pred_label
stringclasses 2
values | pred_label_prob
float64 0.5
1
| wiki_prob
float64 0.25
1
| text
stringlengths 41
971k
| source
stringlengths 37
43
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
__label__wiki
| 0.97042
| 0.97042
|
Satanic sex cult face years in jail after being found guilty of catalogue of sexual offences
Colin Batley, 48, presided over the depraved 'quasi-religious' sect which indulged in occult Egyptology-inspired rites from his home in Kidwelly
Rachael Misstear
Robin Turner
Colin Batley
An "evil" paedophile and three women are facing years in jail today for establishing a satanic sex cult to abuse children and young adults in a quiet Welsh town.
Former Tesco security guard Colin Batley, 48, presided over the depraved “quasi-religious” sect which indulged in occult Egyptology-inspired rites from his home in Kidwelly.
A jury at Swansea Crown Court found him guilty of carrying out a series of perverted sexual acts on children and adults, including 11 rapes.
Batley was the self-styled high priest of the group, which operated from a series of homes in a quiet cul-de-sac in the seaside Carmarthenshire town.
He and three female cult members, who wore Eye of Horus tattoos on their arms to signify membership, insisted throughout the five-week trial that no cult had ever existed.
But the trial jury dismissed that version of events yesterday when they found him guilty of more than two dozen acts of sexual perversion linked to his activities in the cult.
In total he was found guilty of 35 separate offences including causing prostitution and indecency with children.
He was warned by the trial judge that he faced a “vast” prison sentence.
His wife, Elaine Batley, 47, who even had Tutankhamun’s head tattooed on her back, was found guilty of five counts of indecency with children, while co-defendant Shelly Millar, 35, was convicted of two.
Jackie Marling, 42, Colin Batley’s lover, was convicted of five offences, including aiding and abetting rape, causing prostitution and indecency with children.
The five-week trial involving the four, who lived at separate addresses in Clos yr Onnen, Kidwelly, was so harrowing, trial judge Paul Thomas QC offered the jury counselling if they needed it.
The jury took four-and-a-half days to come to their verdicts and were commended by the judge for their role in what he called an “upsetting” case.
As the defendants were led down the steps to cells after being remanded in custody following the verdicts, Elaine Batley could be heard screaming “I ******* hate you” at her husband. The court then heard crying and sobbing coming from the cell steps.
Colin Batley, described by prosecutor Peter Murphy QC as “evil and manipulative”, could be seen smiling and at one point laughing as the jury returned guilty verdicts to the string of serous offences he was convicted of doing.
Judge Thomas, who will carry out sentencing tomorrow, Fri warned them: “All those convicted of offences today are facing substantial prison sentences.”
Sandra Iveson, 45, who lived at Clos yr Onnen, was exonerated of any wrongdoing after being acquitted of indecency with children.
A fifth defendant, Vince Barden, 70, of London, not said to have been part of the cult, was acquitted of a single charge of rape. But Barden had already admitted two counts of sexual assault on an under-age girl.
Both he, Batley and the other cult members will all be sentenced at Swansea Crown Court tomorrow. on Friday.
The jury yesterday delivered guilty verdicts for almost every offence that the group faced.
In Batley’s case it included 11 separate rapes, three indecent assaults, causing prostitution for personal gain, causing a child to have sex and inciting a child to have sex.
The jury also found him guilty of six counts of a serious sexual offence and four counts of possessing indecent images of a child.
Judge Thomas warned the group they all faced “lengthy jail terms”.
During the trial, Batley was accused of using the cult as an excuse for sexual depravity.
The jury heard he moved to Kidwelly from London and was followed successively by Marling and Millar and their partners, neither of whom figured in the trial.
Cult members would dress in hooded robes during occult rituals which usually took place before group sex.
A number of houses in the same cul-de-sac were used for the regular cult sex sessions.
Batley would read from the occult bible, The Book of The Law, written more than a century ago by arch-Satanist Aleister Crowley.
He would also order cult members to have sex together and ensure that other members were present to film it. The recorded material mentioned during the trial is believed to have been destroyed before his arrest.
Batley was apparently tipped off by friends in London about the impending raid on his home two days before his arrest.
But the evidence against him and other cult members proved overwhelming during the trial.
Batley was said to have used the cult as a form of brainwashing to justify abuse to his victims.
One schoolboy, now an adult, told the trial Batley had repeatedly abused him as a child.
A schoolgirl, also now an adult, said she was forced into joining the cult through fear for her life.
Batley told her a cult assassin would kill her if she did not take part in an elaborate initiation ceremony.
It started with a 10-minute lecture on the occult by him, but concluded with sex.
The schoolgirl said she was later ordered to Batley’s home on regular occasions when she would have to give him sex.
She was also taken to satanic sex parties where she would be passed round to have sex with strangers.
Giving evidence against Batley via videolink during the trial, one victim claimed all he had to do was “click his fingers” to make a woman strip.
And she claimed that soon after she met Batley, when she was just 11, he told her to have sex with him or she would “go to the abyss”.
“I did not want him to do what he was doing, but I did not have a choice because what Colin said was what happened. What Colin said went.”
Batley was also accused of stepping in to try to prevent a young woman from aborting a baby he believed he may have fathered, so it could be “a child of the occult”.
Mr Murphy told the jury: “The offences were committed against a background of persistent psychological coercion and fear using the vehicle of the occult. The victims were brainwashed, frightened, they felt they had no choice.”
The perverted events described in court took place over several decades in both Kidwelly and addresses in London.
Colin Batley repeatedly denied the accusations against him as he spoke out in his own defence.
He denied he ran a cult or was in any way a leader. He did admit having an “open” sexual relationship with his wife, enjoying threesomes with co- defendant Jackie Marling.
The cult was smashed by Dyfed-Powys Police last summer when two victims, a man and a woman, went to them with their stories of abuse at the hands of Batley and the other defendants.
Court told of an altar, incense burning and sect members disrobing for sex: next page
The cult members: page three
Court told of an altar, incense burning and sect members disrobing for sex
The evidence heard in the case of this bizarre “black magic” sex cult in the tranquil setting of Carmarthenshire’s seaside town of Kidwelly seemed like something from a horror novel.
The jury at Swansea Crown Court was told of ceremonies with women dressed in robes, all tattooed with the ancient Egyptian Eye of Horus protection symbol.
And the quasi-religious sect in which members had “swinging” lifestyles was said to have been influenced by the arch satanist and practitioner of black magic, the late Aleister Crowley.
Sections from his controversial works The Book of The Law, Equinox of the Gods and The Book of Magick were said to have been read out at shadowy sect ceremonies in members’ homes in the cul-de-sac of Clos yr Onnen.
At one, an altar was set out with a goblet of red wine, an incense burner and salted bread and sect members later disrobed, or in their words “became skyclad” and had sex.
Sadly, said Peter Murphy QC, prosecuting, children and vulnerable young adults would become prey to the lust of “evil and manipulative” Colin Batley, 48, whom he named as the sect’s “principal”.
Five complainants, whose identity is protected by law, came to the trial to describe how they were taken or lured to the homes at Clos yr Onnen and subjected to sex attacks, even on some occasions being forced to have sex while being filmed.
They were so terrified of Colin Batley they gave evidence via CCTV, some of the female complainants breaking down and sobbing as they recalled what happened.
They said others, who have not come forward, were also made to perform unspeakable acts.
Prosecutor Peter Murphy QC said that as the “controlling” leader of the cult, Batley took a 25% cut of any cash other members earned.
One co-defendant, Shelly Millar, 35, was said to have got through 3,000 clients in a two-year period while acting as a prostitute in massage parlours in Swansea and Bristol.
He highlighted Batley’s purchase of a £21,000 luxury caravan in February last year using a £3,210 cash deposit, despite having no obvious income.
Batley, who dismissed his role as a feared high priest of his own religion as “a load of rubbish”, claimed he made £10,000 a year breeding pedigree Rottweilers for sale and also bred Siamese cats.
And he claimed some of his money came from “gambling on the dogs and horses”.
Despite the horrendous crimes involved, the bizarre nature of the sect led to some lighter moments as barristers reflected on their clients’ dismissal of the sex cult allegations.
Barrister James Jenkins told the jury: “Just because they had an interest in Egypt it does not mean they went to Asda in chariots.”
And Kevin Riordan, for Colin Batley, said: “It is not my business to be disrespectful to a client.
“But judging by his overall intellectual abilities, his looks, his demeanour, is this a modern-day Rasputin?”
During the trial it emerged that following the defendants’ arrest last summer, a split took place between Colin and Elaine Batley.
While giving evidence during the trial, she accused her husband of laughing at her from the dock as she stood in the witness box.
She said: “I feel embarrassed to be married to him”.
And she added: “I’ve changed, you won’t get the better of me now.”
She told the court that while she and Jackie Marling had been involved in “threesomes” and she and Marling had a lesbian fling together, she only found out later that her husband and Marling had been having a long-term affair.
The discovery was made when Marling sent him a birthday card with the words “To my husband” on it.
Of her marriage, she said on one occasion he sent a photo of her to the Readers’ Wives section of a pornographic magazine and this led to them meeting “other couples for group activities”.
The cult members
Colin Batley: leader of the cult
Grew up in Shoreditch, London.
Once worked for Tesco as a night security guard and ran a fruit and vegetable stall. Married Elaine 28 years ago. Claimed his late lorry driver father sexually abused him as a child.
Had a long-standing affair with Jackie Marling and occasionally had “threesomes” involving his wife and Marling.
Said to be able to “click his fingers” to make a woman strip.
Asked in court about his fascination for Egypt the 48-year-old just said: “Egypt? I don’t mind Egypt.”
Elaine Batley
Grew up in East London.
Had tattoos including the Eye of Horus on her arm, a pentagram above Egyptian script on her leg, Tutankhamun on her back plus another Egyptian script on her back which the 47-year-old claimed she did not understand.
When asked if she had ever been to Egypt she said she would like to have gone but had not visited “because of the heat”.
She also told the court she liked the ancient Egyptians because “they were good to their slaves”.
Admitted to an affair with Jackie Marling and “a fumble” with Shelly Millar.
Told the court she was interested in Aleister Crowley and read his work.
Shelly Millar
Grew up in Kent. Had an Eye of Horus tattoo on her arm and admitted to having around 3,000 clients as a prostitute during a two-year period working in Swansea and Bristol. Sobbed as the 35-year-old was found guilty of two counts of indecency with children.
Jackie Marling
Grew up in Poplar, East London.
Initially denied to police officers that she was a prostitute.
But the 42-year-old’s car was spotted making regular trips to brothels in the centre of Swansea and Bristol.
Sported an Eye of Horus tattoo on her arm, had a figurine of a cat goddess in her home plus a drawing of the Mask of Tutankhamun and one of the hawk-headed Egyptian god Horus.
Had affairs with Colin Batley and Elaine Batley.
‘It’s hard to believe something so sordid and awful was going on within our small community’
A handful of housing association homes in an overlooked cul-de-sac in sleepy Kidwelly is an unlikely location for a satanic paedophile ring.
The centre of a black magic inspired sex cult, it was home to a group of sexual deviants who preyed on children.
But the quiet Carmarthenshire estate could not have had a more contrasting set of residents or homes.
Clos yr Onnen – within a stone’s throw of the pretty seaside town’s medieval castle – was thrown into the media spotlight last month when five of its residents were exposed as part of a "quasi-religious cult".
They appeared in court and were yesterday convicted on a total of 47 charges, including rape, indecent assault, forcing a girl to work as a prostitute and inciting a child to have sex.
But the unassuming suburban setting isand adjoining Rhodfa’r Gwendraeth are also home to a retired bishop and a retired police officer.
While the owners of dozens of well-kept homes and manicured gardens went about their lives, just a few doors away in run-down properties, children and young adults were being intimidated into having sex.
The home of cult ringleader Colin Batley, who was des- cribed as an "evil bully" by neighbours, stands in stark contrast to many of the family homes surrounding it.
With a torn and ragged England flag pinned outside, and two Rottweiler dogs named Seckhet after the Egyptian lion goddess and Toots, short for Tutenkhamun, leaping at the door, many neighbours said they steered clear of Batley and his neglected property.
The house was where Batley’s own son died during a bizarre sex act three years ago. On February 1, 2008, Damian Batley accidentally hanged himself.
An inquest heard that the former Asda cashier filmed himself on his mobile phone as he hanged himself.
Constable Ian Ayres, from Carmarthen CID, said a family member found Mr Batley naked and hanged from his bedroom door. The police were called and when they arrived at the scene they found video footage on his mobile phone.
Deputy coroner Pauline Mainwaring recorded a verdict of accidental death from hanging.
She added: "There is no evidence to suggest suicide."
She confirmed that there were no suspicious circumstances and no-one else was involved.
George and Cecilia Dawson, who live between homes of the cult members, described them as "evil and twisted", who used their so-called religion as an excuse for sick behaviour.
"Colin Batley is the most disgusting and vile man you could meet," Mr Dawson told the Western Mail.
The retired communications rigger said alarm bells started ringing some years before when an allegation of rape was made.
"We were, of course, concerned, but were not sure if the people involved were making it up," he said.
Mrs Dawson said the retired couple had been targeted by the group whenever the housing association or police were called to their properties.
She said: "Our daughter is a police officer and they did not like it when she came to visit us. I think it made them nervous.
"Batley and one of his friends used to have a van calling regularly, with a consignment of contraband tobacco and, we think, pornography. They used to head off to France on fortnightly trips and sometimes were gone for as long as six weeks. It makes you wonder if part of their cult activity was going on there too."
Mr Dawson described how Batley, who also had a cat called Rameses, used to walk around the estate with his two dogs, as if to intimidate people.
"He walked them like they were status symbols, but it was like he was trying to look intimidating," he said.
"The day of his son’s funeral he was sitting outside his house laughing and joking like he didn’t have a care in the world. It was the sort of behaviour that no normal person could comprehend."
Mrs Dawson said Elaine Batley and another woman had been seen touching each other in a sexual manner in the local supermarket.
She said: "There were all kinds of things happening and not of all of it was behind closed doors. That sort of thing is just like twisted exhibitionism."
The couple said a fireworks party the group organised had gone on into the early hours of the morning one year.
"Sandra had been around to warn us that they would be having a party and that it would be quite noisy," said Mrs Dawson.
"The fireworks went on for hours and hours and must have cost an absolute fortune. We couldn’t understand how any of them could afford it."
Retired firefighter Eddie Clements, who lives just a few houses away from Batley, at nearby Rhodfa’r Gwendraeth, said the community had been shocked by news of the cult.
He said: "This is such a lovely area and the kind of place where you can leave your property outside and your car unlocked.
"It is hard to believe something so sordid and awful was going on within our small community.
"I didn’t know the people involved but you know people’s faces and it is just so strange and hard to take in."
News of what had been going on under their noses for so long was greeted by many Kidwelly residents with disbelief, shock and unease.
Even yesterday, few in the deeply conservative community were willing to do much more than express shock at revelations from the trial.
One man, from Priory Street, spoke of the anger at the way a group of "outsiders" from London had stained the town’s character.
"Nobody understands how so many of them could come down and all end up living in one place in the town," he said. "They must have planned it somehow. I don’t think Kidwelly is to blame for what has gone on. They kept a very low profile."
He said he preferred not to give his name because he felt the cult would still be operating in the area.
But Geraint Thomas, Kidwelly Town Council clerk, predicted that the community would "rise above this awful incident".
He said: "The first we knew about this matter was when it was publicised in the newspapers. It is fair to say that on reading about it we were shocked and dismayed.
"This unfortunate matter has put Kidwelly on the map for the wrong reasons as we are continuously endeavouring to promote the town of Kidwelly and its environment in a positive way. We view this matter as a one-off. Kidwelly is a safe and respectable place to live and visit for all ages."
Dyfed-Powys Police
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0017.json.gz/line1701
|
__label__wiki
| 0.66242
| 0.66242
|
Senior school teachers and support staff had a colourful and bumpy Saturday afternoon completing a 5km obstacle course in Brighton.
It was in aid of Alice’s Arc, a children’s cancer set up by Junior school parents to raise funds for a cure and less harsh treatments for Rhabdomyosarcoma.
The team have raised over £1,100 so far and there’s still time to sponsor them at their Justgiving page.
Inspiring Digital Enterprise
10/07/2019 | Senior School News Have you heard of the Duke of York's Inspiring Digital Enterprise Awards…
International double gold
10/07/2019 | Senior School News Congratulations to Holly, aged 15, who has won two gold medals at…
The Good Schools Guide Review
09/07/2019 | Senior School News Thriving girls’ day school in leafy Sevenoaks, which produces confident…
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0017.json.gz/line1702
|
__label__wiki
| 0.613004
| 0.613004
|
It stands to reason that many other manufacturers ask Jaeger-LeCoultre to produce movements for them. The brand has made parts for IWC, Audemars Piguet, Patek Philippe; even the dials in classic Aston Martin cars were produced by the venerable watchmaker. Jaeger-LeCoultre's exquisite range caters for both classic and sporty tastes. Read more
Shop Jaeger-LeCoultre
Certified Service Centre
Reverso [51]
Master [29]
Master Compressor [22]
AMVOX [8]
Duometre [1]
Geophysic [2]
Ideale [1]
Extreme Alarm [2]
Memovox Tribute To Deep Sea [2]
Deep Sea Master Mariner [1]
Odysseus [1]
Jaeger-LeCoultre New Arrivals
AMVOX7
194T470
Master Ultra-Thin
Geophysic
Master Compressor Memovox
View All Jaeger-LeCoultre New Arrivals
Jaeger-LeCoultre History
Jaeger-LeCoultre watches are effortlessly stylish, but the beauty is more than skin deep; with almost two centuries of watchmaking experience, this prestigious company presents some of the very best watchmaking to have ever existed.
The brand’s journey began in 1833, when 30-year-old Antoine LeCoultre set up a watchmaking workshop in the small Swiss town of Le Sentier. He focused his efforts on high-quality timepieces, but his suppliers were unable to produce components to a tolerance he found acceptable. To that end, he invented the Millionometer, a device able to measure one micrometre (one-millionth of a metre).
In 1847, using his unparalleled tolerances, the watchmaker designed a push-button system that not only cycled the function of the watch, but also eliminated the need for a key to wind the mainspring. This incredible dedication to innovation was not overlooked: Antoine was awarded a gold medal for his work at the Great Exhibition held at the Crystal Palace in 1851.
Antoine’s son, Elie, exhibited the same desire for perfection when he expanded his father’s workshop to bring manufacturing in-house. The scene was set; from 1870, the family-run factory began to produce its own complicated movements, and by the end of the 19th century had produced over 350 different calibres. Such was the quality of the components that another Swiss brand, Patek Philippe, had LeCoultre produce its movement blanks.
The introduction of Edmond Jaeger, a Parisian watchmaker with a penchant for ultra-thin movements, marked the next milestone in the Jaeger-LeCoultre journey. In 1903, he set Jacques-David LeCoultre—Antoine’s grandson—the ultimate challenge: to produce a movement he’d designed that would be the thinnest in the world. After four years of work, LeCoultre finished it. It was called the calibre 145, and it was a world record breaker at 1.38mm thick. The challenge extended to the construction of the world’s smallest movement, the calibre 101, which weighed less than a gram.
By 1937, the friendship had become a partnership, and the Jaeger-LeCoultre name was christened on a watch dial. Combining groundbreaking designs and manufacturing prowess, the company became one of the world’s greatest watchmakers. So impressive are the movements produced by the brand that many other respected watch manufacturers have used them in their own watches: Audemars Piguet, Panerai and Cartier, to name but three. The brand’s AMVOX, Reverso and Duomètre collections all exhibit the same attention to detail and ingenuity that has come to be expected from Jaeger-LeCoultre watches, and serve to continue the watchmaker’s legacy as one of the very best.
One of the brand's most famous collections is the Master collection, where you'll find the Master Control and the Master Compressor if you want something more rugged. The elegant cases and beautiful design complements the Ultra-thin, Calendar and Hometime complications.
The list of achievements goes on and on, and with a thousand different movements and 350 patents under its belt, it’s easy to see how Jaeger-LeCoultre earned its reputation for being the home of master watchmakers. And as for producing some of the most stylish wristwatches on the market? That just comes naturally.
Feature: 5 Best Dress Watches
The dress watch is perhaps the hardest watch to master. It has to be simple, it has to be manual wind, it has to have no complications—small seconds at a push—and it has to be small, both in diameter, but more importantly, thickness. This leaves very little for a watchmaker to hide behind, only the quality of the watchmaking itself left to do the talking. How do the very best brands in the world do it?
Feature: 3 Vintage-Inspired Chronographs
Since the whopping $17.8 million sale of Paul Newman’s Paul Newman, the world’s—or what seems like it—attention has been turned to vintage chronographs. Thing is, vintage chronographs can be pretty expensive. There are some great options out there if you’re willing to do a lot—a lot—of research, but even those can be costly. A Longines 13ZN can fetch as much as £15,000 for example. If all that sounds too much like hard work, then perhaps we have the answer for you…
Review: Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris 9038670
Everything’s smart these days: smart phones, smart cars—Teslas, not Smart cars—smart refrigerators, smart socks—you name it, if it exists, it’s been reimagined as a ‘smart’ product. It’s like the clock radio of the modern age, a necessity to give everyday items the ability to participate in the inevitable robot uprising. One company you wouldn’t expect to be dabbling in that arena is Jaeger-LeCoultre, but it has—and has done all the way back to the 1950s.
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0017.json.gz/line1704
|
__label__wiki
| 0.974636
| 0.974636
|
UK tabloid talk show canceled after death of guest
by: JILL LAWLESS, Associated Press
Posted: May 15, 2019 / 05:40 AM EDT / Updated: May 15, 2019 / 11:28 AM EDT
FILE – In this Aug. 5, 2019 file photo, Jeremy Kyle watches his shot during the Pro-Am at the British Masters at Hillside Golf Club, Southport, England. British broadcaster ITV canceled a popular daytime reality show on Wednesday May 15, 2019, after the death of a guest who failed a lie-detector test during a recording. (Peter Byrne/PA via AP, File)
LONDON (AP) — British broadcaster ITV on Wednesday canceled a popular, long-running daytime reality show after the death of a guest who failed a lie-detector test during a recording.
The case has renewed debate about the ethics of tabloid television, and sparked a parliamentary inquiry into the regulation of programs that put members of the public under intense scrutiny.
ITV chief executive Carolyn McCall said “The Jeremy Kyle Show” was being scrapped “given the gravity of recent events.”
The tabloid-style talk show, which had run for 14 years and specialized in emotive, confrontational showdowns, was pulled after 63-year-old Steve Dymond was found dead at a home in Portsmouth, southern England, on May 9.
Media reported that he had killed himself. Police said the death was not suspicious, and a post-mortem will be held to determine the cause.
On an episode filmed earlier this month, Dymond took a lie-detector test to convince his fiancee that he had not been unfaithful, but was told he had failed.
The episode has not been aired.
Dymond’s death has heightened concern in Britain about the stress put on people appearing on reality television and online shows, and program-makers’ duty to protect their guests.
It’s a debate that has raged, off and on, for close to two decades since Britain began making home-grown equivalents of sensationalist U.S. programs like “The Jerry Springer Show” and putting ordinary people under a microscope on reality shows such as “Big Brother.”
ITV was already under pressure following the deaths of two former contestants on reality show “Love Island,” Sophie Gradon and Mike Thalassitis. Gradon’s 2018 death was ruled a suicide at an inquest. An inquest has not yet been held for Thalassitis, who died in March.
Lawmaker Damian Collins, chairman of the House of Commons Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee, said his panel would consider whether there was adequate regulation of reality TV.
“Programs like ‘The Jeremy Kyle Show’ risk putting people who might be vulnerable on to a public stage at a point in their lives when they are unable to foresee the consequences, either for themselves or their families,” he said.
“This kind of TV featuring members of the public attracts viewing figures in the millions but in return for ratings, the broadcasters must demonstrate their duty of care to the people whose personal lives are being exposed.”
Simon Wessely, a former head of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, said shows like “Jeremy Kyle” were “the theatre of cruelty.”
“And yes, it might entertain a million people a day, but then again, so did Christians versus lions,” he said.
More Entertainment Stories
by LINDSEY BAHR, Associated Press / Jul 18, 2019
SAN DIEGO (AP) — "It: Chapter Two" is not taking it easy on the grown losers' club if the new trailer is any indication, and the shoot itself doesn't sound much calmer than battling a demonic clown either.
A theater of fans got a sneak peek at the latest promo for the horror sequel at a Comic-Con event Wednesday night in San Diego before it's released to the world Thursday morning.
NEW YORK (AP) — "Hamilton" creator Lin-Manuel Miranda has joined protests in New York demanding the resignation of Puerto Rico's governor.
Miranda led about 200 people, many from Puerto Rico, at a rally in Manhattan's Union Square on Wednesday. They waved Puerto Rican flags and followed him to a drumbeat, chanting in Spanish, "Viva Puerto Rico libre," which translates to "Long live free Puerto Rico."
R. Kelly doesn’t have freedom, money for this legal battle
by DON BABWIN, Associated Press / Jul 17, 2019
CHICAGO (AP) — The difference between R. Kelly's life in 2002 when he was last charged with child sex-related crimes and his arrest last week on even more serious charges was on full display when the R&B singer turned and slowly walked out of court.
Each step Tuesday was cut shorter than normal by the shackles around his ankles — a reminder of how small his world has become and how the advantages he once possessed have vanished. He was not posting bond and leaving by the front door to return to his life as an international recording artist as he did 17 years ago. He was heading back to a federal jail cell knowing there's a good chance he will stay there for months or even years before his case comes to trial, after a judge said the charges against him are too serious to release him on bond.
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0017.json.gz/line1705
|
__label__wiki
| 0.810697
| 0.810697
|
ODU looks back on stunning upset win at Syracuse
by: Nathan Epstein
Posted: Dec 18, 2018 / 12:30 AM EST / Updated: Dec 18, 2018 / 12:30 AM EST
NORFOLK (WAVY) – It’s been almost three months since the Old Dominion football team pulled off one of the biggest upsets in history, topping Virginia Tech 49-35 at SB Ballard Stadium.
The team and the student section stormed the field in celebration right after the clock hit zero. One of the students who stormed the field that afternoon just helped lead his team to the biggest upset of the weekend in college basketball.
“Dream come true,” said Ahmad Caver on Monday, only two days after the Monarchs (8-3) sank 25th-ranked Syracuse 68-62 inside the Carrier Dome. It was ODU’s first win over a ranked team on the road since beating Georgetown in 2009.
“Syracuse was my dream school,” said Caver. “I’m a big fan of Carmelo Anthony. So, ever since then, I’ve been a big Syracuse fan and I think that was a dream come true.”
NEW DELHI (AP) — India's space agency says it will launch a spacecraft to the south pole of the moon on Monday after an aborted effort this week.
The Indian Space Research Organization says the Chandrayaan-2 launch is now rescheduled at 2:43 p.m. on Monday. It says an expert committee identified the root cause of the previous technical snag and all corrective actions are now implemented.
Politics / 1 min ago
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0017.json.gz/line1706
|
__label__wiki
| 0.903277
| 0.903277
|
Weakened Barry rolls into Louisiana, drenches Gulf Coast
by: SARAH BLAKE MORGAN and JANET McCONNAUGHEY, Associated Press
Posted: Jul 13, 2019 / 11:05 AM EDT / Updated: Jul 13, 2019 / 11:46 PM EDT
Judy Daigle, owner of “The Chili House and More,” right, helps Michael Fuselier fill a sandbag at one of several locations in Morgan City, La., Friday, July 12, 2019. Daigle’s restaurant is across a parking lot from where the city provided sand for sandbagging. “I just had to lend a hand to these folks,” said Daigle. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Barry rolled into the Louisiana coast Saturday, flooding highways, forcing people to scramble to rooftops and dumping heavy rain that officials had feared could test the levees and pumps that were bolstered after Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans in 2005.
After briefly becoming a Category 1 hurricane, the system weakened to a tropical storm as it made landfall near Intracoastal City, about 160 miles (257 kilometers) west of New Orleans, the National Hurricane Center said.
Barry was moving so slowly that heavy rain was expected to continue all weekend.
“This storm still has a long way to go before it leaves this state,” Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards said Saturday night. “Don’t let your guard down.”
By early evening, New Orleans had been spared the worst effects, receiving only light showers and gusty winds. A National Weather Service forecaster said the city may escape with only 2 to 4 inches (5 to 10 centimeters) of rain. But officials warned that Barry could still cause disastrous flooding across a wide stretch of the Gulf Coast and drop up to 20 inches (50 centimeters) through Sunday across other parts of Louisiana.
Although the outlook for New Orleans had improved significantly, weather service forecaster Robert Ricks said it was too early to declare that the city was in the clear. The agency also reduced its rainfall estimates for Baton Rouge to between 6 and 10 inches (15 and 25 centimeters) through Sunday.
Forecasts showed the storm on a path toward Chicago that would swell the Mississippi River basin with water that must eventually flow south again.
The Coast Guard rescued a dozen people from flooded areas of Terrebonne Parish, south of New Orleans, some of them from rooftops, a spokeswoman said. The people included a 77-year-old man who called for help because he had about 4 feet (1.2 meters) of water in his home.
None of the main levees on the Mississippi River failed or were breached, Edwards said. But a levee in Terrebonne Parish was overtopped by water for part of the day, officials said. And video showed water getting over a second levee in Plaquemines Parish, where fingers of land extend deep into the Gulf of Mexico. Terrebonne Parish ordered a new evacuation affecting an estimated 400 people.
Nearly all businesses in Morgan City, about 85 miles (137 kilometers) west of New Orleans, were shuttered with the exception of Meche’s Donuts Shop. Owner Todd Hoffpauir did a brisk business despite the pounding winds and pulsating rain.
While making doughnuts, Hoffpauir said he heard an explosion and a ripping sound and later saw that the wind had peeled off layers of the roof at an adjacent apartment complex.
In some places, residents continued to build defenses against rising water. At the edge of the town of Jean Lafitte just outside New Orleans, volunteers helped several town employees sandbag a 600-foot stretch of the two-lane state highway. The street was already lined with one-ton sandbags, and 30-pound (14-kilogram) bags were being used to strengthen them.
“I’m here for my family, trying to save their stuff,” volunteer Vinnie Tortorich said. “My cousin’s house is already under.”
In Lafayette, Willie Allen and his 11-year-old grandson, Gavin Coleman, shoveled sand into 20 green bags, joining a group of more than 20 other people doing the same thing during a break in the rain. Wearing a mud-streaked T-shirt and shorts, Allen loaded the bags onto the back of his pickup.
“Everybody is preparing,” he said. “Our biggest concern is the flood.”
Many businesses were also shut down or closed early in Baton Rouge, and winds were strong enough to rock large pickup trucks. Whitecaps were visible on the Mississippi.
Oil and gas operators evacuated hundreds of platforms and rigs in the Gulf of Mexico. Nearly 70% of Gulf oil production and 56% of gas production were turned off Saturday, according to the U.S. Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement, which compiles the numbers from industry reports.
Barry developed from a disturbance in the Gulf that surprised New Orleans during the Wednesday morning rush with a sudden deluge that flooded streets, homes and businesses. For several days, officials braced for more flooding. But as sunset approached, the city saw only intermittent rain and wind, with occasional glimpses of sunshine.
Elsewhere, more than 120,000 customers in Louisiana and another nearly 6,000 customers in Mississippi and Alabama were without power Saturday, according to poweroutage.us.
During a storm update through Facebook Live, National Hurricane Center Director Ken Graham pointed to a computer screen showing a huge, swirling mess of airborne water. “That is just an amazing amount of moisture,” he said. “That is off the chart.”
For a few hours, the storm had maximum sustained winds of 75 mph (120 kph), just above the 74 mph (120 kph) threshold to be a hurricane. Barry was expected to continue weakening and become a tropical depression on Sunday.
Downpours also lashed coastal Alabama and Mississippi.
Governors declared emergencies in Louisiana and Mississippi, and authorities closed floodgates and raised water barriers around New Orleans. It was the first time since Katrina that all floodgates in the New Orleans area had been sealed.
Still, Edwards said he did not expect the Mississippi to spill over the levees despite water levels already running high from spring rains and melting snow upstream. The barriers range in height from about 20 to 25 feet (6 to 7.5 meters).
Authorities told at least 10,000 people in exposed, low-lying areas along the Gulf Coast to leave, but no evacuations were ordered in New Orleans, where officials urged residents to “shelter in place.”
Despite the apparent calm in her city, New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell cautioned that the storm continued to pose a threat.
“The slow pace pushed the timing of expected impacts further into today, tonight and Sunday,” Cantrell said. “This means that New Orleans residents are not out of the woods with this system.”
Associated Press writers Kevin McGill, Rebecca Santana and Sarah Blake Morgan in New Orleans; Jay Reeves in Baton Rouge; Juan Lozano in Lafayette; Rogelio Solis in Morgan City; Jeffrey Collins in Columbia, South Carolina; Russ Bynum in Savannah, Georgia; and Sudhin Thanawala and Lisa Adams in Atlanta contributed to this report.
For the latest on Tropical Storm Barry, visit https://apnews.com/Hurricanes
‘Bring your dogs inside’: RACC reinforcing new law that prohibits tying up dogs in extreme weather
by MaryCatherine Neal / Jul 17, 2019
RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Richmond Animal Care and Control (RACC) is enforcing a law prohibiting tying up dogs in adverse weather, specifically this week's intense heat wave.
A heat advisory has been issued through Sunday this week, so any dogs tied up outside can be reported and taken to RACC.
by JEREMY REHM, Associated Press / Jul 17, 2019
NEW YORK (AP) — Scientists say they nearly eliminated disease-carrying mosquitoes on two islands in China using a new technique. The downside: It may not be practical for larger areas and may cost a lot of money.
In the experiment, researchers targeted Asian tiger mosquitoes, invasive white-striped bugs that can spread dengue fever, Zika and other diseases. They used a novel approach for pest control: First, they infected the bugs with a virus-fighting bacterium, and then zapped them with a small dose of radiation.
Get relief from the heat at cooling centers available across Hampton Roads
by Jane Alvarez-Wertz / Jul 17, 2019
HAMPTON ROADS, Va. (WAVY) - City officials are reminding citizens of resources available to help cope with the summer heat.
High temps this week are in the mid-90s with the heat index expected to be potentially dangerous. Super Doppler 10 Meteorologist Jeremy wheeler said it will likely feel between 100 and 110 degrees at times this week and through the weekend.
Blog: Today’s Heat Advisory Is Just The Beginning!
Blogs / 18 hours ago
Blog: Local Heat Will Become Rough This Week!
Local News / 2 days ago
Blog: Barry Now A Rainmaker. Locally, Building Heat.
Blogs / 3 days ago
BLOG: Two Planets Visible Tonight and a week of the Space Station
Weather Blog / 3 days ago
What the Lehecka: High and Low Tides
Video / 4 days ago
More Weather Blog
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0017.json.gz/line1707
|
__label__wiki
| 0.684967
| 0.684967
|
Zeitz MOCAA
Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa (Zeitz MOCAA) is a public not-for-profit contemporary art museum which collects, preserves, researches, and exhibits twenty-first century art from Africa and its Diaspora; hosts international exhibitions; develops supporting educational and enrichment programmes; encourages intercultural understanding; and guarantees access for all.
To Purchase a Membership please select your start date below.
Click here for Membership Renewals
Choose a date: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 2019 2020 2021
Venue: Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa
© All content is property of Webtickets.
Need help? Contact us on 086 111 0005.
Switch to desktop version | Log out
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0017.json.gz/line1709
|
__label__wiki
| 0.596205
| 0.596205
|
08 Aug Wedu’s Unsung Supporters: Talent Spotters
Posted at 15:00h in Women Leadership by admin 0 Comments
Young Women Lead! Gender Equality and Social Entrepreneurship 2017, hosted by IRI featuring Wedu team members Chanikarn and Cee
Over the past few years, Wedu has worked with various educational institutions, NGOs, and social enterprises to advance our mission to unlock the leadership potential of women in Asia. Today, we work with over 150 future-thinking organizations, including Asian University for Women (AUW) and Women LEAD (Leadership, Education, Advocacy, and Development), both of whom have recommended upwards of a hundred young women to become Wedu’s Rising Stars. AUW is an independent, international university in Chittagong, Bangladesh founded in 2008 and Women LEAD is a leadership and professional development organization for young women in Kathmandu, Nepal. Together, Wedu believes that we can empower the next generation of women in Asia and balance the existing gender inequality in Asia and the world.
Participants share goals at a workshop with AUW
Many Asian countries today continue to be defined by patriarchal traditions and rules. While there have been some advances, women are still generally discouraged from pursuing higher education, finding a job, and being independent. Instead, they are raised into gender-specific roles designated to them by the patriarchal society— roles like wives and mothers. As a result of such patriarchal traditions, women are often denied opportunities in education, employment, and most importantly, leadership. Without female leaders, societies will continue to be steeped in their belief that women are not as capable as men. This results in a continuous cycle of an absence of female leaders as young women begin to internalize such discrimination and refuse to step up.
In light of such discrimination and lack of opportunity in Asia, it is crucial for Wedu to work closely with organizations like Women LEAD and universities like AUW that share our vision and goals. As Women LEAD shared: “At our core, [Wedu and Women LEAD] are joined in our shared mission to equip extraordinary young women to be leaders and changemakers in their communities and create change from the bottom up.” In a similar vein, AUW aims to educate a new generation of female leaders in Asia, by admitting students solely based on merit, and providing nearly all their students with full scholarships. “We support young women who are passionate about making a difference,” shared AUW, echoing Wedu’s mission.
Women LEAD started working with Wedu in 2013 and have supported Wedu by nominating some of the best young women in Nepal to become Rising Stars. Women LEAD has also been extremely supportive of Wedu’s outreach efforts. Every year, they invite a program alumni who is also a Rising Star to share her experience at Wedu in order to encourage the current batch of LEADers to join Wedu. AUW Centre for Career Development and International Programs have been working closely with Wedu since its inception in 2016. Similar to Women LEAD, AUW also played a critical role in recommending talented students to become Rising Stars. To date, there are 101 Rising Stars from AUW, the highest number from any of our Talent Spotters.
Cee (left) and Chanikarn (right) leading workshop sessions.
Over the years of partnership, Wedu, Women LEAD, and AUW have witnessed the development and transformation of these capable young women. Menuka Gurung, one of Wedu’s first Rising Stars and Women LEAD Nepal alumni, has benefitted greatly from both Wedu and Women LEAD’s programs. Menuka is currently pursuing higher education in Webster University and hopes to be an entrepreneur in the future. Menuka is a role model for Rising Stars and LEADers as she never forgets to give back; every year, she returns to Women LEAD to work with them during the recruitment process.
Women LEAD hopes to see their program participants occupying positions of power across a wide range of fields and be the ones who ultimately drive Nepal’s development agenda. “To young women [aspiring to become leaders], we want to urge them to remember who they are and where they come from as they progress on their leadership journey. Leadership is not about power, but about being powerful enough to create more leaders,” Women LEAD said.
Wedu would like to extend our deepest gratitude to AUW and Women LEAD for working closely with us to empower young women. “Our hope is that one day we can work ourselves out of existence,” shared Women LEAD. Wedu similarly hopes that there will come a day not far in the future where women are given equal opportunities at education, employment, and leadership roles. Wedu will continue working with Women LEAD, AUW, and all our Talent Spotters to make this dream a reality.
About Wedu
Create a Scholarship
Sign Up for Our Community
Yes, I consent to receive regular news and updates from Wedu. Read our full Data Protection Policy.
© Wedu. All rights reserved. Wedu is a registered UK Charity and a Thai Foundation
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0017.json.gz/line1710
|
__label__wiki
| 0.945112
| 0.945112
|
LPGA leaving ANA Inspiration against Augusta Women's Amateur
By: DOUG FERGUSON, AP Golf Writer
CHASKA, Minn. (AP) - The LPGA Tour will have a new tournament in Florida at the start of next year, and likely another one in the late spring. The Asian swing of limited-field events at the start of the year is adding a tournament with a full field and a cut.
And perhaps the most important piece of the puzzle: The ANA Inspiration is staying put. It again will be one week before the Masters and the same weekend as the Augusta National Women's Amateur, which stole the spotlight from the LPGA Tour's first major, not to mention some of the amateurs.
Still to be determined is whether it stays that way.
LPGA commissioner Mike Whan said last week he was not ready to commit the ANA Inspiration to the weekend before the Masters after 2020.
"I'm very open in admitting it wasn't as great a media year or television ratings year as we've had in the past there," Whan said.
Moving the ANA Inspiration won't be easy. To play it in the California desert a week after the Masters would compete with the fabled Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, when hotel rates would likely triple and volunteers would be harder to find.
To go a week earlier would pit the LPGA's first major against the Dell Match Play, meaning a significant loss in TV time. The Match Play had 26 hours of TV time on Golf Channel, while the Kia Classic on the LPGA Tour (the same week) had eight hours of Golf Channel coverage.
"We're better to stay where we are," Whan said. "ANA has agreed with me, first and foremost let's make sure we put on a good major for the players and figure out the rest around that."
Whan doesn't see it as a total loss. This year, the Augusta National Women's Amateur turned into a showdown - and a terrific show - between Jennifer Kupcho and Maria Fassi, who now are on the LPGA Tour.
"I still believe if we get it right - the Augusta-ANA combination - we're going to create a weekend one of these years that's really going to be a celebration," he said.
According to Golf Channel, more than 80 hours of live tournament and news coverage was devoted to the ANA Inspiration and the Augusta National Women's Amateur from April 1 through April 7, the most ever dedicated to women's golf in a single week.
"We aren't necessarily saying that's the date for the next five years," Whan said. "Just the date for 2020."
OUTLOOK ON NO. 1
Justin Thomas once said he never thought much about being No. 1 in the world ranking until he no longer had it. Brooks Koepka also has a different outlook. He says he cared too much about it when he first got to the top and was consumed by trying to stay there.
Koepka first reached No. 1 by winning the CJ Cup in South Korea. He stayed two weeks, alternated with Justin Rose the next three weeks, ended the year at the top, watched Dustin Johnson and Rose battle for No. 1 for more than four months, and then reclaimed it with his PGA Championship victory.
"After Korea, I was just focused on maintaining No. 1 and trying to grow the lead," Koepka said at the Travelers Championship. "Now I understand. It kind of consumed me. I was so focused on it and I couldn't focus on my golf. Now if I play good golf, it's all going to take care of itself. If I go out and win and do what I'm supposed to do, I can grow the lead over Dustin or Rosey."
PGA-LPGA PARTNERSHIP
LPGA commissioner Mike Whan says the tour is finishing up details on what amounts to a two-year extension with Golf Channel. That would put the LPGA Tour's contract through 2021, the same time the PGA Tour's television contracts expire.
The PGA Tour will be representing the LPGA Tour in the TV talks.
"We always had an agency as it relates to our value and to bring those opportunities to us. We asked the PGA Tour to be that agency in this round," Whan said. "My take of the PGA Tour, selling TV rights three times, they're good at it and know value. I think there's some value to us in understanding where their future is, as well.
"Do I have faith in the PGA Tour on this project? A hundred percent. I signed up with them."
The next step in an alliance with the PGA Tour is a mixed team event. The LPGA Tour and European Tour are among sanctioning bodies at the Vic Open in Australia, where men and women compete for equal prize money. The European Tour and Ladies European Tour compete at the same resort (different courses) in Morocco in April.
Whan said the PGA Tour and LPGA Tour are "really close" to announcing a similar project.
One possibility is the World Cup, which has not been held with any regularity. It was in China four times from 2007 through 2011, and it has been held in Australia three times since 2013. The World Cup might be the best opportunity for PGA Tour and LPGA Tour to compete together.
"Figuring out something with the PGA Tour schedule is challenging," Whan said. "I think we're really close to something that we'll have something good for everybody."
MAJOR PARITY
It started with I.K. Kim winning the Women's British Open. The streak was extended when Hannah Green won the Women's PGA Championship.
Perhaps the best sign of increasing depth on the LPGA Tour is that 10 players have won the last 10 major championships, the longest streak without a multiple major champion since the middle of 1993 through the end of 1995.
The difference now is the countries producing major champions.
The last streak of 10 straight majors with different winners included seven Americans - Lauri Merten, Brandie Burton, Donna Andrews, Patty Sheehan, Martha Nause, Nanci Bowen and Kelly Robbins - along with players from England (Laura Davies), Sweden (Annika Sorenstam) and Peru (Jenny Lidback).
The most recent 10 major champions on the LPGA come from six countries, with Angela Stanford at the Women's British Open the lone American. Four players have come from South Korea (Kim, Jin Young Ko, Jeungeun Lee6 and Sung Hyun Park), two from Sweden (Pernilla Lindberg, Anna Nordqvist) and the others from Australia (Green), Thailand (Ariya Jutanugarn) and England (Georgia Hall).
DIVOTS
The Chicago Tribune reports that BMW will not renew as title sponsor of the FedEx Cup playoff event after this year. The PGA Tour says it is working with the Western Golf Association to find a new sponsor. BMW has been title sponsor since the FedEx Cup began in 2007. ... Ryan Palmer is at No. 20 in the FedEx Cup, and that was enough to get him back to the British Open for the first time since 2016. The Open awarded three spots to players not already exempt in the top 20 in the FedEx Cup after the Travelers Championship. The other two spots went to Chez Reavie and Charles Howell III. ... Steve Stricker makes his U.S. Senior Open debut this week. ... Stacy Lewis and Gerina Piller will be partners in the LPGA Tour team event, the Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational in Michigan on July 18-21. Both have become mothers in the last year.
STAT OF THE WEEK
Dustin Johnson won 20 times on the PGA Tour between Chez Reavie winning his first (2008 Canadian Open) and second (Travelers Championship) titles.
"It only takes a second and it can change someone's life." - Women's PGA champion Hannah Green on interaction with young fans at golf tournaments.
More AP golf: https://apnews.com/apf-Golf and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0017.json.gz/line1713
|
__label__wiki
| 0.821424
| 0.821424
|
Crack! A Lake Atop Greenland Disappears
Water penetrates thick ice, lubricating the base of glaciers
By Lonny Lippsett / Michael Carlowicz | July 7, 2008
In late July 2006, a 2.2-square-mile lake atop the Greenland Ice Sheet sprung a leak. Like a draining bathtub, the entire lake emptied from the bottom, sending water through a crack that reached the base of the ice sheet 3,215 feet below. Most of the 11.6 billion gallons of water in the lake drained out in 90 minutes—at times flowing out faster than the water going over Niagara Falls.
Researchers from Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) and the University of Washington (UW) documented for the first time the sudden and complete drainage of this so-called supraglacial lake—one of thousands that form each spring and summer on top of the Greenland Ice Sheet as sunlight returns and melts snow and ice into water that pools into lakes.
The observation uncovers a long speculated, but never detected plumbing system for ice sheets: Supraglacial lakes can build up enough pressure to crack their bottoms, creating conduits that can penetrate thick ice sheets. The cracks can send torrents of water all the way to the base of the ice sheets, where the water greases the skids between ice and ground. That speeds up the flow of the glaciers’ otherwise steady march toward the ocean, releasing more icebergs that melt into the ocean.
The finding adds a new wrinkle to climate change scenarios. Earth’s warming climate, especially near the poles, could extend the melting season, create more supraglacial lakes across the ice sheet, and cause even more widespread acceleration of the ice sheet each summer.
This could increase the rate of sea level rise in the future. (If Greenland’s 2-mile-thick ice sheet melts completely, it would ultimately raise global sea level by 23 feet, drowning coastal regions). Melting of the ice sheet would also add larger amounts of fresh water to the ocean, which might affect ocean circulation patterns that, in turn, could alter rainfall patterns, fisheries, and climate.
“We set out to examine whether the melting at the surface—which is very sensitive to climate change—could influence how fast the ice can flow,” said WHOI glaciologist Sarah Das, who led expeditions to Greenland in 2006 and 2007 with UW scientist Ian Joughin. “It’s hard to envision how a trickle or a pool of meltwater from the surface could cut through thick, cold ice a mile or more thick, all the way to the bed. For that reason, there has been a debate in the scientific community as to whether such processes could exist, even though some theoretical work has hypothesized this for decades.”
Das and Joughin reported their finding May 9, 2008, in the journal Science. The research team also included WHOI scientists Mark Behn, Maya Bhatia, and Dan Lizarralde of WHOI, Ian Howat of UW, and Matt King of Newcastle University.
Das and colleagues used seismic instruments, water-level monitors, and Global Positioning System sensors to monitor the evolution of two supraglacial lakes and the motion of the surrounding ice sheet. They also used helicopter and airplane surveys and satellite imagery to monitor the lakes and to track the progress of glaciers moving toward the coast.
The research team returned July 8 for their third summer of field work—an expedition chronicled on polardiscovery.whoi.edu.
The research was funded by the National Science Foundation, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the WHOI Clark Arctic Research Initiative, and the WHOI Ocean and Climate Change Institute.
Researchers from Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and the University of Washington established camps atop the Greenland Ice Sheet in 2006 and 2007 to monitor lakes that form atop glaciers when ice melts during the summer. They returned for a third summer in the field in July, 2008.
(Photo by Sarah Das, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution)
Each summer, ice melts and water streams into low-lying areas on top of the Greenland ice sheet to form "supraglacial lakes." (Photo by Ian Joughin, UW Polar Science Center)
Water from melted ice rushes in a stream across the top of the Greenland Ice Sheet in July 2007. (Photo by Sarah Das, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution)
Scientists walk along the edge of a large ice canyon formed over many years as a meltwater stream flows across the surface of the Greenland Ice Sheet—much the way the Colorado River cut through land to form the Grand Canyon. (Photo by Sarah Das, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution)
Thousands of supraglacial lakes form on top of the Greenland Ice Sheet each summer. They can be miles wide. The lakes concentrate a weight of water, building up pressure that can induce cracks in the ice at the bottom of the lakes. The cracks, called moulins, can extend through a mile or more of ice—all the way to the base of the glacier, where ice meets the ground. (Photo by Ian Joughin, UW Polar Science Center)
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution scientists Sarah Das (left) and Mark Behn established a field camp to study a Greenland supraglacial lake in the summer of 2007. Here, they stand in front of a channel of water formed from melted ice. (Photo by Maya Bhatia, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution)
The research team (including Mark Behn, standing here near a meltwater stream) set up a variety of instruments on the ice to learn about supraglacial lakes. These included GPS stations to track the movement of the ice; seismometers to record vibrations from "icequakes" that occur when cracks form beneath supraglacial lakes and drains the lakes: weather stations; and pressure loggers to measure changes in lakes levels over the year.
The research team also included biologist Maya Bhatia, a graduate student in the MIT/WHOI Joint Program, who seeks to learn more about microbes and other microscopic plants and animals that live in and on the ice. Here, she sets up an incubation experiment on the edge of a supraglacial lake. (Photo by Sarah Das, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution)
Sarah Das
Polar Discovery Expedition 4
Greenland's Glaciers, July 7-24, 2008
Sarah Das's Homepage
Ian Joughin's Homepage
Tracking an Ocean of Ice Atop Greenland
A conversation with WHOI glaciologist Sarah Das from Oceanus magazine
Polar Research at WHOI
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0017.json.gz/line1715
|
__label__wiki
| 0.587708
| 0.587708
|
Scott D. Delacourt
sdelacourt@wileyrein.com
Katy M. Ross
kmross@wileyrein.com
FCC Releases Draft of Wireless Infrastructure Streamlining Order
On March 1, 2018, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) released a draft Wireless Infrastructure Streamlining Report & Order (Draft R&O) that would clarify and modify the procedures for National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review of wireless infrastructure deployments and streamline the Tribal Nations and environmental review processes. The FCC is set to vote on the Draft R&O at its March 22, 2018 Open Commission Meeting. The Draft R&O proposes:
Amending Commission rules to clarify that the deployment of small wireless facilities by private parties does not constitute either a “federal undertaking” within the meaning of NHPA or a “major federal action” under NEPA, meaning that neither statute’s review process would be mandated for such deployments. Small wireless facilities deployments would continue to be subject to currently applicable state and local government approval requirements.
The FCC’s revised rule section 1.1312 would exclude small wireless facilities meeting the following conditions from the NHPA and NEPA review processes:
i) The facilities are mounted on structures 50 feet or less in height including their antennas or the facilities are mounted on structures no more than 10 percent taller than other adjacent structures, or the facilities do not extend existing structures on which they are located by more than 10 percent;
ii) Each antenna associated with the deployment, excluding the associated equipment fits in an enclosure (or if the antenna is exposed, within an imaginary enclosure, i.e., one that would be the correct size to contain the equipment) that is no more than three cubic feet in volume;
iii) All other wireless equipment associated with the structure, including the wireless equipment associated with the antenna and any pre-existing associated equipment on the structure, is no larger than necessary for the operation of the small wireless facility;
iv) The facilities do not require antenna structure registration under Part 17 of the Commission’s rules; and
v) The facilities do not result in human exposure to radiofrequency radiation in excess of the applicable safety standards
Clarifying and making improvements to the process for Tribal participation in Section 106 historic preservation reviews. Specifically, the Draft R&O creates a timeline for initial Tribal responses to requests for siting, establishes a new procedure to address instances in which Tribal Nations fail to respond after receiving a submission packet, clarifies that applicants are not required to pay “up front” fees requested by Tribal Nations that have been invited to participate in the siting process, and clarifies the circumstances under which an applicant may be required to retain an appropriately qualified expert to perform consultant services.
Removing the requirement that applicants file Environmental Assessments (EAs) solely due to the location of a proposed facility in a floodplain, as long as certain conditions are met.
Establishing timeframes for the Commission to act on EAs. For the great majority of cases in which the EA is complete as submitted and will support a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI), the Draft R&O directs staff to complete review and issue a FONSI within 60 days after the EA has been placed on notice.
The Draft R&O is not final until it is voted on by the Commission at the March meeting, and the text of the item may change until that time.
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0017.json.gz/line1716
|
__label__wiki
| 0.775828
| 0.775828
|
Barclays Unreasonable Impact
Sustainable development: a complex balancing act between our current and future generations
What does it mean to live in a sustainable way? Unreasonable Impact – the initiative through which Barclays and Unreasonable Group are scaling up fast-growth with the potential to alleviate global problems – features several companies that are exploring how to make fashion (and industry in general) more sustainable.
In partnership with Barclays
Japanese company Jeplan have developed technology to produce a polyester resin that is used again as raw material for polyester fiber.
What does it mean to live in a sustainable way? In 1987, the UN-appointed World Commission on Environment and Development defined the concept of sustainable development as “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” The concept was expanded and structured into several specific “goals” during later UN conferences. But, more importantly, over the years and decades people worldwide became aware of the very idea of sustainability and of the importance of developing sustainable ways of life. Terms such as “carbon footprint” and “resource depletion” entered the vocabulary, and disruptive new ideas about transportation, manufacturing and energy production gained wider and wider currency. But while much progress has been made, 30 years after that initial definition the world still struggles to attain a truly sustainable mode of development. The planet – confronted with the increasingly severe challenge of climate change – requires a gear change now more than ever.
Trouble is, sometimes sustainable development can appear an incredibly complex balancing act between the prosperity of current generations and that of future ones. In some cases, it may look like the former cannot be achieved without jeopardising the latter.
Take, for instance, the clothing industry. Karen Newman, senior consultant for the Sustainable Development Goals Fund at the United Nations Development Programme, recently flagged in a report that it is a “key component of the global economy” and “a powerful driver of job creation” – but at the same time, it poses a number of challenges. People employed in the sector, especially those in developing countries, often work in insecure conditions for extremely low wages. The environmental impact of apparel production is also dire: making a single pair of jeans needs about 8,000 litres of water, and the industry’s growing reliance on plastic-based fabrics such as polyester makes it increasingly dependent on oil.
Unreasonable Impact – the initiative through which Barclays and Unreasonable Group are scaling up fast-growth with the potential to alleviate global problems – features several companies that are exploring how to make fashion (and industry in general) more sustainable.
Sundar: a global network to aid in the promotion and development of faster and safer ways for products to be made by a highly skilled workforce
Unreasonable Impact is backing entrepreneurs to provide solutions to our planet’s energy crisis
At the Unreasonable Impact World Forum, held in September at London’s Royal Institution, Jag Gill, the founder of New York-based Sundar, explained how she is helping the industry achieve higher sustainability. “Over 500 billion dollars of apparel is sold in the US and UK every year, of which 98 per cent is sourced and manufactured overseas,” she said from the stage. “Often, brands and retailers don't know who they are working with.”
That is why Sundar has created a software platform that allows brands to track their products through the supply chain and make sure that they are ethically and sustainably sourced. The company has established nine rules (from environmental sustainability and fair wages to the prohibition of child labour and health standards) to evaluate vendors and suppliers and promote better standards. According to Gill, it is already working with more than 500 suppliers and brands around the world. “Retailers are using our software to look for organic material, ethical suppliers and sustainable products,” she said. “We reward suppliers which achieve highest levels of sustainability, bringing them new customers.”
Another speaker at the Forum, Masaki Takao, CEO of Japan-based Jeplan, underlined how change in the industry can only come from changing its literal fabrics. “I realised that every piece of clothing [from synthetic fibres] required vast amounts of oil to be made. And I told my professor I wanted to change that,” he recounted on stage. “He told me I was crazy.” Takao, a trained chemist, turned to recycling to solve that problem. He launched Jeplan and developed a technology that manages to break down old clothes’ natural fibres into a raw pulp – which can in turn be spun into new fibres for new items of clothing.
Another Jeplan technology can harvest polyester from clothing and PET plastic bottles and convert it into textile yarns, or even fully-woven fabric. The company, Takao explained, wants to “circulate everything,” but it needs consumers to be an active part of the effort if its recycling project is to have a real, long-lasting impact in reducing energy and oil consumption in the apparel industry. “Please, give us your old clothes,” Takao joked onstage.
Examples of Jeplan fabrics
Unreasonable Impact: how the Barclays partnership aims to tackle the world’s food crisis
The environmental impact of fashion goes beyond energetic issues: it also has to do with water pollution. Apparel is sometimes dubbed “the thirsty industry” for its high water footprint, as it has been estimated that 17 to 20 per cent of water pollution comes from the fashion industry alone. That has a monumental impact, especially in developing countries, where access to clean drinking water is already hampered by a number of complications.
Alexei Levene, co-founder of London-based Desolenator, explained that pollution, together with drought, is making it hard for one billion people to drink clean water. Modern technologies allow us to purify and desalinate water, but they are expensive and energy-intense: the production of four barrels of desalinated water, for example, requires burning through one barrel of oil.
To counter that, Levene explained, Desolenator designed and built a water-purifying device that is 100 per cent solar-powered. “Our device can take water from any source – seawater, contaminated water, brackish water – and convert it into drinking water,” he said. The portable version of the device can produce about 20 litres of clean water a day, but the company is also working on a larger device that would purify, desalinate and distillate up to 6,000 litres every 24 hours. “As long as you have sun and some water, you can achieve water independence,” Levine said. “At Desolenator, we want to make a dent in the water crisis.”
Sustainability – in the fashion industry and the wider world – is a balancing act that is hard to pull.
As it often happens, achieving it would take a certain number of unreasonable people leading the way. Luckily, we will not have to go too far to find them: the exceptional entrepreneurs speaking at the Unreasonable Impact World Forum wore their unreasonableness on their sleeves.
To read more, visit unreasonable.com
States and corporations are after your data. It's time to take control
By Greg Williams
Vint Cerf: In 2018, we will tackle the internet's dark side
By Vint Cerf
Our future is about collaboration between AI and humanity
By Roger Highfield
Is air pollution making you dumb?
By Sanjana Varghese
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0017.json.gz/line1718
|
__label__wiki
| 0.512565
| 0.512565
|
On the gallery wall: Autumn/Winter Season at Tate Liverpool
By Peter Grant, art critic
GLOBE arts critic Peter Grant enjoys three new very different exhibitions at the Tate featuring Seascapes, Egypt and Ghosts.
THERE's a wide range of diverse work on display as part of the Tate's Autumn and Winter exhibition - some being shown for the first time in the UK.
In the Fourth Gallery John Piper (1903-1992) explores the work of this formidable, multi-layered British artist, travel writer and photographer.
A vivid collection of 40 of his works, curated by Darren Pih, covering Piper's wide-ranging interests, inspirations and lasting legacy.
They include paintings and collages from the artist who died in 1992 - and offers a new perspective on his powerfully sensitive depictions of his native land and cityscapes.
It shows his relationship with major international artists while revealing his pivotal influence on modern art in Britain from the 1930s onwards.
His love of creating beautiful stained glass is shown in the centrepiece commission for Liverpool's Metropolitan Cathdedral of Christ the King which is seen by millions of visitors in its 50th anniversary year.
He was instrumental in creating stained-glass beauty in the re -built Coventry Cathedral.
Piper also had a deep understanding of and sensitivity to early art forms including medieval stained glass windows and Anglo Saxon stone carving.
This is where the Tate breaks new ground displaying examples of these works including archaeological carving and bringing them into dialogue with European modernism in his way showing how these were connected and innovated in his work.
Piper, who collaborated with John Betjeman and Benjamin Britten, certainly called the tune when establishing the multi-facets of British cultural life.
There is also a real internationally flavoured coup with the first comprehensive exhibition about the movement called Surrealism in Egypt 'Art et Libertes.'
It focuses on a radical collective of artists and writers based in Cairo.
This will be particularly appealing to students of surrealism who want to discover more about the the lesser-known contribution from Egyptian artists.
A fascinating huge 'art' map perfectly illustrates the impact Cairo had on art.
The exhibition highlights a ten-year period and traces the history of the group through 100 paintings, photographs, drawings, archival documents and film – most of which has never been seen before.
And in the Wolfson Gallery, there is the curiously titled We Are Ghosts - another first.
It is a solo exhibition by Americans Mary Reid Kelley and Patrick Kelley.
They are known for their stylised back and white videos and lightboxes.
Here is a new commission for the gallery with a video in high definition: In the Body of The Sturgeon.
Also on display is their 2016 work This is Offal.
A visual – vibrant treat.
These are three exhibitions that speak volumes.
*John Piper: Until March 18. Tickets £10/£8 includes entrance into Surrealism in Egypt - Art and Liberty (1938-1948).
We are Ghosts: FREE
Details from www.Tate.org.uk
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0017.json.gz/line1720
|
__label__wiki
| 0.562078
| 0.562078
|
Daily Ratings & News for Cummins
Complete the form below to receive the latest headlines and analysts' recommendations for Cummins with our free daily email newsletter:
Cummins Inc. (CMI) Shares Sold by IndexIQ Advisors LLC
IndexIQ Advisors LLC cut its holdings in shares of Cummins Inc. (NYSE:CMI) by 34.1% in the first quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The firm owned 28,509 shares of the company’s stock after selling 14,731 shares during the quarter. IndexIQ Advisors LLC’s holdings in Cummins were worth $4,501,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.
Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in CMI. Riverview Trust Co purchased a new position in Cummins during the 4th quarter valued at about $27,000. Ipswich Investment Management Co. Inc. purchased a new position in Cummins during the 4th quarter valued at about $28,000. Guidant Wealth Advisors purchased a new position in Cummins during the 1st quarter valued at about $29,000. Prime Capital Investment Advisors LLC purchased a new position in Cummins during the 4th quarter valued at about $32,000. Finally, SeaBridge Investment Advisors LLC purchased a new position in Cummins during the 1st quarter valued at about $32,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 81.36% of the company’s stock.
Get Cummins alerts:
CMI stock opened at $160.76 on Wednesday. The company has a current ratio of 1.57, a quick ratio of 0.96 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.18. The stock has a market capitalization of $25.02 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.15, a P/E/G ratio of 1.18 and a beta of 1.10. Cummins Inc. has a 1 year low of $124.40 and a 1 year high of $169.45.
Cummins (NYSE:CMI) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, April 30th. The company reported $4.20 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $3.51 by $0.69. The company had revenue of $6 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.80 billion. Cummins had a return on equity of 30.72% and a net margin of 10.24%. Cummins’s revenue for the quarter was up 7.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $3.30 EPS. Equities analysts forecast that Cummins Inc. will post 16.19 EPS for the current fiscal year.
The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, June 5th. Shareholders of record on Friday, May 24th will be given a $1.14 dividend. This represents a $4.56 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.84%. Cummins’s dividend payout ratio is currently 34.47%.
A number of equities analysts recently commented on the company. Zacks Investment Research upgraded Cummins from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $185.00 target price for the company in a report on Friday, May 3rd. Piper Jaffray Companies set a $195.00 target price on Cummins and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday, April 4th. Credit Suisse Group raised their target price on Cummins from $165.00 to $198.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a report on Wednesday, May 1st. Loop Capital cut Cummins from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating and set a $166.29 target price for the company. in a report on Wednesday, May 1st. Finally, Oppenheimer cut Cummins from an “outperform” rating to a “market perform” rating in a report on Thursday, February 7th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eleven have issued a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the stock. Cummins presently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $165.61.
In other Cummins news, insider Srikanth Padmanabhan sold 1,687 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $160.00, for a total value of $269,920.00. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this link. 0.95% of the stock is owned by company insiders.
ILLEGAL ACTIVITY NOTICE: “Cummins Inc. (CMI) Shares Sold by IndexIQ Advisors LLC” was originally reported by WKRB News and is owned by of WKRB News. If you are accessing this report on another publication, it was copied illegally and republished in violation of United States and international copyright and trademark legislation. The original version of this report can be read at https://www.wkrb13.com/2019/05/15/cummins-inc-cmi-shares-sold-by-indexiq-advisors-llc.html.
About Cummins
Cummins Inc designs, manufactures, distributes, and services diesel and natural gas engines, and engine-related component products worldwide. It operates through four segments: Engine, Distribution, Components, and Power Systems segments. The Engine segment manufactures and markets a range of diesel and natural gas powered engines under the Cummins and other customer brands for the heavy-and medium-duty truck, bus, recreational vehicle, light-duty automotive, construction, mining, marine, rail, oil and gas, defense, and agricultural markets.
Featured Story: Investing in Growth Stocks
Want to see what other hedge funds are holding CMI? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Cummins Inc. (NYSE:CMI).
Receive News & Ratings for Cummins Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Cummins and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Pure Gold Mining Inc (PGM) Director Purchases C$23,055.00 in Stock
Direxion Daily Financial Bear 3X Shares (FAZ) Trading 6.8% Higher
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0017.json.gz/line1721
|
__label__wiki
| 0.978517
| 0.978517
|
Special counsel Mueller's testimony delayed until July 24
Under the new arrangement, Mueller will testify for an extended period of time — three hours instead of two — before the House Judiciary Committee. He will then testify before the House intelligence committee in a separate hearing. (Source: CNN/POOL)
By MARY CLARE JALONICK and LISA MASCARO Associated Press |
Posted: Fri 9:11 PM, Jul 12, 2019 |
Updated: Fri 10:14 PM, Jul 12, 2019
WASHINGTON (AP) — Special counsel Robert Mueller's testimony to Congress has been delayed until July 24 under an agreement that gives lawmakers more time to question him.
Mueller had been scheduled to testify July 17 before two house committees about the findings of his Russia investigation. But lawmakers in both parties complained that the short length of the hearings would not allow enough time for all members to ask questions.
Under the new arrangement, Mueller will testify for an extended period of time — three hours instead of two — before the House Judiciary Committee. He will then testify before the House intelligence committee in a separate hearing. The two committees said in a statement that all members of both committees will be able to question him.
The agreement will also give Mueller more time to prepare for the rigorous questioning. The statement said the postponement was "at his request."
House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler, D-N.Y., and House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff, D-Calif., announced the terms after days of negotiations and questions over whether the testimony would be delayed. In the joint statement, the panels said the longer hearings "will allow the American public to gain further insight into the special counsel's investigation and the evidence uncovered regarding Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election and President Trump's possible obstruction of justice and abuse of power."
Mueller has expressed his reluctance to testify and said he won't go beyond what's in his 448-page report. But Democrats have been determined to highlight its contents for Americans who they believe have not read it. They want to extract information from the former special counsel and spotlight what they say are his most damaging findings against Trump.
Democrats are expected to ask Mueller about his conclusions, including that he could not exonerate Trump on obstruction of justice after detailing several episodes in which Trump tried to influence the investigation. Mueller also said there was not enough evidence to establish a criminal conspiracy between Trump's presidential campaign and the Kremlin.
One thing Judiciary members want to focus on in questioning Mueller is whether Trump would have been charged with a crime were he not president. Mueller said in a May news conference that charging a president with a crime was "not an option" because of longstanding Justice Department policy. But Democrats want to know more about how he made that decision and when.
A separate closed-door session with two of Mueller's deputies is expected to be canceled, for now. An official for the intelligence panel said that they are still negotiating the appearance of the two Mueller team members, James Quarles and Aaron Zebley.
The official, who declined to be named to discuss the confidential negotiations, said that the committee had recently heard almost five hours of testimony from another member of Mueller's team.
The official did not name that person. A separate person familiar with that testimony said that the person is David Archey, the senior FBI official who was involved in Mueller's probe. That person also declined to be named because the committee had not announced it.
The closed-door interviews with the deputies had appeared to be in doubt for several days after the Justice Department has recently pushed back on the arrangement.
As the hearing neared, members of both parties had complained about the lack of time for questioning. While every member of the smaller Intelligence panel was expected to be able to question Mueller, fewer than half of Democrats and Republicans on the Judiciary panel would have been able to do so in the original two-hour timeframe. At a separate hearing on Thursday, several Republicans complained about the setup.
"I have been elected just like anyone else here," said Arizona Rep. Debbie Lesko, a junior GOP member of the panel.
After Nadler and Schiff's announcement, the top Republican on the Judiciary panel, Georgia Rep. Doug Collins, said: "I appreciate news the chairman has taken seriously the concerns Judiciary Republicans raised this week. The new format will allow all Judiciary Republicans to question the special counsel on July 24."
It's unclear whether Mueller's testimony will give Democratic investigations new momentum. In the news conference, Mueller indicated that it was up to Congress to decide what to do with his findings. But Democrats have had little success so far in their attempts to probe his findings as the White House has blocked several witnesses from answering questions.
That means the committees may have to go through a lengthy court process to get more information. Around 80 Democrats have said they think an impeachment inquiry should be launched to bolster their efforts, but House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has so far rebuffed those calls.
Copyright 2019 Assocated Press. All rights reserved.
Plane was already in the air; woman tried to open its door anyway
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0017.json.gz/line1729
|
__label__wiki
| 0.525106
| 0.525106
|
Fragments by Hosni Radwan
/ Hosni Radwan (Exhibition) /
Hosni Radwan’s paintings have absorbed the colours, and spirit of Palestine mingling in the turmoil of feelings, faces, thoughts and bodies that inhabit it. The artist is what Baudelaire describes as a “lover of crowds and incognitos” who appreciates “every- thing that happens on the surface of the world”. We meet Radwan’s art in the streets of Palestine where a woman sits pensive on the doorsteps holding her knees in search of some rest (Patiently Waiting, acrylic and charcoal, 2015). Is she waiting for someone, thinking or dreaming? Another woman walks by; a girl whispers in her friend’s ear (Discrete, 2015 charcoal on paper); a gust of wind blows and dark hair trails in the breeze (Breeze,2015 mixed media on paper); a man walks by on his way to work; a woman sits in a café; will he talk to her? Men and women carry on their usual business in the streets of the city, in the market and in shops. They all live in the universe of Radwan’s work. Bodies and faces appear and disappear in the artist’s densely worked paintings. Each body is a continent; each face is a map of affects, memories and expressions. For, a mouth or an eye is not simply body parts – they have their own stories to tell. Stories without words that speak to us in the language of material – of vivid colours, shapes and textures. The artist depicts bodies and faces as fragmented; in his paintings any illusion of unity of perception is disrupted. These bodies and faces are like the places they inhabit, a modern patchwork of memories, concrete buildings, images, lived lives, smells and sensations. Any ideal unity is exploded. To create the effect of fragmentation, the artist’s work makes a references to Picasso’s deconstructive style sometimes using as support wood or paper to disrupt not only the unity of the depicted subject, but also of the support itself. Mask (2014), for instance, a diptych showing two mouths roughly painted in white on a piece of wood mounted on supports made of wood and paper. In Radwan’s paintings the face becomes the surface on which the subject’s interiority and the outside world are equally reflected. A nose becomes a tree, a chick changes into a square, a mouth transforms into a bench. As the painting takes shape, figures emerge and the reality of the place unfolds. In Radwan’s work, art manifests with the insatiable passion for seeing and feeling. It sets up house in the heart of the place, in the middle of the ebb and flow of the crowd, in the infinite and the fleeting. Art responds to the movements of a place, and reproduces the multiplicity of life and the flickering grace of all its elements: colours, spirits, joy and pain of Palestine. Radwan’s paintings and drawings do not so much depict the place, for the place lives in them.
“Faces series”, 2015, mixed media on canvas, 50 x 50 cm
Ladders, 2015, charcoal and acrylic on canvas, 120 x 120 cm
Patiently Waiting, 2015, charcoal and acrylic on canvas, 120 x 120 cm
Obverse, 2015, mixed media on canvas, 50 x 50 cm
Fragments, 2015, mixed media on canvas, 150 x 180 cm
Observation, 2015, charcoal and acrylic on canvas, 120 x 120 cm
Pomegranate Love, 2014, mixed media on paper, 70 x 50 cm
Ain-Elmriase, 2015, mixed media on canvas, 150 x 150 cm
Hosni Radwan was born in Baghdad in 1955 and completed his studies at the Fine Art College in 1978. Radwan is an abstract painter and his work is influenced by the environment in which he has lived including Beirut in the 1970s and 1980s. Places, landscapes and portraiture continue to dominate his work.
He has exhibited widely with many of his contemporaries and his solo shows have been held in cities including Tunis (1993); Tokyo (1985); Nicosia (1983); Ramallah (1997, 2002, 2003); Baghdad (2001) and Kuwait (2008).
In this exhibition, I went back to some early spontaneous scripts bearing expressions of places and people and transforming them through an action of passion- into black lines forming shapes of human bodies. By operating on bigger spaces, I converted my paintings into a home for extended colors, solid materials, soil and paper scraps, intending to achieve the same goal.
Hosni Radwan, March 2015
Hosni Radwan
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0017.json.gz/line1734
|
__label__wiki
| 0.909466
| 0.909466
|
Quiz: Can You Identify These Clothing Brand Logos From a Close-Up?
Can You Identify These Clothing Brand Logos From a Close-Up?
Image: Wiki Commons
Although fashion has long been in existence, it is an ever-changing art form. Every year, fashion shows are held around the world, the most popular of which are held in New York, Paris and Milan. Since its inception, many clothing companies have emerged, making a name for themselves.
Some of the world’s most successful brands are known for cost, the materials that were used and the look of the product. As such branding, in the form of logos has become an important part of the company’s marketing. While some people consider it quite costly to keep up with the trends, many people are excited to own these popular and “brand name” products.
One of the oldest clothing companies, Helly Hansen, uses a simple double “HH” split diagonally down the middle. Another popular clothing brand, specifically for American teenagers, is Hollister, which incorporates its background story in the creation of its logo. One of the best-known jeans manufacturers is the Levi company, established in 1853 by Levi Strauss.
How well do you know some of the world’s most popular brands and the logo that is associated with them? Do you know what brand the medusa head represents or what the intersecting letter “C”s stand for? Well here is your opportunity to see how much you know. Take this quiz to find out how many you can correctly identify!
What brand logo is this?
Wiki Commons By Carolyn Davidson
575 Denim
Nike Inc. is an American company known for being the world’s largest supplier of athletic clothing and shoes. At the end of 2014, the brand was worth an estimated $19 billion and is easily recognizable, as its logo is a swoosh which usually appears with its trademark, “Just Do It”.
Wiki Commons By Lacoste
Akademics clothing
Lacoste is a French clothing company which was founded in 1933 by Andre Giller and former tennis player Rene Lacoste. The brand sells everything from clothing to perfume to jewelry and even leather goods. The brand is widely known for its polo shirts and recognized by its logo which is a green crocodile.
Wiki Commons Public domain
Michael Kors is a luxury brand which was established by sportswear designer Michael Kors back in 1981. Known worldwide for its handbags and accessories, the brand has over 900 stores around the world. The company’s logo is the designer’s initials, surrounded by a circle.
Balenciaga is a Spanish luxury fashion house which was founded by designer Cristobal Balenciaga in 1919. The brand’s logo consists of two capitalized B’s, one of which is inverted, with three diagonal lines connecting them.
Bulgari is an Italian luxury goods brand which was founded in 1884 and is known for its jewelry, watches, fragrances and even hotels. The brand’s logo is the Bulgari name, but instead of a “U”, has what appears to be a letter “V”.
Wiki Commons By Tsange
Gucci is luxury brand known for producing high-end leather goods. The Italian brand, which was ranked as the 38th most valuable brand in the world by Forbes, is estimated to be worth $12.4 billion in 2015 and is the biggest-selling Italian brand in the world. The logo is a double G emblem which sometimes has the named spelled out on top of it.
Wiki Commons By Tommy hilfiger
The Tommy Hilfiger Corporation is a fashion brand known for manufacturing clothing, footwear, fragrances and a wide variety of home furnishings. Founded by designer Tommy Hilfiger in 1985, the company’s global sales have exceeded $6 billion. The brand’s logo consists of two horizontal stripes navy blue with a red and white sandwiched between it.
Christian Audigier is a fashion designer who has two clothing lines, one of which is Ed Hardy and the other which is Von Dutch. The brand’s logo consists of the brand’s stylized initials, with a crown on top and what appears to be a flower at the bottom of the initials.
Wiki Commons By Gianni Versace S.p.A.
Versace is an Italian luxury brand which was founded by Gianni Versace in 1978 and is known for its high-end clothing and leather accessories. The brand’s logo is the head of Greek mythological creature Medusa.
Wiki Commons By Eurovision Song Contest, Diesel
Diesel is an Italian company which sells clothing, accessories and footwear, but is best known for its denim jeans. The company’s logo features a profile image of a man with a mohawk with the phrase “Only the brave” surrounding it.
Diane Von Furstenburg
Diane von Furstenberg is a luxury brand made famous for its "wrap dresses." They have been worn by former first lady Michelle Obama, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Madonna. The brand’s logo is the initials of Diane von Furstenberg, all of which are connected by the centrally located letter “V”.
Chanel is a French luxury fashion brand known for dressing some of the most famous people in the world. They are also known selling luxury goods, accessories and fragrances. Chanel’s logo consists of two Cs which are interlocked and are meant to stand for “Coco Chanel”.
Wiki Commons By Original image: Levi Strauss & Co. SVG version: Angelus
Levi Strauss & Co is an American clothing company known worldwide for its denim jeans. The company, which was founded over 150 years ago, has over 2000 stores and its net income for 2016 was $291.2 million. The brand’s logo appears to be a red tag with the company’s name written on it in white.
Wiki Commons By Victoria’s Secret
Victoria’s Secret is an American manufacturing brand best known for selling lingerie and beauty products. The lingerie company’s logo is its initials where the S has been superimposed onto the V in a twisting manner.
Ralph Lauren is an American fashion brand created by designer Ralph Lauren. The company is known for producing clothing and fragrances as well as home goods. The brand’s logo features a polo player on top of a horse and a polo stick in the swing position.
By Kate SpadeWiki Commons
Kate Spade New York is an American fashion house founded by husband and wife duo Kate and Andy Spade in 1993. The fashion line includes handbags, bedding and even wallpaper. The brand’s logo consists of a symbol of a spade with the brand’s name below it.
Donna Karan New York is a fashion house which was founded by Donna Karan in 1984. They produce a wide variety of items, most of which are clothing and accessories. The brand’s logo is the initials of the company “DKNY” written in bold capital letters.
Wiki Commons By Press-Plein
The Philipp Plein brand includes Philipp Plein, Plein Sport and Billionaire Couture brands. The logo consists of two capitalized “P’s” facing away from each other, inside a hexagon. Sometimes the logo also appears on a skull and crossbones.
Guess is an American clothing brand which produces clothing for both men and women, as well as producing accessories, fragrances and shoes. The brand’s logo is a triangle with a question mark and the brand’s name inside it.
Wiki Commons By Roberto Cavalli
Misguided
Roberto Cavilli is an Italian luxury fashion brand known for selling perfume, leather goods, accessories and clothing. The brand’s logo consists of a stylized “R” with two “C’s” facing away from the other intertwined within it.
Wiki Commons By Leighcn
Armani Exchange was launched in 1991 as a subsidiary of the parent company Giorgio Armani, but not as expensive as the main brand. The brand’s logo is its initials separated by a vertical line.
YMI Jeans
Calvin Klein is an American fashion company which was created by designer Calvin Klein. The brand has a number of sub-brands, some of which include, Calvin Klein Sport, Calvin Klein Jeans and Calvin Klein Underwear. The brand has multiple logos, most of which are variations of the brand’s initials.
Vera Wang is an American fashion brand best known for her collection of high-end wedding gowns typically worn by many celebrities. The Vera Wang logo is the brand’s initials with the V on top of the letter W, connecting the two letters.
Cristian Dior is a European luxury brand which is known worldwide for its ready-to-wear clothing, fragrances, jewelry and leather goods. Christian Dior’s logo is of the brand’s initials, a C and a D, sometimes with the name Dior written below it.
