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__label__wiki	0.863908	0.863908	Man Who Ran Over Charlottesville Protester Blames Jewish Grandfather, Asks for Mercy in Sentencing James Alex Fields at the Charlottesville rally in August 2017. (Screenshot from YouTube) The white supremacist who rammed his car into a group of counter-protesters at a far-right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, killing 32-year-old Heather Heyer, has asked a judge for mercy. Attorneys for James Alex Fields Jr., 22, blamed his behavior in part on the “trauma” he suffered by growing up knowing that his Jewish grandfather had murdered his grandmother before committing suicide, The Associated Press reported. Fields’ attorneys made the claim in a sentencing memo submitted to the United States District Court in Richmond, Virginia on Friday. Fields is scheduled to be sentenced on June 28 after pleading guilty in March to 29 federal hate crime charges and admitting that he intentionally drove his speeding car into a crowd of anti-racism protesters at the rally on Aug. 12, 2017, killing Heyer and injuring dozens. Under the plea deal, prosecutors agreed not to seek the death penalty against Fields. He could face life in prison under federal sentencing guidelines. In addition to the trauma caused by Fields’ Jewish grandfather, his attorneys noted his history of mental illness and difficult upbringing by a paraplegic single mother. Prosecutors in their sentencing memo noted years of documented racist and anti-Semitic behavior by Fields, which they said included keeping a picture of Adolf Hitler on his bedside table. They also report that he has shown no remorse for his actions and that a life sentence would deter others from similar actions. A jury in Fields’ state trial in December 2018 found him guilty of first-degree murder and nine lesser counts. The jury in the state conviction recommended life in prison plus 419 years. Sentencing on the state charges is scheduled for next month.	cc/2019-30/en_head_0020.json.gz/line825
__label__wiki	0.858973	0.858973	Twilight of the Anti-Semites By Benjamin Silver Nietzsche’s Jewish Problem: Between Anti-Semitism and Anti-Judaism by Robert C. Holub Princeton University Press, 296 pp., $35 “Whoever believed he had understood something of me,” Nietzsche writes in Ecce Homo, “had made me . . . after his own image—not infrequently the antithesis of me.” He went on to say that to misinterpret his books was to commit a “sin” against them. The chapter in question is audaciously titled “Why I Write Such Good Books,” but shining through the conceit is Nietzsche’s awareness that his cryptic and often contradictory writings could lead interpreters in wildly divergent directions. Indeed, he had no way of knowing just how variegated his interpreters would be: Everyone from fascists to liberal democrats, nationalists to cosmopolitans, peaceniks to warmongers would use Nietzsche’s works in support of their causes. But on one topic in particular—Jews and Judaism—Nietzsche has been particularly puzzling. This is, after all, a man who praises the Jews in The Antichrist as “a people gifted with the very strongest vitality” while decrying the “evil-smelling mess of Jewish rabbinism and superstition” only a few pages later. The Nazi intelligentsia almost unanimously understood statements in the latter vein to express an authentic anti-Semitism, and they believed that other Nietzschean ideas—authenticity, striving, value creation, and so forth—laid the philosophical foundation for fascism. If Heidegger was to be the living philosopher of the Third Reich, then Nietzsche would be his forbear, the man who had rooted the regime in the twin ideals of fascism and “racial hygiene.” And yet, to others, Nietzsche was viewed very much the other way around. Although it would be an overstatement to call them Nietzscheans, many of Zionism’s earliest thinkers were deeply influenced by him. Herzl, who was said by his cousin to have “absorbed [Nietzsche’s] style,” got ahold of every Nietzsche volume available. A young Martin Buber set out to translate Thus Spoke Zarathustra into Polish. And Micha Yosef Berdichevsky, who envisioned a Zionism born out of Jewish exceptionalism and empowerment, drew on Nietzsche’s praises of early Judaism’s supposed attachments to life and action; he even made a pilgrimage in 1898 to the fledgling Nietzsche-Archiv in Weimar, where the by-then-insane philosopher was still living with his sister, Elisabeth Förster-Nietzsche. And after the war, the German-American Jewish scholar Walter Kaufmann—who was almost solely responsible for making Nietzsche accessible to English speakers—made a lifelong project out of showing that Nietzsche was, in fact, a philo-Semite. That Nietzsche’s reception has been so sharply divided between anti-Semitic and philo-Semitic readings—and that both positions can be supported in his scattered remarks about Jews—is the problem that motivates Robert C. Holub’s new book, Nietzsche’s Jewish Problem. For Holub, both sets of interpreters are mistaken because they read their own positions into Nietzsche’s work, rather than understanding the philosopher on—and in—his own terms. Walter Kaufmann, Henning Ottmann, R. J. Hollingdale, Weaver Santaniello, and others have argued that most of the anti-Semitism in Nietzsche’s works should be attributed not to Friedrich, but to Elisabeth, who was influenced by her anti-Semitic husband, Bernhard Förster, and their mentor Richard Wagner. If this consensus view were true, or even largely true, there wouldn’t be much of a problem in the first place. But in his very first chapter Holub acquits Elisabeth of these charges. Not only did she not doctor her brother’s work in any substantial way, she didn’t even hate Jews. Drawing upon her biography of her brother as well as her private correspondence, Holub argues that Elisabeth Förster-Nietzsche adopted anti-Semitic views only in deference to her husband. But after Bernhard died, which was before she began caring for her unstable brother and publishing his work, she “disavowed her former convictions” and became “free from overt, biologically based notions of racism.” The case might not be quite as clear as Holub makes out (he admits that she tampered with Nietzsche’s correspondence at least once, striking a paragraph in which he had blamed anti-Semites for his failure with the critics), but Holub makes a strong argument which is bound to surprise those familiar with the standard account of Nietzsche and his sister. If Elisabeth did not tamper with her brother’s papers, then Holub has grounds to demand that we take Nietzsche’s public writings both for and against the Jews as authentic. But where did previous scholars go wrong, and where can we learn from their mistakes? Almost all previous scholarship on this matter, according to Holub, either ignored or overlooked the language that Nietzsche used, and the specific “historical and personal circumstances” in which he used it. Therefore, Holub spends the better part of his book tracing Nietzsche’s attitudes toward Jews from his youth up until the loss of his sanity in 1889. In doing so, Holub turns to Nietzsche’s private papers, his marginalia, and, especially, his correspondence. Cosima and Richard Wagner, Vienna, 1872. (Photo by Fritz Luckhardt.) Nietzsche grew up in Röcken and Naumburg, small Saxon towns with few if any Jewish residents. While it’s true, Holub says, that the “absence of personal contact with Jews often goes hand in hand with irrational fears and prejudice,” the Jewish Question that roiled Germany’s cities was of apparently little relevance to these rural communities. It is not surprising, then, that the papers and correspondence from Nietzsche’s first 20 years contain only a single (though quite vile) mention of a Jew, a fictional one named Itzig, who is thrown out of a “raven-black cantor house,” in a poem Nietzsche wrote when he was 17 or 18. It was when he entered university, first at Bonn and later at Leipzig, that Nietzsche first encountered both anti-Semitism among his peers and professors, and living, breathing Jews at the Leipzig Fair. The attitudes of his friends and teachers rubbed off, and the Fair Jews repulsed him. He also came under the influence of the works of Arthur Schopenhauer—who reviled Jews despite arguing for their emancipation and assimilation. In short, it is not surprising that he began to disparage Jews in his correspondence, but the anti-Jewish comments from this time consist more, as Holub writes, in “thoughtless decoration” of his prose than in deep antipathy. The important point, however, is that Holub has shown that Nietzsche was influenced by his anti-Semitic milieu from the outset of his adult intellectual life. This last point turns out to be of more than passing interest, because it shows that Nietzsche had been introduced to anti-Jewish prejudice before he ever encountered Richard Wagner, whom he met in 1868, when he was 24. Nietzsche’s famously close friendship with Wagner and his wife, Cosima, is, for Holub, significant because it transformed the casual anti-Jewish attitude of his university years into full-fledged anti-Semitism, complete with suspicions that Jews had too much power and an inborn “sense for money,” both of which they used against non-Jews. At the peak of Wagner’s public influence, in 1870, Nietzsche delivered a lecture on “Socrates and Tragedy” in which he insisted that the “Jewish press” would have deleterious effects on German art in the same way that Socratism had destroyed authentic Greek tragedy. Nietzsche seems to have believed that connecting his academic work on philology and aesthetics to Wagnerian anti-Semitism would impress his new friends. But, to the contrary, the Wagners thought that Nietzsche had taken a step too far. While agreeing with the main point he was making, Cosima wrote to Nietzsche that his lecture was “much too new to be understood by the audience” and that it could jeopardize the Wagners’ entire “program.” He dutifully removed the anti-Semitic spur in the published edition of the lecture. In 1876, Nietzsche broke with Wagner and his circle, though, according to Holub, it “had nothing to do with Wagner’s attitude toward Jews.” Rather, Nietzsche was nursing an interest in French thought and culture, to which Wagner took Germanic umbrage, while Wagner was experimenting with Christian motifs in his forthcoming opera Parsifal, which Nietzsche found contemptible and would go on to ridicule in his Genealogy of Morals. Nonetheless, the result was that Nietzsche stopped viewing the subjugation of the Jews (which he had endorsed as a part of Wagner’s project of German cultural renewal) as part of his politico-philosophic project. He no longer thought that a return to “natural values”—values founded on strength and vitality—required Jews to be excluded from the community. Leading German anti-Semites of the late 1800s. Otto Glagau is at center. Around him, clockwise from lower left: Adolf König, Bernhard Förster, Max Liebermann von Sonnenberg, Theodor Fritsch, Paul Förster, and Otto Böckel. (Courtesy of Klassik Stiftung Weimar, Goethe-und Schiller-Archiv.) Drawing almost exclusively on Nietzsche’s private papers, Holub goes on to show that Nietzsche still believed Jews to possess certain stereotypical traits, like the “sense for money.” In contrast to his Wagnerian days, though, Nietzsche refused to join the burgeoning movement of political anti-Semitism of the 1880s. Instead, having become popular with Jewish students in Vienna, and having developed a close friendship with an assimilated German Jew, Paul Rée, Nietzsche began to view intermarriage as the solution to the Jewish Question. “The Germans should breed a ruling caste,” he wrote in a note from 1885, and since Jews “possess inherent abilities that are essential ingredients for a race conducting world politics,” it seemed better for Jews and Germans to be united by blood rather than divided by politics. It is from comments like these, together with detailed accounts of Nietzsche’s brushes with three notable political anti-Semites (his publisher Ernst Schmeitzner, his brother-in-law Bernhard Förster, and the publisher Theodor Fritsch), that Holub comes to his final assessment of Nietzsche’s view of the Jews and Judaism. Nietzsche, Holub concludes, was not an anti-Semite in the late-19th-century sense of the term. After briefly flirting with that ideology during his Wagner years, Nietzsche “recoil[ed] from the crude excesses” of such political anti-Semitism, finding it vulgar and, probably, unphilosophical. But Nietzsche, Holub is quick to qualify, was no friend to the Jews, either. Even his seemingly positive remarks “often amount[ed] to a validation of existing stereotypes.” Moreover, Nietzsche held views that “we would categorize today as biased and perhaps even racist.” Contextualizing Nietzsche turns out to mean that he was not an anti-Semite then, but that he would be now. Near the end of Nietzsche’s Jewish Problem, as we draw biographically closer to the philosopher’s period of insanity at the end of his life, the book is taken over by the sense that the examination thus far has been insufficiently philosophical. Its final chapter, in contrast to every preceding chapter, is devoted to examining Nietzsche’s published works rather than his private letters, in particular the Genealogy of Morals and The Antichrist. Nietzsche’s basic philosophical project—encapsulated by the title Der Antichrist, which could be translated as “The Anti-Christian” just as well as “The Antichrist”—is to purge the world of Christian values and return to one in which “natural” values guide human life. “Christian[ity],” he writes, “is all hatred of the intellect, of pride, of courage, of freedom, of intellectual libertinage; Christian[ity] is all hatred of the senses, of joy in the senses, of joy in general.” To understand (and defeat) Christianity, though, one must understand the “soil from which it sprung”: Judaism. Biblical Judaism, according to Nietzsche, slowly developed “slavish” values and, in so doing, eventually launched a Christian revolution. The significance of Nietzsche’s schema here must not be overlooked. At first blush, Nietzsche’s view would seem to put him just as much at odds with Jews as he is with Christians. For him, Christianity is the “one great curse” visited upon humanity, and it was visited upon humanity by the Jews. Friedrich Nietzsche with his sister, Elisabeth Förster-Nietzsche, 1899. (Photograph by Hans Olde, courtesy of Klassik Stiftung Weimar, Goethe-und Schiller-Archiv, Nietzsche-Ikonographie.) But if Jews are ultimately responsible for Christianity, why does Nietzsche say things such as “The Jews are the most remarkable people in the history of the world” since they chose national survival “at any price”? How can the Jews simultaneously “attempt to denaturize all natural values” via the birth of Christianity while also maintaining the “natural attitude” of affirming communal life? Such remarks—and the fact that the Jewish religion persevered for two millennia after the establishment of Christianity, no small feat even in the eyes of Nietzsche—show that Nietzsche’s seemingly simple genealogy of morality is, in truth, not simple at all. Moreover, Nietzsche’s sense of the historical relationship between ancient Jews and modern Jews is less than clear. Are the modern Jews responsible for the curse of Christianity, too? And, if so, how are we to understand Christian anti-Semitism? Nietzsche leaves such questions unanswered, but does not leave his readers guessing as to whether he harbors any disdain for modern Jewry: “One would as little choose ‘early Christians’ for companions as Polish Jews . . . Neither has a pleasant smell.” There is a great deal to be sorted out here, but Holub makes little effort to do so. Rather than venturing to understand Nietzsche’s conceptual history of religion, how the Jews fit into it, and how it all squares with his private attitudes, Holub shows only that Nietzsche relied upon an ultimately false and prejudiced theory that the Jews and other Semitic tribes originated with a slavish underclass (the “Chandalas”) in ancient India. In pointing this out, and in going no further in trying to understand Nietzsche’s work from a genuinely philosophical point of view, Holub risks trivializing Nietzsche. There is no doubt that the philosopher’s private prejudices taint his image, but do they help to explain, or undermine, his arguments, and, if the latter, how interesting can he have been as a thinker? Academics and amateur enthusiasts alike have always wondered what a writer really thought, as opposed to what was put out for public consumption, and sometimes such curiosity bears fruits. The sober investigation of unpublished documents, an endeavor Holub conducts with enthusiasm, is surely a great service to the historical literature, and Nietzsche’s Jewish Problem will likely become the definitive work on its subject. But in seeking to unmask Nietzsche, Holub pushes his published works—the core of his philosophy—out of view. On the one hand, Nietzsche’s philosophy is itself of interest, and his project of “revaluating all values,” by tearing down the “slave morality” of Christendom, is necessarily connected to Judaism. But for those concerned with that issue, Holub’s study is of little help. It’s very hard to see how Nietzsche’s refusal to remain within the Wagnerian fold, in combination with his employment of certain anti-Jewish stereotypes, helps us make sense of his philosophical-historical understanding of the Jews as “gain[ing] satisfaction from [their] enemies and conquerors only through a radical revaluation of their values . . . an act of the most deliberate revenge.” And, on the other hand, Holub’s study does not help us much in understanding how Nietzsche was received in the 20th century. Anti- and philo-Semitic scholars alike were not provoked by the private correspondence that Holub dutifully wades through. Indeed, they hardly had access to it. Rather, 20th-century readers of Nietzsche found his philosophical work to be compelling. We cannot determine why Nietzsche’s interpreters have disagreed so sharply until we understand how Jews and Judaism fit into his philosophical project. Holub’s real question turns out to have been whether Nietzsche was, as Nazi intellectuals insisted, one of their own. Though he equivocates a bit—of course we can never really know whether or not Nietzsche would have been persuaded, as Heidegger was, to join the Nazi Party—he shows that there is sufficient evidence to read Nietzsche as “violently antagonistic” to the early political anti-Semitism that gave rise to Nazism. This is a significant conclusion—one that should perhaps help Jewish readers of Nietzsche rest a little easier. And yet, it should be remembered that the temptation to peek behind the veil of Nietzsche’s published work comes with a danger: It is easy to lose sight of why he remains worth reading. Benjamin Silver Benjamin Silver is a graduate student in the Committee on Social Thought at The University of Chicago. Previously, he was an assistant editor of National Affairs. sbeinfeld I'm surprised that the review doesn't mention Nietzsche's notorious "final" remark on the subject, in a letter to his friend, the theologian Franz Overbeck and his wife, dated January 4, 1889: "...just now I am having all the anti-Semites shot". True, Nietzsche was writing all sorts of strange letters at the time, but the phrase does shed light on his feelings in his later years. (I'm assuming that Holub does mention the letter in his book.) Promised Land or Homeland? The university presses of Cambridge and Oxford have released two new works of Jewish political theory that blend theoretical defenses of Zionism with robust critique of what Chaim Gans calls the “Zionist mainstream.” Anne Trubek In his new book about an Upper West Side Jewish family, Joshua Henkin proves himself as a skillful writer, alternately witty and moving. Strange Journey: A Response to Shmuel Trigano Ethan B. Katz, Maud S. Mandel Two historians challenge Shmuel Trigano’s analysis of anti-Semitic violence in France. A Certain Late Discovery Samuel Moyn Was Jacques Derrida a Jewish thinker?	cc/2019-30/en_head_0020.json.gz/line826
__label__cc	0.505891	0.494109	Concerts/ News László Fenyő born in 1975, has belonged to the world elite of cellists since he won the International Pablo Casals Contest of 2004 in Kronberg, Germany. He is hailed as one of today’s most exciting artists by his audience and critics. Possessing the unique capability of presenting the intentions of the composer, he captures and fascinates his audience. Through his breathtaking technical skills and emotive expressiveness, his concerts become special experiences, where the music can be newly explored with each concert. In the last few years László Fenyő has performed on the most renowned stages throughout the world, including the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, Wigmore Hall in London or the Gasteig in Munich. He has been soloist with orchestras such as the Singapore Symphony Orchestra, the Korean Symphony Orchestra, the Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra (hr- Sinfonie Orchester), the Beethoven Orchester Bonn, the Staatskapelle Weimar, the Philharmonia Hungarica, the Orquestra Metropolitana de Lisboa, the Lancaster Symphony Orchestra, the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra, the Christchurch Philharmonic Orchestra, the Bogota Philharmonic Orchestra, the Sofia Philharmonic Orchestra and the Sinfonietta Cracovia. He has performed many times with conductor Krzysztof Penderecki. In Hungary, his home country, László Fenyő has long been one of the most sought after soloists; his performances – solo recitals, chamber music events and concerts with orchestras, are broadcast live and recorded by the Hungarian Radio. He has played with most Hungarian orchestras and conductors. In addition, in 2005 he received the highly coveted Franz Liszt Prize awarded by the Hungarian Ministry of Culture, as well as the Junior Prima Prize in 2008. László Fenyő began his musical education in Hungary. Already at the age of 13 he became a junior student with Professor László Mező at the Franz Liszt Academy of Music in Budapest. Later, while continuing his studies in Lübeck with Professor David Geringas, his brilliant technique, secure sense of style, and his unusually broad repertoire, brought him several prizes at important competitions. Among them, the International Music Contest in Geneva, the Rostropovich Contest in Paris, the Adam Cello Contest in Christchurch, and the Contest of the Hungarian Radio in Budapest. After completing his studies, he decisively extended his musical horizons under the tutelage of Bernard Greenhouse. László Fenyő gives master courses all over the world, until 2011 he was a lecturer at the Academy of Music and Fine Arts in Frankfurt and since 2012 he teaches as a professor at the Musikhochschule Karlsruhe. László Fenyő has been principal cellist of the Philharmonia Hungarica 1997-2001 and of the Frankfurt Radio Symphony 2001-2012. László Fenyő plays a cello made by Matteo Goffriller from 1695. © Copyright László Fenyö, 2018. All rights reserved. - Impressum - Datenschutz	cc/2019-30/en_head_0020.json.gz/line831
__label__wiki	0.738865	0.738865	The Future of Apple Products & Services: 10 Predictions on Mac’s 30th Anniversary 30 years ago today, the first ever Macintosh computer was launched. In celebration of this anniversary, Apple posted a tribute to the computer on its website, and created the video which we also feature below – an overview of the past 30 years the company has spent innovating. To celebrate and emulate this ethos of innovation and future-forward thinking, today we bring you 10 predictions on the future of Apple products and services. Check out the video below, to see what the future really means for Apple. The video is also accompanied by the following message: Happy Birthday, Mac. In 1984, Apple introduced the world to Macintosh. It was designed to be so easy to use that people could actually use it. And it came with a promise — that the power of technology taken from a few and put in the hands of everyone, could change the world. That promise has been kept. Today, we create, connect, share, and share, and learn in ways that were unimaginable 30 years ago. Imagine what we can accomplish in the next 30 years. There’s also a visual timeline of the Macintosh computer’s history, from the first ever 1984 Mac to the most recent Mac Pro. Now, if you’re still running an older machine, you have a hands-on perspective of what that evolution means, even if your older computer might have slowed down by now and requires an occasional Mac clean up to restore its speed. The timeline is fascinating nonetheless, as each entry is accompanied by a famous figure and their story about how the Macintosh helped them innovate and revolutionize a particular field. Each computer has its own photo gallery, fact sheet, and information about the most popular uses for that particular device. Check out the Thirty Years of Mac tribute, then join us as we take a look at the future of Apple products and services. 1. iTunes Radio world domination iTunes was launched in 2003, at a time when no one thought there was any market for singles. At the same time, though the music industry was trying to combat illegal downloads, it pretty much seemed the battle against piracy was lost from the outset. And yet somehow, ten years later, iTunes celebrated its 25 billionth download. The iTunes catalogue includes more than 35 million songs and the platform itself has an estimated 435 million users. Every single minute, over 15,000 songs are downloaded and listening to all the music online would take over 140,000 years(!). So now that iTunes is over a decade old, what is in store for the future of Apple, radio-wise? More subtle changes for the way in which people consume music, that’s for sure. The CEO of HMV has explained that the iTunes revolution can be likened to the way in which the gramophone came along a century ago and changed the way in which people listened to music. We predict that iTunes will continue to take the challenges of the digital music market heads on, by going head to head with its direct rival, music streaming service Spotify. In fact, Apple has already taken a first step in that direction, by launching iTunes Radio in 2013. The service is seamlessly integrated into iOS7 and iTunes Desktop for Mac and Windows. Through this move, Apple has managed to break the ice and expose consumers who’d never bothered with music streaming services before to the wonders of such a platform. This, in turn, has prompted Spotify to dive into the mobile music streaming market: it launched mobile access, but only to premium subscription paying users. Meanwhile, iTunes Radio is free on iOS powered devices, but also on Android. The service is great, but, sadly it’s only available in the United States. So, our prediction is that, in order to really gain an edge on Spotify… iTunes Radio will be the first online music streaming service to become available throughout the world. 