveiled an offer that will see subscribers make free calls and SMS within the network based on the airtime top up. Through the campaign, customers will be able to call and SMS up to three Zain numbers for free for a period of seven days. The offer is open to only prepaid subscribers and will run until the end of the year.
In related news, plans by the regulator to reduce the 3G licence fee to encourage new entrants has been opposed by Safaricom, who originally purchased their licence back in 2007.
"From a fairness point of view, everybody should pay $25 million (Sh1.9 billion) for that licence. If they (other operators) are going to be given a special dispensation, then I believe that dispensation should be applied to us as well," he told Capital Business.
Mr. Joseph was reacting to remarks by his competitor Zain Kenya's Rene Meza who had expressed confidence that the regulator would lower the licencing fee for 3G services to enable them penetrate the market.
Mr. Meza had told reporters that the Sh1.9 billion as spectrum cost was high and had delayed their plans to introduce the technology in the market.
"The $25 million does not make business sense for three of the mobile operators in the market today. After discussions with the CCK, we concluded that the spectrum costs will be revised downwards to allow the operators to launch the services in the market," he said then.
Based on figures from the Mobile World analysts, Safaricom had 13.8 million subscribers at the end of June, compared to 2.4 million for Zain.
GT Sale to Vodafone "Was Useless" To Ghana
A review of Vodafone's purchase of Telecom Ghana has concluded that the sale was not beneficial to the Ghanaian state. The sale was opposed by the opposition politicians, who now form the current government, and they ordered an enquiry into the sale by the previous government.
The review, carried out by an Inter-Ministerial Review Committee has recommended that the government find a way of renegotiating the sale, which was completed in August 2008.
Although the sale of 70% of the company was was for a headline figure of US$900 million on a debt-free, cash-free basis, the review claimed that just US$267.6 million from the sale due to "complicated financial arrangements", and that the sale might be illegal in Ghana due as it was managed through a Dutch holding company.
The Committee noted that Telekom SA had offered US$947 million for the lower stake of 66.67%.
Complicating the investigation, the former Minister of State for Finance Dr. Akoto Osei and the immediate past Chief Executive of Ghana Telecom, Dickson Oduro Nyaning refused to assist the Committee with information. In addition, it criticized the former President, John Kufuor, for interfering in the transaction, describing his action as "highly irregular, unconventional and did not rely on expert advice".
Although the Committee heard testimony that various politicians had been bribed to vote in favour of the sale, it felt that it lacked the resources to investigate the criminal allegations. The review also criticized a clause in the transaction that prevented the government from bringing corruption charges against any member of the enlarged Telecom Ghana company.
The Committee said, that despite several requests, Vodafone could not provide information to enable the Committee confirm the expected US$200 million capital injected into Ghana Telecom after the sale.
While Vodafone claimed that, between August 2008 and May 2009, it paid Huawei GH¢61 million (US$42 million) from the bridge facility, documents submitted by Huawei indicated that they had invoiced and received only GH¢37.29 million and not GH¢61million. The Committee considered it a breach of the warranty provisions in the SPA. The Committee was of the view that Government may want to confront Vodafone and ask them to account for the difference of GH¢23.71 million.
The government is to make a decision on how to proceed within a couple of weeks. Vodafone said that it couldn't comment until it received a copy of the report.
MTN Rwanda Targets to Hit 2 Million Mark By Yearend
MTN Rwanda has set itself a target of reaching 2 million subscribers by the end of this year. The operator currently has around 1.4 million customers. The company also expects to be able to pick up half of the potential 6 million subscribers that Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Authority (RURA) is targeting by 2012.
"Our plan is to reach the target which we set in our effort to being the leading telecom operators in the country," Yvonne Makoro, Senior Marketing Executive at MTN told the Sunday Times.
The company recently opened a new customer care center and is planning to launch a mobile money transfer service shortly. A low-cost service offers discounts to callers in areas where the network is under-used at the time.
MTN Rwanda is 55% owned by South Africa's MTN, with 35% held by the Rwandan based Tristar Investment Group with the government holding the remaining 10%. The government plans to sell its 10% stake in the company by the end of the year.
Earlier this year, rival operator, Rwandatel said that it had missed its own internal sales targets by 30%. Rwandatel had set a first half subscription target of 600,000 clients but managed only slightly above 420,000 active subscribers on June 30.
According to figures from the Mobile World, at the end of Q2 '09, Rwandatel had an estimated 435,000 customers, compared to 1.4 million at MTN. Last December, Millicom was granted the country's third mobile license after paying US$60 million for the 15 year license.
SABC Chooses Airspan For Live Cup Broadcast
Airspan Networks says that it has won a contract from Multisource Telecoms, a South African wireless communications provider, for a live pilot radio broadcast. Multisource worked with Siemens and the South African Broadcasting Corp. (SABC), the state-owned broadcaster in South Africa, to cover the event.
The Airspan WiMAX equipment is being trialed with the intention of offering live broadcast for the FIFA World Cup in South Africa next year. The WiMAX equipment was set up to deliver connectivity, allowing the broadcast-quality audio of a soccer game between Manchester City and the Kaiser Chiefs in Durban, South Africa.
Johannes von Weyssenhoff, Siemens' Programme Portfolio Manager for Radio, said, "The SABC had decided to upgrade the equipment in its radio broadcast vehicles from analogue to digital. At present, a broadcast crew runs large, heavy, copper analogue cables from the stadium to the vehicle positioned outside. This enables the commentator, who sits inside the venue, to transmit back to the SABC for broadcasting."
"Airspan's WiMAX technology provides the capacity, security and efficiency to facilitate this kind of application. A high speed data connection was used for the audio link -- compared to the 64kbit/s offered by ISDN lines -- and this provided a high-quality audio performance that was clearly noticeable when monitored off-air," von Weyssenhoff continued.
In addition to the enhanced audio quality, the WiMAX link eliminates the use of cables, improves security and saves costs. For example, a sporting event in South Africa typically involves 11 radio stations, each using an ISDN line to provide commentary. By using WiMAX, all 11 stations can transmit to the SABC on one shared link.
"This has been a very exciting project," said Jacques Jordaan, Manager, Technical Services of Multisource Telecoms. "After the successful trial at the Durban game, we are confident that Airspan's WiMAX is the technology best suited for the broadcast at the FIFA games. The country is extremely proud and excited to host next year's FIFA World Cup and we are committed to improving visitors' and locals' experiences in any way we can, including by offering a quality broadcast of the game for those who are not fortunate enough to attend in person."