Bautica
Jason Wu is a Canadian fashion brand best known as the brand that former first lady Michelle Obama has worn to many events, including the first and second inauguration of her husband. The brand has two logos, one of which is the designer’s name, the other of which are the initials which are intertwined.
Wiki Commons By Danielthunberg
Prada is an Italian luxury brand which specializes in leather goods, shoes and accessories, as well as perfume and is said to make an average of $3.81 billion in sales per year. The logo features a rope and some knots with the words "Prada Milano” inside of it.
Wiki Commons By Burberry Group plc.
Burberry is a British luxury brand best known for its outerwear, fragrances and accessories. The logo features a knight riding a horse with a flag with the word ‘Prorosum’ written on it and a capital ‘B’ on its shield.
Coach is an American luxury fashion brand, owned by Tapestry, Inc. It is known for making a wide variety of accessories, some of which include handbags, jewelry and fragrances. The logo is exactly what the brand name is; a silhouette of a coach being pulled by a pair of horses.
Wiki Commons By Valerio79
Viktor & Rolf is a fashion brand best known for specializing in creating avant-garde clothing. Founded back in 1996, the designers have dressed people like Katy Perry, Jessica Alba and Rihanna and Natalie Portman. The brand’s logo consists of a “V&R” inside a silhouette of an ink blot.
Wiki Commons By French Connection
French Connection is a UK fashion clothing line which was founded in the 1970s and was extremely popular in the 1990s to the early 2000s. The logo has changed throughout the decades from an earlier “fcuk” (French Connection, UK) to just the name of the brand.
Wiki Commons By valentino.com
Valentino is an Italian luxury fashion group, best known for producing and selling footwear, jewelry, perfume and clothing. The brand’s logo consists of a “V” with an incomplete oval surrounding it, and meeting the two tips of the letter.
Wiki Commons By Alexander McQueen
Alexander McQueen is a British luxury fashion brand founded by designer Alexander McQueen in 1992. He is known for his outlandish fashion shows and also for his collaborations with major celebrities. The brand’s logo consists of a large letter “Q” with the letters M and C inside of it.
Juicy Couture is known worldwide for its signature tracksuits and fragrances. The brand, which was purchased by Liz Claiborne in the '90s logo features two highland terriers holding a shield which has three hearts on it and the words “Love P&G”.
Fernanda Medeiros
Caroline Herrera founded her brand in 1980 and since then has designed clothing for Renee Zellweger and Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. The brand has a number of logos, some of which include the initials of the brand with the C in red while the H is in black, a large H and a C centered on it, and the initials CH, HC on top of the other.
Alexandre Herchcovitch is a Brazilian fashion company which has made waves throughout Brazil, England, Spain and Australia. The brand’s logo is of a black skull with all of its orifices highlighted in a different color.
zehra_ak_
Giorgio Armani is a luxury fashion house known for making a wide variety of items. It also makes many other products under other labels which include Armani Exchange and Emporio Armani. The logo varies from an eagle silhouette with white lines striped horizontally across it. The other one is of a G and an A interconnecting in a circle.
Nautica is a high-end American fashion brand known for making clothing, accessories, fragrances and home goods. The brand is divided in the Nautica Jeans Company and Nautica Sportswear. The company’s logo is a silhouette of a sailboat and is usually seen in navy blue.
Tory Burch is an American label owned by designer Tory Burch. Since being founded in 2004, the company has over 200 stores worldwide. The company’s logo consists of two stylized Ts, one of top each other, with the top one inverted all of which is surrounded by a circle.
BCBG Max Azira
Banana Republic is an American clothing store which is owned by Gap Inc. It is known for selling more upscale clothing, accessories as well as shoes. The company has over 600 locations and its logo consists of the brand’s initials; “B&R” with the letter B being written backward.
Christian ior
Moschino is an Italian luxury fashion house known for producing leather goods, fragrances, fashion accessories and statement pieces. The brand’s logo consists of two intertwining question marks surrounded by a circle.
Escada is a German luxury clothing company which was founded in 1976, and is known for making small leather handbags, fragrances and couture clothing. The brands logo consists of two letter “E’s” facing each other forming a shape that is said to look like a wrench, or even a chromosome.
Wiki Commons By Fendi
Fendi is an Italian luxury fashion brand which owns almost 200 stores around the world. They are known for specializing in fragrances, leather goods, shoes and watches. The Fendi logo is of two “Fs”, one of which is upside down, and they connect forming an incomplete rectangle.
Itchy House
Hermes is a high-end fashion company which specializes in leather goods, fragrances and ready-to-wear items. The Hermes logo, which is adopted in the 1950s, features a horse-drawn carriage and the coach standing in front of the horse.
Wiki Commons By Louis Vuitton
Louis Vuitton is a fashion house which was founded in 1854 and is known for selling high-end products, most of which feature their classic LV monogram. The brand’s logo is the company’s initials a “V and an L” where the V is superimposed on L.
Dolce & Gabbana is an Italian luxury house which was founded in 1985. They are known for selling watches, accessories and high-end clothing. The brand’s logo is quite simple, as it is the initials of the company; a simple D&G, sometimes with the brand’s name written below it.
True Religion is an American clothing company best known for their line of premium denim jeans. The brand has two popular logos, one of which is a buddha with an acoustic guitar, and the other is an upside horse shoe.
Yves Saint Laurent is a French luxury brand which was founded by Yves and his partner back in 1961. The multimillion-dollar company is known for its couture pieces, specifically its women's tuxedo jackets. The brand's logo consists of the YSL initials, one on top of the other.
Mulberry is a luxury brand founded by Roger Saul in 1971. It is known throughout the world for its leather goods, as well as clothing. The Mulberry logo is a silhouette of a mulberry tree, sometimes found inside a black circle.
Wiki Commons By Givenchy
Givenchy is a French luxury brand known for its haute couture clothing, cosmetics, accessories and perfumes. The Givenchy logo consists of four stylized letter “Gs” which come together forming an intricate design.
Wiki Commons By C.yuri
Vivienne Westwood is a high-end designer brand known for dressing royals and celebrities alike. The brands logo is often called the Vivienne Westwood orb and is said to resemble one of the British crown jewels, called the Sovereigns Orb.
Can You Correctly Spell These Fashion Brand Names?
Beauty & Fashion 6 Minute Quiz 6 Min
What's Your Fashion Faux Pas?
Can We Guess What Type of Makeup You Wear?
Should You Get a Short, Medium or Long Hair Cut?
Which Style of Sunglasses Reflects Your Soul?
Pick Up Some Things at the Grocery Store and We'll Guess Your Age
Shopping 5 Minute Quiz 5 Min
Can We Guess What Style of Jewelry You Like the Most?
Can You Identify All These Items That Appear in a General Store?
What 3 Spring Shades Look Best on You?
Which 3 Patterns Look Best on You?
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0017.json.gz/line1736
|
__label__cc
| 0.743205
| 0.256795
|
Quiz: Only 4% of People Know All of These Horse Facts. Do You?
Only 4% of People Know All of These Horse Facts. Do You?
You're driving by an open field, filled with green grass and a herd of mighty, majestic animals catches your eye. These large, but gentle giants grace farmer's fields throughout the world, but you may not know as much as you think you do about them!
Do you know what all of the horses in the world are descendants of? The original horses of Asia! These horses were first introduced to Europe and later, the rest of the world.
Horses were typically used for work and transportation. Before the world had cars to travel in, horses were the main source of transportation for many people. In England during the 1800s, there were so many horses being used as transportation that they experienced an excessive amount of horse manure in the streets!
Eventually, there were new horse breeds such as the Morgan, and the beginning of worldwide horse shows and races. Do you know which champions dominated the race track and became some of the most famous horses in the world? They both start with the letter 'S!'
Just like champions, horses present themselves as powerful, yet friendly animals. After all, a horse will always show the love it has for you if you treat it with care and respect.
Do you think you know a Quarter Horse from a Canadian? How about what your horse likes to eat?
If you think you know your horse facts, ride on over to take the quiz!
What body part is the largest on a horse than any other land animal?
A horse's eye is larger than any other land animal's eyes. The eyes of a horse are located on the sides of its head, allowing it to see a lot of its surroundings.
Which of the following can't a horse do?
A horse can't vomit due to how their internal organs and structure are set up. The only other animals that are known to be incapable of vomiting are rodents.
About how many wild horses live in a herd?
About 20 horses live in a herd. Herds are typically comprised of one stallion and many females along with their foals. Typically, the only other males in the herd are young and immature.
Horses have good what?
Sense of smell
Horses have incredible memories. They can easily remember past events, spoken words and commands. They also remember their owners.
What does it mean if a horse has a red ribbon on its tail?
It is stylish
It is a girl
It is a champion
It kicks
If a horse has a red ribbon on its tail, that means that it kicks. This is a safety precaution so that you are aware when approaching it.
How many stallions are typically found in a herd?
There is usually just one stallion in the herd, as the dominant stallion will push the other males away when they've reached maturity. These males will eventually establish their own herd or group together.
Is it true or false that a horse can sleep both standing up or lying down?
This is true. Even if a horse is standing, it may not actually be awake! Horses have the ability to sleep both laying down and standing up.
How much water does a horse drink each day?
A horse drinks about 7 gallons of water a day. Just like humans, water is essential to a horse's survival. To tell if a horse is in need of water, a gentle pinch of its skin can indicate if it is dehydrated or not.
How long does it take before a foal is able to walk?
A month
Almost immediately
It's only a short time after birth that a foal is able to get up and run on its own. It experiences a lot in its first hours of life, including its first meal.
In which country is horse meat considered a delicacy?
In France, horse meat is considered a delicacy. Other places that eat horse meat are Germany and China. In Canada and the United States, it is not common to find horse meat on the menu.
Approximately how long does a horse live?
A horse lives to be about 25 years of age when domesticated. Horses typically mature around the time they turn 2 or 3 years old. A horse typically starts to age when it is 15 years old.
Is it true or false that a young male horse is called a filly?
This is false. A young male horse is called a colt. A young female horse is called a filly. Both are referred to by these names until they reach 4 years old.
How old was the oldest living horse?
The oldest living horse lived to be 62 years old. His name was "Old Billy." The typical domesticated horse will usually live to be around 26 years of age.
How many bones does a horse have in its body?
A horse has 205 bones in its body. For an animal so large, they're only one bone away from having the same amount as a human. A horse has 36 ribs!
What is the eohippus?
The horse's ancestor
A bone
A type of gait
The mating call
The eohippus is an ancestor of the modern-day horses we know today. These ancestors were around the size of a medium-sized dog.
Which of the following is the closest related animal to the horse?
A rhino
A zebra
A giraffe
A rhino is the closest related animal to the horse. Although a horse is a common animal to find in a barn, it is more closely related to the African animal because of its toes.
Which breed is the most popular horse breed?
Quarter Horses are the most popular breed of horse. They are great for many different things such as recreational riding, competing and as work horses.
Is it true or false that a female horse has fewer teeth than a male?
This is true. A female horse has around 36 teeth, whereas a male generally has 40 teeth. This is one way to determine the sex of a horse.
Which country had no horses until the 1700s?
Australia had no horses until the 1700s. This means they are not a native animal to the country, however, their population grew very rapidly.
What is a horse truly doing when it appears to be laughing?
Unblocking its nostril
Picking up on a scent
When a horse looks like it is laughing, what it's actually doing is picking up on a scent. It makes it easier to smell, and this action is known as the flehmen response.
What horse breed is known as the state animal of Vermont?
The Morgan horse is the state animal of Vermont. The most famous of the Vermont Morgans was Figure, who was a decorated racehorse as well as a work horse.
What is the smallest breed of horse?
Lippizan
The smallest breed of horse in the world is the Falabella. It stands at just eight hands. The smallest individual horse in the world was a dwarf miniature horse.
Is it true or false that a horse is an omnivore?
This is false. A horse is exclusively an herbivore. Some of their favorite foods include fresh fruits like apples, and they also enjoy hay.
What is a horse measured in?
A horse is measured in hands. One hand equals 4 inches. To measure a horse, you start at its feet and measure all the way up to its shoulders.
What is one of the largest breeds of horses?
Shires are one of the largest breeds of horses. The average height of the horses of this breed is around 17 hands. Despite their size, they are kind creatures that are great to take out for a ride.
Which food is bad for a horse?
Avocados can be extremely dangerous for a horse. There are toxins inside of avocados that can cause serious conditions in the horse.
How many natural gaits does a horse have?
A horse has four natural gaits. These are a walk, trot, canter, and gallop. However, different breeds of horses can perform different gaits.
How long is a horse's gestation period?
A horse's gestation period is 11 months. When the foal is born, it is able to do basic tasks like walking and feeding.
What is found in horse hooves as well as human hair?
Keratin is found in horse hooves, just like it is found in human hair. It is important to the growth of the horse's hoof as its hoof acts as its only toe.
What is the mother horse called?
A sire
A filly
A colt
A dam
A mother horse is called a dam whereas the father is known as a sire. If the female hasn't had a foal, she is referred to as a mare.
What type of music do horses like?
RnB Music
According to a study by Clare Carter, horses enjoy listening to classical music. It kept them calm just as silence did. They reacted very differently to other forms of music.
How can you tell a horse's age?
Its mane
Its hooves
Its teeth
Its legs
You can tell a horse's approximate age by its teeth. Of course, this method will never give an exact age, but it will give you an estimate.
What color of horse is very rare?
White horses are quite rare. Most horses that appear to be white were originally born with a grey shade that eventually turned white.
Is it true or false that a horse can breathe through its mouth?
This is false. Horses are incapable of breathing through their mouths. This is because the way a horse's mouth is built is different compared to ours, only allowing food through the passage.
How fast can a typical horse run?
25 miles per hour
5 miles per hour
When a horse is galloping, it can run around 25 miles per hour. The fastest speed that a horse ever ran in a race is 43 miles per hour!
Which Horse Breed Reflects Your Soul?
Which Horse Breed Guards Your Soul?
What Kind of Horse Lover Are You?
Can You Name the Horse Breeds Shown in Each of These Photos?
Which Breed of Horse Guards Your Heart?
What’s Your Nordic Spirit Animal?
What Spirit Animal Is Your Keeper?
Can You Identify All These Forest Animals From One Image?
Can You Identify All These Deep Sea Creatures?
How Many Dogs Should You Own?
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0017.json.gz/line1737
|
__label__wiki
| 0.708264
| 0.708264
|
teams.
ask a coach.
magazine.
submit.
SUBMIT AN ATHLETE
SUBMIT A TEAM
YR EMAIL BLAST
SIGN-UP NOW to hear about news, important events and updates to Youthrunner.com!
EMAIL* SUBSCRIBE
Sign in with YouthRunner
Sign in and register with
Register with YR
Access to MyTeams
Have an Account? Sign-in
Enter a Valid Username Forgot your username/password? Remember Me
Become a member at YouthRunner
First Name Enter First Name
Email Enter Valid Email Address
Password Password too weak
Last Name Enter Last Name
Username Username already exist
Gender Enter A Valid Username
Zip Code Enter Zip Code
Already have an account? SIGN IN HERE By clicking SUBMIT you are agreeing to the Youthrunner Privacy Policy and Terms of Use SUBMIT
Enter the email address associated with your account. We will send you an e-mail containing instructions for how you can recover your password
E-MAIL* Invalid Email or Email Does not Exist.
Need an Account? REGISTER HERE It's Free! SUBMIT
Your Username/Password will be emailed to you shortly
Your question has been posted...thanks
Ask Another Questions
WRITE QUESTION HERE...
pick a coach
E-mail me when question gets answered!
Need an Account? REGISTER HERE It's Free!
+Simplify your Search
View Tags
USATF Junior Olympics
Search News.
Categories AAU Athletes Awards Big Dogs - Olympics Bloggers Books & Videos California T&F Camps & Clinics Canada Championships Chicago Coaches College Contests Cross Country CYO Disabled Athletes Dogs Education Elementary School Fan Photos and Comments Foot Locker XC Games Gear Grants & Sponsorships Headlines Health Hershey Hershey's High School Indoor Track & Field Inspiration Interviews Jumps Kids-Youth Runs Middle School XC Mountain Running NCAA News Nike Team Nationals Northwest XC & Track null Nutrition Parents Physical Education Product Reviews Racewalking Random Rankings Records Results Running Events Shoes Song to Run To Special Olympics Sports Pychology Team Focus The Throws Track & Field Track and Field Trail Running Training Triathlons USATF Junior Olympics Utah XC & Track Youth Club Spotlight Youth Competitor Youth Fitness Programs Youth Olympics Youth Triathletes YR Newsletters
Brewer bound for Junior O...
07/08/13 More
Brewer bound for Junior Olympics
GRJHS eighth grader Amalie Brewer has maintained her busy schedule ...
The CLCF Panthers compete...
The CLCF Panthers compete in the Junior Olympics
On June 22, CLCF Panthers Track and Field team sent 21 athletes to ...
7-year-old star heads fo...
7-year-old star heads for Junior Olympics
Jayda Lunsford 7-year-old star heads for Junior Olympics
AAU News and Stories week...
AAU News and Stories week ending June 30th, 2013
USATF Youth T&F Week Endi...
USATF Youth T&F Week Ending June 20th, 2013
USATF Junior Olympics Week Ending June 20th, 2013
Friday wins two gold meda...
Friday wins two gold medals at region championships
Trentavis Friday won two events to lead the Gastonia Jaguars Track ...
Grove runner part of nati...
Grove runner part of national title team
Running with the Jenks America Track Club, Werner was a member of a...
Hershey's Track and Field...
Hershey's Track and Field week ending June 30th
Englewood Dominates Runni...
Englewood Dominates Running Events at Youth Track and Field Meet
Approximately 800 track and field athletes ages 7 to 15 from across...
Belvoir track athletes qu...
Belvoir track athletes qualify for Junior Olympics
Thirty-five Belvoir athletes qualified June 21-23 at Dr. Henry A. W...
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117 118 119 120 121 122 123 124 125 126 127 128 129 130 131 132 133 134 135 136 137 138 139 140 141 142 143 144 145 146 147 148 149 150 151 152 153 154 155 156 157 158 159 160 161 162 163 164 165 166 167 168 169 170 171 172 173 174 175 176 177 178 179 180 181 182 183 184 185 186 187 188 189 190 191 192 193 194 195 196 197 198 199 200 201 202 203 204 205 206 207 208 209 210 211 212 213 214 215 216 217 218 219 220 221 222 223 224 225 226 227 228 229 230 231 232 233 234 235 236 237 238 239 240 241 242 243 244 245 246 247 248 249 250 251 252 253 254 255 256 257 258 259 260 261 262 263 264 265 266 267 268 269 270 271 272 273 274 275 276 277 278 279 280 281 282 283 284 285 286 287 288 289 290 291 292 293 294 295 296 297 298 299 300 301 302 303 304 305 306 307 308 309 310 311 312 313 314 315 316 317 318 319 320 321 322 323 324 325 326 327 328 329 330 331 332 333 334 335 336 337 338 339 340 341 342 343 344 345 346 347 348 349 350 351 352 353 354 355 356 357 358 359 360 361 362 363 364 365 366 367 368 369 370 371 372 373 374 375 376 377 378 379 380 381 382 383 384 385 386 387 388 389 390 391 392 393 394 395 396 397 398 399 400 401 402 403 404 405 406 407 408 409 410 411 412 413 414 415 416 417 418 419 420 421 422 423 424 425 426 427 428 429 430 431 432 433 434 435 436 437 438 439 440 441 442 443 444 445 446 447 448 449 450 451 452 453 454 455 456 457 458 459 460 461 462 463 464 465 466 467 468 469 470 471 472 473 474 475 476 477 478 479 480 481 482 483 484 485 486 487 488 489 490 491 492 493 494 495 496 497 498 499 500 501 502 503 504 505 506 507 508 509 510 511 512 513 514 515 516 517 518 519 520 521 522 523 524 525 526 527 528 529 530 531 532 533 534 535 536 537 538 539 540 541 542 543 544 545 546 547 548 549 550 551 552 553 554 555 556 557 558 559 560 561 562 563 564 565 566 567 568 569 570 571 572 573 574 575 576 577 578 579 580 581 582 583 584 585 586 587 588 589 590 591 592 593 594 595 596 597 598 599 600 601 602 603 604 605 606 607 608 609 610 611 612 613 614 615 616 617 618 619 620 621 622 623 624 625 626 627 628 629 630 631 632 633 634 635 636 637 638 639 640 641 642 643 644 645 646 647 648 649 650 651 652 653 654 655 656 657 658 659 660 661 662 663 664 665 666 667 668 669 670 671 672 673 674 675 676 677 678 679 680 681 682 683 684 685 686 NEXT
Other Links.
© 2019 GOSPORTZ MEDIA LLC | YOUTH RUNNER MAGAZINE | ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0017.json.gz/line1738
|
__label__wiki
| 0.521692
| 0.521692
|
Zansors Press Releases
Zansors and Blauer Manufacturing Announce Partnership for Defense Wearables
First-responders, military will benefit from tech-to-textile collaboration
ARLINGTON, VA (October 24, 2017) - Zansors and Blauer Manufacturing Inc. announced a partnership to introduce wearable technology in defense textiles, which can be used to improve safety and utility of gear for first responders and the military. Zansors’ innovative sensor technology will advance the utility of Blauer’s gear designed for police, fire, EMS and military.
Not only will the collaboration lead to gear that is designed to protect, it will be a highly functional and result in a new category of data-rich defense garments. This smart gear for first-responder and military engagements will have mission-specific applications beyond the offerings of consumer tech-to-textile products.
“Textiles are entering a fascinating era in which technology is going to transform utility and what we expect from garments,” said Stephen Blauer, Sr. VP, at Blauer. “Our partnership with Zansors is about combining best-in-class garments and sensors.”
This collaboration can benefit military and first-responders by monitoring both internal and external factors that improve performance and safety. For example, fabrics can be used to capture biometric data, like breathing, motion or ECG, as well as external factors such as determining location or detecting chemical gases. This real-time information will support decision-making by military leaders and responder agencies.
There is also opportunity to create advantages to the individuals in the field by adapting to local conditions. Fabrics enhanced with sensors can be developed to change colors, be more sweat-friendly, ballistic-hardened, or tear and puncture proof.
“We see that the Department of Defense and the Department of Homeland Security are leading the way in developing gear that makes a difference for those who risk their lives to protect us,” said Nicole Stout, DPT, vice president of Medical Affairs at Zansors. “Working together gives Zansors and Blauer the combined expertise in technology and textiles to take action and create gear that isn’t only best-in-class, but never-before-seen. We’re laying the groundwork for our labs to build the future of tech-wear for first-responders and military.”
Zansors is a Washington, DC metro-based healthcare innovation company delivering Personal Healthcare Analytics into the hands of consumers via wearable bio-sensors and health apps. Driven by our credo of “know yourself,” Zansors combines evidence-based apps, bioengineering and data analytics, allowing consumers to take charge of their health. Our proprietary biotechnology platform includes micro-sensors and micro-fluidics (also known as “lab-on-a-chip”) backed by a strong portfolio of patents filed. Zansors has previously received 6 funding awards from NIH and has formal partnerships with the University of Michigan and George Washington University.
About Blauer
Blauer is a fourth generation Boston based manufacturer of uniforms, outerwear, footwear, protective apparel and accessories for first responders and military users. Blauer produces leading edge chemical and biological PPE with ChemPack fabrics and provides uniforms, outerwear and safety gear to police, firefighters and emergency medical techs nationwide. Blauer holds numerous patents on technology related improvements to uniforms, clothing and uniform accessories.
Newer PostZansors Develops Cloud-Based System to Share Patient-Created Data with Health Systems
Older PostZansors Secures Issued Patent for Heart Monitoring Device New IP Paves Way for Personal Health Analytics
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0017.json.gz/line1739
|
__label__cc
| 0.745072
| 0.254928
|
Donnie, My Dear, This One’s For You.
To many, my uncle was known as Chicago’s favorite barman, but to me, he was just cool Uncle Donnie. He was cool because he did things like show up to our family portrait, which was supposed to have a denim and khaki theme, in an all black suit. I heard stories about him jumping into the seal tank at the zoo, stealing golf carts in Mexico and riding his scooter through the bar (that’s the censored version).
I admired him and looked up to him. I was impressed, intrigued and definitely a little intimidated too.
It wasn’t until I was in college that I really became friends with him. Of course, as an under-ager, he would never let me downstairs when he had celebrities in town, trying not to expose me to the goings-on of the Stanley’s basement. But lucky for me, I was able to find a back route in through the kitchen and down the stairs. I would sneak around, hiding behind people so as not to get caught, and looking back, one thing is clear. He knew I was there the whole time, pretending not to see me so I could have a good time. Eventually, we’d run into each other and he’d just act surprised, “How’d you get down here?”, followed by a chuckle and a cheers.
Donnie captioned this one, "Da Bears and da nieces"
I will forever miss his singing voice and the way he could turn anything into a microphone, the graphic detail he’d provide after every dinner out, his obsession with Whole Foods, and the way he’d yell “you did not!” with that serious expression after every story - and the mischievous smirk that would follow, his unique and eclectic style (which, if I had to describe it, was some mix of vintage meets Kid Rock meets Rolling Stones meets fried chicken), his fierce loyalty, his creativity, and how he never stopped dreaming, no matter how many people and places “borrowed” his ideas and turned them into their own.
When I think about my uncle, he was a supporter and a connector. A connector even when you didn’t want to be connected. He was the kind of guy to give everyone a chance and ask for nothing in return. And he was the kind of guy to put away just enough money each month so his nieces and nephews could have a chance at living the life he fought so hard to live, even when he didn’t have a cent to his name. And he was grumpy too. I always think, “how could someone so grumpy leave such an impression on so many people?!” But I think the answer is clear.
He treated his friends like family and his family like friends because everyone was everything to him.
I saw his struggle.
His positivity, his fight, his severe determination toward the end will leave a lasting impression on me. No matter how sick he got, he still got up and went to work every day until his body said no more.
Donnie, no one fought harder than you.
And that applies to all aspects of his life, really.
In the hospital, I watched as his eyes flickered and the movie reel of his life passed behind his eyelids, and I couldn’t imagine all the beautiful things that he could see. He lived a fuller life in those 57 years than most people would ever be lucky to live.
I used to get so frustrated when he would walk away halfway through our conversation, and now I smile just to think of it. Because he was always so busy, always on to the next big thing, and I like to think that’s why he just couldn’t stay here. He had to leave us too early because he was just too big, too special for this life.
A few months after Donnie passed away, I had the most vivid dream. I was sitting at a crowded table full of people, food and laughter. I looked to my left, and there he was, sitting right beside me. But it wasn’t a version of Donnie that I had ever known. He was beaming, glowing, young and even more handsome. To this day, I don’t have any doubt that that was really him. Because, isn’t that where he would be? I think his heaven is a crowded table filled with food and friends.
Fast forward to a few months later. I was walking down the street wondering if I should quit my job when I heard his voice, so distinct, boom into my head. “HAPPY”, the voice said. I knew then what he wanted me to do, and I’m not scared because I know I have him rooting for me, for me and all of his friends, up there. Within days I had quit my job to pursue what makes me happy, and I owe that all to my Uncle Donnie.
Donnie,
I wouldn’t be where I am today if it wasn’t for you. You are my inspiration.
#thankyoudonniekruse
zenLivingKaley Vierck March 28, 2018
Are You Living Dharma or Karma?
zenLiving, zenWellness, FeaturedKaley Vierck March 29, 2018 Kaley Johnson
When You Ask the Universe for Help with your Illness and It Says ‘Screw You’
zenHealth & NutritionAlex Golden March 18, 2018 Alex Golden
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0017.json.gz/line1741
|
__label__wiki
| 0.861743
| 0.861743
|
NSW Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione AO APM - Wednesday 16 November 2016
The Australia-Israel Chamber of Commerce in association with KPMG and Optus were delighted to host an exclusive briefing with NSW Police Commissioner, Andrew Scipione AO APM.
Andrew Scipione joined the Australian Bureau of Customs in 1978 before moving to the New South Wales Police Force in 1980. He has worked in a number of sections including a secondment to the National Crime Authority of Australia in 1985, with Bankstown detectives, the Special Gaming Squad, Hurstville and Sydney City general duties. In 1992, he became the Operations Controller of the Joint Technical Services Group, in 1995 the Commander of the Special Technical Investigation Branch, in 1998 the Chief of Staff to then Police Commissioner Peter Ryan, in 2001 the Commander of Special Crime & Internal Affairs. Mr Scipione was promoted to Deputy Commissioner in 2002 having served as both the Deputy Commissioner Field Operations and Specialist Operations.
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0017.json.gz/line1742
|
__label__wiki
| 0.972401
| 0.972401
|
Music Calendar, Rolling Stones
Today: Jimmy Miller passed away in 1994, 19 years ago
October 22, 2013 Egil Mosbron
Photo by Robert Altman
Jimmy Miller produced “The Rolling Stones” 4 best albums:
Exile on Main St. (1972)
Let It Bleed (1969)
Beggars Banquet (1968)
He really connected with the band & Keith Richards in particular.
“It was really a gas to work with him. Jimmy Miller could turn the whole band on and make a nondescript number into something.”
~Keith Richards
Miller was a huge Stones fan before he started working with the band..
‘The night Jagger phoned I just knew he was gonna ask me to produce them. I glided over to his house on a cloud.’
~Jimmy Miller
The Rolling Stones – concerts, videos, albums & other (here @ johannasvisions.com)
James “Jimmy” Miller (23 March 1942 – 22 October 1994) was a Brooklyn, New York-born record producer and musician who produced dozens of albums between the mid-1960s and early 1990s, including landmark recordings for Blind Faith, Traffic, the Plasmatics, Motorhead, The World Bank and Primal Scream. He was perhaps best known for his lengthy association with the Rolling Stones, for whom he produced a string of singles and albums that all rank among the most critically and financially successful works of the band’s career: Beggars Banquet (1968), Let It Bleed (1969), Sticky Fingers (1971), Exile on Main St. (1972) and Goats Head Soup (1973).
Prior to working with the Rolling Stones, Miller rose to fame by producing successful releases for The Spencer Davis Group including their breakthrough hit “Gimme Some Lovin'” and the follow-up smash “I’m A Man,” which Miller co-wrote with the band’s singer-keyboardist, Steve Winwood. In addition to his production work for yet another Winwood band, Traffic, Miller also contributed the lyrics to the Traffic song “Medicated Goo.” Miller produced the only album by the Clapton/Winwood supergroup Blind Faith.
The Spencer Davis Group – Gimme Some Lovin’:
Traffic – Dear Mr. Fantasy:
Blind Faith – Can’t Find My Way Home:
Following his work with Blind Faith, Miller co-produced (with Delaney Bramlett) the hit Delaney & Bonnie album On Tour with Eric Clapton, recorded live at Croydon, United Kingdom, on 7 December 1969. He went on to produce Delaney & Bonnie keyboardist Bobby Whitlock, Kracker, the Plasmatics, Motörhead and the UK band Nirvana.
A drummer himself, Miller was known for the distinctive drum sound that characterized his productions, especially his work with the Rolling Stones, on whose recordings he occasionally played percussion parts such as the famous opening cowbell on “Honky Tonk Women” and the full drum kit on “You Can’t Always Get What You Want,” “Happy,” “Tumbling Dice” and “Shine a Light.”
The Rolling Stones – Beggars Banquet (1968) [full album]:
The Rolling Stones – Let It Bleed (1969, Remastered) Full Album:
The Rolling Stones – Sticky Fingers (1971) (Full Album):
The Rolling Stones – Exile On Main Street (1972) (Full album):
Miller went on to work with Primal Scream on their breakthrough album Screamadelica and William Topley’s band The Blessing (Miller appears on their DVD Sugar Train during the song “Soul Love”). In the 1980s, Miller produced some acts including Johnny Thunders, Matrix and Jo Jo Laine (wife of Denny Lane, on “Moody Blues & Wings”). In 1990 he Co-Produced (along with Phil Greene) “What’s in A Name” for Florida band Walk the Chalk.
Among Miller’s last productions were three tracks on the 1992 Wedding Present project, Hit Parade 2. Jimmy also produced four tracks on The World Banks “In Debt Interview” which featured artists such as Billy Preston and Bobby Keys, a rare musical sideline from author Hunter S. Thompson. Jimmy traveled to Woody Creek, Colorado in 1994 to meet with Hunter S. Thompson for a memorable weekend in May shortly before he passed on. He died in October 1994.
Album of the day – Exile on Main St. (1972):
Greeted with decidedly mixed reviews upon its original release, Exile on Main St. has become generally regarded as the Rolling Stones’ finest album. Part of the reason why the record was initially greeted with hesitant reviews is that it takes a while to assimilate. A sprawling, weary double album encompassing rock & roll, blues, soul, and country, Exile doesn’t try anything new on the surface, but the substance is new. Taking the bleakness that underpinned Let It Bleed and Sticky Fingers to an extreme, Exile is a weary record, and not just lyrically. Jagger’s vocals are buried in the mix, and the music is a series of dark, dense jams, with Keith Richards and Mick Taylor spinning off incredible riffs and solos. And the songs continue the breakthroughs of their three previous albums. No longer does their country sound forced or kitschy — it’s lived-in and complex, just like the group’s forays into soul and gospel. While the songs, including the masterpieces “Rocks Off,” “Tumbling Dice,” “Torn and Frayed,” “Happy,” “Let It Loose,” and “Shine a Light,” are all terrific, they blend together, with only certain lyrics and guitar lines emerging from the murk. It’s the kind of record that’s gripping on the very first listen, but each subsequent listen reveals something new. Few other albums, let alone double albums, have been so rich and masterful as Exile on Main St., and it stands not only as one of the Stones’ best records, but sets a remarkably high standard for all of hard rock.
~Stephen Thomas Erlewine (allmusic.com)
Other October 22:
Led Zeppelin II is the second studio album by the English rock band Led Zeppelin, released in October 1969 on Atlantic Records. Recording sessions for the album took place at several locations in the United Kingdom and North America from January to August 1969. Production was entirely credited to lead guitarist and songwriter Jimmy Page, while it also served as Led Zeppelin’s first album to utilise the recording techniques of engineer Eddie Kramer.
January–August 1969 at various locations
Hard rock, heavy metal, blues rock
-Egil
Blind FaithJimmy MillerLed ZeppelinLed Zeppelin IIMotorheadPrimal ScreamProducerSpencer Davis GroupThe Rolling StonesTraffic
Previous PostBob Dylan: The Man In Me, Dublin, Ireland 5 February 1991 (Video)Next PostToday: Dwight Yoakam is 57 Happy Birthday
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0017.json.gz/line1743
|
__label__cc
| 0.614038
| 0.385962
|
A History of African Popular Culture
Part of New Approaches to African History
Author: Karin Barber, University of Birmingham
Popular culture in Africa is the product of everyday life: the unofficial, the non-canonical. And it is the dynamism of this culture that makes Africa what it is. In this book, Karin Barber offers a journey through the history of music, theatre, fiction, song, dance, poetry, and film from the seventeenth century to the present day. From satires created by those living in West African coastal towns in the era of the slave trade, to the poetry and fiction of townships and mine compounds in South Africa, and from today's East African streets where Swahili hip hop artists gather to the juggernaut of the Nollywood film industry, this book weaves together a wealth of sites and scenes of cultural production. In doing so, it provides an ideal text for students and researchers seeking to learn more about the diversity, specificity and vibrancy of popular cultural forms in African history.
Proposes the first comprehensive historical account of popular culture in Africa
Provides the first comparative overview of popular culture across sub-Saharan Africa
Raises central questions and issues about the nature of different popular cultural forms and how they are generated in specific historical circumstances
‘In chapters packed with sparkling new visions of a field she helped to define a quarter-century ago, Karin Barber's book combines historical depth, careful attention to ‘life on the ground', and discussions of popular culture from the whole continent without losing the complexity of each art form. This book is a transformative must-read for anybody with an interest in African everyday cultures.' S. Newell, Yale University, Connecticut
‘Barber has written yet another milestone in the study of African popular culture. The quality of its prose and the wide range of scholarship covered make this book an instant classic. Music, dance, and other aesthetic forms are carefully yet critically situated in their social contexts, such as migrant labor, city life, and electronic modernity. A must for anyone interested in African societies, cultural history and popular arts.' Katrien Pype, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium
'Barber's exploration of popular culture producers and the reservoirs they tap of local resonance and trans-local flows is magisterial. Extracting fresh insight from studies across Africa, she upends existing theoretical models by showing how publics produce meaning through the act of consumption, and how producers continually consume to create anew.' Kelly Askew, University of Michigan
2. Early popular culture: sources and silences
3. Mines, migrant labour and township culture
4. The city and the road
5. The crowd, the state … and songs
6. The media: globalisation and deregulation from the 1990s till today
7. Conceptualising change in African popular culture
Karin Barber, University of Birmingham
Karin Barber is a Fellow of the British Academy and Professor Emerita of African Cultural Anthropology at the University of Birmingham. She was appointed CBE in 2012 for services to African studies. She is the author of a number of books and articles on African popular culture, including The Generation of Plays: Yoruba Popular Life in Theatre (2000) and Yoruba Print Culture and the First Yoruba Novel (2012).
The Politics of Heritage in Africa
Economies, Histories, and Infrastructures
Games against Nature
An Eco-Cultural History of the Nunu of Equatorial Africa
Human Rights in Africa
Africa and Africans in the Making of the Atlantic World, 1400–1800
The Slave Trade and Culture in the Bight of Biafra
An African Society in the Atlantic World
Popular Politics in the History of South Africa, 1400–1948
Witchcraft and Colonial Rule in Kenya, 1900–1955
The Kongo Kingdom
The Origins, Dynamics and Cosmopolitan Culture of an African Polity
Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies
The Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies is the leading interdisciplinary journal on Asia, Africa…
The Journal of African History
The Journal of African History (JAH) publishes articles and book reviews ranging widely over the African past, from…
International Journal of Cultural Property
International Journal of Cultural Property provides a vital, international, and multidisciplinary forum for the broad…
The Antiquaries Journal
The Antiquaries Journal aims to reflect the multi-disciplinary nature of the study of material culture, publishing…
Africa Bibliography
Access the online Africa Bibliography here.This large and authoritative guide to works in African studies has been…
Africa is the premier journal devoted to the study of African societies and culture. Editorial policy encourages…
The Anthropology of Texts, Persons and Publics
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0017.json.gz/line1749
|
__label__wiki
| 0.887887
| 0.887887
|
Yes to Europe!
The 1975 Referendum and Seventies Britain
Author: Robert Saunders, Queen Mary University of London
On 5 June 1975, voters went to the polls in Britain's first national referendum to decide whether the UK should remain in the European Community. As in 2016, the campaign shattered old political allegiances and triggered a far-reaching debate on Britain's place in the world. The campaign to stay in stretched from the Conservative Party - under its new leader, Margaret Thatcher - to the Labour government, the farming unions and the Confederation of British Industry. Those fighting to 'Get Britain Out' ranged from Enoch Powell and Tony Benn to Scottish and Welsh nationalists. Footballers, actors and celebrities joined the campaign trail, as did clergymen, students, women's groups and paramilitaries. In a panoramic survey of 1970s Britain, this volume offers the first modern history of the referendum, asking why voters said 'Yes to Europe' and why the result did not, as some hoped, bring the European debate in Britain to a close.
Provides the first in-depth historical treatment of the 1975 referendum, linking it with the Brexit debate and how we got where we are today
Written in a lively and accessible style that moves away from the usual focus of British/European histories on summits, treaty changes and diplomacy
Reconnects the history of Britain and Europe to the broader social and cultural history of 1970s Britain
'A jaw-dislocating page-turner. If you care about contemporary politics, you really need to read it …' Andrew Marr, New Statesman
'A captivating read, meticulously researched and exquisitely written … Saunders has a wry and gently amused prose style, with unhurried and uncontrived allusions and a fine eye for detail. His narrative carries you along as if you were reading a novel.' Daniel Hannan, The Spectator
'Saunders writes with swagger … he demolishes many of the myths about Britain's relationship with the rest of Europe on which Brexiters and Remainers have long depended. … [A]s a study of a rare and seminal event, this book bursts with valuable details.' Andy Beckett, The Guardian
'Saunders makes you feel you were in the room … And when you read how that first battle over whether we should stay in Europe was fought, it becomes a little easier to fathom what went wrong or right in 2016, and why.' Nick Comfort, Daily Telegraph
'Saunders's new book provides us with a perfect opportunity to reflect on the long, turbulent story of Europe in British politics.' Alex Dean, Prospect
'Beautifully written, and provides a thoroughly reliable and stimulating account of one of the most important events in Britain's post-war history.' Vernon Bogdanor, Times Higher Education
'There is not only much to learn from Saunders's book about a fascinating historical episode: it also illuminates the issues we face today.' Michael Mosbacher, Standpoint
'This is a timely book that will be read with great interest by commentators on recent events in Britain. It is also a hugely impressive work of scholarship that uses a single event to reconstruct a social and cultural world that now seems curiously distant. Most of all, it is a pleasure to read – clearly argued, full of vivid detail and illuminated by flashes of surreal wit.' Richard Vinen, author of Thatcher's Britain
'I was actively involved in the 1975 referendum – on the losing side – and can attest that Dr Saunders' book thoroughly, brilliantly and objectively captures the context and the atmosphere of the 1975 campaign.' Neil Kinnock, former leader of the Labour party
'This is essential reading for anyone who wants to understand Britain's confused relationship with Europe, and how we got where we are today. It's also pleasurable reading: a beautifully written history, full of warmth and wisdom.' Alwyn W. Turner, author of Crisis? What Crisis? Britain in the 1970s
'This is history at its best: an insightful, exhaustively researched and immensely readable book that captures the period as well as the vote.' Alwyn Turner, BBC History Magazine
'This is a fascinating account of the 1975 referendum when Britain voted in favor of joining the (then) European Community. It is a timely book, appearing just as Britain is negotiating its exit from a crisis-ridden European Union. The relationship between Britain and Europe has always been a matter of intrigue, and Saunders grasps this relationship well. The book includes rigorous detail with political analysis that, for once, has not forgotten that Britain includes more than England and that issues in 1975 remain as relevant today. In fact, an analysis of the 1975 referendum shows how the tables turned within a generation. In 1975, the Conservative Party fervently supported Britain's joining the EC; by 2016, the party was profoundly divided over the issue. Summing Up: Recommended.' M. Clua Losada, Choice
'Robert Saunders' thoroughly-researched and stylishly-written study … could not be timelier. … It is a riveting read full of eccentric characters and colourful anecdotes …' Mathias Haeussler, Reviews in History
Introduction: 'a fanfare for Europe'
Part I. Europe or Bust:
1. 'Opportunities and illusions': the road to 1975
2. 'A device of dictators and demagogues': renegotiation to referendum
3. 'Support your local continent!' Britain in Europe
4. 'Better out than in': the National referendum Campaign
Part II. Themes and Issues:
5. 'The boardroom must lead!' Employers, unions and the economy
6. 'Women and children first'
7. 'Come to pray on Referendum day'
8. 'No use talking about sovereignty'
9. 'The new British Empire'
10. 'Think of it as the common super-market'
Part III. The Unravelling of Britain?:
11. 'Ulster says yes!'
12. Cymru yn Iwrop/ Wales in Europe
13. 'The Scottish time-bomb'
Epilogue: we are all Europeans now.
Robert Saunders, Queen Mary University of London
Robert Saunders is a Senior Lecturer at Queen Mary University of London. He is the author of Democracy and the Vote in British Politics, 1848–1867 (2011) and co-editor (with Ben Jackson) of Making Thatcher's Britain (Cambridge, 2012). He appeared in the BBC TV series The Victorian Slum (2016) and has given interviews and commentary on the BBC, CNN and a wide range of media outlets.
Yes to Europe! on Stephen Bush's and Colin Kidd's New Statesman's Best Books of 2018 lists!
"Beautifully written, and provides a thoroughly reliable and stimulating account of one of the most important events in Britain’s post-war history."
"A myth-demolishing study."
Daily Telegraph gives Yes to Europe! 5 stars
"A jaw-dislocating page-turner."
"a captivating read, meticulously researched and exquisitely written..."
Britain and Europe from the End of Empire to the Rise of Euroscepticism
British Catholic History
NEW to Cambridge in 2015 British Catholic History (formerly titled Recusant History) acts as a forum for the most…
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0017.json.gz/line1750
|
__label__wiki
| 0.650522
| 0.650522
|
Browse by EU Subject
Export as ASCII CitationASCII Citation - ChicagoBibTeXDublin CoreEP3 XMLEndNoteEprints Application ProfileHTML CitationJSONMETSOAI-ORE Resource Map (Atom Format)OAI-ORE Resource Map (RDF Format)Object IDsOpenURL ContextObjectRDF+N-TriplesRDF+N3RDF+XMLReferReference Manager RSS 2.0 RSS 1.0 Atom
Subjects - EU official documents only (62208)
External Relations (12987)
Development Policy (1906)
Fisheries Agreement (81)
Group by: Date | Item Type | Creators | No Grouping
Jump to: EU Commission - COM Document | EU Commission - Working Document | EU European Parliament Document | EU Other
UNSPECIFIED (1979) Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau and the European Economic Community on fisheries off the coast of Guinea-Bissau. COM (79) 704 final, 28 November 1979. [EU Commission - COM Document]
UNSPECIFIED (1994) Amended proposal for a Council Regulation (EC) establishing a system of compensation for the additional costs incurred in the marketing of certain fishery products from the Azores, Madeira, the Canary Islands and the French Department of Guiana as a result of their very remote location. COM (94) 237 final, 17 June 1994. [EU Commission - COM Document]
UNSPECIFIED (1982) Amendment of the proposal for a Council Regulation (EEC) laying down certain measures for the conservation and management of fishery resources applicable to vessels flying the flag of certain nonmember countries in the 200 nautical mile zone of the coast of the French department of Guiana (doc. COM(82) 81 final) (submitted to the Council by the Commission pursuant to the second paragraph of Article 149 of the EEC Treaty). COM (82) 256 final, 10 May 1982. [EU Commission - COM Document]
UNSPECIFIED (1977) Commission recommendation to the Council concerning supplementary directives for the negotiation of fisheries agreements between the Community and certain Associated African States. COM (77) 593 final, 17 November 1977. [EU Commission - COM Document]
UNSPECIFIED (2002) Communication from the Commission on an integrated framework for fisheries partnership agreements with third countries. COM (2002) 637 final, 23 December 2002. [EU Commission - COM Document]
UNSPECIFIED (2000) Fisheries and povery reduction. Communication from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament. COM (2000) 724 final, 8 November 2000. [EU Commission - COM Document]
UNSPECIFIED (1982) Proposal for a COUNCIL DECISION concerning the conclusion of the Agreement in the form of an exchange I of letters concerning an interim extension of the Protocol annexed to the Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Guinea Bissau and the European Economic Community on fishing off the coast of Guinea Bissau. COM (82) 139 final, 26 March 1982. [EU Commission - COM Document]
UNSPECIFIED (1996) Proposal for a COUNCIL DECISION on the conclusion of the Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters concerning the provisional application of the Protocol defining for the period 18 January 1996 to 17 January 1999 the fishing opportunities and the financial contribution provided for by the Agreement between the European Community and the Republic of Seychelles on fishing off the coast of Seychelles. Proposal for a Council Regulation (EC) on the conclusion of the Protocol defining, for the period from 18 January 1996 to 17 January 1999, the fishing opportunities and the financial contribution provided for by the Agreement between the European Community and the Republic of Seychelles on fishing off Seychelles (presented by the Commission). COM (96) 131 final, 1 April 1996. [EU Commission - COM Document]
UNSPECIFIED (1996) Proposal for a Council Decision authorising the Kingdom of Spain to extend until 7 March 1997 the Agreement on mutual fishery relations with the Republic of South Africa (presented by the Commission). COM (96) 218 final, 28 May 1996. [EU Commission - COM Document]
UNSPECIFIED (1996) Proposal for a Council Decision authorizing the Portuguese Republic to extend until 7 March 1997 the Agreement on mutual fishery relations with the Republic of South Africa (presented by the Commission). COM (96) 231 final, 28 May 1996. [EU Commission - COM Document]
UNSPECIFIED (1997) Proposal for a Council Decision on conclusion of the agreement in the form of an exchange of letters concerning the provisional application of the Protocol establishing, for the period from 1 May 1997 to 30 April 2001, the fishing rights and financial compensation provided for in the Agreement between the European Community and the Government of the Republic of Senegal on fishing off the coast of Senegal; Proposal for a Council Regulation (EC) on conclusion of the Protocol establishing, for the period from 1 May 1997 to 30 April 2001, the fishing rights and financial compensation provided for in the Agreement between the European Economic Community and the Government of the Republic of Senegal on fishing off the coast of Senegal (presented by the Commission). COM (97) 324 final, 25 June 1997. [EU Commission - COM Document]
UNSPECIFIED (1982) Proposal for a Council Decision on the conclusion of an Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters providing for provisional application of the Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau and the European Economic Community amending the Agreement on fishing off the coast of Guinea-Bissau and of the Protocol thereto. COM (82) 832 final, 13 December 1982. [EU Commission - COM Document]
UNSPECIFIED (1994) Proposal for a Council Decision on the conclusion of an Agreement in the form of an exchange of letters concerning the provisional application of the Protocol setting out the fishing possibilities and financial compensation provided for in the Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Senegal and the European Community on fishing off the coast of Senegal for the period from 2 October 1994 to 1 October 1996. Proposal for a Council Regulation (EC) on the conclusion of the Protocol establishing the fishing possibilities and financial compensation provided for in the Agreement between the European Community and the Government of the Republic of Senegal on fishing off the coast of Senegal for the period 2nd October 1994 - lst October 1996. COM (94) 514 final, 23 November 1994. [EU Commission - COM Document]
UNSPECIFIED (1996) Proposal for a Council Decision on the conclusion of an Agreement in the form of an exchange of letters concerning the interim extension of the Protocol to the Agreement between the European Community and the Government of the Republic of Senegal on fishing off the coast of Senegal for the period from 2 October 1996 to 1 November 1996 (presented by the Commission). COM (96) 611 final, 27 November 1996. [EU Commission - COM Document]
UNSPECIFIED (1996) Proposal for a Council Decision on the conclusion of an Agreement in the form of an exchange of letters concerning the provisional application of the Agreement on cooperation in the sea fisheries sector between the European Community and the Islamic Republic of Mauritania initialled in Brussels on 20 June 1996; Proposal for a Council Regulation (EC) on the conclusion of an Agreement on cooperation in the sea fisheries sector between the European Community and the Islamic Republic of Mauritania and laying down provisions for its implementation (presented by the Commission). COM (96) 417 final, 9 September 1996. [EU Commission - COM Document]
UNSPECIFIED (1989) Proposal for a Council Decision on the conclusion of an Agreement in the form of an exchange of letters concerning the temporary extension from 8 August 1989 to 31 December 1989 of the Protocol to the Agreement between the European Economic Community and the Government of the Republic of Guinea on fishing off the coast of Guinea (presented by the Commission). COM (89) 463 final, 4 October 1989. [EU Commission - COM Document]
UNSPECIFIED (1997) Proposal for a Council Decision on the conclusion of an Agreement in the form of an exchange of letters on the provisional application of the Protocol defining, for the period 1 December 1996 to 30 November 1999, the fishing opportunities and the financial contribution provided for by the Agreement between the European Community and the Government of Mauritius on fishing in the waters of Mauritius; Proposal for a Council Regulation (EC) relating to the conclusion of the Protocol defining, for the period 1 December 1996 to 30 November 1999, the fishing opportunities and the financial contribution provided for by the Agreement between the European Community and the Government of Mauritius on fishing in the waters of Mauritius (presented by the Commission). COM (97) 43 final, 14 February 1997. [EU Commission - COM Document]
UNSPECIFIED (1994) Proposal for a Council Decision on the conclusion of an Agreement in the form of an exchange of letters on the provisional application of the Protocol defining, for the period from 6 September 1994 to 5 September 1997, the fishing opportunities and the financial contribution provided for by the Agreement between the European Community and Cape Verde on fishing in the waters of Cape Verde. Proposal for a Council Regulation on the conclusion of the Protocol establishing the fishing rights and financial compensation provided for in the Agreement between the European Community and Cape Verde on fishing off Cape Verde for the period from 6 September 1994 to 5 September 1997. COM (94) 388 final, 16 Setpember 1994. [EU Commission - COM Document]
UNSPECIFIED (1981) Proposal for a Council Decision on the conclusion of an Agreement in the form of an exchange of letters providing for provisional application of the Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Senegal and the European Economic Community amending the Agreement on fishing off the coast of Senegal, and of its Protocol. COM (81) 736 final, 1 December 1981. [EU Commission - COM Document]
UNSPECIFIED (1982) Proposal for a Council Decision on the conclusion of the Agreement between the European Economic Community and the Government of the Republic of Senegal amending the Agreement on Fishing Off the Coast of Senegal signed on 15 June 1979, the Protocol and the Exchanges of Letters referring thereto. COM (82) 14 final, 29 January 1982. [EU Commission - COM Document]
UNSPECIFIED (2002) Proposal for a Council Decision on the conclusion of the Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters concerning the provisional application of the Protocol setting out, for the period from 1 June 2002 to 31 May 2005, the fishing opportunities and the financial contribution provided for by the Agreement between the European Economic Community and the Government of the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe on fishing off the coast of São Tomé and Príncipe. COM (2002) 397 final, 15 July 2002. [EU Commission - COM Document]
UNSPECIFIED (1999) Proposal for a Council Decision on the conclusion of the Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters concerning the provisional application of the Protocol defining for the period 3 May 1999 to 2 May 2000 the fishing opportunities and the financial contribution provided for by the Agreement between the European Community and the Republic of Angola on fishing off the coast of Angola. Proposal for a Council Regulation (EC) on the conclusion of the Protocol defining, for the period from 3 May 1999 to 2 May 2000, the fishing opportunities and the financial contribution provided for by the Agreement between the European Community and the Republic of Angola on fishing off Angola (presented by the Commission). COM (99) 389 final, 26 July 1999. [EU Commission - COM Document]
UNSPECIFIED (1996) Proposal for a Council Decision on the conclusion of the Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters concerning the provisional application of the Protocol defining for the period 1 June 1996 to 31 May 1999 the fishing opportunities and the financial contribution provided for by the Agreement between the European Community and the Democratic Republic of São Tome e Principe on fishing off the coast of São Tome e Principe; Proposal for a Council Regulation (EC) on the conclusion of the Protocol defining, for the period from 1 June 1996 to 31 May 1999, the fishing opportunities and the financial contribution provided for by the Agreement between the European Community and the Democratic Republic of São Tome e Principe on fishing off São Tome e Principe (presented by the Commission). COM (96) 394 final, 24 July 1996. [EU Commission - COM Document]
UNSPECIFIED (1998) Proposal for a Council Decision on the conclusion of the Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters concerning the provisional application of the Protocol establishing the fishing possibilities and the financial compensation provided for in the Agreement between the European Community and the Government of the Republic of Guinea on fishing off the Guinean coast for the period 1 January 1998 to 31 December 1999. Proposal for a Council Regulation (EC) approving the Protocol establishing the fishing possibilities and the financial compensation provided for in the Agreement between the European Community and the Government of the Republic of Guinea on fishing off the Guinean coast for the period 1 January 1998 to 31 December 1999 (presented by the Commission). COM (98) 129 final, 9 March 1998. [EU Commission - COM Document]
UNSPECIFIED (1994) Proposal for a Council Decision on the conclusion of the Agreement in the form of an exchange of letters concerning the provisional application of the Protocol defining, for the period 1 December 1993 to 30 November 1996, the fishing opportunities and the financial contribution provided for by the Agreement between the European Community and the Government of Mauritius on fishing in the waters of Mauritius. Proposal for a Council Regulation relating to the conclusion of the Protocol defining, for the period 1 December 1993 to 30 November 1996, the fishing opportunities and the financial contribution provided for by the Agreement between the European Community and the Government of Mauritius on fishing off Mauritius. COM (94) 32 final, 11 February 1994. [EU Commission - COM Document]
UNSPECIFIED (1995) Proposal for a Council Decision on the conclusion of the Agreement in the form of an exchange of letters concerning the provisional application of the Protocol defining, for the period 21 May 1995 to 20 May 1998, the fishing opportunities and the financial contribution provided for by the Agreement between the European Community and the Government of the Republic of Madagascar on fishing off Madagascar. Proposal for a Council Regulation (EC) on the conclusion of the Protocol defining, for the period 21 May 1995 to 20 May 1998, the fishing opportunities and the financial contribution provided for by the Agreement between the European Community and the Government of the Republic of Madagascar on fishing off Madagascar. COM (95) 376 final, 20 July 1995. [EU Commission - COM Document]
UNSPECIFIED (2001) Proposal for a Council Decision on the conclusion of the Agreement in the form of an exchange of letters concerning the provisional application of the Protocol setting out the fishing opportunities and financial contribution provided for in the Agreement between the European Economic Community and the Republic of Cape Verde on fishing off the coast of Cape Verde for the period from 1 July 2001 to 30 June 2004. Commission (2001) 467 final, 12 September 2001. [EU Commission - COM Document]
UNSPECIFIED (1994) Proposal for a Council Decision on the conclusion of the Agreement in the form of an exchange of letters concerning the provisional application of the Protocol establishing the fishing opportunities and financial contribution provided for in the Agreement between the European Community and the Islamic Federal Republic of the Comoros on fishing off the Comoros for the period from 20 July 1994 to 19 July 1997. Proposal for a Council Regulation relating to the conclusion of the Protocol setting out the fishing opportunities and financial contribution provided for in the Agreement between the European Community and the Islamic Federal Republic of the Comoros on fishing off the Comoros for the period from 20 July 1994 to 19 July 1997. COM (94) 390 final, 16 September 1994. [EU Commission - COM Document]
UNSPECIFIED (1989) Proposal for a Council Decision on the conclusion of the Agreement in the form of an exchange of letters concerning the provisional application of the Protocol establishing, for the period from 1 January 1990 to 31 December 1991, the fishing opportunities and the financial contribution provided for in the Agreement between the European Economic Community and the Government of the People's Republic of Mozambique on fisheries relations Proposal for a Council Regulation (EEC) relating to the conclusion of the Protocol establishing, for the period from 1 January 1990 to 31 December 1991, the fishing opportunities and the financial contribution provided for in the Agreement between the European Economic Community and the People's Republic of Mozambique on fisheries relations (presented by the Commission). COM (89) 619 final, 12 December 1989. [EU Commission - COM Document]
UNSPECIFIED (1999) Proposal for a Council Decision on the conclusion of the Agreement in the form of an exchange of letters concerning the provisional application of the Protocol setting out, for the period 1 June 1999 to 31 May 2002, the fishing opportunities and the financial contribution provided for by the Agreement between the European Community and the Government of the Democratic Republic of São Tomé e Principe on fishing off the coast of São Tomé e Principe. COM (99) 462 final, 7 October 1999. [EU Commission - COM Document]
UNSPECIFIED (1994) Proposal for a Council Decision on the conclusion of the Agreement in the form of an exchange of letters on the provisional application of the Protocol establishing, for the period from 1 July 1994 to 30 June 1997, the fishing opportunities and financial compensation provided for in the Agreement between the European Community and the Government of the Republic of Ivory Coast. Proposal for a Council Regulation on the conclusion of the Protocol establishing the fishing rights and financial compensation provided for in the Agreement between the European Community and the Government of the Republic of Ivory Coast on fishing off Ivory Coast for the period from 1 July 1994 to 30 June 1997. COM (94) 385 final, 16 September 1994. [EU Commission - COM Document]
UNSPECIFIED (1994) Proposal for a Council Decision on the conclusion of the Agreement in the form of an exchange of letters on the provisional application of the Protocol establishing, for the period from 1 July 1994 to 30 June 1997, the fishing opportunities and financial compensation provided for in the Agreement between the European Community and the Government of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea on fishing off Equatorial Guinea. Proposal for a Council Regulation on the conclusion of the Protocol establishing, for the period from 1 July 1994 to 30 June 1997, the fishing rights and financial compensation provided for in the Agreement between the European Community and the Government of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea on fishing off the coast of Equatorial Guinea. COM (94) 387 final, 16 September 1994. [EU Commission - COM Document]
UNSPECIFIED (1989) Proposal for a Council Decision on the conclusion of the agreement in the form of an exchange of letters concerning the provisional application of the protocol establishing for the period from 16 June 1989 to 15 June 1991 the fishing rights and financial compensation provided for in the agreement between the European Economic Community and the Government of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau on fishing off the coast of Guinea-Bissau. Proposal for a Council Regulation (EEC) on the conclusion of the protocol establishing for the period from 16 June 1989 to 15 June 1991 the fishing rights and financial compensation provided for in the agreement between the European Economic Community and the Republic of Guinea-Bissau on fishing off the coast of Guinea-Bissau (presented by the Commission). COM (89) 601 final, 1 December 1989. [EU Commission - COM Document]
UNSPECIFIED (1996) Proposal for a Council Decision on the conclusion of the supplement to the agreement in the form of an exchange of letters concerning the provisional application of the supplement to the protocol setting out the fishing opportunities and financial contribution provided for in the agreement between the European Community and the Islamic Republic of Mauritania on fishing off the coast of Mauritania for the period 15 November 1995 to 31 July 1996. Proposal for a Council Regulation (EC) on the conclusion of the supplement to the protocol setting out the fishing opportunities and financial contribution provided for in the agreement between the European Community and the Islamic Republic of Mauritania on fishing off the coast of Mauritania for the period 15 November 1995 to 31 July 1996 (presented by the Commission). COM (95) 726 final, 10 January 1996. [EU Commission - COM Document]
UNSPECIFIED (1994) Proposal for a Council Decision provisional application of the Protocol establishing, for the period from 1 January 1994 to December 1995, the fishing rights and financial compensation provided for in the Agreement between the European Community and the Government of the Republic of Guinea on fishing off the Guinean coast. Proposal for a Council Regulation on the conclusion of the Protocol establishing, for the period from 1 January 1994 to 31 December 1995, the fishing rights and financial compensation provided for in the Agreement between the European Community and the Government of the Republic of Guinea on fishing off the Guinean coast. COM (94) 138 final, 20 April 1994. [EU Commission - COM Document]
UNSPECIFIED (1996) Proposal for a Council Regulation (EC) amending Council Regulation (EC) No. 3077/95 laying down, for 1996, certain measures for the conservation and management of fishery resources applicable to vessels flying the flag of the Faroe Islands (presented by the Commission). COM (96) 180 final, 22 April 1996. [EU Commission - COM Document]
UNSPECIFIED (1997) Proposal for a Council Regulation (EC) concerning the conclusion of the Agreement in the form of an exchange of letters amending the Agreement on cooperation in the sea fisheries sector between the European Community and the Islamic Republic of Mauritania (presented by the Commission). COM (97) 263 final, 2 June 1997. [EU Commission - COM Document]
UNSPECIFIED (1994) Proposal for a Council Regulation (EC) laying down for 1995 certain measures for the conservation and management of fishery resources applicable in vessels flying the flag of certain non-member countries in the 200 nautical-mile zone off the coast of the French department of Guyana (presented by the Commission). COM (94) 479 final, 10 November 1994. [EU Commission - COM Document]
UNSPECIFIED (1996) Proposal for a Council Regulation (EC) laying down for 1997 certain measures for the conservation and management of fishery resources applicable in vessels flying the flag of certain non-member countries in the 200 nautical-mile zone off the coast of the French department of Guyana (presented by the Commission). COM (96) 625 final, 3 December 1996. [EU Commission - COM Document]
UNSPECIFIED (1998) Proposal for a Council Regulation (EC) on the conclusion of the Agreement between the European Community and the Gabonese Republic on fishing off the coast of Gabon. COM (98) 376 final, 17 June 1998. [EU Commission - COM Document]
UNSPECIFIED (1995) Proposal for a Council Regulation (EC) on the conclusion of the Protocol establishing the fishing possibilities and the financial compensation provided for in the Agreement between the European Community and the Government of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau on fishing off the coast of Guinea-Bissau for the period 16 June 1995 to 15 June 1997. Proposal for a Council Decision on the conclusion of the Agreement in the form of an exchange of letters concerning the provisional application of the Protocol establishing the fishing possibilities and the financial compensation provided for in the Agreement between the European Community and the Government of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau on fishing off the coast of Guinea-Bissau for the period 16 June 1995 to 15 June 1997. COM (95) 427 final, 14 September 1995. [EU Commission - COM Document]
UNSPECIFIED (1982) Proposal for a Council Regulation (EEC) allocating catch quotas between Member States for vessels fishing in Swedish waters | Proposal for a Council Regulation (EEC) allocating certain catch quotas between Member States for vessels fishing in the Norwegian economic zone and the fishery zone around Jan Mayen | Proposal for a Council Regulation (EEC) allocating catch quotas between Member States for vessels fishing in Faroese waters. COM (82) 338 final/2, 24 June 1982. [EU Commission - COM Document]
UNSPECIFIED (1979) Proposal for a Council Regulation (EEC) approving the exchange of letters providing for provisional application of the Agreement between the Government of Senegal and the European Economic Community concerning fishing off the coast of Senegal and of two exchanges of letters referring thereto. Proposal for a Council Regulation (EEC) approving the Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Senegal and the European Economic Community concerning fishing off the coast of Senegal and two exchanges of letters referring thereto. COM (79) 302 final, 5 June 1979. [EU Commission - COM Document]
UNSPECIFIED (1982) Proposal for a Council Regulation (EEC) concerning the conclusion of the Agreement between the Government of the Revolutionary People's Republic of Guinea and the European Economic Community on fishing off the Guinean coast (submitted to the Council by the Commission). COM (82) 599 final, 24 September 1982. [EU Commission - COM Document]
UNSPECIFIED (1978) Proposal for a Council Regulation (EEC) laying down certain interim measures for the conservation and management of fishery resources applicable to vessels flying the flag of certain non-member countries in the 200 nautical mile zone off the coast of the French department of Guyana. COM (78) 729 final, 15 December 1978. [EU Commission - COM Document]
UNSPECIFIED (1978) Proposal for a Council Regulation (EEC) laying down certain interim measures for the conservation and management of fishery resources in the 200 nautical mile zone off the coast of the French department of Guyana for the period 1 June to 31 December 1978. COM (78) 243 final, 29 May 1978. [EU Commission - COM Document]
UNSPECIFIED (1992) Proposal for a Council Regulation (EEC) setting up specific measures in favour of cephalopods producers permanently based in the Canary Islands. COM (92) 567 final, 17 December 1992. [EU Commission - COM Document]
UNSPECIFIED (1981) Proposal for a Council Regulation amending Regulation (EEC) No 848/81 laying down certain measures for the conservation and management of fishery resources applicable to vessels flying the flag of certain non-member countries in the 200-nautical-mile zone off the coast of the French Department of Guyana. COM(81) 377 final, 14 July 1981. [EU Commission - COM Document]
UNSPECIFIED (2001) Proposal for a Council Regulation concerning the conclusion of the Protocol establishing the fishing opportunities and the compensation provided for in the Agreement between the European Economic Community and the Government of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau on fishing off the coast of Guinea-Bissau for the period 16 June 2001 to 15 June 2006. COM (2001) 530 final/2, 10 October 2001. [EU Commission - COM Document]
UNSPECIFIED (1983) Proposal for a Council Regulation on the conclusion of the Agreement between the European Economic Community and the Government of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau, amending the Agreement on fishing off the coast of Guinea-Bissau, signed on 27 February 1980 (submitted to the Council by the Commission). COM (83) 11 final, 20 January 1983. [EU Commission - COM Document]
UNSPECIFIED (2002) Proposal for a Council Regulation on the conclusion of the Protocol defining, for the period from 18 January 2002 to 17 January 2005, the fishing opportunities and the financial contribution provided for by the Agreement between the European Economic Community and the Republic of Seychelles on fishing off Seychelles. COM (2002) 55 final, 4 February 2002. [EU Commission - COM Document]
UNSPECIFIED (1999) Proposal for a Council Regulation on the conclusion of the Protocol setting out for the period 1 June 1999 to 31 May 2002 the fishing opportunities and the financial contribution provided for in the Agreement between the European Community and the Government of the Democratic Republic of São Tomé e Príncipe on fishing off the coast of São Tomé e Príncipe (presented by the Commission). COM (99) 550 final, 3 November 1999. [EU Commission - COM Document]
UNSPECIFIED (2001) Proposal for a Council Regulation on the conclusion of the Protocol setting out the fishing opportunities and the financial contribution provided for in the Agreement on cooperation in the sea fisheries sector between the European Community and the Islamic Republic of Mauritania for the period 1 August 2001 to 31 July 2006. COM (2001) 590 final, 17 October 2001. [EU Commission - COM Document]
UNSPECIFIED (2002) Proposal for a Council Regulation on the conclusion of the Protocol setting out, for the period from 1 June 2002 to 31 May 2005, the fishing opportunities and the financial contribution provided for by the Agreement between the European Economic Community and the Government of the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe on fishing off the coast of São Tomé and Príncipe. COM (2002) 398 final, 15 July 2002. [EU Commission - COM Document]
UNSPECIFIED (1998) Proposal for a Council decision on the conclusion of an agreement in the form of an exchange of letters concerning the provisional application of the Protocol setting out the fishing opportunities and financial compensation provided for in the Agreement between the European Community and the Republic of Madagascar on fishing off Madagascar for the period from 21 May 1998 to 20 May 2001. Proposal for a Council Regulation (EC) on the conclusion of a Protocol setting out the fishing opportunities and financial contribution provided for in the Agreement between the European Community and the Republic of Madagascar on fishing off Madagascar for the period from 21 May 1998 to 20 May 2001. COM (98) 390 final, 25 June 1998. [EU Commission - COM Document]
UNSPECIFIED (1978) Recommendation for a Council Decision authorizing the Commission to negotiate fisheries agreements with developing countries. COM (78) 731 final, 15 December 1978. [EU Commission - COM Document]
UNSPECIFIED (2009) Analysis of expected consequences for developing countries of the IUU fishing proposed regulation and identification of measures needed to implement the regulation - phase 2. Final report. [EU Commission - Working Document]
UNSPECIFIED (1984) Communication from the Council to the Commission concerning future relations with Greenland: Proposal of a fishery agreement. Memo 9/84. 9 February 1984. [EU Commission - Working Document]
UNSPECIFIED (1984) Fishing Agreement EEC-Seychelles. Memo 4/84. 19 January 1983. [EU Commission - Working Document]
UNSPECIFIED (2011) Framework Contract Fish/2006/20, Specific convention no° 20: ex-post evaluation of the current Protocol to the Fisheries Partnership Agreement (FPA) between the European Community and Solomon Islands including analysis of the impact of the future Protocol. Final Report, 24 August 2009. [EU Commission - Working Document]
UNSPECIFIED (2008) Specific Convention no. 15. Analysis of expected consequences for developing countries of the IUU fishing proposed regulation and identification of measures needed to implement the regulation-phase 2. Terms of references. [EU Commission - Working Document]
UNSPECIFIED (1979) Motion for a Resolution tabled by Mr De Pasquale, Mrs Barbarella, Mr Papapietro, Mr Fanti and Mrs Squarcialupi with request for an early vote pursuant to Rule 47(5) of the Rules of Procedure to wind up the debate on oral Question Doc. 1-299/79 on the Italo-Tunisian bilateral fisheries agreement. Working Documents 1979-1980, Document 1-359/79, 26 September 1979. [EU European Parliament Document]
UNSPECIFIED (1976) Motion for a Resolution tabled by Mr Prescott on behalf of the Socialist Group with request for an immediate vote pursuant to Rule 47(4) of the Rules of Procedure to wind up the debate on oral questions Does 325/76, 326/76 and 327/76 on the extension of the Community Member States' fishing zones to 200 miles on 1 January 1977; fishing agreements with non-Community nations; and a revised Common Fishing Policy. Working Documents 1976-1977, Document 354/76, 13 October 1976. [EU European Parliament Document]
UNSPECIFIED (1982) Motion for a resolution tabled by Mr de Pasquale on behalf of the Communist and Allies Group with request for topical and urgent debate pursuant to Rule 48 of the Rules of Procedure on fisheries agreements in the Mediterranean. Working Documents 1982-1983, Document 1-724/82, 11 October 1982. [EU European Parliament Document]
UNSPECIFIED (1979) Motion for a resolution tabled by Mr. Kanu (Sierra Leone) on ACP-EEC cooperation in fisheries development in the ACP States. ACP-EEC Consultative Assembly working documents 1979-1980, Document ACP-EEC/15/79, 11 October 1979. [EU European Parliament Document]
UNSPECIFIED (1980) Motion for a resolution tabled by Mr. S.H. Kanu (Sierra Leone) on behalf of the Joint Committee on ACP-EEC cooperation in fisheries development in the ACP States - adopted on 27 February 1980 in Arusha; Present: Mr. Ouedraogo et al. ACP-EEC Consultative Assembly working documents 1980-1981, Document ACP-EEC/16/80/rev., 14 May 1980. [EU European Parliament Document]
UNSPECIFIED (1982) Motion for a resolution tabled by Mrs Ewing and Mr Davern, on behalf of the Group of European Progressive Democrats, with request for topical and urgent debate, pursuant to Rule 48 of the Rules of Procedure, on the continued and deplorable absence of a common fisheries policy. Working Documents 1982-1983, Document 1-719/82, 11 October 1982. [EU European Parliament Document]
UNSPECIFIED (1990) Opinion of the Committee on Budgets for the Committee on Agriculture, Fisheries and Rural Development on the proposal from the Commission to the Council for a regulation on the conclusion of the Agreement between the European Economic Community and the Republic of the Ivory Coast on fishing off the Ivory Coast (COM(90) 0374 final - C3-0247/90). Opinion in letter form. Session Documents 1990, Document A3-0269/90/ANNEX, 8 November 1990. [EU European Parliament Document]
UNSPECIFIED (1990) Opinion of the Committee on Budgets for the Committee on Agriculture, Fisheries and Rural Development on the proposal from the Commission to the Council for a regulation on the conclusion of the Agreement between the European Economic Community and the United Republic of Tanzania on fishing off Tanzania (COM(90)0244 final - C3-0206/90). Opinion in form of a letter. Session Documents 1990, Document A3-0268-90/ANNEX, 8 November 1990. [EU European Parliament Document]
d'Ormesson, Olivier (1983) Report drawn up on behalf of the Committee on Agriculture on the proposal from the Commission of the European Communities to the Council (Doc. 1-1195/82 - COM (82) 888 final) for a Regulation laying down certain measures for the conservation and management of fishery resources applicable to vessels flying the flag of certain non-member countries in the 200 nautical mile zone off the coast of the French department of Guyana. Working Documents 1982-1983, Document 1-1320/82, 25 February 1983. [EU European Parliament Document]
Battersby, R. (1984) Report drawn up on behalf of the Committee on Agriculture on the proposal from the Commission of the European Communities to the Council (Doc. 1-132/84 - COM (84) 122 final) for a regulation on the conclusion of the Agreement between the European Economic Community and the Government of the Republic of Seychelles on fishing off Seychelles. Working Documents 1984-85, Document 1-222/84, 7 May 1984. [EU European Parliament Document]
UNSPECIFIED (1984) Report drawn up on behalf of the Committee on Agriculture on the proposal from the Commission of the European Communities to the Council (Doc. 1-1408/83- COM(84) 38 final) for a Decision on the conclusion of the Agreement between the European Economic Community and the Government of the Republic of Senegal amending for the second time the Agreement on fishing off the coast of Senegal, signed on 15 June 1979, and of the new Protocol thereto. Working Documents 1984-85, Document 1-95/84, 9 April 1984. [EU European Parliament Document]
UNSPECIFIED (1980) Report drawn up on behalf of the Committee on Agriculture on the proposal from the Commission of the European Communities to the Council (Doc. 1-363/80) for a regulation laying down certain measures for the conservation and management of fishery resources applicable to vessels flying the flag of certain non- member countries in the 200 nautical-mile zone off the coast of the French department of Guyana. Working Documents 1980-1981, Document 1-537/80, 31 October 1980. [EU European Parliament Document]
Fernex, Solange (1990) Report of the Committee on Agriculture, Fisheries and Rural Development on the Commission proposal for a Council regulation (EEC) on the conclusion of the Protocol setting out the fishing rights and financial compensation provided for in the Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Senegal and the European Economic Community on fishing off the coast of Senegal for the period from 1 May 1990 to 30 April 1992 (COM (90) 0312 final - C3-0240/90). Session Documents 1990, Document A3-349/90, 5 December 1990. [EU European Parliament Document]
Garcia, Vasco (1990) Report of the Committee on Agriculture, Fisheries and Rural Development on the Commission proposal for a Council regulation on the conclusion of the Protocol defining, for the period from 3 May 1990 to 2 May 1992, the fishing opportunities and financial compensation provided for in the Agreement between the European Economic Community and the Government of the People's Republic of Angola on fishing off Angola (COM (90) 307 final). Session Documents 1990, Document A3-0353/90, 5 December 1990. [EU European Parliament Document]
Vazquez Fouz, José (1991) Report of the Committee on Agriculture, Fisheries and Rural Development on the Commission proposal for a Council regulation on the conclusion of the Protocol establishing, for the period from 1 June 1990 to 31 May 1993, the fishing rights and financial compensation provided for in the Agreement between the European Economic Community and the Government of the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome e Principe on fishing off Sao Tome e Principe (COM(90) 429 final - C3-0333/90). Session Documents 1991, Document A3-0061/91, 21 March 1991. [EU European Parliament Document]
Verbeek, Herman A. (1993) Report of the Committee on Agriculture, Fisheries and Rural Development on the proposal from the Commission to the Council for a regulation relating to the conclusion of the Protocol establishing, for the period 1 January 1992 to 30 September 1993, the fishing opportunities and the financial contribution provided for in the Agreement between the EEC and the Government of the People's Republic of Mozambique on fisheries relations (COM(92) 0012 final - C3-0085/92). Session Documents 1993, Document A3-0011/93, 26 January 1993. [EU European Parliament Document]
EU Other
UNSPECIFIED (2001) Special Report No 3/2001 concerning the Commission’s management of the international fisheries agreements, together with the Commission’s replies. Official Journal C 210, 27 July 2001. [EU Other]
This list was generated on Thu Jul 18 02:46:15 2019 EDT.
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0017.json.gz/line1751
|
__label__cc
| 0.605097
| 0.394903
|
Features:Human-friendly design, easy to install and maintain.Patented generator, low torque at start-up, high conversion rate.Low start-up speed, high wind power utilization, low vibration and low noise.Automatically adjust wind direction, high cost-performance. The use of high temperature Teflon wire, die-casting aluminum for the shell material of the generator.Blade built-in copper inserts, bolts will not damage when the nylon fiber damage, it is not e.
Geothermal energy - Just under the earth's crust are massive amounts of thermal energy, which originates from both the original formation of the planet and the radioactive decay of minerals. Geothermal energy in the form of hot springs has been used by humans for millennia for bathing, and now it's being used to generate electricity. In North America alone, there's enough energy stored underground to produce 10 times as much electricity as coal currently does.
You should know that we at Solacity love wind turbines! Can’t get enough of ’em. Where the neighbours see life-threatening, blade-shedding, bat-and-bird killing, noise-making contraptions, we see poetry in motion. Kinetic art at its finest; combining form, movement, and function all in one. We could stare at them for hours, while contemplating the meaning of life, the universe, and everything… and have… until the beer ran out. Despite all the information presented here, we are big fans of small wind turbines. This page is about informing you, so you can make a decision based on fact and not marketing hype.
The journal, Renewable Energy, seeks to promote and disseminate knowledge on the various topics and technologies of renewable energy systems and components. The journal aims to serve researchers, engineers, economists, manufacturers, NGOs, associations and societies to help them keep abreast of new developments in their specialist fields and to apply alternative energy solutions to current practices.
Marine energy (also sometimes referred to as ocean energy) refers to the energy carried by ocean waves, tides, salinity, and ocean temperature differences. The movement of water in the world's oceans creates a vast store of kinetic energy, or energy in motion. This energy can be harnessed to generate electricity to power homes, transport and industries. The term marine energy encompasses both wave power – power from surface waves, and tidal power – obtained from the kinetic energy of large bodies of moving water. Reverse electrodialysis (RED) is a technology for generating electricity by mixing fresh river water and salty sea water in large power cells designed for this purpose; as of 2016 it is being tested at a small scale (50 kW). Offshore wind power is not a form of marine energy, as wind power is derived from the wind, even if the wind turbines are placed over water. The oceans have a tremendous amount of energy and are close to many if not most concentrated populations. Ocean energy has the potential of providing a substantial amount of new renewable energy around the world.[165]
The early development of solar technologies starting in the 1860s was driven by an expectation that coal would soon become scarce. Charles Fritts installed the world's first rooftop photovoltaic solar array, using 1%-efficient selenium cells, on a New York City roof in 1884.[28] However, development of solar technologies stagnated in the early 20th century in the face of the increasing availability, economy, and utility of coal and petroleum.[29] In 1974 it was estimated that only six private homes in all of North America were entirely heated or cooled by functional solar power systems.[30] The 1973 oil embargo and 1979 energy crisis caused a reorganization of energy policies around the world and brought renewed attention to developing solar technologies.[31][32] Deployment strategies focused on incentive programs such as the Federal Photovoltaic Utilization Program in the US and the Sunshine Program in Japan. Other efforts included the formation of research facilities in the United States (SERI, now NREL), Japan (NEDO), and Germany (Fraunhofer–ISE).[33] Between 1970 and 1983 installations of photovoltaic systems grew rapidly, but falling oil prices in the early 1980s moderated the growth of photovoltaics from 1984 to 1996.