2. Apple’s design innovation prerogatives If you follow Apple and its products, you can’t have remained oblivious to the heavily publicized Apple v Samsung patent infringement lawsuit. The trial ended on November 21, 2013, with a ruling in Apple’s favor. The courts decided that Samsung had heavily copied Apple interface design elements, including the famous “swipe and motion” screen gesture, the icon-based dashboard for each individual app, and even the “pinch and zoom” gesture, which may have originated from Apple, but is now used so widely across mobile device interfaces that it’s almost preposterous to think anyone would claim it as its own. Yet Apple did – and they won. In November, Apple won $290 million more in damages for patent infringement, bringing the total amount awarded to the company to a grand total of some $930 million. In 2012, a court of law ruled that Samsung had infringed five patents that belonged to Apple and defined the design and functionality of the iPhone. Apple, of course, says the results have nothing to do with money, but with their love of innovation and respect for hard work… Now, this official statement from Apple, in the wake of the trial against Samsung, seems to ignore the painfully obvious track record that the company has in suing others for ‘stealing’ their designs. They had filed a similar case in 1988 against Microsoft, accusing them of ‘stealing’ the concept of using windows in the interface of their own OS and even of copying the idea of using a mouse! Steve Jobs’ own words on the matter were as harsh as they get: “Bill [Gates] is basically unimaginative and has never invented anything, which is why I think he’s more comfortable now in philanthropy than technology. He just shamelessly ripped off other people’s ideas.” Only, that time, Apple lost. But now that they won, what’s in store for the future of bringing innovation to user experience design and the engineering of the human interface? The experts predict the future isn’t quite that rosy. After all, cases of companies copying other companies’ design abound throughout history, and include sonorous names such as Henry Ford. Yet until recently, the issue of “I thought of it first!” wasn’t as heavily regulated as it is now. Naturally, this decision doesn’t mean that companies will stop innovating in terms of user interfaces. They will go on designing and patenting, but each new design idea is likely to be accompanied by a courtroom war over who came up with each tiny innovative idea first. It’s going to become very difficult to put together a set of pre-existing resources, without having to pass an audit from royalty censors. In a nutshell, our prediction is that… Apple will push to protect every tiny element of innovative design it brings out on the market, thereby stifling innovation in interface design. 3. The future of Apple wearable technology In October 2013, news that the CEO of Burberry, Angela Ahrendt, was leaving the major fashion retailer in favor of a position with Apple, hit the business world like a sack of bricks. It was the second big hire from the world of fashion Apple was taking up in a matter of months, after Paul Deneve, the former YSL CEO (now a vice-president of “special projects” at Apple). It was a move that determined Burberry’s shares to drop by 6 per cent. And it was, at the same time, a logical follow-up in the career of the woman who’d introduced Apple’s iPads to Burberry stores, turning the hi-tech devices into must-have fashion accessories for the upwardly mobile professional woman. Ahrendt has got a longstanding track record attesting to her passion for bringing technology to the fashion world: under her rule, Burberry started to broadcast catwalk shows live. She turned the British brand into a world-famous luxury brand, increased the company’s market value from GBP2.1 billion to GBP7.03 billion and made GBP16.9 million herself, in 2012 alone. This year, she is to become Apple’s senior vice-president for retail and online. Ahrendt and the former CEO at Yves Saint Laurent aren’t even the only poached pros that Apple has ‘stolen’ from major fashion brands. Enrique Atienza, Levi’s former senior VP has become Apple’s retail manager for the company’s US brand. Ben Shaffer, a former design director at Nike, also joined the tech giant’s team in September 2013. Add to this mix Tim Cook’s statement made in May, regarding the development of wearable technology. The Apple CEO called the field “ripe for exploration” at the time, but added that, in order to determine the consumer to wear technology, said technology “has to be incredible”. Of course, that road is in the process of being paved – on the one hand by Google’s recently launched Glass, and on the other by the abundant rumors regarding the upcoming launch of Apple’s on iWatch (more on that below). Ahrendt’s move indicates that… Apple might soon be bringing us more hi-tech fashion than we’ve ever thought it possible – how about an iMackintosh coat? 4. The iWatch Rumors regarding Apple’s upcoming curved glass watch have been running in the rumor mill for over a year now. In fact, they were serious enough last spring that even reputed news source Bloomberg reported the device might be launched as early as 2013. Obviously, that rumor failed to materialize, but it’s pretty obvious by now that the project is real and that it’s soon going to hit the market. One of the project’s most important backers is Apple’s head design guy, Jony Ive, who is reportedly overseeing the launch of the iWatch himself, together with a team of over 100 engineers. The iWatch project slowly replaced rumors of Apple’s focus on a television-focused device and captured the attention of investors, who are still awaiting a product concept that will improve Apple’s stock standing. The company’s stocks, though far from worthless these days, never fully recovered after Steve Jobs’ demise. Here’s what we know about the iWatch thus far: – It’s going to run an entirely upgraded proprietary touch iOS, designed especially for the iWatch, rather than one redesigned starting from the iPod nano similar OS. At the time this news hit the media outlets, it came as some surprise, since many thought the nano’s watch-sized interface would be a great starting point; – Battery life is a challenge for the engineers involved in the project. Their goal is to make the device last for 4 to 5 days between charges. As of March 2013, it could only go for a couple of days; – The launch of the iWatch will also entail some fiddling with the iPhone’s iOS, which has to be adapted and fine-tuned for supporting it. While the above is all well and good, questions regarding the product’s salability. And who else would be better suited to speculate on this than the famed ‘Apple Oracle’ himself, Gene Munster, from Piper Jaffray. The investment company polled 799 U.S. consumers on the iWatch – according to the results, 4 per cent of the respondents who own an iPhone would be early adopters of the device. Given this predicted 2-4 per cent penetration rate and the fact that there are some 293 million iPhone owners in the United States, Munster says some 5 to 10 million iWatches could be sold in the product’s first year on the market. In Munster’s own words, “While we do not view the watch as a likely needle-mover for Apple in terms of revenue in 2014, we put it in a similar category as the television in that it could demonstrate Apple’s ability to innovate (good for the multiple) and potentially lead to a more meaningful new product category in wearable tech.” As far as pricing goes, 12 per cent of the people polled said they would purchase an iPhone-connected iWatch priced at $350, while the remaining 88 per cent said the price is too steep for them. This, of course, might be an issue in and of itself. It doesn’t automatically mean that all those who said they’d buy the product actually will. And, at the same time, U.S. consumers are better off financially than most of those in the rest of the world – not to mention the fact that Apple products tend to be much, much more affordable in the U.S. and Asia than they are in Europe. So, our prediction… Will the iWatch be a hit or a miss? It remains to be seen, but Apple’s curved glass, iPhone-connected wrist watch is definitely happening. 5. iPhone to take over Chinese market Apple’s investors have had their (arguably worried) eyes on the future ever since Steve Jobs passed away. This year, according to most predictions and analyses, perhaps the biggest move the company is going to make is the launch of the iPhone on the exotic, complex, and potentially ripe for profit market in China. Apple announced it would sell its smartphone on the Chinese market via China Mobile, a company that holds the prestigious title of the world’s largest provider of wireless internet services. The launch took place on January 17 and brought the iPhone 5S and 5C to the over 760 million China Mobile clients. For starters, it’s important to bear in mind that, throughout much of the western world, it’s all largely about Apple versus Samsung, when it comes to competition among smartphone producers. In China, however, the situation is completely different, with some pundits estimating that the local smartphone market has reached its saturation point. The market has, indeed, seen remarkable growth in the past: 82 per cent of all the mobile phones sold in China in the 3rd quarter of last year were smartphones and expected penetration rates for 2014 stand at 90 per cent. However, the market is also changing in a major way, as consumers no longer take pricing to be the number one reason for which they choose one brand over another. They’re looking for value and brand reputation, thereby officially signaling the Chinese market has graduated from the status of ‘emerging market’ to the next level. Will Apple be able to handle the fierce competition there? It remains to be seen. For the time being, estimates say that 20 million iPhones are going to be sold in China in 2014. Apple 2013 holiday revenue reports are due for February of 2014 and Piper Jaffray’s Gene Munster believes this will mark an important stage of developments for investors. Munster is almost certain that 3 million additional iPhones are going to be sold in the first quarter of 2014, via China Mobile. He also predicts that the expansion into China is going to be the investors’ main point of focus – and rightfully so. Prior to the launch of the iPhone in China, 1.5 million units of the iPhone 5S and 5C had been shipped into the Asian country. Expectations are high and they’re positive: Munster expects March 2014 sales figures to exceed Wall Street predictions by 2 per cent, while other analysts are even more optimistic. Some say Apple will manage to sell 17 million iPhones on the Chinese market during the 2014 calendar year; others, namely Morgan Stanley poll respondents estimate 12 million iPhones sold by Apple in China in 2014. So, all in all, The iPhone’s launch in China is expected to significantly boost company stock values in 2014, possibly beyond Wall Street expectations. 6. Apple Phablet Apple has been vacillating on the issue of bringing a phablet to the market for some time now. In case you don’t really know what a phablet is, it’s a device that doubles as both a smartphone and a tablet: it’s mobile, has plenty of screen real estate for the user to enjoy, and has the computing prowess of a tablet. As of the time this article was written, opinions on the viability of such a mobile device were divided, to say the least. Some don’t see the profitability of such a move, while others are sure Apple is going to soon dip its toes in this pool. On the pro-phablet side of the debate, many are citing a recent Wall Street Journal report, which says the upcoming version of the iPhone is going to tout a screen 5 inches wide, from corner to corner. Going on that alone, it’s safe to say a phablet is in the works for the future of Apple… but, is it, really? The future of Apple phablet cannot be predicted with 100% accuracy and it largely depends on who you asks. In the Western world, there doesn’t seem to be much interest in this category of devices and the 2013 phablet market only stood at 20 million units sold. Weighed against the impressive 50 million iPhones sold over the last quarter of 2013 alone, the figures look paltry. However, not the same can be said about markets in the East: in South Korea, for instance, 41 per cent of all Android-operated smartphones and tablets qualify as phablets, with diagonals that span between 5 and 7 inches. In arguing in favor of an Apple phablet, some cite the argument that it makes more sense to look at screen size, rather than at the differences in functionality between smartphones and tablets. On the one hand, the boundary in terms of computing power between the two categories appears to become more and more effaced in time. On the other, though, it’s still important whether a mobile device is small-ish, or runs on the larger side. The smaller a device, the easier it is for the user to travel accompanied by it. case in point: the undeniable popularity of Apple’s iPad Mini, with a 7.9 inch diagonal, as well as of the Google Nexus 7 (7 inch diagonal). These devices fit neatly into a carry-on, a coat pocket, and, in some cases, even a back pocket. And Samsung has even launched a device that, although qualifies as a full-on tablet, also provides users voice call functionality. Also take into account the above point of Apple’s expansion into Asian markets that still have a lot of potential for growth. China is but one such market. South Korea and Singapore are two others. Given the phablets’ popularity in such areas, we predict that— Should a large iPhone 6 prove popular in key markets, Apple could decide to drop the iPad Mini in favor of a phablet-like phone. 7. iPhone 6 features and specs … and all the talk of phablets above brings us, of course, to perhaps the most eagerly anticipated item on our list: plausible rumors concerning the upcoming iPhone 6. As of the time this article was written, reports from Asia had pushed the launch date of the smartphone back to the second half of 2014, in keeping with the tradition confirmed by the iPhone 5S. This contradicts previous rumors, which said we could be seeing the iPhone 6 hit the market as early as May. However, Apple is said to start development on key components for the device only in the year’s second quarter. Such components include finger print sensors and other goodies, which we feature below. With upcoming Apple iPhones it’s always next to impossible to discern genuine fact from much-touted rumors. However, the following four features of the iPhone 6 have been more or less confirmed by reports from component producers on the Asian markets, as well as by other trustworthy sources. Without further ado, here’s what you can expect from your next Apple smartphone, if you’re considering a purchase this year: TouchID fingerprint scanner The TouchID Finger Impression Scanner was first brought out onto the market with the iPhone 5S and, according to current rumors, the feature is going to survive on the iPhone 6. The most important expected upgrade in this respect is improved pressure sensors, made from liquid metal alloys, which are far more sensitive than those currently employed. No major screen real estate upgrades It’s unclear whether or not Apple really plans on releasing a phablet (probably because company execs are waiting that decision out). For the time being, however, Ming-chi Kuo from KGI Securities believes the 2014 iPhone is going to preserve the 4-inch screen format, which is in keeping with the company’s single hand navigation principle for the iPhone. However, should Apple decide to enlarge the screen of its signature smartphone, an upgrade to 5 inch displays (as most phablets exhibit) shouldn’t be that difficult to implement. 8MP back camera lens sensor Android has touted its current 13 MP rear camera for months now and rumor has it upcoming smartphones from Apple’s direct competitor are going to feature 16 MP rear cameras. Apple is highly likely to stick to its 8 MP rear camera lens sensor – but the camera quality and features are expected to see upgrades which have not yet been disclosed. iOS 8 with real 64-bit Environment It’s very likely that Apple will come out with an iOS 8 this year, considering that the iOS 7 was a very long time in the making. To boot, response to the new OS from Apple was largely positive, so yet another upgrade might just be in the books this year, for Apple to preserve its edge over Samsung/Android. Bottom line? The iPhone 6 is probably not going to be visibly different from the iPhone 5S, but subtle upgrades ‘below the hood’ are expected. 8. iTV – Apple television Apple television has been a constant presence in the rumor mill for years now. Yet the project, which some seem to eagerly expect, appears to be stuck somewhere on the production conveyor belt of Apple products currently in development. Issues of content delivery and production costs constantly pop up, whenever talk of the iTV hits the media outlets. It is also still unclear whether or not Apple CEO Tim Cook has confirmed or infirmed the project and its subsequent launch. Since this one’s a bit of a doozy, we scanned the most trustworthy sources for Apple rumors out there – and here’s what we could come up, regarding the future of the Apple iTV. According to one very trustworthy source, namely KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple investors shouldn’t be holding their breath for the Apple television until at least 2015 or 2016. Yet the Apple TV set top box, which runs on the very same A7 processor you can find in the iPhone 5s, as well as in the upcoming 2014 version of the iPad, might just see a launch this year. A grand total of 8.2 million units are expected to be shipped (and sold) in 2014, says the same source. However, as far as Apple experts are concerned, Apple television sets are still a hobby, and don’t yet qualify as viable products. That’s because, for the time being, Apple is unable to integrate more TV content, an App store, and several other services that would make the considerable production costs viable. This is, in part, because the differences between “different TV content ecosystems” (i.e. cable operators) across different countries. So does this mean the rumors regarding the upcoming launch of the Apple television, which emerged during the launch of the iPad were completely unfounded? Perhaps not entirely so, as the rumor roundup video below is rather convincing – and it certainly isn’t the only one available out there, on the great big Internet. Rumor-mill ruminations aside, according to MG Siegler from TechCrunch, Apple is a long way away from presenting its revamped hardware to the public at large. In case you’re wondering what such revamps might entail, think Siri integration, motion control, and other exciting goodies – but none to reach stores until Apple reaches some form of agreement with content providers and cable networks. Tim Cook has spoken in early 2012 on the viability of the Apple TV and explained that Apple’s current customers for this category are satisfied with what they get, yet the product is not yet ready for mainstream markets. At the same time, Foxconn’s CEO Terry Gua was quoted in May 2012, saying his company had already started preparing for the production of the iTV. The same rumors were confirmed in late March 2013 and July 2013 – yet by the end of last year, the project appeared to have taken the backseat to the iWatch and the Apple TV box. Numerous rumors regarding the release of the Apple iTV have circulated throughout the past two years and, despite the reputable sources from which they originated, they were proven wrong time and again: first it was November (or December) 2012, according to Gene Munster from Piper Jaffray; then the first half of last year, according to the same source; then, the 4th quarter of 2013, as predicted by Japanese analysts, as well as by the New York Times. As of the date this article was written, 2014 is a standing prediction, but 2015-2016 seem far more likely. Our conclusion? While we’re highly looking forward to see the iTV, it’s likely we’re going to have to wait at least until Apple gauges the success of its iWatch. 9. iPad Pro At the moment, Apple iPad sales aren’t doing half bad the world over, but its competitors aren’t exactly giving up either. For instance, Samsung has just recently released a 12-inch tablet, which increases the pressure, some analysts say, for Apple to upgrade its real estate size, in terms of screen space. So, for the time being, many iPad experts are trying to put in their best guesswork efforts as to when a larger iPad will launch. Yet larger isn’t the only market niche for tablets that Apple is trying to corner. A wholly different school of thought says Apple is also planning to release a powerbook of sorts, a hybrid between a Mac Pro and an iPad. We explored both sides of the argument and found it highly likely that Apple is going to be coming out with an iPad Pro/ iPad Air that fulfills both goals at the same time. Rumors of the larger, 12-inch display 128GB iPad originated with analyst Patrick Wang from Evercore. Wang even put out a comprehensive production cost report, which looks at material expenses and analyzes information he has received from his sources involved with Apple’s supply chain. This larger device is bound for release in the fall of 2014, but it’s going to do far more than just up the ante in terms of display size. The bigger iPad is also expected to be better in many ways, when compared to its predecessors. In a certain sense, it’s going to be a hybrid, aimed at bridging the gap between laptop computers and tablets – and while other producers are focusing their attention and development resources on powerbooks, Apple seems to be approaching the issue from the opposite end of the spectrum: that of tablets. The coming 12-inch iPad will reportedly include an A8 processor and be able to do many of the things that MacBook Airs are now able to do. Check out the image below to understand what this means in terms of cost: at the moment, the Intel processors Apple uses to make its MacBook Airs account for some 20% of the total production costs involved. Meanwhile, using an ARM processor of comparable prowess for the iPad Pro would only amount to 5% of the tablet’s total production costs. With this move, Apple would essentially try its hand on the Enterprise market niche, and while the material cost tally is looking encouraging, it doesn’t entirely solve the issue of storage capacity. It also brings into question the iPads ability to support the full Microsoft Office Suite, which is a must on the Enterprise market. At the same time, Microsoft has allegedly had an iPad version of the Office suite in the works for some time now. It might see release in the fall of 2014, after the company launches the Touch First Windows interface early in the year. At the same time, launching the iPad Pro is also likely to spell the end of the MacBook Air, whose presence on the market would be rendered redundant by the new hybrid device. The upcoming hybrid tablet is rumored to include a 4K screen resolution without Retina display (not suitable for larger screens), but may also come in an alternative 2K resolution variant. All in all, The iPad Pro is bound to revolutionize the laptop-tablet hybrid market. 10. Mac Pro specs Mac Pro is the latest computer from Apple. The new models were launched late last year and are slowly reaching their reviewers, which, in turn, are filling the whole world in on what to expect from these machines. As of the time this article was in, a brief review from Other World Computing revealed that the Mac Pro’s Intel Xeon E5 processor is entirely removable. A non-expert might not see the big deal about this and wonder if this feature alone justifies the significant price hike that this machine brought to Apple computers; however, most experts will agree that this is, indeed a big deal. The future of Apple Mac Pros is all about customization and upgrades. It’s no longer news for anyone who’s ever owned a computer, irrespective of whether it’s a PC or a Mac that, in time, CPUs become outdated, their price decreases, and new configurations become available. That’s precisely what the new Mac Pro takes into consideration. The new Mac Pro comes with four different CPU options, which all use an LGA 2011 socket, standardized on the motherboard. The difference between these four options, in terms of cost, spans along $3,500, relative to the basic 3.7GHz quad-core Intel Xeon E5, with a 10MB L3 cache. It certainly pays off to purchase the process with a removable socket, as this is a significant perk down the line, when you might want to upgrade your machine. The same website also ran a photo of the Mac Pro running six 27-inch displays, with a horizontal resolution of at least 2,500 pixels. The machine comes with 6 Thunderbolt 2 connectivity ports, which basically means there is ample room for configuring peripherals. If you want to learn more about other features of the Mac Pro, check out the extended video review below. Our conclusion: The Mac Pro takes the frustration out of having to upgrade your Apple computer and focuses on cost efficiency down the line. Bonus: Do Mac rumors matter? [infographic] Have you ever owned a Mac/Apple product? If you have, we are willing to wager that you spent at least some time researching its upcoming release. You probably hit the rumor-mill websites, checked out videos made in Asia, argued on the forums whether or not a ‘leaked’ picture is ‘shopped and so on. At the end of the day, chances are you also felt cheated and frustrated when the rumors in question turned out to be false. The infographic below is all about that: the importance of Mac rumors. It explains how they’re born, how they develop and are propagated, and suggests we take them with a grain of salt – yet another brilliant tool Apple uses in the offbeat marketing campaigns it’s been known to run. So check out the infographic and don’t get too angry when Apple rumors are disproved: after all, part of the reason we love Apple is its unconventional, forward thinking approach to marketing. Infographic source: PC Mag’s iPhone 5 coverage.	