Airspan's MicroMAXd, a micro-cell base station with all-in-one outdoor packaging of RF and base-band components, was used for this application.
Zain Nigeria Outsources management of Fibre-Optic Network
Zain Nigeria has announced that it recently signed a managed services and care contract with Nokia Siemens Networks, which came into effect in the past few days. The contract covers the network operator's fiber backbone network, not the mobile network.
As part of this agreement, Nokia Siemens Networks will provide managed services for Zain's multi-vendor Fiber and Dense Wave Division Multiplexing "DWDM" network in Nigeria which is 4000km long countrywide outside plant network.
"This is our first outside plant managed services contract in Africa and therefore provides us with the opportunity to demonstrate our leadership and success in managed services in the region. This agreement is also a reiteration of the close relationship we share with Zain that is based on trust and our ability to exceed customer expectations. We are confident that we will raise the standards for network reliability and connectivity for mobile customers in Nigeria," says, Ashish Chowdhary, Head of Services, Nokia Siemens Networks.
Financial terms were not disclosed.
Based on numbers from the Mobile World subscriber tracker, Zain ended June with around 14.6 million customers and a market share of 22%. This puts it in third place in the market, behind MTN (41%) and Glo (24%).
Mobile Use Grows Fastest in Africa - UN
The United Nations has released a report that says mobile phone use is growing faster in Africa than anywhere else in the world. The report also says Internet connections have a long way to go.
The mobile phone industry in Africa has defied the global economic crisis with a monumental boom in mobile subscriptions between 2003 and 2008. In five years the number of subscriptions grew by more than 500 percent.
Torbjorn Fredriksson of the U.N. conference on Trade and Development says the growth in mobile phone use is important in both a social and economic sense.
"Companies can use the mobile phones to obtain information about market developments, farmers can get information about weather forecasts and increasingly we see new mobile services emerging such as banking transactions and new ways of transmitting remittances between people and that has a very strong impact on the way that people and companies can do business in Africa," Fredriksson said.
He says in Gabon, the Seychelles, and South Africa there are 100 mobile subscriptions for every 100 people.
But he says mobile connectivity is not consistent throughout the continent.
In Burundi, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, and Somalia, the mobile industry has only penetrated 10 percent of the population.
And he adds that while mobile phone use is rising, Internet access remains slow and costly.
"African countries are lagging behind not only developed countries, but also other developing regions in terms of fast access to the Internet," Fredriksson said.
The U.N. report says monthly Internet access in Burkina Faso, the Central African Republic and Swaziland is more than $1,300, the highest in the world. And only five countries - Algeria, Egypt, Morocco, South Africa and Tunisia - account for 90 percent of Africa's broadband subscriptions.
Fredriksson says a big problem is that up until now Africa has largely been excluded from the mesh of international fiber-optic cables that would carry telecommunications between Africa and the rest of the world.
But he says that seems to be changing.
"Now in July we saw Seacom, a new cable that links the east coast of Africa with Europe and India and there is another one called the TEAMS cable which will link Kenya with the United Arab Emirates later in 2009," Fredriksson said. "So these are promising signs but it remains a tremendous challenge to get the broadband connectivity up to the levels in other parts of the world."
While Internet access in Africa remains largely elusive, according to the U.N. report wireless Internet is spreading fast in other developing regions. India registered almost 100-million new wireless subscriptions in the first half of 2009.
-- VOA
Vodafone Pursues Number Portability In Ghana
Vodafone Ghana said yesterday it is pushing for the implementation of mobile number portability (MNP) in the country. The company's head of corporate communications, Albert Don-Chebe, said: 'The claims and counter claims by network operators on which one has the best network quality will all be put to rest when MNP is implemented to give the subscriber the power to decide which network is best.'
The Minister of Communications Haruna Iddrisu had earlier confirmed his commitment to MNP during his vetting in parliament, saying: 'With as many as six mobile operators in Ghana it has become necessary for MNP to be implemented to give customers the choice and flexibility to be on any network they want and I can assure you that I am committed to its implementation.'
However, he noted at the time that the introduction of MNP was dependent on the setting up of the appropriate regulatory and technical environment ready to use it. The national telecoms regulator, the National Communications Authority, said about a year ago that it was standardising the national numbering system before the implementation of MNP, possibly in 2011.
Team Recommends Change In GT - Vodafone Sale Agreement
The committee set up to investigate the sale of a 70% stake in Ghana's national PTO, Ghana Telecom, to the UK's Vodafone Group has recommended the government to consider renegotiating the Sale and Purchase Agreement, according to Ghana News Agency reports.
In a press statement published last Friday and signed by Dr Valerie Sawyerr, the Deputy Chief of Staff, the committee said that Ghana's government should in particular reconsider Parties to the SPA; compliance or otherwise of the SPA with the laws of Ghana, particularly the NCA Regulations and the Internal Revenue Act 592; value for money/ Transaction consideration; retention of the National Fibre Optic by the Government of Ghana as a strategic national asset; decoupling of the Ghana Telecom University from the transaction (already done); and return of GT investments to the Government of Ghana such as the Telecom Emporium.
Earlier this month we reported a leaked Ghanaian government report which claimed that last year's sale of a 70% stake in the country's incumbent fixed line operator GT to the UK's Vodafone Group was 'unconstitutional and illegal', and did not represent good value for money.
In July 2008 Vodafone confirmed that it had agreed to acquire a 70% stake in GT for USD900 million on a debt-free, cash-free basis. The deal implied a total enterprise value for GT of approximately USD1.3 billion, with the state retaining a 30% stake in the company. However, the leaked report alleges that the fixed line operator was undervalued and that the actual price paid by Vodafone was less than USD267 million.
Further, it accuses parliament of acting unconstitutionally in approving the deal without due process, and alleges that as a result of 'a complicated series of financial arrangements' the actual price released was far less than the stated asking price.
Labels: Ghana, Ghana Telecom, Vodafone
Incumbent Operators Barred From Nitel Sale
The Nigerian government has decided that the country's GSM network operators will not be allowed to buy the mobile assets of state-owned NITEL when it is eventually privatised. Although the government was originally looking to sell the company as a single entity, the government has now agreed to split the company into its component divisions and sell them separately.
Director-General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises, BPE, Dr. Christopher Anyanwu said that the decision was based on the advice of the National Communications Commission.