A regular alternator out of a car needs to be modified to produce anything meaningful above a few volts if any at low RPM. If this guy is not totally bullshit lieing, he is using a modified PMA alternator (permanent magnet alternator) and if not the voltage he is so proudly showing is actually a voltage drop caused by the alternator using power to power it's field coil. This is very misleading to newcomers to the field of renewable energy and makes a mockery of it. And if he really wanted to help people build this he would have should people how to wire the alternator up . Including explaining things like the wires on the regulator the ignition switch , the stator and the field wires. This is why rednecks laugh at liberals because they see shit like this. .
Advertising Architecture Art Business City College programs Community Design Ecovillage Education for Sustainable Development Fashion Gardening Geopark Green marketing Industries Landscape architecture Living Low-impact development Sustainable market Organizations Packaging Practices Procurement Tourism Transport Urban drainage systems Urban infrastructure Urbanism
DOE selected six companies for its 2007 Green Power Supplier Awards, including Constellation NewEnergy; 3Degrees; Sterling Planet; SunEdison; Pacific Power and Rocky Mountain Power; and Silicon Valley Power. The combined green power provided by those six winners equals more than 5 billion kilowatt-hours per year, which is enough to power nearly 465,000 average U.S. households. In 2014, Arcadia Power made RECS available to homes and businesses in all 50 states, allowing consumers to use "100% green power" as defined by the EPA's Green Power Partnership.[86][87]
In Texas, the top energy sources had long been coal, natural gas and nuclear. But, perhaps surprisingly, the Lone Star State also leads the nation in wind power; capacity doubled between 2010 and 2017, surpassing nuclear and coal and now accounting for nearly a quarter of all the wind energy in the United States. Solar production has been increasing, too. By the end of last year, Texas ranked ninth in the nation on that front.
U.S. President Barack Obama's American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 includes more than $70 billion in direct spending and tax credits for clean energy and associated transportation programs. Leading renewable energy companies include First Solar, Gamesa, GE Energy, Hanwha Q Cells, Sharp Solar, Siemens, SunOpta, Suntech Power, and Vestas.[142]
The US National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), in harmonizing the disparate estimates of life-cycle GHG emissions for solar PV, found that the most critical parameter was the solar insolation of the site: GHG emissions factors for PV solar are inversely proportional to insolation.[125] For a site with insolation of 1700 kWh/m2/year, typical of southern Europe, NREL researchers estimated GHG emissions of 45 gCO2e/kWh. Using the same assumptions, at Phoenix, USA, with insolation of 2400 kWh/m2/year, the GHG emissions factor would be reduced to 32 g of CO2e/kWh.[126]
The picture the company is using to sell this on Amazon is not of the turbine they are selling, but a picture of the best-selling South-West Windpower Air X turbine and I bought this item believing it to be this turbine. I also have one of these turbines which has run faultlessly now for 7 years. I am very disappointed with the Sunforce and often feel like throwing into the sea! It's a piece of junk!!
Wind turbines need wind. Not just any wind, but the nicely flowing, smooth, laminar kind. That cannot be found at 30 feet height. It can usually not be found at 60 feet. Sometimes you find it at 80 feet. More often than not it takes 100 feet of tower to get there. Those towers cost as much or more, installed, as the turbine itself. How much tower you need for a wind turbine to live up to its potential depends on your particular site; on the trees and structures around it etc. Close to the ground the wind is turbulent, and makes a poor fuel for a small wind turbine.
A more recent concept for improving our electrical grid is to beam microwaves from Earth-orbiting satellites or the moon to directly when and where there is demand. The power would be generated from solar energy captured on the lunar surface In this system, the receivers would be "broad, translucent tent-like structures that would receive microwaves and convert them to electricity". NASA said in 2000 that the technology was worth pursuing but it is still too soon to say if the technology will be cost-effective.[77]
All these electrical machines are electromechanical devices that work on Faraday’s law of electromagnetic induction. That is they operate through the interaction of a magnetic flux and an electric current, or flow of charge. As this process is reversible, the same machine can be used as a conventional electrical motor for converting the electrical power into mechanical power, or as a generator converting the mechanical power back into the electrical power.
From 1978 to 1996, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory experimented with producing algae fuel in the "Aquatic Species Program."[112] A self-published article by Michael Briggs, at the University of New Hampshire Biofuels Group, offers estimates for the realistic replacement of all motor vehicle fuel with biofuels by utilizing algae that have a natural oil content greater than 50%, which Briggs suggests can be grown on algae ponds at wastewater treatment plants.[113] This oil-rich algae can then be extracted from the system and processed into biofuels, with the dried remainder further reprocessed to create ethanol. The production of algae to harvest oil for biofuels has not yet been undertaken on a commercial scale, but feasibility studies have been conducted to arrive at the above yield estimate. During the biofuel production process algae actually consumes the carbon dioxide in the air and turns it into oxygen through photosynthesis.[114] In addition to its projected high yield, algaculture— unlike food crop-based biofuels — does not entail a decrease in food production, since it requires neither farmland nor fresh water. Many companies are pursuing algae bio-reactors for various purposes, including scaling up biofuels production to commercial levels.[115][116]
The ability of biomass and biofuels to contribute to a reduction in CO2 emissions is limited because both biomass and biofuels emit large amounts of air pollution when burned and in some cases compete with food supply. Furthermore, biomass and biofuels consume large amounts of water.[200] Other renewable sources such as wind power, photovoltaics, and hydroelectricity have the advantage of being able to conserve water, lower pollution and reduce CO2 emissions.
There is no energy in the wind at those wind speeds, nothing to harvest for the turbine. While it may make you feel good to see your expensive yard toy spin, it is not doing anything meaningful in a breeze like that: To give you some idea, a wind turbine with a diameter of 6 meters (pretty large as small wind turbines go) can realistically produce just 120 Watt at 3.5 m/s wind speed. That same turbine would be rated at 6 kW (or more, see the next section), so energy production at cut-in really is just a drop in the bucket. What is more, due to the way grid-tie inverters work, you are about as likely to be loosing energy around cut-in wind speed to keep the inverter powered, as you are in making any energy, resulting in a net-loss of electricity production.
The Solar updraft tower is a renewable-energy power plant for generating electricity from low temperature solar heat. Sunshine heats the air beneath a very wide greenhouse-like roofed collector structure surrounding the central base of a very tall chimney tower. The resulting convection causes a hot air updraft in the tower by the chimney effect. This airflow drives wind turbines placed in the chimney updraft or around the chimney base to produce electricity. Plans for scaled-up versions of demonstration models will allow significant power generation, and may allow development of other applications, such as water extraction or distillation, and agriculture or horticulture. A more advanced version of a similarly themed technology is the Vortex engine which aims to replace large physical chimneys with a vortex of air created by a shorter, less-expensive structure.
Floating solar arrays are PV systems that float on the surface of drinking water reservoirs, quarry lakes, irrigation canals or remediation and tailing ponds. A small number of such systems exist in France, India, Japan, South Korea, the United Kingdom, Singapore and the United States.[168][169][170][171][172] The systems are said to have advantages over photovoltaics on land. The cost of land is more expensive, and there are fewer rules and regulations for structures built on bodies of water not used for recreation. Unlike most land-based solar plants, floating arrays can be unobtrusive because they are hidden from public view. They achieve higher efficiencies than PV panels on land, because water cools the panels. The panels have a special coating to prevent rust or corrosion.[173] In May 2008, the Far Niente Winery in Oakville, California, pioneered the world's first floatovoltaic system by installing 994 solar PV modules with a total capacity of 477 kW onto 130 pontoons and floating them on the winery's irrigation pond.[174] Utility-scale floating PV farms are starting to be built. Kyocera will develop the world's largest, a 13.4 MW farm on the reservoir above Yamakura Dam in Chiba Prefecture[175] using 50,000 solar panels.[176][177] Salt-water resistant floating farms are also being constructed for ocean use.[178] The largest so far announced floatovoltaic project is a 350 MW power station in the Amazon region of Brazil.[179]
The stator is the “stationary” (hence its name) part of the machine and can have either a set of electrical windings producing an electromagnet or a set of permanent magnets within its design. The rotor is the part of the machine that “rotates”. Again, the rotor can have output coils that rotate or permanent magnets. Generally, generators and alternators used for wind turbine generators are defined by how they make generate their magnetism, either electromagnets or permanent magnets.
Solar contractors face many decisions when it comes to finding the best solar design. One important consideration is determining whether to use module-level power electronics (microinverters or DC optimizers). Once costly specialty products, module-level power electronics have made great strides in the last decade and are rapidly growing in popularity. And there’s good reason for…
Space-Based Solar Power Satellites seek to overcome the problems of storage and provide civilization-scale power that is clean, constant, and global. Japan and China have active national programs aimed at commercial scale Space-Based Solar Power (SBSP), and both nation's hope to orbit demonstrations in the 2030s. The China Academy of Space Technology (CAST) won the 2015 International SunSat Design Competition with this video of their Multi-Rotary Joint design. Proponents of SBSP claim that Space-Based Solar Power would be clean, constant, and global, and could scale to meet all planetary energy demand.[56] A recent multi-agency industry proposal (echoing the 2008 Pentagon recommendation) won the SECDEF/SECSTATE/USAID Director D3 (Diplomacy, Development, Defense) Innovation Challenge [57] with the following pitch and vision video.[132] Northrop Grumman is funding CALTECH with $17.5 million[133] for an ultra lightweight design.[134] Keith Henson posted a video of a "bootstrapping" approach.
Wind turbines are generally inexpensive. They will produce electricity at between two and six cents per kilowatt hour, which is one of the lowest-priced renewable energy sources.[72] And as technology needed for wind turbines continues to improve, the prices will decrease as well. In addition, there is no competitive market for wind energy, as it does not cost money to get ahold of wind.[72] The main cost of wind turbines are the installation process. The average cost is between $48,000 and $65,000 to install. However, the energy harvested from the turbine will offset the installation cost, as well as provide virtually free energy for years after.[73]
The majority of the energy we use when we perform daily work, social and home activities comes from sources that cause pollution. Just Energy can help you reduce your carbon footprint and achieve a sustainable lifestyle. From our processes and standards to the services offered, we look to create cleaner, more sustainable communities across North America. Explore the pages of our Green Center below to learn more about what you can do to help the environment!
flywheel energy storage, pumped-storage hydroelectricity is more usable in stationary applications (e.g. to power homes and offices). In household power systems, conversion of energy can also be done to reduce smell. For example, organic matter such as cow dung and spoilable organic matter can be converted to biochar. To eliminate emissions, carbon capture and storage is then used.
“As Trump’s Tariffs Raise the Cost of Solar Installations, Elon Musk and Tesla Cut Their Prices” • Tesla, unmoved by tariffs, is reducing prices on its solar systems 10–20% in recognition of the progress it has made streamlining its solar sales process by integrating Tesla Energy products into its existing high-traffic storefronts. [Red, Green, and Blue]
It all started in Vermont in 1997. Our passion for protecting the environment led us to our mission: to use the power of consumer choice to change the way power is made. Today, as the longest-serving renewable energy retailer, we remain committed to sustainability every step of the way. By offering only products with an environmental benefit and operating with a zero-carbon footprint, we’re living our promise to the planet, inside and out.
Electricity produced by wind generators can be used directly, as in water pumping applications, or it can be stored in batteries for later use. Wind generators can be used alone, or they may be used as part of a hybrid system, in which their output is combined with that of solar panels, and /or a fossil fuel generator. Hybrid systems are especially useful for winter backup of home systems where cloudy weather and windy conditions occur simultaneously.
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0017.json.gz/line1752
|
__label__wiki
| 0.633733
| 0.633733
|
Bio in Brief
Bio in Three Acts
Ann by Numbers
In Performance
Music, Lyrics, Songs
One Woman Shows
Opera and Ballet
Workshop Leader
Ann Mortifee
Member, Order of Canada. Singer/songwriter Ann Mortifee has a marvellous vocal range that thrills listeners, while her emotionally powerful poetry is deeply stirring. A multi-talented composer of musicals, ballet scores and scripts for stage and television, her music offers a sense of social awareness, and her concerts benefit a wide range of worthy causes from the peace movement to environmental protection.
Crofton House School Alumnae Award
http://annmortifee.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Le-Bourgeois-Gentleman-2-1-1024x818.jpg 1024 818 Ann Mortifee Ann Mortifee http://0.gravatar.com/avatar/0c8e3e8717c6bb8fc2e94cb6f1d38ac7?s=96&d=mm&r=g February 22, 2018 February 22, 2018
My launch into musical theatre can be traced to the old gymnasium of Crofton House School in Vancouver where I appeared in a production of Moliere’s timeless comedy, Le Bourgeois Gentleman. My dear Dad had these vintage photos tucked away, and I remember how proud he and my mother were when I was awarded ‘Best Actor’.
On March 2nd I’m returning to the school to receive another award! To my surprise and honour I have been selected as the recipient of the Crofton House School 2018 Alumnae Lifetime Achievement Award. The Alumnae Junior Achievement Award recipient is Dr. Isabel Chen, and it will be a great honour to share the stage with this remarkable young woman.
Alumnae Lifetime Achievement Award 2018
Crofton House School and the CHS Alumnae Association are pleased to present this year’s Alumnae Achievement Award winners. The Alumnae Lifetime Achievement Award is presented to an alumna in recognition of her outstanding dedication and accomplishment toward her life’s work. The Alumnae Junior Achievement Award is presented to a young alumna, under 40 years of age, in recognition of her accomplishments in making a difference in the lives of others.
Ann Mortifee C.M. ’65
The Crofton House School Alumnae Association is pleased to announce the 2018 Alumnae Lifetime Achievement Award winner – Ann Mortifee C.M. ’65 for her outstanding accomplishments in the performing arts and her tireless work raising awareness towards a wide range of social and environmental issues.
Ann graduated from Crofton House in 1965 and began her career in the performing arts. Ann has composed a number of musicals, as well as scores for ballets, operas and award-winning television specials; she has written over 300 songs and has recorded 10 albums.
In addition to receiving multiple nominations for Genie and Juno Awards, Ann has also been the recipient of numerous awards and distinctions, including the Order of Canada (1991), YWCA Woman of Distinction Award (1992), and the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal (2012). In the midst of her successful musical career, Ann realized music’s power to raise social awareness for a variety of causes that range from world peace to the environment. In addition to her dedicated work with patients in palliative care, Ann has brought monumental awareness to the power of self, the necessity of environmental protection and the importance of social innovation.
In addition to her great contributions and promotion of care for patients in palliative care through her Healing Journey projects, Ann facilitates consciousness workshops and has co-founded two foundations for social innovation and environmental awareness.
Singer Ann Mortifee is a genre unto herself. Blessed with a remarkable four-octave range and a gift for impacting hearts with her music and lyrics, her albums, concerts, full-length musicals, scores (ballet, film, opera, TV), and In Love with the Mystery book have generated national/international distinctions and awards. She is an Order of Canada Member, the country’s highest civilian honour. A world traveller, compelling storyteller, and sought-after keynote speaker for major conferences, Ann creates and facilitates inspiring arts and consciousness workshops and co-founded two foundations - for social innovation and for forestry conservation. Based in BC, Ann is the wife of the late jazz flutist, Paul Horn.
All stories by: Ann Mortifee
Give Peace a Dance – March 2, 2018
Don’t Miss Out! March 11th in Nanaimo
“Dancing on Uneven Ground” Book Launch
Divine Feminine Workshop in Toronto – Oct. 2018
Ann Signs her Books: In Love with the Mystery
The Elephant is A Spiritual Entity
Eskova Enterprises
16 E. Cordova St. Suite B Vancouver BC V6A 1K2
eskova@annmortifee.com
www.annmortifee.com
Site content and design by Barbara Constantine and Carol Sill
copyright 2016 Eskova Enterprises, With for WordPress
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0017.json.gz/line1754
|
__label__cc
| 0.58748
| 0.41252
|
Sarah Lupton
Sarah Lupton is a documentary film and television producer based out of New York City. She has worked on many projects in collaboration with directors Ricki Stern and Annie Sundberg of Break Thru Films, including Let Them Wear Towels (2013), on which she was a producer and writer. Most recently, she was Senior Producer on Ovation TV’s 6-part docu-series called The Fashion Fund (2014). Prior to her work on Let Them Wear Towels, she was Associate Producer of Knuckleball! (2012). She is currently producing a 7-part web series for Epicurious.com (Summer, 2014) and will be attending Wake Forest School of Business in the fall, where she was selected as a Dean’s Scholar for the Class of 2016.
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0017.json.gz/line1758
|
__label__cc
| 0.650293
| 0.349707
|
Samuel Gompers papers
Gompers, Samuel, 1850-1924
11 linear feet (10 boxes, 42 v., 1 oversize folder)
Materials in English
Samuel Gompers papers, Manuscripts and Archives Division, The New York Public Library
Samuel Gompers (1850-1924), labor leader, was president of the American Federation of Labor (AFL) from the year of its founding in 1886 until 1924. Collection consists of scrapbooks, testimonials and memorials, photographs, certificates, printed matter, and ephemera. Scrapbooks contain correspondence and clippings related to Gompers's public and private life. Testimonials, memorials and certificates are tributes to his activities. Also, photographs of Gompers and various groups, membership cards, dues books, artifacts, and ephemera.
Samuel Gompers (1835-1924) was born in London but came to the United States in 1863. He was influential in organizing the American Federation of Labor, and was president from the year of its founding in 1886 until 1924 with the exception of the year 1895.
The Samuel Gompers Papers consist of Scrapbooks (1914-1925), Testimonials (1911 & 1917), Memorials (1924-1925), Photograph Albums (1918; 1886-1927) - Various Certificates (1909-1923) - Photographs - Artifacts - Ephemera, and Invitations - Membership Cards - Dues Books (ca. 1886-1924); in addition, there is an oversize certificate (1894) in the Charter Case. The 42 scrapbook volumes are in two parts, occasional correspondence and clippings. The occasional correspondence is concerned with both public and private events in Gomper's life. Along with incoming correspondence are. press-releases and printed matter. There is one scrapbook of political cartoons with other papers included. The 31 boxes of clippings do not contain much else other than printed matter. Three boxes of unbound scrapbook pages contain letters and clippings concerned with the occasions of various deaths in Gomper's family and of birthday celebrations. Placed at the end of the scrapbook material is a file of outgoing letters, 1893-1907, and a biographical sketch, 1893, removed from Personal Miscellaneous. The letters are part of the microfilm of Gompers letters in other New York Public Library holdings. The Testimonials are three items. There are two bound testimonials; the first was presented to Gompers by the California State Federation of Labor, ca. 1911. The second testimonial commemorates Gomper's 50th wedding anniversary in 1917; it is kept in its original mahogony case. The third is an album of letters and resolutions from the occasion of the 1917 celebration. The Memorials are a bound memorial dedicated to Gompers by the Brotherhood of Painters, Decorators, and Paperhangers of America, and a large album of letters and other papers at the time of his last illness and death. One of the Photograph Albums consists of portraits of Gompers and various group pictures. The second album was presented to Gompers in 1918 by the Italian Supreme Command. This series also contains various Certificates and other documents, including three Italian salutations, two of which are on vellum. Photographs include loose items found in the front of the first of the photograph albums described above. In addition, there is a large autograph portrait of Gompers. A few minor Artifacts and Ephemera are also included in this series. Finally, there are Invitations, arranged alphabetically, Membership cards of fraternal organizations, and Dues books of the Cigarmakers International Union.
Five series: I. Scrapbooks, 1914-1925; II. Testimonials, 1911 & 1917; III. Memorials, 1924-1925; IV. Photograph Albums, 1886-1927, Certificates, Photographs, Artifacts, Ephemera; V. Invitations, Membership Cards, Dues Books, ca. 1886-1924
1926, Received from American Federation of Labor.
Accessioned by JT, 5/27/1988.
Gompers family
American Federation of Labor
American Labor Mission to Europe
Labor unions -- United States
Working class -- Europe
Working class -- United States
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0017.json.gz/line1761
|
__label__cc
| 0.725991
| 0.274009
|
TechCrunch Equity: Lauren Kolodny on SurveyMonkey's IPO, Toyota's investment in Uber, and the latest on the electric vehicle market
[Listen on TechCrunch]
Hello and welcome back to Equity, TechCrunch’s venture capital-focused podcast where we unpack the numbers behind the headlines.
This week, we were a man down, with the excellent Alex Wilhelm of Crunchbase News on a vacation that someone seems to have sanctioned, though it was not us, as we don’t believe in vacations. (Wilhelm, get back here.) We did, happily, have the very knowledgeable Kirsten Korosec of TechCrunch join us on the line; we were also joined by this week’s personable in-studio guest: Lauren Kolodny, a partner at the San Francisco-based, early-stage venture firm Aspect Ventures.
It was the perfect mix to talk about car makers and more car makers, including Tesla and CEO Elon Musk’s seemingly ill-planned plans to take the publicly traded company private, then vacillating a bit before changing his mind again, much to the chagrin of his board, the company’s shareholders, and poor Kirsten, who was trying to enjoy her evening last Friday when Musk decided (for now) to leave well enough alone and drop the whole cockamamie idea of switching out Tesla’s investor base.
We also talked about Toyota’s announcement this week that it’s sinking $500 million into Uber and forming an intriguing if confusing driverless-car pact in the process. And we lingered on Nio, a four-year-old, Shanghai-based electric car vehicle that, if it has its way, will begin trading on the New York Stock Exchange in roughly two weeks — even though it only made $7 million in the first half of this year and reported a net loss of $503 million. Who’s counting, though? Not U.S. investors, it hopes.
Speaking of IPOs, we knew we’d be remiss not to talk about the IPO filing this week of SurveyMonkey, a now 19-year-old, San Mateo, Calif., company that’s beloved by both personal and business users of its analytical tools and surveys, but which is stillnot making money, owing in part to expensive debt that the company is currently servicing (and will pay down using its IPO proceeds). Will public shareholders embrace the company, which was valued at $2 billion during its last private round in 2014 but whose value has subsequently been marked down by fully 25 percent since by fund manager Fidelity? Stay tuned!
We did not get to our favorite topic of scooters, running out of time to chat about this major development and also this one. Knowing how much we love to toot about les scoots, rest assured that they will back next week, as will we, so tune in again then!
Melinda Gates: Why I’m betting on diversity
Financial Times special report: Female investors hold the keys to change
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0017.json.gz/line1765
|
__label__wiki
| 0.867491
| 0.867491
|
Google Now Searches JavaScript
Posted by News Fetcher on May 26 '12 at 12:30 AM
By timothy from Slashdot's watch-for-the-scriptview-vans department:
mikejuk writes "Google has been improving the way that its Googlebot searches dynamic web pages for some time — but it seems to be causing some added interest just at the moment. In the past Google has encouraged developers to avoid using JavaScript to deliver content or links to content because of the difficulty of indexing dynamic content. Over time, however, the Googlebot has incorporated ways of searching content that is provided via JavaScript. Now it seems that it has got so good at the task Google is asking us to allow the Googlebot to scan the JavaScript used by our sites. Working with JavaScript means that the Googlebot has to actually download and run the scripts and this is more complicated than you might think. This has led to speculation of whether or not it might be possible to include JavaScript on a site that could use the Google cloud to compute something. For example, imagine that you set up a JavaScript program to compute the n-digits of Pi, or a BitCoin miner, and had the result formed into a custom URL — which the Googlebot would then try to access as part of its crawl. By looking at, say, the query part of the URL in the log you might be able to get back a useful result."
A Wrinkle For Biometric Systems: Irises Change Over Time
Posted by News Fetcher on May 25 '12 at 11:15 PM
By timothy from Slashdot's love-the-way-your-eyes-formerly-sparkled department:
scibri writes "The iris scanners that are used to police immigration in some countries, like the UK, are based on the premise that your irises don't change over your lifetime. But it seems that assumption is wrong. Researchers from the University of Notre Dame have found that irises do indeed change over time, enough so that the failure rate jumps by 153% over three years. While that means a rise from just 1 in 2 million to 2.5 in two million, imagine how that will affect a system like India's — which already has 200 million people enrolled — over 10 years."
Australian IT Price Hike Inquiry Kicks Off: Submissions Wanted
By timothy from Slashdot's show-us-what-part-of-your-wallet-they-touched department:
New submitter wirelessduck writes "After some recent complaints from a Labor MP about price markups on software and technology devices in Australia, Federal Government agencies decided to look in to the matter and an official parliamentary inquiry into the issue was started. 'The Federal Parliament's inquiry into local price markups on technology goods and services has gotten under way, with the committee overseeing the initiative issuing its terms of reference and calling for submissions from the general public on the issue.'"
Sound Increases the Efficiency of Boiling
By timothy from Slashdot's centerfold-for-the-journal-of-boiling-research department:
hessian writes "Scientists at the Georgia Institute of Technology achieved a 17-percent increase in boiling efficiency by using an acoustic field to enhance heat transfer. The acoustic field does this by efficiently removing vapor bubbles from the heated surface and suppressing the formation of an insulating vapor film."
Free Desktop Software Development Dead In Windows 8
By timothy from Slashdot's look-but-hardly-touch department:
benfrog writes "Microsoft has decided to restrict Visual Studio 11 Express, the free-to-use version of its integrated development environment, to producing only Metro-style applications. Those who would like to produce conventional desktop applications or command line -based applications are stuck with Visual Studio 2010 or buying the full version. Microsoft announced the Visual Studio 11 lineup last week."
Ask Slashdot: Why Not Linux For Security?
By timothy from Slashdot's you-just-haven't-earned-it-yet-baby department:
An anonymous reader writes "In Friday's story about IBM's ban on Cloud storage there was much agreement, such as: 'My company deals with financial services. We are not allowed to access Dropbox either.' So why isn't Linux the first choice for all financial services? I don't know any lawyers, financial advisers, banks, etc., that don't use Windows. I switched to Linux in 2005 — I'm well aware that it's not perfect. But the compromises have been so trivial compared to the complete relief from dealing with Windows security failings. Even if we set aside responsibility and liability, business already do spend a lot of money and time on trying to secure Windows, and cleaning up after it. Linux/Unix should already be a first choice for the business world, yet it's barely even known of. It doesn't make sense. Please discuss; this could use some real insight. And let's at least try to make the flames +5 funny."
BitTorrent Traffic Falls In the U.S.
By timothy from Slashdot's mulhulland-falls-too department:
First time accepted submitter CAKAS writes "After legal actions taken by several industry outfits, BitTorrent traffic has fallen in the United States to the all time low of 12.7 percent of internet traffic. However, this trend seems to be unique to the U.S. — In other parts of the world, like Europe and Asia, BitTorrent traffic continues to rise. 'According to Sandvine, the absence of legal alternatives is one of the reasons for these high P2P traffic shares.' In the U.S. legal content delivery has flourished and provided customers easy access to content. This seems to suggest that due to these alternatives, people are less willing to pirate and pay the publishers for entertainment." (Calling it an "all-time low" seems a stretch, when talking about something released in 2001.)
Dark Days Ahead For Facebook and Google?
By timothy from Slashdot's feel-free-to-send-me-your-discarded-shares department:
An anonymous reader writes "Dallas Mavericks owner and media entrepreneur Mark Cuban thinks he knows the reason for Facebook's disappointing IPO; smart money has realized that 'mobile is going to crush Facebook', as the world's population increasingly accesses the Internet mostly through smartphones and tablets. Cuban notes that the limited screen real estate hampers the branding and ad placement that Google and Facebook are accustomed to when serving to desktop browsers, while phone plans typically have strict data limits, so subscribers won't necessarily take kindly to YouTube or other video ads. Forbes' Eric Jackson likewise sees a generational shift to mobile that will produce a new set of winners at the expense of Facebook and Google."
Battle Brewing Over Labeling of Genetically Modified Food
By Soulskill from Slashdot's foooooood-fiiiiiiight department:
gollum123 writes with this excerpt from the NY Times:
"For more than a decade, almost all processed foods in the United States — cereals, snack foods, salad dressings — have contained ingredients from plants whose DNA was manipulated in a laboratory. Regulators and many scientists say these pose no danger. But as Americans ask more pointed questions about what they are eating, popular suspicions about the health and environmental effects of biotechnology are fueling a movement to require that food from genetically modified crops be labeled, if not eliminated. The most closely watched labeling effort is a proposed ballot initiative in California that cleared a crucial hurdle this month, setting the stage for a probable November vote that could influence not just food packaging but the future of American agriculture. Tens of millions of dollars are expected to be spent on the election showdown. It pits consumer groups and the organic food industry, both of which support mandatory labeling, against more conventional farmers, agricultural biotechnology companies like Monsanto and many of the nation's best-known food brands like Kellogg's and Kraft."
Texter Not Responsible For Textee's Car Accident, Rules Judge
By Soulskill from Slashdot's sdn-otbrk-of-cmn-sns department:
linuxwrangler writes "After mowing down a motorcycling couple while distracted by texting, Kyle Best received a slap on the wrist. The couple's attorney then sued Best's girlfriend, Shannon Colonna, for exchanging messages with him when he was driving. They argued that while she was not physically present, she was 'electronically present.' In good news for anyone who sends server-status, account-alerts or originates a call, text or email of any type that could be received by a mobile device, the judge dismissed the plantiff's claims against the woman."
Free News Unsustainable, Says Warren Buffett
By Soulskill from Slashdot's there-ain't-no-such-thing-as-a-free-article department:
Koreantoast writes "Warren Buffett, whose Berkshire Hathaway recently purchased 63 newspapers and plans to purchase more over the next few years, noted during an interview that the current free content model is unsustainable and will likely continue pushing toward more electronic subscription models. This coincides with moves by other newspaper companies like Gannett and the New York Times, which are also erecting paywall systems. Buffett notes that newspapers focusing on local content will have a unique product, which would succeed even if they lose subscribers, because their services are irreplaceable. Is this the beginning of the end of 'free content' for local news?"
Curt Schilling Fires Entire Staff At 38 Studios
By Soulskill from Slashdot's remembered-the-c-this-time department:
redletterdave writes "On Thursday, former Boston Red Sox pitcher and tech entrepreneur Curt Schilling fired his entire staff at 38 Studios, his Rhode Island-based video game company, leaving more than 300 employees without jobs because the company couldn't repay its debt to the state. 38 Studios failed to pay Rhode Island's economic development agency $1.1 million, which was due last week, and also failed to meet payroll for its staff in both its Providence office and its Maryland subsidiary, Big Huge Games."
The company's recent action RPG, Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning, sold 1.2 million copies — which would have been great if they hadn't needed to sell 3 million to break even. An article at Massively goes through some of the lessons the video game industry needs to learn from this situation.
Bessel Beam 'Tractor Beam' Concept Theoretically Demonstrated
By Soulskill from Slashdot's finally-asked-wil-wheaton-for-help department:
cylonlover writes "Last year, NASA revealed it was evaluating three potential 'tractor beam' technologies to deliver planetary or atmospheric particles to a robotic rover or orbiting spacecraft. At the time, the third of these, which involved the use of a Bessel beam, only existed on paper. Researchers at Singapore's Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) have now proven the theory behind the concept, demonstrating how a tractor beam can be realized in the real world – albeit on a very small scale (abstract)."
Are Porn and Video Games Ruining a Generation?
By Soulskill from Slashdot's won't-somebody-think-of-the-manchildren department:
silentbrad writes "An editorial published at CNN is titled 'The Demise of Guys: How Videogames and Porn are Ruining a Generation.' It makes the sensationalized case that not only do game addiction and porn addiction share similar characteristics, but they're also both damaging to young men, destroying their ability to connect with women, and therefore threatening the future of our entire species. A response by IGN dissects the idea that pornography and videogames are pretty much the same thing. 'The article, by psychologist Philip G. Zimbardo and Nikita Duncan argues that young men are "hooked on arousal, sacrificing their schoolwork and relationships in the pursuit of getting a tech-based buzz."' Zimbardo, has danced this jig before. At the Long Beach TED conference last year he told a delighted audience that "guys are wiping out socially with girls and sexually with women." He added that young men have been so zombiefied by games and porn that they are unable to function in basic human interactions. "It's a social awkwardness like a stranger in a foreign land", he said. "They don't know what to say. They don't know what to do."'"
Court Ruling Shuts Down Australian Cloud TV Recorders
By Soulskill from Slashdot's shut-down-down-under department:
joshgnosis writes "In the wake of an Australian Federal Court ruling last month that free-to-air TV recording app Optus TV Now was infringing on the copyright of some of the country's biggest sports broadcasts, two other services — Beem and MyTVR have also been forced to suspend their services. Beem lashed out at the ruling, telling customers that their rights had been 'diminished' by the judgment and rights owners were 'scared' of cloud-based TV recording services in the same way they once were of VCRs."
Where's HAL 9000?
By Soulskill from Slashdot's i'm-sorry-dave,-i'm-dolphin-grill-antifreeze department:
An anonymous reader writes "With entrants to this year's Loebner Prize, the annual Turing Test designed to identify a thinking machine, demonstrating that chatbots are still a long way from passing as convincing humans, this article asks: what happened to the quest to develop a strong AI? 'The problem Loebner has is that computer scientists in universities and large tech firms, the people with the skills and resources best-suited to building a machine capable of acting like a human, are generally not focused on passing the Turing Test. ... And while passing the Turing Test would be a landmark achievement in the field of AI, the test’s focus on having the computer have to fool a human is a distraction. Prominent AI researchers, like Google’s head of R&D Peter Norvig, have compared the Turing Test’s requirement that a machine fools a judge into thinking they are talking to a human as akin to demanding an aircraft maker constructs a plane that is indistinguishable from a bird."
Photographer Threatened With Legal Action After Asserting His Copyright
By Soulskill from Slashdot's picture-of-surprise department:
New submitter JamieKitson writes "Photographer Jay Lee got more than he bargained for after sending some DMCA takedown notifications out to hosts of sites using one of his pictures. One Candice Shwagger accused him of everything from conspiracy over local sheriff elections to child abuse. Since Candice is now threatening legal action, Jay has said he'll take down the post, so here's a snap shot. After reading the story, I checked for use of my own pictures and found one of them being used on a review site without even a credit."
Higher Hard Drive Prices Are the New Normal
By Soulskill from Slashdot's sorry-about-your-luck department:
An anonymous reader tips an article looking at the state of HDD pricing now that the market has had time to recover from the flooding in Thailand and a round of consolidation among manufacturers. Prices have certainly declined from the high they reached during the flooding, but they've stabilized a bit higher than they were beforehand. Quoting:
"Are things going to change any time soon? We doubt it. WD and Seagate both reported record profits this past quarter. In Q1 2011, Western Digital reported net profit of $146M against sales of $2.3B while Seagate recorded $2.7B in revenue and $93 million in net income. That’s a net profit margin of 6% and 3%, respectively. For this past quarter, Western Digital reported sales of $3B (thanks in part to its acquisition of Hitachi) and a net income of $483 million, while Seagate hit $4.4B in revenue and $1.1B in profits. Net margin was 16% and 37% respectively. With profit margins like this, the hard drive manufacturers are going to be loath to cut prices. After years of barely making profits, the Thailand floods are the best excuse ever to drive record income for a few quarters. All of this means that while we expect prices to gradually decline, holding off on a necessary purchase doesn’t make much sense."
IBM's Ban on Dropbox and iCloud Highlights Cloud Security Issues
By Soulskill from Slashdot's data-sovereignty department:
IBM has forbidden its employees from using cloud-based services such as Siri, Dropbox and iCloud, according to reports. These products (along with many others) are presenting a challenge to IT administrators who want to keep their organizations secure, as well as to consumer-software developers who suddenly need to build features with both consumers and businesses in mind.
Fire May Leave US Nuclear Sub Damaged Beyond Repair
By Soulskill from Slashdot's captain-won't-order-a-hot-sub-for-lunch-again department:
Hugh Pickens writes "AP reports that a fire that swept through a nuclear-powered submarine in dry dock at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard has caused such extensive damage to its forward compartments that the 22-year-old Los Angeles-class attack submarine might have to be scrapped. 'These submarines were designed decades ago. So they're no longer state of the art,' says analyst Loren Thompson. 'If this vessel returns to service, I will be amazed.' The fire broke out while the Miami was on a 20-month stay at the shipyard for an overhaul, and it took firefighters from more than a dozen agencies twelve hours to put out the fire, described as intense, smoky, and a 'hot scary mess.' 'It takes a lot of guts to go into a burning building. But the idea of going into a submarine full of hot toxic smoke — that's real courage,' said U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree after meeting with the shipyard commander. Firefighters isolated the flames so they would not spread to nuclear propulsion spaces at the rear of the submarine. There was nuclear fuel on board the sub, but the reactor has been shut down for two months and was unaffected. Rear Admiral Rick Breckenridge says an investigation has been launched into what caused the fire, but he expects that investigation to take a long time to complete and wouldn't say if human error has been ruled out as a cause of the fire, or if the focus is on mechanical issues."
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0017.json.gz/line1766
|
__label__wiki
| 0.879541
| 0.879541
|
‘A Whole New World’ Comes to Hilo
April 14, 2019, 11:30 AM HST (Updated April 9, 2019, 11:38 AM)
When Center Stage Dance Alliance opens Disney’s Aladdin, Jr. on Saturday, May 18, 2019, at the UH Hilo’s Performing Arts Center—its cast of over 225 dancers, singers and actors—will be one of the largest musical theater events in Big Island history.
Disney’s Aladdin, Jr. comes to Hilo in May 2019. Courtesy photo.
Over the course of Center Stage’s 13 year history as one of the top schools for dance in Hilo, the school has produced some pretty elaborate and memorable shows, but this is their first attempt at a scripted musical show with dancing, singing and acting—so to do that Center Stage’s Executive Director, Pier Sircello brought on Broadway and Hollywood veteran, Larry Reitzer.
When Reitzer, a television writer and producer from Hollywood made the decision to retire to Hawai‘i, he was more than ready to finally escape Hollywood and the daily grind that came along with a
15-year career of working on such television shows as Spin City, Ugly Betty, Just Shoot Me, Melissa & Joey and Hyperlinked (a show he produced and created for YouTubeOriginals). His Hollywood career, which followed a 10-year career of working on Broadway and serving as an Associate Company Manager of the Broadway and touring companies of The Phantom of the Opera and Les Miserables was an exciting and wonderful ride, but the time had come to stop fighting the traffic and start enjoying his early retirement. He had no idea that this retirement (after six months) would be cut short, and when he was invited to direct the Center Stage production of Disney’s Aladdin, Jr. he couldn’t resist joining Sircello and her amazingly talented teachers and students.
“I mean, what better way to embrace retirement than by taking on an all-singing/all-dancing classic Disney musical extravaganza that features over 225 dancers, singers and actors from the Center Stage family, said Reitzer.
A family that grew even larger when they added Lisa Katherine Taylor’s fifty-plus member Ānuenue Children’s Chorus and Glee members to the mix.
“I certainly did not move to Hawaii to direct such a huge production… but it sort of just happened and I could not be more excited,” Reitzer said. “One night, at an event, I had a chance-meeting with Pier Sircello, the Executive Director of Center Stage and mentioned to her my desire to one day, start a theatre company, something I felt was lacking on the Big Island. We talked about collaborating which excited me as I knew her school had the most talented dancers and choreographers on the Island. That led to this crazy idea of doing this production of Aladdin, Jr. that features the entire school.”
The choreography, which features almost every style of dance including tap, jazz, ballet and hip-hip is overseen by Sircello who is producing the show as well as serving as the show’s Dance Director. Every teacher at the school tackled a different number from the show—with some numbers (which can run as long as twelve minutes) being choreographed by multiple teachers and featuring their respective classes. There are moments when there are over 100 singers and dancers on the stage at one time. There are 19 songs and over 500 costumes in the show. It truly is musical theatre at its best.
The choreographers include: Michael Misita, Pam Chong James, Sarah Brinkman, Jasmine Serrano, Mana Ho’opai, Vicky Robbins, Cheryl Aue and James Imai.
The musical direction is by Lisa Katherine Taylor and features her Ānuenue Children’s Chorus and Glee Members.
Disney’s Aladdin, Jr. is based on the 1992 Academy Award winning film and the 2014 hit Broadway show about the “diamond in the rough” street rat who learns that his true worth lies deep within. The story you know and love has been given a magical and royal treatment! Aladdin and his three friends, Babkak, Omar, and Kassim, are down on their luck until Aladdin discovers a magic lamp and the Genie who has the power to grant three wishes. Wanting to earn the respect of the princess, Jasmine, Aladdin embarks on an adventure that will test his will and his moral character. With expanded characters, new songs, and more thrills, this new Center Stage production of the beloved story will open up “a whole new world” for audiences, young and old alike.
The production features a cast of Hilo teenagers, including Ku‘uhiapo Jeong (Aladdin), Jameson Sato
(Genie), Meili Aspen Caputo (Jasmine), Norman Arancon (Jafar), Anna Braun (Iago), James Imai (Sultan), Zayne Paresa (Omar), Kiana Johnson-Chesebro (Babkak), Blaise Ka’eo Cachola (Kassim), Olivia “Livi” Rosehill (Aryiana) Sam Deitch (Zan) and Phoenix Pastrama (Razoul).
Aladdin, Jr. will be performed at UH Hilo Performing Arts Center on Saturday, May 18, at 2 and 7 p.m., and Sunday May 19, at 2 p.m.
Tickets start at $10 can be purchased starting April 15 at either at Center Stage Dance Alliance or Basically Books. For more information, call (808) 990-7163.
New Exhibit Opens at Ni‘aulani Sculpture Garden
14th Annual Laupāhoehoe Music Festival
UH Hilo PAC Begins 2018-19 Season
‘Nutcracker Ballet’ to Be Performed at Kahilu Theatre
Kahilu Theatre Presents Giordano Dance Chicago
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0017.json.gz/line1773
|
__label__cc
| 0.65829
| 0.34171
|
Water Off A Duck’s Back? Meet The Driest Material Ever
06 Dec, 2013 | by LabRoots
Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-25004942
Imagine coming inside from the torrential rains of a thunderstorm, your face and hair dripping wet, but your clothes are bone dry. And you didn’t need to shake your umbrella off at the door: it also hasn’t a drop of rain on it either!
Those are two of the applications being dreamt-up by a team of engineers who have created “the most waterproof material ever,” a surface 40% better at repelling drops of water than that of any surfaces known to exist in nature. And the researchers are gleaming with excitement for its possible uses, which range from simple clothing to enhancing aircraft safety.
“We believe these are the most super-hydrophobic surfaces yet,” said Professor Kripa Varanasi, who led the team which developed the material at Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Boston. Varanasi’s lab recently made headlines with their invention of LiquiGlide, a substance which, when applied to the inside of bottles, wrings every drop of ketchup out of the container. LiquiGlide won the team awards, but the MIT engineers weren’t content to rest on their laurels and began work on a material with potentially even greater uses in the larger world.
Amazingly, this “super-hydrophobic” surface owes its amazing abilities not to the material itself, but engineering techniques that take advantage of the structure and physics of water droplets. During high-photography analysis of the “driest” surfaces in nature known to exist—those of the lotus leaf, nasturtiums and the wings of the Morpho butterfly—the MIT team found that macroscopic structures had differing effects depending on the layout. In the case of lotus leaves, water drops flattened “like a pancake” and then bounced back to a symmetrical form. When analyzing the butterfly wings, however, droplets split into asymmetric pieces. The disparity is owed to how the leave and wing surfaces are arranged: long parallel structures in lotus leaves, and a criss-crossing pattern covering the fragile butterfly wings.
Upon closer inspection, it was found that the tiny ridges of lotus leaves, which have inspired the “lotus effect” already employed in some manufacturing, have a surface with tiny parallel grooves providing “a high contact angle” that minimizes physical contact with the droplets themselves. The engineers—who have published their findings in the journal Nature—were able to replicate that surface on a piece of silicon that had similar ridges, relatively larger, that increased the surface area and enhanced the repelling effect. The team experimented with silicon surfaces before applying the same technique to metals, ceramics, and fabrics. The results were consistently the same: a 40% increase in water’s “bouncing” off the surfaces found in nature.
However, butterflies and nasturtium leaves are different: the criss-cross arrangement makes droplets divide into multiple “pieces.” The cause of the effect is the same: an increase in surface area. “For years industry has been copying the lotus,” noted Varanasi. “They should start thinking about copying butterflies and nasturtiums.”
The lotus-mimicking effect is already applicable to current manufacturing, with already existing milling machinery and fabric weaving. But Varanasi’s team is looking at even more drastic improvement: “I hope we can manage to get a 70 to 80% reduction (in contact time). There’s a lot of room left.”
With their discovery, it may be possible to soon create products far surpassing everyday clothing: ice-resistant aircraft wings and fuselages, electrical equipment and the turbines of a wind farm. “We have just opened a window into this world where people really think: what is super-hydrophobicity?” said Varanasi. “Can we go beyond this? There could be other species in the natural world which are even better.”
liquiglide, lotus effect, water resistance
LabRoots
admin@labroots.com
How Have Technological Advances Changed the Way Scientific Information Is Shared?
4th Annual Molecular Diagnostics Virtual Event
LGBTQ Pride Awareness Month: Fighting Conversion Therapy
Congratulations to the LabRoots’ 2019 Spring Scholarship Winner!
Virtual Science Events: New Innovations in a Digital World
Create a Custom Virtual Event to Promote Your Brand
The Journey of a PhD Student
LabRoots Takes the Gold and Bronze Stevie in 2019 American Business Awards®
Cannabis Sciences 2019
Importance of the History of Medicine and Science
Archives Select Month July 2019 (1) June 2019 (4) May 2019 (3) April 2019 (3) January 2019 (2) December 2018 (1) October 2018 (1) September 2018 (4) August 2018 (2) July 2018 (1) June 2018 (3) May 2018 (3) April 2018 (2) March 2018 (4) February 2018 (4) January 2018 (4) December 2017 (3) November 2017 (5) October 2017 (3) September 2017 (3) August 2017 (5) July 2017 (3) June 2017 (3) May 2017 (6) April 2017 (3) March 2017 (7) February 2017 (6) January 2017 (5) December 2016 (4) November 2016 (8) October 2016 (5) September 2016 (1) July 2016 (2) June 2016 (2) May 2016 (3) April 2016 (3) March 2016 (2) February 2016 (3) January 2016 (2) December 2015 (1) November 2015 (4) October 2015 (3) September 2015 (3) August 2015 (3) July 2015 (3) June 2015 (2) May 2015 (1) April 2015 (2) March 2015 (3) February 2015 (5) January 2015 (5) December 2014 (5) November 2014 (7) October 2014 (5) September 2014 (11) August 2014 (5) July 2014 (7) June 2014 (11) May 2014 (10) April 2014 (16) March 2014 (15) February 2014 (15) January 2014 (18) December 2013 (21) November 2013 (18) October 2013 (22) September 2013 (17) August 2013 (21) July 2013 (21) June 2013 (3)
Let's Talk Science. Let's Talk Medicine.
The leading scientific social networking website and producer of educational virtual events and webinars.
About Us The Team Contact Us Advertise Support Blog Press Room
Continuing Education RSS Privacy Policy Terms and Conditions User Agreement Copyrights
© 2008 - 2017 LabRoots Inc. All rights reserved.
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0017.json.gz/line1780
|
__label__wiki
| 0.555447
| 0.555447
|
Archive for the ‘United States’ Category
Published under United States Feb 22, 2019
It was an honor to welcome Nikki Haley to our KIND HQ. Thank you for your leadership.
#Ivoted
Published under United States Nov 06, 2018
As a Mexican immigrant, and as the son of a Holocaust survivor who was liberated by American soldiers, I have a deep appreciation for our democratic process. I do not take this right for granted.
Time to Vote
Published under United States Sep 24, 2018
he U.S. has one of the lowest voter turnout rates in the developed world, and one of the most common reasons that people give for not voting is an inflexible work schedule. This Election Day, KIND Snacks is proud to participate in the #TimetoVote campaign. On November 6, no meetings or conference calls will be held at KIND after 3pm to create time for our team members to exercise their right to vote.
Proud to partner with these formidable companies to ensure that our teams have Time to Vote. http://Maketimetovote.org/
Trump’s Art of the Deal isn’t working in foreign policy
Published under Asia, Business, China, Democracy and Freedom (or lack of), Economics, Global, United States Apr 04, 2018
By Fareed Zakaria, Thursday, March 29, 2018
By way of explanation for some of President Trump’s bizarre foreign policy moves, we are often told that he is “unconventional” and that this could well be an asset. It’s certainly true that he doesn’t follow standard operating procedure on almost anything, from getting daily intelligence briefings to staffing the State Department. But his most striking departure from previous presidents has been in his rhetoric. American presidents have tended to weigh their words carefully, believing that they must preserve the credibility of the world’s leading power.
And then there is Trump, for whom words are weightless. During the campaign, he excoriated Saudi Arabia as a country that “want[s] women as slaves and to kill gays,” only to make his first presidential trip abroad to the kingdom and warmly embrace its rulers. He said NATO was obsolete and then affirmed the opposite. China was a currency manipulator that was “raping” the United States, until it wasn’t. [Read more →]
Clever and Funny Effective Ad Campaign
Published under Advertising (good vs misleading), Business, Food Industry, Funnies, United States Jan 22, 2018
A Time to Heal Our Country and Our Globe: Expanding Horizons at Scale
Published under Education/Raising Children, Family, Global, Innovation, Introspection, KIND, Kindness, Leadership, Life, New York City, Students, Teachers, United States Oct 18, 2017
It never crossed my mind that an idea that began to take shape years ago to heal divisions among nations would be as urgently needed to bridge divides within our own country.
Today, I am proud to announce how Empatico will help address the major challenges that our nation and world face in terms of growing alienation, hatred, and the inability to listen to one another.
Fifteen years ago, as I was traveling across the Middle East and the world to build a grassroots Movement to amplify the voice of Israeli and Palestinian moderates, I was struck by a concern shared by everyone with whom I spoke. Each side felt that their people was misunderstood and mischaracterized. Tensions were at an all-time high, but it was clear that each group’s desire was similar: Muslim, Christian or Jew, Arab or Israeli, secular or religious, they wanted to tell their stories and where they were coming from. They wanted to be treated with dignity and respect. [Read more →]
Talking about mental health after mass shootings is a cop-out
Published under Democracy and Freedom (or lack of), Health, Life, Loss, United States Oct 11, 2017
By Fareed Zakaria, Thursday, Oct. 5, 2017
“He was a sick man, a demented man,” said President Trump, trying to explain the latest mass shooting in the United States. We hear this view expressed routinely, after every new incident. But it is a dodge, a distortion of the facts and a cop-out as to the necessary response.
There is no evidence that the Las Vegas shooter was insane. (I prefer not to use his name and give him publicity, even posthumously.) He did not have a history of mental illness that we know of, nor had he been reported for behavior that would suggest any such condition. He was clearly an evil man, or at least a man who did something truly evil. But evil is not crazy. If we define the attempt to take an innocent human being’s life as madness, then every murderer is mad. If not, we should recognize that it is a meaningless term that adds little to our understanding of the problem.
Actually, the quick assumption of mental illness distorts the discussion. First, it smears people who do have mental disorders. Such people are not inherently highly prone to violence. They are more often victims of violence than perpetrators. And to the extent that some are violent, they are more likely to inflict harm on themselves. Mental-health issues are correlated to suicides far more closely than they are to homicides. [Read more →]
How the worst of Harvey brought out America’s best
Published under Introspection, United States, Weather Sep 07, 2017
By STEVE HARTMAN CBS NEWS
NEW YORK — This week we saw what a trillion gallons of water can cover. But more importantly, we saw what it can uncover — our potential as a nation.
I know it seems like eons ago, but remember what was in the news before this? Remember when nothing was more important to America than the fate of a Confederate statue? We were literally at each other’s throats over race, religion, immigration and, of course, politics.
And then Harvey came and pounded us with perspective.
Trump is symptom, not cause of divide
Published under Democracy and Freedom (or lack of), Environment, Introspection, Life, United States Aug 31, 2017
The 20-something heads of the Centrist Project and the Millennial Action Project say the problems of America run deeper than just the current President. Source: CNN
The Moment Things Just Took Off
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0017.json.gz/line1781
|
__label__wiki
| 0.755862
| 0.755862
|
They have their exits and their entrances;
and one man in his time plays many parts.
—Shakespeare, As You Like It
This month, the Chicano Studies Research Center joins UCLA’s other ethnic studies research centers in an exhibition at the Fowler Museum that commemorates the fortieth anniversary of the centers’ founding (see below). The students who helped usher in that change have played many parts in the decades since that time, becoming professors, professionals, business and civic leaders, and artists. They have taught multiple generations of students, built community-based institutions, and challenged our society to live up to its ideals and our constitutional rights.
The passage from Shakespeare’s As You Like It contains several implied questions: as the Chicano and Chicana players make their entrances and exits, is anyone listening? Will the many parts that they have played be understood as essential to the history of the world? I encourage you to visit the exhibition, critically engage with the history being presented, and imagine the steps we might take toward a better future for all. And teachers, bring your classes! Online exhibition guides for teachers and students in grades 7–12 will be available on the CSRC website and those of the three other centers, as well as the museum.
The CSRC recently released the latest book in the A Ver: Revisioning Art History series, this one on María Brito. Her artwork is a good example of a critical engagement with history. In Party at Goya’s: First Arrivals (2006), Brito arranges sculptural forms based on several characters from Francisco de Goya’s aquatint print series Los Caprichos (1799). But she also inserts both herself and Goya at the edge of the scene, seated on a bench and talking to each other. Here, one can detect the beginnings of a conversation with the canon, with History writ large, although these have often appeared to turn a deaf ear to U.S. Latinos. Ironically, Goya himself was deaf by the time he produced Los Caprichos. But Brito’s conversation is notable, not for the artist being heard per se, as if seeking validation, but for the fact that she speaks through rather than against the canon, History, and the world stage. That is our challenge as we celebrate our fortieth anniversary and look ahead to the next decade.
40th Anniversary Exhibition Now Open
Art, Activism, Access: Forty Years of Ethnic Studies at UCLA opened at the Fowler Museum on Sunday, February 28, with a program of music, poetry readings, and activities. The exhibition features murals, graphic art, photographs, films, and objects that document the history of the four UCLA ethnic studies centers: the CSRC, the American Indian Studies Center, the Asian American Studies Center, and the Bunche Center for African American Studies. The opening was featured in a newscast on KPCC, and the mural that was created for the Bunche Center was the subject of a recent story in UCLA Today. The exhibition closes on June 13. To learn more, visit the Fowler Museum website.
40th Anniversary Dedication
This academic year marks the fortieth anniversary of the UCLA's four ethnic studies centers. To celebrate this significant milestone, UCLA Chancellor Gene Block has dedicated this year to the theme "Celebrating 40 Years of Ethnic Studies at UCLA." A special website offers information about the anniversary and related events.
Support Ethnic Studies at UCLA!
A variety of items sporting the fortieth anniversary logo is now available from CafePress. Order a T-shirt or a hoodie, a mug or a tote bag, a journal or a bumper sticker — all with the colorful logo designed to commemorate forty years of ethnic studies at UCLA.
Phantom Sightings in New York
Phantom Sightings: Art After the Chicano Movement, the first comprehensive consideration of Chicano art in almost two decades, first opened at LACMA and has since traveled to various cities in the United States and Mexico. Phantom Sightings will be next at New York City’s El Museo from March 24 through May 23. For more information, visit El Museo’s website. This exhibition was co-curated by Howard Fox, LACMA; Rita Gonzalez, LACMA; and Chon A. Noriega, CSRC director. The exhibition catalog is available from the University of California Press.
UCLA Day in the District
Carlos Haro, CSRC postdoctoral scholar in residence and former CSRC assistant director, will participate in “UCLA Day in the District” on Friday, March 19. Alumnus and friends of UCLA will meet with state legislators from Los Angeles County in their district offices. The aim is to build relationships and generate public support for the university. The event is organized by UCLA Government and Community Relations.
The Los Angeles Times quoted Chon A. Noriega, CSRC director, in a recent article about Historías, a StoryCorps project that is preserving the stories of Latinos in the United States. The StoryCorps mobile studio will be located at the East Los Angeles Public Library through March 20. The article is available on the Los Angeles Times and CSRC websites; for more information about Historías, visit the StoryCorps website.
Alvaro Huerta, CSRC visiting scholar and PhD candidate in city and regional planning at UC Berkeley, published two essays in February. The first, in UCLA's Daily Bruin, examines the need for the mainstream media to publicize the positive contributions of Latinas and Latinos. The second, in UC Berkeley's The Daily Californian, focuses on the predicament of a Chicano doctoral candidate.
Lecture by Antonia Hernández
The Fortieth Anniversary Distinguished Lecture for the winter quarter will feature Antonia Hernández, who will present “2020 Visions: Planning for a Latino Majority in Los Angeles.” The lecture will be held Thursday, March 4, 5:00–6:00 p.m., in the Faculty Center Sequoia Room. Ms. Hernández has been a crucial voice in civil rights, immigration, and philanthropy for more than three decades. Since 2004 she has been president and CEO of the California Community Foundation. Ms. Hernández is past president and general counsel of the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF), which she joined in 1981. A reception will follow the lecture. Please confirm your attendance on the CSRC’s Facebook page.
Fifth Annual Latina/o Education Summit
The CSRC and the UC All Campus Consortium on Research for Diversity (UC/ACCORD) will present this year’s Latina/o Education Summit, “Funding K–12 and Higher Education: Impact on Latinos,” on Thursday, March 18, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m., at the UCLA Faculty Center. The conference will focus on the funding for public education and the impact it has on Latino students, programs, and departments at every level, from Kindergarten through graduate school. Featured speakers are Thomas A. Saenz, MALDEF president and general counsel, and Scott L. Waugh, UCLA executive vice chancellor and provost. To learn more about the summit visit the CSRC website.
What is Chicano art? Learn the many answers to this question at “The Raza's Edge: The Chicano Presence in L.A. Art History,” on Saturday, April 3, 1:00–4:00 p.m., at LACMA’s Bing Theater. A series of discussions will feature artists from the generation that created new work, advocated for social change, and trained younger artists. Participants are former members of Chicano art groups and centers that formed in Los Angeles in the 1970s. They will debate the role of art in the Chicano community and beyond, while looking back at the emergence of Chicano art, its legacy, and its future. A reception will follow. Admission is free, but tickets are required; tickets are available at the box office one hour before the event. Visit LACMA’s website later this month for more details.
CSRC Library and Archive
Storage Upgrade
After many months of planning, the CSRC has updated the storage system for its archival collections. As a small repository, the library was running out of room for storing collections while they are being processed. New shelving has enlarged storage capacity by approximately 50 percent!
Last month the CSRC acquired another addition to its Homeboy Industries collection. We look forward to maintaining a strong working relationship with the organization and its founder, Father Greg Boyle. The new resource will be available for research by the end of spring quarter.
Yolanda Retter Vargas Collection
We have begun processing and preserving the papers of Yolanda Retter Vargas, the CSRC librarian from 2003 until her death in 2007. Yolanda fought for social justice for overlooked groups, particularly lesbians of color. We plan to make her wide-ranging and eclectic collection available to researchers by the fall of 2010.
Now Available: A Ver Volume 4
María Brito, volume 4 in the CSRC Press’s groundbreaking A Ver: Revisioning Art History series, is now available. Juan A. Martínez, who focuses on Brito’s unique interplay of the personal and the universal, highlights her as an artist who challenges cultural, social, and artistic barriers. The book, which includes sixty-four full-color illustrations, an exhibition history, and bibliography of writings on the artist, can be ordered from the distributor, University of Minnesota Press. For a preview, visit the CSRC Press website.
“This comprehensive and insightful text explores Brito’s world of magical beauty, filled with fears and desires. Juan Martínez reveals not only Brito’s life and career but also her valiant and spirited art, introducing us to her maze of rooms, the all-seeing eye filled with tears, the caprichos of her personal and cultural mythology.”
— Amalia Mesa-Bains, Visual and Public Art, California State University Monterey Bay
Aztlán at Forty
Current subscribers will receive their copies of the new issue of Aztlán in mid-March. In celebration of Aztlán’s fortieth anniversary, both 2010 issues contain special dossier sections. The Spring 2010 issue (volume 35, number 1) features “Atzlán at Forty,” a compilation of recollections from some of the path-breaking Chicana/os who helped launch and nurture the journal—and the field of Chicana/o studies.
In the editor’s commentary, Chon A. Noriega uses the art of María Brito as the basis for a meditation on the current role Chicana/os in academia and society. Three of the essays in this issue consider how globalization and decolonialization is expressed in the work of Gloria Anzaldúa: Maylei Blackwell’s “Líderes Campesinas: Nepantla Strategies and Grassroots Organizing at the Intersection of Gender and Globalization”; George Hartley’s “The Curandera of Conquest: Gloria Anzaldúa’s Decolonial Remedy”; and Pablo Ramirez’s “Toward a Borderlands Ethics: The Undocumented Migrant and Haunted Communities in Contemporary Chicana/o Fiction.” Otto Santa Ana’s “Framing Peace as Violence: Television News Depictions of the 2007 Police Attack on Immigrant Rights Marchers in Los Angeles” (written with Layza López and Edgar Munguía) and Lysa Rivera’s “Los Atravesados: Guillermo Gómez-Peña’s Ethno-cyborgs” examine the representation of Chicana/os in the news media and performance art. The art of Missy Ávila Ovalles is featured on the cover and in the artist’s communiqué, and the issue concludes with Christian Ramírez’s homenaje to Chicano activist Roberto Martínez.
Not a subscriber? Support Chicana/o scholarship: visit the CSRC online store and place a subscription. Subscribers receive two issues each year, plus Internet access to view, print, and download every article from every issue of Aztlán.
Guides for Art, Activism, Access
Visit the CSRC website for online exhibition guides for Art, Activism, Access: Forty Years of Ethnic Studies at UCLA. The teacher’s guide offers background information and activities for students in grades 7-12. The student’s worksheet contains hands-on activities that students can complete as they tour the exhibition.
Go to Newsletter Archive
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0017.json.gz/line1784
|
__label__wiki
| 0.739317
| 0.739317
|
Another weekend Post Of Christmas Past.
The Smithereens first dabbled in Christmas music back in 1992 by recording a silly and energetic take on “Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer” for the Rockin’ Christmas compilation. The song later appeared on the 1995 Attack Of The Smithereens rarities collection, as well as on the Songs Of The Season compilation sponsored by Borders Books and WXRT in 2000.
In 2007, the band, which by then featured new bassist Severo Jornacion, really showed its holiday spirit by releasing the full-length Christmas With The Smithereens. It’s a fun party from start to finish, as The Smithereens bring their engaging power pop approach to a mix of originals and cover versions. “Waking Up On Christmas Morning,” which can also be found on the Hi-Fi Christmas Party and Ho Ho Ho Spice collections, is a catchy tune penned by guitarist Jim Babjak.
The fast-paced “Christmas Time All Over The World,” written by Babjak, singer Pat DiNizio, drummer Dennis Diken, and original bassist Mike Mesaros, celebrates hugging and kissing under the mistletoe, and compares the holiday to a big rock show. The other Smithereens original, “Christmas (I Remember)” takes a melodic look back and notes, “The kid inside my heart won’t die.”
There are also guitar-driven interpretations of Chuck Berry’s “Run Rudolph Run,” Brenda Lee’s “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree,” and The Beach Boys’ “Merry Christmas, Baby.” “Christmas,” taken from The Who’s Tommy isn’t traditional holiday fare, but the authentic arrangement here gives a preview of band’s later decision to record their own version of the entire rock opera. “Merry Christmas (I Don’t Want To Fight Tonight)” doesn’t have as much edge as the version by The Ramones, but it’s still a solid effort, and The Smithereens also do well with “Christmas Time Is Here Again,” one of the rare songs The Beatles recorded for their fan club members.
The Smithereens set Clement Clark Moore’s classic poem, ‘Twas The Night Before Christmas to a jazzy percussion-led arrangement, and open “Auld Lang Syne” with acappella vocals before launching into a rollicking instrumental jam session. All in all, Christmas With The Smithereens is a date worth keeping.
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0017.json.gz/line1791
|
__label__wiki
| 0.848373
| 0.848373
|
The Undiminished Shoes - Part Two
This is the second of three installments of a feature story on Shoes that I wrote for the Illinois Entertainer.
“We were at the forefront of DIY,” Klebe recalled. “Some people say we invented it.” He added that he and the Murphy brothers were reluctant to anoint themselves as the fathers of DIY since others artists like Todd Rundgren had also recorded in home studios by that time. Still, Rundgren had a major label to release his finished products.
Even with all their experience, it had to be daunting for Shoes to return to the recording process, considering their previous CD, Propeller, came out in 1994.
“It seemed surreal to be doing it again,” Klebe acknowledged. “As things went along, we realized it was more than fascination. There was growth down the road and we really had something.”
John Richardson, a drummer who had worked with Shoes on previous occasions (the band’s original drummer, Skip Meyer, split quite a while back) was brought in on the recording sessions. The harmony vocals and seamless playing on Ignition stem from the camaraderie that has served these three musicians so well on previous albums.
“We’re a friendly band,” John Murphy explained. “Nobody wants to step on anybody’s toes. On the other hand, I want to hear the other members’ ideas. In most cases, it works. They’re not trying to do a 180º on it.”
“It’s like passing your baby around at a party,” Klebe said of the band’s collaborative approach. “There’s nothing more important than making sure the baby doesn’t fall.”
“We have to be careful in suggesting changes,” Jeff Murphy agreed. “We’re very conscious of the writer’s intent. The reason you’re in a band is to get that input. There’s no one I trust more than the other two guys.”
One of the songs on Ignition did change quite a bit during the recording session, though. Jeff Murphy’s “Out Of Round,” a poignant look at the death of a spouse, started out as a ballad, but wound up with a driving pop arrangement similar to “Your Imagination” from the band’s 1981 Tongue Twister album. The idea for the turnaround came from John Murphy and Klebe, who were relieved when Jeff Murphy fully embraced it.
Throughout Ignition, the band members take turns singing lead, and all three contribute backup vocals. The mid-tempo “Diminishing Returns,” one of several songs on the CD that examines the unraveling of a relationship, and the lilting “Wrong Idea” in particular, have elaborate call and response vocals that create a lush sound.
“There’s a lot of interplay on vocals and music,” Jeff Murphy explained. “And I don’t think we had to strain to do it. It comes from being together for so long.”
“Some of the back and forth vocals are the most spontaneous thing we do,” Klebe added.
“It’s a mutation process that becomes better after we all come together,” John Murphy said of the band’s intricate and occasionally Queen like vocals. “Every song, we ask how much do we want to do, because by God, we can do it.”
Coming next:: Words of love and relationships unraveling.
CD Review: Okay Paddy - The Cactus Has A Point
CD Review: JIP - Sparks Flames And Names
He’s Never Too Heavy
CD Review: Garrison Starr - The Sound Of You And M...
Third Annual Holiday Shopping Guide
The Undiminished Shoes - Part Three
The Undiminished Shoes - Part One
CD Review: Surrendur Dorothi - Spit
Really Rockin’ In Boston
Doing Your Bid For A Good Cause
CD Review: Crushed Out - Want To Give
Demo-Listen Derby and A Care-aoke Calvalcade
CD Review: Tiger Trap - Self-titled
CD Review: The Coal Porters - Find The One
CD Review: Braam Brothers - Hail Violet
CD Review: Imelda May - More Mayhem
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0017.json.gz/line1792
|
__label__wiki
| 0.901139
| 0.901139
|
The Shelters will be at Beat Kitchen in April and at Lollapalooza in August.
The full lineup of 170 music acts for this year’s Lollapalooza was announced earlier this week. The event takes place August 3 – 6 in Grant Park. Chance the Rapper, who’s been in the news lately for his efforts to stop gun violence in Chicago, is one of the headline acts, along with Lorde, The Killers, and Arcade Fire. The Shelters (whose self-titled album came in at number two on the Broken Hearted Toy Favorite Releases of 2016 list), Cage The Elephant, Liam Gallagher, Spoon, Tegan and Sara, Warpaint, and The Shins will also be performing. Tickets for Lollapalooza are already sold out.
Tickets went on sale today for Juliana Hatfield at Lincoln Hall on May 1; The Shelters at Beat Kitchen on April12; Robyn Hitchcock at The Old Town School Of Folk Music on June 17; and Alison Moyet at Park West on September 19.
The Factory Theater, a major force in Chicago for decades, has a new play called Born Ready opening tonight at its space on the far north side. Stacie Barra’s play about an aging actress and a young dancer who join forces as a comedy duo is directed by W. Bullion and stars Eleanor Katz and and Clara Byczkowski.
Wild Honey’s benefit for The Autism Think Tank takes place tomorrow night, March 25 at the Alex Theatre in Glendale California. Jackson Browne, Peter Case, Victoria Williams, Syd Straw, David Baerwald, Continental Drifters, Plainsong, and Cait O’Riordan are among the musicians who’ll be performing The Band’s Music From Big Pink album. Founding Band member Garth Hudson will also be on hand.
Singer-guitarist James Moeller will be getting a workout tomorrow night at Phyllis Musical Inn when whitewolfsonicprincess, the mysterious alt rock band he leads with vocalist Carla Hayden, shares the stage with his more garage rock oriented outfit The Telepaths. Music starts at 10:00 p.m.
The Refugee Theatre’s production of the High Fidelity Musical wraps up tomorrow night.
The Experience Hendrix all-star tribute to the legendary guitarist comes to the Chicago Theatre tomorrow night, March 25. Performers include Billy Cox, Buddy Guy, Zakk Wylde, Johnny Lang, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Dweezil Zappa, and others.
The Smithereens will be back in the Chicago area next Saturday, April 1 when they play the Prairie Arts Center in Schaumburg. The Smithereens’ ESP3PECIALLY F0R YOU 30th Anniversary of their debut album Especially For You, came in at number three on my Favorite Releases Of 2016 list.
The Heroes And Villains Fan Fest returns to the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center tomorrow and Sunday, March 25 and 26, with special guests from several popular TV shows. Two-day passes for general admission are $90, Saturday only is $55, and Sunday is $45. Various forms of VIP packages are also available.
The 20th Annual Chicago European Union Film Festival is currently taking place at the Gene Siskel Film Center, and by the time it’s finished on March 30, 62 films from 28 countries will have been screened
The Regrettes, the Los Angeles-based quartet whose full length debut Feel Your Feelings Fool is an irresistible blend of punk and the 1960s girl group sound, will be at Schubas next Sunday night. Brooklyn-based indie rock band Active Bird Community, which released its latest album Stick Around earlier this year, will be the opening act.
Little Steven and The Disciples Of Soul will be summering in Europe this year, with concerts scheduled in Ireland, Sweden, Netherlands, Finland, Italy, Slovenia, Spain, and Norway. Musician/actor/radio host Steven Van Zandt first recorded with The Disciples Of Soul in 1982 with the release of the Men Without Women album. Musically, of course, Van Zandt is best known for his work with Bruce Springsteen
The ambitious psychedelic rock fest Tim Ferguson, Gregory Curvey, and Lee Klawans are going to stage at the LiveWire Lounge in Chicago this September has been officially dubbed Kaleidoscope Eye. The bands involved are The Red Plastic Buddha, The Luck Of Eden Hall, Sisters of Your Sunshine Vapor, Friends of Dennis Wilson, Warhorses, Heaven’s Gateway Drugs, Magic Castles, The Orange Drop, White Shape, Constantine, Aethereal, Junkee Girl, Diagonal, and Lucille Furs.
April, Rock She Will
RSD - Seeing Double
RSD - Big Ticket Items
The Bishop’s Daredevil Stunt Club - Don’t Buy This...
Festivals On The Horizon
The Regrettes - Feel Your Feelings Fool
Past And Present Perfect
Tomorrow The Moon - Blow, Mind, Blow
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0017.json.gz/line1793
|
__label__cc
| 0.675042
| 0.324958
|
Home / Comics / Harrow County #9 (Comics) Review
Harrow County #9 (Comics) Review
Jason February 3, 2016 Comics, Comics & Graphic Novels, News, Reviews Leave a comment 1,059 Views
A mysterious stranger comes to town, one that might seek to turn Emmy’s most trusted friend against her.
It’s not terribly clear what this newcomer wants in Harrow County #9, but I’m pretty certain that it’s not good. This issue is a bit different than what’s come before, and not just because there may be a new villain in town, but also in that it focuses on the Skinless Boy and not Emmy herself.
I don’t want to spoil too much, as there’s a pretty awesome twist at the end, but I can tell you a few things to get you ready for what’s on the way. Basically, a man comes to Emmy’s town and there’s something extremely supernatural about him. Whether he’s a demon himself, or just a mage of some kind isn’t clear at all right now, but he can do some wild things and he’s there seemingly just for the reincarnation of the witch named Hester (that’s Emmy FYI).
He also has a fixation on the Skinless Boy, Emmy’s constant companion and protector. With the mystery man’s ‘help’ SB is shown his true state, just why it is that he’s split in two, and how he came to be in the first place. And that leads into the twist I mentioned. Again, it’s an awesome swerve, and I don’t want to ruin it for you, though it seems like SB is galvanized by what the stranger shows him. It’ll be interesting to see what the fallout is going to be for that, and just how the narrative will flow into future issues with the revelations laid bare here.
As you might have guessed from all the gushing, Cullen Bunn has penned another awesome supernatural tale with this one. I’m a big fan of this book basically because it somehow manages to tell stories that are truly creepy and based in horror, yet also incredibly grounded on some level, in emotion and the human condition. It’s just excellently written.
Matching that is the art by Carla Speed McNeil in this issue. I’m not really clear on whether she’s permanently taking over for the series’ usual artist Tyler Crook or not, but her style is very similar to his. You’ll notice the difference, no doubt there, but it’s got the same feel as Crook’s and that’s a very good thing as Crook’s art was a huge part of what made the book so endearing. McNeil’s work carries the same sweetness and an almost cartoon quality to it that Crook’s does. So A+ on that too. Oh, and Crook did provide the cover by the way, so his fingerprints are still on Harrow County in some way.
Harrow County is one of the most unique horror books out there. The characters are memorable and the ideas that Bunn infuses into each issue are almost all just beyond great. this issue is no different, with massive reveals on just who and what the Skinless Boy is, and also as to the level of power that Emmy wielded as Hester in her former life.
And while the series’ regular penciler Tyler Crook is off for this installment, you’ll barely miss him as Carla Speed McNeil is pretty much equally fantastic. Not to mention, by the way, that the look of Harrow County maintains its feel even with the switch.
It’s just great, and if you haven’t given it a shot by now… well, you need to.
Tags Carla Speed McNeil Cullen Bunn dark horse comics Harrow County Horror Spooky supernatural
Previous Three big time Avengers head to Disney and Marvel shops
Next Corrin and Bayonetta Available Now
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0017.json.gz/line1794
|
__label__wiki
| 0.774692
| 0.774692
|
ETHIOPIA: President al-Bashir to lead Peace Talks in Sudan
More News June 22, 2018June 27, 2018 Admin
ADDIS ABABA, JUNE 22, 2018 (CISA)-Sudan’s Foreign Minister Dirdiri Mohamed Ahmed has confirmed that talks between South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir and rebel leader Riek Machar will resume on June 25 in Khartoum.
“Preparations are afoot to give a new impetus to this new round of talks and ensure a successful outcome,” he said.
The minister’s Friday 22 statement came after Kiir and Machar met on June 21 during the Extra-Ordinary Summit of Inter Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Assembly of Heads of State and Government in Addis Ababa.
This is the first time the two have met since 2016 when a peace deal collapsed, leading to the deaths of hundreds of people in the South Sudan capital of Juba.
Leaders present during the summit pushed for peace talks to resolve the stalemate in South Sudan but despite the long awaited face to face meeting between the two warring parties, reconciliation remained elusive.
In their statements ahead of the meeting, the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO) rebel group led by Riek Machar, called the current peace efforts unrealistic and warned that South Sudan government forces were planning an attack on their troops.
“For any meaningful dialogue to take place, it should be within the context of a comprehensive political settlement, so that the guns can fall silent and a conducive environment for dialogue established,” said SPLM-IO in their statement.
Next week’s talks will be convened by Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir, who is considered a key player in South Sudan’s history.
South Sudan descended into a civil war in late 2013, and the conflict has created one of the fastest growing refugee crisis in the world.
The Uganda Episcopal Conference in collaboration with International Aid agencies has reaffirmed its commitment in welcoming and taking care of the refugees.
“On top of the over one million South Sudanese in the North, mainly in Arura Diocese with others in Gulu Archdiocese, there are thousands of people who have fled into Kasese, Hoima and Fort Portal Dioceses coming from the Democratic Republic of Congo and From Burundi,” they said in their statement.
UGANDA: Bishops on Ad Limina Visit to Vatican
TANZANIA: Pope Appoints Archbishop Coadjutor of Dar-es-Salaam
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0017.json.gz/line1799
|
__label__cc
| 0.69715
| 0.30285
|
Gallery statistics - Images with the most views
3985 images this Gallery
[most viewed]
[return to gallery]
37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97
nissan urge front
From album Concept Cars
From album American Muscle Cars
2005 pontiac-vibe awd
From album NJ Auto Expo 2005
mercedes front grill
From album 2007 Mercedes
From album 2007 Luxury Cars
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0017.json.gz/line1800
|
__label__wiki
| 0.702754
| 0.702754
|
Sep — Dec 2015
Xi’s First State Visit to US: Pomp and Progress
By Bonnie S. Glaser and Jacqueline Vitello
Published January 2016 in Comparative Connections · Volume 17, Issue 3 (Bonnie Glaser and Jacqueline Vitello, “US-China Relations: Xi’s First State Visit to the US: Pomp and Progress,” Comparative Connections, Vol. 17, No. 3, Jan. 2016, pp.21-38.)
Connect with the Authors
Jacqueline Vitello
Despite growing friction between the US and China on a number of issues, Xi Jinping’s state visit to the US in September was mostly positive and produced important outcomes on climate change, cyber security, and avoiding accidents between military aircraft. Tensions persisted in the South China Sea with China unwilling to stop its construction and militarization of terraformed reefs. The USS Lassen, a US Navy guided-missile destroyer, exercised international rights of freedom of navigation by sailing within 12nm of Chinese-occupied Subi Reef. The Obama administration notified Congress of its intent to sell a $1.83 billion arms package to Taiwan prompting Chinese objections, but no suspension of bilateral military exchanges. Presidents Obama and Xi met again on the margins of the Paris climate change conference in late November. They also conferred by phone, helping to conclude an historic, ambitious, global, agreement to reduce emissions at COP21.
Obama-Xi summit exceeds expectations
On Sep. 22, Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Seattle, Washington where he delivered a policy speech, attended a meeting with 30 business leaders from the US and China, visited a Boeing assembly line, joined a US-China Internet Industry Forum, visited a high school, and had dinner with Bill Gates, the founder of Microsoft. On Sep. 24, he traveled to Washington, DC for the official portion of his state visit. Shortly after arriving, he attended a small working dinner with President Obama and a few senior officials from the US and China. The following day, Xi was greeted by a 21-gun salute at the White House and held a joint press conference with Obama. He was then hosted for lunch by Vice President Joseph Biden and Secretary of State John Kerry at the State Department and met congressional leaders on Capitol Hill. That evening, Obama and his wife Michelle hosted a state dinner for Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan.
The key deliverables of the summit were in the areas of climate change, cyber, and military-to-military relations. In a joint statement on climate change, the two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to reach an ambitious agreement at the year-end climate change conference in Paris. China announced that it would start a “national emission trading system” in 2017. The US highlighted its Clean Power Plan, in which it pledges to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from the power sector 32 percent compared to 2005 levels by 2030. In the cyber realm, both sides agreed to not conduct or knowingly support cyber-enabled theft of intellectual property and announced a ministerial-level dialogue on fighting cybercrime. (Climate change and cyber will be discussed in detail below.)
The US and Chinese militaries finalized and signed an annex to the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) regarding the rules of behavior for safety of air and maritime encounters that was reached during the last summit in November 2014. The annex, a follow-on to the first annex that guides the behavior of surface naval ships, establishes procedures to prevent collisions between US and Chinese military aircraft. The new annex was signed just two months after a Chinese jet preformed an unsafe maneuver while intercepting a US RC-135 surveillance plane flying over the Yellow Sea about 80 miles east of China’s Shandong Peninsula.
The summit marked the sixth meeting between Barack Obama and Xi Jinping. Speaking at the press conference, Obama maintained that cooperation between the US and China is “delivering results, for both our nations and the world” and said he was committed to expanding cooperation even as both countries “address disagreements candidly and constructively.” Iran, Afghanistan, global development, global health security, humanitarian assistance, disaster response, agricultural development, and food security were cited by Obama as areas of expanding US-China cooperation. He also expressed support for “the rise of a China that is peaceful, stable, prosperous, and a responsible player in global affairs.”