cc/2019-30/en_head_0020.json.gz/line834
__label__cc	0.740069	0.259931	Sessions Tagged With 'food safety' Cooking Under Pressure Thursday, September 13, 2018 at 1:00 pm EDT - Presented by Becky Hutchings, Surine Greenway, Amy Robertson Our Idaho Extension team has developed a program that addresses an appliance that has taken the world by storm…the Electric Pressure Cooker. In the classes we have developed we discuss how to safely use electric pressure cooking units as well as how to incorporate them... Practical Food Safety in the Garden Thursday, June 28, 2018 at 2:00 pm EDT - Presented by Sara Runkel This webinar is part of the 2018 series of Advanced Training Webinars for Master Gardeners sponsored by Oregon State University Extension.Concerned about recent food safety issues associated with fresh produce? Sara Runkel (OSU Extension) will help you understand how to... Understanding the GMO Debate Thursday, May 18, 2017 at 2:00 pm EDT - Presented by Jeremiah Vardiman NOTE: The date/time listed above will be the first Zoom meeting of the new 6-week online course offered by Wyoming Extension, "Understanding the GMO Debate." Registration is currently open, and seats are limited. Participants will gain access to course materials on... What you need to know about the Food Modernization Act Webinar- Presented by MidAtlantic Women in Agriculture Wednesday, January 25, 2017 at 12:00 pm EST 1/25/17: What You Need to Know About the Food Safety Modernization Act - Since the roll out of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), there has been a lot of confusion about what growers need to do. In this webinar, Justine Beaulieu, a Good Agricultural Practices (GAP)... Safe handling of eggs from small and backyard flocks Tuesday, October 11, 2016 at 3:00 pm EDT - Presented by Kenneth Anderson There has been an expansion of local egg production. Eggs are considered a hazardous food and must be handled carefully. Safe handling of eggs from production to the consumer will be discussed by Dr. Ken Anderson from North Carolina State University. One hot topic to be... Keeping Food Safe During an Emergency Tuesday, October 4, 2016 at 1:00 pm EDT - Presented by Lizann Powers-Hammond Remembering the rules about food safety when the power is out and during an emergency is difficult. Lizann Powers-Hammond, Washington State University Extension, discusses how you can avoid food-related illness while in the midst of a disaster. Dr. Susan Kerr, Washington State... Food Safety and Liability Webinar Wednesday, August 24, 2016 at 12:00 pm EDT 8/24: Food Safety and Liability - Learn about the legal claims a litigant can assert in a food borne illness case, defenses that can be asserted to avoid liability and techniques that can be implemented to reduce the cost and exposure to food borne illness liability. Also... Getting started with the Food Safety Modernization Act: What you need to do Thursday, April 14, 2016 at 7:00 pm EDT This program is part of a 23-webinar Michigan State University Extension 2016 Beginning Farmer Webinar Series. No matter how big your farm or market garden is, if you sell fruits and vegetables to anyone, you will need to do SOMEthing to comply with the Food Safety... Better Process Control School for Acidified Foods Monday, April 11, 2016 at 1:00 am EDT Better Process Control School for Acidified FoodsApril 11- 12, 2016 in Lincoln, NebraskaPresented by theUniversity of Nebraska Food Processing CenterThe Food and Drug Administration’s regulations in 21 CFR 108, 113, and 114 became effective May 15, 1979. These regulations are... Impacts of the Food Safety Modernization Act on Diversified Organic Vegetable Farms Tuesday, March 29, 2016 at 2:00 pm EDT Join eOrganic for a webinar on the impacts of the Food Safety Modernization Act on Diversified Organic Vegetable Farms, by Erin Silva of the University of Wisconsin. The webinar takes place on March 29, 2016 at 2PM Eastern Time (1PM Central, 12PM Mountain, 11AM Pacific ... Good Sense Food Safety Practices for Organic Diversified Vegetable Farms Wednesday, March 16, 2016 at 2:00 pm EDT Join eOrganic for a webinar on good sense food safety practices on organic diversified vegetable farms by Chris Blanchard of Purple Pitchfork! The webinar takes place on March 16th at 2PM Eastern Time (1PM Central, 12PM Mountain, 11AM Pacific Time). The webinar is free... "The Power of the Web: Free Internet Legal Research" On Wednesday, January 20 at 12 PM Eastern, join us in our continuing webinar series sponsored by the Agricultural & Food Law Consortium. Our January webinar, entitled, The Power of the Web: Free Internet Legal Research, focuses on getting the most out of free legal... Foodborne Outbreaks--What You Need to Know Friday, October 30, 2015 at 2:00 pm EDT - Presented by Soohyoun Ahn Dr. Soohyoun Ahn will discuss recent outbreak trends, how to report a foodborne illness or outbreak, and how to prevent outbreaks. She'll also provide some general food safety information. Dr. Ahn is Assistant Professor in Food Science and Human Nutrition at the University of... New Legal Resources to Assist Farmers in Direct Marketing Wednesday, August 12, 2015 at 1:00 pm EDT - Presented by Rusty Rumley Farmers face a wide range of legal and business opportunities and challenges when marketing directly to the end consumer. The purpose of this webinar and the Legal Issues in Direct Marketing guides (a new resource) is to educate farmers about the potential scope of their... Food Safety Preventive Controls Alliance (FSPCA) for Extension The webinar describes how Cooperative Extension can build a partnership with the Food Safety Preventive Controls Alliance (FSPCA) to help small businesses be prepared and comply with regulations. Questions can be directed to the FSPCA Administrator, Dawn Johnson at...	cc/2019-30/en_head_0020.json.gz/line845
__label__wiki	0.858479	0.858479	Red Arrows Diamond 2019 Seen here at Plymouths Armed Forces Day 2019. The Red Arrows, officially called The Royal Airforce Aerobatic Team, is one of the best known and premier Aerobatic teams in the world. The team is the public face of the RAF and assist with recruiting to the armed forces. They act as ambassadors for the UK at home and abroad. Image size: 4661 x 3103, 16.75Mb \| Camera details: NIKON D500 \| Date uploaded: 07/07/2019 hawk jets best in the world armed forces day 2019 - Select an option - Canvas 10 x 10 - £46.35 10 x 20 - £58.16 10 x 30 - £64.48 10 x 8 - £42.43 12 x 12 - £52.65 12 x 16 - £58.16 12 x 24 - £64.48 12 x 36 - £71.55 12 x 8 - £43.20 16 x 16 - £62.89 16 x 20 - £65.25 16 x 24 - £76.28 20 x 20 - £77.08 20 x 30 - £81.00 20 x 40 - £92.03 24 x 24 - £81.00 24 x 36 - £96.75 26 x 20 - £79.43 26 x 26 - £88.09 30 x 30 - £99.90 30 x 40 - £109.35 36 x 36 - £113.85 8 x 8 - £41.63 Mug - Ceramic - £8.34 Mug - Mighty - £8.76 Mug - Porcelain - £9.84 Recent Works by Chris Day HMS Queen Elizabeth and RFA Tideforce HMS Queen Elizabeth is the largest and most powerful vessel ever constructed for the Royal Navy and is capable of carrying up to 40 aircraft. She wil replace HMS Ocean as the navys flag ship. She is so large that she cannot navigate Plymouth Sound to Devonport Dockyard,, despite being one of the largest natural harbours in the world. Plus RFA Tideforce is the fourth in a fleet of four 39,000 tonne Tide-Class tankers, capable of carrying up to 19,000 cubic metres of fuel and 1,400 cubic metres of fresh water. She has been designed to support the new Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers. A Red Arrow over Plymouth Sound A Red Arrow circles over HMS Queen Elizabeth and RFA Tideforce on Plymouth Sound. The Red Arrows, officially called The Royal Airforce Aerobatic Team, is one of the best known and premier Aerobatic teams in the world. HMS Queen Elizabeth the most powerful vessel ever built for the Royal Nave along with one of its support ships RFA Tideforce. Red Arrows 2019 Seen here at Plymouth Armed Forces Day 2019. The Red Arrows, officially called The Royal Airforce Aerobatic Team, is one of the best known and premier Aerobatic teams in the world. The team is the public face of the RAF and assist with recruiting to the armed forces. They act as ambassadors for the UK at home and abroad. Our Endeavour Our Endeavour is a Trawler registered in Exeter but its home port is Plymouth. Fishing Boat Maria Q Fishing boat Maria Q. No other information found on any registration sites. NB NOT SUITABLE FOR CANVAS WRAP HMS Queen Elizabeth is the largest and most powerful vessel ever constructed for the Royal Navy and is capable of carrying up to 40 aircraft. She wil replace HMS Ocean as the navys flag ship. She is so large that she cannot navigate Plymouth Sound to Devonport Dockyard,, despite being one of the largest natural harbours in the world. RFA Tideforce RFA Tideforce is the fourth in a fleet of four 39,000 tonne Tide-Class tankers, capable of carrying up to 19,000 cubic metres of fuel and 1,400 cubic metres of fresh water. She has been designed to support the new Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers. Red Arrows Palm Split 2019 Red Arrows Tornado 2019 Red Arrows Concorde Red Arrows Arrive 2019 Seen here at Plymouths Armed Forces Day 2019. The Red Arrows, officially called The Royal Airforce Aerobatic Team, is one of the best know and premier Aerobatic teams in the world. The team is the public face of the RAF and assist with recruiting to the armed forces. They act as ambassadors for the UK at home and abroad. River Tamar The River Tamar. To the left is Torpoint in Cornwall. To the right the Royal Navy dockyard of Devonport. Near the middle you can see two of the chainlink ferries crossing the river. It is free to travel from Devonport to Torpoint. But to leave Cornall there is a toll to be paid. At the time of this photograph it is £1.50. Yacht on the river Tamar A Halberg Rassey Yacht heading upstream on the river Tamar RFA Tiderace RFA Tiderace is the second of a fleet of four 39,000 tonne Tide-Class tankers, capable of carrying up to 19,000 cubic metres of fuel and 1,400 cubic metres of fresh water. She has been designed to support the new Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers. * NOT suitable for a canvas wrap **** SD Forceful SD Forceful is a tug built in 1985 for the Royal Navy. In 2008 it was bought by SD Marine Services Ltd. Its home port is London. HMS St Albans HMS St Albans, the sixteenth and last of the Royal Navy's Type 23 frigates to be built, was launched on 6 May 2000. Constructed by BAE Systems at Scotstoun, she was delivered to the Royal Navy in November 2001. HMS St Albans emerged from an extensive £25M refit late in 2014. alongside in base port. As with all Duke class frigates they are versatile and can operate in any imaginable situation. At the time of this photograph the Saint is the Fleet Ready Escort and will spend the majority of the year in and around UK waters conducting training and exercises with various UK and military agencies and organisations. Trawler Judy G Judy G is a licenced Trawler/Scalloper. Home port is Brixham and according to the government registry was built in 2018. Seen here about to enter Sutton Harbour in Plymouth. HMS Enterprise HMS Enterprise is an Echo-class multi-role survey vessel . Multi-talented and adaptable, she’s equally at home mapping and surveying the ocean floor as she is acting as a floating base for our minehunters. RFA Fort Victoria Fort Victoria is an Auxiliary Oiler Replenishment (AOR) ship. She was originally designed to support frigates on anti-submarine warfare patrols. She provides vital support to the fleet acting as a stores ship and a fleet tanker. She also has a large flight-deck, hangar and maintenance facilities for helicopters. Trawler Ocean Spirit Ocean Spirit is a Trawler/Scalloper. It was built in 1999 and is registered in Brixham. However, its home port is Plymouth. Trawler Provider II Provider II s a Trawler licensed for cod and bass. It was built in 2001 and is registered in Brixham. However, its home port is Plymouth. RFA Argus Royal Fleet Auxiliary Argus was originally launched in 1981 as the commercially owned and operated Contender Bezant, a combination freight, Roll on Roll off ferry (RORO) and container ship. She is now fully equipped with state of the art emergency facilities and 100-bed medical complex on board, which can be uniquely tailored to deliver cutting-edge treatment afloat and is a Primary Casualty Receiving Ship (PCRS). She cannot be designated a hospital ship as she does carry some defensive guns so under the Geneva Convention cannot display the International Red Cross Symbol. She also provides specialist aviation training facilities for the Fleet Air Arm. RFA Argus and RFA Fort Victoria Royal Fleet Auxiliary Argus was originally launched in 1981 as the commercially owned and operated Contender Bezant, a combination freight, Roll on Roll off ferry (RORO) and container ship. She is now fully equipped with state of the art emergency facilities and 100-bed medical complex on board, which can be uniquely tailored to deliver cutting-edge treatment afloat and is a Primary Casualty Receiving Ship (PCRS). She cannot be designated a hospital ship as she does carry some defensive guns so under the Geneva Convention cannot display the International Red Cross Symbol. She also provides specialist aviation training facilities for the Fleet Air Arm. Fort Victoria is an Auxiliary Oiler Replenishment (AOR) ship. She was originally designed to support frigates on anti-submarine warfare patrols. She provides vital support to the fleet acting as a stores ship and a fleet tanker. She also has a large flight-deck, hangar and maintenance facilities for helicopters. Cattewater and Mount Batten Plymouth is Englands Ocean City. Situated on Englands South coast on the east bank of the River Tamar and the mouth of the River Plym. It has a history that goes back beyond Elizabethan times as an important sea port. It has been home to many historic people including Sir Francis Drake who allegedly completed a game of bowls after being told that the Spanish Armada was on its way. It is also famous for the Pilgrim Fathers setting sail for the new world on the Mayflower. It has so much history that it would take volumes to describe its past and current day. Other than to say it is still a thriving naval port with old and new alongside each other. Smeatons Tower Smeatons Tower was the third of four Eddystone lighthouses originally sited 14 miles West of Plymouth. And was in use from 1759 to 1882. As technology moved on it was too small contain modern machinery so it was dismantled and rebuilt on a new granite base on Plymouth Hoe and opened in September 1884. Plymouth Hoe and Smeatons Tower Plymouth Hoe and Sound Plymouth Sound looking towards Cattewater from the stern of the Plymouth Venturer Plymouth Hoe Foreshore HMS Example in Weymouth HMS Example is the Northumbrian University Royal Naval Unit (URNU). It is an Archer class fast patrol boat based at HMS Calliope, a Royal Naval Reserve Base next to the Tyne Bridge on Gateshead Quayside. The Northumbrian URNU provides a three-year package of training and activities to student in order to broaden their knowledge of the Royal Navy and its activities worldwide. HMS Echo HMS Echo was the first of two Echo Class multi-role hydrographic survey ships commissioned by the Royal Navy. It was designed to conduct survey operations in support of submarines or amphibious operations. It has a secondary role as a mine countermeasure tasking platform. The Radcliffe Camera Oxford The Radcliffe Camera is a building of Oxford University, England, designed by James Gibbs in neo-classical style and built in 1737–1749 to house the Radcliffe Science Librar Brittany Ferries Pont Avon Brittany Ferries Pont Avon arrives in Plymouth Brittany Ferries Armorique Brittany Ferries Armorique leaving Plymouth Drakes Island Drakes Island is situated in Plymouth Sound at the entrance to the river Tamar. It is about 6.5 acres in size. Its strategic position has meant that there a a number of military buildings. It was originally called St Michaels after a chapel that was built there. The chapel was rededicated to St Nicholas and the island then took that to be its official name. However, due to its association with Sir Francis Drake it acquired the nickname of Drakes Island. The buildings are Grade II listed. The island is now in private ownership and after many years of trying, planning permission to convert the island into a luxury hotel and spa have finally been approved. Work is expected to start sometime in 2019 as planning permission runs out in 2020. Boats on Plymouth Sound Boats on Plymouth Sound. Plymouth is Englands Ocean City. Situated on Englands South coast on the east bank of the River Tamar and the mouth of the River Plym. It has a history that goes back beyond Elizabethan times as an important sea port. It has been home to many historic people including Sir Francis Drake who allegedly completed a game of bowls after being told that the Spanish Armada was on its way. It is also famous for the Pilgrim Fathers setting sail for the new world on the Mayflower. It has so much history that it would take volumes to describe its past and current day. Other than to say it is still a thriving naval port with old and new alongside each other. New Street Plymouth New Street Plymouth. Plymouth is Englands Ocean City. Situated on Englands South coast on the east bank of the River Tamar and the mouth of the River Plym. It has a history that goes back beyond Elizabethan times as an important sea port. It has been home to many historic people including Sir Francis Drake who allegedly completed a game of bowls after being told that the Spanish Armada was on its way. It is also famous for the Pilgrim Fathers setting sail for the new world on the Mayflower. It has so much history that it would take volumes to describe its past and current day. Other than to say it is still a thriving naval port with old and new alongside each other. Mount Batten Plymouth Mount Batten was the location of a flying boat station and Royal Air Force Base, during the years 1913 until 1986. it was there that the United States Curtis Flying Boat NC 4 came ashore, following the first successful airborne crossing of the Atlantic Ocean. Many classes of flying boat were to use this base, the best known during World War II being the Shorts LTD. of Belfast long distance ocean reconnaissance Sunderlands. Meanwhile, during the 1930's, T.E.Lawrence (Lawrence of Arabia) served there as an ordinary aircraftsman under the alias of Shaw, at a time when he had shunned his earlier public fame as Lawrence. Drakes Island is situated in Plymouth Sound at the entrance to the river Tamar. It is about 6.5 acres in size. Its strategic position has meant that there are a number of military buildings. It was originally called St Michaels after a chapel that was built there. The chapel was rededicated to St Nicholas and the island then took that to be its official name. However, due to its association with Sir Francis Drake it acquired the nickname of Drakes Island. The buildings are Grade II listed. The island is now in private ownership and after many years of trying, planning permission to convert the island into a luxury hotel and spa have finally been approved. Work is expected to start sometime in 2019 as planning permission runs out in 2020. HMS Northumberland and the Eddystone Lighthouse HMS Northumberland and the Eddystone Lighthouse 14 miles away on the horizon. HMS Northumberland is a type 23 Frigate and was launched in April 1992 and entered service in late 1994. She was built in the North-East by the Swan Hunter yard and is affiliated to the County of Northumberland and reaffirmed her close ties to the area with a visit to the Port of Tyne in September 2013. She is based in Devonport when not deployed. HMS Northumberland was among the first ships of her class to receive the most advanced sonar designed to hunt down submarines and played a vital role in testing the new equipment with HMS Torbay as her quarry at a special test range in the Bahamas. Plymouth Hoe and the Royal Citadel Plymouth Hoe and the Royal Citadel from the Sound. Plymouth is Englands Ocean City. Situated on Englands South coast on the east bank of the River Tamar and the mouth of the River Plym. It has a history that goes back beyond Elizabethan times as an important sea port. It has been home to many historic people including Sir Francis Drake who allegedly completed a game of bowls after being told that the Spanish Armada was on its way. It is also famous for the Pilgrim Fathers setting sail for the new world on the Mayflower. It has so much history that it would take volumes to describe its past and current day. Other than to say it is still a thriving naval port with old and new alongside each other. Boat Trip on Plymouth Sound The view towards Cattewater of Plymouth Sound from the stern of the cruise ship Plymouth Venturer. FGS Bonn FGS Bonn is a Type 702 Berlin Class fleet auxiliary vessel in service with the German Navy. The auxiliary replenishment ship is designed to provide logistics and medical services support to the combined task forces. The vessels are named after German cities. Berlin Class vessels are the largest warships in the German Navy fleet. HMS Northumberland HMS Northumberland is a type 23 Frigate and was launched in April 1992 and entered service in late 1994. She was built in the North-East by the Swan Hunter yard and is affiliated to the County of Northumberland and reaffirmed her close ties to the area with a visit to the Port of Tyne in September 2013. She is based in Devonport when not deployed. HMS Northumberland was among the first ships of her class to receive the most advanced sonar designed to hunt down submarines and played a vital role in testing the new equipment with HMS Torbay as her quarry at a special test range in the Bahamas. USNS Big Horn USNS Big Horn (T-AO-198) is a Henry J. Kaiser-class fleet replenishment oiler of the United States Navy. She entered non-commissioned U.S. Navy service under the control of the Military Sealift Command with a primarily civilian crew on 21 May 1992. She serves in the United States Atlantic Fleet. HMS Montrose HMS Montrose is a type 23 Frigate. She is based in Devonport when not deployed. She returned to sea in 2017 after a £35 million pound upgrade. HMS Diamond HMS Diamond is a Type 45 air defence destroyer and one of the most advanced warships in the world. Nearly as tall as Nelson’s Column, Diamond's sleek lines are designed for stealth at sea, appearing virtually invisible on enemy radar. With cutting-edge military sensors and a range of weapons systems, Diamond is ready to detect and destroy any airborne, surface and sub surface threat. Her Motto is - honor clarissima gemma – honour is the brightest jewel. Plymouth Hoe Panorama Fishing boats in Sutton Harbour Fishing boats in Sutton Harbour. Plymouth is Englands Ocean City. Situated on Englands South coast on the east bank of the River Tamar and the mouth of the River Plym. It has a history that goes back beyond Elizabethan times as an important sea port. It has been home to many historic people including Sir Francis Drake who allegedly completed a game of bowls after being told that the Spanish Armada was on its way. It is also famous for the Pilgrim Fathers setting sail for the new world on the Mayflower. It has so much history that it would take volumes to describe its past and current day. Other than to say it is still a thriving naval port with old and new alongside each other. Royal Citadel Plymouth The Royal Citadel is a 17th century fortress at the easten end of Plymouth Hoe. It encompasses the site of an earlier fort built at the time of Sir Francis Drake. It is still used by the military to this day. Plymouth Hoe from the Sound Plymouth Hoe. Plymouth is Englands Ocean City. Situated on Englands South coast on the east bank of the River Tamar and the mouth of the River Plym. It has a history that goes back beyond Elizabethan times as an important sea port. It has been home to many historic people including Sir Francis Drake who allegedly completed a game of bowls after being told that the Spanish Armada was on its way. It is also famous for the Pilgrim Fathers setting sail for the new world on the Mayflower. It has so much history that it would take volumes to describe its past and current day. Other than to say it is still a thriving naval port with old and new alongside each other. Yacht on Plymouth Sound A yacht on Plymouth Soound heading towards the river Tamar. Plymouth Venturer on PLymouth Sound Plymouth Venturer was launched in March 2017. It is a modern catamaran design and is the largest passenger vessel in Plymouth. It can hold up to 250 people. Its day job is hour long cruises from Sutton Harbour to the Devonport Naval Dockyard on the river Tamar. It is also available for hire for parties etc United States Marine Corps Super Hercules United States Marine Corps Lockheed KC-130J Super Hercules 167112/BH-7112 flying out of RAF Northolt BBMF Dakota BBMF Dakota on its way to fly past the Polish War Memorial in Northolt where a service was being held to remember 303 Polish Squadron and commemorate the 70th Anniversary of the unveiling of the memorial and the centenary of Polish Independence. Yacht returning to Cattewater Yacht returning to Cattewater at the mouth of the river Plym. Plymouth is Englands Ocean City. Situated on Englands South coast on the east bank of the River Tamar and the mouth of the River Plym. It has a history that goes back beyond Elizabethan times as an important sea port. It has been home to many historic people including Sir Francis Drake who allegedly completed a game of bowls after being told that the Spanish Armada was on its way. It is also famous for the Pilgrim Fathers setting sail for the new world on the Mayflower. It has so much history that it would take volumes to describe its past and current day. Other than to say it is still a thriving naval port with old and new alongside each other. A cathedral dedicated to the Martyred King Ethelbert has stood on the site since Saxon times. Todays building contains some of the finest examples of architectural excellence from the Norman times to the present day. It is home to the Mappa Mundi, the largest surviving medieval world map. It also houses the famous chained library. Buckingham Palace in London Marlow at Christmas Marlow Bridge on the River Thames in winter time. Ludlow Castle Ludlow Castle was a privately owned Castle which began construction in the 11th century as the border stronghold of Roger De Lacy, a Marcher Lord. Roger Mortimer enlarged the Castle into a palace in the 14th century. Later under the ownership of Richard, Duke of York the Castle was involved in the war of the Roses. Then as a Royal Palace Edward IV sent the Prince of Wales and his brother to live at the Castle, which was also the seat of government for Wales and the border counties. In 1501, Prince Arthur (brother to Henry VIII), honeymooned here with his wife, Catherine of Aragon. In 1689, the Royal Welch Fusiliers were founded at the Castle by Lord Herbert of Chirbury. It was abandond soon after and fell into decay. In 1811, the ruins were purchased from the Crown by 2nd Earl Pof Powis, in the ownership of whose family it remains. Ludlow Castle was a privately owned Castle which began construction in the 11th century as the border stronghold of Roger De Lacy, a Marcher Lord. Roger Mortimer enlarged the Castle into a palace in the 14th century. Later under the ownership of Richard, Duke of York the Castle was involved in the war of the Roses. Then as a Royal Palace Edward IV sent the Prince of Wales and his brother to live at the Castle, which was also the seat of government for Wales and the border counties. In 1501, Prince Arthur (brother to Henry VIII), honeymooned here with his wife, Catherine of Aragon. In 1689, the Royal Welch Fusiliers were founded at the Castle by Lord Herbert of Chirbury. It was abandond soon after and fell into decay. In 1811, the ruins were purchased from the Crown by 2nd Earl Pof Powis, in the ownership of whose family it remains. Given the old sepia treatment Mayflower Steps The Mayflower steps. These are not the original steps due to the development of the Barbican. The originals were destroyed over a hundred years ago to make way for a road around the Royal Citadel. TThe Radcliffe Camera is a building of Oxford University, England, designed by James Gibbs in neo-classical style and built in 1737–1749 to house the Radcliffe Science Library Panoramic view from the top of Ludlow Castle. Panoramic view from the top of Ludlow Castle created from 3 separate images. Ludlow Castle was a privately owned Castle which began construction in the 11th century as the border stronghold of Roger De Lacy, a Marcher Lord. Roger Mortimer enlarged the Castle into a palace in the 14th century. Later under the ownership of Richard, Duke of York the Castle was involved in the war of the Roses. Then as a Royal Palace Edward IV sent the Prince of Wales and his brother to live at the Castle, which was also the seat of government for Wales and the border counties. In 1501, Prince Arthur (brother to Henry VIII), honeymooned here with his wife, Catherine of Aragon. In 1689, the Royal Welch Fusiliers were founded at the Castle by Lord Herbert of Chirbury. It was abandond soon after and fell into decay. In 1811, the ruins were purchased from the Crown by 2nd Earl Pof Powis, in the ownership of whose family it remains. Oxford City of Dreaming Spires Oxford, The City of Dreaming Spires, is famous the world over for its University and place in history. For over 800 years, it has been a home to royalty and scholars, and since the 9th century an established town, although people are known to have lived in the area for thousands of years. Nowadays, the city is a bustling cosmopolitan town. Still with its ancient University, but home also to a growing hi-tech community. Many businesses are located in and around the town, whether on one of the Science and Business Parks or within one of a number of residential areas. With its mix of ancient and modern, there is plenty for both the tourist and resident to do. Whether its visiting one of the many historic buildings, colleges or museums, going out for a drink or a meal, taking in a show or shopping till you drop, A mute swan Juvenile Robin A juvenile Robin in my garden in west London Juvenile Robin in my garden in west London Naval Memorial Plymouth Plymouth Naval Memorial is one of three in England to commemorate British sailors who died at sea during the two world wars and have no known grave. This memorial also includes the names of sailors from Australia, South Africa and India. A mute swan landing on Ruislip Lido London Skyline London Skyline as seen from The Embankment in October 2010 The London Eye was the vision of David Marks and Julia Barfield, a husband and wife architect team. The wheel design was used as a metaphor for the end of the 20th century, and time turning into the new millennium. Back in 2000, the London Eye was known as the Millennium