The four GSM networks, MTN, Etisalat, Zain and Glo will be allowed to bid for NITEL's landline assets, although Glo will only be allowed to bid for the CDMA and International gateway assets and licenses as it already holds a landline license.
NITEL's mobile division, M-Tel has languished while its private competitors have created a substantial mobile market out of nothing in just a few years. A recent Onda Analytics report on the sale said that under good ownership, NITEL could claw back almost 15% of the Nigerian mobile market by 2015.
Local company, Transcorp bought a 75% stake in 2006 in both companies for $750 million during a privatization sale, but the government reclaimed the stake earlier this year following several years of neglect.
Last week, Nigeria's Vice-President Goodluck Jonathan inaugurated a new interim board of directors to run the affairs of NITEL pending the sale to the new investor.
Etisalat Makes US$1.87 billion In Q3 Profits
Etisalat has a net profit of AED 6.85 billion (US$1.87 billion) the first nine months of 2009, down on the AED 7.189 billion a year ago. That earlier figure was boosted though by an "exceptional income" after federal royalty profit on sale of shares in Mobily of AED 892 million (US$243 million). Excluding this exceptional item, the net profit shows an increase of AED 550 million (9%) for the nine months ended September 2009, higher than the same period in 2008.
Etisalat recorded net revenues of AED 22.107 billion (US$6 billion) for the first nine months of 2009. The net revenues for the same period in 2008 were AED20.805 billion.
These results come after Etisalat announced that it has acquired Tigo Sri Lanka, the Sri Lankan unit of Millicom International Cellular for $207 million.
"Etisalat is studying the opportunities of growth in some markets across Africa, Asia, the Middle East and the wider Arab world. This study includes the population, penetration rates, the possibility of providing added value, as well as measuring the purchase power in these markets. Additionally Etisalat is studying its operational policy, the required infrastructure, and investment appeal for each of these countries."
"At this time, Etisalat is unlikely to look at European countries due to the lack of growth opportunities and limited openings there," Omran added
Omran also pointed out that Etisalat continues its strategic approach which aims at creating affiliations and enlarging the group's business in order to increase the number of its subscribers and market value.
Mohammed Khalfan Al Qamzi, Chief Executive Officer at Etisalat, said: "Etisalat's subscriber base continues to grow and we continue to deploy new policies to help identify new sources of revenue and launching new technologies, this helps in increasing the rates of services usage even through the economic stress and its indirect effect on the company."
"The number of mobile users in the UAE has reached 7.44 million, and fixed line telephone subscribers reached 1.31 million. Etisalat's internet customer base also continuing to grow reaching 1.27 million, showing an increase of 10% over the results of the same period in 2008," Al Qamzi added.
Body Investigates MTN, Vodacom Anti-Competitive Claims
South African mobile operators Vodacom and MTN have denied allegations of anti-competitive activities, following reports that the Competition Commission (ComCom) is investigating three claims of possible collusion over prices in the industry.
Nandi Mokoena, ComCom's manager of strategy and stakeholder relations, told news agency Reuters: 'We have got three cases that we are investigating in the mobile phone industry, all dealing with the same issue. The allegations are that cellular phone companies have agreed on the rates they charge.' Mokoena refused to speculate on when the investigation would conclude, but did say that both mobile operators involved had been notified by ComCom.
The complaints relate specifically to accusations that Vodacom colluded with rival MTN to hike interconnection fees months before Cell C began operating in an attempt to prevent the then new player from establishing itself as a credible rival to the duopoly. Both MTN and Vodacom have publicly denied the allegations, MTN said in a statement: 'ComCom has investigated three complaints against mobile operators, including MTN, relating to interconnection
MTN denies there is any merit in these complaints.'
Vodacom CEO Pieter Uys said: 'There are those who say MTN and Vodacom got together, in smoke-filled rooms and on the golf courses. But that is definitely not what happened. What happened was, initially, when we did not know the market size and what the costs were going to be, we had experts from Australia come over to advise Telkom, Vodacom and MTN how the interconnect regime should be structured. It had nothing to do with Cell C coming in.'
Meanwhile the government has ordered a cut in mobile termination rates to be implemented by the end of November, saying it had been forced to act because the communications regulator would not do so. The committee has proposed that rates should be cut to ZAR0.60 (USD0.08) per minute during peak times and then by a further ZAR0.15 annually until 2012.
Operators currently charge each other on average ZAR1.25 per minute during peak times. However, carriers have opposed the cut, describing it as 'drastic' and 'below cost.' Cell C CEO Lars Reichelt said that the ZAR0.60 proposal was 'too strong and not rooted in reality.' He estimated the off-peak termination rate for the major players to be ZAR0.77, and proposed a flat ZAR0.75 termination rate from the start of the new year for Vodacom and MTN, and ZAR0.65 for Cell C. 'We believe this proposal can potentially gain support from other players,' Reichelt added, however its rivals have not supported the idea of an asymmetrical system.
Labels: MTN
Ethiopia: BSNL Considers Running ETC
Indian telco Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) is reportedly mulling a bid to run the networks and operations of Ethiopian state-owned monopoly Ethiopian Telecommunications Company (ETC) on a revenue sharing basis, according to the Economic Times.
A successful bid would also likely see BSNL be given a fixed fee for management on top of the funds generated under the revenue sharing agreement. 'BSNL is on the lookout for business opportunities in the African market. We are, at present, keeping all the options open, including taking over operation and maintenance and management control of a telecom company. As a part of the ongoing overseas business activities, we feel that ETC can be one of the operations,' said Kuldeep Goyal, chairman and managing director of BSNL.
It is understood that BSNL's interest in the African operator follows an open request from the Ethiopian government aimed at boosting IT and telecoms services in the country.
Whilst other companies from the Middle East and Africa region are also expected to confirm their interest in ETC in the short term, no other Indian operators have been mentioned with reference to a possible deal. According to sources quoted by the report, BSNL representatives are expected to visit Ethiopia next week to meet with ETC officials.
MTN Rwanda In Talks To Hook-Up To TEAMS
Rwandan telecoms company MTN Rwanda is in talks with The East African Marine System (TEAMS) over access to the submarine fibre-optic cable, local daily The New Times reports, citing MTN's senior marketing executive, Yvonne Makolo. The 4,900km cable system stretches from Mombasa in Kenya to Fujairah in the UAE.
Earlier this month the TEAMS management committee announced that testing across the submarine cable system had been completed and that a formal inauguration ceremony was being planned. According to Makolo, negotiations with the TEAMS authorities 'are on a high level', but she declined to comment on when an agreement was likely to be reached.