President Xi noted that he and Obama had had in-depth discussions on their respective domestic and foreign policies, while also addressing bilateral ties, and regional and international issues. Xi referred three times to his concept of a new model of major country relationship, stating that he and Obama agreed to advance that “new model” while managing differences and sensitive issues in a constructive manner. On macroeconomic policy coordination, Xi said that the US and China had agreed to establish a regular phone conversation mechanism on economic affairs between Vice Premier Wang Yang and Secretary of the Treasury Jacob Lew.
Persisting differences between the US and China were signaled by the absence of a joint statement covering the full range of issues in the bilateral relationship. Instead, the only joint document issued focused on climate change. Common language was also negotiated on economic- and cyber-related issues in intense discussions held in the run-up to the summit. For other matters, the two sides issued “unilateral but coordinated statements.” These documents were drafted and exchanged ahead of the summit. On strategic issues, the Chinese “summit outcomes” document is much longer and more positive than the US “fact sheet.” In one notable difference between the two, the Chinese document celebrates the new model of major country relations, while the US fact sheet makes no mention of it.
Chinese media appraised the summit very positively. For example, a commentary in the Party mouthpiece People’s Daily signed by the quasi-authoritative “Voice of China,” maintained that President Xi’s visit to the US “has completely accomplished its purpose of enhancing trust and reducing suspicions” and went “better than expected.” Privately, however, some experts expressed disappointment over President Obama’s refusal to reaffirm the new model of major country relations and the US unwillingness to set a deadline for signing a bilateral investment treaty. Xi’s acceptance of Obama’s distinction between the use of cyber for traditional espionage purposes and for stealing intellectual property, and his pledge to not militarize the Spratly Islands were also criticized by some Chinese analysts, although not publicly.
Progress on cyber?
In April 2015, President Obama signed an executive order that gives him the power to impose sanctions “on individuals or entities that engage in certain significant, malicious cyber-enabled activities.” In the wake of the major cyber intrusion in June into the US Office of Personnel Management (OPM) that officials blamed on China, as well as persisting concerns about Chinese use of cyber to steal intellectual property (IP) from US companies, the White House began to threaten the use of sanctions under this executive order. The Washington Post reported on Aug. 30 that the White House was preparing a list of possible sanctions against Chinese SOEs and individuals that the administration had evidence showing they had “benefited from their government’s cyber-theft of valuable US trade secrets.” The move to seek sanctions was born of frustration with a lack of Chinese cooperation on the issue over the past three years. The leak was timed to force action on cybersecurity ahead of Xi’s September visit to the US.
When National Security Adviser Susan Rice traveled to Beijing in late August, she apparently warned that failure to take steps to curb cyber-enabled theft of IP would mar the upcoming summit. President Xi agreed to send a “special envoy” to the US to find a solution that would ensure his visit would be positive and successful. On Sep. 9, a Chinese delegation, led by Meng Jianzhu, a Politburo member and secretary of the Central Political and Legal Affairs Commission of the Chinese Communist Party, arrived in Washington. According to Xinhua, Meng was hosted by Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson, and also held meetings with FBI Director James Comey, Secretary of State John Kerry, and Susan Rice. The Washington Post reported that the talks produced a “substantial agreement” on cybersecurity issues, quoting an unnamed US official as saying “they came up with enough of a framework that the visit will proceed and this issue should not disrupt the visit. That was clearly [the Chinese] goal.”
The first sign of a shift in Chinese policy came on Sep. 15. During a regular press briefing, the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman stated that China “firmly opposes and combats in accordance with law cyber attacks and cyber espionage launched in China…anyone who performs such action within China shall be held accountable.” Around the same time, the Chinese government arrested a handful of hackers it claimed were connected to the OPM breach. That same day, Obama told a group of company chief executives that cyber matters would be a major focus in his talks with Xi. He said that the US is preparing measures to demonstrate to the Chinese that, “this is not just a matter of us being mildly upset, but is something that will put significant strains on a bilateral relationship if not resolved,” and that the US is “prepared to take some countervailing actions.”
On Monday, Sep. 21, Susan Rice delivered a public speech at George Washington University on US-China relations. In the portion of the speech on cyber security, Rice cited the handling of cyber theft as “a critical factor in determining the future trajectory of US-China ties.” Sending a strong message to the Chinese just prior to Xi’s arrival, Rice maintained that “cyber-enabled espionage that targets personal and corporate information for the economic gain of businesses undermines our long-term economic cooperation, and it needs to stop.”
When asked about US-China tensions over cyber during a press conference to preview President Xi’s visit on Sep. 22, Deputy National Security Adviser Ben Rhodes sent a clear warning: “China needs to be mindful that its activities don’t undermine its standing here in the United States.” Rhodes went on to state that the two countries must “start from a common understanding that you have agreed-upon principles which we believe must include that cyber theft does not go forward.” That same day, the Wall Street Journal published an exclusive interview with Xi, in which he stated that “the Chinese government does not engage in theft of commercial secrets in any form, nor does it encourage or support Chinese companies to engage in such practices in any way.” Xi added that “cyber-theft of commercial secrets and hacking attacks against government networks are both illegal.” He reiterated many of these points in his speech in Seattle later that night, stating that “the Chinese government will not in whatever form engage in commercial theft, and hacking against government networks are crimes that must be punished in accordance with the law and relevant international treaties.”
At the summit, several important outcomes relating to cyber were announced. In a major breakthrough that Obama had been personally seeking since he met Xi Jinping in June 2013 at Sunnylands in California, both sides agreed not to “engage in or knowingly support online theft of intellectual properties.” They also promised to work together to establish “international rules of the road for appropriate conduct in cyberspace,” and agreed to begin a high-level bilateral dialogue on cybersecurity before the end of the year. According to a White House fact sheet, the two sides also agreed to cooperate with requests to investigate cybercrimes and to “mitigate malicious cyberactivity emanating from their territory.” In addition, they agreed not to target one another’s critical infrastructure during peacetime, although the definition of what constitutes “critical infrastructure” was left for future discussion.
In the joint press conference following the summit, President Obama stated that he had reached a “common understanding” with President Xi to “abide by norms of behavior” in cyperspace. He cautioned, however, that these commitments, while important, will face scrutiny. “The question now is, are words followed by actions?” Obama stated. He went on to say that the US “will be watching carefully” to assess whether progress has been made, adding that he remains prepared to levy sanctions against cyber criminals. Xi warned that the issue of cyber should not be politicized, and encouraged further cooperation going forward.
Building on the bilateral September agreement, on Nov. 1, at the Group of 20 Summit in Turkey, leaders pledged that no country “should conduct or support cyber theft of intellectual property for commercial competitive advantage.” The language was endorsed by both China and the US, and was viewed by the Obama administration as a major achievement. Critics considered the agreement as weak, however, because it lacks enforcement mechanisms. The use of the word “should” was also contentious, as it indicates voluntary adherence, rather than mandatory compliance. Nevertheless, the statement represents a step forward in reaching a common understanding of acceptable behavior in cyberspace.
The inaugural China-US High-Level Joint Dialogue on Cracking Down on Cybercrime and Related Matters was held on Dec. 1-2 in Washington, DC. The Dialogue was co-chaired by China’s State Councilor Guo Shengkun, US Attorney General Loretta Lynch, and US Secretary of Homeland Security Johnson. A Chinese Foreign Ministry outcomes list from the meeting reaffirmed and built upon Xi’s summit pledges stating that, “neither country’s government will conduct or knowingly support cyber-enabled theft of intellectual property, including trade secrets or other confidential business information, with the intent of providing competitive advantages to companies or commercial sectors.” The two sides established guidelines for requesting assistance on cyber crime as well as to conduct “tabletop exercises” in the spring of 2016, and agreed on procedures for a hotline to facilitate more effective law enforcement cooperation.
According to the Chinese Foreign Ministry outcomes statement, “they also reached broad consensus on some specific cases of cyber security, cyber counter-terrorism cooperation and law enforcement training.” Following the conclusion of the Dialogue, Xinhua reported that the two sides had discussed the OPM hack, and that “through investigation, the case turned out to be a criminal case rather than a state-sponsored cyberattack as the US side has previously suspected.” The US has not commented on the validity of this claim. The next round of the Dialogue is set to take place in Beijing in June 2016.
The jury is still out as to whether progress on the cybersecurity front is genuine or just smoke and mirrors. In a briefing on Nov. 18, US counterintelligence chief Bill Evanina said he had seen “no indication” that China’s hacking behavior had changed. Rebutting this claim, anonymous officials told the Washington Post that the Chinese military has scaled back its theft of US commercial secrets. Obama raised cybersecurity again when he met with Xi Jinping in late November on the sidelines of the Paris climate negotiations. Obama called the discussions “candid,” and noted that cyber is still one of the “differences between our countries.”
Cooperation on climate change yields results
On Sep. 25, following the Obama-Xi summit in Washington, the US and China released an ambitious joint presidential statement on climate change announcing historic pledges to reduce their country’s respective carbon emissions by 2030. The statement also set new fuel efficient standards for heavy-duty vehicles in China, outlined increased cooperation to reduce emissions from methane and HFCs, and charted a plan to develop energy efficient standards for new Chinese buildings and cities, all of which should help China to reach its goal of an emissions peak in 2030. China also pledged to contribute $3.1 billion to help developing nations meet their own emissions standards. In addition, the two countries articulated a common vision for the Paris United Nations conference on climate change, which took place in November. The White House called the statement a “major milestone in US-China joint leadership in the fight against climate change.”
Beijing’s willingness to cooperate with the US on climate change is partly a result of increasingly alarming pollution levels in Chinese cities and growing public concern about air quality. It may also be due to Xi Jinping’s push for China to more actively contribute to global development, which he described in a speech to the United Nations General Assembly on Sep. 28. Enhanced cooperation between the China and the US – the number one and number two largest emitters of greenhouse gases – likely spurred other countries to make commitments to reduce emissions in the run-up to the Paris conference. Chinese state-run media outlet Xinhua claimed that, “it is widely believed that the China-US agreements on climate change in the past years have inspired the global community in fighting climate change.”
The 21st Conference of the Parties (COP21) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change was held in Paris from Nov. 30 – Dec. 11 with the aim of signing a new global agreement to reduce carbon emissions. The historic agreement was reached at the end of COP21 on Dec. 12, and replaces the 1997 Kyoto Protocol, which is set to expire in 2020. While not all elements of the agreement are legally binding, the accord will encourage the 196 countries present to take significant steps to reduce the risk of a global temperature rise beyond 2 degrees. The agreement will officially enter into force if at least 55 countries “accounting in total for at least an estimated 55 percent of the total global greenhouse gas emissions have deposited their instruments of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession.”
Presidents Xi and Obama, who both attended the opening ceremonies in Paris, met on the sidelines of COP21 on Nov. 30 to discuss a range of bilateral issues, with an emphasis on climate change. Obama reportedly praised Xi’s cooperation, stating that the US-China joint “leadership on this issue has been vital.” The two presidents discussed ways to make the Paris conference a success for all parties. For both the US and China, COP21 was the result of many months of cooperation and hard work, and demonstrated the ability of the US and China to work together where their interests converge.
In a press conference following their bilateral meeting, however, the two leaders’ statements revealed persisting differences. Obama stated that the US recognizes its own negative contributions to climate change, then called for a solution to the problem that is “global in nature.” Xi had a slightly different take, emphasizing that “countries should be allowed to seek their own solutions, according to their national interest,” a statement consistent with past Chinese efforts to protect the rights of developing countries to prioritize economic growth over fighting global warming. China’s special representative on climate change, Xie Zhenhua, made similar arguments in a Nov. 19 report, which re-stated China’s long-standing position that any deal should encompass the principles of “common but differentiated responsibilities” and “respective capabilities.”
Nevertheless, both presidents were ultimately satisfied with the agreement and praised its outcomes. According to a White House statement, Obama spoke with Xi on the phone on Dec. 14 following the announcement of the Paris accord, “to express appreciation for the important role China played in securing an historic climate agreement.” The Chinese Foreign Ministry reported that Xi described the Paris agreement as “pointing the direction and goal for global cooperation in fighting climate change post 2020.” Both presidents reaffirmed their pledge to continue their cooperation.
While all countries celebrated the climate deal, Chinese media outlets appeared especially excited about the significant role that their country played in creating global norms. A Xinhua editorial called the deal, “a particularly sweet victory for China, which emerged to take a leading role.” In Xi Jinping’s New Year’s message delivered on Dec. 31, he mentioned global climate change as one of the priority issues that Chinese leaders paid attention to in 2015. In that context, Xi noted that “the international community expects to hear a voice from China and look at China’s plans. China cannot afford to be absent.”
Tensions over South China Sea flare up again
At the small dinner that President Obama held for Xi Jinping and few members of China’s foreign affairs apparatus, the most contentious issue was the South China Sea. Both leaders presented and defended their respective positions, unable to make any headway toward narrowing differences. Persisting tensions were apparent during the press conference. Obama described their discussions on the South China Sea as “candid,” noting that he had conveyed US concerns over China’s land reclamation, construction, and militarization, and reiterated that the US would continue to sail, fly, and operate anywhere that international law allows.
President Xi maintained that China is committed to maintaining peace and stability in the South China Sea, including addressing territorial disputes through “negotiation, consultation, and in a peaceful manner.” He pledged to uphold “freedom of navigation and overflight that countries enjoy according to international law.” Xi asserted that the US and China share common interests in the South China Sea, with both supporting peace and stability. Both countries, he said, “have agreed to maintain constructive communication on relevant issues.” In a surprise to Obama administration officials, Xi asserted that “China does not intend to pursue militarization” of the Spratly Islands. It was unclear what Xi meant by “militarization, however.” Months after the summit, Chinese officials and scholars continued to refuse to define it publicly or privately. In closed-door meetings, Chinese experts and officials indicated that Xi Jinping had simply used the phrase at the summit to reassure President Obama that he intended to resolve differences with the other South China Sea claimants peacefully, and nothing more.
On Oct. 27, the USS Lassen, a US Navy guided-missile destroyer, exercising international rights of freedom of navigation, sailed within 12nm of Subi Reef, a low-tide elevation that China has terraformed and on which it is constructing facilities that could be used for military purposes. The Lassen also went within 12nm limits of features claimed by Vietnam and the Philippines. Over the previous six months, various US media had reported that the Obama administration was considering conducting such an operation, so the Chinese were neither surprised nor unprepared. Moreover, the US action was not unprecedented: although US Navy ships had not sailed within 12nm of Chinese-occupied features in the South China Sea for some time, according to testimony by Assistant Secretary of Defense David Shear before the Senate Armed Services Committee on Sep. 17, they did conduct such operations prior to 2012.
Two Chinese Navy ships and its “air arm” shadowed the USS Lassen and issued warnings to evacuate the area. China’s Foreign Ministry charged that the US destroyer had “illegally” entered its waters and said it “firmly opposes any country harming [China’s] sovereignty and security under the pretext of freedom of navigation and overflight.” China’s Defense Ministry called the patrol “an abuse of freedom of navigation” and said that the PLA is ready to “take all necessary steps to protect the country’s security and interests.” China’s Vice Foreign Minister Zhang Yesui summoned US Ambassador to China Max Baucus, telling him that the US patrol was “extremely irresponsible.” The Foreign Ministry spokesman warned that China might be compelled to “increase and strengthen the building up of our relevant capabilities.”
Two days after the US freedom of navigation operation (FONOP), Adm. John Richardson, the US chief of naval operations, held a video call with Adm. Wu Shengli, commander of the Chinese Navy, to discuss the event. A US Navy spokesman described their exchange as “professional and productive.” Under pressure from the White House, the Pentagon made no official statement regarding the purpose of the FONOP or the specific activities conducted by the Lassen during the operation. Without such a statement, the exact message that the US was seeking to convey remains uncertain.
Unrelated to the FONOP, on Oct. 29, the UN Permanent Court of Arbitration issued a ruling in a case filed against China by the Philippines. It found that it has jurisdiction on seven issues and reserved the right to declare jurisdiction over the remaining issues after evaluating the merits of the case. China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterated that any ruling by the Tribunal concerning the South China Sea is “null and void” and has “no binding effect on China.”
At the 10th East Asia Summit (EAS) in Kuala Lumpur at the end of November, the South China Sea was a central topic of discussion among the 18 leaders from member states. President Obama reportedly urged all claimants to halt reclamation, construction, and militarization. He also highlighted the importance of preserving freedom of navigation and overflight. Other leaders raised concerns about the South China Sea, including Japanese Prime Minister Abe Shinzo and Philippine President Benigno Aquino. Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak told reporters that there was a consensus that the South China Sea had to be handled in a way that doesn’t raise tensions in the region. In his off-the-record remarks, Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang reportedly agreed to accelerate negotiations aimed at concluding a binding code of conduct on the South China Sea and reiterated that China does not intend to militarize the Spratly Islands.
Military-to-military exchanges proceed despite tensions
The final four months of 2015 witnessed a flurry of discussions and exchanges between the US and Chinese militaries. A 27-member delegation of US Navy captains traveled to China in mid-October, a reciprocal visit for the visit to the US by a captain delegation of the Chinese PLA Navy in February. The US delegation visited the Chinese aircraft carrier Liaoning on Oct. 19, sharing their experiences in training, healthcare at sea, and aircraft carrier development strategies, according to the Chinese Navy’s official microblog. The US delegation also visited the Chinese Navy’s submarine school.
Adm. Harry Harris, made his first visit to China as commander of the US Pacific Command in early November, less than a week after the USS Lassen conducted its FONOP near Chinese-occupied Subi Reef. Harris met separately with Gen. Fang Fenghui, chief of the PLA General Staff, and Gen. Fan Changlong, vice chairman of the Central Military Commission. According to the Chinese military’s flagship newspaper, the People’s Liberation Daily, Fan told Harris that the US warship had threatened Chinese sovereignty and that such operations could “easily trigger miscalculations and accidents.” Harris also delivered a speech at the Stanford Center at Beijing University in which he defended the US FONOP in the South China Sea, insisting that avoiding the escalation of US-China disputes to military conflict is a US priority.
While Adm. Harris was in Beijing, US Secretary of Defense Ash Carter met Chinese Defense Minister Gen. Chang Wanquan on the sidelines of the ASEAN Defense Ministers Meeting Plus in Kuala Lumpur. In a 40-minute discussion that focused on the South China Sea, Chang emphasized that China’s activities in those waters are mainly defense in nature. He reportedly warned that China has a “bottom line” on US challenges to its territorial claims. Carter indicated that the US welcomed Xi Jinping’s statements during his September visit to the White House that China “does not intend to pursue militarization” on reclaimed islands in the Spratlys. According to defense officials, Chang did not comment on what the Chinese mean by “militarization” or explain what Chinese intentions are.
US Pacific Fleet Commander Adm. Scott Swift flew to Shanghai on Nov. 16 to be on board the USS Stethem when it arrived at Wusong, a military port, for a goodwill visit. He reportedly was invited on short notice by Chinese Vice Adm. Su Zhiqian, commander of the East China Sea Fleet of the Chinese Navy, with whom he met for two hours on board the Stethem during the visit. A few days later Swift flew to Beijing and met Adm. Wu Shengli, commander of the Chinese Navy. In a discussion that centered on the South China Sea and relations between the US and Chinese navies, Swift reiterated the intention of the US to fly and sail wherever international law allows and emphasized the importance of transparency, parity, and reciprocity between the Pacific Fleet and PLAN counterparts. According to Chinese media, Wu called on the US to stop its “provocations” in the South China Sea. He maintained that the US FONOP did not contribute to peace and stability in the South China Sea, and charged the US with “sabotaging” China’s sovereignty and security. Wu and Swift also discussed the PLAN’s participation in the upcoming Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) multilateral exercise in 2016.
The US and Chinese navies conducted three port calls between Sep. 1 and Dec. 31. On Nov. 4, Chinese Naval Taskforce 152 composed of three Chinese vessels arrived at Naval Station Mayport in Florida, marking the first time that a Chinese Navy ship visited the east coast of the United States. The three ships held a passing exercise with US Navy ships in the Atlantic Ocean. The Chinese flotilla was on an around-the-world cruise, and later stopped in Mexico and Cuba before arriving at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii on Dec. 13. The USS Stethem, an Arleigh-Burke-class destroyer, docked in Shanghai on Nov. 16 for a five-day port visit after a brief stop in the northern port of Qingdao. After the goodwill port call in Shanghai, the Stethem conducted joint naval drills with Chinese ships involving a joint rescue operation near the estuary of the Yangtze River as well communication exercises of the Code for Unplanned Encounters at Sea (CUES). Although not considered part of official military-to-military exchanges, the Chinese hospital ship Peace Ark arrived in San Diego for a five-day visit on Nov. 3 during which discussions were held with US Navy and Veteran Affairs medical professionals.
The US and Chinese armies launched a bilateral Army-to-Army Exchange and Cooperation Dialogue Mechanism on Nov. 19 in Beijing. Gen. Wang Jianping, deputy chief of the PLA General Staff, led the Chinese side, and Maj. Gen. William Hix, director for Strategy, Plans and Policy at US Army headed the US delegation. Chinese media reported Wang’s call for continuously strengthening communication and exchange, making greater efforts to promote mutual trust and cooperation, and effectively manage and control risks and crises. About 70 PLA soldiers participated in the third joint US-China drill for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief at Joint Base Lewis-McChord outside Tacoma, Washington Nov. 19- 23. The event included command post exercises and field exercises, including 12 earthquake rescue-related activities and 13 medical-related drills.
Another arms sale to Taiwan
On Dec. 16, the Obama administration notified Congress of its intent to sell a new $1.83 billion arms package to Taiwan. This is the third US arms sale to Taiwan since President Obama came to office in 2009 and brings the total of arms sales to Taiwan during Obama’s tenure to $12 billion. The package includes two Perry-class Frigates, Javelin anti-tank missiles, TOW 2B anti-tank missiles and AAV-7 Amphibious Assault Vehicles. It also includes follow-on work for Taiwan’s Syun-An C4ISR systems, Link 11/Link 16 for Taiwan’s naval ships, Phalanx Close-In Weapons Systems, and Stinger surface-to-air missiles.
Beijing’s public and official media reaction to the US announcement was the most restrained response to such sales since at least 1992, probably because the package was smaller than recent prior arms sales and did not contain advanced weapons. Whereas after previous sales China has issued “protests” or “strong protests,” this time it issued a “solemn representation.” A Chinese vice foreign minister summoned the US charge d’affaires in Beijing to deliver a demarche. According to Xinhua, the vice minister called on the US to “avoid further harming” US-China relations and “cooperation.” By contrast, after the 2011 arms sale, China’s then vice minister stated that it would “damage” bilateral ties and in 2010 China’s then vice minister said that the sale would have a “serious and negative impact” on a range of bilateral exchanges.
A statement on the Foreign Ministry website indicated that Beijing would respond by imposing sanctions on companies involved in the sale, although the companies were not identified. This is not the first time that China has made such a threat, which in effect means that the Chinese government and Chinese enterprises will not do business with companies that sell weapons to Taiwan. The reaction from China’s Defense Ministry was slightly harsher, though milder than in recent years. The Defense Ministry spokesman stated that the latest arms sale would have “a negative impact” on US-China military ties, compared to “severely damage” and “seriously harm” in 2011 and 2010 respectively.
Economic issues at the JCCT and the summit
US Trade Representative Michael Froman and Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker along with Chinese Vice Premier Wang Yang co-chaired the 26th US-China Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade (JCCT) in Guangzhou on Nov. 21-23. Under Pritzker’s guidance, the US made efforts this year to strengthen cooperation with the business communities on both sides. Several smaller roundtables and discussions were also convened with JCCT chairs and business leaders who were in attendance. For the year overall, JCCT results were modest, with Froman stating that, “we made progress on a number of fronts, but of course there’s still work to be done.” Wang, for his part, praised the “important consensus and outcomes” of the talks.
Expectations for progress in this year’s JCCT were low partly because of the achievements made on commerce and trade just two months prior during the Xi-Obama summit. The November JCCT sought to build upon commitments made during the summit, but didn’t achieve any new breakthroughs. In a White House fact sheet on US-China economic relations released after the summit on Sep. 25, the two sides reportedly recognized the “positive progress” of ongoing Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) negotiations, including “improved negative list proposals.” Both sides have previously noted the importance of BIT negotiations to the larger bilateral relationship and place significant value on completing negotiations in the near future. Indeed, the White House fact sheet stated that the two sides reaffirmed the negotiation of a high standard BIT as a “top economic priority.”
There was no mention of the BIT in the US fact sheet released after the JCCT, however, and China’s Ministry of Commerce failed to issue any official statement, signaling that no substantial progress was made in the BIT negotiations. This was confirmed by Froman, who stated that “there’s still significant work to be done for the negative list.” Business communities on both sides were disappointed with the lack of movement on BIT negotiations. In their meeting on the sidelines of the Paris climate change conference, Xi again brought up the subject, suggesting that the two sides conclude a bilateral investment treaty soon. It seems increasingly unlikely, however, that a BIT will be finalized within Obama’s term in office, and it will likely face further delays as a new US administration gets settled in and reviews existing policies.
At the September summit, Obama also pressed Xi to follow through on economic reforms and not discriminate against US companies doing business in China. Xi reportedly was receptive to both points, stating that reforms would continue apace and that China would cut restrictions to market access for foreign companies. These themes were echoed during the JCCT, where China again pledged more open markets and allow greater access for foreign firms.
On intellectual property rights (IPR), an issue of increasing importance to the US, the White House reported during the summit that both countries affirmed that, “states should not conduct or knowingly support misappropriation of intellectual property, including trade secrets or other confidential business information with the intent of providing competitive advantages to their companies or commercial sectors.” According to a USTR statement, further progress was made on IPR during the JCCT where, “China clarified several ongoing and intended efforts to revise China’s trade secrets system and provide more effective aspects of its civil judicial system to deter and respond to the misappropriation of trade secrets.” Despite these promises of better IPR protection, Chinese representatives insisted that China should be allowed some flexibility given its status as a developing country. Chinese Vice Commerce Minister Zhang Xiangchen said in a press conference following the JCCT that China needs “to effectively protect intellectual property in a balanced way. That means we need to protect the rights of holders and users.”
In a move that is of great importance to US companies, China made a commitment to create nondiscriminatory and transparent policies for Information and Communications Technology (ICT) security. According to USTR Froman, China pledged to allow its banks to purchase technology regardless of where that technology was produced. Froman did not, however, address the issue of whether companies would be required to turn over IPR and source code to Chinese banks under the terms of the sale, an issue that continues to worry US and other foreign companies doing business in China. Relatedly, China promised that commercial secrets obtained from foreign companies under its new Anti-Monopoly Law will be protected and that antitrust cases will be pursued without political or bureaucratic influence. All of these measures indicate a commitment by China to stronger protection against the theft of trade secrets, a welcome development for foreign companies if effectively implemented.
As in previous years, China pushed for lower restrictions on the purchase of high-tech items from the US at both the summit and the JCCT. At the summit, the US stated its commitment to “encourage and facilitate exports of commercial high technology items to China for civilian-end users and for civilian-end uses” and agreed to further discussions on the subject. At the JCCT, Secretary Pritzker promised that the US would “develop a mechanism to improve the exchange of information on individual cases of commercial high-tech items exported to China.” China also pushed for easing restrictions on Chinese investment in the US. According to the White House, during the summit the US committed to maintaining an open environment for Chinese investors, including Chinese state-owned enterprises (SOEs). These commitments were echoed at the JCCT talks in November.
Closing out 2015 and looking ahead
After a year of considerable friction, US-China relations ended 2015 on a relatively positive note. Washington and Beijing worked together alongside other nations to reach a deal with Iran and to sign a global pact to address global warming. Bilaterally, they expanded military exchanges and took a step toward addressing cyber theft of intellectual property. Nevertheless, many problems persist and there is a clear trend of intensifying competition.
2016 will be the final year of President Obama’s term in office. Obama and Xi will meet at the Nuclear Security Summit in Washington DC, March 31 – April 1. Obama will visit China for the 11th G20 meeting in Hangzhou. Defense Secretary Carter plans to travel to China in the spring and the PLA Navy will participate in RIMPAC for the second time in the summer. The US and China will hold the Strategic and Economic Dialogue in June or July. As the US presidential campaign kicks into high gear, both nations will be watching closely to see who emerges as the next US president. Regardless of whether it is a Democrat or Republican, most observers expect US policy toward China to get tougher and the bilateral relationship to face greater challenges.
September — December 2015
Sep. 2, 2015: Five Chinese Navy ships pass through US territorial waters as they transit the Aleutian Islands, coming within 12nm of the coast of Alaska.
Sep. 6–8, 2015: US Assistant Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Daniel Russel meets Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin to discuss peaceful cooperation in the Asia Pacific region and other issues of importance to the bilateral relationship.
Sep. 8, 2015: US Senior Advisor to President Obama Brian Deese meets Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli in Beijing.They agree to work together more closely to address climate change.
Sep. 8–9, 2015: US Assistant Secretary for Arms Control, Verification and Compliance Frank Rose meets senior officials from China’s MOFA and the Chinese Academy of Military Science to discuss multilateral arms control, strategic stability, and space security.
Sep. 10, 2015: US Deputy Secretary of State Antony Blinken meets Chinese Executive Vice Foreign Minister Zhang Yesui.
Sep. 11, 2015: Chinese Vice Premier Wang Yang and US Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew hold a phone conversation to exchange views on economic relations and other issues.
Sep. 12, 2015: Concluding four days of meetings on cyber security between senior US and Chinese officials, National Security Advisor Susan Rice has a “frank and open exchange about cyber issues” with Meng Jianzhu, secretary of the Central Political and Legal Affairs Commission of the Chinese Communist Party.
Sep. 15, 2015: US Drug Enforcement Agency Officials and the Chinese Ministry of Public Security hold a meeting of the Bilateral Drug Intelligence Working Group to discuss major drug issues facing their countries.
Sep. 15, 2015: US Special Envoy for Climate Change Todd Stern meets China’s Special Representative for Climate Change Affairs Xie Zhenhua in Los Angeles, announcing joint actions in both countries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, including development of cap-and-trade programs in China.
Sep. 15, 2015: A Chinese fighter jet makes an unsafe intercept of a US Air Force RC-135 reconnaissance plane.
Sep. 15-16, 2015: US and Chinese leaders from cities in both countries meet for the White House-organized “US-China Climate Leaders Summit” in Los Angeles and sign agreements to help the US and China meet their national greenhouse gas emission reduction goals.
Sep. 16, 2015: President Obama brings up the potential for taking “countervailing actions” against China over cyberattacks in remarks at the Business Roundtable in Washington, DC.
Sep. 16, 2015: Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter expresses deep concern about “the pace and scope of land reclamation in the South China Sea” and says China is “out of step” with “international rules and norms” at the Air Force Association’s Air & Space Conference 2015.
Sep. 17, 2015: The Counter-narcotics Working Group, led by the US Department of Justice and the Chinese Ministry of Public Security, share potential avenues for cooperation in combatting “designer drugs” and stress “expanding mutual understanding and cooperation on drug issues.”
Sep. 17, 2015: David Shear, assistant secretary of defense, and Adm. Harry Harris, commander, US Pacific Command, testify before the Senate Committee on Armed Services in a hearing on Maritime Security Strategy in the Asia-Pacific Region.
Sep. 17, 2015: Co-Chairman of the Congressional China Caucus and Chairman of the House Armed Services Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee Congressman Randy Forbes submits a bipartisan letter to President Obama calling for a “firm response” to China’s actions in the South China Sea, garnering 29 signatures.
Sep. 17, 2015: President Xi Jinping meets US delegates attending the seventh China-US business leaders’ and former senior officials’ dialogue in Beijing.
Sep. 17, 2015: US Assistant Secretary for International Organization Affairs Sheba Crocker lauds US-China cooperation on peacekeeping and on Afghanistan among cooperative efforts at the UN at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace in Washington, DC.
Sep. 22, 2015: President Xi begins his US visit, speaking at the Third US-China Governors Forum in Seattle, and emphasizing the value of local efforts in improving bilateral ties.
Sep. 23, 2015: Secretary of State John Kerry meets relatives of Chinese dissidents imprisoned in China to signal the Obama administration’s concerns about human rights.
Sep. 23, 2015: At the US-China CEO Roundtable, President Xi appeals to US business leaders to “deepen China-US business cooperation.”
Sep. 23, 2015: Wrapping up the eighth US-China Internet Industry Forum, President Xi meets 29 technology executives, including Apple’s Tim Cook, Amazon’s Jeff Bezos, and Facebook’s Mark Zuckerburg following tours of Boeing and Microsoft.
Sep. 24, 2015: Undersecretary of Commerce for International Trade Stefan Selig and Deputy USTR Robert Holleyman meet Vice Commerce Minister Zhang Xiangchen in Washington to prepare for the Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade.
Sep. 24, 2015: President Xi arrives in Washington, DC for a state visit.
Sep. 28, 2015: US and China hold the inaugural meeting of the Civil Space Dialogue in Beijing.
Sep. 29, 2015: Director of National Intelligence James Clapper tells a Senate hearing on cybersecurity that he is not optimistic about the US-China agreement on cybersecurity.
Sep. 30, 2015: Deputy Chief of General Staff of the PLA Adm. Sun Jianguo meets US Pacific Command Commander Adm. Harris in Hawaii at the 2015 Chiefs of Defense Conference.
Oct. 5, 2015: Announcing the completion of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations, President Obama says “we can’t let countries like China write the rules of the global economy.”
Oct. 8, 2015: Deputy Secretary of State Antony Blinken visits China and meets State Councilor Yang Jiechi and Chief of General Staff of the PLA Fang Fenghui in Beijing.
Oct. 12, 2015: Chinese PLAN vessel Zheng He arrives at Pearl Harbor for a four-day port visit, during which Chinese and US naval officers conduct confidence-building exercises.
Oct. 14, 2015: Chinese Ambassador to the US Cui Tiankai calls for stronger, more resilient relations at the gala dinner of the National Committee on US-China Relations in New York.
Oct. 15, 2015: Secretary Kerry calls on China to release human rights lawyer Zhang Kai.
Oct. 15-16, 2015: The US-China Legal Experts Dialogue takes place in Beijing, led by US Assistant Secretary for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor Tom Malinowski.
Oct. 19, 2015: A 27-member delegation of the US Navy captains visits the Chinese aircraft carrier Liaoning and exchanges views with Chinese peers on naval issues.
Oct. 19, 2015: In its Semi-Annual Report to Congress on International Economic and Exchange Rate Policies, US Treasury drops its previous assessment that China’s renminbi is “significant undervalued.” Instead, it says the RMB “remains below its appropriate medium-term valuation.”
Oct. 27, 2015: Secretary of Defense Carter confirms that the USS Lassen sailed close to Subi Reef in the Spratly Islands, conducting a freedom of navigation operation. Chinese Foreign Ministry summons US Ambassador to China Max Baucus to express its “strong discontent.”
Oct. 28, 2015: China and US begin 22nd round of talks on bilateral investment treaty (BIT) in Qingdao.
Oct. 29, 2015: Adm. John Richardson, chief of Naval Operations, and Adm. Wu Shengli, commander of the People’s Liberation Army Navy, hold a video teleconference to discuss the passage of the USS Lassen near Subi Reef.
Oct. 29, 2015: Permanent Court of Arbitration awards its first decision in The Republic of Philippines v. The People’s Republic of China case, ruling that the case was “properly constituted” under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, that China’s “non-appearance” (i.e., refusal to participate) did not preclude the Court’s jurisdiction, and that the Philippines was within its rights in filing the case.
Nov. 2, 2015: Adm. Harris of US Pacific Command visits Beijing to boost naval exchanges and meets Gen. Fan Changlong, vice chairman of China’s Central Military Commission.
Nov. 2-3, 2015: Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs Evan Ryan meets Vice Premier Liu Yandong, Minister of Culture Luo Shugang, and Vice Minister of Education Liu Huiqing regarding cultural exchange.
Nov. 3, 2015: Chinese Navy hospital ship Peace Ark arrives in San Diego for a five-day visit with US Navy and Veteran Affairs officials.
Nov. 3, 2015: Secretary of Defense Carter meets Defense Minister Chang Wanquan in Kuala Lumpur on the sidelines of the ASEAN Defense Ministers Meeting Plus.
Nov. 4, 2015: Three Chinese Navy ships arrive at the US Naval Station Mayport in Florida, beginning a four-day port visit.
Nov. 5, 2015: Defense Secretary Carter boards the carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt, which is patrolling the South China Sea.
Nov. 5-12, 2015: House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi leads a delegation to China, including a visit to Tibet. The group meets Premier Li Keqiang, Vice Chairman of the NPC Standing Committee Zhang Ping, and Chairman of the NPC Standing Committee Zhang Dejiang.
Nov. 6, 2015: Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Secretary of State Kerry exchange views on the South China Sea, Iran, and Syria in a phone conversation.
Nov. 6, 2015: Vice Premier Wang Yang speaks with Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew over the phone on US-China economic relations.
Nov. 7, 2015: Vice Premier Wang has a phone conversation with Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker and US Trade Representative Michael Froman on US-China economic relations.
Nov. 16, 2015: USS Stethem docks in Shanghai following a stop in Qingdao for a port visit. Pacific Fleet Commander Adm. Scott Swift meets Vice Adm. Su Zhiqian onboard the Stethem.
Nov. 17, 2015: Foreign Minister Wang Yi meets with Deputy Secretary of State Blinken in Manila on the sidelines of the APEC Economic Leaders Meeting.
Nov. 17-19, 2015: The first annual meeting of the US-China Army-to-Army Exchange and Cooperation Dialogue Mechanism is launched in Beijing. Deputy Chief of General Staff of the PLA Gen. Wang Jianping heads the Chinese delegation and US Army Director for Strategy, Plans and Policy Maj. Gen. William Hix heads the US delegation.
Nov. 19-23, 2015: A group of Chinese soldiers visit Joint Base Lewis-McChord for a military-to-military exercise, practicing humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations.
Nov. 19, 2015: US Pacific Fleet Commander Adm. Swift meets People’s Liberation Army Navy Commander Wu Shengli in Beijing.
Nov. 20, 2015: In an interview with the Financial Times, Assistant Secretary for Arms Control, Verification and Compliance Frank Rose reveals the establishment of an emergency “space hotline” between the US and China.
Nov. 21-23, 2015: Secretary of Commerce Pritzker, US Trade Representative Froman and Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack participate in the 26th US-China Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade in Guangzhou. The Chinese delegation is led by Vice Premier Wang Yang.
Nov. 21-24, 2015: Military representatives from the US and China meet at Pacific Air Force Headquarters in Hawaii for bi-annual Military Maritime Consultative Agreement talks regarding military air and naval safety.
Nov. 23-25, 2015: Chinese and US delegates meet for the 13th US-China Joint Liaison Group on Law Enforcement Cooperation in Washington DC.
Nov. 24, 2015: Secretary of State Kerry speaks with State Councilor Yang Jiechi over the phone to discuss cooperation in advance of the December climate conference in Paris.
Nov. 27, 2015: Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Assistant Secretary William Brownfield and Deputy Assistant Attorney General Bruce Swartz join Ministry of Foreign Affairs Director General Xu Hong and Deputy Director General Cai Wei in Baltimore on two coast guard vessels for a law enforcement excursion.
Nov. 30, 2015: President Obama and President Xi meet in Paris on the sidelines of the 21st Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.
Dec. 1, 2015: Director-General of the Arms Control Department of China’s Foreign Ministry Wang Qun meets Assistant Secretary Rose to exchange views on space, nuclear and other arms control and non-proliferation issues.
Dec. 1-2, 2015: Minister of Public Security Guo Shengkun visits the US for the first bilateral high-level dialogue on cybercrime. Guo meets National Security Advisor Susan Rice and jointly chairs the meeting with Department of Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson and US Attorney General Loretta Lynch.
Nov. 30-Dec. 3, 2015: Assistant Secretary for Arms Control, Verification and Compliance Rose travels to Beijing to attend an ASEAN Regional Forum workshop on space security.
Dec. 7-8, 2015: Chinese and American experts and NGOs meet in Beijing for the sixth Sino-American Dialogue on Rule of Law and Human Rights.
Dec. 9, 2015: Foreign Minister Wang Yi meets Deputy Secretary of State Blinken in Islamabad on the margins of the Foreign Ministerial Conference of the Istanbul Process.
Dec. 10, 2015: Two US B-52 bombers fly into airspace near Chinese-occupied features in the Spratlys, prompting the Chinese Defense Ministry to protest what it called “a show of force” to “create tensions in the waters and airspace.”
Dec. 10-11, 2015: The China Anti-Money Laundering Monitoring and Analysis Center (CAMLMAC) and the US Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) meet in New York and sign an MOU on money laundering and countering terrorist financing.
Dec. 14, 2015: Presidents Xi and Obama applaud the agreement reached at the UN Climate Conference in a phone conversation.
Dec. 16, 2015: USTR Froman and Commerce Minister Gao Hucheng meet in Nairobi, Kenya and reach a consensus on the expansion of the WTO Information Technology Agreement.
Dec. 17, 2015: Vice Foreign Minister Zheng Zeguang summons US charge d’affairs Kaye Lee in Beijing to protest the Obama administration’s $1.38 billion arms sale to Taiwan.
Dec. 20, 2015: Foreign Minister Wang Yi talks by phone with Secretary Kerry. The main topics are Syria and Iran. Wang also raises US arms sales to Taiwan and US military operations in the South China Sea.
Dec. 23, 2015: The Office of the US Trade Representative presents to Congress the 2015 annual report on China’s compliance with its World Trade Organization (WTO) obligations.
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0017.json.gz/line1802
|
__label__wiki
| 0.563908
| 0.563908
|
“Love your Predators: A Valentine's Date with Big Cats”
CCF Hosts World-famous Photographers and Authors in Windhoek
Award-winning authors and photographers, Jonathan and Angela Scott, to lecture in Windhoek on 14 February. (c) Jonathan and Angela Scott.
(Otjiwarongo, Namibia) – Dr. Laurie Marker, founder and executive director of the Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF), announced today that Jonathan and Angela Scott, of world fame for their photographs, books, and the internationally acclaimed TV series “Big Cat Diaries,” will visit CCF’s centre near Otjiwarongo, followed by a lecture and fundraiser in Windhoek on the 14 February. The lecture, “Love your Predators: A Valentine’s Date With Big Cats”, will be held at the Thule Hotel at 18.30 hs.The evening talk will include stunning images featuring, arguably one of the world's seven natural wonders, the Masai Mara in Kenya. Jonathan and Angie will share some great anecdotes about the lives of the magnificent 'Big Cats'. “Jonathan and Angie are two of the most respected conservationists in the world, and few people know the importance of predators more than them,” said Marker. “We are extremely fortunate to be able to host them during this visit to Namibia and to share their knowledge and passion with our supporters and friends.”
The Scotts are Namibia to attend the African Lion Working Group Conference in Etosha National Park from the 10-11 Feb, and will participate in a week-long safari to the Skeleton Coast and Serra Cafema close to the Angolan border as guests of Wilderness Safaris. “Namibia is one of our favourite wild places, one of the most scenic spots on the planet. We are regular contributors to national and international wildlife and travel magazines and will be writing up our adventures on our return to our home in East Africa. In the meantime we will be sure to enjoy your remarkable country,” said Scott. “As Honorary Patrons of the Cheetah Conservation Fund (UK) we are thrilled with the opportunity to join Dr Laurie Marker and reacquaint ourselves with the work of the Fund. “
Jonathan and Angie Scott are award winning authors and internationally renowned wildlife photographers based in Kenya. They have written and illustrated 26 books and are the only couple to have individually won the Overall Award in the prestigious Wildlife Photographer of the Year Competition – Jonathan in 1987 and Angie in 2002. They have been honoured as Canon Ambassadors - and members of the SanDisk Elite Team - a small group of world-renowned photographers whose work and ethos has proved an inspiration to others. They divide their time between their beautiful home in a leafy suburb of Nairobi - with giraffe as their neighbours - and a cottage at Governor’s Camp overlooking the animal speckled plains of the Masai Mara, Africa’s finest wildlife area and the location for many of the popular TV series that Jonathan has presented, such as Big Cat Diary, Elephant Diaries, Big Bear Diary, and Dawn to Dusk.
Jonathan and Angie’s passion for wild places spans the globe: from Africa to the frozen icescape of Antarctica. The Scotts host small groups of fellow travellers to India, Bhutan, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia – and the Mara - to name just a few of their favourite destinations, sharing their expertise as naturalists and photographers in the form of stimulating photo workshops. Reproductions of the Scotts’ stunning wildlife and travel photographs are available through their Fine Art Gallery, and their extensive Photographic Stock Library profiles the depth and range of their work which is available on license for commercial and editorial usage.
The Scotts have dedicated their lives to helping to preserve the planet’s last great wilderness areas and in particular its big cats. They are highly sought after motivational speakers, enthralling their audience with the depth of their knowledge and the beauty of their imagery.
The wild cheetah population has decreased 90% in just over 100 years, from 100,000 in 44 countries at end of the 19th century to approximately 10,000 today. Cheetahs are found in 23 African countries, with a small group (approximately 70) in Iran. CCF aims to conserve the cheetah and ultimately ensure its future on our planet by working with all stakeholders within the cheetah’s ecosystem to develop best practices in research, education and ecology and create a sustainable model from which all other species, including people, will benefit.
Tickets are N$250 and include appetizers. For information about the event or to reserve tickets, contact the CCF: Heike at 067-304 806 or 081-3454605, and Santa 067-306 225 or 081-610 6884.
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0017.json.gz/line1803
|
__label__cc
| 0.563414
| 0.436586
|
If it's terrible, we probably know about it.
Movie Recap: I Am Here....Now » I Am Here….Now
I Am Here….Now
The Being (Neil Breen). An alien creature who apparently created the Earth and all life on it. Possesses mystical powers which allow him to manipulate reality at will, but not to fix a hole in the shirt he wears.
Cindy (Elizabeth Sekora). A loving single mother who turns to a life of prostitution after losing her job working as an environmental activist for a renewable energy company. Amber’s twin sister. Does not like wearing bras.
Amber (Joy Senn). Prostitute by night, environmental activist by day. Cindy’s twin sister. Does not like wearing bras.
Man in Wheelchair (Herbert Allen). Wheelchair-bound and cancer-stricken, he journeys to Las Vegas to try and fulfill his lifelong dream of seeing the “Welcome to Las Vegas” sign before he dies.
Gang Leader (Maraud Ford). Leader of a ruthless gang who makes money by…anyway, leader of a ruthless gang. The only member of this cast capable of acting.
Aron (Med Jast). Amber’s boyfriend and petty criminal. Dumb enough to deserve a Darwin award.
Politician (Jason Perrin). A horny and corrupt politician. Doesn’t really do anything in this movie except provide painful exposition about nothing.
Corporate Executive (George Gingerelli). A corrupt corporate executive. Doesn’t really do anything in this movie except provide painful exposition about nothing.
Corporate Lawyer (Ron Schoenewolf). A corrupt lawyer, bears an uncanny resemblance to John Cleese. Doesn’t really do anything in this movie except provide painful exposition about nothing.
Eric (Gunter Nezhoda). Doesn’t really do anything in this movie, I’m just listing him here because he looks awesome.
Ah, I Am Here….Now. Four ellipses and all. This movie stars and was produced, written, directed, and catered by Neil Breen. Who is Neil Breen? Glad you asked. His one other feature film is Double Down, which will be featured on this site when I’ve finished recapping it, but his day job is working as a real estate agent in Las Vegas.
This movie was released in 2009 but didn’t really get noticed until late 2010/early 2011, despite winning a number of independent film awards, according to the official website. A trailer was cut together by someone at Cinefamily and it quickly spread around the interwebs, with many proclaiming it to be one of the worst movies of all time.
I’ll be honest with you: this movie is awesome. I strongly recommend you head over to the official website and purchase the DVD, which is surprisingly affordable, and a perfect addition to your collection… if you’re a fan of really, really bad movies.
Don’t get me wrong: I Am Here….Now is an absolutely terrible movie. Worst of all, it’s incredibly boring, bogged down with endlessly repetitive stock footage, long, panning shots of the desert, and a driving scene that reminds me of Manos: The Hands of Fate. Despite this, there are enough unintentional moments of hilarity to make it worth the twelve bucks.
Unfortunately, there really isn’t a lot I can say about the process of making this as there isn’t much information that can be found anywhere.
Apparently, most of the cast and crew are Neil’s personal friends, along with a few amateur actors, a couple models, and of course Neil himself as the star.
On the one hand, I can appreciate the amount of work and time that went into creating this movie. Neil is obviously a very driven individual who has a lot of things he wants to say and has chosen filmmaking as his medium for talking about what’s important to him. As an aspiring filmmaker and film student, I can appreciate just how hard it is to write, produce, direct, cater, and star in an eighty-six-minute film.
On the other hand, Neil Breen should not be allowed anywhere near a video camera. He may have the best of intentions and he may be convinced he is creating a work of great art, but he has absolutely no idea how to make a movie. Everything in this film reeks of incompetence. The dialogue and script is atrocious, the directing is mediocre at best, and I’ve seen better acting in grade school productions.
But where this movie really fell apart was in the editing and post-production phase. For some reason, Neil decided to insert dozens upon dozens of stock footage shots into the film, usually completely unrelated to whatever is happening, and to reuse the same shots over and over again. He also repeats his own footage several times throughout the movie.
Events happen that are completely unrelated to things that have happened just before. There is no discernable plot to follow. Basic continuity is thrown down and danced upon. The way this movie is put together just does not make any fucking sense.
I’m not saying editing could have saved this movie. William Goldman as script doctor could not save this movie. It’s not capable of being saved. However, just going through and trimming out the random stock footage shots would help a lot. It would also cut a good thirty minutes from the film’s length, which already runs a lean eighty-six minutes.
I should probably note two things that are actually good about this movie. The music is pretty good, especially considering it’s generic, stock music from stockmusic.net. Second, the two female lead “actresses” (note the quotation marks) are quite attractive, and the movie makes no attempt to hide that they’re there for titillation purposes. Admittedly, you only see the side of their breasts, but then again, you see the side of their breasts in almost every shot of the movie. It’s not enough to redeem it, but it does make sitting through it a little easier.
We open with a shot of stock footage as we slowly fly through a CGI star field. After a shot of two CGI moons hovering in the CGI sky, we cut to stock footage of the clouds with sunlight pouring down. It feels a little like the clouds are about to open up, revealing God himself. Instead, with a burst of dramatic music, we get the title:
A computer-generated comet streaks over the desert. Cut to a slow shot where we skim across the desert while the opening credits fade in and out. Neil Breen, as the star, is credited alone, and the entirety of the rest of the cast is jammed together on a single page.
As Neil’s written, produced, and directed by credit appears, we cut to a shot of an enormous desert valley and start one of the camera operator’s favorite filmmaking tricks used in this movie: the agonizingly slow pan to one side. Twenty-four seconds of seeing nothing but a barren desert.
Finally we cut to a new shot of the desert ground, and pan up this time, revealing a skid path of the comet, which is about an inch deep and maybe five feet long, which seems remarkably small. Hilariously, there’s no attempt to hide the clearly visible tire treads here that were evidently left when they drove out to film on location.
After another fifteen seconds or so we cut to another shot, this time panning to the left again….of the exact same thing. Then we cut to ANOTHER SHOT – this one a close-up – of you guessed it, the skid path in the desert, as we slowly pan to the left. Finally we rest on the glass sphere at the end, which is pretty obviously a cheap snow globe. A small red dot flickers around the base for the second. It looks a bit like a laser pointer, or maybe it’s just a reflection off the cameraman’s watch.
2 Responses to “I Am Here….Now”
Intentionally Bad | Miss Elaine eous says:
[…] if reading’s your bag, this guy did a hilarious recap that makes me feel like I’ve actually seen […]
Liz Beth says:
excited to read about a Neil Breen flick! I’ve never seen one… but I’ve heard stories.
Latest Updates!
Update 4/28/18: More Robert Stanek shenanigans....
The Life and Lies of Robert Stanek
The Maradonia Saga
Natural Harvest
Pride and Prejudice continued!
© 2012 Conjugal Felicity Suffusion theme by Sayontan Sinha
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0017.json.gz/line1807
|
__label__cc
| 0.702412
| 0.297588
|
Lisa Dietlin of ‘The Power Of Three’ on Bringing the Nonprofit Sector to the Forefront of Media
By Rachael Baxter • 4 years ago
Named one of the most trusted philanthropic advisors in the nation, Lisa Dietlin, President and CEO of Lisa M. Dietlin and Associates and The Institute of Transformational Philanthropy has served over 140 organizations nationwide as a philanthropic agent, assisting entrepreneurial individuals and nonprofit organizations in developing transformational philanthropic strategies. Lisa is also a regular contributor to Huffington Post’s Impact column addressing the world of giving and philanthropy. She has also been featured on Oprah & Friends Radio as well as WGN and WCIU in Chicago, FOX News and National Public Radio. She is frequently quoted in many national publications including USA Today, Marketwatch, Reuters and The Chronicle of Philanthropy.
Ms. Dietlin is also the author of four books on the subjects of charitable giving and enacting positive change: Transformational Philanthropy: Entrepreneurs and Nonprofits, Making a Difference: 365 Tips, Ideas, and Stories to Change Your World, Making A Difference II: More Tips, Ideas and Stories to Change Your World, Making A Difference® III: Still More Tips, Ideas and Stories to Change Your World.
Her fifth book, The Power of Three: How to achieve your goals by simply doing three things a day was published in June 2014 and is available in 7 languages including English, Spanish, Italian, French, German, Korean and Mandarin Chinese. All of her books are available for purchase on Amazon.com and on the Amazon Kindle.
Lisa’s impressive connection to the philanthropic world is inspiring. Read on to discover why philanthropy matters and her takeaways for getting involved beyond a donation.
First, how did I meet Lisa? I came across her profile on Huffpost Impact after reading: The World of Giving: U.S. Charitable Giving in 2011 Paints a Fascinating Picture. I knew right away, Lisa is someone to follow and learn from. I quickly hit the follow button to receive her RSS feed, and from there I knew I needed to connect with her, interview her Conscious Magazine, and so I said hello to her on twitter -@lisadietlin, and the rest was history.
Check out this interview with Lisa, the lady of impact and learn about what it really means to be a philanthropist!
01 | Lisa, how did you discover your passion for philanthropy?
Over the years, many people have asked me that question. I believe it always begins with one’s experiences in life. There is a story in my family that when I was about two or three years old, I was hospitalized and my parents had to work so they would visit me during their lunch and other breaks. My mom said that one day when she arrived there was a net over my crib. It hadn’t been there before and my mom could not understand what had happened. One of the nurses on the floor told her that I had climbed out of the crib that day and taken toys from the toy box and slippers from a drawer and delivered one of each to the other children on the floor. It seems I thought that if they had slippers and toys they could come and play.
When this story was recently shared with me again it occurred to me that since my youngest days I have had an innate sense to help others and make a difference. I would say I was born with it but have had a blessed life that has afforded me many opportunities to work in this amazing field for almost 30 years!
02 | How do you define a philanthropist?
A philanthropist has been defined as someone who loves humanity. I would update this definition and offer that a philanthropist in the 21st century is someone who uses the resources at their disposal to make a difference in someone else’s world, often without them even knowing.
03 | Why do you feel it is important for individuals and businesses (other than the obvious reasons) to give back?
You know that old saying, “You can’t take it with you”? Well, it really is true! Whether it is money, your time, your dedication or energy I believe you really need to give it away. I think that it really doesn’t matter how much you have of any of these when you die; what is important is whether you used them to help others. For individuals, it is a matter of seeing someone or something in need in your community and truly wanting to help to make a difference. For businesses, there are two reasons it is important to give back. The first is to support the community that supports or patronizes the business and the second is to work to improve that community in which the business operates through involvement and financial donations.
04 | As a writer and go to expert on philanthropy for Huffpost Impact and other influential media platforms—what insight have you gained from your audiences?
The most fascinating insight I have gained is that almost everyone really does want to make a difference – but they often don’t know how to do it! Or they think it might be too hard, too much work, take too long, etc. What I tell them is that you just have to start…take one step such as volunteering one hour and you will be on your way to changing things! Another observation is that most people think that what they could offer is so little that it couldn’t possibly make a difference. I tell them that everything you do to help someone or something else really does make a difference. It is not the size of your contribution, the amount of time you give or the quantity of work you accomplish; it is all of us doing our part to work together to improve our world.
05 | From your research, what are the philanthropic patterns of individuals and business owners, and how can we inspire friends and colleagues to achieve this way of living?
My research and interactions with individuals and entrepreneurs show four patterns.
First, they see a clear difference between philanthropy and charity and most want to do philanthropy. While they see a need for charity, it is recognized as something that is a short term solution to a problem. Individuals and entrepreneurs would rather be involved with projects and programs that are long term and long lasting.
Second, most wished they had become involved in the philanthropic world sooner. I believe individuals, and especially entrepreneurs, can be overlooked as possible sources of financial support because many nonprofit leaders and volunteers are focused primarily on writing and securing corporate and foundation grants.
Third, many of the entrepreneurs I meet and interview say the more money they give away, the more money they make. It is an unintentional outcome of their efforts to change or improve something for others.
Finally, most said they learned about giving back while their watching their moms doing something around the holidays to make sure neighbors and those less fortunate had food.
Additionally, women I interview also say that philanthropy is more than simply giving money; it is also about doing things like helping someone carry in their groceries, holding a door open, mowing a neighbor’s lawn, shoveling the snow from the front steps of an elderly person’s home or simply offering a smile to someone. So the question is how can we inspire our friends and colleagues? I would offer the following 5 tips:
Lead by example; show others how easy it is to become involved and give back
Invite your friends and colleagues to join you when you are doing something to make a difference in your community
Start talking about philanthropy and charitable organizations as well as issues at the dinner table
Instead of giving presents and gifts for birthdays and other celebrations, make a donation in someone’s name to your or their favorite charitable cause
Add a tagline to the signature line of your outgoing email messages about the causes and/or nonprofit organizations you support; this is a simple but effective way to tell others about what is important to you; a link to that organization’s website could also be included
06 | If you could provide three takeaways for our readers to launch their philanthropic lifestyle, what would they be?
Get started today! Think about what you care about; then make a plan to become involved using your time, your money or both! Set an annual budgetfor what you intend to give away, but also have some money set aside for those unexpected requests from family and friends who are raising money for their favorite causes, especially as they participate in charity walks, runs, galas, etc.! Volunteer! Make a plan to do something each month that will help someone else. It could be done formally through a nonprofit organization (i.e., volunteering to work at a food bank, library, your child’s school, etc.) or simply something you do to help someone in your family or circle of friends (i.e., offering someone a ride, carpooling, babysitting someone’s children, visiting a shut-in, etc.)!
07 | We're excited that you will launch a column here on consciousmagazine.co to talk about the importance of philanthropy in society—why is writing about this important to you?
The nonprofit/philanthropic sector is the third largest employment sector in the US after retail and manufacturing yet no one is talking about in a consistent manner. I have made it my personal and professional mission to bring the nonprofit/philanthropic sector to the forefront of the media and public’s attention…writing about it and all its various aspects is but one way to communicate this information. This magazine and the column I will write will help me achieve this goal!
Get a little of bit goodness each day with Lisa’s Making a Difference tip of the day when you connect with her via Facebook (Lisa Dietlin) and Twitter (@LisaDietlin)
Rachael Baxter
Craving a platform where she could tell the inspiring stories of true agents of change, and in doing so elevate the conscious culture conversation, Rachael Baxter co-founded CONSCIOUS Magazine with her sister, Elena Baxter. As the magazine’s Editor-in-Chief, Rachael develops stories featuring social entrepreneurs, community development, local to global initiatives, and more, and is constantly striving to capture the zeitgeist of the ever-evolving conscious culture movement. Her involvement has also provided the opportunity to interview leaders from around the world to mentoring young leaders like when she spoke on Social Good at Harvard’s Igniting Innovation Summit, and on Leadership and Innovation at the UN International Youth Leaders Assembly. Watching Conscious Magazine grow from a vision into a global destination for curated conscious culture has been what she calls “both a thrilling and fulfilling experience.” Ultimately, Rachael is on a mission to work alongside the next generation of storytellers and journalists who seek to change the world through media. As the magazine’s Editor-in-Chief, Rachael develops stories featuring social entrepreneurs, community development, local to global initiatives, and more, and is constantly striving to capture the zeitgeist of the ever-evolving conscious culture movement. Her involvement has also provided the opportunity to interview leaders from around the world to mentoring young leaders like when she spoke on Social Good at Harvard’s Igniting Innovation Summit, and on Leadership and Innovation at the UN International Youth Leaders Assembly. Watching Conscious Magazine grow from a vision into a global destination for curated conscious culture has been what she calls “both a thrilling and fulfilling experience.”
Global IssuesGlobal InitiativesEditor's Picks
Artificial Intelligence And The Age Of Empathy
PeopleHeadlinesCulture
Mandela: A Symbol of Passion, Service and Strength
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0017.json.gz/line1808
|
__label__cc
| 0.744527
| 0.255473
|
You are here: Cobbett & Cotton Lawyers » ICBC / INJURY » Its Tricky Figuring Out Future Income Loss From Accident
Its Tricky Figuring Out Future Income Loss From Accident
A car accident can cause different kinds of losses; one loss may be your reduced future earnings capacity. The court must try to assess this to fairly compensate you. A recent B.C. Supreme Court case had to grapple with such an assessment.
Keith, 19 and in excellent physical condition, was riding his bicycle through an intersection when he was hit by Carla’s left-turning car (names changed). Carla was fully at fault for the accident.
The trial took place three-and-a-half years after the accident. By then, Keith had fully recovered from many of his injuries. But some injuries and his shoulder, hip and neck pain when he performed certain tasks were chronic and unlikely to ever improve much. They would prevent him altogether from doing certain kinds of work in future, like the heavy physical labour of his last job. And they left Keith with limitations even when it came to office work.
This meant he would no longer be able to do the shipyard work he used to, which involved lifting heavy loads plus some more skilled work. As well, he’d likely not be able in any future job or career to work the same long hours as he could before the accident, despite his good work ethic and diligent efforts at rehabilitation afterwards. He also couldn’t type or take notes like before. This impacted his university studies and would affect any office work he’d be doing going forward. He would also probably always have difficulty with office activities where he’d have to maintain a fixed posture for an extended period.
The defendant argued there was no loss of earning ability (that Keith could earn more at office work), or at most it was worth some $54,000. Keith claimed his future income loss came to about $298,000.
The court emphasized the assessment is a matter of judgment, not simply a mathematical exercise. It requires estimating future probabilities, possibilities, contingencies and risks, when comparing Keith’s working future now with what it would have been if the accident hadn’t happened. Once Keith had proved there was a real and substantial possibility his future income earning ability had been reduced, which he did, the court then has to quantify the loss taking these future eventualities into account. Here, the B.C. Supreme Court outlined various approaches courts use to quantify the financial harm of the injured person’s reduced earning ability, depending on each unique situation. They all have the common aim of putting the accident victim in the same financial position as if the accident had not occurred.
In this case, the court concluded that Keith’s future annual earnings over his working life would be about $10,000 per year or 13% less than before. This amounted to roughly $300,000 in terms of present day money. After subtracting $75,000 (as Keith had started university earlier than he would have otherwise), the court awarded him $225,000 for his reduced future earnings capacity.
If you’re injured in a car crash, consult an experienced personal injury lawyer to help you receive the compensation you’re entitled to.
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0017.json.gz/line1811
|
__label__wiki
| 0.565543
| 0.565543
|
Gartner's 2014 MQ for PaaS: Organizing the Chaos
Keeping Up: My Current Favorite Resources
Understanding NoSQL Technologies on Windows Azure
It's a Cloud World: Are Hosters Doomed?
Visiting Central and Eastern Europe
A Great Source for Information about Software Qual...
Gartner's 2013 MQ for Public Cloud IaaS: Catching...
Cloud SLAs: Pricing, Not Promises
The World's Most Dangerous Technology
A Perspective on Xamarin
# Friday, February 28, 2014
I've been looking at Xamarin recently, a company that provides technology to build apps for iOS, Android, Windows Phone, and other platforms. The diagram below summarizes one way to think about their offering compared to other popular alternatives. (Click on the diagram for a more readable version.)
Suppose you want to create an app that runs on iOS, Android, and Windows Phone. One way to do this is to create a portable HTML5/JavaScript app. As the diagram's first row shows, this lets you work in just one language and build just one app. These benefits (shown in green) are balanced by some significant limitations (shown in red). HTML5/JavaScript apps provide only a generic web-based user interface rather than a native UI for each device, and they allow only limited access to native functions on the device, such as the camera. They also can't be in app stores--you've got to find some other way to distribute them.
An alternative is to create a native app for each platform, as shown in the diagram's second row. This requires working in three languages to create three different apps, which is significantly more complicated, but it has some real advantages. Your app can now have a native user interface for each device, and it can fully access whatever functions the device provides. Native apps can also, of course, be in app stores.
Both of these approaches have some green aspects and some red aspects--pros and cons. Wouldn't it be nice if there was a solution that included only the green from both options? This is what Xamarin aspires to.
With Xamarin, you build one app in one language--C#--giving you a single main codebase. But you also customize this app for each platform. You create a native UI for each device, for example, and your app can access whatever device-specific functions it needs. The result can also be in the various vendor's app stores.
Even though Xamarin tries to offer the best aspects of the other two approaches, there's still some pain--you aren't really building just one app. Still, you can reuse some (maybe even most) of the app's code across all three platforms, which is likely to simplify the task of creating and maintaining a mobile app.
Xamarin is certainly seeing some success, which suggests that this technology is appealing to a chunk of developers. And in any case, the approach they've taken, providing a middle ground between the two most common options today, is definitely interesting.
What about hybrid with PhoneGap? How does that relate to Xamarin in your experience?
# posted by Arnd Brugman : March 01, 2014 11:46 PM
I'd argue that PhoneGap is more focused on a broader write-once-run-anywhere scenario. PhoneGap apps use web UIs, for example, rather than the native UI style of Xamarin.
If I were ordering the options from most portable/least control to least portable/most control, the list would look like this: HTML5/JavaScript, PhoneGap, Xamarin, native app.
# posted by David Chappell : March 02, 2014 8:44 AM
David, the way I see it, basically using Xamarin is only slightly different structurally than using javascript and then implementing a bunch of different browser detections/behaviors (which, fortunately, script libraries are pretty good at handling if you use them). Xamarin is in one language, and whilst you must handle **more** of the device differences, I would expect that there will be libraries or functions that handle a good portion of that.
Another way of saying this is that HTML5/javascript is still not really that much "smoother" since it remains extremely browser fragile; whereas the Xamarin approach still requires you to face that device fragility head on. I don't think your "Number of apps required" is really the right label for that; or the answer to the first row should be something like, "Hopefully 1 to 1.5 apps (after customizations)".
What do you think of that argument?
# posted by ralph : April 16, 2014 12:26 PM
I think it points out how messy this space is.
I wouldn't argue that my simple categorizations above are the only way to think about this. (I wouldn't even argue that they're the best way to think about it.) I believe it is useful, though, to have some way to organize--and thus to think more clearly about--the options. But it certainly is messy.
# posted by David Chappell : April 16, 2014 12:57 PM
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0017.json.gz/line1813
|
__label__wiki
| 0.695077
| 0.695077
|
t.net
Black Mirror Season Two: The Darker Side of Technology
January 16, 2015 B.J. Murphy
[WARNING: Spoilers]
If you thought season one of Black Mirror was dark, you haven’t seen anything yet! In a set of plots that goes from tragedy to downright criminal, Black Mirror sets itself up as a bullhorn to expose the darkest implications of our modern technological age.
As noted in my previous review, Black Mirror doesn’t necessarily oppose, nor wishes others to oppose, the amazing technological journey that our species are taking part in. Instead it draws out fictional situations that mirror the proverbial risks touted by those who believe technology has a darker side to it. To understand these risks is to have greater insight into how we could possibly mitigate said risks and create a more peaceful relationship with technology itself.
Starting with episode one, “Be Right Back,” we are drawn into a relationship between Martha (starring Hayley Atwell) and Ash (starring Domhnall Gleeson). Like most people today, Ash constantly finds himself distracted by his phone, even to the extent of ignoring his own partner. One morning, after finally settling in their new home, Ash leaves to return the rent-a-car. By night he never returns, leaving Martha distraught when two policemen show up to her door to inform her that he died in a car accident. To make the situation all the more harrowing, not long after, Martha discovers that she’s pregnant.
All hope is not lost, however, when a friend at the funeral informs her of a new online service that integrates the deceased’s entire online life – pictures, videos, statuses from social media, email exchanges, etc. – developing a sophisticated A.I. copy for her to talk to via her phone. Eventually, with enough money, the A.I. Ash convinces her to upload him into a synthetic body developed by the same company that runs the service. While at first she finds herself elated to finally having Ash back in her life, she quickly comes to realize that, no matter how much online information this A.I. copy uploads from online or the amount of information she relays to him of Ash’s previous offline life, A.I. Ash will always lack the personhood that she fell in love with.
Several years later, Martha and her daughter appear to be happy. Though, given that it’s her birthday, she asks her mother for a birthday present: to go upstairs, into the attic, and share some birthday cake with Ash’s clone. Reluctantly she agrees, knowing that, no matter what she does, she could never truly give up on her deceased partner – neither original, nor synthetic.
Episode two, “White Bear,” goes deeper into the darkness, starting with an unknown woman who we eventually find out to be Victoria Skillane (starring Lenora Crichlow) who appears to have lost her memory. Waking up in a strange room with a striking headache, she looks around to try to figure out where exactly she is. Instead, all she finds are bandages around her wrist and an open bottle of pills spilled across the floor. To make the scene all the more ominous, each TV in the home appears to be airing the same unusual symbol.
Making her way outside, she realizes that she isn’t alone. The only problem is that everyone, either outside or inside by their windows, are recording her with their phones. Terrified, she consistently tries asking everyone what’s going on. Soon thereafter, a mysterious man wearing a balaclava pulls out a shotgun from his car and starts firing at her. Running for her life, she bumps into two strangers who appear to be gassing up their vehicle – Jem (starring Tuppence Middleton) and Damien (starring Ian Bonar). Getting them involved, and consequently Damien shot dead, both Jem and Victoria flee the scene, set out on a mission to destroy the transmitter that has been airing the symbol on everyone’s TV and phones, believing them to be in a state of hypnosis.
Throughout their journey, however, Victoria goes through flashes of memories, believing them to be of her husband and daughter. Constantly finding themselves in danger, not to mention tricked by a man named Baxter (starring Michael Smiley) who claims to be one of the uninfected, both Jem and Victoria finally reach the station transmitting the symbol.
Only when they reach there, instead of a transmitter, Victoria finds herself in front of an audience clapping as Jem and a few others lock her down in a seat. There Baxter returns, only this time revealing himself to be the host of the show – a show that is connected to what is known as “White Bear Justice Park.” Baxter then explains everything to Victoria: rather than a mother of an unknown child, her and her fiancé Iain Rannoch were charged with the murder of six-year-old Jemima Sykes.
Because it was revealed that, as Iain killed her, Victoria merely watched as she recorded the incident with her phone, “White Bear Justice Park” would then teach her a lesson by wiping out her memory using electrodes and have her go through a very well orchestrated similar case-scenario of her fleeing for her life as everyone else just stood on the sidelines, recording it all with their phones. To make the situation all the more gruesome, Victoria is then sent back to the same house she’d awoken in, places the electrodes back on her head, and then starts re-orchestrating the same scenario for her to go through for the rest of her life.
And then with the final episode, “The Waldo Moment,” we’re introduced to a young comedian named Jamie Salter (starring Daniel Rigby) who performs the voice and movements of a cartoon blue bear named Waldo. Waldo’s job is to interview politicians and other authority figures, with the attempt of poking fun at them at their own expense. With his next target being the Conservative candidate for parliament Liam Monroe (starring Tobias Menzies), his comedic – albeit humiliating – antics gets him into a political standoff with Mr. Monroe.
Growing in popularity with the British public, given both their increasing disdain for the status quo and Waldo’s populist anti-politics attitude, Jamie finds himself being forced to continue pursuing Monroe under the guise of a mock-candidacy titled “Vote Waldo!” During his campaign of confrontation, Jamie eventually meets Gwendolyn Harris (starring Chloe Pirrie) – Monroe’s by-election Labour candidate – and begins having feelings for her. Though when she’s forced to end her relationship with Jamie, this sets him out on a warpath to ridicule and expose each candidate for the frauds they are.
Realizing how much he’d hurt Gwendolyn as a result of his antics, Jamie tries using his Waldo persona to convince the public to not vote for him, but to instead vote for the actual politicians running, like Monroe. However, it’s too late as the show’s producer Jack Napier (starring Jason Flemyng) fires Jamie and takes over the Waldo character, continuing his campaign of satire and destruction. Waldo loses the election, however, with Monroe coming out on top. As a result, Waldo prompts the audience to start throwing shoes at Monroe, to which they happily obliged.
Months, if not years later, we find Jamie once more, only this time he’s homeless and sleeping on the streets. When told to leave by police doing their sweeps, he walks up to a gesture-controlled monitor, hoping to find something on TV that isn’t about Waldo. With no luck, realizing that his attempts to get the public’s disapproval of Waldo’s anarchist ideology had failed, Jamie then angrily throws a glass bottle at the screen. In response, two policemen confront Jamie and begins assaulting him.
The second season of Black Mirror sets itself with much darker scenarios than those previously pursued in season one. With episode one, this really struck at the heart of the Transhumanist movement today, of which several members have openly stated their desire to reach indefinite life extension by uploading their mind into an artificial brain. Black Mirror attempts to philosophically lament against the dangers of mind uploading by claiming that doing so wouldn’t result in your true self, but rather an imperfect copy. However, unlike in the episode where this particular copy used only online sources and offline assumptions to help create itself, many Transhumanists are set out to create an artificial brain that copies every synaptic wiring within their biological brains, acting as the perfect copy for a new artificial self. Whether or not this comes to be feasible is still up for grabs, but it certainly doesn’t have to result in how Black Mirror portrays it. Moral of the story: don’t be lazy when uploading your mind!
“Everytime you think of your father, you resurrect him. Why shouldn’t he continue a posthuman life in this world while he’s resting in the other?” – Clyde Dsouza, Memories With Maya
Episode two goes into a scenario in which I believe everyone could agree on: people are so damn caught up with the act of filming dangerous situations, that they completely forget about helping those in trouble. We’ve seen it on countless occasions, where people would send amateur footage to news stations for cash, despite the fact that they did so at the expense of someone’s life. This is certainly a real-world problem, to which Black Mirror perfectly satirizes. However, its idea of subjecting convicted criminals into situations similar to the one that put them in jail in the first place is quite horrid. Speaking for myself, as a Transhumanist, I’d much rather continue funding in rehabilitation programs for convicted criminals, rather than adhere to an “eye-for-an-eye” justice system.
And then, with episode three, the scenario of where a fictional cartoon character could humor his way into the hearts and minds of the disenfranchised and oppressed isn’t that hard to believe. In fact, it happens all the time in the real world. Comedians have very large followings, a lot of which uses their profession to address serious issues with political jokes. That isn’t the risk that Black Mirror tries conveying, but rather the corporate control over somebody’s idea. Despite Jamie creating Waldo, the producer has contracted entitlement to the character, giving him the ability to use Waldo however he so wishes. This is certainly a huge problem here in the real world, of which several Transhumanists have made it their cause to fight against patent-trolling corporations.
Black Mirror is an amazing TV series. Thankfully both season one and two are available on Netflix for you to watch and enjoy. I’m always left pondering the issues they convey, trying to compare and contrast them to our own real-world scenarios of our relationship with that of modern technology. And yet, despite it’s cynical outlook on technology, I can’t help but enjoy the show.
If you have a Netflix account, be sure to watch Black Mirror whenever you get the chance. If you don’t have a Netflix account, well…then get one! To miss out on this amazing show would surely be a shame.
film A.I., Black Mirror, cell phones, Film Review, mind uploading, patent-trolls, technology, Transhuman, Transhumanism, Transhumanist, Transhumanity permalink
About B.J. Murphy
B.J. Murphy is Editor in Chief for Cyberlife, a Writer for the Institute for Ethics and Emerging Technologies, and the Editor/Social Media Manager of SeriousWonder.com.
See all posts by B.J. Murphy
← H+ Art: Unlocking the Universe
H+ Literature: Going Down Random-Access Memory Lane →
Waltz #8, Op. 71
H+ Art: DNA Spiral
Fanfare of Perseverance, Op. 58
The Human Condition Series
Robotic Rag, Op. 82
2050 And The Future Of Femininity on 2050 And The Future Of Femininity
Helix Season 2 Episodes 8 & 9: The Race To Power Begins on Helix Season 2 Episodes 6 & 7: Discontent Fomenting Everywhere
Helix Season 2 Episodes 6 & 7: Discontent Fomenting Everywhere on Helix Season 2 Episode 5: It All Comes Down To Immortality
Helix Season 2 Episode 5: It All Comes Down To Immortality on Helix Season 2 Episode 4: You Are What You Eat
Helix Season 2 Episode 4: You Are What You Eat on Helix Season 2 Episode 3: The Prospect of Neo-Luddite Cults
mixedmedia
Subscribe to Cyberlife via Email
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0017.json.gz/line1818
|
__label__wiki
| 0.618121
| 0.618121
|
Jack LaLanne | The Godfather of Modern Fitness - The Daily Dose
Jack LaLanne was the “Godfather of Modern Fitness.”
The man who first brought fitness into your living room, LaLanne introduced nutrition and weight training to the masses. Decades before celebrities like Jane Fonda, Richard Simmons and Jillian Michaels began promoting health and wellness, LaLanne was already widely considered America’s fitness guru. Employing an upbeat attitude, he delivered positive messages and possessed a genuine desire to help people improve their lives.
LaLanne started the American fitness revolution. The greatest gym teacher of all time, he published numerous books on fitness and hosted The Jack LaLanne Show – the nation’s first exercise television show – from 1951 to 1985. Decked in a blue jumpsuit, he was full of vitality and was determined to make everyone look and feel better. One of early television’s great pitchmen, the 5’6”, 150-pounder was the first to sell vitamins and exercise equipment on TV.
A pioneer in the world of wellness, LaLanne designed and invented many of the gym machines in use today, including leg extension and squat machines. An early inventor of protein powder, instant breakfast and the protein bar, LaLanne sought to prove that anything is possible. A practitioner of the power of positive thinking, he was the first to encourage women, the elderly and the disabled to improve their lives through nutrition and exercise.
LaLanne was a trail blazer. The first to employ lifting weights until the muscle fatigued – training to failure – he moved from exercise to exercise without stopping. His method of circuit training is commonly used today. LaLanne dismissed warming up, and believed that artificial food additives, drugs and processed foods made people mentally and physically ill. He considered the human bloodstream the “river of life” and was convinced most of America’s health woes stemmed from a lack of physical activity.
Born in San Francisco September 26, 1914, Francois Henri LaLanne [pronounced lah-LAYN] was the youngest of three sons born to French immigrants. Nicknamed “Jack” as a child, he grew up in Bakersfield, California, before moving with his family to Berkeley in 1928. Addicted to sugar and junk food, LaLanne experienced headaches, bulimia and violent outbursts. Suffering from poor health, he temporarily dropped out of school at 14.
The following year, he attended a lecture by nutritionist Paul Bragg that changed his life. Bragg told LaLanne that he was a human garbage can. That night, the teen asked God to give him the strength to stay away from the junk food that was killing him. Born again, LaLanne altered his lifestyle, focusing on nutrition and exercise. He began working out daily, swimming and training with weights. LaLanne finished high school, then went to college in San Francisco, where he earned a Doctor of Chiropractic degree.
After running a home bakery selling healthy breads and training policemen and firemen out of a home gym, LaLanne opened the nation’s first health and fitness club in Oakland, in 1936. His primary goal was to encourage his clients to improve their health through weight training. Doctors, however, advised their patients to stay away from this exercise “nut,” whose programs would leave them muscle-bound and unhealthy. “People thought I was a charlatan and a nut. The doctors were against me,” said LaLanne years later, “claiming that working out with weights would give people heart attacks and they would lose their sex drives.”
A bodybuilder, motivational speaker, and entrepreneur, LaLanne followed a strict daily regimen. He awoke at 4 a.m., completed 90 minutes of strength training, followed by 30 minutes of running or swimming. He believed in eating ten raw vegetables and five pieces of fruit every day. LaLanne ate only two daily meals: a late breakfast and early dinner. Breakfast consisted of hard-boiled egg whites, a cup of broth, oatmeal with soy milk, and seasonal fruit. For dinner, he typically ate raw vegetables, egg whites, and fish. Mr. LaLanne eschewed soft drinks, coffee and alcohol.
LaLanne often accomplished feats of super human strength. He once swam from Alcatraz to Fisherman’s Wharf with his hands cuffed and feet shackled. At 40, LaLanne swam the length of the Golden Gate Bridge underwater lugging 140 pounds of equipment, including two air tanks. At 42, he set a world record of 1,033 pushups in 23 minutes. In 1959, LaLanne completed 1,000 pushups and 1,000 chin-ups in one hour, 22 minutes. To celebrate his 70th birthday, the indefatigable LaLanne towed 70 boats with 70 people one-and-a-half miles while handcuffed and shackled.