Wheel. At that time, British Airways was the main sponsor, and up until November 2005 they were joint shareholders with Marks Barfield Architects and The Tussauds Group. British Airways also privately funded the London Eye project from the early stages of conception. In June 2008 they celebrated flying their 30 millionth guest! Pink Gerbera Pink Gerbera in my garden in west London Windsor Castle from Eton Bridge accross the Thames The Lady Chapel in Winchester Cathedral Sidmouth Beach Sidmouth is a town on the South Devon coast. It has a Regency history with fine hotels clean beaches and friendly shops. It nestles beneath majestic red cliffs and green hills of the Sid valley.Give the antique sepia treatment Sidmouth is a town on the South Devon coast. It has a Regency history with fine hotels clean beaches and friendly shops. It nestles beneath majestic red cliffs and green hills of the Sid valley. Sidmouth seafront and beach View over Sidmouth Sidmouth and the Jurassic coast as viewed from the Sidmouth Harbour Hotel. The Royal Citadel is a 17th century fortress at the eastern end of Plymouth Hoe. It encompasses the site of an earlier fort built at the time of Sir Francis Drake. It is still used by the military to this day. Sunset over the Tamar Sunset from Plymouth Hoe 30th October 2016. The Monument The Monument stands at the junction of Monument Street and Fish Street Hill in the City of London. It was built between 1671 and 1677 to commemorate the Great Fire of London and to celebrate the rebuilding of the City. The fire began in a bakers house in Pudding Lane on Sunday 2nd September 1666 and finally extinguished on Wednesday 5th September, after destroying the greater part of the City. Although there was little loss of life, the fire brought all activity to a halt, having consumed or severely damaged thousands of houses, hundreds of streets, the Citys gates, public buildings, churches and St. Pauls Cathedral. The only buildings to survive in part were those built of stone, like St. Pauls and the Guildhall. As part of the rebuilding, it was decided to erect a permanent memorial of the Great Fire near the place where it began. Sir Christopher Wren, the architect of St. Pauls cathedral, and his friend and colleague, Dr Robert Hooke, provided the design for a Doric Column. The Gherkin The Gherkin is the popular nickname for the office block opened in 2004 at No.30 St Mary Axe. The road is named after the nearby Church of St Mary Axe, the 'axe' part referring to a relic kept in the church. Marlow is a town in Buckinghamshire situated on the river Thames Sir Francis Drake Memorial Plymouth Hoe Sir Francis Drake statue on Plymouth Hoe. Plymouth is Englands Ocean City. Situated on Englands South coast on the east bank of the River Tamar and the mouth of the River Plym. It has a history that goes back beyond Elizabethan times as an important sea port. It has been home to many historic people including Sir Francis Drake who allegedly completed a game of bowls after being told that the Spanish Armada was on its way. It is also famous for the Pilgrim Fathers setting sail for the new world on the Mayflower. It has so much history that it would take volumes to describe its past and current day. Other than to say it is still a thriving naval port with old and new alongside each other. City of London Skyline in 2010 The City of London skyline, taken from Tower Bridge. In this image you can see one of the oldest buildings in the City, the Tower of London, plus two of the newest, the Gherkin and the new Heron Tower just behind it. Millennium Bridge and St Pauls The London Millennium Footbridge is a steel suspension bridge for pedestrians crossing the River Thames in London, England, linking Bankside with the City. It is located downstrem from Southwark Bridge and upstream from Blackfriars Railway Bridge The City of London skyline as seen from Tower Bridge Plymouth Armada Memorial Plymouth Armada Memorial was built in 1888 to celebrate the tercentenary of the defeat of the Spanish Armada. St Pauls an alternative view The dome of St Pauls Cathedral seen though the towers of the bridge at Cannon Street Station. The Sun dial by St Katherines Dock on the River Thames. Kite Surfer A kite surfer on a windy day at Sidmouth in Devon. London Bridge was originally the only crossing for the Thames. As London grew, so more bridges were added, although these were all built to the west of London Bridge, since the area east of London Bridge had become a busy port. In the 19th century, the East End of London became so densely populated that public need mounted for a new bridge to the east of London Bridge, as journeys for pedestrians and vehicles were being delayed by hours. Finally in 1876, the City of London Corporation, responsible for that part of the Thames, decided the problem could be delayed no longer and so Tower Bridge was commisioned Big Ben collage The name Big Ben is often used to describe the tower, the clock and the bell but the name was first given to the Great Bell. The Clock Tower was completed in 1859 and the Great Clock started on 31 May, with the Great Bell's strikes heard for the first time on 11 July and the quarter bells first chimed on 7 September. 1980 Bell Helicopter Textron BELL 206B JFK Memorial Runnymede This memorial stands halfway up the Cooper's Hill Slopes and overlooks Runnymede, on ground previously belonging to the Crown and now the property of the United States of America. It is made of Portland stone to the design of G.A. Jellicoe and was unveiled by HM Queen Elizabeth II on 14 May 1965 in the presence of President Kennedy's widow and children. Visitors reach the memorial by treading a steep path of irregular granite steps, one for each year of Kennedy's life. Anzac Cemetery Harefield During the First World War Harefield Park was offered by the owner as a hospital to the Ministry of Defence of New South Wales. For the duration of the war casualties from the Australian Forces from Gallipoli and the Western Front were treated at the newly created Harefield Hospital. Many of the wounded died; 111 men and one nursing sister were buried with military honours in an extension of the churchyard. Anzac war graves Harefield The obelisk is inscribed as follows - To the Glory of God who giveth us the victory and in memory of brave Australian soldiers who after taking part in the Great War now rest in Harefield churchyard Barbican Prawn Sculpture The Barbican Prawn at the entrance to Sutton Harbour next to the Mayflower steps. Plymouth is Englands Ocean City. Situated on Englands South coast on the east bank of the River Tamar and the mouth of the River Plym. It has a history that goes back beyond Elizabethan times as an important sea port. It has been home to many historic people including Sir Francis Drake who allegedly completed a game of bowls after being told that the Spanish Armada was on its way. It is also famous for the Pilgrim Fathers setting sail for the new world on the Mayflower. It has so much history that it would take volumes to describe its past and current day. Other than to say it is still a thriving naval port with old and new alongside each other. Plymouth Hoe and Foreshore Mount Batten was the location of a flying boat station and Royal Plymouth Hoe Plymouth Foreshore and Mount Batten Plymouth Sound Plymouth Sound. Plymouth is Englands Ocean City. Situated on Englands South coast on the east bank of the River Tamar which divides Devon from Cornwall. It has a history that goes back beyond Elizabethan times as an important sea port. It has been home to many historic people including Sir Francis Drake who allegedly completed a game of bowls after being told that the Spanish Armada was on its way. It is also famous for the Pilgrim Fathers setting sail for the new world on the Mayflower. It has so much history that it would take volumes to describe its past and current day. Other than to say it is still a thriving naval port with old and new alongside each other. Mount Batten Fort A view of Windsor including the castle, mausoleum and Old Windsor town. Deliberate effect adding a grainy aged look Churches of Hillingdon Churches in the London Borough of Hillingdon A white rose in my garden Starlings in my garden A Collage of Starling images taken in my garden, in West London, during the summer of 2010 Collage of Wildfowl A Hotrod car at the Royal Berkshire Festival of Wings, Wheels, Speed and Steam at White Waltham 2010 Old Book Shop A book shop at Kingsgate in the historic town of Winchester. Hotrod 2 I Sphinx it is the London Eye The London Eye as seen from Cleopatras needle Plymouth Foreshore Sutton Harbour Sunset Carousel in Sepia Carousel by Bournemouth Pier in Dorset St Mary's Parish Church Harefield St Mary's Parish Church is Harefield’s oldest building, and has been its spiritual heart for centuries, despite beng sited away from the geographical centre of the village. It has been described as the Westminster Abbey of West Middlesex because of its wealth of monuments. At the Domesday Survey of 1086 Harefield had a priest, and therefore presumably a church which was probably on the present site. Silhouette of Two Gulls on a Lamp post Though called the Common Gull it is not common in all areas of the country. It can be quite localised. Black Park Country Park which has been used in many films including James Bond and Harry Potter. Also TV programs like Midsommer Murders have had scenes shot here. Deliberate effect Little Britain between Iver and Cowley, is a complex of attractive lakes with islands set between the River Colne and Frays River. The area is excellent for close views of water birds, which are less shy here, such as gadwell and great crested grebe and of course swans and herons, even turtles Little Britain between Iver and Cowley, is a complex of attractive lakes with islands set between the River Colne and Frays River. The area is excellent for close views of water birds, which are less shy here, such as gadwell and great crested grebe and of course swans and herons, even turtles. Winchester Cathedral Quire Winchester Cathedral is the Mother Church of the Diocese of Winchester, which is part of the Church of England. The Cathedral has its origins in the 7th century, when a Christian Church was first built on this site. A Cathedral dedicated to St Paul has stood on this site since 604AD, and throughout the Cathedral has remained a busy, working church where millions come to reflect and find peace. Hereford Skyline Hereford is a cathedral city with 7th century Saxon origins. Was extensively developed by the Normans who rebuilt its famous cathedral. There are many half timbered buildings plus the Shire Hall an Town hall which sit alongside modern developments of the Old Market Shopping centre, Maylords shopping centre and the Courtyard; Herefords Centre for Arts. Gull Silhouette Gull Silhouette in Sidmouth South Devon Seaton Beach Devon Seaton is a small Devon Seaside town.It has a shingle beach with views of the Jurassic Coast line. Bournemouth Beach A view Eastwards of Bournemouth beach taken from the pier HMS St Albans the sixteenth and last of the Royal Navy's Type 23 frigates to be built was launched on 6 May 2000. Constructed by BAE Systems at Scotstoun. She is affectionately known as The Saint. Houseboats on the Grand Union Canal in Cowley near Uxbridge West London Abandoned boat and Lobster Pot Abandoned boat and Lobster Pot on Sidmouth Beach. Sidmouth is a town on the South Devon coast. It has a Regency history with fine hotels clean beaches and friendly shops. It nestles beneath majestic red cliffs and green hills of the Sid valley. Eagle Owl This massive bird is one of Europes most powerful predators, which even kills other owls to claim exclusive use of territory. Its huge eyes give it exceptional vision in poor light and hunting is almost entirely nocturnal. Herring Gull The herring gull is often considered a nuisance. It nests on rooftops and can be extremely noisy. Has been in decline in Europe but can be found almost anywhere inland or by water. So wherever you are watch out otherwise you may lose your icecream or sandwiches. Tower at Windsor Castle. Windsor Castle, the largest and oldest occupied castle in the world, is one of the official residences of Her Majesty The Queen. The Castle's dramatic site encapsulates 900 years of British history. It covers an area of 26 acres and contains, as well as a royal palace, a magnificent chapel and the homes and workplaces of a large number of people. St Laurence Cowley St Laurence Church in Cowley Middlesex is in parts thought to be over 1000 years old. Denham Deep Lock Denham Deep Lock on the Grand Union Canal West London A yacht on Plymouth Sound A yacht on Plymouth Sound 25th March 2017. Plymouth is Englands Ocean City. Situated on Englands South coast on the east bank of the River Tamar and the mouth of the River Plym. It has a history that goes back beyond Elizabethan times as an important sea port. It has been home to many historic people including Sir Francis Drake who allegedly completed a game of bowls after being told that the Spanish Armada was on its way. It is also famous for the Pilgrim Fathers setting sail for the new world on the Mayflower. It has so much history that it would take volumes to describe its past and current day. Other than to say it is still a thriving naval port with old and new alongside each other. Coppermill Lock Harefield A white rose in my garden with a square crop for coaster and a deliberate softer feel.s Beach huts at Highcliffe beach in Dorset St Lawrence West Wycombe The 18th century Church of St. Lawrence, with its golden ball on the top of West Wycombe hill, is a well-known landmark, visible for many miles due its hilltop location, visually dominating the village. The church was remodelled by Sir Francis Dashwood inside and out. The hill is known as 'West Wycombe Hill' and was an Iron Age hill fort. Also situated on the hill is the Dashwood Mausoleum, inspired by the Colosseum in Rome Mandarin Duck Portal from the past Houseboats on the Grand Union Canal at Cowley West London. The pub at this location, and Cowley Lock, was used in an episode of Lewis first broadcast 9th May 2010.. It won first prize in a competition run by Thames21 for images of Londons waterways. River Wye From the old bridge Hereford Hereford is a cathedral city with 7th century Saxon origins. Was extensively developed by the Normans who rebuilt its famous cathedral. There are many half timbered buildings plus the Shire Hall an Town hall which sit alongside modern developments of the Old Market Shopping centre, Maylords shopping centre and the Courtyard, Herefords Centre for Arts. Wide Water Lock Harefield Wide Water Lock on the Grand Union Canal at Harefield Sidmouth Beach and Esplanade Sidmouth is a town on the South Devon coast. It has a Regency history with fine hotels clean beaches and friendly shops. It nestles beneath majestic red cliffs and green hills of the Sid valley. Given an old fashioned grainy postcard look. Hengistbury head towards Mudeford A misty Mudeford as seen from Hengistbury Head with a heavy frost. Bournemouth Beach and cliffs as seen from the pier facing East St Giles Ickenham St Giles' Church is packed full of over 650 years of history. The oldest part of the building is believed to date back to 1335 when the first Rector of the Parish of Ickenham was appointed. A North Aisle was added in the 16th Century, an extension to the west end of the Nave in 1959 and a 2nd storey extension above the Choir Vestry was opened in 1986. Plymouth Quest Plymouth Quest is a MCA Workboat 2 research vessel, owned by the UK's Plymouth Marine Laboratory. Built in China in 2001, she was sold to PML by her Icelandic owners in March 2004 and entered service in June that year. She is the newer of two ships owned by PML and is used for biological, chemical and physical sampling in coastal seas. A robust and versatile vessel, Plymouth Quest enables trawling, hauling, dredging, towing, and equipment deployment, as well as oceanographic measurements. Nanchang CJ6 fighter They have a top speed of 370kmh are are powered by 285-330hp, supercharged engines. They are capable withstanding +6 and -4 G. The aircraft is part of China's military training and several air forces have used them for counter insurgency and ground attack missions. The Poppy Story From front to back we have the poppy bud, the flower and then the seed head ready to propagate itself. Snow Goose Snow goose (anser caerulescens) St Mary's Parish Church Springwell Lane Bridge and Lock Springwell Lane Bridge (176), which goes over the Grand Union Canal by Springwell Lock near Rickmansworth. Air Forces Memorial Plymouth RAF and Allied air forces memorial on Plymouth Hoe is dedicated to those men and women who served during the seond world war both in the air and on the ground from all allied countries. Winchester Cathedral Altar RAF Memorial Runnymede This sobering yet beautiful memorial to the men and women of the Allied Air Forces who died during World War II was designed by Sir Edward Maufe R.A. and unveiled by HM Queen Elizabeth II on 17 October 1953. An inscription over the entrance to the cloister reads: 'In this cloister are recorded the names of 20,456 airmen who have no known grave. They died for freedom in raid and sortie over the British Isles and the land and seas of northern and western Europe'. Kite Surfer in Sidmouth A kite surfer on a windy September Day in Sidmouth Devon Seaton is a small Devon Seaside town. It has a shingle beach with views of the Jurassic Coast line. City of London Skyline HMS Belfast and Tower Bridge viewed from the South bank of the River Thames Mount Batten Wild blackberries in my garden in west London Houseboat on the Grand Union canal in Cowley West London Narrowboat Narrow Boat on the Grand Union Canal at Cowley West London Wye Valley at Hay on Wye Hay-on-Wye is situated to the West of Hereford and is literally on the English/Welsh border with the main town on the Welsh side. It os also known as the Town of Books due to its many bookshops. It is world famous for its Literary Festival held at the end of May each year Temple Lock on the River Thames This lock is quite unique in that when a new replacement lock was built in 1890, the builders left the old one in place alongside it. The old lock was modified with channels to enable light craft, skiffs and punts to be transferred up and downstream. Tower Bridge from the South bank of the River Thames Oxo Tower London The building was originally constructed as a power station for the Post Office, built towards the end of the 19th century. The City Skyline from the Embankment The view down river Thames towards the City of London as view from the Embankment in Westminster Millennium Wheel The Merlin Entertainments London Eye is the vision of David Marks and Julia Barfield, a husband and wife architect team. The wheel design was used as a metaphor for the end of the 20th century, and time turning into the new millennium. Back in 2000, the London Eye was known as the Millennium Wheel. At that time, British Airways was the main sponsor, and up until November 2005 they were joint shareholders with Marks Barfield Architects and The Tussauds Group. British Airways also privately funded the London Eye project from the early stages of conception. In June 2008 they celebrated flying their 30 millionth guest! Field of Grass on West Wycombe Hill Stone steps on a pathway on Hengistbury Head in Dorset Widewater Lock Lock gates at Widewater Lock in Harefield on the Grand Union canal Effect is deliberate HDR processing Stockers Lock Stockers Lock on the Grand Union Canal near Rickmansworth. Two people sit and wait for the lock to fill before opening the gates to let their boat in. This stretch of the canal was used in an episode of Lewis first broadcast on 30th May 2010. A house of fun at the Chilterns show 2010 Gorse by the sea Gorse growing on the cliffs in Bournemouth. Bisham Church Bisham village, which has been known by various names down the centuries, was recorded in Domesday with its villagers, cottagers, slaves, vines and meadowland. A church was also recorded there, no doubt on the beautiful riverside site of the present building, the oldest part of which is the 12th century tower, the parapet, battlements and brick quoins of which were added in the 15th century. The tower contains three bells dating from 1840. Harris Hawk The Harris's Hawk or Harris Hawk also known as the Bay-winged Hawk or Dusky Hawk, is a medium-large bird of prey which breeds from the south western United States south to Chile and central Argentina. A mute Swan a swimming A mute swan swims along the river Thames in Windsor, Berkshire, England FGS Brandenberg FGS Brandenberg, a German F123 Brandenberg Frigate, leaves Plymouth after a short visit. The Type 123 Brandenburg Class frigates were ordered in June 1989 to replace the Hamburg Class. The frigates are primarily tasked with anti-submarine operations, but they also contribute to anti-air defence, the tactical command of group forces and surface operations. Richmond Hill St. Andrews skyline Richmond Hill St. Andrews United Reformed Church is the largest church building in Bournemouth with a capacity to seat nearly 1,100 people. Working boats Boats in Poole Harbour Dorset Bournemouth pier Bournemouth Pier Dorset Groyne at Highcliffe A groyne covered with seaweed on Highcliffe Beach HMS Northumberland is a type 23 Frigate and was launched in April 1992. She was built in the North-East by the Swan Hunter yard. Towards Christchurch A view toward Christchurch across the reed beds and frozen waters of Christchurch harbour from Hengistbry Head. Grey herons are unmistakeable: tall, with long legs, a long beak and grey, black and white feathering. They can stand with their neck stretched out, looking for food, or hunched down with their neck bent over their chest. Young Robin Redbreast The Robin is a common garden bird usually associated with Christmas Plymouth Foreshore. Plymouth is Englands Ocean City. Situated on Englands South coast on the east bank of the River Tamar and the mouth of the River Plym. It has a history that goes back beyond Elizabethan times as an important sea port. It has been home to many historic people including Sir Francis Drake who allegedly completed a game of bowls after being told that the Spanish Armada was on its way. It is also famous for the Pilgrim Fathers setting sail for the new world on the Mayflower. It has so much history that it would take volumes to describe its past and current day. Other than to say it is still a thriving naval port with old and new alongside each other. The Polish War Memorial Northolt The Polish War Memorial is a memorial erected to remember the contribution of airmen from Poland who helped the Allied cause during World War II. The memorial is made from Portland stone with bronze lettering and a bronze eagle the symbol of the Polish Air Force. There are 2165 names inscribed around the memorial. It was designed by Mieczyslaw Lubelski, who had been interned in a forced labour camp during the second world war. London Bridge was originally the only crossing for the Thames. As London grew, so more bridges were added, although these were all built to the west of London Bridge, since the area east of London Bridge had become a busy port. In the 19th century, the East End of London became so densely populated that public need mounted for a new bridge to the east of London Bridge, as journeys for pedestrians and vehicles were being delayed by hours. Finally in 1876, the City of London Corporation, responsible for that part of the Thames, decided the problem could be delayed no longer The Dome of St Pauls Cathedral from the South The Dome of St Pauls Cathedral from the South. A Cathedral dedicated to St Paul has stood on this site since 604AD, and throughout the Cathedral has remained a busy, working church where millions come to reflect and find peace. The current Cathedral – the fourth to occupy this site – was designed by the court architect Sir Christopher Wren and built between 1675 and 1710 after its predecessor was destroyed in the Great Fire of London. Nelsons Column in Trafalgar Square London Canary Wharf Tower Bridge and HMS Belfast viewed from London Bridge A moody and deliberately grainy Plymouth Sound. Nothe Fort Weymouth Built by the Victorians to protect Portland Harbour, Nothe Fort is one of the best preserved Forts of its kind. The advances in technology that affected the Fort are explained through many displays, exhibits and audio visual facilities located on the ramparts, gun decks and maze of underground passageways. Located at the entrance to Weymouth Harbour the Fort is a labyrinth of underground passageways and outdoor areas with stunning views of the Jurassic Coast. Constructed on three levels , which are easily accessed by means of a lift, the Fort is filled with displays, mammoth guns and cinema areas that chart the history of this large and magnificent Victorian structure which took 12 years to build. The Fort is now one of Weymouth’s major attractions and a venue for a wide range of events. Blueberry Crush Lily Blueberry Crush is an Oriental Trumpet lily A walk along the beach A modern day interpretation of the style of Jack Vettriano. Taken at Weymouth Winchester Cathedral Cloisters of the Inner close Dorset sun rising The sun rises behind the clouds over a misty Isle of Wight as seen from Bournemouth St. Andrews United Reformed HMS Dragon HMS Dragon is a Royal Navy's sType 45 air defence destroyers. Launched on 7 November 2008. Her maiden deployment was to the Gulf region in March 2013. A collage of Christchurch and the Priory A collage of Christchurch and the Priory. St Mary the Virgin Ross-on-Wye The parish of St Mary the Virgin includes the whole of Ross-on-Wye, an attractive market town serving South Herefordshire. The spire of St Mary's Church, towering 205 feet into the air, can be seen from miles around as a welcome to worshippers and visitors. St Mary's Church Hayes The Parish Church of Hayes Middlesex has been witness to the Christian Faith since at least 830 AD. Red Poppy. Often associated with Remembrance Sunday in the UK Carousel in Bournemouth A narrowboat approaches Stockers Lock on the Grand Union canal near Rickmansworth Grand Union Canal Rickmansworth Grand Union Canal between Springwell Lock and Stockers Lock, Rickmansworth Autumn at Ruislip Lido Ruislip Lido started life in 1811 as Ruislip Reservoir and was built as a feeder for the Grand Junction Canal, later, in 1933, to become the Grand Union Canal. John Rennie was the main engineer working on the construction, Hugh Mackintosh the constructor. On 5th December 1811 the project was announced as complete, by Rennie. London Central Mosque The London Central Mosque is a mosque in London, England. It was designed by Sir Frederick Gibberd, completed in 1978, and has a prominent golden dome. Grass seed head Grass seed head blowing in the wind on Plymouth hoe Weymouth Beach in the evening Weymouth Lifeboat Weymouth is one of the RNLI busiest lifeboat stations on England’s south coast. It operates two lifeboats – Ernest and Mabel, a Severn class all-weather lifeboat, and Phyl Clare 3, a B class Atlantic 75 inshore lifeboat. Weymouth Lifeboats Jacobs Ladder Sidmouth Jacobs Ladder Beach Sidmouth. Sidmouth is a town on the South Devon coast. It has a Regency history with fine hotels clean beaches and friendly shops. It nestles beneath majestic red cliffs and green hills of the Sid valley. Jacobs Ladder Sidmouth. Sidmouth is a town on the South Devon co Jacobs Ladder Sidmouth. Sidmouth is a town on the South Devon coast. It has a Regency history with fine hotels clean beaches and friendly shops. It nestles beneath majestic red cliffs and green hills of the Sid valley. Waves crashing Waves crash against a groyne on Hengistbury Head beach New Forest Pony The New Forest ponies most endearing quality is their inbred, gentle nature. Their calm temperament naturally recommends them as an excellent choice and an ideal mount for both children and adults. They have long been raced locally and are surprisingly fast, especially over rough terrain. They are suited to many competitive activities from Pony Club to