In a separate story, MTN Rwanda has said it will launch its MTN Mobile Money service for wireless customers by the end of the year, with pilot tests of the money transfer service to begin shortly.
CEO of the company, Khaled Mikkawi, commented: 'We are proud to be involved in this initiative that is critical to the financial deepening of the Rwandan economy and we are also fortunate that other MTN markets have launched it and we have key learnings to deliver an exciting service to the people of Rwanda.' MTN's Mobile Money service has already been rolled out in Kenya and Uganda and has been piloted in Cameroon, Ghana, Cote d'Ivoire and Nigeria.
BTC To Enhance Botswana's Internet Backbone
Botswana's incumbent fixed line operator Botswana Telecommunications Corporation (BTC) will invest around USD5 million over the next three years in the enhancement of the country's internet backbone via subsidiary BOTSGATE, local daily Mmegi Online reports.
The funds will be used to improve network performance and boost capacity. BOTSGATE is the only internet access provider in Botswana with international connectivity to a number of submarine fibre-optic cables.
The report adds that BTC has seen a 40% reduction in the cost of internet bandwidth due to regulatory changes in South Africa; 'The regulatory permutation has created favourable economies of scale for BTC and this cost benefit is being passed on to our customers,' a statement from the telco said.
Grameen Targets More Farmers In Uganda Thanks To Gates Foundation
The Grameen Foundation is to expand its Community Knowledge Worker (CKW) initiative in Uganda, supported by a $4.7 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The initiative is building a self-sustaining, scalable network of rural information providers who use cell phones to help close critical information gaps facing poor, smallholder farmers. They will strengthen the information link to poor farmers by disseminating and collecting relevant information in these underserved communities.
"Agriculture is the main source of livelihood for poor people in much of the world, including more than 75 percent of Ugandans. Through the Community Knowledge Worker initiative, we are helping poor, smallholder farmers, who may meet with an agricultural agent infrequently, access vital agricultural advice, weather forecasts and other information to improve their lives," said Alex Counts, president of Grameen Foundation. "Equally important, we are providing a business opportunity for Community Knowledge Workers, who will be providing government agriculture programs, NGOs and other entities with relevant and timely information about the on-the-ground needs of poor farmers."
Working closely with and complementing existing government agriculture programs, CKWs are trusted local intermediaries serving farmers who frequently lack basic access to up-to-date information on best farming practices, market conditions, pest and disease control, weather forecasts and a range of other issues.
Upon request from a farmer, a CKW will use his or her cell phone to access actionable information to meet farmer needs. In addition, CKWs collect agricultural information from farmers, providing a vital link between farmers, government programs, non-governmental organizations and other entities focused on improving agriculture in Uganda and beyond. While farmers sometimes have access to a cell phone, this service will greatly expands its availability and also connect farmers to trained professionals tasked with sharing knowledge and information with them.
During a successful nine-month pilot, which concluded in August, 40 CKWs in Uganda's Mbale and Bushyeni districts had more than 14,000 interactions with smallholder farmers. They conducted 6,000 surveys to help organizations such as the World Food Program and IITA better understand farmer needs. IITA also created Geographic Information Survey (GIS) maps showing crop disease outbreaks, the impact of farmers adopting recommended disease control methods, and other important information for farmers and scientists. Throughout the pilot, farmers routinely sought out CKWs to obtain information to help them treat pests, get accurate weather forecasts for planting, and earn more for their crops. For example, a farmer who had lost his groundnut crop because the rains came late and his seeds died contacted his local CKW to access regular weather forecasts so that he could plan the rest of his planting season and preserve his livelihood.
In this next phase of the initiative, Grameen Foundation is building on its experience in the pilot to develop a self-sustaining national network capable of reaching more than 200,000 farmers.
The grant is part of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation's Agricultural Development initiative.
Etisalat Buys Tigo Sri Lanka
Etisalat is buying the Sri Lankan mobile network, Tigo from its current owners, Millicom International for approximately US$155 million in total cash proceeds.
The transaction values the Sri Lanka operation at an enterprise value of $207 million, which represents approximately 7.4x estimated 2009 EBITDA. The transaction is not subject to any conditions and is expected to close on or before October 20, 2009.
Mikael Grahne, President and CEO of Millicom, commented: "We are very pleased to have agreed to sell our Sri Lanka operations to Etisalat. Our management team there has performed very well in establishing a strong market position and I would like to thank all our employees in Sri Lanka for their contribution over the years.
"This agreement represents the final element of our recent divestment program and, upon completion of the previously announced transactions concerning our Cambodian and Laotian operations, will leave the Group well positioned to focus on the significant long term growth opportunities in Latin America and Africa."
According to figures from the Mobile World subscriber database, Tigo had 2.25 million customers at the end of June, representing a market share of 18%.
Leaked Ghana Report Claims Vodafone Deal Was Illegal
A leaked Ghanaian government report, seen by the BBC, claims last year's sale of a 70% stake in the country's incumbent fixed line operator Ghana Telecom (GT) to the UK's Vodafone Group was 'unconstitutional and illegal-, and did not represent good value for money.
In July 2008 Vodafone confirmed that it had agreed to acquire a 70% stake in GT for USD900 million on a debt-free, cash-free basis. The deal implied a total enterprise value for GT of approximately USD1.3 billion, with the state retaining a 30% stake in the company.
However, the leaked report alleges that the fixed line operator was undervalued and that the actual price paid by Vodafone was less than USD267 million. Further, it accuses parliament of acting unconstitutionally in approving the deal without due process, and alleges that as a result of 'a complicated series of financial arrangements' the actual price released was far less than the stated asking price.
Labels: Ghana, Ghana Telecom, UK, Vodafone
Neotel Hires Huawei For Network Expansion
Huawei, a provider of next generation telecoms network solutions for operators, has announced that it has been contracted to expand Neotel's CDMA network.
Huawei will provide a fourth generation base transceiver station (BTS) which can support the current EV-DO Rev A data service and also ensure future evolution to EV-DO Rev B or enhanced technologies such as Long Term Evolution (LTE), with Huawei's leading SDR Technology. After the expansion, both the coverage and capacity will be almost doubled on the network.
Angus Hay, CTO of Neotel South Africa, said: 'We are pleased to engage Huawei on this project, given their extensive experience in deploying CDMA, GSM and LTE networks successfully worldwide. We are confident that this project will produce a positive outcome as expected. We believe this state-of-the-art network will enable us to smoothly evolve to LTE in the near future.'