A proponent of how a proper diet and regular exercise could change lives, America’s most recognizable fitness fanatic espoused little gems, known as LaLanneisms, throughout his life. Eat right and you can’t go wrong…Get off your seat and on your feet…First we inspire them, then we perspire them…If man makes it, don’t eat it…Your waistline is your lifeline…Better to wear out than rust out…Ten seconds on the lips and a lifetime on the hips…If it tastes good, spit it out.
Mr. LaLanne, who once said, “I can’t die, it would ruin my image,” died of respiratory failure due to pneumonia at his home January 23, 2011. He was 96, and had performed his daily workout routine the day before his death. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who at 21 had been beaten badly by the then-54-year-old LaLanne in an informal bodybuilder contest, credited LaLanne for “being an apostle for fitness by inspiring billions all over the world to lead healthier lives.”
Despite our years, my wife and I make love almost every night: almost on Monday, almost on Tuesday, almost on Wednesday…Jack LaLanne, who was married to his wife Elaine for over five decades.
Dominant Duos
Great Article. BTW — dog’s name was “Happy.”
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0017.json.gz/line1820
|
__label__cc
| 0.685476
| 0.314524
|
The FJR1300 - a machine that can justifiably claim to have been responsible for the growth and development of the sport tourer category in the past decade, now offers riders an even greater overall motorcycling package as well as a superior ride quality thanks to Yamaha’s advanced electronically-adjustable suspension system.
The new-generation FJR1300AE model is designed to give today's sport touring riders a sharper style, higher levels of engine and chassis control, and significantly improved functionality with enhanced riding pleasure.
The electronically-adjustable suspension system is designed to enable riders to vary the suspension’s performance to suit both the road’s surface and the load carrying requirements. With a choice of four main settings, the rider can be confident that no matter what the conditions, the Yamaha FJR1300AE will deliver the best possible set-up and ride quality.
Yamaha Chip Controlled Throttle (YCC-T)
This system functions by monitoring the rider's throttle actions, which are then fed into the ECU. The high processing speeds of the ECU calculates the optimum degree of throttle valve opening to suit the prevailing conditions, and the servomotor-driven activator adjusts the throttle valve, ensuring that it delivers the right volume of air required to achieve the most desirable power characteristics.
Electronically adjustable suspension
By simply selecting an option via the easily located handlebar-mounted switch, the rider can select ‘One-Up’, ‘One-Up with Luggage’, ‘Two-Up’ or ‘Two-Up with Luggage’ suspension settings. The choice is then confirmed by a clear indication on the instrument panel. In addition to these four main settings, the system also offers the rider a choice of ‘Soft’, ‘Standard’ or ‘Hard’ damping for each setting, giving a total of 12 pre-defined suspension set-up options.
New Traction Control System (TCS)
A significant change to the FJR is the addition of a new Traction Control System (TCS) which is sure to be welcomed, especially by those riders who use their bike all-year round, and in all weather conditions. This electronic system uses sensors to detect any rear wheel spin, and as soon as the rear tyre loses traction the TCS instantaneously adjusts the bike's ignition timing, as well as the fuel injection volume and throttle opening to momentarily cut drive, and ensure that traction is maintained.
The FJR model benefits from a new easy-to-operate cruise control system, which has been designed to make long-distance touring more relaxing and enjoyable. The new system functions in 3rd, 4th and 5th gears between 50 km/h and 180 km/h, and is operated by two switches located on the left handlebar assembly.
Yamaha D-MODE
The system changes the character of the engine performance by adjusting the throttle valve in the Yamaha Chip Controlled Throttle (YCC-T). Yamaha D-MODE offers the rider a choice of two running modes, identified as 'T' mode and 'S' mode, which are operated by a push switch on the right handlebar.
Redesigned windscreen, front cowl and central air duct
Major changes have been made to the electrically-operated windscreen. Its shape has been changed to give smoother airflow, and the centre air duct has been redesigned at both the intake and exit mouths. The reshaped ducts reduce the air pressure and turbulence felt by the rider's upper body, giving a much more relaxed and pleasant ride, particularly at higher speeds.
Sharp new dual-headlight design with LED position lights
These latest angular dual headlights gives a stronger and more dynamic looking 'face', also they are equipped with a total of six LED bulbs along the low edge to give a distinctive 'eyeline' which serves to give strength and movement to the FJR's front end.
Liquid-cooled, 4-stroke, DOHC, forward-inclined parallel 4-cylinder
79.0 mm x 66.2 mm mm
1325 / 1455 mm
Aluminium, Diamond Shaped
Upside-down telescopic forks, 135mm travel
Linked monoshock with spring preload adjustment, 125mm travel
Hydraulic single disc, 282 mm
120/70 ZR17M/C (58W)
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0017.json.gz/line1821
|
__label__cc
| 0.54304
| 0.45696
|
Paramount Gold Nevada Announces $3 Million Private Placement With Proceeds to Advance Permitting at Grassy Mountain
WINNEMUCCA, Nev., June 25, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Paramount Gold Nevada Corp. (NYSE American:PZG) ("Paramount” or “the Company”) announced today that the Company has received commitments from accredited investors to purchase common stock and warrants in a private transaction (the “Transaction”). Under the terms of the Transaction, Paramount has agreed to sell 2,400,000 units at $1.25 per unit for aggregate proceeds of $3,000,000. Each unit consists of one share of common stock and one warrant to purchase one-half of a share of common stock. Each warrant will have a two-year term and will be exercisable in the first year at $1.30 per share and in the second year at $1.50 per share. The closing of the Transaction is anticipated to occur on or about July 6, 2018 subject only to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions. There are no commissions to be paid in connection with the Transaction.
FCMI Parent Co. and Seabridge Gold Inc. (NYSE:SA) (TSX:SEA), Paramount’s two largest stockholders have subscribed for 380,000 units and 308,000 units respectively, both maintaining their current percentage ownership.
Proceeds from the Transaction will be used primarily to advance the mine permitting process for the proposed underground mine at Grassy Mountain. Other uses of proceeds will include an exploration program of several high priority targets which are in close proximity to Grassy Mountain and for general corporate purposes.
In connection with the Transaction, the Company has agreed to use its best efforts to file a registration statement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission to register the resale of the shares of common stock issued at closing of the Transaction and the shares issued upon exercise of the warrants.
This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities. The securities offered and sold in the Transaction have not been registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), or any state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration, or an applicable exemption from registration under the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws.
About Paramount Gold Nevada Corp.
Paramount Gold Nevada is a U.S. based precious metals exploration and development company. Paramount’s strategy is to create shareholder value through exploring and developing its mineral properties and to realize this value for its shareholders in three ways: by selling its assets to established producers; entering into joint ventures with producers for construction and operation; or constructing and operating mines for its own account.
Paramount owns 100% of the Grassy Mountain Gold Project which consists of approximately 9,300 acres located on private and BLM land in Malheur County, Oregon. The Grassy Mountain project contains a gold-silver deposit (100% located on private land). Additionally, Paramount owns a 100% interest in the Sleeper Gold Project located in Northern Nevada. The Sleeper Gold Project, which includes the former producing Sleeper mine, totals 2,322 unpatented mining claims (approximately 60 square miles or 15,500 hectares).
Safe Harbor for Forward-Looking Statements
This release and related documents may include "forward-looking statements" and “forward-looking information” (collectively, “forward-looking statements”) pursuant to applicable United States and Canadian securities laws. Paramount’s future expectations, beliefs, goals, plans or prospects constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and other applicable securities laws. Words such as "believes," "plans," "anticipates," "expects," "estimates" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although these words may not be present in all forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements included in this news release include, without limitation, statements with respect to future events or future performance; anticipated exploration, development, permitting and other activities on the Grassy Mountain project; the economics of the Grassy Mountain project, including the potential for improving project economics and finding more ore to extend mine life. Forward-looking statements are based on the reasonable assumptions, estimates, analyses and opinions of management made in light of its experience and its perception of trends, current conditions and expected developments, as well as other factors that management believes to be relevant and reasonable in the circumstances at the date that such statements are made, but which may prove to be incorrect. Management believes that the assumptions and expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable. Assumptions have been made regarding, among other things: Paramount’s ability to carry on exploration and development activities, including construction; the timely receipt of required approvals and permits; the price of silver, gold and other metals; prices for key mining supplies, including labor costs and consumables, remaining consistent with current expectations; work meeting expectations and being consistent with estimates and plant, equipment and processes operating as anticipated. There are a number of important factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to: uncertainties involving interpretation of drilling results; environmental matters; the ability to obtain required permitting; equipment breakdown or disruptions; additional financing requirements; the completion of a definitive feasibility study for the Grassy Mountain project; discrepancies between actual and estimated mineral reserves and mineral resources, between actual and estimated development and operating costs and between estimated and actual production; and the other factors described in Paramount’s disclosures as filed with the SEC and the Ontario, British Columbia and Alberta Securities Commissions.
Except as required by applicable law, Paramount disclaims any intention or obligation to update any forward-looking statements as a result of developments occurring after the date of this document.
Paramount Gold Nevada Corp.
Glen Van Treek, President, CEO and Director
Christos Theodossiou, Director of Corporate Communications
Global Smoothies Market Analysis: Trends and Future Prospects 2019-2023
Mindtree hits 52-week low as profit halves in Q1; brokerages cut target price
Buy USDINR; target of 69.05 - 69.15: ICICI Direct
Karnataka Trust Vote LIVE: Ruckus during floor test discussion; Congress-JD(S) govt#39;s fate hangs in balance
Greenko starts roadshows for up to $1 billion bond sale
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0017.json.gz/line1823
|
__label__wiki
| 0.586927
| 0.586927
|
Egypt and Art > Ancient Gallery Directory > The Temple of Ramesses II
Ramesses II built seven temples in Nubia. The huge, rock cut temple of Abu Simbel is the most impressive. Construction began around the fifteenth year of his reign and continued for about twenty years. Somewhere during this time, Ramesses ordered his workmen to re-carve the scenes on the walls to portray him as an equal of the gods. When it was finished Ramesses called it “The House of Ramesses, Beloved of Amun.” Pictured here are three of the four giant statues of Ramesses II that make up the facade of the temple. They tower 66 feet above the ground. The head and torso of the fourth statues lies on the ground, victim of an earthquake in 27 BC. Standing on the cornice is a row of baboons also known as the greeters of dawn. Standing with hands raised in the Egyptian symbol of praise, they are the first part of the temple to recieve the rays of the sun at dawn. They stand ready to give praise to Ra as he once again returnes to the land of the living. In the center stands Re-Harakhte, one of the gods for whom this temple is dedicated.
Almost as amazing a feat as the original construction of this remarkable temple, was the dismantling and moving of the monument some 215 feet to higher ground where it was than reconstructed. It was moved to save it from the rising waters of Lake Nasser. The lake was formed when the Aswan High Dam was built in the early 1960’s. The moving of this temple and the smaller temple of Nefertari took four years. It was carried out with financial and technical assistance from around the world. The final price tag was 40 million US dollars.
The next photograph is Looking up to Ramesses II
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0017.json.gz/line1831
|
__label__cc
| 0.645567
| 0.354433
|
Egypt and Art > Tour Map of Egypt > Tour Karnak Directory > The Obelisks of Karnak
his is the Obelisk of Hatshepsut. It is the tallest obelisk still standing in Egypt and one of two still standing at Karnak. It is 97 feet high, and is 320 tons of solid Aswan granite. Surpassed in height only by the obelisk of Tuthmosis III which now resides in Paris. Obelisks are considered representations of the mythical benben stone of Heliopolis. The twin of this obelisk is now laying on the ground where it fell as seen in this photo. The hieroglyphs are in excellent condition and give tourists a rare close up view of an obelisk’s top. On the walls nearby the feet of her obelisks is the story of their construction. Hatshepsut claims that it took less than 7 months for her workers to cut and decorate these two giants in the quarries of Aswan, move them by boat to Karnak, and raised them side by side in the courtyard between the 4th and 5th Pylon at Karnak. It is an incredible claim that thus far can not been proven since we know so little about ancient construction techniques. There are only two obelisks standing at Karnak now. Both of which are seen in this picture. The tallest stands about 97 feet high, and is 320 tons of solid granite. It was placed here by Hatshepsut. The smaller obelisk was raised by the crews of Thutmosis I. It is about 65 feet tall weighing in at 143 tons.
Standing near the Sacred Lake we are looking back toward the pylon of Nectanebo I which is the structure with the square windows on the left side of this picture. This area is part of the precinct of Amun in which all of the monuments are dedicated to the god Amun. In the center of this picture is the Hypostyle Hall which covers an area of nearly 60,000 sq. feet. It is the largest pillared hall in Egypt and among the largest in the world. The obelisk of Hatshepsut and the smaller obelisk of Thutmosis I are also seen here.
The obelisk of Thutmosis I is about 65 feet tall weighs in at 143 tons. It is the smaller of the two obelisks still standing in the precinct of Amun at Karnak.
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0017.json.gz/line1832
|
__label__wiki
| 0.876081
| 0.876081
|
Wednesday, July 12, 2006 0
Superman Returns...As O.J. Simpson
Now before you get into a tizzy, I'm not implying that O.J, Simpson killed his wife. I don't believe he did. But he did do something that Superman does in Superman Returns, and so they have at least one action in common.
To determine what that is, read on.
I came into the theater wanting to like Superman Returns before I saw it. In other words, I came with a bias. I'm one of those who remembers watching the black-and-white "Superman" TV show as a kid. I was never really into the Superman comics, preferring Wonder Woman (!), but I did watch "The Super Friends" and "The Justice League of America" cartoons.
Then there was Richard Donnar's "Superman" -- a masterpiece of a film that launched the career of soap opera actor Christospher Reeve, who we think of as anything but now.
What made Superman an incredible film was that it was faithful to the character I and others of my generation remember as kids: the defender of truth, justice, and the American way.
And that doesn't go for invading Iraq.
In other words, Superman was part of my childhood. I never watched one episiode of the popular TV series "Lois and Clark" or "Smallville" for that matter. (Well, I did see one "Smallville" story, which was pretty good.) They don't present the Superman I remember.
In other words, I don't associate Superman with sex, child support, birth control, jealously, stalking, homelessness, or alcoholism. Yet Brian Singer's deals with all of these issues either directly or indirectly in Superman Returns.
A Work Not Marvelous, But I Do Wonder...
Superman Returns is the result of a 13-year collective quest to make a new Superman movie, an effort that seemed as if it was going to be stuck in development hell until it was saved by Director Brian Singer and Producer Chris Lee. Two years and $250 million later, Superman Returns was released on June 30, 2006.
Superman plays Brandon Routh, who like Reeve before him was a soap opera actor, and who basically looks like a cross between Reeve and Dean Cain from "Lois and Clark" -- he's more Reeve than Cain, to be sure. 23-year old Kate Bostworth takes on Lois Lane, a character set in Zeitgeist stone by Margo Kidder and Terry Hatcher.
The cast is rounded by the appearance of Frank Langella as Perry White, the editor of The Daily Planet. (As a momentary aside, Langella's getting a lot of work of late, and he's sinks his teeth into every role.)
Finally (at least for the purpose of this review) one of my favorite actors, Kevin Spacey, plays Superman's enemy, Lex Luthor.
The question is how does each actor do compared to the ones who've come before them. My answer: not bad at all. It's not the actors that are the problem, it's the material they're given.
It's terrible.
The story goes like this: Superman crash land on Earth -- and right onto his adopted mother's farm -- after a five year absence. Apparently astronomers discovered the remains of Krypton so Superman went back to investigate the find for himself. After all it's his home planet.
The trouble is he left without telling anyone where he was going -- except his Mom. So after enjoying some sleep in a comfortable bed at home and a game of "fetch" so unfair to the dog the canine gives up, Clark Kent returns to Manhattan -- opps, Metropolis -- and to his old job at the newspaper The Daily Planet, courtesy of Editor-In-Chief Perry White.
Jimmy Olsen's there (played by Sam Huntington) as is Lois Lane, at least her chair's there; she's part of a press group on the maiden voyage of a Boeing 777 carrying a new Space Shuttle into the sky.
He's reacquainted with her after a spectacular scene segment -- hampered by one major flaw -- where Clark Kent / Superman saves the 777 from crashing into a baseball stadium after a midair malfunction directly related to the doings of Lex Luthor.
Clark Kent / Superman is obviously anxious to see Ms. Lane, but discovers that she's moved on. She's got a husband-to-be -- Richard, played by James Mardsen -- and a five year old kid with an asthma problem and a weird ability to throw pianos when excited. Right, five years old. When Clark Kent / Superman sees the photo of Lois new family and Olsen fills him in on the new beau, Kent cracks the picture frame in an anger he struggles to hide. This guys jealous, big time. But he's Superman, which means that he could do some damage if he gets pissed. Better a planet than a family, right?
When Clark Kent / Superman leans of the home address of Ms. Lane, he flies off as Superman to -- well, go there. He arrives and while floating in air, uses his X-ray vision to observe the activity of the Lane household. We and he see the action one room at a time, and I feel creepy. At this point, I started to put this segment together with the picture frame cracking accident and think of Clark Kent / Superman as...
O.J. Simpson.
Finally Clark Kent / Superman sees Lois and Richard in the kitchen and with his super hearing listens to her say she's not in love with Superman anymore. At this point, he hangs in the air for a moment just long enough to make you believe he may do something rash, like blow the house down. Just think if he caught them making love, which the segment seems to communicate the possibility of happening. What then? Pound his fist in anger hard enough to make them think there's an earthquake and stop?
Why the OJ comparison? Well, one thing he did was go to the home of the guy his wife was seeing and peer into his window while she was "doing it" with him. What did he do?
Well, both he and Clark Kent / Superman did get angry. In Clark Kent / Superman's case, he flew off to Earth orbit, crying.
He Can't Find A Home...
Clark Kent / Superman can't seem to find a place to live. On three occasions he says he's still looking for one. Never finds one. He just hangs in space listening to just about everyone on Earth, picking and choosing where he goes at any moment in time. That's fine, but it seems to take away from the responsible Clark Kent, who knows he needs a home and one would think a place to entertain other than the Fortress of Solitude. Instead we get the homeless Clark Kent.
On top of all that Clark Kent / Superman reacts with an annoying indifference to the kid he sires and this is where the material show it's problem of lack of passion. In real life, Clark Kent / Superman would have asked Lois why she wasn't on birth control or something. To be fair, he does sneak back to Lois home to see his kid, but then that's what bugs me yet again.
Why couldn't he have just asked Lois to see him?
Moreover, why didn't Lois invite him? I actually liked Kate Bostworth as Lois. She played the role of Lois as Mom real well.
I also liked Kevin Spacey's Lex Luthor, that is until he and his men beat up Superman / Clark Kent in a scene way too violent for the Superman movies.
$250 Million For This?
Finally, I come to the matter of the special effects that give shape to this movie. The airplane save scenes were really great. But the whole effect just plain fell apart for me when the 777 was in the baseball stadium. The face that it's not really there is obvious by the bleed lines between the aircraft and the real life stadium. It just takes away from the impact of the scene.
It left me wondering where the $250 million went. For that money, they should have been able to realize resolution so detailed the bleedlines were eliminated, but no. Yes, there's two scenes in King Kong that have the same problem, but they're minor and small in time, and way outnumbered by some jaw dropping effects, like Kong himself.
But in Superman Returns these bleedlines are everywhere, even on Superman himself as he flies. It was disappointing.
Do I Or Don't I Want A Sequel?
As I write this, Superman Returns is being clobbered at the box office. It has two problems: Pirates of The Carribean II and it's $250 million price tag. "Pirates" arrghed up $132 million in just a weekend. That would pay for 50 percent of the cost of Superman Returns, which has made $142 million in two weeks, and it's revenue gain is declining; it only took in $21 million last weekend, and with more flicks coming out, the number of screens it's on will shrink, making the breakeven target of $250 million harder and harder to reach. Ouch.
I believe Superman deserves a better movie life than this. Given what Singer brought to the screen this time, I'm not excited to see the sequel. But given the box office, getting one made may be hard to do.
The lesson here is clear. Don't mess with a kid's view of a comic book legend by making him less of a hero. Adults know heroes are flawed, but we don't want our childhood ones to be.
The Superman in Superman Returns is not the Man of Steel I remember as a kid; he's not the one I want to see today. Apparently, many agree.
Heck, I'll bet O.J would too.
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0017.json.gz/line1839
|
__label__wiki
| 0.936961
| 0.936961
|
Thursday, March 05, 2009 1
Chris Brown / Rihanna: Brown charged with two felonies; details of pop star girlfriend Rihanna's assault revealed
More at NY Daily News: “Disturbing details of Rihanna's car ride from hell were revealed Thursday after R&B singer Chris Brown was charged with beating up the pop star as they drove home from a pre-Grammy Awards bash.
"I'm going to beat the s--t out of you when we get home," Brown screamed, according to an affidavit. "You wait and see!"
But almost immediately Brown began raining blows on Rihanna, who was identified as Robyn F. in the court papers.”
-- This reveals a sick, controlling person who should go to jail for what he did. Ramming her head into the passenger window. Trying to kick her out of his rented car. It goes on and is a terrible story.
Labels: chris brown, news, rihanna
"Midnight Cowboy" Featured By Directors Guild of America Theatre in New York City
I got an email from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences that they are going to screen the classic "Midnight Cowboy" in New York City, March 16th. You can gain a "taste" for the film from this fan-made trailer:
The Academy reports: "The 1969 Best Picture winner “Midnight Cowboy” will screen for New York audience as part of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ “Monday Nights with Oscar®” series on Monday, March 16, at 7:30 p.m. at the Directors Guild of America Theatre in New York City.
"Academy Award®-winning producer Jerome Hellman will join Academy Award-nominated actress Sylvia Miles in a post-screening discussion. David V. Picker, the executive-in-charge at United Artist during the film’s development, will moderate the onstage conversation, which also will include actor Bob Balaban, cinematographer Adam Holender, composer John Barry and costumer designer Ann Roth.
“Midnight Cowboy” stars Dustin Hoffman and Jon Voight as two mainstream society outcasts who forge an unlikely friendship on the lonely and unforgiving streets of New York City. The film endures as a powerful story of friendship, compassion and redemption.
The tickets are cheap: $5 and the DGA Theatre is located at 110 West 57th Street in New York City. The box office opens at 5:30 p.m. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. All seating is unreserved, which means get their early. For more information, call (212) 821-9251
Labels: dga, directors guild of america, midnight coyboy, new york
Chris Brown / Rihanna: Brown charged with two felo...
"Midnight Cowboy" Featured By Directors Guild of A...
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0017.json.gz/line1841
|
__label__wiki
| 0.632132
| 0.632132
|
Collegiate Profile
Campus & History
Earlham is a national liberal arts college with a reputation for excellent teaching and preparing students to make a profound positive difference in the world.
Intellectually Challenging
Earlham students take charge of their own learning and are prepared for professional success and admission to top graduate programs. They choose from more than 40 fields of study and are taught by dedicated professors. Classes are small, with rich opportunities for discussion, investigation and discovery.
Globally Engaged
Earlham is committed to welcoming students from all over the world. Our students come from all over the U.S. and about 80 other countries. In fact, Earlham ranks 6th among national liberal arts colleges in the largest percentage of international students on campus, according to U.S. News and World Report.
Socially Concerned
Earlham students have a sense of stewardship about their lives and believe in their power and responsibility to change the world, according to Colleges That Change Lives: 40 Schools That Will Change the Way You Think About Colleges. About 30% of graduates surveyed reported that most or all of their work was oriented to social change.
Future Directed
Earlham ranks 29th among 1,306 U.S. institutions of higher learning for the percentage of graduates who go on to earn a Ph.D. In the life sciences, we rank 9th among 1,341 institutions. Fifty percent of Earlham alumni begin graduate school within 10 years of graduation.
A few graduate accomplishments over the past five years...
Admission to:
University of Oxford (UK)
Uppsala University (Sweden)
Service to programs like:
Quaker Voluntary Service
World Teach
Careers as:
Resident Physician, Barrow Neurological Institute
Owner/CEO, NetStuffers LLC
Director of Programs, Junior Achievement
Geologist, State of Michigan
International Relations Coordinator, City of Osaka
Biochemist, BP Biofuels
Gallery Assistant, Art School at Old Church
Support for research or humanitarian work from:
Carnegie Endowment
Davis Projects for Peace
Fulbright Grant
Huntington Public Service Award
National Science Foundation Pre-Doctoral Fellowship
Rotary International Peace Fellowship
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0017.json.gz/line1843
|
__label__cc
| 0.675796
| 0.324204
|
The Thomas J. Watson Fellowship offers college graduates a year of independent study and travel outside of the United States in pursuit of a personal passion. Earlham is one of 40 participating colleges that may nominate recipients. The fellowship provides a grant of $30,000 to each recipient, who must remain abroad for the year of the grant.
Earlhamites are candidates for funding from the Watson Foundation, which began awarding the fellowship 50 years ago in honor of the late founder of IBM. Thirty-seven Earlham graduates have earned Watsons since 1981.
Above, Basil Farraj '14, a Peace & Global Studies major, traveled to Chile, Norway, France and the United Arab Emirates for his Watson Fellowship titled, “Palestinian Borderline Identity: A Quest for an Alternative Palestinian Identity.”
Applicants from a diverse range of backgrounds and academic disciplines are welcome. Watson Fellows are selected from among the approximately 195 candidates nominated by the participating institutions each year.
Watson Fellowship Website
Earlham’s Alternative Award
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0017.json.gz/line1844
|
__label__wiki
| 0.620009
| 0.620009
|
Title: Ionosphere
Subject: Canadian Geospace Monitoring, Earth's magnetic field, Space weather, Atmosphere of Venus, Magnetosphere
The ionosphere is a region of the upper atmosphere, from about 85 km (53 mi) to 600 km (370 mi) altitude, and includes the thermosphere and parts of the mesosphere and exosphere. It is distinguished because it is ionized by solar radiation. It plays an important part in atmospheric electricity and forms the inner edge of the magnetosphere. It has practical importance because, among other functions, it influences radio propagation to distant places on the Earth.[1]
Relationship of the atmosphere and ionosphere
1 Geophysics
2 The ionospheric layers
2.1 D layer
2.2 E layer
2.3 Es
2.4 F layer
3 Ionospheric model
4 Persistent anomalies to the idealized model
4.1 Winter anomaly
4.2 Equatorial anomaly
4.3 Equatorial electrojet
5 Ephemeral ionospheric perturbations
5.1 X-rays: sudden ionospheric disturbances (SID)
5.2 Protons: polar cap absorption (PCA)
5.3 Geomagnetic storms
5.4 Lightning
6 Applications
6.1 Radio communication
6.1.1 Mechanism of refraction
6.2 Other applications
7 Measurements
7.2 Ionograms
7.3 Incoherent scatter radars
7.4 Solar flux
7.5 GPS/GNSS
8 Ionospheres on other planets and Titan
The ionosphere is a shell of electrons and electrically charged atoms and molecules that surrounds the Earth, stretching from a height of about 50 km (31 mi) to more than 1,000 km (620 mi). It owes its existence primarily to ultraviolet radiation from the Sun.
The lowest part of the Earth's atmosphere, the troposphere extends from the surface to about 10 km (6.2 mi). Above 10 km (6.2 mi) is the stratosphere, followed by the mesosphere. In the stratosphere incoming solar radiation creates the ozone layer. At heights of above 80 km (50 mi), in the thermosphere, the atmosphere is so thin that free electrons can exist for short periods of time before they are captured by a nearby positive ion. The number of these free electrons is sufficient to affect radio propagation. This portion of the atmosphere is ionized and contains a plasma which is referred to as the ionosphere. In a plasma, the negative free electrons and the positive ions are attracted to each other by the electrostatic force, but they are too energetic to stay fixed together in an electrically neutral molecule.
Ultraviolet (UV), X-Ray and shorter wavelengths of solar radiation are ionizing, since photons at these frequencies contain sufficient energy to dislodge an electron from a neutral gas atom or molecule upon absorption. In this process the light electron obtains a high velocity so that the temperature of the created electronic gas is much higher (of the order of thousand K) than the one of ions and neutrals. The reverse process to ionization is recombination, in which a free electron is "captured" by a positive ion. Recombination occurs spontaneously, and causes the emission of a photon carrying away the energy produced upon recombination. As gas density increases at lower altitudes, the recombination process prevails, since the gas molecules and ions are closer together. The balance between these two processes determines the quantity of ionization present.
Ionization depends primarily on the Sun and its activity. The amount of ionization in the ionosphere varies greatly with the amount of radiation received from the Sun. Thus there is a diurnal (time of day) effect and a seasonal effect. The local winter hemisphere is tipped away from the Sun, thus there is less received solar radiation. The activity of the Sun is associated with the sunspot cycle, with more radiation occurring with more sunspots. Radiation received also varies with geographical location (polar, auroral zones, mid-latitudes, and equatorial regions). There are also mechanisms that disturb the ionosphere and decrease the ionization. There are disturbances such as solar flares and the associated release of charged particles into the solar wind which reaches the Earth and interacts with its geomagnetic field.
The ionospheric layers
Ionospheric layers.
At night the F layer is the only layer of significant ionization present, while the ionization in the E and D layers is extremely low. During the day, the D and E layers become much more heavily ionized, as does the F layer, which develops an additional, weaker region of ionisation known as the F1 layer. The F2 layer persists by day and night and is the region mainly responsible for the refraction of radio waves.
D layer
The D layer is the innermost layer, 60 km (37 mi) to 90 km (56 mi) above the surface of the Earth. Ionization here is due to Lyman series-alpha hydrogen radiation at a wavelength of 121.5 nanometre (nm) ionizing nitric oxide (NO). In addition, with high Solar activity hard X-rays (wavelength < 1 nm) may ionize (N2, O2). During the night cosmic rays produce a residual amount of ionization. Recombination is high in the D layer, so the net ionization effect is low, but loss of wave energy is great due to frequent collisions of the electrons (about ten collisions every millisecond). As a result, high-frequency (HF) radio waves are not reflected by the D layer but suffer loss of energy therein. This is the main reason for absorption of HF radio waves, particularly at 10 MHz and below, with progressively smaller absorption as the frequency gets higher. The absorption is small at night and greatest about midday. The D layer reduces greatly after sunset; a small part remains due to [galactic cosmic rays]. A common example of the D layer in action is the disappearance of distant AM broadcast band stations in the daytime.
During solar proton events, ionization can reach unusually high levels in the D-region over high and polar latitudes. Such very rare events are known as Polar Cap Absorption (or PCA) events, because the increased ionization significantly enhances the absorption of radio signals passing through the region. In fact, absorption levels can increase by many tens of dB during intense events, which is enough to absorb most (if not all) transpolar HF radio signal transmissions. Such events typically last less than 24 to 48 hours.
E layer
The E layer is the middle layer, 90 km (56 mi) to above the surface of the Earth. Ionization is due to soft X-ray (1-10 nm) and far ultraviolet (UV) solar radiation ionization of molecular oxygen (O₂). Normally, at oblique incidence, this layer can only reflect radio waves having frequencies lower than about 10 MHz and may contribute a bit to absorption on frequencies above. However, during intense Sporadic E events, the Es layer can reflect frequencies up to 50 MHz and higher. The vertical structure of the E layer is primarily determined by the competing effects of ionization and recombination. At night the E layer rapidly disappears because the primary source of ionization is no longer present. After sunset an increase in the height of the E layer maximum increases the range to which radio waves can travel by reflection from the layer.
This region is also known as the Kennelly–Heaviside layer or simply the Heaviside layer. Its existence was predicted in 1902 independently and almost simultaneously by the American electrical engineer Arthur Edwin Kennelly (1861–1939) and the British physicist Oliver Heaviside (1850–1925). However, it was not until 1924 that its existence was detected by Edward V. Appleton and Miles Barnett.
The Es layer (sporadic E-layer) is characterized by small, thin clouds of intense ionization, which can support reflection of radio waves, rarely up to 225 MHz. Sporadic-E events may last for just a few minutes to several hours. Sporadic E propagation makes radio amateurs very excited, as propagation paths that are generally unreachable can open up. There are multiple causes of sporadic-E that are still being pursued by researchers. This propagation occurs most frequently during the summer months when high signal levels may be reached. The skip distances are generally around 1,640 km (1,020 mi). Distances for one hop propagation can be as close as or up to 2,500 km (1,600 mi). Double-hop reception over 3,500 km (2,200 mi) is possible.
F layer
The F layer or region, also known as the Appleton-Barnett layer, extends from about 200 km (120 mi) to more than 500 km (310 mi) above the surface of Earth. It is the densest point of the ionosphere, which implies signals penetrating this layer will escape into space. At higher altitudes, the number of oxygen ions decreases and lighter ions such as hydrogen and helium become dominant; this layer is the topside ionosphere. There, extreme ultraviolet (UV, 10–100 nm) solar radiation ionizes atomic oxygen. The F layer consists of one layer at night, but during the day, a deformation often forms in the profile that is labeled F₁. The F₂ layer remains by day and night responsible for most skywave propagation of radio waves, facilitating high frequency (HF, or shortwave) radio communications over long distances.
From 1972 to 1975 NASA launched the AEROS and AEROS B satellites to study the F region.[2]
Ionospheric model
An ionospheric model is a mathematical description of the ionosphere as a function of location, altitude, day of year, phase of the sunspot cycle and geomagnetic activity. Geophysically, the state of the ionospheric plasma may be described by four parameters: electron density, electron and ion temperature and, since several species of ions are present, ionic composition. Radio propagation depends uniquely on electron density.
Models are usually expressed as computer programs. The model may be based on basic physics of the interactions of the ions and electrons with the neutral atmosphere and sunlight, or it may be a statistical description based on a large number of observations or a combination of physics and observations. One of the most widely used models is the International Reference Ionosphere (IRI)[3] (IRI 2007), which is based on data and specifies the four parameters just mentioned. The IRI is an international project sponsored by the Committee on Space Research (COSPAR) and the International Union of Radio Science (URSI).[4] The major data sources are the worldwide network of ionosondes, the powerful incoherent scatter radars (Jicamarca, Arecibo, Millstone Hill, Malvern, St. Santin), the ISIS and Alouette topside sounders, and in situ instruments on several satellites and rockets. IRI is updated yearly. IRI is more accurate in describing the variation of the electron density from bottom of the ionosphere to the altitude of maximum density than in describing the total electron content (TEC) .Since 1999 this model is "International Standard" for the terrestrial ionosphere (standard TS16457).
Persistent anomalies to the idealized model
Ionograms allow deducing, via computation, the true shape of the different layers. Nonhomogeneous structure of the electron/ion-plasma produces rough echo traces, seen predominantly at night and at higher latitudes, and during disturbed conditions.
Winter anomaly
At mid-latitudes, the F2 layer daytime ion production is higher in the summer, as expected, since the Sun shines more directly on the Earth. However, there are seasonal changes in the molecular-to-atomic ratio of the neutral atmosphere that cause the summer ion loss rate to be even higher. The result is that the increase in the summertime loss overwhelms the increase in summertime production, and total F2 ionization is actually lower in the local summer months. This effect is known as the winter anomaly. The anomaly is always present in the northern hemisphere, but is usually absent in the southern hemisphere during periods of low solar activity.
Equatorial anomaly
Electric currents created in sunward ionosphere.
Within approximately ± 20 degrees of the magnetic equator, is the equatorial anomaly. It is the occurrence of a trough in the ionization in the F2 layer at the equator and crests at about 17 degrees in magnetic latitude. The Earth's magnetic field lines are horizontal at the magnetic equator. Solar heating and tidal oscillations in the lower ionosphere move plasma up and across the magnetic field lines. This sets up a sheet of electric current in the E region which, with the horizontal magnetic field, forces ionization up into the F layer, concentrating at ± 20 degrees from the magnetic equator. This phenomenon is known as the equatorial fountain.
Equatorial electrojet
The worldwide solar-driven wind results in the so-called Sq (solar quiet) current system in the E region of the Earth's ionosphere (ionospheric dynamo region) (100 km (62 mi) – 130 km (81 mi) altitude). Resulting from this current is an electrostatic field directed E-W (dawn-dusk) in the equatorial day side of the ionosphere. At the magnetic dip equator, where the geomagnetic field is horizontal, this electric field results in an enhanced eastward current flow within ± 3 degrees of the magnetic equator, known as the equatorial electrojet.
Ephemeral ionospheric perturbations
X-rays: sudden ionospheric disturbances (SID)
When the Sun is active, strong solar flares can occur that will hit the sunlit side of Earth with hard X-rays. The X-rays will penetrate to the D-region, releasing electrons that will rapidly increase absorption, causing a High Frequency (3 - 30 MHz) radio blackout. During this time Very Low Frequency (3 – 30 kHz) signals will be reflected by the D layer instead of the E layer, where the increased atmospheric density will usually increase the absorption of the wave and thus dampen it. As soon as the X-rays end, the sudden ionospheric disturbance (SID) or radio black-out ends as the electrons in the D-region recombine rapidly and signal strengths return to normal.
Protons: polar cap absorption (PCA)
Associated with solar flares is a release of high-energy protons. These particles can hit the Earth within 15 minutes to 2 hours of the solar flare. The protons spiral around and down the magnetic field lines of the Earth and penetrate into the atmosphere near the magnetic poles increasing the ionization of the D and E layers. PCA's typically last anywhere from about an hour to several days, with an average of around 24 to 36 hours.
Geomagnetic storms
A geomagnetic storm is a temporary intense disturbance of the Earth's magnetosphere.
During a geomagnetic storm the F₂ layer will become unstable, fragment, and may even disappear completely.
In the Northern and Southern pole regions of the Earth aurorae will be observable in the sky.
Lightning can cause ionospheric perturbations in the D-region in one of two ways. The first is through VLF (Very Low Frequency) radio waves launched into the magnetosphere. These so-called "whistler" mode waves can interact with radiation belt particles and cause them to precipitate onto the ionosphere, adding ionization to the D-region. These disturbances are called "lightning-induced electron precipitation" (LEP) events.
Additional ionization can also occur from direct heating/ionization as a result of huge motions of charge in lightning strikes. These events are called Early/Fast.
In 1925, C. T. R. Wilson proposed a mechanism by which electrical discharge from lightning storms could propagate upwards from clouds to the ionosphere. Around the same time, Robert Watson-Watt, working at the Radio Research Station in Slough, UK, suggested that the ionospheric sporadic E layer (Es) appeared to be enhanced as a result of lightning but that more work was needed. In 2005, C. Davis and C. Johnson, working at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory in Oxfordshire, UK, demonstrated that the Es layer was indeed enhanced as a result of lightning activity. Their subsequent research has focussed on the mechanism by which this process can occur.
DX communication, popular among amateur radio enthusiasts, is a term given to communication over great distances. Thanks to the property of ionized atmospheric gases to refract high frequency (HF, or shortwave) radio waves, the ionosphere can be utilized to "bounce" a transmitted signal down to ground. Transcontinental HF-connections rely on up to 5 bounces, or hops. Such communications played an important role during World War II. Karl Rawer's most sophisticated prediction method[1] took account of several (zig-zag) paths, attenuation in the D-region and predicted the 11-year solar cycle by a method due to Wolfgang Gleißberg.
Mechanism of refraction
When a radio wave reaches the ionosphere, the electric field in the wave forces the electrons in the ionosphere into oscillation at the same frequency as the radio wave. Some of the radio-frequency energy is given up to this resonant oscillation. The oscillating electrons will then either be lost to recombination or will re-radiate the original wave energy. Total refraction can occur when the collision frequency of the ionosphere is less than the radio frequency, and if the electron density in the ionosphere is great enough.
The critical frequency is the limiting frequency at or below which a radio wave is reflected by an ionospheric layer at vertical incidence. If the transmitted frequency is higher than the plasma frequency of the ionosphere, then the electrons cannot respond fast enough, and they are not able to re-radiate the signal. It is calculated as shown below:
f_{\text{critical}} = 9 \times\sqrt{N}
where N = electron density per m3 and fcritical is in Hz.
The Maximum Usable Frequency (MUF) is defined as the upper frequency limit that can be used for transmission between two points at a specified time.
f_\text{muf} = \frac{f_\text{critical}}{ \sin \alpha}
where \alpha = angle of attack, the angle of the wave relative to the horizon, and sin is the sine function.
The cutoff frequency is the frequency below which a radio wave fails to penetrate a layer of the ionosphere at the incidence angle required for transmission between two specified points by refraction from the layer.
The open system electrodynamic tether, which uses the ionosphere, is being researched. The space tether uses plasma contactors and the ionosphere as parts of a circuit to extract energy from the Earth's magnetic field by electromagnetic induction.
Scientists also are exploring the structure of the ionosphere by a wide variety of methods, including passive observations of optical and radio emissions generated in the ionosphere, bouncing radio waves of different frequencies from it, incoherent scatter radars such as the EISCAT, Sondre Stromfjord, Millstone Hill, Arecibo, and Jicamarca radars, coherent scatter radars such as the Super Dual Auroral Radar Network (SuperDARN) radars, and using special receivers to detect how the reflected waves have changed from the transmitted waves.
A variety of experiments, such as HAARP (High Frequency Active Auroral Research Program), involve high power radio transmitters to modify the properties of the ionosphere. These investigations focus on studying the properties and behavior of ionospheric plasma, with particular emphasis on being able to understand and use it to enhance communications and surveillance systems for both civilian and military purposes. HAARP was started in 1993 as a proposed twenty-year experiment, and is currently active near Gakona, Alaska.
The SuperDARN radar project researches the high- and mid-latitudes using coherent backscatter of radio waves in the 8 to 20 MHz range. Coherent backscatter is similar to Bragg scattering in crystals and involves the constructive interference of scattering from ionospheric density irregularities. The project involves more than 11 different countries and multiple radars in both hemispheres.
Scientists are also examining the ionosphere by the changes to radio waves, from satellites and stars, passing through it. The Arecibo radio telescope located in Puerto Rico, was originally intended to study Earth's ionosphere.
Ionograms
Ionograms show the virtual heights and critical frequencies of the ionospheric layers and which are measured by an ionosonde. An ionosonde sweeps a range of frequencies, usually from 0.1 to 30 MHz, transmitting at vertical incidence to the ionosphere. As the frequency increases, each wave is refracted less by the ionization in the layer, and so each penetrates further before it is reflected. Eventually, a frequency is reached that enables the wave to penetrate the layer without being reflected. For ordinary mode waves, this occurs when the transmitted frequency just exceeds the peak plasma, or critical, frequency of the layer. Tracings of the reflected high frequency radio pulses are known as ionograms. Reduction rules are given in: "URSI Handbook of Ionogram Interpretation and Reduction", edited by William Roy Piggott and Karl Rawer, Elsevier Amsterdam, 1961 (translations into Chinese, French, Japanese and Russian are available).
Incoherent scatter radars
Incoherent scatter radars operate above the critical frequencies. Therefore the technique allows to probe the ionosphere, unlike ionosondes, also above the electron density peaks. The thermal fluctuations of the electron density scattering the transmitted signals lack coherence, which gave the technique its name. Their power spectrum contains information not only on the density, but also on the ion and electron temperatures, ion masses and drift velocities.
Solar flux
Solar flux is a measurement of the intensity of solar radio emissions at a frequency of 2800 MHz made using a radio telescope located in Dominion Radio Astrophysical Observatory, Penticton, British Columbia, Canada.[5] Known also as the 10.7 cm flux (the wavelength of the radio signals at 2800 MHz), this solar radio emission has been shown to be proportional to sunspot activity. However, the level of the Sun's ultraviolet and X-ray emissions is primarily responsible for causing ionization in the Earth's upper atmosphere. We now have data from the GOES spacecraft that measures the background X-ray flux from the Sun, a parameter more closely related to the ionization levels in the ionosphere.
The A and K indices are a measurement of the behavior of the horizontal component of the geomagnetic field. The K index uses a scale from 0 to 9 to measure the change in the horizontal component of the geomagnetic field. A new K index is determined at the Boulder Geomagnetic Observatory .
The geomagnetic activity levels of the Earth are measured by the fluctuation of the Earth's magnetic field in SI units called teslas (or in non-SI gauss, especially in older literature). The Earth's magnetic field is measured around the planet by many observatories. The data retrieved is processed and turned into measurement indices. Daily measurements for the entire planet are made available through an estimate of the ap index, called the planetary A-index (PAI).
GPS/GNSS
Ionospheres on other planets and Titan
The atmosphere of Titan includes an ionosphere that ranges from about 1,100 km (680 mi) to 1,300 km (810 mi) in altitude and contains carbon compounds.[6]
Planets with ionospheres (incomplete list): Venus, Uranus.
As early as 1839, the German mathematician and physicist Carl Friedrich Gauss postulated that an electrically conducting region of the atmosphere could account for observed variations of Earth's magnetic field. Sixty years later, Guglielmo Marconi received the first trans-Atlantic radio signal on December 12, 1901, in St. John's, Newfoundland (now in Canada) using a 152.4 m (500 ft) kite-supported antenna for reception. The transmitting station in Poldhu, Cornwall, used a spark-gap transmitter to produce a signal with a frequency of approximately 500 kHz and a power of 100 times more than any radio signal previously produced. The message received was three dits, the Morse code for the letter S. To reach Newfoundland the signal would have to bounce off the ionosphere twice. Dr. Jack Belrose has contested this, however, based on theoretical and experimental work.[7] However, Marconi did achieve transatlantic wireless communications in Glace Bay, Nova Scotia, one year later.
In 1902, Oliver Heaviside proposed the existence of the Kennelly-Heaviside layer of the ionosphere which bears his name. Heaviside's proposal included means by which radio signals are transmitted around the Earth's curvature. Heaviside's proposal, coupled with Planck's law of black body radiation, may have hampered the growth of radio astronomy for the detection of electromagnetic waves from celestial bodies until 1932 (and the development of high-frequency radio transceivers). Also in 1902, Arthur Edwin Kennelly discovered some of the ionosphere's radio-electrical properties.
In 1912, the U.S. Congress imposed the Radio Act of 1912 on amateur radio operators, limiting their operations to frequencies above 1.5 MHz (wavelength 200 meters or smaller). The government thought those frequencies were useless. This led to the discovery of HF radio propagation via the ionosphere in 1923.
In 1926, Scottish physicist Robert Watson-Watt introduced the term ionosphere in a letter published only in 1969 in Nature:
Edward V. Appleton was awarded a Nobel Prize in 1947 for his confirmation in 1927 of the existence of the ionosphere. Lloyd Berkner first measured the height and density of the ionosphere. This permitted the first complete theory of short-wave radio propagation. Maurice V. Wilkes and J. A. Ratcliffe researched the topic of radio propagation of very long radio waves in the ionosphere. Vitaly Ginzburg has developed a theory of electromagnetic wave propagation in plasmas such as the ionosphere.
In 1962, the Canadian satellite Alouette 1 was launched to study the ionosphere. Following its success were Alouette 2 in 1965 and the two ISIS satellites in 1969 and 1971, further AEROS -A and -B in 1972 and 1975, all for measuring the ionosphere.
International Reference Ionosphere
ionospheric dynamo region
Magnetospheric electric convection field
Schumann resonances
Van Allen radiation belt
Earth-Ionosphere waveguide
Ionospheric absorption
Ionospheric scintillation
Line-of-sight propagation
Sferics
Canadian Geospace Monitoring
High Frequency Active Auroral Research Program
International Geophysical Year
Ionospheric heater
Pioneer Venus project
Soft gamma repeater
Upper Atmospheric Lightning
Sura Ionospheric Heating Facility
Tether propulsion
TIMED (Thermosphere Ionosphere Mesosphere Energetics and Dynamics)
List of astronomical topics
List of electronics topics
List of plasma (physics) articles
^ a b K. Rawer. Wave Propagation in the Ionosphere. Kluwer Acad.Publ., Dordrecht 1993. ISBN 0-7923-0775-5
^ Yenne, Bill (1985). The Encyclopedia of US Spacecraft. Exeter Books (A Bison Book), New York. p. 12 AEROS
^ D.Bilitza:International Reference Ionosphere 2000.Radio Sci.36,#2,261-275 2001
^ "International Reference Ionosphere". Ccmc.gsfc.nasa.gov. Retrieved 2011-11-08.
^ "F10.7 Solar Flux Forecast Verification". Swpc.noaa.gov. 2007-10-01. Retrieved 2011-11-08.
^ NASA/JPL: Titan's upper atmosphere Accessed 2010-08-25
^ John S. Belrose, "Fessenden and Marconi: Their Differing Technologies and Transatlantic Experiments During the First Decade of this Century". International Conference on 100 Years of Radio – 5–7 September 1995.
Davies, Kenneth (1990). Ionospheric Radio. IEE Electromagnetic Waves Series #31. London, UK: Peter Peregrinus Ltd/The Institution of Electrical Engineers.
Hargreaves, J. K., "The Upper Atmosphere and Solar-Terrestrial Relations". Cambridge University Press, 1992,
Kelley, M. C, and Heelis, R. A., "The Earth's Ionosphere: Plasma Physics and Electrodynamics". Academic Press, 1989.
Leo F. McNamara. (1994) ISBN 0-89464-804-7 "Radio Amateurs Guide to the Ionosphere".
Rawer,K.:"Wave Propagation in the Ionosphere". Kluwer Academic Publ., Dordrecht 1993 ISBN 0-7923-0775-5.
D. Bilitza, "International Reference Ionosphere 2000,".Radio Science 36, #2, pp 261–275, 2001.
J. Lilensten et P.-L. Blelly: Du Soleil à la Terre, Aéronomie et météorologie de l'espace, Collection Grenoble Sciences, Université Joseph Fourier Grenoble I, 2000. ISBN 978-2-86883-467-6
P.-L. Blelly and D. Alcaydé, Ionosphere, in: Y. Kamide/A. Chian, Handbook of the Solar-Terrestrial Environment, Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg, pp. 189–220, 2007. doi:10.1007/11367758_8
H. Volland, Atmospheric Electrodynamics, Springer Verlag, Berlin, 1984.
Gehred, Paul, and Norm Cohen, SWPC's Radio User's Page.
Amsat-Italia project on Ionospheric propagation (ESA SWENET website)
NZ4O Solar Space Weather & Geomagnetic Data Archive
NZ4O 160 Meter (Medium Frequency)Radio Propagation Theory Notes Layman Level Explanations Of "Seemingly" Mysterious 160 Meter (MF/HF) Propagation Occurrences
USGS Geomagnetism Program
Encyclopaedia Britannica, Ionosphere and magnetosphere
Current Space Weather Conditions
Current Solar X-Ray Flux
Super Dual Auroral Radar Network
European Inchorent Scatter radar system
Millstone Hill incoherent scatter radar
Earth's atmosphere
Tropopause
Stratopause
Mesopause
Thermopause / Exobase
Turbopause
Articles to be merged from October 2013
All articles to be merged
Commons category with local link same as on Wikidata
Radio frequency propagation
Radio terminology
Ontario, Quebec City, Quebec, Ottawa, Aboriginal peoples in Canada
Proton, Quantum mechanics, Electric charge, Physics, Quantum electrodynamics
Ionosphere, Magnetosphere, Magnetometer, Aurora (astronomy), Canada
Earth's magnetic field
Ionosphere, Earth, Paleomagnetism, Magnetosphere, Basalt
Saturn, Ionosphere, Venus, Jupiter, Uranus
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0017.json.gz/line1846
|
__label__wiki
| 0.850409
| 0.850409
|
CENTR
Central, Hong Kong Explained
Central (also Central District;) is the central business district of Hong Kong. It is located in Central and Western District, on the north shore of Hong Kong Island, across Victoria Harbour from Tsim Sha Tsui, the southernmost point of Kowloon Peninsula. The area was the heart of Victoria City, although that name is rarely used today.
As the central business district of Hong Kong, it is the area where many multinational financial services corporations have their headquarters. Consulates general and consulates of many countries are also located in this area, as is Government Hill, the site of the government headquarters. The area, with its proximity to Victoria Harbour, has served as the centre of trade and financial activities from the earliest days of the British colonial era in 1841, and continues to flourish and serve as the place of administration after the transfer of sovereignty to China in 1997.
The area of Chung Wan[1] (Chinese: 中環), named Central in English, was one of the districts (Chinese: 四環九約) in Victoria City. The English name Central became prevalent after the Island Line of the MTR metro system was built in the early 1980s, and the connected stations of Pedder and Chater renamed as Central. On some older maps, it and the area to its west are named Kwan Tai Lo (Chinese: 羣帶路) below Victoria Peak. It formed a channel, Chung Mun (Chinese: 中門), with Tsim Sha Tsui, on the sea route along the coast of southern China. The eastern part of Central District has been known as Admiralty since the completion of Admiralty Station in the early 1980s.
Central is located on the north shore of Hong Kong Island, across Victoria Harbour from Tsim Sha Tsui, the southernmost point of Kowloon Peninsula. It is bordered in the west by Sheung Wan, with the border being along Aberdeen Street (also called Wing Kut Street). It is bordered in the east by Admiralty, an eastern extension of the central business district. As such, Admiralty is sometimes considered a part of Central. Central is bordered in the south by Mid-levels, an area halfway up Victoria Peak. The boundary between Central and Mid-levels is not clearly defined.
For district council elections purposes, the area, together with Admiralty, correspond roughly to the "Chung Wan" constituency.[2] The boundaries of such constituencies may be subject to modification.[3]
The British landed on Possession Point of Sheung Wan in 1841. They soon decided to build a city on the north coast of Hong Kong Island, and the present-day Central was chosen to house major military facilities and an administrative centre. The area soon attracted both Westerners and Chinese to trade and live in the area, and a Canton Bazaar (precursor of Central Market) was built between Cochrane Street and Graham Street in 1842. The area was soon zoned for Westerners only, and the Chinese residents were restricted to Sheung Wan. [It was zoned for "Western-style buildings," meaning buildings with minimum space and hygiene standards]. The area was largely dominated by the presence of Victoria City. The popularity of this area would also boost the population of Hong Kong from 5,000 in 1841 to 24,000 in 1848.[4] Government House and other Hong Kong Government buildings were completed during this period on Government Hill. Various barracks, naval base and residence of Commander, Flagstaff House were built on the east end of the district. Between 1860 and 1880 the construction of City Hall, Theatre Royal and other financial structures made Central the heart of Hong Kong.
In 1904 the Praya Reclamation Scheme added 59acres of land to Central's waterfront. Many of the proposals came from Sir Paul Chater and James Johnstone Keswick.[5] During the 1920s, Hong Kong was able to push far ahead economically, because of the cohesive collaboration between Central and all waterfront commerce.
The military structures survived until the 1980s. Only Flagstaff House remains as Museum of Tea Ware in Hong Kong Park. City Hall sat on the present premises of the HSBC Hong Kong headquarters. Hong Kong's first road, Queen's Road, passes through the area and the business centre continued to expand toward the shoreline as far as the reclaimed lands.
Bank of China (Hong Kong) has its head office in the Bank of China Tower.[6] The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation, a subsidiary of HSBC, has its head office in the HSBC Main Building.[7] Bank of East Asia and Hang Seng Bank have their head offices in Central.[8] [9]
Before 1999, Cathay Pacific had its head office in the Swire House in Central.[10] In 1999 the airline relocated its head office to Hong Kong International Airport.[11]
Nord Anglia Education, which operates international schools in various countries, has its head office in Central.[12]
Notable places, streets and buildings
9 Queen's Road Central
AIA Central
Bank of China Building, housing the China Club
Bank of China Tower
Chater House
Cheung Kong Center
Citibank Plaza
CITIC Tower
Entertainment Building
Exchange Square, housing the Hong Kong Stock Exchange
Hong Kong Club Building, housing the Hong Kong Club
Hong Kong Trade Centre
HSBC Main Building
Hutchison House
Jardine House
Man Yee Building
Prince's Building
St. John's Building
Standard Chartered Bank Building
The Landmark (office and shopping complex)
International Finance Centre (IFC), the second tallest building in Hong Kong
Wheelock House
Wing On House
World-Wide House
Aberdeen Street, marking the limit between Central and Sheung Wan
Arbuthnot Road
Battery Path
Chater Road
Cochrane Street
Connaught Road Central
Cotton Tree Drive
D'Aguilar Street
Des Voeux Road Central
Edinburgh Place, a public square adjacent to the Victoria Harbour
Elgin Street
Gage Street, a market street
Glenealy
Graham Street, a market street
Gutzlaff Street
Hollywood Road
Ice House Street
Jubilee Street (Chinese: 租庇利街). Named for the Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria in 1887.[13]
Lower Albert Road
Lyndhurst Terrace
Old Bailey Street
On Lan Street
Pedder Street
Peel Street
Pottinger Street, one of the "ladder streets"
Queen's Road Central, the first road in Hong Kong built by the Government of Hong Kong between 1841 and 1843[14]
Queen Victoria Street
Queensway, in Admiralty
Stanley Street
Statue Square, a public pedestrian square
Staunton Street
Staveley Street, one of the "ladder streets"
Theatre Lane, home to many of Hong Kong's shoe shiners
Wellington Street
Wyndham Street
Wing On Street (Chinese: 永安街), aka. Cloth Street (Chinese: 花布街)
Central Government Complex, Tamar
Former Central Government Offices on Government Hill
Chinese People's Liberation Army Forces Hong Kong Building
Former French Mission Building, housing the Court of Final Appeal
General Post Office, Hong Kong
Hong Kong Planning and Infrastructure Exhibition Gallery
Legislative Council Building
Queensway Government Offices
Other historical buildings
Bishop's House
Central Police Station
Duddell Street Steps and Gas Lamps
Former Central Magistracy
Hong Kong Visual Arts Centre
Old Dairy Farm Depot, housing the Hong Kong Fringe Club and the Foreign Correspondents' Club
Pedder Building
The Cenotaph
The Helena May main building
Victoria Prison
Zetland Hall
Central and Western Heritage Trail
Dr Sun Yat-sen Historical Trail
Central, together with Tsim Sha Tsui and Tsim Sha Tsui East, is home to many hotels.
Conrad Hong Kong (Pacific Place, Admiralty)
Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong (IFC)
Hong Kong Hilton (demolished in 1995)
JW Marriott Hotel Hong Kong (Pacific Place, Admiralty)
Landmark Mandarin Oriental (The Landmark)
Mandarin Oriental (Connaught Road Central)
Ovolo Hotels (2 Arbuthnot Road). Opened in October 2012.
Ritz-Carlton (Chater Road), closed 1 January 2008.
Island Shangri-La (Pacific Place, Admiralty)
Lan Kwai Fong, the location of numerous bars, restaurants and clubs
Hong Kong Maritime Museum, Central Ferry Pier 8
Soho, Hong Kong
Various Buddhist temples
St. John's Cathedral (Sheng Kung Hui, Anglican Church)
First Church of Christ Scientist
Union Church
Immaculate Conception Cathedral, Hong Kong (Roman Catholic)
St. Joseph's Church (Roman Catholic)
Chater Garden
Cheung Kong Park
Hong Kong Park, former location of the Victoria Barracks
Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens
Statue Square
Raimondi College
Sacred Heart Canossian School
St. Joseph's College, Hong Kong
St. Paul's Co-educational College
Ying Wa Girls' School
Former buildings
Beaconsfield House, demolished in 1995
Hong Kong Hilton, closed in 1995
Hong Kong Hotel, closed in 1952
Murray House, part of Murray Barracks, moved to Stanley
Old Central Government Offices, demolished in 1954
Wellington Barracks, demolished in 1992
City Hall Ferry Pier, barge pier, closed due to the Central and Wan Chai Reclamation
Edinburgh Place Ferry Pier, demolished in 2007
Blake Pier, Central, demolished, partially moved to Stanley
Queen's Pier, demolished in 2008
United Pier, demolished in 1994
The area is a major transport hub for Hong Kong (see also Transport in Hong Kong).
KMB, serving only cross-harbour routes on Hong Kong Island
Trains and Trams
MTR – Island Line, Tsuen Wan Line, Tung Chung Line, Airport Express at Hong Kong, Central and Admiralty stations
Peak Tram
New World First Ferry, to Silvermine Bay (Mui Wo), Peng Chau and Cheung Chau
Hong Kong & Kowloon Ferry, to Sok Kwu Wan and Yung Shue Wan on Lamma Island
Star Ferry, to Tsim Sha Tsui and Hung Hom
Discovery Bay Ferry, to Tsim Sha Tsui East and Discovery Bay
Park Island Ferry
Ferry piers:
Central Piers
Star Ferry Pier, Central
Pedestrian facilities
Central Elevated Walkway
Central–Mid-levels escalators
Expressways and routes
Central-Wan Chai Bypass (under construction)
Photo Tour of Central Hong Kong, About.com
Map of Central District in 1964 (crown copyright)
Map of Hongkong Central 1911
22.2819°N 114.1581°W
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zfLImz3BT30/SqB6_YTNnvI/AAAAAAAAAZo/pUyeHQoxbSc/s1600/c+1880+victoria.jpg#www.omuser.com/archiver/?tid-169962.html Map of circa 1880
http://www.eac.gov.hk/pdf/distco/maps/dc2003a.pdf District Council electoral boundaries – Central and Western District
http://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/201012/03/P201012030246.htm Press release: "Public consultation on proposed constituency boundaries for 2011 District Council Election", December 3, 2010
Book: Sanderson, Edgar. Edgar Sanderson
. The British Empire in the nineteenth century: its progress and expansion at home and abroad. Edgar Sanderson. IV. 1897–1898. Blackie and Son. London. 11625716. 02002538. 337.
Wordie, Jason. [2002] (2002) Streets: Exploring Hong Kong Island. Hong Kong: Hong Kong University Press.
"Contact Us ." Bank of China. Retrieved on 11 September 2011. "Registered Office BOC Hong Kong (Holdings) Limited 52/F Bank of China Tower 1 Garden Road Hong Kong"
"Contact Us." HSBC. Retrieved on 12 September 2011. "The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation LtdThe Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation – Hong Kong Address:GPO Box 64, Hong Kong, 1 Queen's Road Central, Hong Kong SAR, China"
"Investor Enquiries." Bank of East Asia. Retrieved on 11 September 2011. "Registered Office : 10 Des Voeux Road Central, Central, Hong Kong"
"Business Banking Centres." Hang Seng Bank. Retrieved on 11 September 2011. "Level 1 & 6, Hang Seng Headquarters, 83 Des Voeux Road, Central" (Map)
Web site: World Airline Directory. Flight International. 30 March 1985. 68. PDF. 17 June 2009. "Head Office: Swire House, 9 Connaught Road, C, Hong Kong"
Cathay Pacific wins award for providing a smoke-free workplace at its Hong Kong Headquarters. Cathay Pacific. 6 January 2005. 2 July 2009.
"Contact Us." Nord Anglia Education. Retrieved on 5 March 2016. "Central Office Address: Nord Anglia Education St George's Building Level 12 2 Ice House Street Central Hong Kong"
Book: Signs of a Colonial Era. Yanne. Andrew. Heller. Gillis. 2009. Hong Kong University Press. 8. 978-962-209-944-9.
Lim, Patricia. [2002] (2002). Discovering Hong Hong's Cultural Heritage. Central, Hong Kong: Oxford University Press. ISBN Volume One 0-19-592723-0
This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Central, Hong Kong".
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0017.json.gz/line1847
|
__label__cc
| 0.614358
| 0.385642
|
Buy the Film Today!
Available for online rental and on DVD.
People around the world are watching "The Fourth World"
Global Poverty
Filmed in Africa, Asia and Latin America
A Billion People at the Bottom of the Pile.
There’s a hidden world out there that is getting ready to explode. Most of us know little—if anything—about it.
It’s the world of slums.
In the underbelly of the Developing World—what some still refer to as the Third World—is another seething mass of humanity we are calling The Fourth World. One of every six human beings inhabits this hidden place and if the United Nations is right, that number will triple by 2050.
Read more about the film here.
Mark Volkers lived among the Luo people of East Africa for seven years and since then has worked in over 20 countries as a photojournalist and documentary filmmaker. He has won numerous national and international awards for his work. Over the years, Mark has become friends with many slum dwellers in various parts of the world.
Volkers had the privilege of doing much of the filming for The Fourth World with groups of his students. Traveling to places like Mathare Valley in Nairobi, Kenya; the garbage dump just outside of Manila and other fourth-world locations around the globe, was life-changing for everyone involved.
Read more about the filmmakers and also learn about the cast here.
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0017.json.gz/line1855
|
__label__wiki
| 0.65783
| 0.65783
|
LP LOGIN
Doug Kingsley
dak@guidepostgrowth.com
Doug Kingsley co-founded Guidepost Growth Equity in 2007 and is a Managing Partner. With nearly three decades of growth equity investment experience, he has served on more than thirty boards of private and public technology companies.
Doug spent 15 years at Advent International, most recently as a Managing Director and Co-Head of US Investments, where he helped grow the firm from $300 million to $10 billion of assets under management. Doug also had operating roles at Teradyne, the world’s largest manufacturer of automatic test equipment.
Doug’s introduction to private equity came as a consultant to Alcan Aluminum’s venture capital arm during the late eighties. A native New Englander, Doug has worked and studied in Venezuela, Spain and France. He holds an M.B.A., with Distinction, from Harvard Business School, an A.B. from Dartmouth College, and a B.E. from the Thayer School of Engineering at Dartmouth. Doug is a trustee of Providence College.
© Copyright – Guidepost Growth Equity Legal Terms | Privacy Policy
Roshen Menon
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0017.json.gz/line1862
|
__label__wiki
| 0.748018
| 0.748018
|
Hurricane Dean - reports from Jamaica
Sunday Storm Update
Texas and Louisiana - States of pre-emergency
Hurricane Dean gains power in the Caribbean
Hurricane Dean is heading for Jamaica and growing ...
T.D. Erin is making a MESS
Tropical Storm Erin comes into South Texas
Hurricane Fossie Update
Heat Advisory in Houston
Hurricane Dean Update
Hurricane Dean is now a catastrophic category 5.
At 8 p.m. ET, the center of Hurricane Dean was located about 210 miles east of Chetumal, Mexico. It is moving toward the west at about 20 mph. Dean is expected to continue on a westward track toward the coast and make landfall by morning. Maximum sustained winds have been moved up to 160 mph making Dean a category 5 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Scale.
Weather conditions are now beginning to deteriorate over the eastern Yucatan peninsula and northern Belize. The center of Hurricane Dean is expected to make north of the border between Belize and the Mexican state of Quintana Roo and south of Tulum. It is here where a water rise of 8 to 12 feet can be expected with monstrous waves of 25 to 30 feet.
The resorts of Cancun and Cozumel will not feel the full brunt of Hurricane Dean but waves on the order of 18 to 24 feet are expected to crash along the shores resulting in severe beach erosion. Squalls of tropical storm-force winds and heavy rains will rotate in across the resorts tonight and into the early morning hours. (Weather.com Hurricane Central).
Hurricane Dean is rapidly approaching the Yucatan peninsula. The current track has the center of the storm passing to the south of Cancun near the center of the peninsula. If this forecast track holds, Cancun will likely see tropical storm force winds at most.
Several of the more rustic hotels further south of the resort were evacuated by the government with most of Cancun and Cozumel being already deserted as tourists swarmed outbound flights.
At the southern tip of Texas, officials urged residents to evacuate ahead of the storm. "Our mission is very simple. It's to get people out of the kill zone, to get people out of the danger area, which is the coastline of Texas," said Johnny Cavazos, Cameron County's chief emergency director.
Officials in the resort town of South Padre Island distributed sandbags after a state of emergency was declared.
In Mexico, the Quintana Roo state government said about two-thirds of the 60,000 tourists in the Cancun area had left. Some camped overnight at the city's airport to ensure a flight out. Many others were turned away.
Belize is also taking precautions by evacuating people from Belize city on the coast to the more inland capitol Belmopan.
Belize, just south of Mexico, evacuated 6,000 people from the country's main tourist resort, San Pedro on Ambergris Caye, and 500 or so from nearby Caye Caulker, said national emergency coordinator James Jan Mohammed. People were urged to leave low-lying areas.
Authorities evacuated Belize City's three hospitals and were moving high-risk patients to the inland capital, Belmopan, founded after 1961's Hurricane Hattie devastated Belize City. Belize City Mayor Zenaida Moya urged people to leave, saying shelters aren't strong enough to withstand a storm of Dean's size.
Hurricane Dean ... Moves towards Yucatan (VOA News)
Mexico and Belize have issued hurricane warnings as Hurricane Dean churns across the Caribbean, bringing torrential rains and winds of more than 240 kilometers-per-hour.
Forecasters say the storm will hit Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula - which separates the Caribbean Sea from the Gulf of Mexico - late Monday or early Tuesday.
"Some strengthening is expected today, and Dean is likely to become a category five hurricane prior to making landfall over the Yucatan peninsula very early Tuesday morning," she said. (VOA News)
All of the computer models are now converging on a common path with the storm taking a more southerly track across central Mexico. "...a low-pressure system over the United States that could have drawn the storm more northward toward the Caymans and the U.S. Gulf Coast has moved away." With this low moving out of the area of influence for Dean, the potential of the storm affecting the US is extremely remote. Local news reports in Houston indicate that the most that we can expect from Dean is a rougher surf along the coast.
It is interesting to me that all of the models show a sharp northern turn, but not until the storm is well inland and the winds have dissipated. The remnants of Dean are likely to bring heavy rain to Southern California and possibly southern Nevada and Arizona.
Trackposted to Outside the Beltway, Right Pundits, Blog @ MoreWhat.com, Perri Nelson's Website, Mark My Words, Committees of Correspondence, Rosemary's Thoughts, Right Truth, Big Dog's Weblog, DragonLady's World, Leaning Straight Up, The Amboy Times, The Bullwinkle Blog, Pursuing Holiness, Public Domain Clip Art, Diary of the Mad Pigeon, third world county, Faultline USA, Pirate's Cove, Blue Star Chronicles, The Pink Flamingo, High Desert Wanderer, Right Voices, The Yankee Sailor, OTB Sports, and Gone Hollywood, thanks to Linkfest Haven Deluxe.
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0017.json.gz/line1863
|
__label__cc
| 0.604792
| 0.395208
|
SHOW: HORACE AND PETE
July 13, 2016 in show
Watching this without knowing what to expect has been one of the highlights this year. My friend Amna recommended it without saying much, and I understand. It's really difficult to explain it or what it's about. I can definitely say that it's about everything from several perspectives, but that's about it.
It's so brilliantly written, and feels like a play, but it also feels like you're part of the ~play~ to some extent. You'll laugh at things and wish you didn't, you'll feel hurt - actual physical pain in your gut- by other parts.
I think what I really liked about it is the fact that you don't have to agree or disagree with what's being said, just sit back and listen. Take it all in, like it's a natural conversation unfolding in front of you.
Louis C.K. and Jimmy discuss how he hijacked the Golden Globes to get around agents and get Jessica Lange and Edie Falco on board.
SOME OF MY FAVORITE CLIPS
Stream Horace & Pete
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0017.json.gz/line1864
|
__label__cc
| 0.714631
| 0.285369
|
Tag Archives: Writing Lessons
Posted on April 17, 2018 by George Kelly
Making A Cake Out Of Manure
“There’s no reason you shouldn’t, as a writer, not be aware of the necessity to revise yourself constantly. More than a half, maybe as much as two-thirds of my life as a writer is rewriting. I wouldn’t say I have a talent that’s special. It strikes me that I have an unusual kind of stamina.” — John Irving
You’ve written a masterpiece. Sure you have. Take it out of the drawer (or click into the folder on your desktop) and check it again.
Does it seem a little flat? That doesn’t matter. It’s a classic, a future great, kids will read about it and learn this novel for years to come. I’m sure of it.
All you need to do is cross everything out and start from scratch.
“I have rewritten — often several times — every word I have ever published. My pencils outlast their erasers.” — Vladimir Nabokov
It’s not always the case that you should trash your work and start from the beginning.
Sometimes you only need to kill a few scenes or shift them around — and sometimes you only have to tighten the dialogue in certain areas, or cut obtrusive phrases, or slice out a paragraph or two in order to speed up a lagging section. In any case, it’s always wise to take a step back from your novel and view the bigger picture.
Can it be massively improved? Many times the answer is yes.
But a lot of authors — especially those desperate to break into the publishing world — don’t want to put in that kind of effort. Or they’re scared to. They know something’s wrong with their novel, but they’re not ready to fix it because they like it too much and they’ve grown attached. It’s similar to being in a relationship that you know isn’t right for you. The girl (or guy) might have plenty of great traits that you’ll miss, but overall you just don’t feel it, and you know, deep down, you’d be happier with someone else. Well, the same can be applied to your fiction. It might be good, it’s just not good enough. And in cases such as those, it’s worth pulling it apart and fixing it back together.
Realign the spine, structure the bones, then begin slopping on the flesh.
“If it sounds like writing, I rewrite it.” — Elmore Leonard
How do you know when you should scrap it? That’s a hard question to answer.
Firstly, if your most reliable readers keep telling you something is wrong it may be time to listen to them. If one out of ten, or two out of eight, point out an issue but no one else has a problem with it, you can disregard it. People have different tastes and needs and some folks are just extra finicky and needlessly pedantic. However, if the issue(s) is recognised by the majority, it’s best to address it.
Author Neil Gaiman once said: “When people tell you something’s wrong or doesn’t work for them, they are almost always right. When they tell you exactly what they think is wrong and how to fix it, they are almost always wrong.” — And all that means is, listen to their complaint but ignore their advice. You know what’s best for your story, not them. Once they highlight an issue, analyse it and pick apart why it’s wrong. Then change it.
Some comments might be vague: I didn’t quite connect with the main character. Others might be straightforward: You have a big ugly glaring plot hole in chapter 12.
Whatever the complaint, don’t argue its case. Your first instinct will probably be to fight the complaint and justify your decisions after the fact. You might try to explain that you meant for your main character to be dull, as some kind of reflection of the mundanity of society. Or you want people to hate your main love interest because that mirrors the hatred she feels for herself — or some other self-indulgent bullshit to give meaning to your mistakes.
Don’t do that. Take the comments on board with a simple sentence: thank you, I’ll take that into consideration. Arguing your case won’t make them change their minds. You can’t convince people to like your book, and you can’t hang out with everyone who reads it, leaning over their shoulders saying You just don’t get it. If enough people are confused by your meaning, that just shows you weren’t clear enough. It’s not their fault if they don’t connect with your work. The onus is on you to grab them by the throat and not let go until the final page.
So sit back, look at your work, and improve it.
“Throw up into your typewriter every morning. Clean up every noon.” — Raymond Chandler
When I was younger I used to think rewriting just meant tinkering.
I’d read so many quotes about rewriting but it never occurred to me these people actually rewrote large sections of their book. I assumed they fixed a sentence here or there and chopped out a line of dialogue or two. In reality, some writers will excise characters, fuse scenes, and rip out whole chunks of the book — deleting chapters and rearranging the plot — until it’s right.
That’s the difference between writers who make it, and writers who don’t. There are thousands of competent novelists out there, authors who write well but aren’t quite able to grip their audience, and they don’t know why. A lot of the time, if they had the patience to work through their novel from top to bottom — analysing the pacing of each scene, the relevance of every moment, the inner and outer tension of the characters and the plot — they’d be able to give their work more weight.
But the job can be daunting. Rewriting 700 pages? Killing so many beautiful scenes? No way, some of them think. I’ll keep it as it is.
But if you want to succeed, you need to stop being precious.
“The best advice I can give on this is, once it’s done, to put it away until you can read it with new eyes. Finish the short story, print it out, then put it in a drawer and write other things. When you’re ready, pick it up and read it, as if you’ve never read it before. If there are things you aren’t satisfied with as a reader, go in and fix them as a writer: that’s revision.” — Neil Gaiman
Back in 2003, Eminem won an Oscar for his song Lose Yourself, taken from the soundtrack of his semi-autobiographical film 8 Mile. According to the Guinness Book of World Records, it became the longest running single at Number One for a rap song, lasting almost six months at the top of the charts.
Can you imagine how powerfully a song has to connect with its audience for it to stay atop its competitors for half a year? It’s unheard of. Also, in a time of mass piracy, the song shifted over six million copies in the United States. Six million. Whether you like his music or not is irrelevant — those sales are monumental. It was even in featured in the 2004 list of Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.
And the reason I’m mentioning the phenomenon of Lose Yourself?
It wasn’t his first version.
“Revision means throwing out the boring crap and making what’s left sound natural.” ― Laurie Halse Anderson
Go on YouTube and type in Lose Yourself (Original Version) and you’ll hear how this worldwide smash hit originally sounded. The lyrics were different, the central theme of the song was different, and although the beat and parts of the chorus are similar, they lack the spark and creativity of the final released version. Eminem, for whatever reason, decided to redo the song from scratch.
In an interview published a few years ago, he claimed he no longer remembers writing or recording the first song, and it’s probably true. With his past, he was quite possibly high on drugs at the time and his memories of those days have been eroded. Either way, during that period of his life, he realised something wasn’t quite right with the track. He trashed his unmemorable first attempt, kept the foundations and skeleton, and rebuilt it from the ground up, taking an average song and turning it into one of the most successful songs ever created. That’s why he’s Eminem and why other rappers are failing.
The point is: his original song isn’t bad. If we’d never heard the newer improved version, the original would still have been considered a decent, albeit forgettable, song.
Your novel might be passable. It might be readable.
But is it amazing?
“Reread, rewrite, reread, rewrite. If it still doesn’t work, throw it away. It’s a nice feeling, and you don’t want to be cluttered with the corpses of poems and stories which have everything in them except the life they need.” — Helen Dunmore
My friend Rob Boffard, author of the successful Outer Earth trilogy, is the perfect example of a professional who rewrote a decent book to make it into something special.
Around the time we first started talking, Rob told me he’d been shopping his Sci-Fi novel (titled Tracers at the time) around to agents and receiving positive feedback. But nobody wanted to take him on as a client. I told him to email the book and let me take a look.
And the truth is, when I began reading the first draft, it kind of bored me. But out of respect to him, I kept reading through the slow parts, forcing myself to carry on; and then, around 100 pages in, the novel suddenly hooked me and I couldn’t stop reading. I zipped through the rest in a few days. From trash to amazing in the space of some plot shifts. I’m so glad I stuck with it.
Once I put it down I called Rob up and I said, “You have a problem with your first hundred pages,” and then I babbled on about plot constructions and character motivations and rambled endlessly, thinking this might be the end of our friendship before it properly started.
I figured he’d reply with: “You’re wrong, go fuck yourself,” and hang up.
Instead, he took my advice graciously, said he’d take a look at it, and he rewrote the beginning, trimming and cutting and morphing it to give the novel pace from the outset. He’d taken my advice on board, then used his own wise judgement and reshaped the novel to fit his own ideas — taking what I said as a marker, but writing in his own fresh direction. And the book was infinitely better for it, and after a few more edits he sent it off to agents again.
This time, he was offered representation by three different agents. He could pick and choose who he wanted. He went from being rejected to being sought after. And this is why he signed a three-book deal with Orbit. Rather than pout and argue his story’s merits like an amateur might do, he sucked it up, acknowledged the faults in his novel, and persevered.
He rewrote that motherfucker until it worked on every single level.
Again, his book wasn’t bad to begin with. The writing was solid and the characterisation was great — the book just lacked a little momentum in the plotting department. It needed a sharper edge and he wielded his editing sword to give it one.
If you want to succeed, you need to do the same. If your book keeps coming back with rejection slips, it might be time to step back, view your work, and admit to yourself something isn’t working.
And then try to fix it.
Posted in Main Blog, Writing Blog | Tagged Novelist, Writers, Writing, Writing 101, Writing Advice, Writing Blog, Writing Career, Writing Fiction, Writing Guide, Writing Help, Writing Instructions, Writing Lessons, Writing Novels, Writing Rules, Writing Tips | Leave a reply
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0017.json.gz/line1870
|
__label__wiki
| 0.730826
| 0.730826
|
History – More
The Harvard Program in Refugee Trauma (HPRT) was founded as the Indochinese Psychiatry Clinic (IPC) in December of 1981. IPC was initiated as a public experiment to provide the highest level psychiatric care to our local community’s poorest patients, i.e., refugees from Southeast Asia. At the time of the initiation of this clinic there was no public support of refugee mental health. The traumatic life experiences of refugees were unknown to the U.S. general public. The mental health care of non-English speaking communities was on the distant horizon of American medicine. The concepts behind the terms torture, human rights, and cultural competence were in their embryonic state as far as medicine and psychiatry practiced in American were concerned. In spite of this situation, American had since the 1950s a major emphasis on providing high quality services to the poor through community mental health and the development of neighborhood health centers.
It was within the best American tradition of publicly supported health and mental health services that IPC was established at the Brighton Marine Public Health Service in Brighton (Boston) Massachusetts in December of 1981, by a team of mental health practitioners including refugees from Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia. This clinic, which operated within a primary health care center, blossomed into one of the most famous clinics in the U.S. and abroad.
IPC’s clinical and research mission was to provide the highest quality of care to the poorest members of American society—newly arrived refugees. This mission also included placing the mental health concern for refugees and the local, national and international policy agenda. In the early 1980s, the mental health impact of war, torture and mass violence, was completely unknown and consequently neglected by those policy pioneers who had influence over the lives of refugee communities. An essential element of achieving this mission was a science based methodology (see Methodology) that could for the first time describe the trauma experienced by refugees and civilian populations as well as the medical and psychiatric sequelae associated with these events. The discovery and evaluation of culturally effective treatment now called evidence based medicine was always an essential aspect of IPC/HPRT’s working methods. The clinic, especially in its early days, no matter how small its size and budget, always used its clinical experience and knowledge as a springboard to a greater scientific understanding of refugee mental health. This science oriented methodology led to many major discoveries that have transformed the care of refugees and traumatized populations worldwide.