polo, driving to dressage, they are naturals at jumping and gymkhana and are successfully trained to carry handicapped riders. All in all, the modern New Forest Pony is an exceptional all-rounder with an endearing character, that has developed as a result of both its unique environment and strong association with the people who have been responsible for the development of the breed. The Shard is the tallest building in Western Europe, its crystalline façade transforming the London skyline with a multi-use 310 m (1,016 ft) vertical city. It comprises high quality offices, three world-class restaurants - aqua shard, Oblix and Hutong, the 5-star Shangri-La hotel, exclusive residential apartments and the capital's highest public viewing gallery, The View from The Shard. Lobster Pot on Sidmouth Beach Lobster Pot on Sidmouth Beach. Sidmouth is a town on the South Devon coast. It has a Regency history with fine hotels clean beaches and friendly shops. It nestles beneath majestic red cliffs and green hills of the Sid valley. Sunrise at Bournemouth beach Bournemouth beach sunrise on a frosty and misty Boxing Day 2010 Weymouth Harbour Weymouth is one of the nicest family holiday destinations in the UK. It has something for everyone. It’s a great base from which to explore the Jurassic Coast, which is a world Heritage site, as well as the Dorset countryside. A kite surfer and a wind surfer A kite surfer and a wind surfer on a windy day in Sidmouth Devon Dartmouth is a unique and historic port. The town is full of boutique shops and galleries. The town is world famous for the Britannia Royal Naval College which over looks the town and river. Dartmouth Castle has guarded the mouth of the river for over 600 years. On the other side of the river is Kingwear which has a steam train service too and from Paignton. Dandelion Seed Head A plane apparently on its way to the Moon. Genuine photo not a composite Bournemouth Pier and Beach Canary Wharf is located in the West India Docks on the Isle of Dogs in the Borough of Tower Hamlets in East London. The West India Docks once formed part of the busiest port in the world. After the docks were closed in 1980 the British Government adopted various policies to stimulate the redevelopment of the area, including through the creation of the London Docklands Development Corporation in 1981 and granting the Isle of Dogs Enterprise Zone status in 1982. In 1987 the Canadian company Olympia and York agreed to construct a major office development on the Isle of Dogs, with construction commencing in 1988. A Plane flies over The Shard Merton Street Oxford Southbourne Beach Seascape at Southbourne Grelag Geese A family of Grelag Geese on the Thames near Runnymede Magnolia and House Guest Hengistbury Head and Isle of Wight viewed from the cliffs at Southbourne in Dorset The Crocus is a dwarf perennial A genus of summer flowering perennials. Fully hardy. Square crop for coasters Christchurch Priory There has been a church on this site since around 800 A.D. The present building was begun in 1094 by Ranulf Flambard and has since been in continuous use as a place of prayer and pilgrimage. Visitors never fail to be amazed to find such a beautiful church tucked away in this corner of Dorset, where it dominates the skyline of the historic town of Christchurch. In Simon Jenkins' book Thousand Best Churches the Priory was one of only eighteen churches awarded 5 stars and was described in The Times Newspaper as the least appreciated of Grand Churches. Boscombe Beach Boscombe Beach in Dorset A touch of Hitchcock Bee collecting pollen Bee collecting pollen from a tobacco plant in my garden Bournemouth Beach Huts Beach Huts in Bournemouth The Palace of Westminster and Parliament Square Impressionist Poppies Poppies and other wild flowers photo made to look like a painting by one of the great impressionists. The original is available unaltered. A genus of summer flowering perennials. Fully hardy. Taymar Ferry Plym II The Torpoint Ferries cross the River Tamar between Torpoint in Cornwall, and the city of Plymouth in Devon. There has been a ferry service at Torpoint since 1791. Originally serviced by rowing boats and then steam boats. The first Torpoint chain ferry or 'floating bridge' came into service in 1831, using a self-propelled vessel using a pair of vertical chain wheels in the middle of the vessel.to pull on fixed chains connected between the river banks. The current vessels are the 5th generation and were commisioned to be built when the previous onne were reaching the end of their useful lives in the late 1990s. The first of the new generation vessel, Plym II, was delivered in December 2004. Subsequently Tamar II was delivered in March 2005 and finally Lynher II in February 2006. When travelling from the Devon side to the Cornish side of the Taymar it is free. Noddy Train The Noddy train makes its way to the end of Hengistbury Head at Christchurch Harbour in Dorset Beach Huts at Hengistbury Head Yellow Rose Yellow rose from my garden Christchurch Priory in Dorset A bee collecting nectar Poole Bay Abstract Royal Gala apple British Grown Royal Gala apple Orb Web Spider Bournemouth Beaches Common Seal A common seal sunning itself on the rocks at Sutton Harbour Plymouth Christchurch in Dorset Needles on the Isle of Wight as viewed from Mudeford Lone Strawberry Fresh Strawberry An old Oak Tree in Alexandra Park Windsor Christchurch Skyline Christchurch in Dorset. The harbour and skyline Yellow Legged Gull The river Avon in Dorset Orange and yellow Gerbera Southwark Skyline Southwark Skyline including the Shard and County Hall The London Millennium Footbridge is a steel suspension bridge for pedestrians crossing the River Thames in london, 2012, olympics, England, linking Bankside with the City. It is located between Southwark Bridge (downstream) and Blackfriars Railway Bridge (upstream). The bridge is owned and maintained by the Bridge House Estates, a charitable trust overseen by the City of London Corporation. Construction of the bridge began in 1998, with the opening on 10 June 2000. The Isle of Wight as Viewed from Mudeford in Dorset Orange Rose in my garden Hengistbury Head Hengistbury Head beach Oxford High Street Tank Memorial An American Sherman tank that was pulled from the sea off Slapton Sands. It was lost during practiced landings carried out by American troops, ready for the Normandy landings in 1944. Many American lives were lost during the practices and this stands as a memorial to their sacrifice. The Shard and City Hall The Shard and Southwark Cathedral Spitfire Mk IXB Perhaps the most famous of all Spitfires still flying today, MH434 was built in 1943 at Vickers, Castle Bromwich. This Spitfire is completely original, and has never been fully rebuilt. It was flown in combat by South African pilot Flt Lt Henry Lardner-Burke, DFC (1916-1970), seven and a half kills, three damaged, retiring as a Wing Commander. Arsenal Lily Arsenal Lily in my garden. A bee inspects wild Daisies growing at the top of Southbourne Cliffs White Rose in my garden Ruislip Lido Ruislip Lido started life in 1811 as Ruislip Reservoir and was built as a feeder for the Grand Junction Canal, later, in 1933, to become the Grand Union Canal. John Rennie was the main engineer working on the construction, Hugh Mackintosh the constructor. On 5th December 1811 the project was announced as complete, by Rennie Christchurch Harbour Christchurch Harbour in Dorset Red-Crested Pochard Larger than a pochard, the male has an orange-brown head with a red beak and pale flanks. Females are brown with pale cheeks. In flight they show whitish primaries. They dive, dabble and up-end for their food.There is a large population in Spain and nearer but smaller numbers in France, Netherlands and Germany - and occasional wild birds may come to the UK from the Continent. The UK breeding birds almost certainly all come from escaped birds. Cruising on a spring afternoon A Narrowboat having just left Stockers Lock on the Grand Union Canal A pastel misty and moody Isle of Wight as Viewed from Southbourne in Dorset Grass Silhouette Silhouette of long grass Isle of Wight as seen from Bournemouth The bridge at Henley-on-Thames Yellow daisy Day out on the canal Contables House The remains of a 12th-century riverside chamber block or 'Constable's House'. This very early example of domestic architecture includes a rare Norman chimney. This can be found in the grounds of Christchurch Castle, Dorset. As seen from across the river Avon Boats moored in Christchurch Harbour Slapton Sands On top of being an extremely picturesque and popular beach, Slapton Sands plays an important part in the survival of some of the UK’s rarest flora and fauna. Slapton Sands has a very moving story attached to it. In 1943, the beach was taken over by the allied forces to use as a rehearsal area for the D-Day Landings. Unfortunately, a combination of live ammunition and poor visibility resulted in the deaths of 749 American servicemen. You can visit a stone monument which was set in place on Slapton Sands to commemorate the ill-fated ‘Operation Tiger’, along with a Sherman Tank at nearby Torcross. Apple Blossom Poppy. A symbol of Rememberance of all those that have died in war. One of the most common birds in Europe, The male has a black body, a bright orange bill and a yellow ring around the eye. The female has a dark brown body with a mottled dark spotted underside. Immature males (1st winter) are coloured dull black with a dark bill. Juveniles have a gingery brown body with pale streaks on the back and an orange bill. Blueberry Crush Lily. This is an Oriental Trumpet variety. Bournemouth Pier in Dorset Wild and shy but common almost everywhere. Rowing boat on the shore of Poole Harbour Surfers at Boscombe in Dorset The Needles The Needles on the Isle of Wight seen from Hengistbury Head Boats near Denham Deep Lock on the Grand Union canal Springtime by the Canal The Grand Union Canal near Stockers Lock Black Jacks Lock Reflective Mood Poppies and other wild flowers Fresh Strawberries St Peters Marlow Fishing nets at Mudeford Quay In the early 1080s, William the Conqueror began to build a massive stone tower at the centre of his London fortress. Nothing like it had ever been seen before. Through the centuries that followed, successive monarchs added to the fortifications. Victoria Memorial Westminster bridge Tomatoes on the vine Bournemouth Sunset Sunset at Bournemouth Dorset Avon Beach View of Avon Beach from Mudeford Harbour Poppy Bud Poppy bud in my garden Mute Swans Cygnets on the Avon river in Dorset Kite Surger at Southbourne in Dorset Galloway Shetland cross cow Galloway/Shetland cross cow Reed Beds St Aldates Street Road Temple Lock Temple Lock on the Thames near Marlow Aquatic perennial cultivated for its showy summer flowers. View across the bay. View across Poole Bay from the overcliff area A cheeky Robin Swanage Bay Swanage was originally a small port and fishing village flourished in the Victorian era, when it first became a significant quarrying port and later a seaside resort for the rich of the day. Today the town remains a popular tourist resort, this being the town's primary industry, with many thousands of visitors coming to the town during the peak summer season, drawn by the bay's sandy beaches and other attractions. It is situated at the eastern end of the Isle of Purbeck, approximately 8 miles south of Poole and 30 miles east of Dorchester. Mudeford Beach in Dorset Isle of Wight as viewed from Mudeford on Boxing Day morning 2012 The Groyne Groyne at Bournemouth in Dorset England Norman House The remains of a 12th-century riverside chamber block or 'Constable's House'. This very early example of domestic architecture includes a rare Norman chimney. This can be found in the grounds of Christchurch Castle, Dorset. As seen from the Castle Street road bridge across the river Avon Slapton Ley Hms Belfast and city skyline One of the most powerful large light cruisers ever built, HMS Belfast is now the only surviving vessel of her type to have seen active service during the Second World War, Serving Britain for 32 years, she played an important role in both the Second World War and the Korean War as well as performing peacekeeping duties throughout the 1950s and 1960s. Saved from destruction in 1971, HMS Belfast is now part of the Imperial War Museum and is the first ship to be preserved for the nation since Nelson’s Victory. It is moored just upstream from Tower Bridge on the River Thames. The London Millennium Footbridge is a steel suspension bridge for pedestrians crossing the River Thames in London, England, linking Bankside with the City. It is located between Southwark Bridge (downstream) and Blackfriars Railway Bridge (upstream). The bridge is owned and maintained by the Bridge House Estates, a charitable trust overseen by the City of London Corporation. Construction of the bridge began in 1998, with the opening on 10 June 2000. Ghost train by Bournemouth Pier Collared Dove Hengistbury Head in Dorset with the Isle of Wight in the background Geum in my garden Sutton Harbour Plymouth R22 Beta Helicopter The Robinson R22 Beta II is flown throughout the world for many applications, ranging from flight training to livestock mustering to patrolling pipelines that require dependability, low operating costs, and performance. Christchurch Castle Christchurch Castle was built in the late 11thcentury to protect the town's and river access to the interior of Wessex. It was built inside the Saxon fort whose walls were probably used to build the castle mound or motte. The luxurious Contable's Hall was built around 1150. The stone keep, (slighted after 1650), replaced a wooden structure about 1300. The castle saw action in the Anarchy about 1147 and in the Civil War in 1645. Corfe Castle The dramatic ruins of Corfe Castle stand on a natural hill guarding the principal route through the Purbeck Hills. It guards the gap between the south of Purbeck, where Purbeck marble was once quarried, and the rest of England. Nothing could pass in or out without going past the Castle. For more information visit http://corfe-castle.co.uk/ Sunset Over the Taymar Windsor Castle framed by an old Oak from Alexandra Park Red Arrows Memorial The associted plaque reads...... Always Follow your Dreams Blue Skies Memorial to Flt. Lt, John Egging - Eggman - Red 4 who tragically died when his Hawk aeroplane crashed after displaying at the Bournemouth Air Festival on 20 August 2011 Greylag Goose om Little Britain Lake Historic Christchurch View of Christchurch Priory and the Norman House Sidmouth is a typically English seaside town on the South Devon coast. It has a Regency history with fine hotels clean beaches and friendly shops. It nestles beneath majestic red cliffs and green hills of the Sid valley. White Water Lily White Water Lily on Little Britain Lake Paignton to Dartmouth Railway Train being pulled by 5239 Goliath. Built August 1924 in Swindon. Withdrawn British Railways 1963.This class of locomotive was designed for use on heavy coal trains in the Welsh valleys, although two of the class were allocated to St Blazey in Cornwall for china clay traffic. 5239 was based at Neath for all of its working life being withdrawn from there in 1963 and sent to Barry scrap yard.Rescued by the Dart Valley Railway, it arrived at Newton Abbot in June 1973 where most of the restoration work was carried out. In June 1976 it was transferred to Paignton for completion, entering traffic in 1978 Winter Wonderland Fairground Calm reflections Black Jacks Bridge and Lock Canal Craft Fishing Boat with an old fashioned grainy look Air Forces Memorial The Air Forces Memorial at Runnymede. Dedicated to over 20000 aircrew that have lost their lives in defence of our country. Many from overseas who bravely fought alongside the British during the second world war. Their names are carved into the inside walls. Magna Carta Memorial The memorial to the Magna Carta at Runnymede by the Thames where it was drawn up. Hengistbury Head view from Boscombe Pier RNLB 17-28 The Brixham lifeboat is named RNLB Alec and Christina Dykes in memory of Mrs Helen Christina Dykes whose bequest covered almost half of the build cost. A number of other individuals and organisations made significant contributions to the lifeboat and its facilities. These are noted on a brass plaque which is mounted in the wheelhouse. Mrs Dykes during her lifetime donated a D Class to Ilfracombe Station which was named in memory of her husband. Grey herons are tall, with long legs, a long beak and grey, black and white feathering. They can stand with their neck stretched out, looking for food, or hunched down with their neck bent over their chest. Arsenal Lily in my garden. Its there under protest as I am a West Ham suppoerter Winter Wonderland Power Tower The London Skyline from the Millennium Bridge A Cathedral dedicated to St Paul has stood on this site since 604AD, and throughout the Cathedral has remained a busy, working church where millions come to reflect and find peace. The current Cathedral – the fourth to occupy this site – was designed by the court architect Sir Christopher Wren and built between 1675 and 1710 after its predecessor was destroyed in the Great Fire of London. Oxford Skyline View of Oxford Skyline as seen from the banks of the Thames across Christ Church Meadow Merton College and Church Oxford Merton College is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in England. Its foundation can be traced back to the 1260s Henley-on-Thames is a town and civil parish on the River Thames in Oxfordshire, England, about 10 miles downstream and 7 miles northeast of Reading, 10 miles upstream and 7 miles west from Maidenhead. It is near the tripoint of Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Buckinghamshire. Christ Church Oxford Christ Church, colloquially known as “the House,” is a unique joint foundation of a college of the University of Oxford and the Cathedral of the Diocese of Oxford. It has a world-famous Cathedral Choir and a Picture Gallery containing an important collection of Old Master paintings that is open to the public. There is also a small Cathedral School. The College is one of the largest in the University. The Oxford University Boat Houses Mute Swan at Rickmansworth Aquadrome St Pauls Cathedral Points away towards the Heavens Goshawks are powerful predators. They are scarce, due to persecution, in most areas. They are making a come back in the UK where they have been illegally released or simply escaped. St Pauls Cahedral taken from theShard. A Cathedral dedicated to St Paul has stood on this site since 604AD, and throughout the Cathedral has remained a busy, working church where millions come to reflect and find peace. The current Cathedral – the fourth to occupy this site – was designed by the court architect Sir Christopher Wren and built between 1675 and 1710 after its predecessor was destroyed in the Great Fire of London. Telekia speciosa is a summer-flowering herbaceous perennial. Also known as Heart-leaved ox eye, Ox-eye daisy, Yellow ox-eye. Telephone Boxes The Old Bailey The Old Bailey, also known as Justice Hall, the Sessions House, and the Central Criminal Court, was named after the street in which it was located, just off Newgate Street and next to Newgate Prison, in the western part of the City of London. Over the centuries the building has been periodically remodelled and rebuilt in ways which both reflected and influenced the changing ways trials were carried out and reported. Paraglider at Southbourne Cliffs in Dorset Steam Tractor. Steam tractor at White Waltham Festival of speed, air and steam Sheldonian Theatre Oxford The Shard is the tallest building in Western Europe, its crystalline façade transforming the London skyline with a multi-use 310 m (1,016 ft) vertical city. It comprises high quality offices, three world-class restaurants - aqua shard, Oblix and Hutong, the 5-star Shangri-La hotel, exclusive residential apartments and the capital's highest public viewing gallery, The View from The Shard. Shown here as a part of a complex angular structure where only the bridge is level The Shard and Southwark Cathedral. A contrast of the very old next to the very new. Grand Union Canal Bridge 181 Black Jacks on the Grand Union Star Flyer ride Poole Bay A view of Poole bay in Dorset with Boscombe and Bournemouth piers Hotrod Engine Exposed Hotrod engine Strelitzia Reginae is an exotic, tender, evergreen perennial. It forms a clump of broadly oblong, grey-green leaves on long stalks and in winter and spring, produces unusual orange and blue flowers that resemble a birds head. Hence it is also known as Bird of paradise, Bird of paradise flower , Crane flower. Garden Cross Spider One of the most common spiders with what looks like a cross on their abdomen Marlow Bridge Marlow Bridge from All Saints Church Graveyard Sutton Harbour Sutton Harbour Plymouth. It was from here that the Pilgrim Fathers set sail for the new world. Plymouth is Englands Ocean City. Situated on Englands South coast on the east bank of the River Tamar and the mouth of the River Plym. It has a history that goes back beyond Elizabethan times as an important sea port. It has been home to many historic people including Sir Francis Drake who allegedly completed a game of bowls after being told that the Spanish Armada was on its way. It is also famous for the Pilgrim Fathers setting sail for the new world on the Mayflower. It has so much history that it would take volumes to describe its past and current day. Other than to say it is still a thriving naval port with old and new alongside each other. Mudeford Quay Mudeford Quay as viewed across Christcurch Harbour from Hengistbury Head. This is the mouth of the river Stour which was joined by the river Avon a short way before. HMS St Albans, the sixteenth and last of the Royal Navy's Type 23 frigates to be built, was launched on 6 May 2000. Constructed by BAE Systems at Scotstoun. She is affectionately known as The Saint. Sutton Harbour in Plymouth. Plymouth is Englands Ocean City. Situated on Englands South coast on the east bank of the River Tamar and the mouth of the River Plym. It has a history that goes back beyond Elizabethan times as an important sea port. It has been home to many historic people including Sir Francis Drake who allegedly completed a game of bowls after being told that the Spanish Armada was on its way. It is also famous for the Pilgrim Fathers setting sail for the new world on the Mayflower. It has so much history t Diver and Dolphin Diver and Dolphin Fountain Sculpture at St Katherines Dock Marlow in Buckinghamshire, by the river Thames. Marlow's most famous resident is Sir Steve Redgrave, 5 times Olympic champion. There is an 8 foot high bronze statue of Sir Steve in the gardens near the river. Sunset from Plymouth Hoe 30th October 2016. Plymouth Hoe is a large south facing open space which over looks Plymouth Sound. Hoe derives from Anglo-Saxon meaning a sloping ridge shaped like an inverted foot and heel. Plymouth is Englands Ocean City. Situated on Englands South coast on the east bank of the River Tamar and the mouth of the River Plym. It has a history that goes back beyond Elizabethan times as an important sea port. It has been home to many historic people including Sir Francis Plymouth is Englands Ocean City. Situated on the South coast on the east bank of the River Tamar and the mouth of the River Plym. It has a history that goes back beyond Elizabethan times as an important sea port. It has been home to many historic people including Sir Francis Drake who allegedly completed a game of bowls after being told that the Spanish Armada was on its way. It is also famous for the Pilgrim Fathers setting sail for the new world on the Mayflower. It has so much history that it would take volumes to describe its past and current day. Other than to say it is still a thriving naval port with old and new alongside each other. Weymouth Old Harbour Plymouth Gin Distillery is the oldest working distillery in England. It has been making Plymouth Gin according to the original recipe since 1793. Smeatons Tower was the third of four Eddystone lighthouses originally sited 14 miles West of Plymouth. And was in use from 1759 to 1882. As technology moved on it was too small contain modern machinery so it was dismantled and rebuilt on a new granite base on Plymouth Hoe and opened in September 1884. Plymouth is Englands Ocean City. Situated on Englands South coast on the east bank of the River Tamar and the mouth of the River Plym. It has a history that goes back beyond Elizabethan times as an important sea port. It has been home to many historic people including Sir Francis Drake who allegedly completed a game of bowls after being told that the Spanish Armada was on its way. It is also famous for the Pilgrim Fathers setting sail for the new world on the Mayflower. It has so much history that it would take volumes to describe its past and current day. Other than to say it is still a thriving naval port with old and new alongside each other. The City of London Skyline Silver Stream Silver Stream is a trawler-netter which was built in France in 1966. It has had a couple of names before coming to Plymouth in 1982. It was an average sized boat then, but became the largest in the fleet do to the decline of the British fishing industry caused by EU regulations restricting fishing quotas etc. This is a city that should benefiit greatly as a result of the right sort of Brexit. Marlow Bridge and All Saints Church Boscombe Beach Abstract An abstract created from one of my own images of Boscombe Beach in Dorset using Serif PhotoPlus London Eye Abstract An abstract of the London Eye created in Serif PhotoPlus using one of my own images as the base Gerbera Abstract An abstract of an Orange and yellow Gerbera created in Serif PhotoPlus Sunset over Poole Bay Woodland Path Abstract Created in Serif PhotoPlus using one of my own images as a base. St Giles Abstract Created in Serif PhotoPlus using one of my own images of St Giles in Ickenham, as a base. Country Parks Collage A collage of images taken at parks and country parks to the West and North West of Longon, Including Ruislip Lido, Little Britain, Black Park Country Park and Rickmansworth Aquadrome. Winchester Cathedral Nave ceiling from the Quire. The view through the entrance of the world famous Eton College near Windsor in Berkshire, England. Three members of the Household Cavalry ride up the Mall Church of St. Lawrence West Wycombe R44 Raven Helicopter Robinson's R44 Raven Series Helicopters provide excellent reliability, responsive handling, and altitude performance, making the R44 the ideal helicopter for private, business, and utility applications. Taken at Denham Airfield west London where this particular craft is registered Thames Skyline HMS Belfast, Tower Bridge, Tower of London Apple Blossom 4 Apple Blossom 4 Taken in my garden in West London Apple Blossom 3 In my garden New Forest Pony. The New Forest ponies most endearing quality is their inbred, gentle nature. Their calm temperament naturally recommends them as an excellent choice and an ideal mount for both children and adults. They have long been raced locally and are surprisingly fast, especially over rough terrain. They are suited to many competitive activities from Pony Club to polo, driving to dressage, they are naturals at jumping and gymkhana and are successfully trained to carry handicapped riders. All in all, the modern New Forest Pony is an exceptional all-rounder with an endearing character, that has developed as a result of both its unique environment and strong association with the people who have been responsible for the development of the breed. A yellow rose for Mothers Day. Or simply for that special lady in our life anytime of the year. Hengistbury Huts Bournemouth Pier in Dorset on Englands South Coast Polish War Memorial - Poleglym lotnikom Polskim The Polish War Memorial was erected in Northolt West London to remember the contribution of airmen from Poland who helped the Allied cause during World War II. Many flew from RAF Northolt. Poole Bay from southbourne showing Boscombe Pier and Bournemouth pier Christchurch Dorset Christchurch as viewed from Hengistbury head Standing at the foot of the Cooper's Hill Slopes, at Runnymede Surrey, is a memorial to the Magna Carta in the form of a domed classical temple containing a pillar of English granite on which is inscribed: 'To commemorate Magna Carta, symbol of Freedom Under Law.' This was built by the American Bar Association on land leased by the Magna Carta Trust. It was paid for by voluntary contributions of some 9,000 American lawyers. All Saints Marlow and Marlow bridge The current church is Victorian and replaced the previous one which collapsed in 1831. There has been a church in that general area since 1070 A Panoramic shot of Bournemouth beaches taken on 10th April 2011 from Bournemouth Pier London Collage A collage of famous london sights including the Tower of London, St Pauls and the Millennium Bridge, Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, the London Eye, Tower Bridge and HMS Belfast and the Monument. Merton college Chapel Carousel in black and white Kite Surfer at Southbourne in Dorset Grand Union Canal collage A collage of images of the Grand Union canal between Rickmansworth and Cowley near Uxbridge West London. Bowl of Raspberries and cream A bowl of British grown Octavia Raspberries and cream, St Laurence Church in Cowley Angora Goat Angora Goat having a rest. HMS Somerset HMS Somerset is one of a batch of Type 23 frigates ordered in 1992 from the Yarrow yard (today BAE Systems) in Scotstoun. It was there that she was launched in June 1994 before she made her way to her home port of Devonport two years later to take her place in the Fleet. HMS Somerset traces her history back three centuries, but it was in 2005 that she adopted her motto from the Duke of Somerset, for whom she is named: Foy pour devoir - faith for duty. Carousel in Bournemouth near the pier Britannia Royal Naval College Britannia Royal Naval College is a modern, military college steeped in traditional values, delivering learning that is inspiring, challenging and relevant to meet Fleet operational capability. It has been at the forefront of the education and development of world-class Naval Officers in Dartmouth since 1863. Ford Mustang Engine Bay One of the most powerful large light cruisers ever built, HMS Belfast is now the only surviving vessel of her type to have seen active service during the Second World War, Serving Britain for 32 years, she played an important role in both the Second World War and the Korean War as well as performing peacekeeping duties throughout the 1950s and 1960s. Saved from destruction in 1971, HMS Belfast is now part of the Imperial War Museum and is the first ship to be preserved for the nation since Nelson's Victory. It is moored just upstream from Tower Bridge on the River Thames. Little Owl is a small, chunky, flat headed and short tailed. It hunts at dusk but can be often seen perched out during the day. Can be found all over Europe and UK A collage of famous London sites and sights Windsor Castle, Royal Standard flying, as seen from Alexandra Park. Windsor Castle is the largest and oldest occupied castle in the world, and is one of the official residences of Her Majesty The Queen. The Castle's dramatic site encapsulates 900 years of British history. It covers an area of 26 acres and contains, as well as a royal palace, a magnificent chapel and the homes and workplaces of a large number of people. The Isle of Wight as seen from Avon beach Mudeford Poole Bay as seen from Southbourne Marlow in Buckinghamshire Hengistbury Head on a cold frosty Boxing Day morning. Angler at Hengistbury Head An angler fishing off the end of Hengistbury Head in Dorset. The Isle of Wight in the background.	