Telecom Egypt Launches FTTH
Egypt's monopoly provider of fixed line services, Telecom Egypt (TE), has announced the launch of its first fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) services in Qatamiya, a suburb of Cairo.
Commenting on the development, Tarek Tantawy, TE's chief executive officer, said: 'TE is adopting a new strategy to roll out fibre access networks in areas with demand for high speed broadband access that reaches 70Mbps. By connecting residential customers with a direct fibre connection we can offer triple-play services through one single high speed connection.'
It is understood that the operator has begun the rollout of FTTx access networks across a number of suburbs around both Cairo and Alexandria as part of a strategy designed to cater for the needs of high-end residential and business subscribers.
Services available over the new network include voice, data and IPTV, in addition to value added services and online gaming. TE will offer the bundled services in conjunction with its IT subsidiary TE Data, whilst its pay-TV services utilise existing contracts with companies including ART, a leading Arabic content provider.
Telkom Kenya To Add Triple-Play To Revamped Network
Telkom Kenya is planning to revamp its fixed line services to include a triple-play service bundling telephony, internet and fax, as it repositions itself in the increasingly competitive telecoms environment, Kenya's Daily Nation reports.
Telkom launched its first converged service, 'Broadband Nyumbani', on 15 July 2009, offering a broadband connection bundled with a PSTN line. The firm's copper network has faced vandalism, copper theft and dwindling customer figures in recent years, with approximately 252,300 customers subscribed to the PSTN at year-end 2008, down from around 264,800 a year earlier and Telkom hopes that converged services will renew interest in the fixed line sector.
Angela Ng'ang'a-Mumo, head of corporate communications at Telkom, said: 'We will be rolling out a revamped Telkom fixed service that will enable residential and small SME customers to have access to voice, data and internet without interruptions. The platform will also allow for other services among them cable TV.'
Daily Nation reports that the new service will later be expanded to a quad-play offering which will include video services
Kenyans Can Now Receive M-Pesa Funds From UK
Kenyans can now receive money from friends and family in the United Kingdom directly to their M-PESA mobile banking accounts. The launch of the international component of M-PESA, managed by Safaricom follows a successful pilot project with selected outlets in the UK.
Three Agents have been involved with conducting the pilots for over 3 months namely Western Union, Provident Capital Transfers and KenTV. A total of 19 outlets were carefully selected to cover areas with relatively high number of Kenyans living, including Reading, London, Luton, Wembley & Glasgow. They comprise a variety of shops including forex agents, news agents and grocery shops that are commonly visited by Kenyans and whom are registered with HM Revenue & Customs in the UK as Money Services Businesses.
Registered M-PESA customers are able to withdraw cash at over 12,000 M-PESA Agents throughout Kenya. They are also able to use M-PESA to pay bills, purchase airtime and to perform local money transfers.
Following authorization by the Central Bank of Kenya, Safaricom shall be increasing the locations in the UK from which money can be sent to M-PESA customers as well as launching services across other popular remittance corridors.
Safaricom CEO Michael Joseph said: "We wish to invite Kenyans living in the UK to take advantage of this service, which presents a real innovation on our M-PESA menu. Through strategic partnerships with Western Union, Provident Capital and KenTV we are giving them an opportunity to convert across two currencies into M-PESA and send money affordably without any hidden costs - directly to the mobile phone of the recipient."
The UK has one of the highest populations of Kenyans living outside the country. This community is also a major source of remittances back to the country.
Nigerian Cellular Tower Company Gets World Bank Funding For Expansion
Helios Towers Nigeria (HTN) has secured a US$100 million investment from the World Bank's IFC as part of a US$250 million capital injection that will help the company increase its network to 2,000 sites nationwide.
IFC disbursed an initial $50 million in mezzanine financing on August 21, and on September 30, signed an agreement to lend an additional $50 million in senior debt. IFC also is arranging $150 million in senior debt from a number of commercial and development finance institutions.
HTN builds and maintains a network of telecommunications towers and leases space on these towers to wireless telecommunications services providers. The increased coverage will help wireless operators roll out their services more economically and enable the extension of affordable mobile services to semi-urban and rural areas.
"IFC's long-term investment enabled us to leverage additional funding from capital markets, which is often not readily accessible for frontier markets," said Kayode Akinola, HTN Director and Investment Principal at Helios Investment Partners. "Nigeria remains one of the most high-growth telecom markets worldwide and wireless infrastructure sharing will continue to play a critical role in supporting operators in efficiently providing services to customers."
Nigeria's telecommunications sector has developed significantly in recent years, but teledensity at 43 percent indicates there still is potential for growth in the market. With the expansion of the HTN network, operators will be able to outsource non-core activities and passive infrastructure, allowing them to focus on further developing their products and services.
"Affordable mobile telecommunications enable access to knowledge and services, innovation across sectors, and more efficient delivery of government and business services, all of which will contribute to economic growth and opportunity creation," said Mohsen Khalil, IFC Director for Global Information and Communication Technologies. "IFC's partnership with HTN will enable mobile operators to lower their operating costs and improve the quality and affordability of services, which will greatly benefit underserved consumers and businesses in Nigeria."
Telecoms Investments In Africa Could Double By 2013
The African continent continues to attract substantial investments into its telecommunications markets, with the combined fixed and mobile cumulative capex for Africa since the Year 2000 expected to grow from US$76.1 billion in 2008 to US$141.1 billion by 2013, adding cumulative investments of US$68 billion in the period.
Fezekile Mashinini, telecoms analyst at BMI-Techknowledge (BMI-T) and author of the report behind the figures says that the mobile sector is the source of growth, with an estimated 68.5% (US$98.8 billion) of all cumulative investment attributable to this sector as fixed-mobile substitution continues and mobile operators drive infrastructure investments to keep on track with increasing customer numbers.
Africa recorded a year-on-year growth of 31.1%, reaching an estimated 405 million subscribers, with the fixed networks accounting for 7.5%. The mobile networks unprecedented growth over the past few years continued, with an estimated 94 million new subscribers being added during 2008, to end the year at an estimated 375 million subscribers. BMI-T's forecast for the combined fixed and mobile subscriber market in Africa has placed the total number of subscribers at 782 million by 2013, representing a 14.1% CAGR.