HPRT was not invented “”de novo”” by its founders. HPRT came out of a powerful tradition of public psychiatry rooted in the scientific and clinical traditions of some of the world’s greatest psychiatrists and mental health scholars. Each of the following individuals and movements had an enormous impact on the evolution of HPRT’s clinical, scientific and policy activities. HPRT acknowledges the following individuals and their professional contributions to refugee mental health. In almost all cases the influence was powerful working through the vision of HPRT’s staff.
Upside Down Psychiatry
Professor Douglas Bennett, Maudsley Hospital, England coined the term “”upside down”” psychiatry. Bennett, a close advisor for IPC, was one of England’s leading social psychiatrists after World War II who liberated the seriously mental ill from the mental hospital. Bennett demonstrated that chronic institutionalized patients could not only work in the community, but could lead economically productive lives.
Bennett’s “”Upside Down Psychiatry”” was related to the famous English “”inverse care law”” that stated that those patients in greatest need of health care received the least amount of care and the poorest service. Bennett acknowledging this law in mental health, believed that in order to successfully treat the seriously mental ill patient (most of whom were poor) that you had to take all of the practices of modern psychiatry and “”do the opposite.”” For example, Bennett believed that mentally ill patients would work and live in the community and that nurses and non-professionals could be more helpful to those patients than psychiatrists.
Dr. Bennett, who provided consultation to IPC for almost 20 years until his recent death, strongly encouraged IPC’s innovations such as the use of trained refugees to serve as bicultural workers. His optimism for the most damaged patients helped HPRT develop an effective model of recovery for highly traumatized and tortured patients.
Social Class And Mental Illness
Professor Fritz Redlich, former chairman of Yale Psychiatry and Dean of Yale Medical School, was one of the leading 20th century psychiatrists in America. In 1950, Dr. Redlich conducted a classic study along with the American sociologist August B. Hollingshead that defined the impact of social class on patient care as well as the prevalence of psychiatric disorders.
Called Social Class and Mental Illness, this study revealed that patients from the lower social class received entirely different treatment than patients from higher social classes with similar diagnoses. This study defined the concept of the “”low-status”” patient in psychiatry who in spite of an increased burden of mental illness was marginalized to the fringe of high quality psychiatric care where they received low-contact, drug oriented treatment, primarily from non-professional staff, if they received any treatment at all.
Over the past 50 years, this original mental health disparity between the social classes has been shown to include people of color (e.g., African-Americans), non-English speaking populations (e.g. Hispanics) and refugees and torture survivors. Over the past decade, managed care has intensified this health inequity by excluding mental health care from insurance coverage, reducing psychiatric intervention primarily to brief medication checks, refusing to hire competent interpreters, and eliminating psychotherapy. This shift in financing in America has widened the psychiatric gap between races and classes, since only the wealthy can afford privately funded psychiatric services.
HPRT established itself in 1981 fully realizing that refugees were “”low status”” patients, and that it would have to overcome enormous barriers in order to provide high quality care to these patients. Insights put forth by Hollingshead and Redlich, including the 25 year follow up conducted by Redlich and Mollica (a founder of IPC) helped HPRT/IPC produce successful treatment outcomes in caring America’s new low-status patients—i.e. Southeast Asian refugees.
Professor Redlich remains a strong supporter and advisor to HPRT partly because of his own flight from Nazi Germany just prior to World War II, and his strong commitment as a scholar to understanding the psychological motivations of perpetrators of human rights violations, including leaders such as Adolph Hitler.
Italian Psychiatry
In 1980, one of the co-founders of HPRT met Italy’s leading psychiatric revolutionary, Professor Franco Basaglia, during his public lecture in Rome. Professor Basaglia was the head of a national movement called “”Psychiatria Democratica”” (Democratic Psychiatry) that transformed the entire landscape of psychiatry in Italy and Europe. Although Basaglia died shortly after their meeting, HPRT’s director continued to consult to the Italian government (CNR) evaluation of reform for over 15 years. Over its 20 years of activities, HPRT adapted its knowledge of Psychiatria Democratica to providing culturally effective community based mental health care in the United States and abroad (e.g. Cambodia)
Oral History Traditions
In the early 1980s, two women leaders in the development of the women’s oral history tradition in America provided grant and scholarship support to HPRT’s fledgling oral history activities with Cambodian refugees. The late Dr. Pat King and Ms. Sheila Biddle of the Schlesinger Library for the History of Women in America and the Ford Foundation, respectively, helped to initiate HPRT’s Cambodian-American Women’s Oral History Project. The Cambodian-American Women’s Oral History Project went on for over a decade, collecting the oral histories of ten Cambodian women who had resettled in the United States after surviving the Pol Pot genocide (1975-1979). The women oral historians were eventually photographed by a Boston photographer, Marcus Halevi, resulting in a exhibition of photographs and oral history vignettes called “”Courage and Resiliency: Cambodian Women in America.””
Pat King and Sheila Biddle were instrumental in the early days of HPRT, providing the first financial and scholarly support to HPRT’s early research efforts. They helped nourish a visionary seed in HPRT’s early days that developed into a new global approach to the care of survivors of mass violence and torture. In addition, the Cambodian Women’s Oral History Project has come to serve as a major foundation to HPRT’s clinical insights and research activities.
A Pantheon of Brilliant Minds
Five other major scholars and intellectuals have had a major contribution on the pioneering work of HPRT over the past 20 years. These individuals are Professor Boris Astrachan, Professor Eugene Brody, Professor Chester Pierce, Dr. Nina Murray, and Professor Yasushi Kikuchi.
Professor Astrachan is a seminal figure in the development of political and administrative psychiatry in America. His entire career, which includes his professorship at Yale University and chairmanship of the University of Illinois, Chicago, has been devoted to the psychiatric care of poor and disenfranchised patients within the public sector of American medicine. Professor Astrachan, through his ongoing support of HPRT for over 20 years, provided HPRT with the incredible skills, strategies and stamina needed to introduce into American medicine an entirely new field devoted to the refugee patient. Astrachan, similar to Professor Douglas Bennett, strongly advocated for the return of mentally ill patients to active and productive lives. As a realist, however, he also was able to clarify those specific tasks that needed to be achieved in order to transform the psychiatric and medical establishment.
Professor Eugene Brody, former Secretary General of the World Federation for Mental Health and editor of the Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, introduced HPRT to and facilitated its early role in the global mental health movement. After World War II, WFMH was created as an international mental health organization devoted to the fair and equitable care of the mentally ill as well as fostering world peace. WFMH’s initial founding document “”Mental Health and World Citizenship”” has served as an inspiration to the global activities of HPRT. With the full support of Dr. Brody and WFMH, HPRT has been able to make many significant policy contributions to refugee mental health, including the first major survey of a refugee camp (known as Site 2) the first memorandum agreement between WFMH, HPRT and UNHCR, and the creation of many refugee mental health programs throughout the world through WFMH’s committee on refugees and migrants, run by Dr. Mollica for over a decade. Professor Brody, in addition, has taught and consulted to HPRT as a visiting Harvard professor for almost 15 years.
Professor Chester Pierce, a leading American psychiatrist at Harvard, has contributed his experience and skills in extreme environments to HPRT’s work in the Balkans, East Timor, Africa, and the post-September 11 tragedy in New York City. Professor Pierce has helped guide HPRT’s global vision in the identification, recruitment, training and supervision of primary care and health practitioners throughout the world who are working under violence and resource-poor conditions, caring for the world’s most traumatized citizens. Dr Pierce’s brilliant and provocative insights into the mental health impact of racism has also contributed to HPRT’s understanding of the refugee experience.
Dr. Nina Murray, a child psychologist and international authority on traumatized children, has offered her expertise on HPRT’s research on numerous occasions (e.g., Cambodian refugee children.) Dr. Nina Murray’s strong academic association with her late husband, Professor Henry Murray, along with her own research, allowed her to help frame HPRT’s overall research agenda. Dr. Murray strongly supported HPRT’s scholarly and research activities, especially at times early on when few research dollars were being allocated to refugee mental health and related areas. Yet, in spite of this austere research environment, HPRT’s research activities flourished and were critical to the scientific expansion of this field, leading to many new and important discoveries.
Professor Yasushi Kikuchi is one of Japan’s leading cultural anthropologists. Professor Kikuchi, in addition, helped to establish the field of development anthropology in Japan. Recently he designed and directed Waseda University’s new graduate school, the Waseda Institute for Asian and Pacific Studies (WIAPS). Professor Kikuchi has to HPRT a strong appreciation of the role of culture and development anthropology in the field of refugee mental health. In 1995, a few days after the Kobe earthquake, he helped bring an HPRT team into the earthquake zone. HPRT and WIAPS, through Professor Kikuchi’s mediation, have had a major impact on mental health policy and disaster relief in Japan. Professor Kikuchi has remained a strong supporter of HPRT’s activities with ministries of health in conflict/post-conflict societies as well as those dealing with natural disasters (e.g. Japan/Turkey) and terrorism (e.g. Peru).
HPRT’s creative vision and activities over the past 20 years have grown out of the brilliant and generous support of these men and women. Each helped to nourish and guide HPRT in spite of limited early support and criticism. Without their assistance, HPRT could not have achieved its global impact on the science and care of traumatized populations worldwide.
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0017.json.gz/line1872
|
__label__cc
| 0.68999
| 0.31001
|
Idax Solutions
How Idax Works
Identity Analytics Paper
Role Mining Case Study
5 Questions for Audit
Why the UI is such a critical part of any security product
Posted By : Metal Potato/
Under : Idax Blog
There are countless reasons why a cyber breach might take place and break through a company’s existing defences. A weak firewall, poor passwords, and phishing scams are usually pinned as the reason. However, there is one area that is equally as critical and yet often overlooked: insider threat.
Insider threat is now looking worse than ever before, with an estimated 90% of tech crimes being committed by employees. Most data breaches are simply about access and opportunity. 75% of employees say that they have access to data they shouldn’t, and 25% of employees are willing to sell data to a competitor for less than $8,000.
So it is clear that a strong solution is needed and that we need it now. A large-scale culture shift may be the only way to truly combat insider threats. Everyone in the organisation needs to be made to feel that cyber security is their own responsibility – from the CEO to the worker on the shop floor. But without the right tools and information, there’s no clear path for companies to choose.
Implementing a solution to analyse the employees that are most likely to become threats in terms of access rights is a step in the right direction. For example, idax looks at what your staff have access to and tells you which of those access rights are unusual compared to the rest of the organisation and their peers.
However, you can throw all the analytics as you want at a solution like this, but if people aren’t engaging and using the results to make good, informed decisions, there’s really no point at all.
This is one of the reasons why the user experience (UX) and the user interface (UI) are one of the most important factors to consider when encouraging people to engage with the solution. A strong UI is not there just to look nice and be aesthetically pleasing. The UI of your identity analytics platform is a critical component for getting people engaged with security.
Traditionally, anything security-related has been taken care of by a specialist team – whether that is an IT team or a security team. In theses cases, it doesn’t matter what the UI looks like, or if anyone else other than the security team could understand and use it, as they would be the only people within the whole organisation engaging with it.
More and more organisations now are moving away from having just the security team deal with all things security, and are instead putting line managers in charge of access rights. This often involves the line manager having to deal with a highly complicated, confusing spreadsheet of access details, with no context or explanation about what in the list refers to what data, and what files are required for a role.
Idax looks at battling just this with the launch of our new version 3 update. By prioritising the user experience with an intuitive, state-of-the-art UI, we are encouraging companies to put the user experience at the forefront of cyber security and start their journey towards a safer and wholey trusted environment.
Ultimately, organisations will move towards a fundamentally different culture of security. Each and every employee will be given the responsibility of self-certifying their own access rights, using an engaging UI that everyone can use.
In the long run, idax is helping companies become part of the security revolution that will soon be upon us. Getting everyone in a company to self-certificate their own access rights – with oversight and ultimate approval from line managers – will ultimately eliminate any internal threat whatsoever. However, this will take time. Creating a UI that line managers already intuitively know how to use, just from the way it looks, is the first step in kick-starting the culture change towards internal security.
New EU regulations on cyber and access
Posted By : Mark Rodbert/
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/news-room/content/20151207IPR06449/html/MEPs-close-deal-with-Council-on-first-ever-EU-rules-on-cybersecurity
The EU is clearly to be applauded for this new piece of regulation that not only recognises key vulnerabilities, but also the interconnectedness of elements that all use the web. Apart from the obvious – it’s a good thing – for security professionals I think there are 3 key takeaways::
Clearly TalkTalk has convinced anyone in Government that still needed convincing that something needs to be done on cyber and access risk. We had the Chancellor announcing £1.9bn of new funding for cyber in the autumn statement. We’ve also had new “viability statements” coming into force to asking for the Board’s views on the management of risk to be formally reported to shareholders. And from the EU, what looks like the start of a fair bit of new regulation. I know some of these things have been in the works for a while, but it’s clear – Government is getting involved, and all companies will face increasing workloads on security and access control to meet the new standards.
By linking Amazon and Ebay in with critical infrastructure the EU are showing they recognise that breaches form a continuum and access to banking details and essential services are not completely separate things. Losing personal information is distressing, but losing control of a train would be tragic. Of course critical infrastructure doesn’t have to use the internet, but when contractors are being pushed on price and their components need to talk to each other, the internet is the only viable choice. Remember that in the world of modern automation, a train isn’t necessarily an entity, it could be a collection of components (engine, wheels, brakes) that all communicate with each other via the net.
There’s also a recognition that all the security in the world won’t protect you if your employees are giving away the crown jewels. It’s often not malicious, but staff don’t take as much care with data as they should. Which is why measuring and enforcing “least privilege” is one of the most effective and cost effective steps a company can take. In case anyone is in any doubt Intermedia’s 2015 Insider Risk Report, reported 32% of IT professionals have given out their login and password to other employees, with 31% saying they would take data from their company if it could positively benefit them.
At Idax, we’re noticing changes already. Senior management want to understand their vulnerability and a quick access rights reviews has immediate benefits. One thing that we’ve done quite a bit is quick reviews of access rights. Using our analytics, we can tell within a few hours who the staff with unusual access are, which is an easy first step on the route to obtaining least privilege and staying there. What’s clear is that any company embarking on a programme to address access risk will not only be one step ahead of the hackers, but get an early start on new legislation too.
Carphone data breach: 2.4m records hacked.
Once again 2015 proves to be the year of the data breach. Or maybe 2.4 million Dixons Carphone records going missing is just an example of the new normal. But then again none of this is new, and data breaches and loss of critical data has been with us for as long as data has. So here’s a bit of historical perspective.
When I started as a consultant back in the 1980s one of the first assignments I worked on was for the old Dixons group. They had found out that at least one competitor had been getting hold of their prize data assets – at that time it was a Sales Report that had all their product lines, what was the cost of each item, the retail price, how many they sold and in which shop they sold them. Remember, in the 80’s retailers did not have good customer information and this Sales Report was the crown jewels.
Of course, it was printed on paper and bound before being distributed, but some things never change. In the end the breach turned out to be an insider who was selling monthly Sales Reports on. As a junior consultant my job was to compile a list of everyone who got the report. But the thing that really struck in my mind was that the majority of people who received the report didn’t really use it. It was more an indication of how important they were. So really a chronic lack of least privilege discipline leading to serious data breaches – nothing new under the sun.
A recent report from the Ponemon Institute reports that 71% of staff think they have access to company data they should probably not see. So what’s the answer? Well at idax towers we believe that traditional manager reviews are failing. What we and an increasingly large numbers of clients think is that manager intervention supported by analytic context and insight is the answer. Of course Dixons in the 1980s had an excuse for data breaches. They didn’t have the tools to enforce least privilege. But in the 2010s there’s really no excuse.
Ashley Madison Data Breach
The Ashley Madison Data Breach again highlights insider threats:
2015 must surely now be officially designated as the year of the data breach. With the news that client data at Ashley Madison, the dating site, compromised there must be a lot of very worried people wondering where their lost data will turn up.
http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/jul/21/hacked-infidelity-site-ashley-madison-free-profile-deletion
There are many interesting issues with this data breach story – why was data not encrypted? Why was there only single factor authentication to the site? And most importantly why did subscribers need to pay to have their details removed? Of course, also running through the story is a massive dose of schadenfreude – the pleasure we feel that that the subscribers misfortune is in some senses justifiable given what they were up to; the hack then becomes a real Robin Hood crime. But just imagine for a moment that it was your medical or financial records and the story is a little darker.
As a regular data breach watcher there was one thing that struck me about this that was unusual. The first was that Ashley Madison were owning up to the fact that it was an insider “I’ve got their profile right in front of me” said their CEO. In the past it’s always more convenient to portray the threat as being external. Companies prefer the idea of the evil genius hacker, to the trusted employee gone rogue. In this case it seems to have been a temporary or contractor who had access. But you have to ask – why did they have access and who was checking it?
Here at Idax we hold the view that managers are capable of managing their staff’s access but they need a little help from analytics to do so. Did the Ashley Madison contractor really have the least privilege required to do their job. If that least privilege enabled them to dump the entire database, there’s a bigger problem. But as we’ve seen over the last couple of years, a lot of companies have poor controls over internal access, don’t do recertification well, and onboard new staff by asking them what they think they need.
Estimates from the Open Source Foundation indicate that the average cost of a data breach is $5.5m per organisation at an average of $194 per compromised record. One suspects that in the case of Ashley Madison the cost may be their whole business model. Against that cost, why wouldn’t you use all the tools at your disposal – analytic and operational – to safeguard your most important asset, your customers’ data?
As a follow up, Read this interesting point of view from another provider, Sailpoint, here
Since this blog was originally posted, Sailpoint Technologies have published an interesting white paper entitled the “7 Tenets of Successful IAM” – read this here
Cloud based directory services – a panacea?
Posted By : Iain Russell/
I was talking to someone at InfoSec a few weeks ago about cloud based directory services. We were discussing some of the challenges associated with Identity Access Management and whether those would be more or less prevalent using a cloud-based solution. They said that the great thing about having a cloud-based directory services solution is that it’s a clean environment and hence would not suffer from ‘legacy’ issues such as inappropriate access rights or rights accumulated over time.
So is a cloud based directory services solution a panacea for IAM? Let’s look at some of the challenges:
Multiple entitlement stores – at idax we think it is important to have a consolidated view of user entitlements and so commend the idea of bringing together federated access rights from modern-day cloud services into a centralised repository. idax supports one or many stores and have helped clients to rationalise their disparate entitlements store into a single view, and so a single store fits well into our vision.
New joiners & movers – we often find organisations who still grant access to new starters based on the access rights of someone they will be working with rather than based on the role they will be doing. We also find a correlation between the amount of time a person has been at an organisation and the number of access rights they have which suggests they have accumulated rights over time which should have been revoked. This problem will not go away with a cloud based solution, although clearly migrating to a suite of new cloud based services may provide an opportunity to clean up some of the legacy entitlements. idax allows you to identify which access rights a person should have when they join or move within an organisation. Many of these decisions can be automated with no need for manual approval. idax then integrates with your existing provisioning solution, or has built in workflow to track any manual provisioning which may need to take place.
Role-based access – organisations have long struggled with role-based access rights. As the number of people, applications and access rights increases, the problem gets exponentially more difficult. We think this is likely to continue with cloud-based solutions as the problem of figuring out what access a particular person should have does not get any easier. idax looks at the existing access rights within an organisation and establishes profiles to determine who should have access to what. Furthermore, we do it right out-of-the-box; there is no need for a large analysis exercise to establish profiles and set up rules and typically, once the data is loaded, idax can get answers in hours rather than months.
Principle of least privilege – due to some of the challenges outlined above, the principle of least privilege has also historically been a difficult thing to achieve in practise. Again, we believe that in a cloud-based environment, the same challenges will not only persist, but the risks of not doing it will be exacerbated. One of the great advantages infrastructure as a service and software as a service brings is that it becomes much easier for organisations to provide access to their systems from different devices and locations. This very flexibility means that organisations should be much more confident that people only have access to the systems they need to have access to in order to do their job.
In summary, we think cloud based directory services are an excellent tool for helping manage entitlements in a cloud based application architecture. However, after a brief respite due largely to moving to new applications and demising old ones, organisations will find the challenges of identity and access management do not get any easier. Further, because of the increase in the number of end-points where a piece of software can be used, the challenges become even more important ones to solve.
At idax we believe identity analytics is the way forward. If you would like to learn more, please get in touch.
Idax Software v2.0 launch at Infosec 2015
So the last minute – “post implementation, I’ll just do one more check” – testing is finished. Our stand is up with all our artwork and we’re all really excited about InfoSec 2015 which starts tomorrow.
To be honest what I most enjoy about trade shows is the client contact. There’s nothing like real-time feedback from clients and potential clients, and hopefully some validation too. That’s the thing about being part of a small company and being passionate about what we do – I just love listening to peoples real life issues and talking to them about how Idax can address them. Corny, but true – that’s why we’re here.
So come and see us on stand K71 if you’re at Olympia this week. I promise you that in addition to some great software we have a few other surprises in store.
http://www.infosecurityeurope.com/
Idax launch identity analytics version 2.0
We’re all very excited here at Idax towers about the launch of version 2.0 of Idax’s identity analytics engine next month. Codename Version “Euclid” we’ll be launching it at Infosec 2015 and really looking forward to showing friends new and old around it.Read More
Improving Access Reviews – 5 things you should consider when you sit down to do your quarterly reviews
Most managers in most big companies will be familiar with periodic access reviews. Once a quarter an email arrives telling you to review all staff access. You have an hour before your next meeting to review 10 team members, each of whom have access to about 50 systems and none of the systems has a name you recognise. Your heart sinks; it’s a time consuming task and you have no evidence that what you’re doing is correct or even useful. Well, based on Idax’s research you’re right – about 15% of all reviewed access rights are removed and the effectiveness is no better than random. So what should you do?Read More
Fast Scalable Analytics – The future of Identity Management
Fast Scalable Analytics – The future of Identity Management. The last few years have seen technology platforms proliferate and with that has come increasing insider access threats. It’s becoming obvious that Identity Management (IAM) tools that were fit for purpose a decade ago are now struggling to manage the complexity and scale of access.
Those in a corporation, will be familiar with regular access reviews. An email arrives with a long list of staff, an even longer list of privileges, and a thinly veiled threat to take the review very seriously indeed. What is missing is any contextual information that might allow for a good decision. At heart this betrays a misconception about IAM risk. But this is also where analytics can deliver dramatic benefits.Read More
Machine Learning – is Amazon the answer.
A really great insight from Travis Greene on the launch of AWS Machine Learning cloud service and the impact it may have on IT Security.
I agree wholeheartedly with his commentary, but here are a few additional insights from work with our clients in the identity and access management space and the world of analytics. @idaxsoftware.
Website Design by Metal Potato
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0017.json.gz/line1876
|
__label__wiki
| 0.726715
| 0.726715
|
Supreme Court to Consider Reach of Padilla v. Kentucky
Posted by Ben Winograd | Oct 29, 2012 | Enforcement, Federal Courts/Jurisdiction, Immigration and Crime, Immigration Courts
In its landmark decision in Padilla v. Kentucky, the Supreme Court confirmed that criminal defense attorneys have a constitutional obligation to advise their clients if pleading guilty to a particular offense could lead to deportation. On Thursday,* the Justices will consider a follow-up question of critical importance for many immigrants placed in removal proceedings on account of bad legal advice: whether the ruling applies to cases that became final before the decision was issued.
The immigrant involved in Thursday’s case, Roselva Chaidez, has lived in the United States for more than three decades and been a lawful permanent resident since 1977. Due to her participation in a fake insurance scheme, Chaidez pled guilty to mail fraud in 2003 and was sentenced to four years’ probation. When she later applied for U.S. citizenship, Chaidez learned what her criminal defense attorney never told her: that the crime to which she pled guilty is considered an “aggravated felony” under the immigration laws, making her subject to deportation and ineligible to apply for most forms of humanitarian relief.
After removal proceedings against Chaidez were initiated, the Supreme Court issued its ruling in Padilla, holding by a 7-2 margin that immigrants could challenge their convictions if they were prejudiced by bad legal advice. Chaidez then sought to reopen her criminal case, arguing that she would have never pled guilty had she known her plea would have resulted in her deportation. Unfortunately for Chaidez, a federal court in Chicago ruled she could not benefit from the Court’s decision because it only applied to cases that were still pending at the time the decision was issued.
In legal terms, the task now before the Supreme Court is to clarify whether Padilla applies retroactively, i.e., to immigrants whose convictions were already final when the decision was issued. Chaidez’s lawyers say it does, arguing that giving correct advice about potential deportation has long been part of criminal lawyers’ general duty to provide effective assistance of counsel. The Justice Department says that it doesn’t, contending it was an open question prior to Padilla whether criminal defense attorneys were obligated to give such advice.
However the Supreme Court rules, evidence has already surfaced that Padilla has—as we previously predicted—changed the ways that prosecutors and criminal defendants reach plea agreements. Earlier this month, for example, the District Attorney of Alameda County in California specifically advised prosecutors to consider potential immigration consequences when engaging in plea negotiations. And the number of removal proceedings based on criminal convictions has dropped in recent months, a potential sign that criminal defense attorneys are giving better legal advice to immigrant clients.
*The arguments were originally scheduled for Tuesday but were postponed due to Hurricane Sandy.
PreviousImmigrants Play Key Role in Virginia’s Economy
NextTracking the Immigration Agencies’ Actions Amidst Hurricane Sandy
Ben Winograd
Ben Winograd is a former Staff Attorney with the American Immigration Council.
Congressional Hearing Dissects the Many Failures of SBInet
Federal Court Refuses to Dismiss Case of U.S. Citizen Girl Who Was Deported
In the Face of a Shutdown, Trump and Congress Delay Border Wall Fight Until December
Tracking the Trump Immigration Agenda and What Comes Next
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0017.json.gz/line1878
|
__label__cc
| 0.509251
| 0.490749
|
(September 7, 2017) 1
The following Corporate Governance Guidelines (the "Guidelines") were adopted by the Board of Directors (the "Board") of Exelixis, Inc. ("Exelixis" or the "Company"). These Guidelines, together with Exelixis' amended and restated Certificate of Incorporation, the Bylaws and the charters of certain Board committees, provide the framework for the governance of Exelixis. The Board believes that these Guidelines will enhance the Company's ability to achieve Exelixis' goals, govern Exelixis with high standards of integrity and increase stockholder value.
Role and Composition of the Board
General. The Board, which is elected by the stockholders, is the ultimate decision-making body of the Company except with respect to those matters reserved to the stockholders. It selects the senior management team, which is charged with the conduct of Exelixis' business. Having selected the senior management team, the Board acts as an advisor and counselor to senior management and ultimately monitors its performance.
Separation of Chairman and CEO. The Board selects its chairman (the "Chairman") and the Company's chief executive officer (the "CEO") in the manner that it considers to be in the best interests of the Company. Therefore, the Board does not have a policy on whether the role of Chairman and CEO should be separated or combined. The offices of the Chairman and CEO are currently separated. In the event that offices of the Chairman and the CEO are combined, the independent directors of the Board shall meet and appoint from among their ranks a lead independent director. The lead independent director shall (a) preside at all meetings of the Board at which the Chairman is not present, including executive sessions of the independent directors, (b) have the authority to call meetings of the independent directors, (c) serve as the principal liaison on Board-wide issues between the independent directors and the Chairman and (d) have such other authority and duties as the Board may from time to time determine.
Director Independence. It is the policy of the Company that the Board consist of a majority of independent directors. In determining independence, the Board will consider the independence criteria of the Nasdaq Stock Market as well as other factors that will contribute to effective oversight by the Board.
Board Size. It is the policy of the Company that the number of directors not exceed a number that can function efficiently as a body. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee considers and makes recommendations to the Board concerning the appropriate size and needs of the Board. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee considers candidates for election or reelection to the Board as well as candidates to fill new positions created by expansion or vacancies that occur due to resignation, retirement or for any other reason.
Selection Criteria. Each candidate is selected for, among other things, the candidate's applicable expertise and demonstrated excellence in his or her field, the usefulness of such expertise to the Company, the availability of the candidate to devote sufficient time and attention to the affairs of the Company, the existence of any relationship that would interfere with the exercise of the candidate's independent judgment and the candidate's demonstrated character and judgment. Candidates for directorship will be reviewed in the context of the existing membership of the Board (including the qualities and skills of the existing directors), the operating requirements of the Company and the long-term interests of its stockholders.
Majority Voting in Uncontested Director Elections. The Board (or any committee thereof) shall nominate for re-election as directors at any meeting of stockholders for an uncontested election of directors (i.e. an election in which the number of nominees at such meeting, determined as of a date that is fourteen (14) days in advance of the date the Company files its definitive proxy statement (regardless of whether or not thereafter revised or supplemented) with the Securities and Exchange Commission, is not more than the number of directors to be elected) only those candidates who have tendered an irrevocable resignation as a director, which resignation shall be conditioned upon both (A) such director failing to have received more "for" votes than "against" votes in such uncontested election and (B) acceptance by the Board of such resignation.
If, in an uncontested election, an incumbent director fails to receive the required vote for re-election as set forth in the Company's Bylaws, then the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will act to determine whether to accept the director's conditional resignation and will submit such recommendation for prompt consideration by the Board, and the Board will act on the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee's recommendation within 90 days following certification of the stockholder vote. In making their decision, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and the Board will evaluate the best interests of the Company and its stockholders and shall consider all factors and information deemed relevant.
A director shall not participate in the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee recommendation or Board action regarding whether to accept the conditional resignation of such director. If directors constituting a majority of the members of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee fail to receive the required vote in favor of his or her election in the same election, then the independent directors, excluding the directors who failed to receive the required vote, shall appoint a committee amongst themselves to consider the conditional resignations and recommend to the Board whether to accept them. If the directors, excluding the directors who failed to receive the required vote, shall be of an insufficient number to comprise a quorum of the Board, then all directors may participate in the action regarding whether to accept the conditional resignations. If the Board shall determine not to accept the resignation of a director, the Board will promptly disclose its decision-making process and decision to reject the conditional resignation in a Form 8-K furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Director Service on Other Public Boards. Directors who also serve as CEOs should not serve on more than two boards of public companies in addition to the Board. Non-CEO directors should not serve on more than four boards of public companies in addition to the Board. Directors should notify the chairperson of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee prior to accepting an invitation to serve on a public company board to permit the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee to evaluate the relationship for a potential conflict of interest and to confirm that the director continues to have time available to perform his or her duties to the Company.
Change in Principal Occupation. When a director's principal occupation or business association changes substantially during his or her tenure as a director, that director must notify the chairperson of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of any such change, to permit the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee to evaluate the relationship for a potential conflict of interest, to review the appropriateness of the director’s continued membership on the Board and to confirm that the director continues to have time available to perform his or her duties to the Company. The affected director will be expected to act in accordance with the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee’s recommendation, including by offering his or her resignation from the Board.
Director Compensation. The Compensation Committee annually reviews the compensation of directors.
Retirement Age, Term Limits. The Board does not believe it should establish mandatory retirement ages and term limits for directors. While term limits and mandatory retirement ages could help to ensure that there are fresh ideas and viewpoints available to the Board, they present the disadvantage of losing directors who have been able to develop, over a period of time, increasing insight into Exelixis and its operations and who, therefore, provide a valuable contribution to the Board as a whole. The Board believes that, as an alternative to mandatory retirement ages and term limits, it can ensure that the Board continues to evolve and adopt new ideas and viewpoints through the director nomination process described in these Guidelines.
Director Education. The Company will provide for the continuing education of all directors and will periodically provide materials or educational seminars on matters relevant to the discharge of their duties. The Company will also provide new directors with an orientation program to familiarize such directors with the Company's business.
Communication with Stakeholders. The CEO is responsible for establishing effective communications with the Company's stakeholder groups, i.e., stockholders, communities, suppliers, creditors, government agencies and corporate partners. It is the policy of the Company that the Company's executive management team and the Investor Relations department speak for the Company. Members of the executive management team may, from time to time, designate other individuals, including outside directors to respond to inquiries regarding particular areas of interest or focus.
Board Function
Frequency of Board Meetings. A minimum of four regular meetings of the Board are currently held each year. The CEO, in consultation with the Chairman, determines the frequency and length of Board meetings. At least one meeting per year may be an extended meeting focusing on the Company's research and development programs as well as its long-term strategic plan. The Board reviews reports by management on the Company's performance and its plans and prospects during the regularly scheduled meetings and any special meetings. Directors are expected to prepare for, attend and participate in all scheduled Board and applicable committee meetings.
Agendas and Materials for Board Meetings. The CEO, in consultation with the Chairman, sets the agenda for each Board meeting. Board materials related to agenda items are provided to Board members sufficiently in advance of Board meetings to allow the directors to prepare for discussion of items at the meeting. Any member of the Board may request that an item be included on the agenda.
Board Presentations and Access to Information. The Board encourages senior management to arrange presentations at Board meetings by managers and to provide other reports that will enhance the flow of meaningful business, financial, scientific, medical, regulatory and other relevant information to the Board. The Board encourages the presentation at meetings by members of management who can provide additional insight into matters being discussed or who have senior management potential that the CEO believes should be given exposure to the Board. Each Board member also has free access to Exelixis' management and other employees at, and outside of, Board meetings.
Independent Director Meetings. The independent directors of the Board meet periodically, but no less than two times per year, in executive sessions. Independent director session discussions may include such topics as the independent directors determine. The independent directors generally do not take formal action at these sessions but make recommendations for consideration by the full Board. In addition, director meetings are held with the CEO, but not other members of management, for a general discussion of relevant subject matters.
CEO Performance Goals and Annual Evaluation. The Compensation Committee establishes the evaluation process for the CEO's performance and determines the specific criteria or goals on which the performance of the CEO is evaluated. The committee meets annually with the CEO to receive his or her recommendations concerning such goals. The Compensation Committee reviews the CEO's performance on an annual basis and communicates the results of its review to the full Board. The Board then meets with the CEO to evaluate his or her performance against such goals.
CEO Succession Plan. The Board has established a CEO succession plan. If a new CEO must be appointed, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will convene a special meeting to select an interim CEO while conducting a search to locate a qualified candidate for CEO. The CEO succession plan will be approved by the Board periodically.
Access to Independent Advisors/Experts. The Board and each of its committees have the right at any time to retain and direct independent financial, legal or other advisors or experts, with funding provided by Exelixis.
Board and Committee Evaluations. Board members perform on an annual basis a self-evaluation of the performance and effectiveness of the Board as a whole, as well as its committees. Their assessments are organized and summarized for discussion at the Board meeting following the evaluation.
Committee Function
Committees. It is the general policy of Exelixis that all major decisions be considered by the Board as a whole. The standing committee structure of the Board reflects this and is limited to those committees considered to be basic to or required for the operation of a public company. The current four standing committees of the Board are the Audit Committee, Compensation Committee, Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and Research and Development Committee. From time to time, the Board may establish a new committee or disband a current committee depending upon internal circumstances or external requirements.
Committee Charters. The Board has adopted written charters for the Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, which set forth the full authority and responsibilities of each committee.
Committee Member Selection. The Board, upon recommendation of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, designates the members and chairpersons of each committee. All of the members of the Audit, Compensation and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committees will meet the criteria for independence established by applicable law, including the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Nasdaq Stock Market.
Committee Meetings. Each committee has the number of meetings annually provided for in its charter, with additional meetings occurring (or action to be taken by unanimous consent) when deemed necessary or appropriate by the committee. The CEO, in consultation with the chairperson of the committee, sets the agenda for each committee meeting. Members of a committee are free to make suggestions for additions to the agenda or to request that an item from a committee agenda be considered by the full Board. The agenda, materials and minutes for each committee meeting are available to all directors, and all directors are free to attend any committee meeting. Exelixis provides to each committee access to employees and other resources to enable committee members to carry out their responsibilities.
Periodic Review Guidelines
Periodic Review.These Guidelines will be subject to periodic review and update by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and the Board.
1 These Corporate Governance Guidelines were originally adopted on February 9, 2006, and subsequently amended on February 6, 2008, November 30, 2011, February 11, 2016 and September 7, 2017.
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0017.json.gz/line1879
|
__label__wiki
| 0.634653
| 0.634653
|
Definitely Not Mr. Darcy
Author: Karen Doornebos
Inspired's Rating:
Chloe Parker was born two centuries too late. A thirty-nine-year- old divorced mother, she runs her own antique letterpress business, is a lifelong member of the Jane Austen Society, and gushes over everything Regency. But her business is failing, threatening her daughter’s future. What’s a lady to do?
Why, audition for a Jane Austen-inspired TV show set in England, of course.
What Chloe thinks is a documentary turns out to be a reality dating show set in 1812. Eight women are competing to snare Mr. Wrightman, the heir to a gorgeous estate, along with a $100,000 prize. So Chloe tosses her bonnet into the ring, hoping to transform from stressed-out Midwest mom to genteel American heiress and win the money. With no cell phones, indoor plumbing, or deodorant to be found, she must tighten her corset and flash some ankle to beat out women younger, more cutthroat, and less clumsy than herself. But the witty and dashing Mr. Wrightman proves to be a prize worth winning, even if it means the gloves are off…
Everything is not as it seems in this Regency-styled dating reality TV show. Definitely Not Mr. Darcy earns four stars for its humor, romance, and great characters.
Chloe becomes one of several contestants fighting for a rich gentleman's hand in marriage — and $100,000 that could provide for her daughter and save her failing business. And she seems to be in the lead, much to the annoyance of the other contestants. The only problem is that Chloe's falling in love with the gentleman and his brother.
The contestants range from an arrogant woman with a centuries-old axe to grind, to an Austen fan who embraces the all-too historically accurate accommodations. Chloe tries to fit in with the group and the time period, with varying results. Her verbal sparring with the contestants and gentlemen is one of my favorite parts of the book.
There is a hefty dose of bodice-ripping romance as well. Some of it's Chloe's fantasies, but some of it is very real inappropriate behavior between a gentleman and a lady!
Other than that and a fast wrap-up, Definitely Not Mr. Darcy is a great book about romance and the dangers of romanticizing. Definitely worth a read!
Subjects: Following the Path of Jane, reality show
"There is no charm equal to tenderness of heart."
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0017.json.gz/line1884
|
__label__wiki
| 0.529024
| 0.529024
|
Eisai and Biogen Present Detailed Results From Phase II Clinical Study of Elenbecestat in MCI and Mild to Moderate Alzheimer’s Disease at Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC) 2018
July 25, 2018 at 2:30 PM UTC
TOKYO and CAMBRIDGE, Mass., July 25, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Eisai Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Tokyo, CEO: Haruo Naito, “Eisai”) and Biogen Inc. (Nasdaq:BIIB) (Headquarters: Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, CEO: Michel Vounatsos, “Biogen”) announced detailed results from a Phase II clinical study (Study 202) of the investigational oral BACE (beta amyloid cleaving enzyme) inhibitor elenbecestat (development code: E2609) at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC) 2018 being held in Chicago, Illinois, United States, from July 22 to 26, 2018. This poster presentation was accepted as a Late Breaking Abstract for AAIC (Poster No.: P4-389).
Study 202 (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT02322021) is a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled parallel-group 18-month Phase II clinical study, conducted in the United States in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) due to Alzheimer’s disease, or mild to moderate dementia due to Alzheimer’s disease (AD) with confirmed amyloid pathology by positron emission tomography (PET). Seventy patients were randomized to four treatment arms receiving elenbecestat (5, 15, or 50 mg) or placebo daily. During the study period, more than half the patients in the elenbecestat 5 mg and 15 mg arms were switched to the 50 mg arm. These patients received elenbecestat 50 mg for three months or longer. Analysis was carried out on the combination of patients in the initial 50 mg treatment arm plus the patients switched to the 50 mg arm, referred to collectively as the “50 mg total group arm” (38 patients). In addition to the primary safety objective, the study assessed amyloid pathology in the brain at 18 months as measured by amyloid PET as well as efficacy in terms of clinical symptoms, which were exploratory objectives in this study.
The primary objective of the study was to assess the safety and tolerability of elenbecestat after 18 months of treatment. The incidence of treatment-emergent adverse events was similar between elenbecestat and placebo, and no dose-dependent response was observed for adverse events. The six most common adverse events reported were upper respiratory tract infection, abnormal dreams and nightmares, contact dermatitis, headache, diarrhea, and falls. No adverse reactions suggestive of hepatic toxicity were observed in this study.
Regarding the accumulation of amyloid in the brain at 18 months as measured by PET via quantitative evaluation of Standard Uptake Value Ratio (SUVr) using the florbetaben PET tracer (n=28), a statistically significant reduction of brain amyloid load as compared to placebo was observed in the 50 mg total group arm with a reduction in SUVr of 0.104 (p=0.011). Although a small sample size, using the florbetapir PET tracer (n=7) demonstrated a statistically significant decrease in brain amyloid load compared to placebo for the 50 mg total group arm (reduction in SUVr of 0.227) at 18 months (p=0.024).
Clinical efficacy was evaluated using the Clinical Dementia Rating Sum of Boxes (CDR-SB) rating scale. After 18 months of treatment, clinical assessment using CDR-SB demonstrated a mean treatment difference of -0.5 based off of an increase of 1.1 for the elenbecestat 50 mg total group arm (29 patients) versus an increase of 1.6 for the placebo group (12 patients). This represented a 31% slowing in rate of decline for the elenbecestat arm which is potentially considered to be clinically important.
Furthermore, based on information obtained from analyses of changes in CDR-SB and amyloid PET SUVr values from ADNI data, in a sub-population analysis of patients with baseline SUVr range between 1.4 and 1.9 who were identified in this study as being expected to have a higher rate of disease progression, there was 72% less decline in CDR-SB for patients in the 50 mg total group arm (n=10) versus placebo (n=5). While the study was not powered to show statistical significance compared to placebo on clinical symptoms, the results suggest that elenbecestat could slow decline in cognitive function of patients with MCI due to Alzheimer’s disease, or mild to moderate dementia due to Alzheimer’s disease.
Elenbecestat, discovered by Eisai, has been jointly developed by Eisai and Biogen since March 2014. The two companies are currently conducting two global Phase III clinical studies (MISSION AD1/2) in early Alzheimer’s disease.
This release discusses investigational uses of agents in development and is not intended to convey conclusions about efficacy or safety. There is no guarantee that such investigational agent will successfully complete clinical development or gain health authority approval.
Biogen Safe Harbor
This press release contains forward-looking statements, including statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements about results from the Phase II study of elenbecestat; the potential clinical effects of elenbecestat; the potential benefits, safety, and efficacy of elenbecestat; the clinical development program for elenbecestat; risks and uncertainties associated with drug development and commercialization; the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease; Biogen’s strategy and plans; the anticipated benefits and potential of Biogen’s collaboration arrangements with Eisai; and the potential of Biogen’s commercial business and pipeline programs, including elenbecestat, BAN2401, and aducanumab. These forward-looking statements may be accompanied by words such as “aim,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “could,” “estimate,” “except,” “forecast,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “potential,” “possible,” “will,” and other words and terms of similar meaning. Drug development and commercialization involve a high degree of risk, and only a small number of research and development programs result in commercialization of a product. Results in early stage clinical trials may not be indicative of full results or results from later stage or larger scale clinical trials and do not ensure regulatory approval. You should not place undue reliance on these statements or the scientific data presented.
These statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those reflected in such statements, including, without limitation: the risk that clinical trials may not fully enroll or enrollment will take longer than expected; unexpected concerns may arise from additional data, analysis, or results obtained during clinical trials; regulatory authorities may require additional information or further studies, or may fail or refuse to approve or may delay approval of Biogen’s drug candidates, including elenbecestat, BAN2401, and/or aducanumab; the occurrence of adverse safety events; Biogen may encounter other unexpected hurdles; uncertainty of success in the development and potential commercialization of elenbecestat, BAN2401, and/or aducanumab, which may be impacted by, among other things, unexpected concerns that may arise from additional data or analysis, the occurrence of adverse safety events, failure to obtain regulatory approvals in certain jurisdictions, failure to protect and enforce Biogen’s data, intellectual property, and other proprietary rights and uncertainties relating to intellectual property claims and challenges; uncertainty as to whether the anticipated benefits and potential of Biogen’s collaboration arrangement with Eisai can be achieved; product liability claims; and third party collaboration risks.. The foregoing sets forth many, but not all, of the factors that could cause actual results to differ from Biogen’s expectations in any forward-looking statement. Investors should consider this cautionary statement, as well as the risk factors identified in Biogen’s most recent annual or quarterly report and in other reports Biogen has filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. These statements are based on Biogen’s current beliefs and expectations and speak only as of the date of this press release. Biogen does not undertake any obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.
Patricia_Councill@eisai.com
1. About Elenbecestat (generic name, development code: E2609)
Elenbecestat is an oral BACE (beta amyloid cleaving enzyme) inhibitor discovered by Eisai currently being investigated in Phase III clinical studies for Alzheimer’s disease. By inhibiting BACE, a key enzyme in the production of Aβ peptides, elenbecestat reduces Aβ production, which is thought to lead to a reduction in amyloid plaque formations caused by the aggregation of toxic oligomers and protofibrils in the brain. Currently, two global Phase III clinical studies (MISSION AD1/2) of elenbecestat in early Alzheimer’s disease including mild cognitive impairment (MCI) due to AD/Prodromal AD and the early stages of mild AD are underway. In addition, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Fast Track designation for the development of elenbecestat, a process designed to facilitate the development, and expedite the review of drugs to treat serious conditions and fill an unmet medical need.
2. About Study 202 (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT02322021)
Study 202 is a placebo-controlled, double-blind, parallel-group, randomized, dose-finding study to evaluate the safety and tolerability of elenbecestat in 70 patients with mild cognitive impairment due to Alzheimer's disease (prodromal Alzheimer's disease) and mild to moderate dementia due to Alzheimer's disease. The study enrolled patients which met the core clinical research criteria of the U.S. National Institute on Aging – Alzheimer’s Association for MCI due to AD or AD dementia, with an MMSE score of 16 or higher and confirmed accumulation of Aβ by PET screening. Patients were allocated to a total of four treatment arms, three for elenbecestat (5 mg/day: 17 patients, 15 mg/day: 19 patients, 50 mg/day: 17 patients) and one for placebo (17 patients). More than half the patients in the elenbecestat 5 mg and 15 mg treatment arms had their dose increased to 50 mg/day during the 18 month treatment period. Mean duration of 50 mg total group arm on 50 mg/day was 11 months. The primary objectives are safety and tolerability after 18 months. Major exploratory endpoints are the change in accumulation of Aβ as measured by amyloid PET (35 patients) and the change in dementia assessment scales including CDR-SB and ADCOMS (41 patients), at 18 months compared to baseline.
3. Glossary of Terms
1) SUVr (Standard Uptake Value Ratio): SUVr calculates the ratio of strength of accumulation of PET tracer in a region of interest in the brain to an area of the brain (reference region) which shows low and stable accumulation of PET tracer. These SUVr values can be used to quantitatively compare and evaluate the accumulation of amyloid.
2) CDR-SB (Clinical Dementia Rating scale Sum of Boxes): The Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) is a numeric scale used to quantify the severity of symptoms of dementia. A qualified health professional assesses a patient's cognitive and functional performance in six areas: memory, orientation, judgment & problem solving, community affairs, home & hobbies, and personal care. The total score of the six areas is the score of CDR-SB, and it is an appropriate item for evaluating the effectiveness of therapeutic drugs targeting early stage AD.
At Biogen, our mission is clear: we are pioneers in neuroscience. Biogen discovers, develops, and delivers worldwide innovative therapies for people living with serious neurological and neurodegenerative diseases. One of the world’s first global biotechnology companies, Biogen was founded in 1978 by Charles Weissmann, Heinz Schaller, Kenneth Murray, and Nobel Prize winners Walter Gilbert and Phillip Sharp, and today has the leading portfolio of medicines to treat multiple sclerosis; has introduced the first and only approved treatment for spinal muscular atrophy; and is focused on advancing neuroscience research programs in Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, neuroimmunology, movement disorders, neuromuscular disorders, pain, ophthalmology, neuropsychiatry, and acute neurology. Biogen also manufactures and commercializes biosimilars of advanced biologics.
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0017.json.gz/line1886
|
__label__wiki
| 0.56315
| 0.56315
|
Koppers Holdings Inc. Announces Cessation of Activities at Follansbee, WV, Facility; Final Step in Restructuring Strategy for Carbon Materials and Chemicals Business
PITTSBURGH, June 12, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Koppers Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Koppers Holdings Inc. (NYSE: KOP), today announced that it plans to cease remaining production activities at its facility located in Follansbee, West Virginia.
As part of Koppers previously announced strategy to restructure and streamline the operating footprint of its Carbon Materials and Chemicals (CMC) business, the company had discontinued coal tar distillation processing at the Follansbee facility in 2016. Subsequent to the commissioning of a new naphthalene refining plant in Stickney, Illinois, the company ceased naphthalene refining activities at the Follansbee facility in the fourth quarter of 2018. This final development, which will ultimately affect 48 employees, is driven by market conditions over the past decade that resulted in lower overall supply of raw material from North American steel manufacturers and the long-term changing footprint of the aluminum sector in the United States. The company expects to ramp down production over the next few months with plant decommissioning and tank cleaning activities to be completed by the fourth quarter of 2020. The closure of Follansbee represents the final step in reducing the CMC global footprint of facilities from 11 to four.
The company anticipates that this action will result in pre-tax charges to earnings of $4 million to $6 million in the second quarter related to asset write-downs and site clean-up while future cash requirements to close the facility are approximately $20 million. Both the value of charges and cash requirements are consistent with disclosures made in the company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on May 3, 2019. The closure will be funded through cash savings from winding down operations at the site which is estimated at $4 million in 2019, $9 million in 2020, and $16 million in 2021 and thereafter.
Commenting on the decision, Koppers President and CEO, Leroy Ball said, "The closure of our Follansbee facility is an unfavorable outcome of the effects of global forces on our business that were outside of our control. We made several attempts to utilize the site for other purposes in an effort to preserve jobs, but ultimately could not arrive at a solution that worked from an economic standpoint."
Mr. Ball continued, "I want to thank our dedicated employees who have continued to work hard under less than ideal circumstances over the past several years. I take seriously the fact that closing the facility may have a potential negative impact on our employees and their families. As a result, we plan to provide assistance to employees in a way that helps position them for ongoing success as they transition to their next employer."
Koppers, with corporate headquarters in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is an integrated global provider of treated wood products, wood treatment chemicals and carbon compounds. Our products and services are used in a variety of niche applications in a diverse range of end-markets, including the railroad, specialty chemical, utility, residential lumber, agriculture, aluminum, steel, rubber, and construction industries. Including our joint ventures, we serve our customers through a comprehensive global manufacturing and distribution network, with facilities located in North America, South America, Australasia, China and Europe. The stock of Koppers Holdings Inc. is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "KOP." For more information, visit us on the Web: www.koppers.com. Questions concerning investor relations should be directed to Michael J. Zugay at 412 227 2231 or Quynh McGuire at 412 227 2049.
Certain statements in this press release are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and may include, but are not limited to, statements about sales levels, acquisitions, restructuring, declines in the value of Koppers assets and the effect of any resulting impairment charges, profitability and anticipated expenses and cash outflows. All forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. All statements contained herein that are not clearly historical in nature are forward-looking, and words such as "outlook," "guidance," "forecast," "believe," "anticipate," "expect," "estimate," "may," "will," "should," "continue," "plan," "potential," "intend," "likely," or other similar words or phrases are generally intended to identify forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statement contained herein, in other press releases, written statements or other documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or in Koppers communications and discussions with investors and analysts in the normal course of business through meetings, phone calls and conference calls, regarding expectations with respect to sales, earnings, cash flows, operating efficiencies, restructurings, the benefits of acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures or other matters as well as financings and debt reduction, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and contingencies. Many of these risks, uncertainties and contingencies are beyond our control, and may cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from anticipated results, performance or achievements. Factors that might affect such forward-looking statements include, among other things, the impact of changes in commodity prices, such as oil and copper, on product margins; general economic and business conditions; potential difficulties in protecting our intellectual property; the ratings on our debt and our ability to repay or refinance our outstanding indebtedness as it matures; our ability to operate within the limitations of our debt covenants; potential impairment of our goodwill and/or long-lived assets; demand for Koppers goods and services; competitive conditions; interest rate and foreign currency rate fluctuations; availability and costs of key raw materials; unfavorable resolution of claims against us, as well as those discussed more fully elsewhere in this release and in documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by Koppers, particularly our latest annual report on Form 10-K and quarterly report on Form 10-Q. Any forward-looking statements in this release speak only as of the date of this release, and we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after that date or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/koppers-holdings-inc-announces-cessation-of-activities-at-follansbee-wv-facility-final-step-in-restructuring-strategy-for-carbon-materials-and-chemicals-business-300866068.html
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0017.json.gz/line1887
|
__label__cc
| 0.512568
| 0.487432
|
Joan Griswold
Joan Griswold was born in Oberlin, Ohio in 1954. With her family she moved to Rochester, New York and then in 1970 to Kobe, Japan. After graduating from an international high school, she spent a year in Kyoto studying the language and pottery of Japan. She graduated from Beloit College in 1977 with a double major in Classics and Studio Art.
After a few years of foreign travel she settled in New York where she opened and ran a small art gallery and frame shop for five years. In 1986 she moved to the Berkshires where she now lives with her husband, Roy Blount Jr. Ms. Griswold’s award-winning work has been featured in many solo and group exhibitions, and has been acclaimed in the New York Times and other publications. Her work can be found in many private collections throughout the US and Europe.
© Joan Griswold
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0017.json.gz/line1889
|
__label__wiki
| 0.645855
| 0.645855
|
G39 is an artist-run gallery in the centre of Cardiff, Wales’ capital city. The organisation recently relocated from a narrow three storey building where it originated, to an expansive warehouse. Here you can see a wide-ranging programme from major exhibitions and formal symposia to experimental projects and intimate events. In addition to the gallery programme, g39 also works in offsite locations for individual projects. The organisation also runs Wales Artist Resource Programme – WARP - an open-access resource and training space for artists.
GAI Associazione per il Circuito dei Giovani Artisti Italiani
The Association for the Circuit of the Young Italian Artists is an organism that includes 38 public administrations with the aim of supporting the young creativity with initiatives of formation, promotion and research. The circuit GAI, which was born in 1989, has given itself a new juridical form which allows it to co-ordinate efficaciously national projects and pick up new resources through the collaboration between public and private corporations.
Galerie Eva Presenhuber
Galerie Eva Presenhuber is located in the Diagonal building at the former Maag Areal. Protected as a historical listed landmark, the typical 1900s industrial building Diagonal is situated next to the Prime Tower in Zurichs new urban area planned by Annette Gigon and Mike Guyer architects. The new spacious gallery - designed by Andreas Fuhrimann and Gabrielle Hächler architects - opened with a major exhibition by Austrian artist Franz West on April 14, 2011.
Galerie Lelong
Galerie Lelong opened in New York in 1985, and in 2001 moved to its present (ground-floor) location in Chelsea. The gallery’s focus is in international contemporary art, representing artists and estates from the United States, South America, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific Region.
Galleria Nazionale dell'Umbria
La Galleria nazionale dell'Umbria è un museo italiano. Conserva la maggiore raccolta di opere dell'arte umbra ed alcune tra le più significative opere dell'arte dell'Italia centrale, dal XIII al XIX secolo.
Archive-keeping
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0017.json.gz/line1890
|
__label__cc
| 0.570335
| 0.429665
|
Qatar Museums
Our purpose as an organisation is to be a cultural instigator for the creation generation. This is an ambition that we will deliver together as a group of museums and heritage sites to help fulfill the cultural goals of the 2030 Qatar National Vision. Our brand purpose also aligns with our organisational vision – to develop, promote and sustain the cultural sector at the highest standards.
Queensland Art Gallery - Gallery of Modern Art
The Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art is Queensland's premier visual arts institution and a major cultural destination for Queensland. Located on the South Bank of the Brisbane River, as part of a unique and thriving Cultural Precinct, QAGOMA has recently outlined a new strategic vision aimed at furthering its international profile as a leading exhibitor and collector in the Asia-Pacific region.
S AM Swiss Architecture Museum
The Swiss Architecture Museum (S AM) is the leading institution in the mediation of contemporary architecture in Switzerland. - See more at: http://www.aah.org.uk/students/news/1700#sthash.gcbh9YkI.dpuf
Salzburg International Summer Academy of Fine Arts
The Salzburg International Summer Academy of Fine Arts, founded in 1953 by Oskar Kokoschka as the "School of Vision", in Hohensalzburg Fortress, is the oldest of its kind in Europe. Every year, some 300 participants from more than 40 countries attend some 20 courses offered in two fixed locations: Hohensalzburg Fortress and the Kiefer quarry in Fürstenbrunn, as well as in further temporary spaces in the city of Salzburg. Well-known artists, curators and critics from all over the world offer courses focusing on topical questions of art production, as well as curatorial practice and writing about art.
Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts
The Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts is an interdisciplinary and diverse community of architects, artists, and designers dedicated to excellence in learning, creative activity, research, and exhibition. Our unique structure allows us to build on the strengths of each unit—Art, Architecture, and Museum—and to draw on the resources of the University to create new knowledge and address the social and environmental challenges of our time.
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0017.json.gz/line1891
|
__label__wiki
| 0.745344
| 0.745344
|
About The Imperial War Museum
Duxford is one of five sites of the Imperial War Museum. Duxford is Europe's premier aviation museum - as well as having one of the finest collections of tanks, military vehicles and naval exhibits in the country. This famous heritage site began as an airfield in the First World War and also played a vital role in the Second World War, firstly as an RAF fighter station and later as an American fighter base. The Land Warfare section houses the awesome artillery barrages of the First World War, through the giant tank battles of the Second World War, to the high-speed conflict of modern-day conflicts, Land Warfare charts how technological advances have changed the face of war. Within Land Warfare, The Forgotten War exhibition highlights the political, military and the personal aspects of the Second World War in the Far East, the Pacific and in particular, Burma between 1941 and 1945. Land Warfare is also home to The Royal Anglian Regiment Museum, which covers the history of the East and Royal Anglian Regiments since the amalgamations of the former County Regiments from 1958-1960. One of our favourite exhibits is 'Old Faithful' a fine example of a Humber Super Snipe Staff Car. The museum also houses a number of Alvis, Austin, Bedford, Fords and Land Rovers. *Image is not necessarily one of the museum.
Open daily from 10am. During the winter season (27 October 2013 to 14 March 2014) open from 10am until 4pm. Last admission is at 3pm. During the winter period the Land Warfare exhibition will be open daily from noon. The rest of the museum is open as normal from 10am until 4pm. During the summer season (15 March 2014 to 26 October 2014) open from 10am until 6pm. Last admission is at 5pm. Closed 24, 25 and 26 December.
Contacting the Museum
Please do not contact jonniejumble directly about the Imperial War Museum as they will not be able to reply to your mail.
Use the website address or contact numbers below. Thank you.
Imperial War Museum, Duxford, Cambridgeshire, CB22 4QR
Webite Address : www.iwm.org.uk
Classic Car Parts and Events
Search for parts, events, owners clubs and museums.
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0017.json.gz/line1895
|
__label__cc
| 0.741992
| 0.258008
|
How Good is Good Enough?
Bear with me while I work out some doubts.
Last month I published GRANDMA?, a YA comedy horror novel I wrote with my nineteen year old son, Talon.
A lot of the writing was rewriting his prose. He's young, he's still learning, and his stuff wasn't up to the standards I've had since I was first published in 2003.
As I was rewriting his scenes, I got to thinking. I wrote bunch of novels before WHISKEY SOUR was published. I self-pubbed most of those early books in 2009, with zero changes, because they were good enough for prime time. I knew they were good enough, because my agent represented them.
A few of them, three in particular, I'd never deemed good enough. So they've been sitting in my attic in a plastic bin, having been written before I owned a computer.
While cleaning out the attic, I took a look and decided these three were, in fact, pretty good. Not great, but I'd grade them each a solid B.
They all feature the character of Phineas Troutt, who is the current husband of Jack Daniels, and has appeared in eight JD novels, a handful of short stories, and my TIMECASTER series. Phin was the protag of my very first novel, DEAD ON MY FEET, written when I was 23 years old. Literally half my life ago, as I'll turn 47 next month.
I reread it, and decided I could do a quick polish and self-pub it and its two sequels without spending a lot of time and energy on them.
But, as I'm polishing, I find I'm doing a lot of rewriting.
Which brings us to the title of this blog post: How Good is Good Enough?
DEAD ON MY FEET is going to sell a certain number to my diehard fans, who buy everything I put out.
It will also sell a number of copies to my casual fans, who buy some of my stuff (for example the thrillers, but not the horror, or the erotica, but not the sci fi).
It will also sell a number of copies to those who have never heard of me, and it will serve as an introduction to my work. Some of those readers may become fans, and some of those fans may become diehards who read/buy everything.
Every book is a billboard for your entire backlist. If that book is enjoyed, it will lead a certain number of readers to your other books.
Does everyone see where I'm going with this?
DEAD ON MY FEET will sell to diehards, and some casual fans, and some new readers. It's good enough that the diehards won't be disappointed. Maybe some of the casual fans will, since it isn't quite up to par with my latest JD novels, and maybe they won't read the sequels. And it might not quite be good enough to prompt new readers to read more of my backlist, but there are books of mine that I consider grade A that also don't prompt new readers to read more of my backlist.
Finding readers is a crapshoot. Keeping readers is a crapshoot.
When I look at my wife's reading habits, I'm even more perplexed. My wife reads 3 to 5 novels a week. When she finds a new author, she'll read every book by that author.
Even the disappointing books.
In fact, Maria will stick with an author for three mediocre novels before she finally gives up on them.
Talk about rewarding mediocrity. But she isn't the only one who does this. There is a lot of stuff that I find so-so that is insanely popular.
I like to consider my novels above average (I'm sure all writers feel the same about their work, so there is a disconnect somewhere). But let's say my books are, indeed, average.
Why should I try to do better?
If a Grade B book will only result in slightly fewer readers over the next ten years, why should I put in weeks and weeks of effort to make it a Grade A book? Why not just put it out there, and spend those weeks writing a new book that I'm sure will please more people?
I consider DISTURB to be my weakest novel. Not only is it short, but it lacks the humor found in my other books. It's a straight medical thriller, and I wrote it by numbers rather than put my personality into it. But it still sells reasonably well, and has an Amazon average rating of four stars.
Many times, in the past, I've thought about doing a rewrite of DISTURB to beef it up, make it better. But why should I? Would it sell enough extra copies to be worth the effort?
I've been planning on spending the rest of the month to whip DEAD ON MY FEET in Grade A shape. But I could release it tomorrow as a Grade B novel, not lose very many readers in the long run, and use those two weeks to work on my next Grade A novel.
On the surface, this seems like a no-brainer. Release those three old books with minimal work, and use that time I've saved to write new stuff. I'll make more money in the long run, and the only downside is that some readers won't be as pumped about the Phin books as my other books. I'll do okay with DEAD ON MY FEET, but fans are waiting for the next Jack Daniels book, and getting that out two or three weeks earlier would mean two or three weeks of quicker income.
Ebooks will theoretically earn money forever. But I won't live forever. I have an expiration date. Why not get paid a few weeks sooner, as well as save three weeks of work (and by extension, three weeks of my life.)
And yet, I just can't do it.
I suppose the same reason that got me into writing--the desire to tell a fun story--prevents me from releasing a book that isn't as good as it could be.
On the other hand, my favorite books of mine are the TIMECASTER series. I love writing those. But they're the weakest sellers in my backlist, so the long-awaited third book in that trilogy keeps getting pushed back. If I was writing mainly to please myself, shouldn't I be working on that now?
So what's the answer? Please readers? Please myself? Please the tax man?
Hemingway said that stories are never finished, they're simply due. But somewhere between endless rewriting and going live there is a sweet spot where the story is good enough to go out into the world and stand on its own.
I don't want to release something I don't think is ready. I feel I have one chance to hook readers, so I should show them my best.
But, at the same time, I'm probably wrong about that. My success is based on luck. Not on how good I think my own books are.
There is so much mediocrity in the world, and mediocre things can, and are, popular. Why try harder?
Every author secretly thinks their books are uniquely special, but the vast majority of books don't sell. I haven't been blogging regularly for eight months, and I still get urgent emails from authors, wondering why their sales are slumping. They ask if it's their covers, or if the market is crashing, or if they aren't doing the right kind of marketing.
But none of them ever ask if they self-pubbed too soon, before the book was Grade A. Writers are a pretty insecure bunch, but I've never met one who blames their sales on their bad writing.
I gotta say, it's seductive to think I could self-pub these three books instantly, make some money, not worry about the anticipated three star average (I encourage writers to not look at their reviews, and I usually don't), and immediately move on to something I know will sell better.
But I won't do that. I'll put in the time and make these books better. Money is nice. Having more time is nice. However, the nicest thing of all is having pride in my work.
I'm pretty sure I'm just as deluded as everyone is. I don't deserve to sell as well as I do. So I've decided to always give it my best shot, because if my sales ever slow I don't want mediocrity to be a possible culprit.
However, I'm willing to admit that might be a stupid attitude, for many reasons.
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0017.json.gz/line1898
|
__label__cc
| 0.68503
| 0.31497
|
Traditional Top Ten for 2013
Before I give you my listing, the three films that moved in and out of my top ten deserve to be mentioned as well. One last minute film bumped "Saving Mr. Banks" off the list. "About Time" was on the list at one point but was bumped by "Saving Mr. Banks". "12 Years A Slave" is a fine film and hovered on the edge for me. Ultimately I was just not moved in the same ways that everyone else seems to be by it. The horrifying depiction of human cruelty may have suffered because I'm not sure how repeatable the experience is for me. This is not really a list of the "Best" films of the year, it simply represents my set of favorites. It is of course subjective, but I could enjoy seeing all of these multiple times. The original reviews are available by clicking on the posters shown below.
This is a social movement film that describes an important change in the American character and the greatness of one man. Jackie Robinson achieved his place in sports history not just because he was the first black player in the major leagues, but also because he was a great player and a courageous man. The story will probably be seen by many as too conventionally told but it hits all the important emotional points and it works on each of them. It also has the advantage of having my favorite movie poster of the year. The image to the left here depicts a baseball move, but look at Robinson's right hand, it is raised and clutched in defiance. The fact that this horizontal activity is depicted vertically, makes it more interesting and maybe even symbolic. Harrison Ford gives a terrific performance as Branch Rickey, the baseball man who saw the future.
9. The World's End
This movie is on the list for one reason, it made me laugh and it made me laugh hard. I was chuckling all the way to the car after the movie was over and still laugh just thinking about it. Simon Pegg has become one of my favorites in the last few years. He has a comic persona but can play a good dramatic turn as well. I was late to "Shaun of the Dead" but "Hot Fuzz" was on my radar before it opened and i was there that first night. The idea that these films are in any way connected story wise is just part of the joke that everyone seems willing to go along with. The set up of the movie was excellent and the characters were played straight. When it takes a sharp turn two thirds of the way in, we are willing to go along because the characters were so strong to begin with. I know I will be watching ten or fifteen minutes of this every time I run across it, and I know that if I have the time, I will end up finishing it.
8. Drew: The Man Behind the Poster
As a movie, this documentary about the illustrator Drew Struzan is pretty conventional. There are a lot of talking heads sharing opinions and telling stories. The fact that those talking heads belong to some of the greatest film makers of the last thirty years is what begins to tell you there is something different here. I looked forward to this movie for about a year before it opened. I love movie posters and I love poster art. Too many posters now are simply photoshop creations. Some of them are attractive but they are rarely artistic. Drew Struzan makes art. I'm not sure I know how one distinguishes illustrator from artist, but I am confident that Mr. Struzan is esteemed by people in both fields. The movie played at a film festival here in Southern California and that's what allowed me to meet both the director and the subject. Each of them was gracious with the few moments i spent talking to them and it was a highlight of the year for me.
In terms of quality, this may be the best picture of the year. I thought it was extremely well written and turned an interesting historical event into an entertaining story with some clever additions of romance and "Sting" like story deception. As a collection of performers it would be difficult to find a cast that did a better overall job than this one. All of the major characters are effective in their roles with special attention going to Amy Adams and Jennifer Lawrence. These two women are the current generations version of Bette Davis and Barbara Stanwyck, sexy in non conventional ways and talented as all get out. This is director David O. Russells third film in a row to knock it out of the park, he is in the sweet spot of his career right now and we are lucky to be a part of it.
6. Evil Dead
The thing that most scared me when I knew this was coming was that it would suck. The original "Evil Dead" is a touchstone horror classic from the 1980s and it was straight out frightening. The sequels went more for humor mixed with scares but the original practically invented the cabin in the woods genre of horror movies. The one thing that gave me some confidence was that the original film makers were overseeing the new crew and they would not want their legacy to be tainted. Some of the other sites I read did not like this but i thought it was everything I hoped it would be. There was gore in service of the story and characters, the effects are for the most part practical, there are some good subtle nods to the original without becoming campy and best of all, it was frightening.
5. The Conjuring
That's right, I've got two horror films on my ten favorite list and they are back to back. Where "Evil Dead" goes for the visceral horror, "The Conjuring" is more suspenseful and builds to it's frights. There a smashing opening that seems to have little to do with the later events but of course in the end it will be connected for us. This is a moody, haunted house piece that does not reinvent the genre, it just does it's job efficiently and with professionalism. There are CGI moments but they are used with restraint, which seems to be the main problem I have with most films in this genre, when it's time for the boogie man to show up, it is often not as frightening and sometimes it is visually distracting.
This movie looks amazing. The images could convince you that it was filmed on location. I have seen a couple of pieces critical of the science or a storytelling technique or two, but those criticisms miss the bigger picture. This is an ambitious film, told on a grand scale about some of the most intimate feelings we as human beings have. While others have been beating the drum for Cate Blanchett as the best female performance of the year, I know in my heart and in my brain, that Sandra Bullock completely owns this move and this solar system. If you go to the movies to be wowed, than this is the movie to go to. It impressed me repeatedly. This is the kind of movie that 3D IMAX films were made for. I hope it will translate to other platforms because the story and the performance deserve equal attention to the look of the movie.
3. The Way, Way Back
One of those little movies that can, does. A coming of age story that has a few twists and a genuinely appealing performance from Sam Rockwell. The scenario is a little complicated but the story is conventional. The characters are incredibly real and the dialogue is full of sparkling insights about growing up and relationships. Allison Janey will slay you every time she opens her mouth. This is a funny film that has some genuine heart and the performances are winning. It crawled under my skin and just stayed there, daring me to try to rid myself of the warm happy feeling it gave me. I expect this to be a summer perennial at my house.
2. Rush
The real life story of a Formula One rivalry from more than thirty years ago did not seem to be something that I would fall in love with. I'm not a race fan and although I vaguely remember the incident, it was not of historical significance. None of that mattered once these characters came alive on screen. The fascinating point of the story is how competition compels us to make ourselves better and that competition means someone else is challenging us. The two lead actors are excellent and the race sequences are well staged. Somehow this movie pulled me in and as I sat in the theater after it was over, I could hardly contain my enthusiasm for the film. This movie has disappeared from most people's radar for end of the year accolades, I say it easily is better than the new Scorsese film and equal to the other films that are being bandied around now. This is an adult film for grown ups who want to be intelligently entertained, not shocked or pandered to.
1. Mud
This film contains a more subtle performance from Matthew McConaughey than the one he gave in "Dallas Buyers Club". I prefer it but both of those roles are terrific showpieces for an actor who has been slumming in rom-com world for far too long. Here's the thing though, McConaughey's performance is not the best one in the movie. That was provided to us by a child actor named Tye Sherida. Kids performances may be hard to gauge because sometimes they are just being kids and that's all the part calls for. This was a lot more complicated and difficult and he pulled it off while being surrounded by a pretty impressive cast. This film came out in April and is now making the rounds on cable. Be sure to take some time to see it. The less you know about it, the more I think you will enjoy it. From the time I saw it, it was on the top of my list and nothing that has come since has been able to dislodge it.
le0pard13 said...
Great to see '42' and 'The World's End' on someone's top ten list. I have 'Mud' in my BD stack and really need to tee it up. Wonderful tensome, Richard.
You are gonna love Mud.
SJHoneywell said...
Since I'm generally a year or more behind the curve on movies, I guess I have a good sense of what I'll be watching this year.
All good things to look for on cable, to stream or, imagine, to actually purchase in a physical form. Thanks for posting SJ.
Alex Withrow said...
Great picks. You know... 42 impressed me a lot more than I thought it would. I was expecting another run of the mill biopic, but Helgeland really delivered there.
There are great emotional moments and they are presented fairly. There was a minimum of saccharine and more reality than you might expect. Alan Tudyek was a right awful illustration of what the face of racism was.
The Academy Goes off the Deep End
Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit
Best Movie Theaters Los Angeles - Screenings, Film...
WTF Happened to Movie Posters?
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0017.json.gz/line1904
|
__label__cc
| 0.648201
| 0.351799
|
The ‘Goddess’ Figurines
The ‘Goddess’ figurines reveal the power of the ancient world.
Influences from many cultures, including Ancient Greece, the Maya from Central America and Gauguin’s paintings are incorporated into the form and design.
Symbols from the Maya Underworld – a mythic bird, feathers, glyph shapes, decorate the figurines who emerge from exotic jungle foliage, the leaves representing the power of the earth. The leaves are evolving into feathers and butterfly wings, and are linked to the mythic form of the ‘World Tree’, the wings are symbolic of flight to other levels of consciousness.
Opposites and the resolution of difference have always interested me, and the figurines combine the stillness and power of Greek sculptures with the sensuous languid quality of Gauguin’s women and girls; the leaves are a symbol of nature, enclosing and protecting, but also the source of power for the goddess.
The sculptures slide between and express aspects of the feminine archetypes of young girl, goddess, earth mother, femme fatale, and have the power of ancient mythic artefacts.
The ‘Goddess’ sculptures are hand modelled in oxidized stoneware clays, colour is applied using a variety of slips and glazes.
Ceramic Replicas of Animal Figurines
The archaeology site of Lamanai is on the New river Lagoon, and Santa Rita is a small site near the modern day town of Corozal at the mouth of the New River.
Lamanai has a wide range of vessels and figurines based on animal forms from the Preclassic through to the 17th century Historic Period. Although some are displayed in Museums, they are mostly damaged and incomplete, with only a few traces of the original stucco painting remaining.
The animal figurines represented by these replicas date from the final years of the Maya civilization at Lamanai, and span the two hundred years from around 1500AD to the late 1600s.
The figurines are lively and expressive representations of creatures who live in the nearby lagoon, river and sea – crocodiles, turtles, fish and sharks; but land animals such as the jaguar and deer are also included. The figurines are generally composite creatures incorporating features and characteristics of more than one animal.
The figurines express the continuation and use of symbols stretching back to the Olmec era, circa 1500 B.C. and they have a liveliness of line and form that echoes Maya Classic art at its best yet without the formality that was of necessity demanded by a highly structured society.
However the open necked vessel-like forms representing creatures from the land, river, sea, and the mythological Underworld, are so far unique to this area of northern Belize. There is no loss of the observational skills and love of the natural world of their ancestors by these Postclassic artists from Lamanai and Santa Rita , and this is coupled with a strong continuation of the use of traditional imagery to express the sacred.
Freed from the constraints of a tight social hierarchy which would have pertained in earlier times, the Postclassic Maya potters produced works of art which are powerful statements yet accessible to modern minds. For although the creatures depicted have a religious and symbolic importance to the Maya , their main impact is in the powerful and imaginative use of form, a continuation of a strong artistic tradition going back at least two thousand years.
Throughout their history, the Maya were concerned with the uniting of spiritual opposites, and these figurines are embodiments of this idea: creatures of the land – jaguar and deer – are combined with those of water – crocodiles, turtles, fish and sharks, the heads of deities or shaman figures inside the jaws represent a return to origins, the triumph of life over death and an expression of the creative forces of the Underworld.
Classic art and the Postclassic codices suggest that the Maya thought of the earth as the back of a crocodile resting in a pool filled with waterlilies. Its counterpart in the sky was a double headed serpent, an idea which was reinforced by the fact that the word for sky, kaan or chan, is a homonym for snake. This serpent may also represent the ecliptic, the apparent path of the sun, moon, Venus and other celestial bodies, hence some of the crocodile figurines have modelled spots on their bodies, serving a dual purpose of representing both roughened scaly skin and the heavenly bodies.
See the full catalogue of replicas
Making the replicas
The ceramic replicas are made from fired clay in much the same way as the originals. They are fired to around 1050 deg.C which ensures that the clay is sufficiently hard to withstand normal handling.
The original figurines were not glazed, but were covered with a white lime stucco and then painted with natural earth pigments. Most retain sufficient traces of colour to be able to replicate the patterns and colouring, and the same techniques have been used to colour the replicas. A base coat of white lime is applied after firing, and then natural earth pigments are mixed with a binding medium before the paint is applied to the figurines.
Interested in buying prints or replicas
Most images can be produced to customer specification; please send details of the space in which you intend to place the artwork, or budgetary guidelines, along with any other information you feel will help.
I can provide prices for work on canvas, watercolour paper and prints.
The prices shown below are only intended as a guide as there are various options available for most of my work.
Oil Paintings: Prints can be purchased on canvas from £70, watercolour or art paper from £20. Paintings can be produced up to 23″x 33″. Original canvases can also be purchased.
Ceramic Replicas and Sculptures: All ceramics are handmade to order. From £60.00
Lamanai Pictures: Prints can be purchased and produced up to 16½”x 23″.
Lamanai Rubbings: Stela 9
Multi -coloured – as shown – $350 US
One colour – dark blue or terracotta – $250 US
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0017.json.gz/line1909
|
__label__wiki
| 0.836713
| 0.836713
|
Camden VOX presents: Claudette Johnson
Installation view, Swiss Cottage Library, 2018. Courtesy of the artist and Hollybush Gardens. Photo (c) Ralph Anderson
Camden Commissions at Swiss Cottage Library
Taking the Women’s Suffrage movement as a point of departure, Camden VOX has commissioned four women artists to produce a series of posters that explore ideas of Equality, Place, Power and Identity. Featuring works by Sutapa Biswas, Claudette Johnson, Ingrid Pollard and Hannah Collins and exhibited in the atrium at Swiss Cottage Library from June 2018 to January 2019.
June - July: Claudette Johnson
Johnson’s work is inscribed with bold attempts to both counter widespread negative portrayals of black women and men and to combat what effectively amounts to their lack of visibility in assorted arenas. Correspondingly, Johnson’s work seeks to create a range of depictions of the black body that is free from, or resists, objectification.
Poster 1 Olive Morris. Part of the Camden Commissions project for Camden VOX at Swiss Cottage Library, 2018. Courtesy the artist and Hollybush Gardens.
Claudette Johnson first heard of Olive Morris (1952 - 1979) on a visit to the Abasindi Co-Op during a residency at Manchester Art Gallery in 1986. When walking into the centre, Johnson was told "You look like Olive." Morris was a vibrant and fearless activist on all kinds of fronts: for women, for black people, for the poor and for the dispossessed. The experience of attending the OWAAD (Organisation of Women of Asian and African Descent) conference, which Morris co-founded, had a profound effect on Johnson’s thinking as a first year Fine Art student in Manchester. Johnson describes Morris as an inspirational figure who illustrated what courage, intelligence and compassion can achieve in even a short period of time.
Claudia Jones (1915 -1964) was a Trinidadian civil rights activist, journalist, communist and founder of the first Black newspaper in Britain: The West Indian Gazette. For Johnson’s parents and many others newly arrived from the Caribbean, this paper was an important link to home. Johnson remembers feeling proud that this newspaper and others, such as the Gleaner, focused primarily on black and Asian people. It was a place where Johnson could see oneself reflected as a protagonist rather than an extra. Johnson describes that at a time when black people were almost invisible in the main stream media, it was a reminder that they have a past, present and future.
My interest in Colvin stems from her extreme youth at the time of committing the radical act of refusing to give up her seat. At that age, as a GCE student, I was just beginning to read key works by Civil Rights activists such as H. Rap Brown’s Die Nigger Die and George Jackson’s Soledad Brother, both highly visible male icons of the movement. When I came across Colvin I was struck by how this significant act by a young woman had somehow been obscured within the civil rights narrative. In contrast to Fawcett’s claim that ‘Courage calls to courage everywhere’, Colvin’s act and audible outcry for her constitutional rights, were actively subdued, in what can be critically claimed as a second oppression. At the age of fifteen, Claudette Colvin was arrested on March 2, 1955, for refusing to give up her seat on a bus, nine months before the same refusal by Rosa Parks made the news in segregated Montgomery, Alabama. At the time, Colvin was a teenager, and as such didn’t fit the right ‘profile’ to ignite a revolution, in the minds of many, as Parks was both an adult and ‘’looked more middle-class.’ Colvin’s story shows the inequality underlining history, the visibility of women, and issues of class, age and race.