cc/2019-30/en_head_0020.json.gz/line849
__label__cc	0.549389	0.450611	Student Finance England Advice regarding eligibility for financial support whilst studying. http:www.gov.uk/student-finance Sunlight Development Trust A community owned and managed charitable organisation that works with partners across all sectors. They combine a mix of services aimed at everyone within the community; nobody is excluded. The overriding aim is to improve health inequity and well-being by providing an improved range of… www.sunlighttrust.org.uk Sunlight Wellbeing Cafe Sunlight Wellbeing Cafe provides a safe environment for people to people to have access to mental health support and advice. The Wellbeing Cafe is there to respond quickly to prevent an escalation of a crisis. The Wellbeing Cafe operate an open door policy with no need… www.sunlighttrust.org.uk/ Tenterden and District Residents Association A community voice speaking up for Tenterden. The TDRA is strictly non-political. Members come from all walks of life and include homeowners and tenants of all ages, with a wide variety of interests. chairman@tdra.or.uk www.tdra.org.uk/ TheSite.org TheMix.org is an online guide to life for 16-25 year olds in the UK. It provides non-judgmental support and information on everything from sex and stress to debt and drugs. Straight-talking emotional support is available 24 hours a day. There are options for: chatting about anything… http://www.themix.org.uk Tours of the Archives at the Kent History and Library Centre First Wednesday of every month You are invited to come and join an hour-long tour to see the work which we undertake in looking after historic archives for Kent. Tours will consist of a short introduction to the Community History Area and Public Search Room, and visits to the Reprographics… historyandlibrarycentre@kent.gov.uk Tunbridge Wells and District Multiple Sclerosis Society The branch covers postcodes TN1 to TN20 (Tunbridge Wells, Tonbridge, Sevenoaks, and nearby towns and villages). Our aim is to give support and advice to all those affected by Multiple Sclerosis (MS), whether they be existing members or not. We also:- Run a local branch… MSTunbridgeWells@aol.com Multiple Sclerosis Society - Tunbridge Wells And District Unlock is a charity that provides information, advice, training and advocacy, dealing with the ongoing effects of criminal convictions. Unlock provides: information advice and support through their Information Hub, Disclosure Calculator, Online Forum and Online Magazine provide help and support for people with convictions through… www.unlock.org.uk We Are Beams is a charity set up by parents for families with disabled children between the ages of 0 to 25 who live in the Dartford, Gravesham, Sevenoaks and surrounding areas.	cc/2019-30/en_head_0020.json.gz/line854
__label__wiki	0.535425	0.535425	Comment on macroeconomic issues Winner of the New Statesman SPERI Prize in Political Economy 2016 There is only one alternative to Prime Minister Boris Johnson Corbyn may not be a great or even a particularly good leader, but it seems few in the media recognise he is the only viable opposition to the far right we have. While I have been critical of the Labour leadership’s Brexit stance for some time, and still do not think Corbyn has gone far enough to maximise Labour's chances of General Election victory, he has done enough to ensure one thing: his survival. While his Brexit stance, together with continuing problems with antisemitism, will have lost some members and made others luke warm, there is little appetite to replace him amongst most members. This view will only strengthen as the likelihood of a General Election increases. It is Labour party members who choose the party’s leader. But what about antisemitism? Could this issue be the downfall of the Labour leadership? The answer is almost certainly no. As the poll discussed here shows, while 66% of Labour members think antisemtism within the party is a genuine problem, 77% think the problem is deliberately exaggerated to damage Labour and Corbyn himself. On the basis of current evidence, and that includes any rebuke from the EHRC investigation, Corbyn’s position among members on this issue is secure. The only other factor that might raise questions among the membership about their leader is very bad poll ratings. But two factors mean this is not a risk factor for Corbyn’s leadership. First, the new Brexit policy will win some voters back. As Rob Ford notes here, there are signs that the electorate’s flirtation with four party politics is coming to an end, as both Labour and the Conservatives move their own Brexit position. Second, Labour under Corbyn have been there and done that in 2017, such that there will always be the hope of a pre-election surge for Labour. Could Labour’s continuing antisemitism crisis create another serious split between MPs and the leadership, along the lines of the vote of no confidence in 2016 after the Brexit vote? A split of this kind would only make sense if Labour MPs believed that they had a chance of defeating Corbyn in a ballot of members, and as I have already suggested they would be delusional. MPs may demand this and that in terms of how disciplinary procedures are handled within Labour, but any attempt to unseat Corbyn, or mass defections by Labour Mps, seems unlikely. The security of the Labour leadership’s position within the party is one of two key factors in which to evaluate the impact of continuing criticism of Labour within the mainstream media and elsewhere. The second is the threat we face from what has become the most far right and dangerous government the UK has experienced for decades if not centuries. The Conservative party is looking increasingly like the US Republican party, and its likely leader increasingly looks like a UK version of Donald Trump. However the Conservative party has got itself into a far more dangerous position than the Republican’s have ever faced. The Tories have Nigel Farage and a right wing press pushing them to implement a No Deal Brexit that goes way beyond anything Trump might be contemplating with tariffs. Furthermore opposition within the Tory party towards Johnson’s leadership ideas and No Deal looks vanishingly small. Two recent events have underlined how far the UK government has descended into far right territory. The first was of course Johnson’s failure to stand up for one of our own ambassadors in the Darroch affair. A corrolorary of No Deal is that a trade deal with the US becomes politically essential, and that in turn means that Trump’s not so polite requests become the UK’s actions. This is a President who tells non-white Congresswomen born in the USA to go back to “the crime infested places from which they came”. In practice a US trade deal that UK politicians desperately want will be disastrous for UK agriculture, UK consumers and many more, people already hit hard by the UK leaving the EU with no deal. The second recent event was Amber Rudd preferring a job in any future Johnson government to her previous opposition to No Deal. It has been an object lesson to those who thought Conservative MPs would always stand up for business and the Union to see how quickly all but a few have chosen political expediency instead. Again parallels with the Republican party in the US are instructive. Just as the right wing media in the US was able to use the Tea Party movement to shift the Republicans to the right, so the right wing press have used Farage to shift the Conservative party in a similar way. The net result will be the normalisation of a No Deal Brexit over the next few months. Leaving without a deal was not what all of the 52% of Leave voters in 2016 voted for, but virtually no one in the broadcast media will be brave enough to push this point. The lie that the 2016 vote provides a mandate for No Deal will go unchallenged. Broadcasters will balance the nonsense that the impact of No Deal on the UK will be, to quote Johnson, “infinitesimally small” against the truth that it is the biggest act of political and economic self-harm ever inflicted on the UK. Allowing Johnson to become leader shows that the Conservative party has completely lost its moral compass. All of Johnson’s misdeeds in his past mean nothing, just as Trump’s behaviour means nothing to his supporters and the Republican party. Both individuals lie all the time, but it doesn’t matter to his own side. Johnson encourages a friend to beat up a journalist, but it doesn’t matter. Johnson uses racist language on many occasions, most recently comparing Muslim women wearing the niqab and burqa to letterboxes, but this was deemed acceptable by his party. Johnson gets advice from Steve (“Let them call you racist. Wear it as a badge of honour”) Bannon, and even the BBC does not think Johnson lying about these contacts matters. And so, as the Conservative party loses its moral compass, the chances are that large sections of the country’s elite will do so as well, and our standing overseas will plummet even further. Although Tory party members may find Johnson’s insults acceptable, don’t expect other countries to take a UK run by Johnson as more than a bad joke. Don’t expect other countries to do business with a UK that proposes to destroy its trade relationship with the EU and many other countries at a stroke. An elite that treats threats to prorogue parliament as acceptable will not be respected by countries that value democracy, although some others will welcome the development. Yet those who say not in my name need to ask themselves whether they are prepared to make the choice required to stop this happening. There is only one realistic opposition to a Johnson led government. Believing the Liberal Democrats could ever play that role was unrealistic, because Labour has enough loyal voters to ensure that the anti-government vote would be split. Farage along with the LibDems might also take away votes from the government, but it would be foolish to rely on an English vote split four ways just happening to go against a Conservative government. The awkward truth for those who for whatever reason dislike Corbyn’s Labour party is that Labour is the only party that can defeat this government, and its leader in the next election will be Corbyn. Voting is always a choice between the lesser of two evils. Supporting smaller parties when that lets the Conservatives win, or supporting none, may make those who dislike Corbyn’s Labour feel better, but it is in effect a statement that Corbyn’s Labour party would be just as bad for the country as a whole as out current government, and that is simply not a credible belief. Corbyn is not going to leave the EU with no deal, and in practice will be unable to leave the EU in any way. Corbyn is not threatening to prorogue parliament, is not desperate to do a trade deal with Donald Trump, does not lie all the time, does not get friends to beat up opponents, and does not have a history of using racist language. Whereas Johnson promises tax cuts for the rich, a Corbyn led government would help the many, not the few. Yet there are few in the mainstream media who seem prepared to recognise the choice we face for what it is. Even wise and perceptive commentators like Martin Wolf, who lament the situation the Conservative government has led us to, often feel it necessary to balance their piece with a derogatory remark about the Labour leadership. Those remarks may or may not be accurate, but a plague on all your houses just allows this Tory government to stay in place. Worse still are those in the centre or centre-left who refuse to give up hope of getting ‘their party’ back and will do anything that in their view helps that cause. In the first year after Corbyn was elected many MPs and journalists waged a constant war against the left in the media. I said at the time it was utterly futile and self-destructive, and I was right. It led to an attempt to unseat Corbyn that everyone on the left calls a coup, and a clear majority of members saw it the same way. Polls suggest the same is true today. Those in the centre and centre-left need to realise that for all Corbyn’s faults and mistakes he will be Labour’s leader going into the next election, and if they repeatedly attack him they are helping Boris Johnson do terrible damage to our country. Of course the right wing press will do anything to discredit Labour: that is what their owners pay them to do. But often their task is made easier by the non-partisan media who think they are making choices using simple journalistic criteria, such as going with the story. What we are in danger of seeing with 24/7 criticism of Corbyn is a repetition of what happened to Hilary Clinton in the US elections. As I showed here, the mainstream media spent much more time talking about her email server than any of the sins of Donald Trump, or indeed all those sins combined. In that sense the US media chose Trump over Clinton. It was of course not a thought-through or considered choice, but just the outcome of lots of individual decisions that seemed to make sense in journalistic terms, but were disastrous in political terms. Of course the constant tunes the media play matter. One of the incredible poll findings of that US election was that more people trusted the serial liar Donald Trump more than Hillary Clinton. That makes no sense unless you note the constant stream of media stories suggesting Clinton had something to hide. No one is suggesting Labour’s failures over antisemitism should not be exposed, just as no one was suggesting that Clinton should not have been criticised for using her own email for government business. What is missing in both cases is a sense of perspective, as here for example, or here. Without that perspective constant attacks on Corbyn will have an impact. The impact will be to keep a destructive far right government in power. Posted by Mainly Macro at 01:44 No comments: Links to this post Labels: Amber Rudd, anti-Corbynistas, antisemitism, BBC, Boris Johnson, Clinton's emails, Corbyn, EHRC, Martin Wolf, media, Rob Ford, Steve Bannon Will Labour’s new Brexit policy win back voters? Labour has finally agreed to back a People’s Vote unequivocally on any Brexit deal. That includes any deal it might itself negotiate after winning a General Election. It will campaign for Remain against No Deal or any Tory deal. Whether it will try and negotiate its own deal after it wins a snap General Election will be decided quickly as soon as that General Election is called. This differs slightly from the proposal put forward by five biggest affiliated trade unions, which proposed that Labour would negotiate its own Brexit deal after winning a General Election, but leaving open whether Labour would campaign for this new deal or instead campaign for Remain against the deal it had negotiated. That part of the proposal has yet to be agreed, and may not be agreed, depending on decisions still to be taken. Will this change in policy be enough to win back 2017 Labour voters who now say they will vote LibDem or Green because they want to remain in the EU? The policy still looks ambiguous compared to the LibDem's policy of calling for a People’s vote whether they are in power or not. Any interview of a Labour politician will now take a predictable form, with “what would you do if you win a General Election” being the first question. Labour have not left ambiguity behind completely. Postponing the decision on what to do before any General Election makes procedural sense and also some political sense. If the polls start moving back towards Labour from now on then Labour can think job done. If they don’t then it becomes clear Labour need to commit to Remain as part of its General Election manifesto. Of course this is a game with voters and not a game against nature, and voters may realise this and could keep saying they will vote LibDem or Green in order to keep the pressure on Labour. Another important factor will be if this new policy allows senior figures to start aggressively campaigning for Remain, rather than simply explaining Labour’s Brexit policy. They need, at a minimum, to start appearing at People’s Vote events. The official opposition has a huge (and some would consider unfair) advantage over other opposition parties in getting more airtime, and if they can use that to make the case for a People’s Vote that may win some votes back. The post-election policy put forward by the 5 unions does have one advantage over the LibDem policy. The question for those supporting a People’s Vote is what deal do you put up against Remain? No Deal is not an actual deal, and would also fail to learn the lesson of 2016: don’t give voters an option that parliament thinks is disastrous. However May’s deal now has few backers, and if it won against Remain it is a pretty hard form of Brexit. The Union’s proposal would, if negotiations were successful, put a softer form of Brexit up against Remain, so it would be less of a disaster if Remain lost a People’s Vote. Whether voters will see it that way depends crucially on Labour’s position on their negotiated deal. Leaving it open is not a vote winning strategy, because the natural presumption is that a Labour government that spends a lot of time negotiating a deal will want to support it in any referendum. Remain supporters may also reason that Remain would easily beat May’s deal, but might find beating a softer Brexit with Labour support a more difficult task. There is no point arguing that this strategy reduces risk in case Remain loses if it also increases the chance of Remain losing. If the party wants to retain the proposal of the 5 unions and also win votes, it has to commit to support Remain whatever the results of those negotiations. Only then will Labour’s policy on Remain be seen to be comparable to that of the LibDems. This proposal, together with a commitment to support Remain, has the disadvantage of prolonging Brexit but the advantage of reducing the risk if the referendum is lost. If this is all beginning to sound a bit convoluted, it is and it doesn’t need to be. If Labour’s only concern was to increase the chances of winning the next General Election it would have adopted a Remain strategy full stop. In other words Remain in all circumstances including a Labour government. Labour could have even gone one better than the LibDems and agreed to put revoking A50 on the table if it won a General Election. The fact that it didn’t simply reflects the minority within the party who either prefer Lexit or are MPs in Leave areas who fear losing their seats. This minority within Labour have already done enough damage to the Labour cause. They have revived the fortunes of the Liberal Democrats and Greens as an alternative to Labour. By keeping Labour’s policy after a General Election unclear, they further risk the solidification of the support for both these parties among former Labour voters.. None of this matters for the Remain cause, because as I have argued for some time there is very little chance of a Labour government ever achieving Brexit even if it wanted to. But voters, including Remain voters, have yet to be convinced of that. Why should they, when the pro-Brexit minority within Labour have not been convinced either and continue to resist Labour adopting a Remain strategy. Indulging this minority for too long could cost Labour crucial votes, and Labour does not have votes to spare. Labels: Brexit, Corbyn, Labour, Lexit Our new Prime Minister is abandoning austerity and going on a tax cutting spree (if you believe him) These proposals are not designed to help the economy, but to keep Tory party backers happy amid the chaos of a No Deal Brexit I was going to write something about some of the detailed fiscal plans of our next Prime Minister, and then I thought that would be pointless. Part of the remit of being a Tory Prime Minister nowadays is to lie all the time. So how do I, or Tory members for that matter, know if either of these two candidates for Prime Minister are going to do any of the things they have promised when they get into power? All they are doing right now is saying whatever they think Tory members want them to say. However both campaigns do at least raise the possibility that our next Prime Minister will throw caution (and fiscal responsibility) to the wind and embark on some large tax cuts. It is critical to note that these tax cuts have not been carefully crafted to shield the economy against any demand shock that might follow from a No Deal exit from the EU. They are designed instead to make Tory voters happier with a government that enacts the biggest act of self harm in UK history. How do I know that this is what the tax cuts are for, when I’m sure the future Prime Minister would say otherwise? Let’s just look at some of the big ticket items. Cutting income tax for higher rate taxpayers, cutting stamp duty on buying a house and cutting corporation tax. If you were looking for fiscal policies to provide a quick boost to demand, these would be a long way down the list. Much better would be to give money direct to poorer households, because they are likely to spend most of it, or to add to demand directly by increasing public spending, and in particular public investment. High up on my list would be to increase local authority funding to prevent some local authorities going bust. These kind of demand boosters are, however, not the kind of thing that would be attractive to Tory party members, which is why they are largely absent from the wish list of each prospective Prime Minister. There is an equally important point about timing. Any demand shock following a No Deal exit is likely to be temporary, like a sudden stop in investment by business or in housing. The best measures to counteract that are ones that can easily be reversed. Again bringing forward public investment is an excellent example. In contrast, cutting taxes is politically difficult to reverse. None of the tax cuts proposed by either leadership candidate are explicitly temporary. What we are seeing from both candidates is the fiscal policy of Donald Trump, and to be fair to Donald Trump also the policy of the Republican party since the second George Bush. Cut taxes under any pretext you can, and watch borrowing increase. After a suitable interval say that something must be done about borrowing, and propose a raft of cuts in public spending or welfare payments to stop the government debt to GDP ratio rising. It was the right’s preferred way of shrinking the state before the Global Financial Crisis and austerity came along. There are two traps that the left can fall into by a Trump style give away to the rich. The first, which you may find among Lexiters, is to believe that fiscal stimulus is the means by which you stop permanent damage to the economy from any form of Brexit. The danger this leads to is to support the concept of a large permanent fiscal stimulus, even if you do not like the details. I am all for a large increase in public investment, of the kind that I hope a future Labour government will deliver, but that increase in investment should happen anyway, whatever the outcome on Brexit or aggregate demand. If the investment projects are beneficial, they should be undertaken whatever happens to Brexit. Brexit’s main impact is to gradually hit the supply side of the economy by reducing UK trade with the EU and most of the countries the EU has trade agreements with. As we do less trade, the UK’s productivity falls. This causal linkage takes many forms, such as dynamic firms choosing to produce elsewhere or UK participation in supply chains ending, but the net result is that the UK produces stuff less productively than it would without Brexit. The empirical evidence for these effects is very strong, and we have already seen some of it happening. You cannot counteract this long term loss of productivity by pumping up demand. All this will do is create inflationary pressure which will lead to higher interest rates designed to offset the fiscal stimulus. There is nothing the UK government can do to offset the negative impact of higher trade barriers on the UK. What the government can do is help offset any Brexit induced negative shock to demand, where demand falls more quickly than supply or falls temporarily, by using fiscal expansion alongside monetary policy. This leads to a second trap, which is to think about the Johnson/Hunt proposals in terms of conventional fiscal stimulus to offset this temporary demand deficiency. Or in other words to think about them in macroeconomic