Even though the mobile sector is currently leading the charge in terms of investments, the fixed network sector will also witness heightened investments due mainly to the landing of various under-sea cables. 2009 has witnessed the landing of under-sea fibre cables such as SEACOM, Low Indian Ocean Network (LION), The East African Marine System (TEAMS), and most recently Globacom's "Glo 1" cable. The expected spending by operators on terrestrial links to bring the bandwidth inland is expected to run into millions of dollars.
MTN Uganda Gets US$100 m for Network Expansion
MTN Uganda has raised US$100 million in debt to fund the expansion of its network. Isaac Nsereko, chief marketing officer at MTN confirmed the development to the Reuters news agency.
Absa Capital, the investment banking arm of Absa Group was lead arranger of the syndicated loan.
"We are using it to invest in the network, different sections of the network really," he told Reuters in a telephone interview.
Based on data from the Mobile World, the country's five current operators and their market shares are: MTN (41%); Zain (22%); Uganda Telecom (19%); Warid Telecom (17%) and Orange (2%). A sixth network, I-Tel launched its network last month.
Labels: Absa, I-Tel, MTN, Orange, Uganda, Uganda Telecom, Warid, Zain
"Econet Case Will Not Derail Zain Africa Deal"
Kuwait's Zain Group is not concerned that a lawsuit filed by South Africa's Econet Wireless pertaining to the company's 2006 purchase of Nigerian operator Vee Networks (now Zain Nigeria) will derail plans to sell a 46% stake in the group to Indian investors, Bloomberg reports, citing Kuwaiti daily Al-Rai. 'The lawsuit is old and dates back to before 2006,' Zain CEO Saad al- Barrak told the newspaper, before adding that Econet had lost similar lawsuits filed against Zain in British courts over the last four years.
Econet claims that its right of first refusal over the stake was breached when Zain bought out the Nigerian cellco in May 2006, and has said it will continue to pursue arbitration proceedings. Econet has also applied for interim measures to prevent Zain from selling, transferring, disposing of, dealing with or otherwise encumbering the disputed stake until the matter is resolved.
The blocking could disrupt plans by the Al-Kharafi group, which holds an indirect 10.8% stake in Zain, and its National Investments Company to sell a total 46% stake in Zain Group valued at USD13.7 billion to a consortium of Indian and Malaysian investors, including BSNL, MTNL and Vavasi Telegence.
Labels: BSNL, Econet, MTNL, Nigeria, South Africa, V-Mobile, Vavasi Telegence, Zain
Kuwait's SGC Interested in Zain Stake
According to a report by Reuters, Kuwaiti investment firm Securities Group Company (SGC) is studying a bid to purchase a stake of up to 24.6% in Zain from sovereign wealth fund, Kuwait Investment Authority (KIA).
KIA's managing director Bader al-Saad revealed to Al Arabiya on 5 October that the authority was open to selling part of its stake, although it was not party to negotiations led by the al-Kharafi Group to sell a 46% stake in Zain to an Indian-Malaysian consortium, which includes Indian telcos MTNL and BSNL.
In response to the announcement SGC, which reportedly manages assets worth around USD2 billion in total, revealed in a newspaper advertisement that it was undertaking preliminary studies prior to placing a bid for a stake in Zain.
Chairman and managing director of SGC, Ali al-Mousa, said: 'This is a response to the announcement of KIA saying they are considering selling a stake in Zain... all we are saying is that we are interested.'
Orascom Plans Bid For Triple-Play Licence
Egypt's Orascom Telecom has said it will consider bidding for one of the two triple-play licences that the government recently revealed it would offer early next year, Reuters reports. Orascom's chief operating officer, Khaled Bichara, said of the company's plans: 'We believe we are really well positioned. They [the government] want the local players and international experience, and we believe we won't need to go out of the group to make the bid'. The bid document for the licence is expected to be published by mid-October, with bids due by 12 January 2010.
Orascom is thought to be considering bidding for the concession even if it completes the sale of its IT subsidiaries LINKdotNET and Link Egypt.
Mr. Bichara denied reports that Orascom had halted the sale process for the two companies, but did add that a sale would only be completed if the bids submitted were suitable, saying: 'If we don't get the right price we won't execute the sale'; a final decision on any offers submitted is expected to be made by the end of the year.
Labels: Egypt, Link Egypt, LinkDotNet, Orascom
Bintel Goes Live In Gabon as Azur Brand
Gabon's fourth mobile operator Azur (the brand name of USAN Gabon) launched commercial GSM services in the capital Libreville on 8 October, reports Gaboneco.
A subsidiary of Middle Eastern firm Bintel, Azur launched over a network of 35 base stations with a capacity of 100,000 lines, whilst it aims to expand to Port-Gentil and Franceville in the next few weeks, before rolling out services nationwide next year.
Azur is aiming to pick up subscribers by undercutting existing operators' pre-paid domestic and international call tariffs. At the end of June 2009 Gabon had over 1.4 million active cellular subscriptions, split between Zain (56%), Libertis (36%) and Moov (8%).
Labels: Azur, Bintel
India's MTNL Eyes Stake in Zamtel
India's Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd (MTNL) says that it investigating the possibility of taking a stake in Zambia's sole landline operator, Zamtel. The company also operates a mobile network in a competitive market.
MTNL's Chairman, Mr. R.S.P. Sinha, told reporters that the company had signed a non-disclosure agreement with Zamtel.
Zambia's government is planning to sell three-quarters of its stake in Zamtel to a private investor and eventually float the remaining 25% onto the local stock exchange. It is estimated that the company needs a capital injection of around US$200 million, which cannot come from the government without affecting other services.
An attempt to sell the stake earlier this year to a private equity group became mired in political controversy after a judicial investigation was ordered into Communications and Transport Minister, Dora Siliya. Shew was alleged to have engaged a private consultancy firm based in the Cayman Islands to carry out an evaluation of the assets of Zamtel without following tender procedures and ignoring legal advice in the process.
The country currently has three mobile network operators with the following market shares; Zain (70%), MTN (20%) and Zamtel (10%) - based on Q1 statistics from the Mobile World subscriber database.
Telecoms Investment In Nigeria Hits US$18 Billion
Telecoms investment in Nigeria has exceeded US$18 billion over the past eight years, the Nigerian Communications Commission has said.
According to a statement from the regulator to the This Day newspaper, the country is keen on attracting more investments so as to expand the needed services in the areas of Internet and broadband services across the country, having made a remarkable inroad into voice telephony services."
Around US$12 billion of the investment in the telecoms industry has been made up of around US$12 billon from foreign direct investments while the balance was from investments made from and within the country since 2001.