I met Ellen Kuzwayo at the First International Fair of Radical Black and Third World Books in 1982 when I was launching a black and Asian women’s publishing company that I had helped to found: Black Woman Talk. I remember her being supportive and encouraging about our new organisation. She was an incredibly powerful speaker. Her speech, along with Audre Lorde’s, stand out in my memory as galvanising moments in a time of almost feverish 80’s activism. Kuzwayo was South Africa’s longest-serving parliamentarian from 1994 – 1999. A writer, activist and social worker, she was the only woman on a committee of 10 to set up civic events after the 1976 Soweto uprisings, leading to her arrest and detention. For her 1985 autobiography Call Me Woman she was awarded the literary CNA Award, making her the first black writer to win this prize in South Africa.
Claudette Johnson lives and works in London. She was a member of the BLK Art Group as well as co-founder of the BLKArts Research Group with Marlene Smith and Keith Piper. Her work is included in the collections of Mappin Art Gallery, Arts Council England Collection, Manchester Art Gallery, Wolverhampton Art Gallery, The British Council and Rugby Art Gallery. In the 1980s Johnson showed her work in a number of seminal shows including Five Black Women, Africa Centre, London, 1983, Black Women Time Now, Battersea Arts Centre London,1984, The Thin Black Line, Institute of Contemporary Arts, London,1985, In This Skin: Drawings by Claudette Johnson, Black Art Gallery, London, 1992. And more recently she has participated in exhibitions such as, Transforming the Crown: African, Asian and Caribbean Artists in Britain 1966 – 1986, Royal Festival Hall, London,1990, The Caribbean Cultural Centre, The Studio Museum Harlem and The Bronx Museum of Arts, New York,1997/98, Thin Black Line(s), Tate Britain, London, 2011/2012, No Colour Bar: Black British Art in Action 1960–1990, Guildhall Art Gallery, London, 2015. The 1980s Today’s Beginnings?, vanabbemuseum, 2016, The Place is Here, Nottingham Contemporary and South London Gallery, 2017, Claudette Johnson, Hollybush Gardens, 2017, and Meticulous Observations, Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool, 2017/2018 curated by Lubaina Himid. Most recently, Johnson showed in About Face at Rugby Art Gallery.
For more information visit hollybushgardens.co.uk
About Camden Vox
Taking inspiration from the Women’s Suffrage movement and the centenary of the Representation of the People act, Camden VOX will celebrate and explore themes of equality, place, history and power. Camden’s annual arts programme will offer free and low cost arts and cultural events for those who live, work in and visit the Borough.Through celebrating Camden’s unique spirit which is rebellious, creative and progressive, and working with partners and key cultural institutions in the borough, Camden VOX offers a thought provoking and engaging arts and cultural programme for 2018, featuring theatre, pop-up performance, song, spoken word, exhibitions, commissions and artist led, drop in family friendly workshops across the borough.
For more information on Camden VOX please visit our programme page!
#camdenvox
Have a look at our past poster commissions here!
Finchley Road & Swiss Cottage
Camden Vox
Camden Vox Exhibitions
Swiss Cottage Gallery 2018
Camden Commissions
Camden Vox: Speed mentoring for Women
In collaboration with Camden Giving, Camden Council’s official celebration of International Women’s Day 2018 will take place on Thursday 8th March. The morning event will take the format of a speed networking event which will provide an opportunity for young Camden women (aged between 14 and 16) to network with women who have successful careers and either live or work in the borough.
Acts of Resistance, Words of Resistance exhibition
Curated by The Wiener Library in Russell Square, this exhibition at the Swiss Cottage Library explores aspects of resistance against Nazism and various manifestations of this resistance, from instances of organised rebellion, to examples of anti-Nazi jokes.
Camden VOX presents: Sutapa Biswas
Taking the Women’s Suffrage movement as a point of departure, Camden VOX has commissioned four artists to produce a series of posters that explore ideas of equality, place, power and identity. Featuring works by Sutapa Biswas, Claudette Johnson, Ingrid Pollard and Hannah Collins and exhibited in the atrium at Swiss Cottage Library from June 2018 to January 2019. August - September: Sutapa Biswas.
English for Speakers of Other Languages Advice service at Camden Council
5 Pancras Square
N1C 4AG
Wednesdays - 10 - 11am, Thursdays - 1 - 2pm
Curator’s tour: Egyptian Antiquities at Freud Museum London
Freud Museum London
20 Maresfield Gardens
NW3 5SX
Student/ unwaged
Patron of the Museum
Friend of the Museum
English for Speakers of Other Languages Advice service at Kentish Town Library
Kentish Town Library
262 - 266 Kentish Town Road
Tuesdays: 6 - 7pm, Wednesdays: 1 -2pm
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0017.json.gz/line1910
|
__label__wiki
| 0.545918
| 0.545918
|
"Pictorial warning is the most cost effective means of controlling tobacco related NCDs, including cancer “- WHO DG tells event hosted by Sri Lanka in Geneva
Dr. Margaret Chan, the Director General of the World Health Organization (WHO) has said "“Pictorial warning is the most cost effective means of controlling tobacco related Non Communicable Diseases (NCDs), including cancer “, and that "countries can get return on their investment in multiple areas". Paying tribute to countries including Sri Lanka whom she said "had the courage to keep going despite heavy resistance by the tobacco industry", Dr. Chan said "without our joint effort, you know what effect tobacco would take. We should not allow an industry to intimidate governments, make money and leave you with all the health consequences". She urged that "the international community come together to fight the tobacco industry".
Dr. Chan made these observations when she inaugurated a session on the theme “Strategies to overcome resistance against pictorial warning messages in tobacco products”, hosted by Sri Lanka on the sidelines of the 68th World Health Assembly at the Palais des Nations in Geneva on Monday (25th May 2015).
This was the first ever side event hosted by Sri Lanka during an annual assembly. Thailand, Bangladesh, Bhutan and the WHO co-sponsored the event to show case problems encountered when taking steps to implement pictorial warnings in cigarette packets and how Sri Lanka, Thailand and Bangladesh as well as other countries had overcome the resistance. Lessons learnt will be useful to other member states. A documentary produced by Sri Lanka named “Against the tide” depicted the resistance encountered. The steps taken by Sri Lanka were appreciated by all who attended.
Delegates from member states attended the event. Among the speakers were Dr Luminita SANDA, WHO/PND, Medical Officer presenting the "overall global view", Sri Lankan perspective by Dr V.T.S.K Siriwardana, Director, Noncommunicable Diseases, Dr. Suriya Wongkong Kathep Deputy Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Public Health, Thailand and Azam-E-Sadat, Deputy Secretary (WHO),Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Bangladesh. The session was moderated by Dr Neelamani Rajapaksa Hewageegana /Deputy Director General of Health Services Planning.
Speakers noted that the tobacco epidemic will cause the most harm to low- and middle-income countries, and that every death from tobacco products is preventable. Understanding this fact 56th World Health Assembly on 21 May 2003 adopted a treaty, The World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) to protect present and future generations from the devastating health, social, environmental and economic consequences of tobacco consumption and exposure to tobacco smoke by enacting a set of universal standards stating the dangers of tobacco and limiting its use in all forms worldwide. Regulations to introduce pictorial health warnings on tobacco packages was a step in this regulation.
Sri Lanka Permanent Mission
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0017.json.gz/line1913
|
__label__wiki
| 0.881241
| 0.881241
|
NHS kills thousands due to neglect - no one held accountable
The United Kingdom's state religion - the Anglican Church NHS
A foreigner visiting or moving to the UK discovers soon after arrival that, unlike any other country, there is a remarkable pride and enthusiasm over its state owned, operated and (pretty much) fully taxpayer funded health service. The initials NHS are more than just a state institution or a public service, but hold a near sacred status in the UK public zeitgeist about healthcare. You saw it in the London 2012 Olympics Opening Ceremony, directed by the leftwing Danny Boyle, who decided to celebrate the NHS as something distinctly British to be proud of.
It seems, given that universal health care is pretty much universal in the developed world (even the US has only had a small minority excluded from health care), a trifle odd. Setting aside the issues of the United States, there are no fundamental issues of access to health care elsewhere in the developed world, even though it is difficult to find other countries that adopt the NHS model - whereby the users never pay for anything (except nominal prescription, dental and optical services fees for some), where there is little choice of provider (your choice is dependent on where you live and you cannot travel to select a different primary health provider) and funding flows from a centrally planned and directed system to mostly state owned providers.
It declares that:
Since its launch in 1948, the NHS has grown to become the world’s largest publicly funded health service. It is also one of the most efficient, most egalitarian and most comprehensive.
If it does say so itself!
A core mantra is "the NHS remains free at the point of use for anyone who is resident in the UK". Setting aside the rather loose approach it takes to charging non-residents or
It's proud of its size, which it shouldn't be, as it speaks volumes about what is fundamentally wrong with it:
The NHS employs more than 1.7m people. Of those, just under half are clinically qualified...Only the Chinese People’s Liberation Army, the Wal-Mart supermarket chain and the Indian Railways directly employ more people
So the country with the 22nd largest population in the world (5th largest of developed countries), has the world's largest health provider. More people work in the NHS than the total populations of 40 countries. Think for a moment as to what that size of a bureaucracy - the largest in the developed world, of ANY kind - does to attempts to change culture, to be dynamic, to have clear lines of accountability, to attracting management and talent from outside the institution (when there are so many seeking a path within the firm). Think what it does for the bargaining power of the professional associations/trade unions who represent so many staff to a single employer.
Any politician talking of privatisation of health care, or charging for GP visits, or health insurance, is treated like he has entered a mosque and drawn a picture of Mohammed. It was so important to David Cameron that he had to, what was called, "de-toxify" the Conservative Party, by declaring that his Conservative Party is a party of the NHS. He cited how much his family had used the NHS, because of his late disabled son Ivan. He ringfenced NHS spending by keeping to the forecast budget of Gordon Brown's government, which included year on year increases above inflation, by excluding it from spending cuts to reduce the budget deficit.
David Cameron wont even entertain different models for delivering healthcare, although the UK government has embarked on reforms that restructure governance within the NHS, by allowing clinicians to determine purchasing policies and priorities for spending. Yet the more fundamental questions around having a large single entity responsible for healthcare, about a fully taxpayer funded system, with no financial incentives around individual behaviour, and little competition for delivery (certainly not for consumers), are dismissed.
Banal media debates see those with a vested interest in the status quo damning talk of involvement of the private sector or insurance models as "Americanisation", not realising that most developed countries have systems with a far more diverse range of health providers, with some part payment, than the UK. It is akin to saying that the Leveson Inquiry recommendations would mean media regulation would be like North Korea. However, the Labour Party (the parent of the NHS) and plenty of others on the left use the mongrel like US system as the only counter-factual to what the NHS is, like there are no other examples in the world of different healthcare systems. The NHS and it supporters regularly claim that it is the "envy of the world", yet one struggles to find developed countries that have replicated this example, or to find the NHS delivers above average outcomes, suggesting that the NHS - as the UK's largest state institution - has been adept at promoting itself. That means the inertia of the status quo, and the demand that every increasing amounts of money into this behemoth, will deliver.
So when, having had its funding doubled in real terms under the last government, that it is found out that thousands have died due to neglect, alarm bells are going to go off.
Die while you wait
A 31 month public inquiry into Mid-Staffordshire NHS Trust has found that 1,200 patients died needlessly between 2005 and 2009. Robert Francis QC's report has had extensive media coverage, in which he said “The most basic standards of care were not observed, and fundamental rights to dignity were not respected". The numerous cases outlined are appalling. Misdiagnosis, being without pain relief for days, being left in soiled bedclothes, poor hygiene resulting in patients getting infections that killed them, not being bathed for a month, being diagnosed but not treated for a urine infection which proved fatal, dehydration (with a patient drinking out of a flower vase because water hadn't been provided) and so on. Many of the cases simply involve maltreatment, lack of pain relief and filthy conditions, but some involve fatality as a result. One patient's family was told she had dementia, when she was hallucinating because of dehydration. Several had falls which hospital staff said "must have happened beforehand". As the Daily Telegraph reports:
So when John Moore-Robinson was admitted after a cycling accident, he was swiftly diagnosed with bruised ribs and sent away with some painkillers. John died a few hours later from a ruptured spleen, which doctors could have spotted if they’d given the 20-year-old the tests he needed.
It is a disgrace.
Now it appears that the death rates at other hospitals are 3,000 over what would be reasonably expected. Who knows the extent of this scandal.
If it had been a private hospital that had let over a thousand die due to infections, and had a litany of cases of poor hygiene and misdiagnosis, the Opposition, and indeed the NHS sector (including the BMA and the RCN), would be clamouring for its closure and prosecution of its management and board.
When structural failures and negligence saw the Hatfield rail accident kill 4 people and injure 70, it saw an inquiry into the rail industry that eventually wound up the rail infrastructure company Railtrack, replacing it with Network Rail. All because Railtrack had inadequate maintenance records and an incomplete asset register, so was incapable of holding its contractors responsible for failing to safely maintain its network. Network Rail as successor agency was taken to court for manslaughter, along with its contractors, and ultimately they were found guilty of breaching health and safety laws. Individual executives were called to account.
In this case, the inquiry into the Mid-Staffordshire hospital has whitewashed away the concept of individual responsibility.
Nobody is responsible in the post-modern world of new left public services
Gordon Rayner and Stephen Adams have pointed out in the Daily Telegraph the part of the Inquiry report that lets down the families and friends of the victims the most - the denial that anyone is to blame. It said:
This is not a case where it was ever going to be possible or permissible to find that an individual or a group of individuals was to blame for this. “When examining what went wrong in the case of a systems failure as complex as that surrounding the events in Stafford, the temptation of offering up scapegoats is a dangerous one which must be resisted. “To do this would be to create the fiction that the behaviour of one person or a small group of people, would have made all the difference...it was not a single rogue healthcare professional who delivered poor care in Stafford, or a single manager who ignored patient safety.”
So it is systemic. Yes. Of course it is. A culture developed whereby it was acceptable to cut corners, to ignore the needs of patients and to conceal mistakes. The simplest of tasks around hygiene were ignored, and a culture appeared that made patients fearful of nurses and doctors. Confronting that is a priority.
Yet it is thoroughly post-modernist and terribly convenient for the NHS for the report to fail, completely, to identify anyone responsible for the failings.
It is possible to do so with a railway accident, where there were people responsible for maintaining the track, inspecting the track, signing off on the work done, planning renewals. They were taken to court and faced charges, that were ultimately dropped.
Why are doctors, nurses and other hospital staff left to be anonymous cogs in a machine that is bad? Would anyone want doctors who misdiagnose cancer as a kidney stone, or leave infections untreated, to be treating them?
Yes there was a "culture of fear, bullying and secrecy", but who spread the fear? Who threatened whom? The Trust Board which did not listen to staff or patients when the complained, is culpable surely. A focus on bureaucratically determined targets, on promotions and on reporting requirements undermined any interest in delivery of results. One comment suggested that it smacks of Soviet bloc production target seeking, without any concern for whether what is produced is any use, or the casualties created along the way.
However, it isn't as if the NHS doesn't have oversight bodies, it's just they failed too. So called "community health councils" failed. Like an exercise in bureaucratic box ticking, the state sanctioned entities signed off each other, but treated complaints by patients and staff like buzzing mosquitoes.
Why should anyone be surprised though?
It has shades of the BBC Jimmy Savile scandal, where a top (now deceased) star sexually abused underage girls and young women repeatedly, sometimes on BBC premises (and indeed on NHS premises), where it was said by more than a few that it was "known" as to what he was like. No one is accountable for that either. No one is accountable for putting an unqualified TV personality in charge of a facility for vulnerable young people.
Yet of course, this standard is reversed when it comes to the private sector. Railtrack was a private company, as was its contractors. There are calls, rightfully, for RBS executives and staff to be accountable for the LIBOR scandal. Tesco jumped when the relatively benign problem of horse DNA in beef burgers was identified. Whenever private companies break the law or defraud people, there is a political and media frenzy to demand they be accountable.
However, a different standard has been applied to the state sector, especially the sacred cows of the NHS, and the BBC (consider how the most powerful broadcaster in the land influences news about itself).
It is a standard that seems to have an underlying fear that if people are named, shamed and held accountable, that the whole edifice of the organisation will collapse, that they will point at others, and a vicious cycle will be entered into that calls into question the entire system.
It is the culture that suggests that people aren't responsible for what they do. It's what generates calls for taxes on fat or sugar or limits on advertising them, because individuals aren't responsible for their own health. It's a culture that blames a system, not the people within it.
Yet there are individuals who can have the fingers pointed at them, though they have swept them aside.
Julie Bailey, a campaigner whose mother died at the hospital has "called for the resignation of Peter Carter, the general secretary of the Royal College of Nursing, which had told a whistle-blower at the hospital to “keep her head down” rather than fight for change".
If true, this is contemptible.
Sir David Nicholson was chief executive of Shropshire and Staffordshire Strategic Health Authority, during the initial period when these allegations took place. He is now chief executive of the NHS for England. He is apologetic, but resists calls to resign. His career speaks volumes though of the incestuous management culture of the organisation. A graduate of Bristol Polytechnic, in history and politics, he has spent his entire career at the NHS. He was a member of the Moscow aligned Communist Party until his late 20s. No private sector experience, no formal management degree, no non-NHS experience, no experience in customer service. A career bureaucrat with no medical training, who is clearly adept at having a focus on meeting bureaucratically determined targets.
Yet, the Deputy Prime Minister (I know, who?) has "full confidence" in him.
Allison Pearson of the Daily Telegraph has found more.
She lists Dr Helen Moss, the hospital’s director of nursing from 2006 to 2009...
Dr Moss was cleared by her professional regulator. The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) said that Dr Moss had “no case to answer”. The NMC refused to say how it had reached this remarkable conclusion, since all details of the case are “private”.
So a public servant who was in charge of nursing at a hospital that was complicit in the deaths of 1,200 people is not accountable to the people who paid her wages. If the buck doesn’t stop with Dr Moss, who the hell does it stop with? Certainly not Stafford’s former chief executive, Martin Yeates, who cut 150 jobs to save £10 million at a time when there were already serious safety concerns. An external report recommended that there was a case for disciplinary action against Mr Yeates, but the hospital board decided on “pragmatic and commercial grounds” to negotiate terms for an agreed departure. Therefore, unlike many of his former patients, Mr Yeates left Stafford hospital not in a wooden box, but with a £400,000 payoff.
Quite. The NHS, the organisations surrounding the NHS and the systems meant to protect patients failed, because of one overriding factor - people wanted to protect themselves from accountability.
It goes on and on, as she points out that Cynthia Bower, who was head of the West Midlands strategic health authority at the time, was appointed chief executive of the Care Quality Commission. She dismissed the deaths as a "statistical blip".
No. It's simpler than that.
People didn't do their jobs properly. They were not and are not competent to be in the health care sector.
Four doctors and nine nurses facing public disciplinary hearings over their behaviour are still working and performing medical procedures for the NHS. Shame you don't know who they are.
Heads should roll.
Limp political response
The "state religion" approach to the NHS remains, with the Prime Minister talking as if he was dealing with a terrorist hostage situation saying "I think the NHS is a fantastic organisation. I always want to think the best of the NHS". Just in case the Labour Party was ready to trot out its ironic cliche "you can't trust the Tories with the NHS".
He needn't have said the words "Tories with the", for the victims of Mid-Staffordshire have shown that you cannot trust the NHS. It is literally a lottery as to whether you get professional staff who do their job properly or not. It isn't one that you can complain about, because if you do, you face a guilt trip because "it's free" or that it will be addressed through procedures you have little exposure to.
The Labour Party response is subdued, having apologised (given it was the government at the time), but saying that it is not typical of the NHS. Like the Catholic Church pointing out that it wasn't typical for priests to bugger boys. Yet Dan Hodges, a former Blairite, has pointed out that many on the left are scrambling in fear that their faith of choice may be under attack, and they themselves risk destroying it.
It is absurd that almost all of Britain's health care sector is in one single employer. It is also absurd that competition and choice are denied a system that delivers such widely varying outcomes, despite having had unprecedented amounts of taxpayers money literally shoveled into it. It is absurd that people don't face some financial signal for choosing to use the system, or for their own personal lifestyles, and that the failure to do this becomes an excuse to create new sin taxes and regulations on food and drink.
Yet a lot would be gained from Britain looking at the successful models of its neighbours, like Germany, and Switzerland. Where everyone has health insurance, which people choose from various providers offering a minimum level of care (with more optional), where the poorest get a top up from the state to buy it, where private companies operate hospitals, primary health care services and A&E units, where patients choose their doctors and hospitals, and where the multitude of providers means no monolithic culture can develop. It means that doctors and nurses associations can't clam up so easily with an omerta code to say nothing of failures or to dismiss complaints from junior staff. Without a single monolithic structure and source of funds, it is easier to confront failings, for underperforming entities to be closed down and taken over by other suppliers. It also means that employment in the sector isn't about being in one tent and always moving up or sideways, but about moving out.
It also means the NHS wouldn't be the laughing stock of the world. Find a single American living in the UK who would not choose to use a US hospital over the NHS.
What is most disgraceful is the silence from the usual rent-a-mob protest groups of the left. The people only too keen to jump on Starbucks for legally paying the minimum possible tax, don't get upset because thousands are dead in a system they worship. Never mind, for what they reap from this will not be what they wish, as Dan Hodges points out...
where, today, is the liberal outrage? Thousands of people are dead, yet from the Left there is nothing but tumbleweed. When are the tents of the Occupy movement going to start appearing in Staffordshire? When are we going to see nurses hung in effigy?
Yes, it’s an abhorrent thought – hanging a nurse in effigy. Yet the Left will do that to a banker, and not bat an eye. And the bankers did not leave those to whom they had a duty of care screaming in agony.
This is the real threat to our health service. It isn’t George Osborne’s blunt and rusting axe; despite Ed Miliband’s taunting, David Cameron has no intention of letting the NHS become his Poll Tax. It is our own arrogant, complacent beatification of that service, and those who work within it.
If we are to name and shame the bankers, fine. But let’s name and shame the guilty nurses and doctors of Mid Staffs, and the other Killing Trusts too. If we’re up for serious, radical reform of our failing financial sector, fine. But then let’s be equally strident in our calls for reform of an NHS which is just as guilty of systemic failure.
We are not protecting our NHS by placing it on a pedestal and venerating it. We are killing in it. And our NHS, in turn, is killing us.
It is time for a serious public debate, not about the NHS, as if it is the only option, but about health policy in the UK. It is time to talk intelligently about what is done in other countries, and to start to recognise that what is wrong with the NHS is its very core. No country can have a best practice health care provider that is a bureaucracy rivaled only by the army in China and the railways in India.
Labels: Health, NHS, UK politics
Insane. Utterly insane.
So, I assume that the UK would "put the kibosh" on its having "After-hours medical clinics" (as NZ has). Despite their name, these clinics often open during daylight hours and take a *huge* amount of strain off the rest of the health system.
I find it **BIZARRE** that while the UK is rolling out "charter schools" (which I support) for all and sundry, it STILL can't get its head around the idea that a similar model for health-care could be a good idea.
*Massive*, centralised bureaucracies like the NHS are *very rarely* the most efficient way of providing services.
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0017.json.gz/line1921
|
__label__cc
| 0.590045
| 0.409955
|
Opportunity: Get Books!
You probably want this Humble Bundle from Subterranean Press, which I know because I do. Did. I bought it.
If you don't know the deal with the Humble Bundle, it's basically a deal where you get a whole batch of stuff on a pay-what-you-want basis. If you pay more than the average, you get a whole bunch more books.
The reason I wanted it was because two books that I had already decided to purchase were on there: a collection of the short works of KJ Parker, Academic Exercises, and a collection called The Chronicles of Master Li and Number Ten Ox, by Barry Hughart. I haven't read either one, but I've just fallen for KJ Parker after Jenny's recommendation, and Aarti highly recommends Barry Hughart.
There's also a bunch of other fantasy and sci fi material--novellas, collections, books, and even a collection of John Scalzi's blog posts. I'm interested in about three-quarters of the contents, but just the two I linked to here were worth what I paid, by far.
Halfway Post: Ancillary Justice
There is so much going on here, I can't wait till the end to write about it.
I mean, I always hate waiting till the end, and I think in some ways that's a failure on my part because it demonstrates a reluctance to engage my critical facilities in deconstructing the work I've just completed. But let's be honest: when I write a review after I've finished the book, I end up writing about the book; if I write it while I'm reading, I write about my reaction to the book, which I fully admit is what I want to write about, so I guess that works out okay.
Anyway, reading this one for my NEWEST book club, which is at work, and it's so much fun to read something everyone around me is reading and talk about it. Although it's also crazymaking when you're both talking about how shocked you are, and you have to hedge, like, I'm at the part on the bridge. Are you there yet? Oh, I'm way past there!
On the subject of work book club, I will have more to say, but on the subject of Ann Leckie's Ancillary Justice, let's dive in.
First (and this will be interesting in a book club setting, especially a new one), this is the kind of science fiction that non-scifi readers are talking about when they say they don't know how to read scifi. This is a book that starts out deep in complicated world-building and lets you sort out what's going on, and you will be a good 20% of the way through the book (sorry, I don't do page numbers anymore) before you get your feet under you. It's okay, it's still a fun ride, but if you don't trust the author to carry you through, it can cause serious floundering. People who don't know how to read for clues about things like technology, social order, and alien life forms are going to get lost fairly easily; this is not for beginners.
Second, because it's obvious and very talked-about: the gender thing. I feel like there are so many layers to my reaction to this. First, from a strictly theoretical point of view, I love it. It takes all these cultural assumption--a lot of which you don't even know you have--and turns them on their heads. You see, the Radch (the race of the ruling empire) has no gender. It's not perfectly clear (yet), but it's implied that they have sexes, but their language lacks gender. The narrator, being a native speaker, uses "she" for everyone, except in conversation, where she struggles to identify genders correctly.
Beneath the cool level of challenging the reader's assumption and adding to the flavor of this alien world (and mind), you get the layer on which it affects the narrative, which is also fascinating. Because not all the characters we encounter are from genderless cultures, and so there are sometimes things going on below the surface that our first person narrator might not be fully grasping, and that we get to sort out.
Besides which, there's the level on which it challenges you within the narrative, which is tied up with the ways it challenges your notions of how you think about gender yourself. At first, I found myself parsing every scene carefully to see if I was able to tell the gender of the people Breq was encountering. This character has a beard: male. This other person referred to that kid as a girl. But the very act of doing this makes you examine why you're doing it--does it matter whether Seivarden is male or female? She's an officer in the Radch, kind of obnoxious, completely helpless, whatever, but does maleness matter, especially if her own culture says it doesn't?
Well, but then you get an interaction where she's advising a cousin who's new to the military about social standing and romantic relationships, and it just feels very different if you cast her as male vs. female. And when Lt. Awn has a romantic interlude, it crosses your mind to wonder what gender means to these two people. And when Awn--young, thoughtful, and liberal-minded--is having an interaction with an older, I-think-male religious leader in an occupied city, I can't help but feel that the complicated power plays that are going on in that scene get more complicated when you add the religious leader's read of Awn's gender, whether it's male or female. Watching myself watch these interactions was fascinating.
I feel like this is what I've heard most about regarding this book, and it's complicated and fascinating--but it's such a small part of things. It's just there, perfectly crafted and running right through the narrative with a thousand other complicated things.
Good lord, like slavery and bodily autonomy. You see, once there was a ship called the Justice of Toren, which had its own artificial intelligence, and which was embodied not only in the physical ship itself, but in its ancillaries--individual bodies that had once been people, but whom, for one reason or another, had been killed or taken or destroyed, and whose bodies are now--let's call it reanimated, though that's not quite right--for the use of the ship.
Justice of Toren is a troop ship, and most of the troops she carries are human (well, Radch). But each deck of the ship--each century of troops--has a set of servant bodies. So the first portion we meet is One Esk, whose mind is part of Justice of Toren's mind, but is also its own. And this character--One Esk, or Justice of Toren, or whatever you call it--is this amazing character who is artificially intelligent, obedient, and only exists to serve, but has her own sense of morality, of humor, of self. It's so complicated, and so beautiful.
I think what I love most about Breq--the identity our narrator has taken and the easiest name to use--is that she's so kind and generous with everyone, even when they're kind of awful, even when she's angry or frustrated or horrified. She's got this pragmatism coupled with what seems like a deeply settled optimism, and an unflagging sense of herself that lets her be patient with those around her, whether they deserve it or not.
Are you confused yet? Would it turn you upside down if I say that the narrative jumps between times--primarily two, but with little bits of other memories thrown in for fun? Should I start talking about colonialism, or slavery, or how the lieutenants treat her? Should I talk about body ownership, or loyalty based on affection vs. duty?
And I'd like to point out, NONE of this is the plot. I mean, I'm talking JUST about the world building here; I haven't even started in on the ideas of power and status and imperialism and...and...and...
This book is dense. And amazing. And I'm only halfway through. I am having an absolute blast here--all the amazing reviews I've read have been totally right.
I thought I had never heard of Nova Ren Suma before I got The Walls Around Us from Netgalley. Turns out I actually acquired her Imaginary Girls ages ago, but (as with so, so, SO many other books) hadn't actually read it yet. Bump another one to the top of the list, I guess; I very much feel like I need to read more.
This is not a book that hits you over the head with its elaborate complexities or fancy gimmicks. After you settle into the two alternating stories, you might think it was straightforward. It's the kind of craftsmanship that sneaks up on you, under your radar. My thoughts on the book have been stewing in the days since I finished it, and they feel richer for it.
On the topmost layer, we have two stories, two point of view characters. One is a wealthy high school senior who is a successful ballet dancer, headed for Julliard. She's preparing for her final show at her old school, thinking about absent friends. The other is an inmate at a correctional facility for violent teenage girls. We meet her on the night that the locks malfunction and the doors open and the girls find themselves suddenly, mysteriously loose. Two very different situations, different characters. Both--competitive ballerina, teenaged inmate--fascinating worlds to enter in their own right.
Soon, we find the connection; the ballerina is Vee, whose best friend, Ori, has been sent to prison. We learn bits about how this happen over the course of the book, mostly from Vee, almost in spite of herself. She is a master compartmentalizer.
In the prison, much of the story seems to be told in the first person plural, although we do have only one narrator--Amber, who has been inside for ages and watches everything with a kind of detachment. But she speaks sometimes of herself--her crime, her separation from the other girls--and sometimes for all the girls--"us," the forty two inmates as a chorus of what it is like to be powerless, to be hopeless, to be without freedom.
What unfolds in both stories is not only what happened, but the characters that made this possible--mean girls, selfishness disguised as friendship, the danger of both hoping and failing to hope. Vee visits the prison grounds for the first time since Ori was sent away; Amber meets Ori when she comes to the prison. It's the delicate construction of these characters, who are complicated and vulnerable and very flawed, that really lifts this novel.
I've put in some effort not to spoil things here; there are several reveals, some of which were very clear to me from early on, some of which I found surprising. None of them, though, was a big page-turner moment. In fact, this book contained two of my favorite things you can put into a book: an understandable and believable look inside the head of someone who treats other people badly, and twists that reveal themselves to the reader gradually, by directing your suspicions and controlling your understanding until you realize you've known for a while what the author has finally told you.
I don't know that this is a book for everyone--it's not fast or flashy, at all. But if you go in for character studies and creepy, saddish, atmospheric stories, highly recommended.
Truth Bomb: Anne's House of Dreams
I read so much this week, but I also went to the Smithsonian and took care of a kindergartener with a stomach virus, so I didn't have much time to blog. There will be SO MUCH catching up this week.
I'm going to start with the easy post, though, which is mostly a reblog: Anne's House of Dreams.
I think I've come to the end of my recent Anne Shirley reread; I only just barely managed to read Anne of Ingleside one time (on my honeymoon, how gloomy is that), and it's all about being old, and how the Anne we loved and her whimsical past are things of childhood meant to be packed away. We're supposed to warm to the new generation of imaginative adventures that her children are having, but since Anne spends the first chapter of the book chuckling condescendingly at her childhood self, I'd rather leave her alone with her matronly woes, thank you very much.
But here we have the culmination of Anne and Gilbert's relationship, which of course we've all been waiting for. Unlike so many romantic payoffs, we get a whole book of our lovers being married and happy together! Yay! Except there's so little of it. I think this is the book where I most noticed the tell-not-show thing that Montgomery does, because there are long walks and long talks that are hardly described; I am told the impression they leave but not of their substance.
Anne and Gil are comradely, but she spends a weird amount of time fishing for compliments, and there's very little sense of partnership here. I almost didn't realize what was missing until the end when they're discussing the need for a bigger house, and Anne is lamenting leaving their beloved but tiny starter home--she knows it's necessary, but makes Gilbert talk her into it. I mean, I've done that, but there's no sense that they're making a decision together, and it just made me realize that they don't appear to be in anything together.
I went looking for opinions on this subject, and I came across this blogger's feelings of betrayal at how Anne's writing abilities are so thoroughly blown off in this book. And she makes great points, both about how much I hated that, and about how Anne as a True Writer is not as present in the text as you might think. (Of course, for that Montgomery has given us Emily, so we're all set with that.)
I want to respond to her post (which is a few years old so I'm doing it here instead of there) that there's a broader dismissal of Anne's intellectual life that upsets me here. When Gilbert and Captain Jim have long discussions about philosophy and important matters, Anne sometimes listens and sometimes goes for a walk on the beach. WHAT?!? She lives outside of town, so she's not even really involved in the goings-on of the community--basically, as I said in my last post, she goes from running a large high school to running a small house and teasing Gilbert into telling her how pretty she is.
What it comes down to, I think, is that Montgomery has much better insight into the internal lives of children than adults. Maybe it's a constraint of the genre--she couldn't talk about the complexities of the things Anne really might be feeling. She couldn't talk about the limitations of being a housewife, of how it was anything but rewarding; she had to dance around pregnancy, and only relate the parts of Anne's experience of miscarriage that would be appropriate for a young child almost 100 years ago to hear. That doesn't leave you with much depth. Whatever grown-up Anne is thinking, Montgomery didn't--or couldn't--put it in the book.
I'm going to believe that. I'm going to choose to think that Anne became an adult the same way I did--by dribs and drabs, and half-faking it, and still confused and frustrated and inspired, though less impulsive and moody. I like this imaginary Anne better.
And I'll let you know if I end up diving too deep into the world of AoGG fan fic.
TL;DR - Cheryl Strayed is amazing.
I read Wild recently, and I loved it, and I can't wait to see the movie. This brought me around to wanting to read Tiny Beautiful Things, which is a compilation of advice from her Dear Sugar column at the Rumpus. I read the column when it was active, and I liked it but didn't love it. Her advice is very internal, very much about encouraging people to be their best selves. It felt vague and mushy to me; wasn't my favorite.
But after Wild blew me away, I decided I needed to go back to her advice. And it was well worth it; I don't know if I'm more mature emotionally or as a reader or if it's just having it all in one place, but this was such an amazing compilation.
I love advice. I love both the problems (drama!) and the solutions (tidy wrap-up!). This is not advice that pays off in helping you to envision the end of each story by giving the asker a map of how to behave and others' likely responses. This is more like what I'm looking for at this point in my life--advice on how to be a good person. It's about how to take the messiness that is living and focus it, channel it toward something that is good and meaningful to you.
Honestly, I don't know if I'm going to be a different person after this, but reading these essays, I believe I can. Which is a really wonderful feeling.
Cheryl Strayed, all the way.
On Not Reading
Lately I've been doing this thing where, instead of reading books, I spend time online fiddling with book sites. I go to the library and put something on reserve; I add something to Goodreads and read a review and look at a few top ten lists for the year. I'm thinking about reading a lot more than I'm actually reading.
I think it's overstimulation; my list of things I absolutely want to be reading right now is so long that I can't even approach it; it's like the time I literally walked in circles around my dorm room, getting distracted by one task every time I reached for another. I put my hand on my laundry bag and spotted my textbook out of the corner of my eye, realized that was more urgent and picked it up, only to notice that there were dirty dishes underneath it, which is way too gross and should be taken care of before I sit down to do anything as committed as studying, but taking the dishes to the sink I walked past the object I had borrowed from someone up the hall and promised to return right away, shoot, better grab that, and I'll get the laundry in the washer while I'm out, except the textbook....
I think that's why I've been rereading; it keeps me from having to commit. Every book I want to read is one that I really need to read. I've been putting off reading Raven Boys for years for no reason; I have an advance copy of Shadow Scale, which I've been DYING for since I read Seraphina two years ago. There is a new Jo Walton on my kindle! I just claimed Fool as my favorite book but haven't read the sequel! There are a dozen other books and situations on this list. My head is swimming.
And so I'm not reading. I'm looking at the pile and feeling overwhelmed. But no more. Right now--right now--I'm going to open something up and just go. I'll let you know what it turns out to be.
Anne of All the Things
I've been rereading the later Anne of Green Gables books; after the Christmas movie marathon, I realized I wanted to go back to Anne's big romances in Anne of the Island. Then I got swept along into Anne of Windy Poplars, and now I've been caught up in Anne's House of Dreams. Haven't read any of these books in years, and it's very interesting to come back to them, especially after watching the movie, floating in on memories of favorite bits.
The Island I loved as much as I remembered and expected to, mostly because, to me, it's all about Gilbert's friendship/love. I think Anne's five proposals are delightful. Ruby Gillis's goodbye is heartbreaking. Patty's place is loveable, especially Aunt Jamesina.
But there were definitely some things that I noticed this time around that were interesting. Phil Gordon, the conceited chatterbox, is really kind of irritating. I didn't mind her as a character so much, and she speaks some important words of truth at least once in the book, but I absolutely don't understand what Anne sees in her--she's so full of herself and judgmental of others.
Also, a lot of the details about college are glossed right over--there's a lot of telling instead of showing. The "showing" is always in the conversations between the girls, and with non-school related people, especially older ladies. But every scene with Roy is one of telling, as is the whirl of social functions and the intensity of classes. We don't even get a glimpse, just a summary of clubs, football games, dances, and evenings with friends. Only the homely moments are painted. If I didn't know better, I'd say this is a book about the university experience by someone who never had one; perhaps Lucy Maud Montgomery just didn't have the gay, delightful experience she imagined for Anne.
Windy Poplars (I don't know why they've got 12-year-old Anne in front of Green Gables on that cover) was full of delightful anecdotes, but my favorite parts were all about people besides Anne. At the beginning of the book, the whole town is set against her (because she got a job that the ruling family wanted to go to one of their own), but she mops that up very quickly and the rest of the book quickly becomes the Anne Is Amazing Show. Everyone loves her, every school child considers her a mentor, every young person confides their woes in her, and she goes around making matches between every pair of people she can. It's kind of exhausting, and the format--letters to Gilbert interspersed with third-person chapters--makes it even more noticeable, as Montgomery's love of Anne starts to get conflated with Anne's own thoughts.
The other notable thing about this book is that it's absolutely full of pairs of old ladies living together. The widows at Windy Poplars, the two sisters of Maplehurst, the grandmother and the Woman who live with Elizabeth. Pairs of widows and spinsters abound here. I don't suppose it means anything; it's just an observation.
Finally, the House of Dreams, which I'm smack in the middle of. Once again, I love the town and the secondary characters best. Captain Jim is delightful, but I feel like I hardly know Gilbert at all. He and Anne are described as taking long rambling walks and talking for hours, but we get so little of this, I can't really picture the shape of their marriage, which is really disappointing.
And I can't help but imagine that coming out of three years as principal of a large school and Most Popular Young Woman in Summerside must make keeping house in lonely (if beautiful) Four Points Harbor seem kind of slow. Gilbert's at work all day and Anne's in the kitchen? I don't know that she's doing any writing or anything, and it makes me kind of sad.
There's such a sweet nostalgia in reading these again, and I've been trying to fill in the gaps of the day to day life of Anne and Gilbert with my imagination, but I'm not quite getting there. It's sad, really.
And I can promise that I won't reread Anne of Ingleside. It took me decades to get around to that one, and I never got over the fact that Anne had all those kids but never took in an orphan. The settled, staid Anne bears so little resemblance to the young charmer she was that I hardly knew her. I suppose that's what growing up used to mean; very glad I never tried it myself.
If you ask what my favorite book is, I usually roll my eyes. How can a person answer that? How do you compare Pride and Prejudice with Going Postal? Is it the book I want to reread most often (The Dreadful Future of Blossom Culp), or the one I think is most technically mind-blowing (Asterios Polyp), or the one that makes me think the most (The Sparrow)?
At some point in the past 20 years, I would have listed any of these books as my favorite, along with Clan of the Cave Bear, Shining Through, The Nun's Story, Cloud Atlas, and The Color of Light. I still enjoy all of these books, and at one time or another have loved them for a wide range of reasons. But I just finished rereading Christopher Moore's Fool, and I think that if you made me pick today, my drop-dead, desert-island choice would be Pocket, Drool, Kent, Cordelia, mad King Lear, and the ghost (there's always a bloody ghost).
My original review was short and didn't say much besides how worried I'd been that I wouldn't like it. It's a crazy book, a fast-moving romp, full of vivid, disgusting imagery (mostly involving the genitalia of animals), wild coincidence, and lots of dirty sex. I could see an argument to be made about there not being enough female characters, though I disagree--given the source material the women get their parts, and each one--from Shanker Mary the laundress to Bubble the cook to Rosemary the witch--is a separate character with an internal life, and if men spend a lot of time ogling them, they react differently and have their own feelings about it.
Even Regan and Goneril are very different nasty pieces of work. This read through, I was able to follow the action a little more carefully, and it was interesting to notice how much of the unpleasantness Pocket actually puts in motion himself, and how his motivations start and change. There is a "sex scene" (the sex is offscreen) that could be problematic--probably is--but given the context, it didn't bother me at all.
Anyway, I'm trying to acknowledge the problems and holes (things like coincidences contrived by ghosts and witches, and motivations that change without changing the action) to acknowledge that it's probably not perfect, but I didn't notice that while I was reading it. I loved Pocket's Vorkosigan-like ability to have a plan ready and to talk anyone into anything. I loved his affection and protection of Drool, and Cordelia, and the Anchoress. I loved that a lot of people have a lot of sex and that it's treated so lightly. I loved Kent's loyalty.
And I think the part of this book that had me thinking, that gave it a real core that got at something interesting, was Lear himself. Because not enough stories face up to ugly contradictions in a way that I find emotionally satisfying, and I feel like this one does. I don't honestly remember how much of the detail of Lear's character--the backstory from his reign--come from the original Shakespeare and how much Moore looked up and how much he fabricated. But Lear is simultaneously a great king who led his country well; a traitorous jerk who killed people for his political ends; a jealous, power-hungry despot who destroyed lives on out of pique or on a whim; a loving father who would wants his daughters' happiness above anything at all; a protective lord to Pocket himself.
Pocket has to face all these Lears at once and to reconcile them. He's lucky time and William Shakespeare made most of the decisions for him.
And the end! Let's just say that a traditional tragedy is perhaps over-tragic, and that what it really needs is a happy ending. Best. Ending. Ever.
So: if you ask me this week what my favorite book is, I have an answer for you. Huh; how about that?
Webcomic in Print
I read a few webcomics, not a ton. Some of them lend themselves more to publication in print than others. There are sets of strips that remind me of hours I spent flipping through Calvin and Hobbes and Bloom County as a kid--for this, I go to Kate Beaton or xkcd. There are ongoing stories, graphic-novel-style; I follow a few of these online--Gunnerkrigg Court, Blindsprings. Some of them might lend themselves to book form--I actually find that the density of spreading the pages out over days can get a bit confusing; I can't follow half of Blindspring because so much is hinted at.
Anyway, I had never heard of Katie Cook's Gronk: A Monster's Story before I saw the ARC listed on Netgalley, but when I saw the cover I had to read it. Gronk is an adorable monster who hates living in the deep, dark, monstery woods, so she comes out to live with geek girl Dale and her cat, Kitty, and her dog, Harli. Gronk loves cupcakes and nerd culture. She's adorable.
Her comics are adorable, too. I read them to my six-year-old, and although he required some explanations, and missed out on my delight over Dale's geeky T-shirt collection, he was quite fond of them. I personally love the big, sweet dog, Harli. These are charming little comic strips.
I'm not sure they make a book, though. A lot of them are one-panel gags--not slapstick, but funny or aw-shucks cute. That's the kind of thing that reads better in a one-shot, right? Where you're coming to it, getting your moment of zen, and then moving on with your day, rather than going from one moment of zen to the next till you're glutted with zen.
I read these with my son, who's 6. He liked it, made me keep reading even when he didn't get all the references (he doesn't know Harry Potter yet), and loved the kitties. Maybe, if I'd read it on my own, I would have dipped in and out in a way that was more conducive to enjoying it as it is. Then again, since it was an ebook, it's not like I would have treated it like a coffee table book to dip into and out of.
I've bookmarked Gronk, and I'm going to read every one from now on, so whether the book was the best introduction or not, it got me hooked. I suppose that speaks highly of it! Katie Cook, I like your taste in books. And monsters.
Station Eleven: Better Than The Stand
I put that up front, because the basic outline of the end of the world in Emily St. John Mandel's Station Eleven is very close to Stephen King's The Stand: a supercharged flu virus sweeps the world and kills 99.9% of the population in a few weeks. There's almost nothing else in common between the books, except possibly a fascinating attention to the detail of what it's like to be a survivor; still, it was enough for me to think that Station Eleven reads very much like Mandel read The Stand and asked, "why would you mess up this lovely story about humanity with some trumped up notions of good and evil?"
In fact, the notion that there is a Greater Purpose is exactly the opposite of what this book is about. It's about how connections, explanations, and causation is not the same as meaning, purpose, or reason. "Everything happens for a reason," says one character, coming across as vaguely New Agey. When another character says the same thing 20 years later in a different world, it's ominous, and the heavier implications of that statement are much more clear.
It's a hard story to summarize, because it follows several characters in several time periods. The lynchpin is Arthur Leander, a famous movie star with a preteen son, three ex-wives, and the role of King Lear in a new production. He dies in the first scene, not a victim of the flu, but of a standard heart attack. It's tempting to map out how all the characters are related to him, but the truth is that it's both complicatedly interconnected and not particularly neatly tied up: Jeevan, a member of the audience who tries to save Arthur's life, used to be a paparazzo in LA and once took a picture of Arthur's first wife, Miranda. Miranda was an artist who wrote a series of comic books that Arthur gave to a little girl in the play, Kristen. Kristen survives the plague and, many years later, is an actress with a traveling symphony. Clark was one of Arthur's oldest friends, but they drifted apart when they became famous. Their stories intertwine, and the threads cross between the world before and the world after.
The two stories that thread through this are Arthur's life, in the past, and an encounter between the Symphony and a town controlled by a dangerous religious zealot. They are very different stories--the life of a man from a small town who becomes a movie star and a tense post-apocalyptic piece. They are tied by the characters, but also by the notion that all stories are tied together somehow, that the threads that hold the world together are not big, important cords, but rather fine, delicate weaving, so interconnected that the tiny threads make strong cloth. At least, that's what I think.
The other thing that I think this book is about is the question of whether to go forward or backward. I'm going to get to this in my last discussion question below (really just a bulleted list of points; so much easier than having to segue between them!) but I think it's one of the core themes of the story and I want to bring it up. This book is very much about the past versus the future, in some very complicated ways.
Okay, let's get to this.
1) Let's get this out of the way: the epidemiology here is sketchy, right? If you look at the speed of infection and the speed of death, even with a 100% infection rate and a 100% mortality rate, it kills too fast to spread like this, right? I mean, maybe that first plane could take out all of Toronto, but nobody sick makes it to the little backwater towns where no one's even passed through this month who's been on a plane. So that's a little sketchy. Which brings us to:
2) The loss of the infrastructure is what really brings us down. How off-the-grid can you REALLY live? Especially unexpectedly in the winter? It definitely seems like things would stabilize eventually, but it makes you think about the supply chain for every single little thing around us.
3) There is a difference between a scarce-resource apocalypse and a resource-rich apocalypse. Essentially, in some stories, most people die but the world remains--survivors have the leftovers and the same natural resources that were available 1,000 years ago. In the other, the world has been ravaged, or civilization breaks down without killing most of the population, and suddenly supply and demand are off. Very different end of the world books.
4) This makes for a fairly peaceful end of the world here, which I find kind of beautiful. Life is not easy--there's little medicine, people die very easily--but starvation isn't the big killer. By the time the canned food runs out, most people have figured out that they need a garden and to hunt. People can be cautious instead of afraid. I love this opportunity to glimpse this best side of humanity.
5) There is some discussion in the book of the right way to raise children in such a world; do you teach them about the past, and all the wonders they can't even comprehend? Or do you let that die, teaching them only about the world around them? The answer to this one seems obvious to me, but I think the emotional baggage of the past would play a bigger role when facing the question in reality.
6) Moments in the book that broke my heart or moved me or that I want to talk about: the house Kristen and August go into, where the parents are dead in their bed and the child dead in its own; the moment when Kristen realizes that she's about to die and everything becomes okay; Clark and Arthur going out to dinner; the museum. No spoilers; just discuss.
7) What do you make of Miranda? Kris didn't like her at all; I found her intriguing. She was not someone I related to, but someone I recognized; wholly turned inward, with only the most tenuous connections outside herself. Because it's what the world dictates, she follows those, and so she ends up in her relationship, in her job, married. But her art, her story, is the only thing that's real to her. She's unlike all the other viewpoint characters, though, and she breaks the pattern of who's included. What do you think is the reason? Does it have to do with her comics?
8) Don't you want to read her comics? It sounds amazing, and beautiful, and complicated. Maybe too heavyhanded a metaphor, but this ties back to the question of weather connection implies meaning: it's a similar story, but not a similar ending.
9) The big question in the story-within-the-story is about whether to go forward, into a dangerous and precarious unknown, or to try to go back to something that is ruined, and to make a life in those ruins. I think this ties directly into all the different tensions in the story--the zealots, the question of how to raise the children. Do you want to move forward, or do you want to move back? Moving back isn't literally possible, of course, but clinging to the memories, living on them or against them, allows them to dictate your future.
This post is ridiculously long, and I want to go on and on about that point--about how I think that concealing the past from the children is, counterintuitively, about clinging to he past. Holding the past as history lets you move forward with hope and intent; hiding it as a secret makes it present and dangerous, keeps you living with it. About how Arthur's life is all about moving forward--from his small hometown, out of college into acting, through three marriages. About Miranda's forward motion in life, and how she brings what matters with her. Clark and the Museum; the symphony and Shakespeare. The zealots and the belief that the old world had to die for the new one to be born.
It's silly to apologize; this post is no more a jumble than most of my posts. But this book was amazing--I would never have believed it would work, and here it is, lovely and perfect, full of people doing the best they can--even the villains. The more I think about it, the more I love it. You should absolutely read it.
Posted by LibraryHungry at 10:39 PM 2 comments:
Labels: book club, reader's guide
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0017.json.gz/line1923
|
__label__wiki
| 0.623527
| 0.623527
|
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 (4K UHD Review)
2011 (March 28, 2017)
Heyday Films/Warner Bros. Pictures (Warner Bros.)
Film/Program Grade: A
Video Grade: B
Audio Grade: A
Extras Grade: B
Having escaped the Death Eaters and destroyed a horcrux with the Sword of Gryffindor, Harry, Hermione, and Ron recover yet another horcrux from the Gringotts vault of Bellatrix Lestrange and then return to Hogwarts, where they believe the rest can be found. They arrive not a moment too soon, for Voldemort and his dark army have chosen to begin their conquest of the Wizarding World by launching an attack on the school. It’s here that final, terrible secrets will be revealed and here that both Harry and the Dark Lord will face their linked destiny.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 is, of course, the film the entire series has been building up to, featuring the long-awaited war between Good and Evil in Harry’s world. All the lead actors give strong performances, but it’s Daniel Radcliffe’s Harry and Alan Rickman’s Snape who truly shine. The supporting cast steps up too, including young Matthew Lewis as Neville Longbottom. And David Yates delivers fine spectacle in his final outing as director, offering moments of genuine emotion and poignancy. As a war film, you expect there to be casualties and there are certainly more than a few by the end of Deathly Hallows – Part 2. One of the things I’ve most admired about both the books and the films is that they don’t pull their punches on matters of death, loss, and sacrifice. This, I think, is one of the key reasons why the J.K. Rowling books are so successful in the first place – for all their trappings of magic and wizards, they speak to kids honestly about growing up and about the realities of life and adulthood, honesty that’s become all the more important in a world prone to helicopter parenting.
Now… Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 is a little bit of an odd duck in 4K Ultra HD. As with the other Potter films released thus far in 4K, this one was shot on Super 35 film, finished as a 2K Digital Intermediate, upsampled for this release, and given a new HDR color grading pass. The film is presented here with a running time of 130:26 in the 2.39:1 theatrical aspect ratio. (It’s worth noting that the entire film was converted to 3D for its theatrical release and was released on both Blu-ray and Blu-ray 3D later – more on this in a moment.) Once again, grain is a little more apparent here than in the 4K version of Order of the Phoenix, but that means there’s more fine detail as well. Overall detail and texturing is quite good, and it’s particularly apparent in the stone tile and brickwork of Hogwarts, in fabric and skin tones, and the abundant battle debris seen later in the film. This is obviously a very dark film, the darkest in the series by far, and its colors are very strongly muted. However, the key benefit of High Dynamic Range here is that it opens up those colors a bit to more various shadings, even as it greatly enhances the intensity of darks and lights. When Maggie Smith’s Professor McGonagall leads the wizards in casting protective spells over Hogwarts, that protection shimmers intensely in the darkness of the nighttime sky. Harry visit with Dumbledore too, occurring in the spiritual representation of King’s Cross Station, glows a luminous green-white with touches of gold. It’s simply gorgeous. But all is not perfect here.
Something that’s always bothered me about the post-production on this film is that the contrast has been pushed strongly during the Hogwarts battle, so that there’s obvious haloing on not just high-contrast edges but around entire characters. This, I think, was done quite intentionally by the filmmakers to give those scenes an ethereal quality, evoking the powerful magic being used. The problem is, this effect has a tendency to make visual effects look like… well, visual effects. It also makes the overall image look too digitally processed and artificial. Now, it’s important to note that this effect was present in theaters and on the previous Blu-ray release, so it’s in the original Digital Intermediate. But here’s the problem: When you add HDR to the image on top that, it just makes everything look even more unnatural. This haloing simply isn’t visible in any of the other films. It’s also not there for this film’s brighter scenes, for example Snape’s memories as seen by Harry in the Pensive. But it’s apparent throughout the Hogwarts battle and it gets stronger when Harry goes out to face Voldemort in the woods. (The effect is particularly obvious from the point Harry finishes watching Snape’s memories, at about 1:23:07 into the film, and it continues – off and on – until Harry and Voldemort’s final face-off). It really pulls me out of the film every time I see it. Your own mileage will certainly vary and, again, it’s deliberately. It’s true to the original theatrical experience of the film. But personally, I find it a bit too much.
The film’s audio options on 4K UHD include English DTS:X (compatible with any multi-channel speaker arrangement you may be using – 5.1, 7.1, etc), along with English Descriptive Audio, and French (dubbed in Quebec), Italian, Mandarin, Cantonese, Latin Spanish, and Portuguese 5.1 Dolby Digital (with optional subtitles in those same languages plus several more). As with the previous Potter films, the DTS:X mix features similar clarity and dynamic range as the regular Blu-ray’s DTS-HD audio, but the object-based mix is more expansive and natural, more effortless sounding if you will, as well as smoother and more precise. In addition, low frequency extension is very strong. Particularly good moments of include the rollercoaster-like cart ride through Gringotts, the opening salvos of Voldemort’s assault upon Hogwarts (as literally thousands of cast spells explode against its shield of protective enchantments), and of course the film’s many battle sequences. This is really a sonic assault from about 41 minutes in right on through to the end.
Warner’s 4K Ultra HD release is a 3-disc set. It contains the film by itself in 4K on the UHD, plus a movie Blu-ray with the film in 1080p HD. This is the same disc that was released previously in the Ultimate Collector’s Edition Blu-ray set, and it includes the following extras in HD:
Maximum Movie Mode
Focus Points (8 short featurettes – 26:27 in all)
Final Farewells from Cast and Crew (3:07)
There’s also a second Blu-ray, all of extras and again the same bonus disc that was included in the film’s previous Ultimate Collector’s Edition Blu-ray release, called Creating the World of Harry Potter: Part 8 – Growing Up. Its extras, most in HD but a couple in the original SD, include:
Creating the World of Harry Potter Part 8: Growing Up (49:19)
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2: Behind the Magic (47:01)
A Conversation with J.K. Rowling and Daniel Radcliffe: Extended Version (63:20)
Hogwarts’ Last Stand: Extended Version (30:27)
The Women of Harry Potter (22:31)
The Goblins of Gringotts (10:56)
The Great Hall of Hogwarts (4:13)
Ron and Hermione’s Kiss (4:12)
That’s a Wrap, Harry Potter (4:55)
Neville’s Battle Makeup (4:11)
The Gringotts Disguises (4:07)
Harry’s Death: The Courtyard Confrontation (10:14)
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: The Quest (16 segments – approx. 50:00 in all)
Deleted Scenes (8 scenes total – 6:33 in all)
Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter (1:33)
Pottermore Preview (1:07)
Teaser Trailer (1:59)
Theatrical Trailer (2:28)
These extras represent everything that was created for this film in previous Blu-ray and DVD releases. Unfortunately, the Blu-ray 3D version of the film isn’t included in this package, but it’s available separately. This release also doesn’t include the UCE edition’s hardcover book and swag, but there’s a Digital HD copy code on a paper insert.
For dedicated followers of this film series, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 delivers some final surprises and heartbreaks, as well as a genuinely satisfying conclusion. Once again, Warner’s 4K release carries over all the fine Ultimate Collector’s Edition Blu-ray extras, adds a measured improvement in image resolution and sound quality, and its High Dynamic Range opens up the colors and greatly increases the intensity both darks and lights – if perhaps a bit too much at times. As such, Ultra HD is the best way to experience this film at home and it’s recommended for serious fans. Note that this title is also included in the Harry Potter 8-Film Collection 4K Ultra HD box set (available here on Amazon), but be aware that the Collection does NOT include the Creating the World of Harry Potter bonus Blu-rays – only the films on BD and 4K.
- Bill Hunt
2011, 4K, Alan Rickman, Bill Hunt, Brendan Gleeson, Daniel Radcliffe, David Thewlis, David Yates, DTS:X, Emma Thompson, Emma Watson, fantasy adventure, Fiona Shaw, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2, HDR10, Helena Bonham Carter, High Dynamic Range, horcrux, Imelda Staunton, Jason Isaacs, Jim Broadbent, JK Rowling, John Hurt, Julie Walters, Maggie Smith, magic, Michael Gambon, Nicholas Hooper, Ralph Fiennes, review, Richard Griffiths, Robbie Coltrane, Rupert Grint, supernatural, The Digital Bits, Tom Felton, Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc, Warwick Davis
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0017.json.gz/line1926
|
__label__cc
| 0.589796
| 0.410204
|
Home | About Us | Reviews | Our Repertoire | Gallery | Soundclips | Contact Us | |
Mowbray String Quartet
The Mowbray String Quartet is a highly professional, young, vibrant string quartet based in the North of England. We cater for all occasions, including weddings, corporate events, functions and special occasions. We pride ourselves on our versatility and our range of music, from early classical to pop. We are able to arrange any music, so if you have a special piece or song close to your heart, we can go the extra mile and arrange it for you.
The players from the Mowbray String Quartet are professionally trained performers, who have been educated in the UK's top music conservatories. The players are now performing with many leading orchestras throughout the UK and Europe such as the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Northern Ballet, Royal Scottish National Orchestra, Scottish Ballet, Welsh National Opera and Orchestra of Opera North. They too feature as soloists with local orchestras and play regularly as recitalists.
If you have any enquiries please do not hesitate to contact us.
Our latest review:
What can we say about the Mowbray String Quartet? Well, my now husband and I were due to get married last year, but we were involved a car accident only a few weeks before the wedding. We had everything booked, including the Quartet.
The task of booking everything again seemed like a daunting task. However, this was not the case, especially with Katie from the String Quartet. Katie was very accommodating and we re-scheduled it for May 2019. The professionalism of Katie allowed me to relax and know that everything was going to be ok on the day.
We were not disappointed. The quartet turned up on time, and played for our guests until I arrived. I shivered with excitement as I could hear the music as I approached the church. It was truly magical. The clarity and timing of everything was just perfect during and after the service - the quartet played beautifully. We would not hesitate to book the Mowbray String Quartet again in the future, they really helped make our day, a day to remember.
Nichola and Roy - 18/05/19
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0017.json.gz/line1927
|
__label__wiki
| 0.897651
| 0.897651
|
McFadden says oral contraception should be available without prescription
Mike McFadden at FarmFest
— Glen Stubbe, DML - Star Tribune Star Tribune
By Allison Sherry , Star Tribune
WASHINGTON – GOP U.S. Senate candidate Mike McFadden, of Minnesota, says women should be able to purchase birth control pills over the counter — without involving either insurance or their employer.
McFadden’s position, which he is not broadly promoting on his 87-county tour of Minnesota, was first announced nine days after the Hobby Lobby Supreme Court ruling on the Affordable Care Act. The high court said that requiring corporations to pay for insurance coverage for contraception violated federal law protecting religious freedom.
“I’m a businessman and I’m used to solving problems and I think if we look at Hobby Lobby, it’s a case study in how you can come up with solutions,” said McFadden, in an interview. “Maybe they’re not perfect [solutions], but politics is always the art of the possible, not the art of the pure.”
McFadden says the issue is not about restricting women from being able to obtain birth control, but about employers’ obligation to provide it.
The Hobby Lobby ruling stoked fresh gender wars this midterm election year. The 5-4 decision was applauded by Republicans championing religious liberty, including McFadden, and broadly condemned by Democrats, who called it proof the GOP wants to further limit women’s access to birth control.
Senate candidate McFadden delivers weekly Republican address
Democrats contend the fresh GOP messaging on over-the-counter contraception this summer — which McFadden shares with a couple of other GOP Senate challengers in the swing states of Virginia and Colorado — is a red herring that does nothing to improve access or affordability.
Though the broader “war on women” meme has been leveled against the GOP in previous political cycles, this year Republicans are aggressively fighting back in stump speeches and talking points. They are also employing female Republican lawmakers and wives and daughters to push a message that economic-friendly Republican policies help women.
“Democrats don’t have a record to run on so they’re going back to their dishonest war on women scare tactics,” said Republican National Committee spokesman Michael Short. “This cycle we’re fighting back, letting voters know that Democrats are being deceptive.”
McFadden’s Democratic opponent Sen. Al Franken said he supports a “review by the FDA on the safety of allowing additional forms of contraception to be sold over the counter.”
“But … it won’t put money back in the pockets of the half a million women in Minnesota that have benefited from the requirement that insurers have to cover preventive health care services — including contraception — for free,” said spokeswoman Alexandra Fetissoff.
Polls show the issue appeals to women voters. In a Pew Research Center poll, 48 percent of women think all employers should be required to provide birth control; among men that number is 40 percent. Among all voters, including registered Republicans, 47 percent say they trust Democrats over Republicans on matters related to abortion and contraception.
Pew Associate Director Jocelyn Kiley says the over-the-counter policy may also appeal to the growing set of young voters.
“There’s as much of an age gap as there is a gender gap,” she said. “It may not just be about appealing to women, but it may be about appealing to younger voters. When you look at some social issues, you can see a pretty big age gap as well.”
The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists agrees oral contraceptives should be offered over the counter. The organization worries, though, the policy is being promoted over other important access issues — including price and methods that show more efficacy, like the IUD.
“We haven’t seen detailed plans from the candidates thus far,” said Dr. John C. Jennings, the president of the American College. “From our perspective, it’s access to care that’s important.”
Jennings also points out it would be the Food and Drug Administration — not the U.S. Senate — that makes decisions about what drugs go over the counter.
“Regardless of legislative efforts to make contraceptives available over the counter, it is FDA and its scientists who ultimately determine what medications are and aren’t available,” he said. “It is important to note that currently, the FDA has approved no oral contraceptives for over-the-counter purchase.”
The Planned Parenthood Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota Action Fund takes a more critical view of the positions popping up in various political campaigns across the country.
“It’s a political smoke screen,” said Jen Aulwes, a spokeswoman for the organization. “It’s an effort by some of the politicians … to take away birth control coverage. The politicians pushing for this are the same ones trying to get rid of the birth control benefit of the Affordable Care Act entirely.”
McFadden says if he were in the Senate he “would be vocal about it and push the FDA to as quickly as possible move to make over-the-counter contraception available to adults.”
He says he resents the Democrats’ attempt to make the issue partisan.
“They’re driving this narrative,” he said. “I’m coming at it as a problem-solver … I think this is a great example of what’s wrong with Washington.”
Allison Sherry • 202-383-6120
Next in Variety
Sip your way from Minneapolis to St. Paul with our light-rail beer crawl
Grateful Dead's 1989 Alpine Valley sets to be commemorated Wednesday in Minneapolis
Sandra Oh poised to make Emmy history
6 ways to handle the heat in the Twin Cities
St. Paul play with a basketball theme wobbles but actors keep it in bounds
Trump delves into accusation about Rep. Omar's marital history
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0017.json.gz/line1928
|
__label__wiki
| 0.96913
| 0.96913
|
Home » News » Show traces family roots to story of Amish faithfulness
Show traces family roots to story of Amish faithfulness
MC USA leader appears on ‘Who Do You Think You Are?’
May 9, 2016 by Melodie Davis, Mennonite Church USA and MennoMedia
On many Sundays, Ervin Stutzman, executive director of Mennonite Church USA, can be found preaching or speaking at Mennonite churches, meetings, conventions or other gatherings.
Ervin Stutzman, executive director of Mennonite Church USA, talks with actress Katey Sagal on Who Do You Think You Are? Researching her family roots, Sagal learns about the Jacob Hochstetler family and an incident of nonresistance in 1757. — YouTube
But on a Sunday evening in April, Stutzman was one of several featured guests on the TLC television show Who Do You Think You Are? On the program he meets actor and singer Katey Sagal, known for her role on Married with Children from 1987 to 1997. In the April 17 edition of the TLC program, Sagal explores her family roots and learns about her Amish ancestors. The episode is available on YouTube.
Stutzman has written several books for Herald Press, the publishing arm of MC USA and Mennonite Church Canada. These include Jacob’s Choice and Joseph’s Dilemma, two historical novels in his “Return to Northkill” trilogy.
Stutzman’s work on the trilogy brought him to the attention of TLC researchers when they consulted David Weaver-Zercher, professor of American religious history at Messiah College in Grantham, Pa., and author/editor of numerous publications on the Amish. Weaver-Zercher, who is married to Herald Press editor Valerie Weaver-Zercher, knew of Stutzman’s historical research for the novels and suggested TLC contact Stutzman.
Stutzman is one of a handful of Mennonite historians and researchers the TLC show could have turned to regarding the Amish family of Jacob Hochstetler. Hochstetler is considered a faith hero among the Amish and many Mennonites for refusing to use guns to defend his family during an attack in 1757. His wife, daughter and one son were killed in the attack and his home burned; Jacob and two sons were captured.
A researcher for the program first called Stutzman for a telephone interview last August, asking about his perspective on the meaning of Hochstetler’s response to the 1757 attack and what nonresistance means to Amish and Mennonites today.
After a Skype video interview with Stutzman in December, the producers invited him to appear on the program with a Hochstetler descendant whose identity they did not reveal to him at that time. He had never watched Who Do You Think You Are? but checked it out and was impressed.
Seventh cousins
When Stutzman learned who the show would revolve around, he did some searching online about Sagal.
“The producer only told me that Katey was my seventh cousin,” he said. “I wasn’t allowed to meet her before the taping began.”
Thus Stutzman did not know Sagal’s political or religious leanings, “so I had no idea what her reaction would be to Jacob’s refusal to shoot at the Indians when Jacob’s family was under attack,” he said. In the program, Sagal is shown reading the historical description of the attack in the library in Reading, Pa.
Stutzman spent several hours with Sagal, about half of which was filmed.
“I had the pleasure of answering many of Sagal’s questions in some depth, but only a few minutes of the interview made the final cut,” he said.
In the program, Sagal notes that her parents, who lived in Hollywood, Calif., opposed the Vietnam War in the ’60s and ’70s.
As Stutzman watched the segment on TV and learned more of Sagal’s family history, “I immediately thought of the Vietnam War as being the first major war in which conscientious objection by a diverse group [not just Anabaptist groups] played a major role in bringing the war to an end,” he said, noting it also served to move the church from the terminology of nonresistance toward nonviolence.
Stutzman said he was surprised by the openness of the producer and staff to learn about the Amish and Mennonite faith.
“Katey was very surprised to meet a distant cousin on the show,” he said. “She had no idea that she had so many relatives.”
Sagal was pleased to discover her ancestors were peace-loving people, and she expressed this on the show.
“She had never heard of a Mennonite and knew next to nothing about the Amish,” Stutzman said.
Stutzman was born into an Amish home in Kalona, Iowa, and spent most of his childhood in Hutchinson, Kan. Stutzman said he maintains a huge curiosity about the past, which is his strongest motivation for research. He has learned that “narrative captivates people’s interest in ways that essays cannot.” He is pondering what he will write after his work on the Northkill trilogy is finished.
Stutzman is grateful for the opportunity the show gave him.
“I consider it an honor to have been asked,” he said.
Amish history
Jacob Hochstetler
MennoMedia
Mennonite Church USA
nonresistance
Return to Northkill trilogy
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0017.json.gz/line1933
|
__label__wiki
| 0.749059
| 0.749059
|
Interview: Kenny Loggins
By admin ⋅ January 14, 2015 ⋅ Post a comment
Filed Under Jim Messina, Kenny Loggins, Loggins and Messina, Michael McDonald
By any measure, Kenny Loggins has had an amazing career in music. Early success came from his partnership with Jim Messina as the duo Loggins & Messina, which gave us songs including “Danny’s Song”, “House at Pooh Corner”, and “Your Mama Don’t Dance”.
Loggins went on to become the King of the Movie Soundtrack with songs like “I’m Alright” (from Caddyshack), “Footloose” (from Footloose), “Danger Zone” (from Top Gun), “Meet Me Half Way” (from Over the Top), and “Nobody’s Fool” (from Caddyshack II). He also co-wrote the hits “This Is It” and “What a Fool Believes” with Michael McDonald, and had other hits including “Whenever I Call You ‘Friend'” with Stevie Nicks and “Don’t Fight It” with Steve Perry.
This interview was for a preview article for a concert by Kenny Loggins and Michael McDonald on 1/18/15 at SOhO in Santa Barbara. It was done by email, with answers received on 1/13/15.
Jeff Moehlis: This show is in support of SOhO. Do you have a favorite SOhO moment, either onstage or while in the audience?
Kenny Loggins: About two years ago my kids decided to be a rap band. Crosby, my oldest, had a solo career for a while as a singer-songwriter on Jive Records, but decided to play the bass in the Fam Band, or as Cody my second son called it, “The Loggi.” Crosby’s wife, Brooke, was on keyboards. My daughter Bella was a on drums (she’s been playing drums and she was nine years old, and is a music major from Wesleyan College). My sons Luke and Cody were rapping.
After they played their set, to everyone’s surprise my 14-year-old daughter, Hana, got up to play piano and sang one of her songs! It was a night I’ll never forget.
JM: You and Michael McDonald have written some great songs together. How did you two first meet and start working together?
KL: Michael and I met in the late 70’s after the Doobie Brothers released Livin’ on the Fault Line. We were looking for each other in order to collaborate on songwriting. The first song we wrote together was “What a Fool Believes”. We’ve been friends ever since.
JM: Going further back, Jim Messina told me that when he was first supposed to hear your songs, you showed up at his place without a tape of the songs or a decent guitar to play. What do you remember about that initial meeting?
KL: That’s true. At that time I only played my songs live. I did have an acoustic guitar with me, but it was truly a piece of shit. I think it was a Kay.
I made my living as a songwriter, and only recently decided to try for making a record of my own. I had sent my songs to the Moody Blues, to audition for a record deal for the newly created Threshold Records. They passed.
JM: You’ve lived in Santa Barbara for several decades now. What brought you here, and what keeps you here?
KL: I originally came as an escape from L.A. in 1971. I stayed with my longtime friend, Doug Inglesby, in a house on the Riviera. That’s where I fell in love with Santa Barbara and knew someday I’d have to live here.
I rented homes here for years, but didn’t buy until the late 80’s. The first house I bought was Sam Battistone’s octagonal redwood home on Padaro Lane.
JM: What advice would you give to an aspiring songwriter/musician?
KL: If you can quit, do it. This is an impossible business to make a living at.
No comments for “Interview: Kenny Loggins”
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0017.json.gz/line1936
|
__label__cc
| 0.504973
| 0.495027
|
Home People On Human Rights And Contemporary Journalism With Natalia Antelava
On Human Rights And Contemporary Journalism With Natalia Antelava
By Natalia Antelava -
Natalia Antelava is an award winning, Emmy-nominated journalist, and a native of Tbilisi, Georgia. She is a former foreign correspondent for BBC, where she covered events from West Africa to the South Caucasus to Central Asia, the Middle East and India. She has received recognition for her coverage of human rights violations in Central Asia, Iraq and the United States, and has reported extensively on the conflict in Eastern Ukraine. Recently, she co-founded the media platform Coda Story, a Tbilsi and New York-based startup that approaches conflict journalism through dedicated coverage that continues crisis coverage even after most media attention has moved elsewhere. Antelava spoke with the Odessa Review at Coda Story’s Tbilisi headquarters.
Every foreign correspondent is keenly aware of the fact that we often abandon stories, and move on very quickly. There was a particular experience that I had in 2012, when I went to Yemen to cover the Arab spring. I spent 6 weeks reporting in Yemen undercover for the BBC. As I was leaving, I knew damn well that that story would fall off the headlines – not necessarily because the editors didn’t care anymore, but because if you don’t have someone on the ground pushing the story, the editorial attention span is simply not sufficient to continue reporting unless something major happens. So that’s what we do again and again and again: a major story happens, we pull out, we move onto the next big thing and vacuums are created. Having stringers and correspondents doesn’t address that issue, because it is the editorial attention that is lacking.
I came back from Yemen and started thinking about whether there are ways to address this. I started talking to my colleagues and friends in journalism who I respected the most. Together with my partner and cofounder, Ilan Greenberg, we came up with the idea of a news startup that would take one crisis, one big story, put a team of journalists on it and stick to it for an extended period of time, creating a kaleidoscope of coverage and covering it from different angles. What happens if you are interested in Syria and then go on holiday for two weeks and then come back? You can Google the news but it doesn’t give you the full picture of what’s happening.
One of the things that we tried to address when we were coming up with the concept was that when the internet came around, journalists received it with a lot skepticism – I remember there’s story about the British editor who said “oh, that internet thing, its not going to last.” Even when publications moved online, they still treated online platforms as disposable. If you think about it, all traditional platforms in journalism are disposable: you read a newspaper, you throw it out, you watch a television piece and you don’t see it again. We realized this was one of the main obstacles to staying on the story, because every time you tell a story in your 700 words, you have to tell it from scratch. What this does is turn the internet into this bottomless pit of updates, where we are creating content without laying it out, connecting the dots – even though we no longer have to write every story from scratch.
The challenge we wanted to tackle was how to maximize the benefits of online media being non-disposable. It stays there, its archived. In news, in journalism, we think of information as something that is incremental, chronological, tied to a date, whereas in real life, this is not always the case. Its not always the chronology that matters most. So Coda covers events thematically rather than chronologically. When we choose a crisis we want to cover, we spend a lot of time brainstorming the main themes – we call them currents – within the crisis. When our pilot took up the issue of gay rights in Russia, we thought long and hard about the themes of this crisis – we came up with the Orthodox Church, East-West backlash, the Kremlin’s influence outside Russia and a few others – and then every piece of content that’s published on Coda lives in one of these themes, one of these currents. We want to create a space where a reader, a consumer, will come to our site, look at the currents, immediately understand the big picture, and then be able to dive into the individual stories within these larger themes.
When we covered gay rights, one of the things we realized was that one of the strongest currents within the issue of gay rights in Russia was disinformation. Great effort was put into using perspectives on LGBT rights as a soft-power tool for pushing the Kremlin’s agenda. So that was something we were interested in, and disinformation also obviously offered a way of looking into other aspects of the region and its political challenges. It also very much dovetailed with my own experiences in East Ukraine, and in Georgia, but especially in Eastern Ukraine. I was fascinated, as a part of the foreign press corps covering the war in Ukraine, and the annexation of Crimea, by the role that Russian television played, how it fueled the conflict and yet how little of that was covered by Western media at the time. This was basically because journalists didn’t know how to cover the issue. Coda Story has a very narrative approach to coverage; we’re all about storytelling, dissecting complex subjects and telling good stories that will hopefully make people pay attention. I think that’s very much what coverage of the disinformation crisis in general lacks. It shouldn’t be just myth busting, it shouldn’t be just fact-checking. We need to tell our audiences how this affects people’s lives, how disinformation and propaganda – not just on the Russian side, but on both sides – changes the reality in which we live.
The human experience should be part of all journalism, because you tell stories about people –people want to read about people, journalists have a responsibility to tell people’s stories, and holding governments accountable means telling stories of people affected by their policies. We had human rights abuses as one of the currents in the LGBT edition, and what made that coverage powerful was that we didn’t just focus on human rights. To explain what was happening in terms of human rights, to explain what was happening to people, we also gave a larger political and geopolitical context, a bigger picture. For me, its obvious, its part of every journalist’s job, it doesn’t mean we’re human rights defenders, we aren’t necessarily activists. That’s an important distinction. But all stories are ultimately stories about humans and their lives, and therefore their rights.
We just published our first episode of a new series within our disinformation coverage, trying to tell the human story of disinformation. How do you cover disinformation through human stories? One of the things we’ve come up with is a video series called Clash of Narratives, where we follow two people who are on opposite sides of a narrative, two people with a very different vision. Our first season is in Georgia, focusing on two women, very well known in Georgia, a politician and a political activist. Both have television stations, both are women, both are the same age, yet with polar opposite views. One is very anti-Western; one is fiercely pro-Western. We spent a lot of time with them, following them around.
I think traditional media are, for very good reasons, still struggling with the transition to the new world of media. Some are doing a much better job than others, and I think that everyone will get there, but I believe that in 5, 10 years, maybe sooner, there won’t be distinctions such as “digital journalism” and “non-digital journalism”, there will just be journalism. The opportunities are incredible, the storytelling opportunities are incredible, though it also makes it a very crowded environment, which makes it very hard to compete. Of course, there is always going to space for the BBC and the NYT, and CNNs of this world – the mainstream media are incredibly important, but much of the future is in media platforms like us. There are more and more single-subject platforms that are serving certain niches. Our growth model is that we eventually create lots and lots of niche that address these different audiences. People are always interested in local news – you want to know what’s happening in your community and your environment- except local is no longer geographical, local is what interests you.
In many ways we’re going back to the basics. These new technologies and platforms are allowing us to go back to a more traditional kind of reporting, where you spend longer on stories. You are not rushed by the constant need to update. Famously, newspaper correspondents would always finish their story and go out drinking, but that has changed because now they file their story for the print edition and then they have to file ten updates. When I am on a story for the BBC, I’m stuck in a “live” position. That was another part of the inspiration for Coda in general, because you don’t go out and talk to humans if you are constantly filing updates. You are stuck in that echo-chamber. And increasingly media are stuck in this pattern, repeating things that other outlets are already saying. This is exactly what we want to escape from. Not only do we have offices in NY and Tbilisi, we have an editor in London and one in Berlin as well, and a network of freelancers, so we’re very very spread out. The really important thing for Coda is to be on the ground, and present in the places that we cover, so in this region its critical to have our finger on the pulse of what’s happening.
I don’t think there’s been a better or more important time to be a journalist. There is no shortage of crises to be covered. We started a year ago with a 4-month pilot that functioned as a proof of concept, and now we have two other editions, and we want to keep adding. There is no shortage of things we could be covering – from overfishing in West Africa, environmental crises, disease and global health. Heroine addiction in the United States would make a great Coda – there are so many things we would love to take on. Our aim is to keep adding coverage of specific crises where we feel we can add to the conversation, rather than add to the noise.
Coda Story Clash of Narratives
Coda Story Tbilisi
contemporary journalism
foreign correspondent BBC
human rights journalism
Ilan Greenberg
Natalia Antelava
Natalia Antelava Coda Story
new journalism platforms
online journalism
Previous articleUkraine In Davos
Next articleOdessa Sun, Odessa Beaches… But Odessa hockey?!
The 2016 Reading List
Ulyana Dovgan -
Dizyngoff – Andrew Thomson (Huntleys & Palmers, UK), March 19
Filmed in Odessa:
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0017.json.gz/line1940
|
__label__wiki
| 0.623156
| 0.623156
|
Rustin, Bayard 7
School integration 7
NAACPP-DLC, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People Papers, 1909-1955, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. 7
APRP-DLC, A. Philip Randolph Papers, Manuscript Division, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. 6
NAACPP-DLC, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People Collection, Manuscript Division, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.
''Youth March on Washington'' on 4/18/1959
Rayburn, Sam [United States. Congress. House of Representatives]
Sylvan Theater, Washington, D.C.
Integrate Now
WONS-KAbE
White House Office, Office of the Special Assistant for National Security Affairs, Dwight D. Eisenhower Library, Abilene, Kan.