terms. That is not their main intent. Their intent is to redistribute money from the poor to the rich, in order to keep the party’s backers (in terms of money or votes) happy despite all the chaos of No Deal. No doubt any actual proposals made after the winner becomes Prime Minister will include sweeteners (this could be a bad pun) designed to distract from this purpose, but reporting and comment should not be distracted. Which brings us to the issue of how popular any package will be. Stephen Bush rightly points out that our future Prime Minister, if they stick to anything like their current fiscal plans, will blow the Conservatives' reputation for economic responsibility out of the water. The OBR will be quick to tell the next Chancellor that a No Deal Brexit will create one of those famous black holes in the public finances, yet rather than respond as Hammond would by fiscal retrenchment the new Prime Minister wants to shake the magic money tree for all it is worth. In contrast Aditya Chakrabortty worries that this reputation loss will have little impact on voters, who will instead be dazzled by the goodies that are being thrown at them. If I had to choose I would agree with Chakrobortty on this. Labour are deemed irresponsible on the economy by the media even when they are not, so I suspect the reverse will be true: the Tories will be deemed responsible even when they are not. The IFS and the Financial Times will raise an eyebrow but their impact on most media comment will be regrettably small. I fear we are returning to an age of deficit bias, which I have to remind younger readers was the tendency in many (not all) countries to gradually increase their debt to GDP ratio during the 30 years before the Global Financial Crisis. There is always the temptation for politicians to cut taxes or increase spending by increased borrowing to gain popularity. Austerity during the Global Financial crisis may be an exception to that rule, or more worryingly deficit bias may be how right wing politicians shrink the state in normal or good times and austerity (deficit deceit) is how they do it in bad times. As a result, it is entirely legitimate for the left to criticise these plans on fiscal responsibility grounds as well as citicising their impact on the distribution of post-tax income, should these plans survive either candidate becoming Prime Minister. I make no apologies for saying this again: the Labour party is the only UK political party to have set out a fiscal framework that both prevents austerity and also prevents the kind of irresponsible fiscal giveaways that are being proposed by our future Prime Minister. Labels: Aditya Chakrabortty, Boris Johnson, Brexit, deficit bias, no deal, Stephen Bush, tax cuts, Trump Understanding why right-wing populism succeeds I have just been rereading “Populism and the People” by Jan-Werner Müller in the London Review of Books (May 2019). It is the most concise and I think perceptive account of the most worrying political development of our time: the rise of the right wing populist. This is Trump and Farage, but also Orbán in Hungary, Erdoğan in Turkey, Kaczyński in Poland, Modi in India and Bolsonaro in Brazil. What they have in common is a “populist art of governance ... based on nationalism (often with racist overtones), on hijacking the state for the ends of partisan loyalists and, less obviously, on weaponising the economy to secure political power: a combination of culture war, patronage and mass clientelism.” But there is one standout paragraph for me, and so I will reproduce it in full. “But have so many people really been converted to the views of the far right? Contrary to the domino theory propounded by pundits, and by the populists themselves – first Brexit, then Trump, then Le Pen etc – the fact remains that no right-wing populist has yet come to power anywhere in Western Europe or North America without the collaboration of established conservative elites. Farage did not bring Brexit about by himself; he needed Michael Gove, Boris Johnson et al to assure voters that it was a jolly good idea. Trump wasn’t elected as the leader of a spontaneous grassroots movement of – as the cliché has it – angry white working-class males; he was the candidate of the ultimate party of the establishment and needed the support of Chris Christie, Rudy Giuliani, Newt Gingrich – all of whom vouched for him. What happened on 8 November 2016 can in one sense be explained in the most banal terms. Citizens who identify with the Republican Party came out and did what voters do on election day: they cast a ballot for their party. What took place was utterly normal, except that the candidate himself wasn’t quite so normal.” This process can seem perfectly normal if you take it for granted that the right has to sell out to the far right if it is to survive, and the right has no other choice. But it is not inevitable that the Conservative party sat back and allowed its ranks to be swelled by ex-UKIP members, who promptly started trying to deselect candidates who spoke out against No Deal. It was not inevitable that Cameron pledged to have a referendum on EU membership where he allowed the Leave side not to specify what kind of Brexit they were proposing. And in the late 1990s and early 2000s, the Tory opposition and their backers in the right wing press did not have to start using immigration is a political weapon. It was not inevitable that Osborne chose austerity, which helped create the conditions for Brexit. As ever, this is about going for short term gains that have the risk of far greater longer term costs. No doubt someone at Conservative party HQ thought that increasing membership had its advantages. The Conservative focus on immigration lead to the rise in UKIP, and in 2010 setting up immigration targets that were never going to be hit strengthened UKIP even further. It was that strength that led Cameron to make his ill-fated pledge. Osborne’s austerity might have embarrassed Labour and shrunk the state but it intensified anti-immigration attitudes. But I think, in the UK at least, there is something more, and that is the normalisation of the far right by the BBC, coupled with a demonisation of the left by the centre more widely. That the BBC has been pressured by the government and its press into adopting a more favourable stance towards the Conservatives than Labour is well known and beyond dispute, except of course at the BBC. But I think that has also led to the normalisation of the far right, which is equally dangerous. It is made up of a lot of little things: unchallenged coverage of the Brexit party launch, not bothering to highlight links between Bannon and Johnson (here is ITV’s coverage), inviting a far right representative on Newsnight straight after the Christchurch terrorist attack, and so on. It is worse at the BBC, but other broadcasters are not totally innocent. The Brexit party is not a party but an organisation where no one can challenge the leader, a leader who is well versed in 1930s fascist imagery. Coupled with the centre’s normalisation of the far right is a demonisation of the main opposition to the Conservative party. To quote Gary Young: “Throughout this time media elites, drawn from the same class as their financial and political counterparts, have mostly been obsessed by the crisis in leadership in an ostensibly “unelectable” Labour party, which has had the same leader for four years – and gained seats and vote share in the last general election. Those media elites have called pretty much every major political event, from Brexit to the last two elections, incorrectly.” When the democratically elected leader of a party of half a million is considered beyond the pale, you get an environment that inevitably enables the rightward drift of the other main party. Every news organisation worth its salt should be hounding Johnson about his failure to rule out proroguing parliament as a direct attack on democracy. Just as it makes no sense to balance truth with lies, it makes no sense to tolerate attacks on our democracy. Without that kind of defence from our media and politicians, it becomes an easy slide to the populism that Jan-Werner Müller talks so incisively about. Labels: BBC, Corbyn, Gary Younge, Jan-Werner Müller, LRB, populist, right wing The dynamic of today’s service based economy means that social liberalism is in part generated by class. Imagine someone with a piece of thin card. They draw a circle with a compass and cut out the circle. Two people arrive and pick up the card. One says look, someone has cut out a circle. The other says there is no circle, its just a thin bit of card. The debate over Brexit within the Labour party is in danger of following a similar structure. For most Labour voters and members its position should be absolutely clear. Labour should stand for openness and international cooperation. Brexit is the opposite of these things. However a minority says that many in Labour’s working class heartlands support Brexit and we should not abandon them. The first side sees a circle but is in danger of ignoring that it is made out of card, and the second side sees only a piece of card. We need to think about politics in two dimensions rather than just one. The first dimension is the traditional left/right division that used to be the mainstay of politics. The second is the dimension of culture or identity. At one end of the cultural dimension you have social conservatives, who value local communities and the nation and are suspicious of outsiders, where being an outsider can involve sexual norms, race or religion. At the other end are social liberals, who value diversity and tolerance, and who dislike borders of most kinds. People see in three dimensions, so the card circle is both a circle and a piece of card. Equally people care about issues in both the left/right dimension and the cultural dimension. For most people Brexit is an issue on the cultural dimension. The call for Labour to represent Remain is straight forward. Labour has for decades been on the liberal side of the cultural axis, and so they should support Remain. It is the main reason why the majority of Labour voters and members support Remain. The response of a minority in the Labour movement is to talk about Labour’s traditions as a working class party. Examples are John Cruddas or Lisa Nandy. It is a powerful argument for Labour party members, who both respect the traditions that Labour represent and do want the party to represent the working class. It is particularly powerful because there is some guilt that the Labour party, like other parties of the left, has moved from a party of the working class to being a party of what Piketty calls the Brahmin left, and Paul Mason calls the new core of the Labour project. But this argument could be accused of seeing the card circle as a piece of card. Of course Labour should represent the working class along the familiar left/right dimension, in terms of labour market policy, industrial policy, reducing inequality and so forth. Cultural politics in no way replaces class politics. But just because working class communities tend to be more socially conservative than professional classes does not mean we should abandon Labour’s liberal stance on issues like immigration and, of course, Brexit. Labour should represent the working classes in the economic dimension but not the social dimension. To reinforce this point Danny Dorling points out that Leave was as much a middle class as a working class vote. Furthermore, as I noted here, once you take London out of the equation the North is now only slightly more pro-Brexit than the South, and there is as much a divide between the West and the East. Why should Labour be the party that supports middle class social conservatives? Adding the dynamic of today’s big cities This conceptualisation of Brexit as essentially a culture war and not a class war is powerful and contains a lot of truth. But it leaves some puzzles unresolved. The first is geographical. If Brexit is a guide to people’s position on the cultural axis, why is London along with other dynamic cities full of social liberals and the towns, depressed cities and countryside much more socially conservative? The second is about class. Again if Brexit is a measure of social conservatism, why is the working class more socially conservative than the professional class? If where we are on the culture axis reflects innate preferences, why don’t we find as many social liberals as conservatives in different regions and classes? One possible answer may relate to the geographical and social dynamics of an advanced, service based economy, where towns and cities based around manufacturing plants are an exception rather than the rule. Suppose in countries of this kind, where the state does little to intervene (it is neoliberal), it is the cities that provide the dynamic that propels the economy forward, while cities based on old industries and rural areas are more stagnant. This does seem to be true for the UK and other advanced countries. In addition, people flow constantly between the dynamic and stagnant areas, in part because cities tend to be younger. If this is the case, then this dynamic could play a geographic sorting role. Those who are more open, who like change and diversity will move to the city. Those who prefer continuity and community will stay, or may even move from the city to the town after a time. So over time you will find the more socially liberal tend to be in cities, and the more socially conservative tend to be in more rural areas. In addition, those from middle class backgrounds will find it easier to gain the skills that the city needs, while those from working class backgrounds will find it harder through no fault of their own. The less the state intervenes to assist social mobility, the more this will be true. If you are middle class the more likely you are to be in environments (universities and then cities) that are diverse and therefore encourage social liberalism, while if you are working class you are more likely to get stuck in towns or stagnant post-industrial cities. This helps explain something else about Brexit: lack of education is one of the strongest predictors of support for Brexit. I would like to add one additional dynamic here. The more educated you are, the more likely you are to be familiar with multiple sources of information, and the more open you will be to different perspectives. You are more likely to value expertise because your position in the labour market depends on your own expertise. As a result, you will be less likely to be influenced by what you read in one newspaper, and more likely to seek out what experts are saying on issues like Brexit. In my view newspaper coverage, both of immigration and then of Brexit itself, were important factors behind Brexit, and may be part of the reason that Scotland voted for Remain. This suggests two social processes. First, this economic dynamic based on growth in cities sorts those at different points of the cultural axis by geography. Second, and I think more importantly, where you are in this cultural axis may not just be the result of your genes, but may also be a result of this sorting process itself. Liberal attitudes may be encouraged by a university education and working in dynamic, diverse cities. In a dynamic environment where there are plenty of opportunities, diversity seems like a natural consequence of that dynamism. Indeed it may even be seen to contribute to the dynamism, which in fact it does. And of course a university education often gives you a skill set that defines your class position. In contrast, if you live in areas that are economically stagnant you are more likely to see things in terms of a zero-sum, us and them mindset. If immigrants arrive, or you fear they might arrive, you naturally think that they must take away something you already have. These are all tendencies of course. There are plenty in the cities who see little benefit from their dynamism, and plenty in the countryside who are much wealthier. There are Leave voters in dynamic cities and Remain voters in the countryside. Power and Populism There is one additional point about this segregation between dynamic cities and more stagnant towns. Political power generally resides in dynamic cities, and this leads to a perception at least that the political elite acts only in the interest of the cities. As a new and fascinating paper by Will Wilkinson argues for the US, this economic divide that both sorts for and encourages certain social attitudes among those in cities can cause resentment and alienation in the rest of the country to a degree that can create the conditions for populism to flourish. Trump’s support, like support for Brexit, comes from rural America or areas of industrial decline, while most in dynamic cities view this type of populism with incredulity. Population sorting, where power and growing wealth lie in cities where the governing elite rule, leads to self-reinforcing resentment against the elite from those who live elsewhere. That resentment can manifest as simply protest, as happened with the gilet jaunes in France, or it can be captured by politicians or policies that pretend to attack the elite. Where does that leave our original two dimensional conception where most of the Brexit action takes place on the socially conservative to liberal axis? We can now add two key caveats. First, while a position on this axis is often portrayed as reflecting innate characteristics, it may also be in part a consequence of economic forces and class. Second, support for Brexit may in part reflect some basic economic forces to do with the geography of economic dynamism in predominantly service economies. Does this mean those arguing that Labour should support Brexit because the working classes are more likely to support it are right? Of course not. Brexit, like Trump, will do nothing to help the working class, and Labour should never become a socially conservative party. Indeed Brexit will do precious little to help any of those that voted for it: it is an utterly stupid policy. But equally seeing this as a culture war that the progressive side have to win is much too simplistic. The roots of our current populism are based on an economic dynamic where growth occurs in large cities, and an economic system that does not spread enough dynamism, knowledge, wealth or power to the rest of the country. Labels: Brahmin left, Brexit, class, culture, Dorling, geography, John Cruddas, Labour, Lisa Nandy, Paul Mason, spatial dynamics, Will Wilkinson The UK right wing press: news or propaganda? The Boris domestic story. Some background for non-UK readers. The contest for the next leader of the Conservative party, and therefore our next Prime Minister, is now between two: Boris Johnson and someone else. Johnson is the clear favourite to win. Johnson has a pretty colourful love life, such that uncertainty about how many children he has produced is a talking point. Last week neighbours of Johnson’s current girlfriend heard screaming, crashing and shouting coming from her home very late at night. One particular neighbour, Mr. Penn, knocked on the door but there was no response. He then rang the police, who quickly came to the property. The police were satisfied that all occupants were OK, they had no concerns and left. One other neighbour described the earlier noise as so bad they thought someone had been murdered. That would have been that, except that one of those neighbours, a Mr. Penn, contacted the Guardian about the story, and had also switched on his phone inside the flat when the noises started. The reason he gave for contacting the Guardian was simply that the story was of public interest. The Guardian rang the police and they initially said there was no incident that night. When the Guardian rang back with further details the police corroborated the story. The story was of course of public interest. It was on the front page of every newspaper the next day, including the right wing press. So far, the right wing press were acting as proper newspapers. It is what happened next that tells a more interesting tale. Mr. Penn decided to go public (the Guardian had kept his identity secret) because “The unpleasant things being said about myself and my partner, and some quite frankly bizarre and fictitious allegations, have been upsetting for not only us, but also for family, friends and fellow Camberwell neighbours, who are currently being harangued by the media. I would ask that you leave private citizens alone and focus instead on those who have chosen to run for power within the public eye.The attempts from some areas of the press to instead focus their stories on us, and in particular my wife, have been eye-opening, and very alarming.” Here is a headline from the Mail the day after the incident hit the front pages that gives you a flavour of what he meant. “'Leftist' millionaire's daughter whose playwright husband called police on Boris after recording screaming bust-up 'gave the finger' to PM-hopeful in the street - as it's revealed Johnson's girlfriend Carrie no longer feels safe at home.” Here is some more from the text: “Most curious of all is what the couple did – and why they did it – after they were assured by police that there was nothing to worry about, that no one was hurt, no crime had been committed and that there was no cause for further action. At this point many in their position might have slunk away, faintly embarrassed they had dropped their neighbours (with whom they share a tiny communal landing) in it with police.” Other right wing newspapers joined in. The Times searched through Mr.Penn and his wife’s twitter accounts to find ‘incriminating evidence’ that they were Remainers, left wing, disliked Johnson and so on. The Telegraph gave two pages over to comment of a similar kind. The hypocrisy of the follow up reporting had two aims. The first was to distract attention away from the fact, which no one denies, that Johnson had had a blazing row with his girlfriend that frightened many neighbours and to instead focus attention on the messengers. The implication of rather a lot of the reporting is that if you hear a woman screaming next door best keep it to yourself. The hypocrisy is that every newspaper had run the story as a front page lead the day before, so Mr. Penn had been absolutely correct that the story was of public interest. The second aim is to ensure that any other member of the public that might have potentially important information about a Tory politician that was in the public interest keeps it to themselves. They will keep it to themselves because they know that if they reveal it they will have the full might of the Tory press trying to destroy their character in the days after the information was revealed. Adam Ramsey describes this as anti-journalism, but I think that does not fully describe what is going on. If it had been a Labour politician of any rank these same journalists would have gone to any length to find the dirt on the politician, and not reward their sources by investigating them as well. What these newspapers are doing is propaganda: providing information, especially of a biased or misleading nature, designed to promote a political cause or point of view. Why have these papers not yet descended to the level of Fox News in pretending bad things (for Trump) did not happen? These papers know that most of their readers will get their news from one of the broadcasters as well. If they are not reporting what is a top story for these broadcasters their bias is all too obvious. They cannot hide the story that is embarrassing to one of their own, but they can do their best to prevent similar stories in the future never seeing the light of day. Mr. Penn and his partner have left their flat after receiving a large number of death threats as a result of this newspaper coverage. Our right wing propaganda machines has achieved its goal. Labels: Adam Ramsey, Boris Johnson, domestic incident, UK right wing press Once the Nasty party, now the Brexit party Brexit could be a gift to Labour that will keep on giving, if the Labour leader is able to grasp it One of the sentences you are sure to hear nowadays is: “Brexit is not going to go away anytime soon”. It is true because Conservative party members will not let it go away. A recent poll showed a majority of those who will elect our next Prime Minister would prefer achieving Brexit to Scotland saying in the UK, Northern Ireland staying in the UK, or even the survival of their own party. They want Brexit even if it causes severe damage to the economy. The only thing that the poll suggested might make a majority forsake Brexit is the prospect of Jeremy Corbyn becoming Prime Minister.Therein lies the cure for our current Brexit blight and the opportunity for more than one period of Labour government. In the short term Brexit fanaticism is extremely scary. The wish to see Brexit happen even if it leads to the destruction of the Tory party is utterly extraordinary coming from Conservative party members. Of course Conservative MPs do not want to see that, but their survival in government now seems tied to getting Brexit done, and so most seem prepared to contemplate a No Deal Brexit if that is what it takes. Our only hope to prevent this are a small band of Tory MPs who might put country before party, who could then combine with most opposition MPs to stop this happening. Even if the attempt to leave with No Deal in October fails or does not happen, the Tory party is not going to give up. This radicalised membership will do its work by selecting Brexiters when MPs retire or leave for other reasons, and they may well deselect some of those who oppose No Deal. At some point those willing to stand up in parliament against a No Deal Brexit on the Tory benches will shrink to become insignificant. At that point Conservative party members will get their prize, if they are still in government. How did the Conservative party descend to this level of fanaticism about just one issue? Robert Saunders’s New Statesman article about the closing of the Conservative mind is well worth reading. It is particularly useful for those young enough to think that Conservatives were always neoliberals. He writes: “For most of its history, the Conservative Party has embraced ideas, while disclaiming ideology. Yet today, a party enslaved by ideology is almost barren of thought, just as it faces a historic set of challenges.” Sauders has some ideas about why this happened but I think it remains a puzzle. One possibility is simply the scale of their intellectual victory under Thatcher, such that their Labour opponents showed they could operate in the UK that Thatcher bequeathed but with a more human face (including more NHS spending). The Conservatives became, to use Theresa May’s words, the nasty party in voters minds. The only way forward was to double down on reactionary xenophobia (Hague’s “foreign land”) or ramp up the neoliberalism (Osborne's austerity). How did the Tory party membership get so radicalised about Brexit, when all the talk was about radicalism and entryism in the Labour party? The reason is that the Tory press that spent so much ink on talking about an imagined hard left Labour membership was also busy radicalising the Conservatives. Brexit embodies a mixture of nationalism, xenophobia, nostalgia and neoliberal zeal that Conservative party members cannot resist. In all this scary stuff there is a potential light at the end of the tunnel, a way out of all this mess. And despite all the talk, it isn’t a Remain victory in a People's Vote. Even if we have another referendum, which seems only likely in a last minute panic created by an EU ultimatum, it will not de-radicalise the Tory membership. If, as seems prudent, the referendum is about the withdrawal agreement, then Brexiters will say that the right question was not asked. If it involves No Deal, then any loss by a few percentage points (and the press will ensure at least that) will just become unfinished business. The best way for Brexit to end is not in the drama of another referendum, but instead with a whimper. The only way that can