The regulator added that the decision by Nigeria to implement a technologically neutral regulation has resulted in investments in both the GSM and CDMA based services and made diverse services available in Nigeria with investors attacking services from different points thereby providing choices for the Nigerian consumer.
According to the Mobile World analysts, the country ended Q1 2009 with around 64 million mobile phone subscribers, compared to just 600,000 at the end of Q1 2002.
Orascom Loses Interest In French 3G Licence
Egypt's Orascom Telecom has announced that it will not be bidding for France's fourth 3G license. The company had previously indicated that it might join a consortium with other French companies for the license.
A spokeswoman for Orascom did not give any reasons why the company decided not to bid. "It was announced today in our analyst day that OT/Weather will not be bidding," she told the Reuters news agency.
According to one analyst present, Sawiris described the regulatory conditions as too difficult. "I think the terms themselves were obviously not attractive enough or value-accretive," said Beltone Financial analyst Shrouk Diab, from Cairo.
In addition to the regulatory issues, there is a concern that the regulator could face legal action over the lower reserve price being set for the fourth licence. The new licence is being offered with a reserve price of EUR 240 million (US$339 million).
According to figures from the Mobile World analysts, the three incumbent operators market share at the end of Q1 '09 was: Orange (47%), SFR (36%) and Bouygues Télécom (17%).
Bidders have until 29th October to submit their bids, with the licence expected to be awarded around June 2010.
Iliad, the parent company of French Internet service provider Free, has confirmed that it will be a candidate for the licence. A previous bid for the licence by Iliad was rejected by the regulator in October 2007. Virgin Mobile France has previously suggested that it might be interested in the licence as a joint venture with Numericable.
Econet Continues To Dispute Zain Nigeria Sale
South African-based telecoms group Econet is continuing to dispute the 2006 purchase of a 65% stake in Vee Networks by Celtel International, which has since been wholly acquired by Zain Group, Reuters reports.
Econet was a founding shareholder in Vee Networks, which has since been renamed under the Zain Nigeria banner. The South African group claims that its right of first refusal over the stake was breached in May 2006, when its Nigerian partners sold their shares to Zain, and has said it is sticking to the pursuit of arbitration proceedings.
Econet said it has appealed to legal authorities, including an international tribunal working under the United Nations, for the transaction to be unwound. It has applied for interim measures to prevent Zain from selling, transferring, disposing of, dealing with or otherwise encumbering the disputed stake until the matter is resolved.
Labels: Econet, Nigeria, South Africa, V-Mobile, Zain
Starcomms Launches International Calls Promo
Nigerian CDMA operator Starcomms has launched a promotion allowing subscribers to call India, Hong Kong, the US, Canada, China and the UK for NGN10 (USD0.068) per minute.
Tushar Maheshwari, COO of Starcomms, said: 'This promotion will make it affordable for Nigerians to make international calls without any worries and has been launched just before the festive season to ensure that more and more consumers can benefit from [it].'
He added that making communications affordable across the country is the CDMA operator's key focus. According to TeleGeography's GlobalComms Database, Starcomms received a ten-year Unified Access Service (UAS) licence from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) in August 2006, with the first cellular CDMA services following in February 2007 using the 1900MHz frequency band.
New World Bank Project To Widen Broadband In Central Africa
The World Bank has approved a new project called the Central African Backbone (CAB), which aims to increase the geographical reach and usage of regional broadband network services in up to eleven central African countries, whilst reducing access prices.
The initial phase of the CAB will take place in Cameroon, the Central African Republic and Chad, where the connectivity component of the project will leverage the existing fibre-optic network laid along the Chad-Cameroon oil pipeline to form the core CAB network and support the deployment of interconnected networks to establish a regional cable infrastructure.
Aside from the connectivity aims of the CAB, other components include development of e-government, strengthening of regulatory frameworks and assistance in restructuring government telecoms institutions with the aim of liberalising markets.
The World Bank said in a statement that central African countries currently offer the worst quality and most expensive internet service in the continent. Eight additional countries are eligible to take part in the CAB, including the Democratic Republic of Congo, The Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Niger, Nigeria, Sao Tome & Principe and Sudan.
The project, which is being supported by a partnership between the World Bank and the African Development Bank, is expected to achieve its initial aims in Cameroon, the Central African Republic and Chad by 2016, but as its scope widens it is expected to run for ten years, with total investment reaching around USD215 million.
The CAB aims to raise USD98 million from the private sector, with help from the International Finance Corporation. The initial USD26.2 million lending approved by the World Bank is split as follows: Cameroon USD9.9 million, Central African Republic USD7.3 million, Chad USD9 million.
Orascom Plans To Buy Into Numericable-Virgin
Unconfirmed reports claim that Orascom Telecom, backed by the Egyptian entrepreneur Naguib Sawiris through his Weather Investments holding company, is seeking to buy into the Numericable-Virgin Mobile consortium that is seeking endorsement for France's fourth and final 3G licence.
The French journal Challenge writes that following 'fruitless talks' with Iliad (Free) and Bollore Telecom over a possible tie-up, Sawiris is now looking elsewhere in his bid to gain entry into the mature French mobile market. Orascom Telecom was linked with a possible takeover of another French cellco, Bouygues Telecom, in 2007.
New Telco To Emerge After Sale of NITEL
The director general of Nigeria's Bureau for Public Enterprises (BPE), Christopher Anayanwu, has said a new wireless operator could emerge from the sale of struggling incumbent telco Nigeria Telecommunications Limited (NITEL), local newspaper THISDAY reports.
According to Anayawu, NITEL currently owns a CDMA network which could fetch up to USD3 billion if auctioned by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). 'If we unbundle [NITEL] fully as we are trying to do, another mobile network must come out of [the company]...There is a CDMA network that covers the whole country and has its own frequency intact.
The licence alone can be sold by NCC and that can yield about USD2 million or USD3 million, but this is a licence with equipment on the ground, so any company can acquire that and run a mobile network,' he said. The BPE hopes that by introducing a new wireless operator, the market will become more competitive and mobile tariffs will be lowered.
The BPE has extended the deadline for the submission of technical and financial bids for NITEL from 2 October to 26 October. Recent reports claims that 14 parties have expressed an interest in NITEL, including Etisalat Nigeria, MTNL of India, Globacom, MTN Nigeria, Telefonica of Spain and MetroPCS Communications.