''Anti-American Groups Not Invited to Youth March for Integrated Schools''
Randolph, A. Philip [American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO)]
Box 3A, folder 334
''Program at Sylvan Theater''
Zimmerman, Charles S. [American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO)]
Mboya, Tom [All Africa People's Conference]
Williams, Camilla
Gary, Richard [St. Mary's Episcopal Church, New York, N.Y.]
Douglas, Paul H. (Paul Howard) [United States. Congress. Senate ]
Green, Reginald
Layfield, Martille
Hans, Curtis
Jones, Lavonne
Joye, Harlon
Wright, Herbert L. [National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)]
Brown, Minnie Jean
Wright, Suzanne
Rooks, Shelby [Lincoln Congregational Church, Washington, D.C.]
All Africa People's Conference
Sylvan Theater
St. Mary's Episcopal Church, New York, N.Y.
Lincoln Congregational Church, Washington, D.C.
Newsletter 1, no. 12
Sellers, Clyde
Gayle, W. A.
James, Earl D.
Sullivan, L. B.
Howard, Asbury
Fosdick, Harry Emerson
Rogers, William P. (William Pierce) [United States. Dept. of Justice]
Tuscaloosa, Ala.
Montgomery Improvement Association--publicity
Montgomery Improvement Association--relations with other organizations
Telephone Conversation with Robert Franklin Williams
Williams, Robert Franklin [National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)]
Committee to Combat Racial Injustice
Union County, N.C.
Monroe, N.C.
Group III-A333
Telegram to Robert Franklin Williams
Williams, Robert Franklin
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0017.json.gz/line1942
|
__label__wiki
| 0.695316
| 0.695316
|
Picks from the Past: June 2000
The fleshy pink "fingers" on the snout of the star-nosed mole point to this animal's unique evolutionary history.
By Kenneth C. Catania
Emerging from its tunnel, an adult star-nosed mole displays its heavily clawed forelimbs, well equipped for digging, and the twenty-two touch-sensitive appendages ringing its snout.
Kenneth Catania
One of the most intriguing stars in the universe is right here on Earth: the eleven pairs of pink fleshy appendages ringing the snout of the star-nosed mole. From its appearance and location, one would think this star might be a supersensitive olfactory organ, helping the nearly blind mole negotiate its subterranean environment, or an extra hand for grasping prey or manipulating objects. Some researchers have hypothesized that the star detects electric fields, thus acting as a kind of antenna. But in reality, the star is an extraordinary touch organ with more than 25,000 minute sensory receptors, called Eimer’s organs, with which this hamster-sized mole feels its way around.
Under a microscope, the Eimer’s organs appear in a honeycombed pattern of tiny epidermal “domes,” each sensitive to the slightest touch. Although the star is less than half an inch across, its surface is supplied with more than 100,000 large nerve fibers. By comparison, the touch receptors in the human hand are equipped with only about 17,000 of these fibers. Imagine having six times the sensitivity of your entire hand concentrated in a single fingertip.
Together with Jon Kaas, also of Vanderbilt University, I have been investigating how the star-nosed mole (Condylura cristata) uses this exquisitely sensitive organ to explore its dark, damp world. (This North American species is unique in its preference for wetlands, where it digs tunnels and forages mostly in mud and water.) First the mole The fleshy pink “fingers” on the snout of the star-nosed mole point to this animal’s unique evolutionary history. samples an area by touching the ground with all twenty-two appendages. Its brain processes this information in less than a twentieth of a second. If one of the appendages detects anything of potential interest (often an unfortunate earthworm or other invertebrate), the mole moves its nose slightly to bring the lowermost central pair into contact with the object. The Eimer’s organs on this pair are particularly well supplied with nerves and can provide the animal with a higher-resolution “image,” enabling the mole to know whether it has encountered something good to eat or should keep searching. For small prey, the entire process—from first touch by peripheral appendage to swift ingestion—takes just about a fifth of a second.
The star-nosed mole continuously scans its environment with its nose, much as we constantly shift our eyes to perceive the world around us. Usually humans and most other visual mammals initially detect the important parts of a scene through peripheral vision and then shift their eyes so that the central part of the retina, the fovea, can provide a more detailed image. (If you’re not convinced of this, try reading this sentence without moving your eyes.) The visual areas of the brain—particularly those in the cerebral cortex—that are devoted to processing information from this tiny but vital region are much larger than the areas that handle information from the lower-resolution, peripheral regions of the retina.
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0017.json.gz/line1944
|
__label__wiki
| 0.739399
| 0.739399
|
Why are Nigerians still travelling abroad for healthcare?
Published in Health
On the sick list – Thousands of Nigerians every year travel abroad for medical treatment because of lack of healthcare at home. By Martins Azuwike
THE REPORT last month by the Indian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Ajjampur Ghanashyam, that stated 20,000 Nigerians visit his country every year in search of medical treatment clearly shows that lucrative opportunities in the healthcare sector are being lost to other countries through medical tourism.
Back in 2009, it was revealed that the Indian High Commission in Nigeria issued 4,000 visas to Nigerians seeking medical treatment in Indian hospitals that year. As in the case of the country’s oil and gas industry, failure to establish and implement policies aimed at strengthening the health care sector has held it back.
“About 40,000 Nigerians go to India annually and 50 per cent of them go for medical reasons,” said Ghanashyam.
“The remaining 50 per cent go for tourism, business, training and as students. The rejection rate is very low – not more than 25 per cent.”
In 2012 when 38,000 visas were issued to Nigerians, 18,000 travelled for medical treatment, spending $260m, or $15,000 each. Open-heart surgery, renal transplants, brain surgery, cancer and eye treatment were the main treatments sought.
India is the world’s third largest producer of pharmaceutical products by volume and the value of the country’s export to Nigeria was $307m as of March 31, 2012. To underline the ongoing trend of medical tourism, a Renub Research report puts Nigeria as among the top 63 countries in the world for it.
Aside from India, other top medical tourist destinations include the UK, the US and countries in the Persian Gulf. In 2009, even President Yar’Adua turned his back on Nigeria and flew to Saudi Arabia for treatment and only returned home a few months later to die.
There is a good reason for all this. Nigeria’s lacks a comprehensive public health service, with a dismal record of 0.4 physicians and 1.605 nursing and midwifery staff per 1,000 people.
For pharmacists the figure is 0.095, and laboratory health workers 0.168.The results are damning. Chris Akani, a professor of obstetrics and gynaecology, and provost of the College of Health Sciences at the University of Port Harcourt, revealed that Nigeria accounted for 25 per cent of maternal, new born and child deaths in sub-Saharan Africa in 2014.
“Also, 4.7 million of the 4.9 million new born and child births per year occur in the region, with Nigeria accounting for significant percentage of this number,” he said.”
“The risk of a woman dying as a result of pregnancy or childbirth in Nigeria is about one in 15, as opposed to one in 5,000 in developed nations.”
Additionally, an estimated 52,900 women and estimated 250,000 newborn die from pregnancy-related complications annually.” Poor public health services and lack of access to medical care were the major contributors to these disturbing statistics.
“Government should also enforce due process on birth and death registration in all political wards, while strengthening emergency obstetrics services in communities,” said Akani. He added that the government should be more committed to the implementation of number four and five of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) which seek to reduce maternal mortality ratio and under-five mortality rates.
Despite the huge opportunities offered by healthcare industry, only nine out of the 130 pharmaceutical companies in Africa’s largest economy are listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange, according to Farouk Gumel, a partner with PriceWaterHouseCoopers Nigeria. The drugs most commonly produced in the country include anti-malaria medication, vaccines, antiretrovirals, antibiotics, and oncology and diabetic drugs.
“Nigeria has critically low levels of human and infrastructure resources for health care,” said Gumel pointing out that Nigeria possessed just five hospital beds for every 100,000 persons against the world median of 35 beds, South Africa’s 24, Algeria and Egypt’s 18.
“Pharmaceutical imports reached a value of $481m in 2013 and are expected to reach $789m by 2018, widening the country’s pharmaceutical trade deficit from 475million in 2013 to $778m in 2018,” he said.
Spending statistics from the federal Ministry of Health reveals that households spend 69 per cent on healthcare, the federal government 12 per cent, the states 8 per cent, local government areas 4 per cent, development partners 4 per cent, and companies 3 per cent.
Nigeria has 47 federal medical centres and university teaching hospitals to cater for the healthcare needs of its huge population, estimated to be 170 million. There are also 700 general hospitals, more than 1,700 maternity units and 4,500 health centres. Privately provided healthcare, which comprises both profit-seeking and faith-based and voluntary hospitals and clinics, accounts for at least 40 per cent of all facilities in the country.
Although the private sector is growing, there are accusations that they offer poor quality services and are not value for money. They are most widely patronised in urban areas, though accurate data on them is usually difficult to collect. Ironically, while the health care system continues to be wanting, thousands of newly trained doctors, pharmacists and nurses often find it difficult to find work in Nigeria. As a result, many are forced to work abroad.
In addition, a number of promising programmes designed to alleviate the problem have difficulty in getting off the ground. For example, the establishment of the American Hospital Limited (AHL) in Nigeria has been held up by red tape and political meddling for the past ten years, say those behind it.
According to its promoter Dr Ifeanyi Obiakor, AHL aims to “ensure that Nigerians in particular, and sub-Saharan Africans in general, achieve and maintain high quality public health and longevity that is comparable to the best in the world”.
He added that AHL would also serve to promote medical tourism in Nigeria from the rest of Africa and even Europe and America.
Its target clientele are those very Nigerians who travel to India and other parts of the world for medical care. AHL also includes a medical training programme.
However, the Ebola epidemic in parts of West Africa has highlighted the need for a public health service. Despite its limitations on the health front, Nigeria was able to mobilise its resources to successfully contain the disease, whereas in Liberia and Sierra Leone, where protracted civil wars hollowed out already thin-on-the-ground services, it ran rampant. It is in no one’s interest if only the well off receive treatment in an epidemic, say analysts.
A number of states in Nigeria have made improved health delivery one of their top priorities, pouring money into new hospitals and clinics. In Akwa Ibom, for example, the 20th Anniversary Hospital is being constructed to provide quality healthcare for both indigenes and Nigerians at large.
African migration: an unstoppable human tide
‘Things can only get better’
‘We are far greater together than apart’
Indorama: a privatisation success story
Ghana overview – After a trailblazing start, it must now tackle current challenges head on
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0017.json.gz/line1947
|
__label__cc
| 0.609991
| 0.390009
|
Monarch holds off Denver South, wins 4A championship
Neighbors » Forums » Sports News » General Sports
Re: Article Discussion: Monarch holds off Denver South, wins 4A
by toohip on December 2nd, 2012, 5:25 pm #2772763
kcken25 wrote:
durable opinion wrote:
kcken25 wrote: Let's see, all of the Denver South folks are saying that they got jobbed but no mention of the terrible, game changing call made by the refs against Monarch. With four minutes left in the game and Monarch punting from deep in their end the ball glances off of the hand of the DS player and is recovered by a Monarch player where he begins to advance it towards the end zone but the play is suddenly called dead with the ball on the DS 35 or 36 yard line and then inexplicably given back to DS closer to mid field where they proceed to march down the field and score their last td. If you don't believe me then go back and re-watch the game. They even put it in slow-mo where you could clearly see it glance off the players hand and then change direction in mid-air. Heck, he is even pleading his case and being all emotional until he sees that the refs gave it back to them. Now, instead of having 1st and 10 from at least the DS 35 yard line Monarch is forced to play defense with their backs against the wall and giving up the last td by DS. Sorry folks, but if that bad call isn't made against Monarch then DS never sees the ball again much less scoring their final td. Including this play Monarch only punted twice during the whole game. Both teams played hard and deserved to win (and I do think they scored a td on the blown call) but that is all they fairly scored. DS did not do enough to put up more than 14 points in this game.
it is agreed then... the officiating was indeed terrible. had the right calls been called then the issue and true Victor, would not be in dispute.
Statistically speaking... The Denver South Rebels Dominated the entire game. (without JV suiting up to look stronger.)
Denver South had about 40 more total yards of offense while Monarch overwhelmed
DS in time of possession. I know at one time it was more than 10 minutes but I don't know where it finished at. They also showed first downs were near equal but MOHI lead most of the game. Statistically speaking...you are wrong.
Love it when over-reactionary parents try to justify why their team won or should of won. Sorry but it's not about who has more yards, less penalties, more first downs, who is more sportsmanlike - it's about the final score, and when one team has a score taken away that would of added to their total making them the winners - then listening to some radical parent try to justify something that was not right just doesn't work. These are about the kids - not the adults, and the adults screw it up for them.
I felt South had the better team and should of won, but they kept shooting themselves in the foot. As their coach that should of been the bigger lecture after the game that would of overcome this error by the officials. First it's private schools dominating championships, now it's urban over inner city schools. Nothing seems fair when you're the loser.
toohip
too hip
too's recent comments
by thebrubud on December 2nd, 2012, 7:01 pm #2772874
This was a great game played by 2 very good teams. Bad calls happened Both ways. The touch down in question might not have won the game. I do know there was a ref on both sides of the field stradling the goal line and one in the zone and I figure they had a better angle than any of us. The touched punt and the Monarch pick, might not have changed the game if they were called.
If Denver South wants to win the big one they might want to learn a bit of game discipline.
Several drives were killed by multiple penalties through out the game. When you didn't get the TD you had Monarch 6" from a safety but couldn't keep your cool and gave them 15yds. That certainly changed the game. Worry about the things you can do to help yourself win. Take away about 6 of those penalties and that TD might not have mattered.
Some mentioned Monarch only had 2 penalties and thought that was odd. Do your research, I believe they average less than that a game, for years now.
On a more sportsmanship note, many of you South players would not be able to play for Bravo. I watched the hand shake after the game and many South players would not shake hands with the Monarch players (#78 & 11 come to mind). You wouldn't be playing the next game at Monarch. I believe I saw coaches walk off without the hand shake. You wouldn't be coaching at Monarch.
So maybe a bit of discipline and sportsmanship could help you win next time.
thebrubud
Myles L
Myles's recent comments
Joined: December 2nd, 2012, 5:54 pm
by frankfurteagle on December 2nd, 2012, 10:08 pm #2773060
toohip wrote:
frankfurteagle wrote:
BAsoccerB5 wrote: How dare an inner city school beat a suburban school. Very biased officials, thank you Denver Post for calling it like it is. Too bad that didn't happen on the field. Denver South ARE state champs.
I was at the game on the Monarch side, more for the sun than anything else, and watched the game pretty close-and it was a good one. I couldn't see clearly enough the disputed call at the goal-line but even if it was a bad call, why would anyone attribute it to "bias". That seems slightly hystrionic. I'm even willing to accept that it might have been a bad call. Even so, that's all it is, a bad call. Referee's aren't perfect. I watch a lot of football and have never seen a game that didn't have a call I considered questionable, but that doesn't cause you to win or lose a game. And it wasn't the reason South lost this one unless they just got mad and quit because of it. And I saw no evidence of that. "Bad calls" are part of the game. But "bias"? Words have menaing and you sould be more careful and more circumspect with your choice of them.
THere are bad calls and REALLY bad calls. This falls under the latter. The reception called out of bounds was a "bad call" the referee could not quite tell if the player got a foot on the field (he got both). But that wasn't a score. This was 7 points, enough to have won the game if you look backward. We could see if it was just the nose of the football over the line, but if they can't tell an obvious touchdown like this, how do they perform during the rest of the season? With playoffs being shown on TV, let the refs use video for scores only. Even traditional, old-world FIFA is considering video to see if the ball goes in the goal, because a goal means everything. DId here!
My comment as posed was addressed solely to the use of the word 'biased', in the original post, as opposed to the more accurate and less inflammatory observation that it might have been a 'bad call', or even in your words a "REALLY bad call'. What do you think? Was it the result of 'bias'? You didn't say.
frankfurteagle
Stephen K
Stephen's recent comments
Joined: October 23rd, 2011, 9:00 am
by bwatcher on December 3rd, 2012, 1:55 am #2773167
Great services are not canceled by one act or by one single error. Benjamin Disraeli
Let me start by saying, I am an avid watcher of high school sports and officiate a couple different sports (not football). I find the lack of knowledge, respect and professionalism appalling. First let us talk about the officials. First each official on the field has a responsibility on each play. The call on the touchdown was made by one official and it was a judgment call. When there is a play there are a number of things that the official has to watch. In the case of the “possible” touchdown, the official that made the call is responsible for seeing where the body is, where the ball is in relation to the goal line, is there control of the ball, and a number of other things to watch. One of those things must have not have been right in order to call it a non-touchdown. It is important to remember that it was 4th and goal. Denver South had 3 other chances to score in which they were not successful. Also, had the coach gone for the field goal, the game would have been tied and would have gone into overtime. He took a gamble and it did not pay off. One play does not win or lose a game for you.
In regards to the unsportsmanlike penalty, that was a choice that the players and coaches made. If they would have kept their composer, Monarch would have had the ball on the half yard line. That is a lack of discipline and gives them no one to blame but themselves.
In regards to CHSAA, officials are paid a minimal amount to go out there every week. The game fees they receive do not cover the uniforms they have to buy or even the hours that they have to take off to officiate. Most officials do it for the love of the game and for the kids. To even hint that there was some bias is not only ignorant but completely wrong. The officials of this game were not from the Denver area and no affiliation to any of the team involved.
In regards to the “blocked” punt, there are over 100 differences between high school, college, and pro rules. The rule states that if the ball is recovered by the kicking team, the ball can not be advanced. In this case the ball would have to be touched by DS before Monarch could recover There was no replay to show if #1 touched the ball or not. Therefore, the ball becomes dead either way when it is touched by Monarch. It is an important lesson to learn that it is imperative to know the rules before complaining about something you know nothing about.
Next, to the teacher at Denver South, I hope your administrative team sees your post. How unprofessional of you to rant about something you obviously know nothing about. If you were truly and educator, you would have taken the opportunity to teach your students rather than put blame on others. DS had a wide open receiver in the end zone and was unable to score. I don't see you blaming the quarterback for a bad pass or missing a wide open receiver. That would have give DS 14 points so their last touchdown would have given them the win.
Lastly to the parent of two kids, it is easy to complain when things don’t go your way. If you really want to make a difference, then put your computer down and take the test to become an official. It is easy to sit and complain about others when you are not willing to so the job yourself. These individuals went out there to do the best job that they can do for $60. There is no glory being an official, and most have “real” jobs. They are not lawyers and doctors, they are blue collar workers who go out every year to help make the sport better for young boys. I am an official of a different sport and find it so funny how parents want to complain about everything, but are not willing to give up their time to go and learn the rules and take the test. It takes years to be able to officiate a state championship, and these individuals have done a lot for the sport as a whole.
To all those who are reading this, no one disputes that there are always going to be calls that we don’t agree with, but remember why people are performing the service to begin with. No one call costs a team a game. Officials in high school games don’t have the luxury of replay to watch the play over again, or 7 officials to help with the calls. In this holiday season learn the gift of gratefulness and thank these individuals for the service that they performed when you aren’t willing to do it yourself. Lastly, if you are still not satisfied, go to http://www.chsaa.org and become an official.
Last edited by bwatcher on December 5th, 2012, 11:23 am, edited 1 time in total.
bwatcher
JB B
JB's recent comments
Joined: December 3rd, 2012, 1:45 am
by kcken25 on December 3rd, 2012, 7:57 am #2773349
danastar wrote: Unfortunate, horrible officiating....puts the whole championship in question, for both Monarch and Denver South....Monarch can't fully enjoy the victory and South can't help but see a championship snatched away....South High Rebs...you are ALL Champs!!
Sorry, but MOHI will definitely enjoy this one. Both teams played well enough to win but MOHI did all of the little things right that made the difference for them and they deserve the win.
MOHI would of deserved the win had DS not been denied the winning score. It all comes down to the score, not who played well.
I don't know how many times I have to post this or repeat this because people have selective memory or refuse to acknowledge the facts but the last successful drive that Denver South went on at around the 4 minute mark in the 4th quarter...well, guess what?...the ball was not theirs. It was Monarch's ball which they recovered and progressed to the DS 37 yard line but was blown dead and incorrectly given back to DS. This play was reviewed multiple times by the TV crew and without a shadow of a doubt the refs got it horribly wrong which everyone agreed upon. DS did not legitimately score more than 14 points (including the blown call). Go back and re-watch the game so that you can clearly understand what happened. There were also other blown calls in the game that went against Monarch like a missed call on an interception.
kcken25
Ken S
Ken's recent comments
Joined: December 2nd, 2012, 4:17 am
thebrubud wrote: This was a great game played by 2 very good teams. Bad calls happened Both ways. The touch down in question might not have won the game. I do know there was a ref on both sides of the field stradling the goal line and one in the zone and I figure they had a better angle than any of us. The touched punt and the Monarch pick, might not have changed the game if they were called.
You bring up several good points. As a Monarch football parent I know firsthand that Coach Bravo runs a highly disciplined and organized program. Our kids and coaches are not allowed to act out whether on the football field or the sidelines. You would never see one of our players pouting, crying or making a scene on the sidelines. If we get more than a couple of penalties a game it is very unusual for us. We are not a flashy football team that runs and throws the ball all over the football field. We run the so called "boring" double-wing that often is ridiculed and called ineffective in today's football age. I have often heard rival parents remark that they don't know how they lost to Monarch and its simplistic approach to football. I can also say that there is not another program in the state of Colorado that I would rather have my kids associated with. I am so proud of all of the high-quality MOHI players, parents and coaches and it has been an honor to have been part of this program. MOHI - MOHI - MOHI
by bergyjr on December 3rd, 2012, 12:10 pm #2773783
Well Said. As the son of the Head Referee (White Hat) I can only say that I am appauled with the idea that my father who has been a referee for 35 years and worked numerous state championship game would be biased towards one team or the other. What most people don't know is that the whole crew was from Pueblo so if they were going to be pulling for one team or the other why would they show favoritism to the team that eliminated the last team from Pueblo in Pueblo West. I can assure you that my dad was not happy with the game or the way that it was officiated but I couldn't be prouder of his professionism or the effort that he puts forth perfecting his craft. He was not involved in any of the calls in question but being the perfectionist he is he does feel responsible. I hope that more people will take that into account before they spew their hate to the men who have dedicated their lives to helping young men.
bwatcher wrote: Great services are not canceled by one act or by one single error. Benjamin Disraeli
Let me start by saying that I am not associated with anyone involved in this game. I am an avid watcher of high school sports and officiate a couple different sports (not football). I find the lack of knowledge, respect and professionalism appalling. First let us talk about the officials. First each official on the field has a responsibility on each play. The call on the touchdown was made by one official and it was a judgment call. When there is a play there are a number of things that the official has to watch. In the case of the “possible” touchdown, the official that made the call is responsible for seeing where the body is, where the ball is in relation to the goal line, is there control of the ball, and a number of other things to watch. One of those things must have not have been right in order to call it a non-touchdown. It is important to remember that it was 4th and goal. Denver South had 3 other chances to score in which they were not successful. Also, had the coach gone for the field goal, the game would have been tied and would have gone into overtime. He took a gamble and it did not pay off. One play does not win or lose a game for you.
bergyjr
J.J. B
J.J.'s recent comments
Article Discussion: Monarch holds off Denver South, wins 4A
by squishercasey on December 9th, 2012, 9:45 am #2782020
4A Football Championship "Tainted"
Kudos to the Denver Post for accurately reporting that "a badly blown call" by the referees at the 4A High School Football Championship "tainted the outcome" of the game between Denver South High School and Monarch High School. The South Rebels were denied a third quarter touchdown that 9News reported was "incorrectly" called by the officials. During live coverage the Root Sports commentator declared "That's a touchdown for Denver South". But after the referees made the miscall the Root Sports commentator stated "What a travesty by the refs"...he went on to say the call could "cost a group of young men the opportunity to win a state title"... "a blatant miscall and unacceptable".
What a blow to the young men on the South High football team. Many of these players have had to overcome other forms of social injustice and oppression, so to deny them a fair chance at the state title is incomprehensible and calls into question the referees actions. At this point the South High players, staff and fans are left to ponder whether their championship dreams were dashed by the incompetence of the referees, or if those dreams were dashed by some other motivation? Either way, the Colorado High School Activities Association needs to take some action.
Despite the official final score of Monarch 17-South 14 one thing is for sure, the Root Sports film coverage provides evidence that on December 1, 2012 at Sports Authority Field the South High Rebels scored 20 points, and the Monarch High Coyotes scored 17.
Sally Casey, South High parent and Rebel with a cause!
squishercasey
Sally C
Sally's recent comments
by kcken25 on December 13th, 2012, 3:39 am #2786700
Sally, you realize if the refs had not blown the punt call with four minutes left in the game then Denver South probably never sees the ball again much less scoring their last touchdown. South only scored 14 points in that game, including the blown call. Monarch scored 17. The Boulder newspaper did the best job of reporting the game by listing all of the blown calls whereas the Denver Post only talked about South getting screwed over. South fans don't like to admit it or talk about it but unfortunately for them they lost the game. Monarch is the state champion.
blown "squishercasey"]4A Football Championship "Tainted"
Sally Casey, South High parent and Rebel with a cause![/quote]
Return to General Sports
Active Sports Forums
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0017.json.gz/line1950
|
__label__wiki
| 0.624813
| 0.624813
|
Issue 3.7 Open Theme
A Forgotten Medieval Powerhouse: Furness Abbey
by Administrator • July 5, 2012 • 0 Comments
Article by Michael Raymond. Edited by Ellie Veryard. Additional Research by Ellie Veryard.
Furness Abbey
Most people have probably never heard of the South Cumbrian region of Furness, it now being a quiet and forgotten corner of a county much better known for the Lake District. This was not always the case, for in the nineteenth century Furness was famous for its Iron production; the largest local town Barrow-in-Furness being home to the largest steel works in the world, during the 1870s. However, this was not the only time in which Furness was a rich and prosperous region. During the Middle Ages it was home to the second wealthiest monastery in Britain, only the more renowned Fountains Abbey surpassed it. The story, however of this largely forgotten Abbey is one of piracy, warfare, industry, political intrigue, and immense wealth. It is one that deserves to be told.
The Abbey was founded in the 1120s by Count Stephen of Boulogne and Mortain (later King Stephen of England), in the mystical and brilliantly named Vale of Deadly Nightshade. It belonged to the Cistercian order, and its mother house was the Abbey of Savigny, located on the borders of Normandy and Maine, in Northern France.
Between its foundation and its dissolution in 1537, the abbey acquired immense amounts of wealth and power. It was the first abbey to be established north of the Mersey and west of the Pennines and owned a staggering 55,000 acres of land (in comparison, the current alpine state of Lichtenstein comprises of roughly 39,000 acres). The abbey’s estates and influence covered vast areas of modern day Cumbria, Lancashire, Yorkshire, Ireland and the Isle of Mann, which the abbey held considerable power and influence over. Indeed, King Olaf of the Isle of Mann in 1134, allowed Furness Abbey to establish a sister house on the island, as well as the right to appoint the bishops of Mann. Later King Reginald of Mann was also buried at the abbey.
Dalton Castle
As well as agriculture, the abbey became involved in a wide variety of activities. They built bridges and dykes to make travel easier and to drain the land. They were by far the largest employers within the area and were involved in building ships and exporting wool and Iron. The Iron industry was particularly complex, involving many stages including smelting, mining and the creation of charcoal, which was carried out in the vast woods and forests to the north of the abbey. Attached to the establishment was a grammar and a song school, helping to supplant a degree of culture into the local area. The abbey also became the main administer of justice across south Cumbria, it owning a courthouse in Dalton in Furness, as well as Hawkshead (a village in between Coniston and Windermere, some 20 miles north of the abbey). In effect Furness Abbey was at the centre, certainly of the South Cumbrian community, if not a much wider area and the level of independence and power the abbey wielded was huge.
However, not everything the abbey dealt with was legitimate. As well as providing rest and charity for the poor and looking after the sick, Furness became a centre for piracy. At a time when the seas were the main highways, it was ideally located on the edge of Morecombe Bay and the Irish Sea, far away the king’s customs men. The abbey built a castle on Piel Island by fortifying a current building in 1327 to act as a fortified warehouse in order to protect provisions; however by the 14th century it had become renowned for piracy, the port of Calais having petitioned the king in 1347 about the abbey importing wool into Zealand without having paid duty.
The abbey also saw political turmoil in the early 14th century in the form of Scottish raids conducted by Robert the Bruce. The Scots raided in 1316 and again in what became known as the Great Raid of 1322. During this second raid the abbot was forced to pay £10,000, roughly equivalent to £1.5 million in today’s money, just for the Scottish king to stay the night and leave the monastery in peace, though much of the surrounding lands were plundered, including nearby Cartmel Priory. In another curious episode documented in the Coucher Book, three monks plotted and murdered the abbot in the hope that one of them would become abbot in his place, though the document then describes their flight following the crime. Furthermore in 1427, Lambert Simnel a boy whose supporters claimed him to be Earl of Warwick and rightful heir to the throne, invaded nearby Walney Island with some 2000 mercenaries, after a coronation ceremony in Dublin. He proceeded to invade Yorkshire, though gained little support and was defeated at the battle of Stoke Field near Newark. Clearly the abbey saw its fair share of violence in its time, despite its relatively remote positioning.
Piel Island and Castle
Despite the lack of information on the matter there can be little doubt that the abbey suffered greatly from the Black Death, accounts showing high death rates across ancient Lancashire. The abbey never truly recovered from the financial crash caused by the plague and was never to be as powerful again. The final blow was dealt on the 9th April 1537, when the monastery was formally dissolved after the command of Henry VIII. The Deed of Surrender was signed in the Chapter House with Rodger Pele the last abbot, 28 monks and 8 others including two knights and a priest, bearing witness.
This was the end to an extraordinary history of an abbey which during its roughly 410 year history had effectively ruled a part of the British Isles. Despite this, today the abbey is virtually unknown, it being tucked into a now remote part of the UK away from the tourist honey pot of the Lake District; however this arguably is now its greatest strength. Hidden away in its fantastically named valley, it sits only a few hundred yards away from the main road through the area, and only a mile away from Furness Hospital and the sprawl of modern day Barrow. The irony is that this once economic and political powerhouse, a centre of activity for the entire north-west, is now only a centre of tranquillity, give or take the occasional school trip or weekend rave.
In its time Furness Abbey controlled, though not always without dispute, the abbeys of Byland, Calder, Inch, Rushen and Swineshead. Alongside it’s administration of Dalton, the Castle at Dalton allowed the monks to protect the market town.
Furness Abbey is reputedly haunted by three main ghosts; the murdered monk, often seen climbing a staircase, a squire’s daughter and her lover and a headless monk. Popular myth also states that Piel Castle and Furness Abbey are linked by a hidden tunnel.
English Heritage currently own the Abbey ruins and are undertaking major conservation work to support them; the ruins appear to be sinking as timber in the foundations is giving way. Recent excavations at the site have uncovered a treasure hoard in the grave of one medieval abbot.
Tags: anglo-norman cumbria ellie veryard furness abbey Issue 3.7 Open Theme Michael Raymond normans
← Uncertainty Dawns: A Very Recent History of Greek Party Politics
The case of Captain William Kidd – a 300 year old miscarriage of justice? →
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0017.json.gz/line1951
|
__label__wiki
| 0.683138
| 0.683138
|
Supreme Court upholds Obamacare 5-4
Editor's note: We're live blogging from the Supreme Court today as the nation waits to see how the justices will rule on the health care law. You can follow along below as CNN Supreme Court Producer Bill Mears and Senior Legal Analyst Jeffrey Toobin get the latest details live from the court as well as analysis when the opinion is delivered. Watch live coverage and analysis on CNN TV, CNN’s mobile apps and http://cnn.com/live.
[Updated at 12:23 p.m. ET] President Obama touted the benefits of the law he championed as he reacted to the Supreme Court's ruling.
"By this August, nearly 13 million of you will receive a rebate from your insurance company because it spent too much on things like administration and CEO bonuses and not enough on your healthcare,” Obama said.
Other benefits include lower drug costs for seniors as well as denying insurers the option to deny coverage because of pre-existing conditions. It also provides free preventative care in certain cases and issues credits to those who can’t afford their health insurance premiums.
Each state will decide its “own menu of options” and they're welcome to come up with ways to cover more people and improve costs, Obama said.
The president said he respects concerns about the bill and he understands that people are worried that it was politically driven, but he said it should be clear by now he didn’t push for the act because it was “good politics."
“I did it because I believed it was good for the American people,” he said.
[twitter https://twitter.com/BarackObama/status/218378521335181312%5D
[Updated at 12:16 p.m. ET] President Barack Obama on Thursday called the Supreme Court's decision upholding his signature health care law "a victory for people all over this country whose lives will be more secure because of this law."
"They’ve reaffirmed a fundamental principle, that here in America, the wealthiest nation on Earth, no illness or accident should lead to any family’s financial ruin,” Obama said.
Happening now: The President is speaking on today's #SCOTUS ruling on #Obamacare. Don't miss it. wh.gov/live
The Democrats (@TheDemocrats) June 28, 2012
Opinion: Health care victory, but still a long way to go
[Updated at 12:12 p.m. ET] Rep. Michelle Bachmann, R-Minnesota, responded to the ruling by saying, "This is a turning point in American history. We will never be the same again with this denial of liberty interests. But also it is a black cloud pragmatically speaking on economic recovery. There will be no hope of economic recovery between now and the election. We have exhausted now our legal solutions to be able to rid the nation of Obamacare. Now, we have to look for a political solution."
[Updated at 11:57 a.m. ET] GOP presumptive presidential nominee Mitt Romney is speaking now regarding health care.
“I will act to repeal Obamacare” if elected president, GOP presidential hopeful Mitt Romney said. “Obamacare was bad law yesterday. It’s bad law today.”
He wet on to cite the economic impact of the healthcare law. It raises taxes and cuts Medicare by hundreds of millions of dollars, while adding trillions to the national debt. It “pushes those obligations onto coming generations.”
Romney said that in light of the Supreme Court decision, Americans must decide if they want more government and more deficits and if they want to lose their preferred insurance or if they want to “return to a time when the American people will have their own choice in healthcare.”
“This is a time of choice for the American people. Our mission is clear: If we want to get rid of Obamacare, we have to replace President Obama,” he said.
[Updated at 11:55 a.m. ET] Vicki Kennedy, the wife of late Sen. Edward Kennedy released the following statement regarding the health care ruling.
"I applaud the decision by the United States Supreme Court this morning, upholding the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act. We still have much work to do to implement the law, and I hope we can all come together now to complete that
work. The stakes are too high for us to do otherwise.
As my late husband Senator Edward Kennedy said: 'What we face is above all a moral issue; that at stake are not just the details of policy, but fundamental principles of social justice and the character of our country.'"
[Updated at 11:49 a.m. ET] The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops said it is for comprehensive healthcare reform, especially for the poor, but it opposes the Supreme Court decision for three reasons.
"First, ACA allows use of federal funds to pay for elective abortions and for plans that cover such abortions, contradicting longstanding federal policy. The risk we identified in this area has already materialized, particularly in the initial approval by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) of “high risk” insurance pools that would have covered abortion.
Second, the Act fails to include necessary language to provide essential conscience protection, both within and beyond the abortion context. We have provided extensive analyses of ACA’s defects with respect to both abortion and conscience. The lack of statutory conscience protections applicable to ACA’s new mandates has been illustrated in dramatic fashion by HHS’s “preventive services” mandate, which forces religious and other employers to cover sterilization and contraception, including abortifacient drugs.
Third, ACA fails to treat immigrant workers and their families fairly. ACA leaves them worse off by not allowing them to purchase health coverage in the new exchanges created under the law, even if they use their own money. This undermines the Act’s stated goal of promoting access to basic life-affirming health care for everyone, especially for those most in need."
[Updated at 11:37 a.m. ET] Lots of reaction from the political world on this decision, which was seen as an issue that could sway the upcoming election.
But just as much as this is a political issue, the real impact is on everyday Americans.
Here's a look at how some of those people reacted to the decision.
[Updated at 11:37 a.m. ET] Family Research Council President Tony Perkins made the following comments:
"Today's Supreme Court decision will do serious harm to American families. Not only is the individual mandate a profound attack on our liberties, but it is only one section among hundreds of provisions in the law that will force taxpayers to fund abortions, violate their conscience rights, and impose a massive tax and debt burden on American families.
"The Obama administration has created, for the first time in American history, new federal regulations that toss aside the constitutional right to religious freedom by forcing religious institutions and employers to pay for abortion-causing drugs, contraceptives and sterilizations.
[Updated at 11:30 a.m. ET] Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid gave his reaction to the ruling.
"No longer will American families be a car accident or heart attack away from bankruptcy," Reid said. "Unfortunately Republicans in Congress continue to target the rights and benefits guaranteed under this law. They’d like to give the power back to the insurance companies, the power of life and death back to the insurance companies. But our supreme court has spoken. The matter is settled."
[Updated at 11:24 a.m. ET] Al Sharpton, television host and president of the National Action Network, called the decision today a "breakthrough of sunshine in a long dark night of right-wing assaults on the American middle and working class."
"After being bombarded with divisiveness and extremism politics it is refreshing that the courts took a step towards not interfering with the health care of American people that is sadly in jeopardy as clearly addressed by the President's Health Care Act," he added.
[Updated at 11:22 a.m. ET] John Seffrin, CEO of the American Cancer Society, has released a statement which says in part:
"The ruling is a victory for people with cancer and their families nationwide, who for decades have been denied health coverage, charged far more than they can afford for lifesaving care and forced to spend their life savings on necessary treatment, simply because they have a pre-existing condition.
The decision ensures that critical patient protections benefiting cancer patients and survivors will be implemented, such as those prohibiting insurance companies from denying coverage to people with a pre-existing condition, requiring insurers to provide consumers with easy-to-understand summaries about their coverage and requiring health plans in the individual market to offer essential benefits needed to prevent and treat a serious condition such as cancer.
The ruling also preserves vital provisions that are already improving the ability of people with cancer and their families to access needed care by ensuring that proven preventive services such as mammograms and colonoscopies are offered at no cost to patients, eliminating arbitrary dollar limits on coverage that can suddenly terminate care and prohibiting insurance companies from unfairly revoking coverage when a person gets sick."
[Updated at 11:20 a.m. ET] This major decision from the Supreme Court has a huge impact on a lot of people, in addition to being historically significant. To help understand it, take a look at our interactive which breaks down the decision.
[Updated at 11:18 a.m. ET] Presumptive GOP Presidential nominee Mitt Romney will make a statement on the court's ruling at 11:45 a.m., according to his campaign.
[Updated at 11:16 a.m. ET] CNN Senior Legal Analyst Jeffrey Toobin shares his quick reactions and observations on the ruling:
Ginsburg: law survivs largely unscathed. Seems right to me.
Jeffrey Toobin (@JeffreyToobin) June 28, 2012
Roberts was red-eyed and unhappy as he read. #scotus
Big winner at #scotus today is don verrilli, solicitor general. Among losers is me, who was so critical of of his oral argument.
[Updated at 11:09 a.m. ET] President Barack Obama will deliver remarks in reaction to the ruling at 12:15 p.m. ET.
[Updated at 11:06 a.m. ET] Reaction now coming in at a fast rate, in both statements, and tweets from those on both sides of this issue.
Read the ruling (PDF)
Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell denounced the Supreme Court’s ruling, saying the Affordable Healthcare Act has limited choices and increased costs for American.
“Today’s decision makes one thing clear: Congress must act to repeal this misguided law. … Today’s decision does nothing to diminish the fact that Obamacare’s mandates, tax hikes, and Medicare cuts should be repealed and replaced with common sense reforms that lower costs and that the American people actually want.”
McConnell, who has spearheaded Senate GOP efforts to repeal the bill and has delivered more than 110 speeches from the floor concerning the bill, said he promises to make a vote to repeal the healthcare law the primary business of the 2013 session if a GOP majority is voted into the Senate.
Presently, the Senate is controlled by Democrats, while the House is controlled by Republicans.
The RNC has already released a new video and a website, seen below. And Republicans are planning for their next move
New RNC web video: The Final Verdict- youtu.be/nXZw6pF__3E #FullRepeal
RNC (@GOP) June 28, 2012
$8.2m in Anti Obamacare ads to air in 12 key states tmrw by Indep Conserv Group Americans for Prosperity. Biggest anti-health care ad buy.
Jessica Yellin (@YellinCNN) June 28, 2012
And senators on both sides are weighing in.
I'm pleased to see #SCOTUS put the rule of law ahead of partisanship and ruled that the Affordable Care Act is constitutional #ACA
Senator Harry Reid (@SenatorReid) June 28, 2012
[Updated at 10:59 a.m. ET] An Obama administration source says the White House really did not know what was going to happen.
They are a bit surprised Roberts ruled to uphold but not Kennedy. The only word for it is elation, this person emphasizes.
iReport: Did court make right decision?
[Updated at 10:58 a.m. ET] Jeremy Lazarus, president of the American Medical Association, released a statement:
The expanded health care coverage upheld by the Supreme Court will allow patients to see their doctors earlier rather than waiting for treatment until they are sicker and care is more expensive. The decision upholds funding for important research on the effectiveness of drugs and treatments and protects expanded coverage for prevention and wellness care, which has already benefited about 54 million Americans.
The health reform law upheld by the Supreme Court simplifies administrative burdens, including streamlining insurance claims, so physicians and their staff can spend more time with patients and less time on paperwork. It protects those in the Medicare ‘donut hole,’ including the 5.1 million Medicare patients who saved significantly on prescription drugs in 2010 and 2011. These important changes have been made while maintaining our American system with both private and public insurers.”
[Updated at 10:57 a.m. ET] Two key quotes here in the decision:
"The Federal Government does not have the power to order people to buy health insurance. Section 5000A would therefore be unconstitutional if read as a command. The Federal Government does have the power to impose a tax on those without health insurance. Section 5000A is therefore constitutional, because it can reasonably be read as a tax," Roberts said in his opinion
“The Framers created a Federal Government of limited powers, and assigned to this Court the duty of enforcing those limits. The Court does so today. But the Court does not express an opinion on the wisdom of the Affordable Care Act. Under the Constitution, that judgment is reserved to the people.”
[Updated at 10:54 a.m. ET] House Speaker John Boehner renewed calls to reverse the Obama administration's signature health care overhaul after Thursday's Supreme Court decision upholding the act, saying the decision "underscores the urgency of repealing this harmful law in its entirety."
[Updated at 10:52 a.m. ET] House minority leader Nancy Pelosi declared the court's ruling a "victory for the American people."
"With this ruling, Americans will benefit from critical patient protections, lower costs for the middle class, more coverage for families, and greater accountability for the insurance industry," she said.
Pelosi further said that the Affordable Healthcare Act will prevent children from being denied coverage for pre-existing conditions, lower drug costs for seniors and allow students and young adults to stay on their parents’ plan.
“In passing health reform, we made history for our nation and progress for the American people," Pelosi said. "We completed the unfinished business of our society and strengthened the character of our country. We ensured health care would be a right for all, not a privilege for the few."
[Updated at 10:50 a.m. ET] While the court found the Medicaid provision as it stands is unconstitutional, they said they think the government can make an easy fix to that problem, CNN Supreme Court Producer Bill Mears notes.
“Confident that Congress would not have intended anything different we conclude that the rest of the act need not fall in light of our constitutional holding," Roberts wrote in the majority opinion.
[Updated at 10:48 a.m. ET] National Nurses United issued a statement saying that the Supreme Court decision “should not be seen as the end of the efforts by health care activists for a permanent fix of our broken healthcare system.”
The group will “step up” its campaign to push for reform for “a universal program based on patient need, not on profits or ability to pay. That’s Medicare for all,” said NNU co-president Jean Ross. “It is not time to stop, but a reminder to begin that effort anew.”
“Nurses experience the crisis our patients continue to endure every day. That’s the reason we will continue to work for reform that is universal, that doesn’t bankrupt families or leave patients in the often cruel hands of merciless insurance companies,” said NNU Co-president Karen Higgins.
[Updated at 10:47 a.m. ET] “Today’s historic ruling by the nation’s highest court marks a significant milestone in our national efforts to improve the delivery and financing of health services in the U.S. and to promote health and wellness rather than disease treatment. The Supreme Court’s decision allows for long-overdue changes made possible by the law to move forward without question or further delay,” said American Public Health Association executive director Georges Benjamin.
[Updated at 10:44 a.m. ET] You can read the full court opinion here (PDF)
[Updated at 10:43 a.m. ET] Chief Justice John Roberts wrote about the individual mandate, citing the taxing clause:
“It is reasonable to construe what Congress has done as increasing taxes on those who have a certain amount of income, but choose to go without insurance. Such legislation is within Congress’ power to tax."
[Updated at 10:39 a.m. ET] Swift reaction coming from the Republican National Committee and GOP members:
Saying the high court had set “the stakes for the November election,” Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus said the only way to defeat what the RNC calls “Obamacare” is to elect a new president.
Priebus describes the Affordable Healthcare Act as a “budget-busting government takeover” and says up to 20 million Americans could lose their employer-funded coverage as a result of the act.
“A panel of unelected bureaucrats now has the unprecedented authority to come between elderly patients and their doctors. Meanwhile, the rules and regulations placed on job creators and small businesses make it nearly impossible to hire new workers at a time when Americans desperately need jobs,” Priebus wrote.
The fight for #FullRepeal begins NOW. The way to get rid of #Obamacare is to defeat Obama in November.
We need to protect Americans' access to care they need, from the doctor they choose, at a lower cost j.mp/LFJTni #fullrepeal
Speaker John Boehner (@SpeakerBoehner) June 28, 2012
[Updated at 10:38 a.m. ET] Physicians for a National Health Program responded critically to the Supreme Court’s decision, saying that the ruling did not amount to universal coverage, 26 million people will remain uninsured, it keeps in place high co-pays and gaps in coverage and it will not control costs.
“Why is this so? Because the ACA perpetuates a dominant role for the private insurance industry. Each year, that industry siphons off hundreds of billions of health care dollars for overhead, profit and the paperwork it demands from doctors and hospitals; it denies care in order to increase insurers’ bottom line; and it obstructs any serious effort to control costs,” the group’s statement said.
It said a “single-payer, improved-Medicare-for-all system” would remedy these problems, including the issue of cost. Ideally, the group said, such a system would pay “all medical bills, streamlines administration, and reins in costs for medications and other supplies through its bargaining clout.”
[Updated at 10:34 a.m. ET] Here are the big main points out of the ruling:
Court rules 5-4 to uphold individual mandate
Court says the requirement to have insurance is a tax, and is constitutional.
Court says on Medicaid that the federal government may not take Medicaid from states that refuse to take part. (That is a limited ruling, without striking it down. In the ruling the court offered the government a way to remedy this potential problem.)
Court vindicates, affirms Presidential and congressional power in an important issue like health care.
What this means to you
[Updated at 10:31 a.m. ET] A senior administration official tells CNN that President Barack Obama will speak within a couple of hours.
[Updated at 10:29 a.m. ET] House minority leader Nancy Pelosi has reacted to the ruling:
Victory for the American people! Millions of American families and children will have certainty of health care benefits + affordable care.
Nancy Pelosi (@NancyPelosi) June 28, 2012
[Updated at 10:28 a.m. ET] In its 5-4 decision to uphold the U.S. health care law, the Supreme Court answered several key questions:
Question: Can the court decide the constitutionality of health care now, or does it have to wait a few years?
To answer, the court had to decide whether a penalty the law imposes on people who do not have health insurance amounts to a tax.
A previously obscure law mandated that the legality of a tax cannot be challenged until it is imposed, and the health care law doesn't call for penalties until 2014.
The court's answer: The court upheld the entire law.
Question: Is the requirement that people have health insurance - the so-called individual mandate - constitutional?
The court's answer: Chief Justice John Roberts wrote that the commerce clause did not apply, but the mandate stands under the taxing clause.
Question: If the individual mandate is unconstitutional, can the rest of the law stand, or is the whole thing unconstitutional?
The court's answer: The mandate is constitutional, rendering moot further questions on the rest of the law.
Question: Can the federal government force states to expand their share of Medicaid costs and administration?
The court's answer: Yes, but the justices ruled that the federal government cannot remove existing Medicaid funding if the states choose not to participate in the new program.
[Updated at 10:26 a.m. ET] Because the individual mandate has been upheld, and is essentially the funding behind everything else, this can be seen in large part as a major victory for President Obama, CNN Supreme Court Producer Bill Mears said.
Chief Justice John Roberts was the swing vote in the decision, Kate Bolduan reports, joining Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Stephen Breyer, Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan.
[Updated at 10:22 a.m. ET] CNN's Kate Bolduan says that while the opinion upholds the healthcare plan, the opinion says the court “does not express any opinion on the wisdom of the Affordable Healthcare Act.”
That judgment is up to the people, according to the ruling.
The importance of the decision cannot be overstated: It will have an immediate and long-term impact on all Americans, both in how they get medicine and health care, and also in vast, yet-unknown areas of "commerce."
[Updated at 10:19 a.m. ET] Even though there's disagreement on the issue, the majority ruling is essentially saying it is up to the branches to work out the differences.
"When a court confronts an unconstitutional statue its endeavor must be to conserve, not destroy the legislation," Ginsburg wrote.
ROBERTS QUOTE: The court does not express any opinion on the wisdom of the (healthcare law)... that is reserved to the ppl. Via @katebolduan
Lisa Desjardins (@LisaDCNN) June 28, 2012
The decision is 110 pages, including the dissent, which was written together by Justices Scalia, Kennedy, Thomas and Alito.
A concurring opinion was written by Justice Ginsberg.
[Updated at 10:16 a.m. ET] Kate Bolduan reports that the Chief Justice John Roberts issued a long opinion in which he said the controversial individual mandate may be upheld and is within Congress’ power under the taxing clause rather than the commerce clause.
Important to say that (obviously) this is a complicated ruling and Roberts' did say indiv. mandate could not stand under Commerce Clause.
[Updated at 10:15 a.m. ET] The Supreme Court has upheld the entire health care law by a vote of 5 to 4, Supreme Court Producer Bill Mears said. That includes the medicare provision.
"[Updated at 10:06 a.m. ET] In a landmark decision that will impact the nation for decades, the Supreme Court on Thursday upheld a key provision of President Barack Obama's health care law, ruling that requiring people to have health insurance violates the Constitution.
Chief Justice John Roberts had noted that however that the mandate would have been struck down based on the commerce clause , saying it would "open a new and vast domain" for Congressional power.
[Updated at 10:00 a.m. ET] A federal law making it a crime to falsely claim military medals earned was struck down Thursday by the Supreme Court. The 6-3 ruling was a free speech victory but perhaps in name only - for a onetime California public official who publicly lied about winning the prestigious Medal of Honor.
Opinion 1 is out. Court rules in favor of man who lied about receiving the medal of honor. Court says lies protected by 1st amendment.
At issue is the constitutional value of false statements of fact, and whether Congress went too far when passing the Stolen Valor Act in 2006.
The Supreme Court ruling effectively has thrown out the Stolen Valor act, a federal law that would make it a crime to lie about receiving certain military honors.
Some justices expressed concerns during February arguments that the act could "chill" other types of speech, while others said they felt the law was narrowly tailored and preserved the integrity of military honors.
[Updated at 9:58 a.m. ET] CNN’s Brian Todd described a lively atmosphere outside the Supreme Court as critics and advocates of government health care – including Tea Party Patriots and the group, Protect Our Care – attempt to “outdo each other with chants.”
Some of the more colorful characters include belly dancers and a man dressed as a American Revolution-era patriot.
The friction over the healthcare issue is on display as the crowd of hundreds makes their sentiments known, Todd said.
[Updated at 9:55 a.m. ET] The five minute warning has gone off in the courtroom and the press room. That's a signal that the public session will begin in five minutes. Soon after that we'll get our first ruling.
WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN: At 10 am, first will likely be two other rulings. Then healthcare verdict. Then @JeffreyToobin says something smart.
[Updated at 9:54 a.m. ET] In addition to this live blog we'll be having full coverage on air, on CNN.com and on our mobile apps. As soon as the ruling comes down our experts will be breaking down what this means on air and in opinion pieces. And we'll likely also hear from many groups weighing in on the issue.
.@wolfblitzer @rolandsmartin & Gloria Borger on the #CNN DC cap set during heath care ruling coverage instagr.am/p/Ma3hAxJ6lT/
The Situation Room (@CNNSitRoom) June 28, 2012
[Updated at 9:47 a.m. ET] CNN Supreme Court Producer Bill Mears notes it has gotten eerily quiet inside the Supreme Court press room. Many, if not most, of the reporters have gone into the actual courtroom to hear the decision.
We're now only minutes away from knowing the fate of the health care law in the US. Watch @CNN now.
Wolf Blitzer (@wolfblitzer) June 28, 2012
There are a lot more reporters than normal at the court today, Mears notes, given the likely historic nature of this decision.
Every 4 years, #scotus is weighed as presidential campaign issue. Usually fades. Will #2012 be different? #cnnelections
John King (@JohnKingCNN) June 28, 2012
[Updated at 9:46 a.m. ET] Nobody will get a heads up on the decision, as is always the case. President Obama, his administration and Congress will all likely be watching TV just like everyone else to get the final word from the Supreme Court.
[Updated at 9:40 a.m. ET] We don't yet precisely when President Obama may react to the court decision. It could be a while after the decision because it could take a while for officials to review the decision if it's convoluted.
[Updated at 9:35 a.m. ET] Most of the reporters who want to hear the opinion being read from the bench have left to go into the courtroom. The general public is also being seated at this time.
Before court begins the public and reporters will be given orders for how everyone should handle themselves when the rulings come down. CNN Supreme Court Producer Bill Mears said it is often solemn and many people are paying intense attention to the justices.
Mears notes that there are lots of security measures in place to make sure no electronics are in the building and to try and look for any signs the general public may want to get in the court. Neither of those are allowed.
[Updated at 9:35 a.m. ET] The court will also post the written opinions on their website within five minutes of when they announce it from the bench.
[Updated at 9:31 a.m. ET] At this point, the opinions have been printed out, likely last night by the government printing office. They were brought over, likely this morning, to the clerk's office and kept under lock and key.
At some point copies will be transported to the public information office, where they will remain until about 10 a.m. ET.
At this point the clerks and justices know ruling. The rest of us are just waiting.
CNN Supreme Court Producer Bill Mears notes that early votes were probably taken after oral arguments, but justices can change their mind, and nothing is set in stone until the full opinions are done and eventually read out.
Many people are worried that there will be a majority opinion, but many different reasonings behind the opinion. A majority is nice, Mears said, but you hope the court will speak with one voice regarding what the Constitution has to say about the issue. It will be helpful for Congress, should they have to make any changes based on the ruling.
It may take some time to figure out exactly what the court is saying and where it is going.
[Updated at 9:29 a.m. ET] Despite the fact that we're awaiting a historic decision at the Supreme Court, the process here at the court is business as usual, Mears said.
Reporters will wait to receive the box containing the Supreme Court opinions. Reporters will line up and grab a copy for themselves and start to break it down.
We may be able to tell you right away whether the individual mandate itself was upheld or not, but there are a lot of questions the justices are looking at here. So it may take a bit of time before we get a full, clear idea of the court's entire ruling. We're waiting to see whether they will handle each issue one-by-one or now.
Speaking of that, here's a quick primer on the main questions the court will be examining:
– Does the law overstep federal authority, particularly with the "individual mandate" that requires nearly everyone to obtain health insurance or pay a penalty?
– Must the entire Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act be scrapped if that key provision is unconstitutional?
– Are the lawsuits brought by the states and other petitioners barred under the Anti-Injunction Act and must they wait until the law goes into effect?
– Are states being "coerced" by the federal government to expand their share of Medicaid costs and administration, with the risk of losing that funding if they refuse?
[Updated at 9:14 a.m. ET] In many ways the frenzy at the courtroom here has a similar feeling to Bush v. Gore, CNN Supreme Court Producer Bill Mears said. But it is even more heightened because for that case the court didn't say when they were going to issue the opinion and it ended up coming down at night.
With health care, we know the ruling is coming down today and you can feel the drama in the air.
Protesters, demonstrators and onlookers have taking that as an opportunity to come and view a part of history. There seems to be a greater intensity and electricity around the court since we know we will get this ruling in about an hour, Mears said.
[Updated at 9:13 a.m. ET] Things will get going in the court at about 10 a.m. Here's how things will begin: The marshal of the court, Pamela Talkin will gavel the court to order, the audience will rise, the justices will enter from a big, red draped curtain.
The Supreme Court justices stand in front of their seats and the marshal will recite an introduction: "Oyez! Oyez! Oyez! All persons having business before the Honorable, the Supreme Court of the United States, are admonished to draw near and give their attention, for the Court is now sitting. God save the United States and this Honorable Court."
The gavel will bang and everyone will sit and Chief Justice John Roberts will take over.
We expect health care will be the third and last opinion to be released, but we can't be sure of the order.
The Chief Justice will introduce the justice reading the majority decision. That justice will read part of the opinion from the bench. The dissenting judges also have the chance to do the same. When all opinions are done, the court will recess for the summer.
[Updated at 9:00 a.m. ET] We're about an hour from the big ruling and CNN's Supreme Court Producer Bill Mears notes it is a crazed atmosphere in the press room at the Supreme Court this morning.
There's about three dozen live cameras outside and a dozen more other cameras around the building, Mears said. And there are about at least 100 people in line to hear the oral arguments but only 50 to 75 seats available. Not everybody who wants to witness history will get a chance today.
[Posted at 7:00 a.m. ET] The Supreme Court will rule on Thursday on the constitutionality of the health care law and could issue as many as four separate opinions on it.
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA or ACA) was signed into law March 23, 2010, passed by a Democratic congressional majority and championed by President Barack Obama. It has about 2,700 pages and contains 450 some provisions.
There are four key issues the court is considering when examining the sweeping health care reform law championed by Obama:
POLITICAL FALLOUT | TOP 4 ISSUES | 5 SCENARIOS | TIMELINE
WHAT'S AT STAKE FOR SMALL BUSINESSES | HEALTH CARE BASICS
The high court begins releasing decisions at 10 a.m. ET, and we'll be live blogging throughout the morning bringing you updates from CNN Supreme Court Producer Bill Mears and CNN Senior Legal Analyst Jeffrey Toobin, among others, to break down the rulings and providing analysis and reaction.
Post by: CNN news blog editor Mallory Simon, CNN Supreme Court Producer Bill Mears
Filed under: Barack Obama • Health Care • Health care reform • Politics • Supreme Court
nedwod
Sad day for the capitalism and the freedom of choice.
June 28, 2012 at 10:34 am | Report abuse |
Like you have a choice when you get sick. I guess you do. Today if you don't have health care and get cancer you die; that is your choice. Some choice. Is that what you call freedom?
individual mandate upheld based on congresses ability to tax? So does this simply become socialized medicine now? The thin viel is becoming thinner.
What is wrong with socialized medicine? It pays for itself, provides better care than most of us get right now and costs the taxpayer nothing.
It has workedd for over 100 years without a hiccup in Europe (not the UK the UK is not part of Europe) and is the most solvent program of European economics even today with their economic issues.
a little research would make you look like less of a mullit.
Here is a clue..if a tea party traitor says it... it is more tnen likely untrue.
FahQtoo
Whats that noise? 4 more years! 4 more years! Its getting louder!!!! 4 MORE YEARS...4 MORE YEARS! OBAMA 2012!
lies and hate from the right
Tax payers already pay to much for the non and under insured now at least your countrymen will get something from it.
This was too big to get wrong. Congratulation to Roberts for putting his country ahead of his party. Big victory for the American people!!
Disgraceful – the Supreme Court is nothing more than a political body, not a court of law.
True Reader
This is it. America has ended. The liberals have finally destroyed the last good thing in this country. Close the doors, burn the flags, we give up.
Yes, its a great day!! History will show that this was the right decision! 4 MORE YEARS!
Yes, he can probably destroy the nation completely in 4 more years. But don't worry, your check will still be coming – as long as the few of us who still pay taxes continue to do so.
Justice Roberts is an unusual man. I have never seen anyone who could completwely detach from thier own personal opinion and actually apply the law with neutrality.
SugarKube
Repeal Obama, and repeal ObamaKare.
The justice's are cowards.....if they didn't have jobs for life, then they would have ruled differently...most likely against it. Peeps...don't get too excited about the headline....they said its upheld, but only under the taxing authority....not the commerce clause as originally positioned. President Obama....step up to the plate and answer how that is right....how you can call upon higher taxes for the rich, and now enforce the same "tax" on everyone no matter what they make and without a choice. Explain that with integrity, and on that day you'll get my vote this November.
Except now, everyone gets healthcare. Not just the rich.
Darryl P.
The President is EXACTLY right on the Health Care. PERIOD!!!
Contra Archy
Victory!!!!
Rationalintn
How long till Mitt Romney takes credit for the healthcare law, in 3,2,1......
TexDoc
No he can now run on it's repeal! A majority of American's are against the mandate.
Now we can all be bankrupt like the European social democrats!!
effelbee
How silly a comment. The insurance companies are still in the profit picture here.
Death panels for the win!
This actually hurts Obama's re-election. It mobilizes the opposition. If Obamacare was removed by the court, then many could say we didnt' need Romney to remove the mandate. Romney can now stick to his pledge to repeal and revise, then repass a healthier version of ACA.
« Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117 118 119 120 121 Next »
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0017.json.gz/line1952
|
__label__wiki
| 0.686683
| 0.686683
|
Image: Stuart Miles/Freerange
Machine learning moves popular data elements into a bucket of their own
Counting search queries isn’t easy, but MIT CSAIL’s new LearnedSketch system for “frequency-estimation” aims to help.
Adam Conner-Simons | MIT CSAIL
Adam Conner-Simons
Email: aconner@csail.mit.edu
If you look under the hood of the internet, you’ll find lots of gears churning along that make it all possible.
For example, take a company like AT&T. They have to intimately understand what internet data are going where so that they can better accommodate different levels of usage. But it isn’t practical to precisely monitor every packet of data, because companies simply don’t have unlimited amounts of storage space. (Researchers actually call this the “Britney Spears problem,” named for search engines’ long-running efforts to tally trending topics.)
Because of this, tech companies use special algorithms to roughly estimate the amount of traffic heading to different IP addresses. Traditional frequency-estimation algorithms involve “hashing,” or randomly splitting items into different buckets. But this approach discounts the fact that there are patterns that can be uncovered in high volumes of data, like why one IP address tends to generate more internet traffic than another.
Researchers from MIT’s Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL) have devised a new way to find such patterns using machine learning.
Their system uses a neural network to automatically predict if a specific element will appear frequently in a data stream. If it does, it’s placed in a separate bucket of so-called “heavy hitters” to focus on; if it doesn’t, it’s handled via hashing.
“It’s like a triage situation in an emergency room, where we prioritize the biggest problems before getting to the smaller ones,” says MIT Professor Piotr Indyk, co-author of a new paper about the system that will be presented in May at the International Conference on Learning Representations in New Orleans, Louisiana. “By learning the properties of heavy hitters as they come in, we can do frequency-estimation much more efficiently and with much less error.”
In tests, Indyk’s team showed that their learning-based approach had upwards of 57 percent fewer errors for estimating the amount of internet traffic in a network, and upwards of 71 percent fewer errors for estimating the number of queries for a given search term.
The team calls their system “LearnedSketch,” because they view it as a method of “sketching” the data in a data stream more efficiently. To their knowledge, it’s the world’s first machine learning-based approach for not just frequency-estimation itself, but for a broader class of so-called “streaming” algorithms that are used in everything from security systems to natural language processing.
LearnedSketch could help tech companies more effectively crunch all kinds of meaningful data, from trending topics on Twitter to spikes in web traffic that might suggest future distributed denial-of-service attacks. E-commerce companies could use it to improve product recommendations: If LearnedSketch found that customers tend to do more comparative shopping for household electronics than for toys, it could automatically devote more resources to ensuring the accuracy of its frequency counts for electronics.
“We’re all familiar with consumer-facing applications of machine learning like natural language processing and speech translation,” says Sergei Vassilvitskii, a computer scientist who studies algorithmic machine learning and was not involved in the project. “This line of work, on the other hand, is an exciting example of how to use machine learning to improve the core computing system itself.”
What’s also surprising about LearnedSketch is that, as it learns how to count items, the structure it learns can be generalized even to unseen items. For example, to predict which internet connections have the most traffic, the model learns to cluster different connections by the prefix of their destination IP. This is because places that generate large traffic, like big companies and universities, tend to share a particular prefix.
“We combine the model with classical algorithms so that our algorithm inherits worst-case guarantees from the classical algorithms naturally,” says PhD student Chen-Yu Hsu, co-author of the new paper. “These kinds of results show that machine learning is very much an approach that could be used alongside the classic algorithmic paradigms like ‘divide and conquer’ and dynamic programming.”
Indyk and Hsu co-wrote the paper with PhD student Ali Vakilian and MIT Professor Dina Katabi.
Topics: Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL), Research, Algorithms, Machine learning, Artifical intelligence, Electrical engineering and computer science (EECS), Data, Computer science and technology, School of Engineering
Paper: “Learning-based Frequency Estimation Algorithms”
LearnedSketch
Chen-Yu Hsu
Piotr Indyk
Ali Vakilian
Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory
Computer learns to recognize sounds by watching video
Teaching machines to predict the future
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0017.json.gz/line1953
|
__label__wiki
| 0.918224
| 0.918224
|
New wave of safety gadgets buoys women on the move
by Lee Mannion | @leemannion | Thomson Reuters Foundation
A woman walks in silhouette across a rain soaked 7th avenue in New York February 24, 2016. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton
It is estimated that one in three women experience physical or sexual violence during their lifetime
By Lee Mannion
LONDON, Sept 6 (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - Friends had warned Yasmine Mustafa about the dangers of touring South America solo. She came home with a notepad full of scary traveller tales and the seeds of a safety invention.
Meet "Athena" - a one-press button that summons help when danger looms, part of a growing market in portable, panic-attack devices tailored for an increasingly dangerous world.
Many are aimed at women at a time when 'pussy grabbing' has made headlines from the Oval Office to the casting coach, and after the #MeToo campaign heightened worldwide awareness of sexual harassment and assault.
Mustafa said her customers included dog walkers, nurses, taxi drivers and online daters. "The people that wear it all the time are the people that have been attacked or assaulted," she told the Thomson Reuters Foundation.
Mustafa said the assault stories she had heard from fellow travellers in South America, followed by the rape of a neighbour, were the twin catalysts that pushed her into action.
In 2014, she founded a social enterprise, Roar for Good, and launched her wearable gadget Athena three years later, allowing users to alert chosen contacts if they ever felt threatened.
"Tens of thousands" of Athenas, which clips onto clothes, have been sold, according to Mustafa, with each one costing $80.
The polarised climate - hate crime is on the rise, political rhetoric is shrill and women endure a torrent of abuse from internet trolls - is horribly good for business.
"We got a lot of outreach from women who wear hijabs, women who experienced more street harassment as a result of all the rhetoric that is being shared here in the United States," Mustafa said by telephone from her company base in Philadelphia.
"The emails that we received even mention they've experienced more harassment than usual as a result of our current president."
Roar for Good is a social enterprise - a business that seeks to do good as well as make money - and some proceeds go to charities that run education programmes on violence and abuse.
SECURITY BLANKET
It is estimated that one in three women experience physical or sexual violence during their lifetime and a poll by the Thomson Reuters Foundation found the United States to be the tenth most dangerous country for women.
Several tech innovations aimed at keeping women safe have come to market in recent years, some invented by women with personal experience of assault. Aside from the sleek buttons - which come in fashionably matt colours - women can also buy keyrings, wrist bands and jewellery that house safety devices.
Sales of such products are set to grow by 13 percent in the next five years, according to analysts Market Research Future.
Wristband SAFER PRO, which sends alerts while recording audio, won this year's $1 million Women's Safety XPRIZE, a global competition for technologies to help protect women and girls from violence.
But a U.S. women's group which works to prevent sexual assault has expressed reservations about the effectiveness of such gadgets, which do not address a wider cultural problem.
Like Athena, attachable safety device Revolar can alert contacts to a user's location so they can send help.
Revolar was founded by Jacqueline Ros, whose sister was assaulted twice, and Andrea Perdomo, whose grandmother was kidnapped by guerrillas in Colombia.
While Mustafa reports that less than 1 percent of users have pressed the button to ask for help, Revolar reports 6,400 red alerts were triggered on the 30,000 devices they sold in 2017.
"We have addressed hundreds of emergencies, but the real key is that on thousands of occasions, every single day, we have help(ed) people connect with those people who are important in their lives," said a company spokeswoman in emailed comments.
Mustafa said her product made women feel more confident.
"It's just like using pepper sprays or tasers. You never know if they are going to be useful, it depends on that moment. We focus much more on preventing something happening," she said.
Kristen Houser of the National Sexual Violence Resource Center, which works to prevent sex assault, said devices were of limited use as they were used when danger was already underway.
"These gadgets don't have any impact on whether or not people in our culture feel they have permission or ability to scare others, whether that's following them, cat calls, inappropriate comments or literally an attack on their person."
More than two thirds of women have been followed, according to a global survey of nearly 17,000 women by Cornell University, and most women experience street harassment before turning 17.
Houser said her organisation has noted heightened insecurity among women since the U.S. presidential election was won by Donald Trump, who had been caught boasting about groping women.
"Whenever you have a prominent person expressing sentiments that let you feel unsafe or like violations of your personal boundaries aren't a big deal, that can make anybody worry - are other people going to follow suit?"
(Reporting by Lee Mannion @leemannion, editing by Lyndsay Griffiths (Please credit the Thomson Reuters Foundation, the charitable arm of Thomson Reuters, that covers humanitarian news, women's rights, trafficking, property rights, climate change and resilience. Visit http://news.trust.org)
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0017.json.gz/line1954
|
__label__wiki
| 0.544894
| 0.544894
|
Bright Lights – #alternateuniversealbum
In #alternateuniversealbum, Features, HOME, MUSIC by Sam Prance April 18, 2014
#alternateuniversealbum is a feature in which we get people to tell us which album they’d choose if they had to leave earth today and go to a brand new universe empty of our music. Would they choose something to comfort themselves or would they choose something to help whatever may live or come to live in this new universe?
Bright Lights – Ellie Goulding
I cannot lie, it did not take me long to decide which artist I would like to write about when I was originally asked to write this piece. Choosing one specific album however, had its difficulties.
Ellie Goulding is an artist who is important to me for a number of personal reasons, with her music marking an important transitioning period in my life. Therefore, the album choice of ‘Bright Lights’ is chosen for purely selfish reasons (and in the hope that this “new universe” will enjoy listening and jogging to it as much as I do).
March 2010 marked the release of ‘Lights’ – Ellie’s debut album, as well as the care-free-spiritedness of my 19 year-old self. I seem to have listened to that album endlessly throughout the summer of 2010, continuing into autumn and winter with the re-released album ‘Bright Lights’ in November, which included six new additional tracks.
Although many may put her under the same branch of artists such as: Little Boots, Imogen Heap, Björk, La Roux and Lykke Li, I have always felt that Ellie Goulding had been able to offer something different, mixing her folk-like sound with cycling synths and programmed beats.
It was quoted that: “Ellie’s approach to writing and recording is, she admits, borderline obsessive – but then, anything less, she says, would be a waste of time” and I think that is a very good outlook for anything that you love and are passionate about. If you want something, get it.
Although the album as a whole makes for an exceptional mix of creative genius, there are three songs in particular that I love and appreciate for three different reasons.
Obviously, the first being her UK number one hit single “Starry Eyed” – when listening to it first, I completely hated it. I thought that it was far too try hard and “poppy” – however, after listening to the Jakwob remix, the song started to grow on me and so did my Ellie Goulding appreciation/obsession.
“…fall head first like paper-planes and playground games…”
The second is “Under the Sheets” which, to me, had a much darker more club-like sound. I felt that her lyrics came from a much deeper place and because of that she was able to deliver them with more conviction, and dare I say…angst? The opening starts with Ellie beating on her drum, giving a really pure yet aggressive sound, at the same time setting the tone for the song as a whole.
“Our house made of paper, your words all over me”
“I’ll Hold My Breath” was the song which really set the vibe for that summer, taking influences from the two songs mentioned above. It had elements of the classic folk-pop vibe, yet at the same time, it didn’t lose any romantic emotion or conviction. Honestly, I think that it is just beautifully written and creates some fantastic imagery of a youthful and naive yet sweet relationship.
“We’ll watch the buildings turn to dust, a sky of diamonds just for us”
Overall, the album speaks to me personally and will forever be an important part to remembering past memories – which, if you are all alone in a new Universe – you might just want to have.
“You can’t change the world with a song, and you can’t make it right when it’s wrong”
James McLaren
James McLaren studies Marketing and Event Management at Queen Margaret University. He has an unhealthy obsession for black and white – often in the form of Starbucks coffee or Guinness. He is also a dedicated viewer of the show “Lindsay” and can also be seen singing in the street to Miley Cyrus, but never Twerking. Keeping it classy since 1991.
If you’re interested in getting involved with PTL – drop us an email on prancingthroughlife@live.com.
(Image sourced from: www.amazon.com)
I read this article and found it very interesting, thought it might be something for you. The article is called Bright Lights – #alternateuniversealbum and is located at http://prancingthroughlife.com/2014/04/18/bright-lights-alternateuniversealbum/.
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0017.json.gz/line1959
|
__label__wiki
| 0.553697
| 0.553697
|
Hayley Jensen & Stephen Durley | Beer Barrio
Five Minutes with Hayley Jensen, Beer Sommelier, and Chef Stephen Durley, owners of Beer Barrio:
Stephen and Hayley mesh their wheelhouses at the restaurant, with Hayley managing more than 30 beer offerings on tap and Stephen in the kitchen creating a Mexi-Southern fusion for diners.
Stephen: One year is a big deal – nine out of ten restaurants fail in the first year. We opened in June of last year. We’re at 15 months. That’s a big milestone, getting through that first year. We came down here from NYC. We did a nationwide searc h, and narrowed it down to all the criteria we were searching for.
Hayley: I did most of the initial searching. We decided we wanted to stay on the coast – the East Coast specifically – and looked from the Norfolk, Virginia, area, all the way down to Savannah. We wanted to have some seasons, so we didn’t go as far south as Florida. We did a road trip then, and it was a clear winner when we got to Wilmington. We love the weather here. There’s a year-round community, but still an influx of tourists. There’s so much development here right now, the beer scene especially is so up-and-coming, and we wanted to be part of that.
Stephen’s a beer lover. And I’m a foodie. It overlaps very well.
Stephen: We’re home brewers as well. We’ve been doing home brewing since 2010. That’s a real collaboration of both of our brains. She writes the recipes and then I figure out how to brew it. We worked together at DBGB [Kitchen and Bar in NYC] – Daniel Boulud’s American sausage-and-beer bistro.
Hayley: We worked there about a year-and-a-half together. Then we worked apart for about a year, and then we collaborated again at TapRoom 307. He was the chef and I was the general manager and beer sommelier. I was there for four years; he was there for three. We really prefer working together. We do a lot of long hours, so it really helps when we can see each other all day.
Stephen: We call this Southern-Mexican fusion. We had never done it before.
Hayley: We like to do some Southern favorites. Like our amazing catfish hush puppies, and our take on a po’ boy. And we have buffalo wings on there, even though it’s not technically Southern, it’s a American favorite.
Stephen: We wanted to keep it fun. We wanted to have Mexican food be the base and then at the same time bring in a lot of Southern influence. Like the tacos: pulled pork tacos. When I was developing the recipes, I tried Memphis-style barbeque sauce, and South Carolina and Western Carolina sauce… and then the classic vinegar sauce. Hands-down, the vinegar sauce was the best on our taco. And it’s so perfect for here, too, because this is where it is from.
Hayley: When we were coming up with the concept, for a restaurant launch in the downtown community, there weren’t any Mexican restaurants. None had opened yet. So we wanted to unique, we didn’t want to be the next burger and fries kind of place. There are a lot of those, and while we can do that well, we didn’t want to infringe on really successful restaurants that are already here.
We wanted to be part of the community. We didn’t want to come in as a competitor. I mean, we are selling food at the end of the day, so we are competing, but we wanted to do something a bit different, and not step on anybody’s toes. We wanted to get to know the community and be a part of it and be very supportive of the whole downtown restaurant scene.
When we were visiting Wilmington, there was a free evening we had, and I said, let’s go out for margaritas and gauc, and talk about the three concepts we had in mind, and there wasn’t a place to get margaritas and gauc. So I said, well, that’s it. The decision was made – and that was our leading concept anyway. Then when there really wasn’t anywhere to get a frozen margarita and guacamole downtown, I was like that does it!
Stephen: We didn’t have any specific Mexican food experience, so that’s why when we were developing the menu concept we decided to have a bit of fun. Beer Barrio is not traditional…
Hayley: Yes, there’s a lot of unique twists.
Stephen: It’s about trying to create classic Mexican dishes, but coming up with our own take.
Hayley: We have 30 beers on draft. We invested a lot into our beer system. I know there are a lot of great beer restaurants in town, but none of them have as many drafts as we do, and I wanted to feature that – my background is running beer bars. So I really wanted to feature an extensive draft selection. That’s really at the forefront of what we’re doing. And Stephen cooks with all the beer as well.
Stephen: I bring as much craft beer into the kitchen and cook with it as I can, which I think is one of the newest trends in craft beer bars and restaurants. We work really well together. There is no one I trust more than Hayley. We both play to each others strengths.
Hayley: There’s a lot of trust in our dynamic, the way we work together. If I’m like, why are we doing it that way, why did we try this, if he tells me yes or no, I trust that.
Feature photo courtesy of Beer Barrio, www.beerbarrionc.com
Experience Beer Barrio:
34 N Front St, Wilmington, NC
info@beerbarrionc.com
www.beerbarrionc.com
Ryan Khan, Owner/Chef | Hungry Sparrow
in "caribbean, Castle Street, hungry sparrow, interview, interviews, restaurant, restaurants, west indian"
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0017.json.gz/line1962
|
__label__wiki
| 0.658676
| 0.658676
|
UA’s size buries ASU as Cats dominate in 99-61 hoops win
– February 18, 2016Posted in: Basketball (Men), College Sports
There’s an old axiom in basketball that says “You can’t teach height.” In other words, if you don’t have size on your roster, there’s not much that can be done until recruiting cures the shortcoming.
In the meantime, teams like the Arizona Wildcats are taking advantage of the situation.
And that’s just what happened last night as Pac-12 rival Arizona State struggled to deal with Arizona’s size and found it too much to handle. The Cats, behind the work of their two 7-footers, dominated in the paint and combined that with 57 percent shooting to literally run ASU off the court in front of a home crowd of 14,644 at McKale Center in Tucson.
The Wildcats were up as much as 41 points in the final minutes before closing out the 99-61 win.
Arizona’s 7-foot senior center, Kaleb Tarczewski, pulled down 10 rebounds in the first half – one more than he had in the entire previous game against USC. And the Cats nearly doubled ASU’s total output on the boards, finishing the game with a 50-26 advantage.
You could see this one coming from early on, as Arizona collected 24 points in the paint to six for the Sun Devils in the first half. By game’s end, the margin was an astounding 52-14.
Arizona started out cold from the perimeter, missing its first five shots from behind the arc. That allowed ASU to work its way back from an early deficit to take its first lead of the game at 20-19 with 7:39 to go in the first half. At that point, things still looked hopeful, even though ASU was clearly over-matched by the No. 12-ranked Wildcats.
But Arizona shrugged off the ASU threat and went on a 19-4 run. By the time intermission arrived, the Cats had a 14-point lead.
They stretched the lead to 26 when the scoreboard read 28-54 and 15 minutes still to play. From there, they coasted to one of the most lopsided wins in the long history of the Territorial Cup basketball rivalry.
Part of the reason the margin was so large was ASU’s inability to mount much of an offense. The Devils shot 32.3 percent from the field and 66.7 percent from the free-throw line.
Arizona had five players in double figures, led by 7-foot sophomore Dusan Rustic, who netted 16 points before fouling out with 1:40 left to play. Four ASU players climbed into double digits, with juniors Andre Spight and Obinna Oleka leading the way with 15 apiece.
UA head coach Sean Miller also had praise after the game for his sophomore guard, Parker Jackson-Cartwright, who had seven assists and zero turnovers, and played a solid defensive game. “He’s playing the best basketball of his career,” said the 47-year-old coach who’s in his seventh year guiding the program.
The Wildcats got off to a shaky start in conference play, losing two of their first three games. But they have played through more than their share of injuries to key players, have won their last six games, and appear to be peaking at just the right time as the post-season is fast approaching.
The win keeps Arizona a half-game ahead of No. 16 Oregon at the top of the Pac-12 standings.
“We stayed with it,” explained Miller, “and right now I hope we can continue to build and grow and play our best basketball down the stretch…I know the last three games have been a good starting point for that to happen.”
And for a sure sign they’re on the right track, how about a 38-point victory over your fiercest rival?
Tags: Andre Spight, Arizona State University, Dusan Ristic, Kaleb Tarczewski, mens basketball, Obinna Oleka, rivalry, Territorial Cup, University of Arizona
|
cc/2019-30/en_head_0017.json.gz/line1965
|
Subsets and Splits
No community queries yet
The top public SQL queries from the community will appear here once available.