Safaricom To Expand WiMAX Network Countrywide
Israeli equipment supplier Alvarion has announced that it has been contracted by Kenya's largest wireless operator by subscribers, Safaricom, to deploy a nationwide 802.16e WiMAX network. Using Alvarion's BreezeMAX solution, the network will enable wireless broadband for residential and corporate users, rural areas, municipalities, banks, schools and universities.
The three year, turnkey project will operate in the 3.5GHz frequency band leveraging bandwidth from the newly completed TEAMS undersea fibre-optic cable.
Michael Joseph, CEO of Safaricom, said: 'Our new WiMAX broadband network will enable us to offer high quality broadband services to our customers throughout the country, connecting all of Kenya, and creating new opportunities for business growth for multiple segments. We will rely on Alvarion's proven WiMAX solutions and unparalleled experience in deploying advanced wireless broadband networks of this kind to help us build the network that will establish Safaricom as a broadband leader in the country.'
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Maine Jewish History Project
A collaboration of the Jewish Studies Program and Special Collections at Colby College
Kennebec Valley
Jews at Colby
Print Resources
Population Patterns
“Waterville, Maine, of All Places”: Population Patterns in Waterville’s Fledgling Jewish Community
by Spencer Kasko, ’12 (January 2010)
The Jewish community in Waterville has always been small. However, small does not mean insignificant, and the Jews in Waterville in the first half of the 20th century were anything but insignificant. They were a varied lot, with families arriving and departing and occupations shifting, who nevertheless maintained a somewhat steady Jewish community. The migration patterns of this community were comparable to many small-town Jewish communities of the early 20th century.
“Maine has always seemed reassuringly different,” notes the historian Judith Goldstein (13). But what seems is not always what is, and small-town Jewish communities in Maine were for the most part similar to those found throughout New England, which were in turn similar to those spread across America. Nevertheless, Waterville tells its own story, sharing a broad context but at the same time abundant with unique details.
“How did you ever end up in Waterville, Maine?”
Without exception, Jewish immigrants to small towns in New England arrived seeking an opportunity for employment. Family and friends often provided information about of job prospects and the ability to acquire a job. “If you didn’t have relatives,” Lester Jolovitz said, speaking about his father, Barnet Jolovitz, “[then] you’d go to the people that you had some knowledge of and were friendly to you, and it was generally accepted that they would take people in and get them started.”
Barnet Jolovitz arrived in the Waterville area looking for a job and a place in this small-town Jewish community. The size of this community, as was typical of small Jewish communities throughout the country, was about 1-2% of the total population. It was also common in small towns at this time for this tiny percentage itself to remain in a constant state of flux. The Waterville community does not break this trend: the U.S. census indicates that almost 50% of the heads of households leave between 1910 and 1920, and once again between 1920 and 1930. This data suggests that the Jewish community in Waterville is in many respects identical demographically to other small-town Jewish communities throughout America.
In the decade from 1900 to 1910, 8 of 12 families remain, and these families for the most part became the mainstays of the Waterville Jewish community for decades. Three heads of households in 1930 are directly descended from Lewis Wolman, a member of the community in 1900. The Levine family also begins to take root at this time.
“Work was dirty, but the money was clean”
The breadwinners of these prominent households all began life in Waterville as peddlers or traveling junk dealers, transition businesses which suited small-town life at this time. As Jacob Hains said of his rubbish removal business, “Work was dirty, but the money was clean.” This “clean” money went a long way.
Annie Wolman, widowed in 1899, lived with her four children in Waterville. She baked bread and in all likelihood had help from her relatives in Waterville in order to get by during these tough years. In 1905 she married James Cook, who moved to Waterville. He began as a retail merchant, but, as Sumner Fanger said warmly, he was too nice for retail. “He would take sympathy on people and lower his prices.” And so he moved into the antique business, traveling around in his old car with young Sumner Fanger buying antiques and selling them to stores. Families like the Cooks remained and prospered in Waterville, despite times of instability.
By 1910 these Jews were on their way to a more stable and profitable business. As salesmen and merchants, the work had become less dirty, and the families prospered. The Levines had opened up their retail clothing store on Main Street, which remained active and in the family until 1996. (“An Era Ends,” Colby Magazine)
Not all Jewish households, however, formed such lasting connections to Waterville. Eight of twelve households remained from 1900 to 1910, but during this decade 32 new households also arrived, leading to a radically different community. These new families didn’t necessarily stay in Waterville either. Indeed, 15 of these households — nearly half — up and left again by 1920.
The always-shifting demographics depicted in these statistics are not at all uncommon, as Lee Shai Weissbach notes:
Individuals were constantly coming into these communities, and because small towns were too insular to provide unlimited economic and cultural opportunities, individuals were constantly departing as well. There were always families settling down and families being uprooted. Thus, even though there were Jews who spent their entire lives in small communities and Jewish kin networks that remained integral to those communities over long periods, the Jewish enclaves in America’s small towns were in a perpetual state of flux. (71)
“There was a big world outside”
This state of flux applied within families also, as children often left even as their parents remained. For instance, census data from the early 1900s reveals that John Paikowsky, a resident of Waterville since 1910, had four sons and two daughters. By 1930, John was living in his son-in-law’s household; none of his sons started their own families in Waterville. Jacob Brisk had five children, three sons and two daughters, all of whom were present in 1920 and all of whom disappeared by 1930, leaving Jacob, now 60 years old, and his wife Rachel alone in Waterville.
Lester Jolovitz said that it was when he went off to college that he realized “there was a big world outside.” As Weissbach writes, “It was not uncommon for children who had grown up in [small communities] to seek greener pastures elsewhere. Indeed, much of the migration of Jews out of small towns took the form of the departure of children as they matured” (84). Nevertheless, many individuals did stay in the area (including Jolovitz).
If anything is to be said of Waterville’s Jewish community at this time, it is that statistics are only the bare bones, and that it is the personal words of those involved which give a community its substance.
Goldstein, Judith. Crossing Lines: Histories of Jews and Gentiles in Three Communities. New York: Morrow, 1992.
Weissbach, Lee Shai. Jewish Life in Small Town America: a history. New Haven: Yale University Press. 2005.
Fanger, Sumner. Interviewed by Spencer Kasko, January 21, 2010.
Hains, Robert. Interviewed by Jena Hershkowitz, January 7, 2010.
Jolovitz, Lester. Interviewed by Sam Levine, January 10, 2010.
Shiro, Burt and Phyllis. Interviewed by Sam Levine, January 17, 2010.
Center for Small Town Jewish Life
Colby College Jewish Studies Program
Colby College Special Collections
Documenting Maine Jewry
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