happen, with a radicalised Tory membership, is by electing a Labour government. As I have argued with little challenge, the Tories would oppose any sort of softer Brexit a Labour government might propose, so together with Remainers they would have a blocking majority in parliament or the country. How far a Corbyn led government would go down this road to nowhere we do not know. But he would never be allowed to put a Labour government at risk by pursuing a lost cause, so Brexit will not happen as long as a Labour government remained in power.. What we know a future Labour government would do is undertake a lot of measures designed to help one section of the Brexit electorate, the so called left behind. Very soon those and other voters would lose interest in Brexit, as politics became all about what the Labour government was actually doing. People would increasingly look back at the years following the 2016 referendum as wasted years, and an example of something never to be repeated. At first Conservatives would try and keep the flame of Brexit alive. Doing so would only ensure their unelectability, as Labour would only have to remind people of the chaos of the Brexit years. Conservative voters and MPs would gradually realise that being the Brexit party was like being the nasty party, a sure way not to be re-elected. It may take one or two more elections, but as that poll of Conservative party members suggested, the only thing that could make them give up Brexit is a Corbyn government. That is in essence why a Labour government is the best, and I suspect only, way of disposing of the Brexit blight that has infected the Conservative party and therefore the UK. This is the light at the end of the tunnel, such that Brexit ends with a whimper. However you have perhaps already wondered why, if this is all true, so many Labour voters and Remain supporters chose not to vote Labour in the European elections? Why have the Liberal Democrats suddenly managed to break free of the shackles of being in the 2010 Coalition government to be among the four contender parties in opinion polls? I think there are two answers, one that acted as a trigger and one underlying force. The trigger was the Brexit talks between Corbyn and May. Although political commentators rightly gave these talks little hope of success, their length would certainly have provoked a fear among Remainers who had voted Labour in 2017 that Brexit could happen in this way. In addition the European poll seemed like an appropriate time to protest. The underlying factor is that many voters are now identifying themselves in political terms along a Remain/Leave divide instead of a political divide. Remainers were getting fed up with the absence of a strong political voice making the case for Remain, and instead hearing endless discussion of impossible Brexit plans from the ERG. All they hear from Labour (because most voters do not read political speeches) is the latest version of Labour’s position on a second referendum. Labour seems to be muffling its own voice on the issue of the moment. The Liberal Democrat campaign slogan of ‘Bollocks to Brexit’ was just want Remainers had been waiting to hear. Which brings us to the current shadow cabinet meetings. Corbyn has moved another iota, agreeing that an option on the ballot would be “a real choice” for Remainers, but not moving nearly as far as many want. There is a certain symmetry in the two main parties position on Brexit, but also major differences. The symmetry is that, during May’s period, both parties wanted some form of compromise compared to what most of their party members wanted. Both parties eventually encouraged an insurgent party, the Brexit party for the Tories and the Liberal Democrats for Labour, that was able to take a large number of their votes by offering policies that forsaked compromise. But there the similarity ends. The Conservative party will decide, in one way or another, to come to some kind of accommodation with the insurgent party. That will happen by changing their Brexit policy to mirror the policy of the insurgent, or to cooperate with the insurgent party in any general election, or both. The Conservatives, as they always do, will adapt to the threat they face in order to stay in power. . The Labour leadership, in contrast, is in denial. All the evidence points to their failure to campaign for Remain as being a critical threat to an election victory, an election that could come very soon. Even before the European elections there were as many Remain and Leave maginals, because many working class Labour voters had changed their mind since 2016. In addition, it turns out Labour leavers do not feel that strongly about Labour taking a Remain position, but Labour Remainers care about it a lot. I have not come across a single reputable pollster that suggests Labour are increasing their General Election chances by keeping its pro-Brexit position, and plenty arguing that to win they have to back Remain. The argument that Labour needs to support Brexit to win the election is no longer credible. Instead the leadership’s support for Brexit puts at serious risk a Labour government that could rule for more than a decade. When you add in the impossibility of a Labour government enacting Brexit, and I just do not see why Lexiters remain in denial. Incremental moves until conference also makes no sense as a strategy. The longer Remain voters get used to thinking they are going to vote Green or Liberal Democrat, and as long as the Labour leadership resists what appears to be overwhelming force, there is a strong risk that many will carry that habit into a General Election, if only because Labour’s eventual change will lack credibility. If the shadow cabinet are interested in maximising Labour’s chance of being in power, it has to change Labour’s official position to one of supporting Remain now. No one is asking Corbyn himself to campaign for Remain, and it would probably be better if he didn’t, because there are plenty on his front bench who can do so more credibly. But their campaigning has to reflect Labour’s official position, which is to become the only party that can make Brexit go away. Labels: Brexit, Conservative party members, Corbyn, Labour, people's vote, Remain, Robert Saunders Emeritus Professor of Economics and Fellow of Merton College, University of Oxford. This blog is written for both economists and non-economists. My new book The Lies We Were Told is out in November, published by Bristol University Press. It features key blog posts from the past, with additional commentary and context. It was a finalist for the 2019 PROSE awards. There is only one alternative to Prime Minister Bo... Our new Prime Minister is abandoning austerity and... Some blogs I regularly read Alex's Archives Antonio Fatas on the Global Economy Bruegel Blog Chris Dillow (Stumbling and Mumbling) CONVERSABLE ECONOMIST Coppola Comment Flip Chart Fairy Tales interfluidity John Quiggin JOMEC @ Cardiff University Karl Whelan longandvariable Modeled Behavior - We're economists covering everything economics. - Forbes Noahpinion Philosophy of money Roger Farmer's Economic Window The Enlightened Economist Uneasy Money VoxEU.org: Recent Articles Worthwhile Canadian Initiative	cc/2019-30/en_head_0020.json.gz/line863
__label__cc	0.688676	0.311324	Derek Webster Derek Webster was born April 26, 1934, in The Republic of Honduras and passed away in December 2009. In 1964 Derek Webster moved to the United States from Belize. He settled in Chicago and after years of working as a night janitor, he eventually bought a house. In order to distinguish it from the other duplicate houses in the neighborhood, he began building a fence of colorful figures reminiscent of South American Carnival dancers. They were made of wood and found objects. His janitorial job at a hospital provided a source of bright objects such as bottles and caps, and the driftwood he needed came from the shores of Lake Michigan where Webster loved to fish. From embellishing his fence, he evolved into making individual figures often inspired by his memories of Belize. Webster is well known in the Midwest. In 1989 he was included in the prestigious traveling exhibition “Black Art – Ancestral Legacy: The African Impulse in African American Art,” which originated at the Dallas Museum of Art. Derek Webster #79403 Sculpture #3 18 x 11 x 5 in., Mixed Media Wall Piece Wall Piece 4 19 x 20 x 3.5 in., Mixed Media 14.5 x 8 x 5 in., Mixed Media 20 x 11.5 x 9 in., Mixed Media	cc/2019-30/en_head_0020.json.gz/line864
__label__wiki	0.519105	0.519105	‘Game of Thrones’ Announces ‘For the Throne’ Album Tracklist The new Game of Thrones album's tracklist has been announced. To celebrate the Season 8 premiere of the hit series, HBO partnered with record labels Columbia and RCA Records to produce the album, For the Throne, which is music inspired by the show. It drops on Friday, April 26 and will feature new music by Maren Morris, The Weeknd, SZA, Travis Scott, Ellie Goulding, Chloe x Halle, and more. The GoT Twitter account first teased fans on April 9th with this tweet: Now, they've officially announced the album's entire tracklist—and it looks great! The only person noticeably missing is Ed Sheeran, who famously sang a little tune when he made a cameo during the show's seventh season. Check out the full For the Throne tracklist below: 1. "Kingdom Of One" – Maren Morris 2. "Power Is Power" – SZA, The Weeknd, Travis Scott 3. "Nightshade" – The Lumineers 4. "Hollow Crown" – Ellie Goulding 5. "Baptize Me" – X Ambassadors feat. Jacob Banks 6. "Too Many Gods" – A$AP Rocky & Joey Bada$$ 7. "Turn On Me" – The National 8. "From The Grave" – James Arthur 9. "Me Traicionaste" – ROSALÍA feat. A.CHAL 10. "When I Lie" (Remix) – Lil Peep feat. Ty Dolla $ign 11. "Love Can Kill" – Lennon Stella 12. "Wolf At Your Door" – Chloe x Halle 13. "Devil In Your Eye" – Mumford & Sons 14. "Pray (High Valyrian)" – Matt Bellamy Then & Now: The Cast of 'Game of Thrones' Source: ‘Game of Thrones’ Announces ‘For the Throne’ Album Tracklist Filed Under: Game of Thrones	cc/2019-30/en_head_0020.json.gz/line869
__label__cc	0.722662	0.277338	Charles Wallace End-user profile: Russell Investments 14 May 2019 1:15pm EDT Lisa Cavallari, the head of derivatives trading, discusses liquidity trends, transaction cost analysis, and the CDS market split. Russell Investments is an active user of listed derivatives as a tool for helping its clients meet their investment objectives. In 2018, the Seattle-headquartered asset manager traded more than $1 trillion in futures and options, primarily in equity and fixed income contracts, on behalf of its institutional clients and its own funds. In the following interview, Lisa Cavallari, the company’s head of derivatives trading, describes the purpose of its trading and the benefits for Russell Investments’ clients. Cavallari and the trading desk she oversees primarily serve three types of accounts: pension plans that need help with the implementation of their investment policy decisions, Russell Investments’ own funds, and so-called transition management clients, which are typically pension plans that are in the process of changing managers. Cavallari also talks about several industry-wide issues: the increase in the liquidity of certain types of equity index futures, the need for a standardized approach to transaction cost analysis, and the bifurcation of the credit default swap market. MV: How big is Russell’s use of derivatives? LC: In 2018 we traded over a trillion dollars’ worth of listed derivatives in transaction volume. Around 61% of our trading volume on the listed derivatives side is in the U.S. and Canada, followed by about 22% in the developed markets Europe region, 12% in developed markets Asia, and then 6% in emerging markets. MV: How would you break it down by asset class? “When the industry is pivoting towards meeting a regulatory need, sometimes those needs are not translatable into the way that we use data on a day-to-day basis. I believe that the cross-border nature of these global regulations makes it very difficult to get consistent definitions and again speak that common language.” LC: Asset class is, not surprisingly, dominated by equity and fixed income. The equity portion is about 60% of our volume, and fixed income is about 38%. Then the remaining percentages are comprised of commodities, volatility products and currency. Currency needs a bit of an asterisk because Russell Investments trades over $1 trillion in FX forwards. Our clients that utilize foreign currency exposure, typically third-party accounts and the Russell Investments funds, due to the size of exposure required, they need to obtain that exposure via the forwards market versus the currency futures market. As a result, currency futures are a very small portion of what my desk trades because we have an FX team that specializes in and indeed trades a large volume of FX forwards. MV: How many people work on Russell’s derivatives desk? LC: All of our derivatives traders sit on the desk in Seattle. I manage a team of seven listed derivatives traders. We provide nearly round-the-clock coverage for six days a week. MV: How does Russell use derivatives? LC: There are three primary constituencies that we serve on our trading desk. We trade for third-party pension plan clients. We trade for Russell Investments funds. Then we also trade derivatives as part of transition management events. Those transition management events occur when large defined benefit plans remove a manager and hire another, so Russell Investments fills that void and manages the transition. Those three constituencies provide all of our derivatives flow. Our global assets under management as of March 31, 2019 was $290 billion, and $82 billion of that was specifically derivative overlay. In the context of our third-party pension plan clients, they are sometimes looking for specific asset allocation moves at the plan level and an overlay manager can step in and provide those asset allocation movements via the use of derivatives. Frequently a client is looking to adjust their asset allocation and provide coverage and exposure in areas where they might not have exposure or where they want to gravitate towards. It could be strategic asset allocation or tactical asset allocation. Listed derivatives are a useful way of obtaining exposure quickly, in a timely manner, and in a liquid and cost-effective way. When it comes to hedging, the hedging is going to be more specific. It depends on the particular client. In some cases we have clients that require specific exposure that they would like to hedge either short term or long term, or they’re looking to tailor a combination of exposures to provide them with a partial hedge. Though futures are standardized, we can create baskets of futures to sharpen desired exposures. For example, baskets of equity index futures can be combined to track a benchmark equity index. On the fixed income side, baskets of bond futures and credit default swaps can be quickly compiled to target the effective duration of a fixed income benchmark index. MV: In terms of the asset allocation moves that you just mentioned, are portable alpha strategies an example of that type of use? LC: Absolutely, yes. In fact, with portable alpha, whether you’re looking for alpha as part of a tactical asset allocation decision, or you’re looking for beta exposure, listed derivatives are a cost-effective way of achieving that goal. The most common approach is to buy equity index futures as a proxy for the beta [market tracking] component. Then an active manager can be tasked with the alpha generation. Our team continually assesses, in the context of this example, whether buying equities, ETFs, index futures or a bilateral OTC index swap is the best route to establish the beta. MV: Let’s talk about liquidity. What trends are you seeing? LC: It really depends on the asset class and the product. One of the things I have noticed over the last five years is the increasing use of the emerging markets equity index futures. One particular contract, the MSCI emerging markets index future, continues to gain in popularity. The flexibility that it provides is very robust, you can trade it electronically virtually any time of day, and what you are starting to see is liquidity popping up in more periods of the day, not just during U.S. trading hours. The emerging markets futures, and also the MSCI EAFE futures on ICE, have evolved. The more recently launched MSCI Europe and World [contracts] on Eurex are also gaining traction. Any time that you have something that meets a strong need, it becomes more cost effective. Five or six years ago people would have heard of the MSCI contracts and asked us many questions, but their demand far outstripped what the market could handle. As the growth continues in these types of contracts, we are able to utilize them to capture many types of exposures. In the example I provided earlier, where baskets of equity futures are created to replicate benchmark exposure, that can be replaced with a single contract based on an index as long as the contract is liquid. Another potential bonus is that the MSCI contracts are denominated in a single currency, whereas a comparable basket of equity futures contracts would be denominated in different currencies. Another area that we’ve been receiving questions, both internally and externally, is for sector futures. I’m talking utilities, energy, healthcare, and even real estate. Those contracts have been around for a while, but they are growing in popularity. We’re closely watching the open interest of those contracts. We think they’re an effective way to get sector exposure. We would expect to see those products experience growth similar to what we’ve seen for the MSCI contracts. MV: So the liquidity is still pretty thin in those? LC: We continually assess volume and open interest. We look at mandates where it’s appropriate based on size to engage with those contracts. I think the important thing to keep in mind is that we have a preference for keeping below a certain percentage of open interest or daily trading volume. In the past, when we see contracts achieve that sort of tipping point [in liquidity], we have worked with the exchanges and the clearinghouses to say ‘Can you please consider re-evaluating the limits you have on aggregate ownership of these contracts? Can you re-examine tick size? Can you look at block size?’ In other words, you want to see those elements [in place] to keep pace with growth in the contract. MV: How do you see liquidity conditions changing over the course of the day? Do we actually live in a world where markets operate 24/7, or is that just an illusion? LC: It’s not an illusion, it’s becoming more and more of a reality. We’ve done some analysis internally about the flows that we’ve received over time. Keeping in mind that we’re on the west coast and this is speaking only for listed derivatives for our business needs, there’s very little flow that was traded between 3 a.m. and 5 a.m. Pacific time. If you think about that in the context of the global trading day, that’s the middle of the day for Europe, while North America isn’t yet open and Asia’s already closed. We do see clusters of activity around different regional opens and closes. It means that people in Seattle are working a variety of different hours, and I like where we are situated from a time zone perspective. The team arrives in the morning before Eurodollar futures open in Chicago [Editor’s note: 7:20 a.m. Central, 5:20 a.m. Pacific] and when I leave it’s just after the Asia open, which is a long day, but there are periods of activity when markets are open at the same time. Europe and North America overlap for several hours at a time, which is super helpful for our trading. MV: Eurex recently extended its hours into the Asian trading day. Is that something that creates more opportunities for you? LC: It does. Because clearing houses and exchanges are important partners in our business, we meet regularly with them and we always encourage product cycles that cater to a global marketplace. Once those exchanges do that, like Eurex has done, and I know TMX within the last six months has done the same with their Canadian contracts, we observe the liquidity to see how it is developing in those new hours. We’re very supportive of that concept and we do participate as appropriate. MV: What issues are affecting your derivatives trading? What about transaction cost analysis? Are there certain things that clearing firms and exchanges could do that would make it easier for Russell to analyze trading costs in real time? LC: That is definitely a growing area where a lot of people are focusing attention: how to examine transaction cost analysis in a very specific way. It reminds me of what Russell Investments developed with the T-standard in 2003 for transition management. The goal of the T-standard was to create a framework that removed ambiguity and gave clients a consistent measurement standard during portfolio transitions. In the same way, there needs to be consistency in nomenclature and cost measurement in the derivatives space. The time is really ripe for that to come to the futures space. If you think about it, it’s very logical. People have a certain number of FCMs [futures commission merchants], and they are trying to provide services to their clients. What is less obvious to the outside world is the fact that it’s not all unified under some standard umbrella and we’re not all speaking the same language. It’s without a doubt a goal that we’re moving towards collectively as an industry. But right now it seems to be fragmented. The FCMs provide the data they can about your flow, and firms are left to look at what they can build internally as well as what they can get from external third-party providers to fill in the gaps and provide some of that unification. It’s a very interesting time to be in listed derivatives. People are sharpening their pencils. MV: Is there something that an FCM could do that would help you? LC: Because they all have their own individual business models, I can’t point to anything specifically other than standardization of terms and language so that apples-to-apples comparisons can be made across multiple FCMs. I think you have FCMs racing towards that intellectual property, trying to concentrate their resources and provide the best data and algorithms to clients. The challenge is that Russell Investments uses more than one FCM and more than one prime broker. That means that we are left to assemble and analyze this disparate data. MV: Explain what happened on the transition management side. LC: The challenge in the transition management space was that there were no industry standards on how to measure the costs of a transition and providers tended to deliver the client a variety of benchmarks that lacked consistency. Essentially, the T Standard is time-weighted investment returns capturing the difference in returns between the transition portfolio, with all costs included, and the target portfolio, assuming you could instantaneously gain the return. When people use the same methodology, then you can start speaking the same language and really make robust comparisons. MV: How is the best execution requirement in the EU’s Markets in Financial Instruments Directive affecting the industry’s ability to perform transaction cost analysis? LC: That is an excellent question. Taking a step back [from MiFID], occasionally regulators are looking for information that is not common in the marketplace. When the industry is pivoting towards meeting a regulatory need, sometimes those needs are not translatable into the way that we use data on a day-to-day basis. I believe that the cross-border nature of these global regulations makes it very difficult to get consistent definitions and again speak that common language. With regard to what’s happening in MiFID surrounding best execution, as we look at the definition of best execution, it reminds me of the word leverage. It means different things to different people, and it depends on how you define it. From a policy standpoint, we all want better transparency surrounding costs and I believe that’s what drove some of those rules and regulations. But the industry is now struggling to reconcile the data that we have and the variables at our fingertips. My preference would be to make that data consistent so that it can be used in other meaningful ways. In other words, I regret that in some instances with regulation, you’re trying to satisfy a specific regional standard. I want to take that broadly and more globally, as idealistic as that sounds, and I don’t think I’m alone in that. MV: Let’s turn to some of the issues within the industry that you’ve been working on. For example, I know you’re interested in the average pricing question. Can you walk me through this? Why is that an issue? Is there a lot of money at stake? LC: It is low hanging fruit. It’s not necessarily that there is a lot of money at stake. These are robust, efficient, low-cost markets, so when you have a specific product that cannot be average priced, why does it matter? It matters because if I have a large order that I need to trade across 150 accounts, I want to know that I can allocate pro rata based on an average price of that product. That’s a very simple math problem, but depending upon the contract, how it’s constructed, which clearinghouse supports it and which FCM supports the account, it’s not as easy as it should be. Over time the industry will get there, but it’s an example of these small issues that we have yet to resolve. If those types of problems can be removed from the operational burden, we’ll get some consistency, and it will just make it all the easier to obtain the growth and depth of the markets that we need. MV: Another concern is single name credit default swaps. Can you walk me through that issue? How does the execution of single names differ from the execution of index products? LC: The SEC [Securities and Exchange Commission] is the regulatory body in the U.S. that governs single-name credit default swaps. However, the CFTC [Commodity Futures Trading Commission] has power over index products like the CDX and the iTraxx products. Because the SEC has not finalized the rules surrounding single-name credit default swaps, there’s an artificial bifurcation of a marketplace that used to be quite integrated. I’ll provide an example. Suppose we had a client who really liked the investment grade CDX, which is traded via a swap execution facility and is a cleared instrument. What if they didn’t like a particular name in the index and they wanted to overweight or underweight that particular single name? Well, it used to be that they’d have to trade a bilateral OTC instrument. That’s cumbersome. Why wouldn’t you want to support something that clears and offsets exposure in a more seamless way? In late 2015, the buyside, through the SIFMA Asset Management Group, requested that the dealer community move to provide voluntary clearing. The industry wanted it, and I believe the cleared community on the clearinghouse side and the FCM side were supportive. They came up with a way to have single name CDS voluntarily cleared. The vast majority of the liquid instruments that make up the individual constituents of those indices are now accepted for clearing. It would be wonderful to see the SEC adopt a similar framework that the CFTC has. The industry and more broadly, regulators and policy makers, are intellectually similarly aligned. We’re on the last mile. Let’s get over that finish line. Then, there are also issues with—this is really getting into the weeds—cleared swaps have a different method [than futures] of segregating the collateral that’s posted. It’s legally segregated but operationally commingled. It would be great when the rules are finalized to essentially have harmonization so that LSOC applies to single-name CDS and index CDS officially. MV: I noticed that ICE, the leading clearinghouse for CDS, has several hundred single names listed as available for clearing. LC: That’s right, and we strongly encourage clients to clear. If it’s clearing eligible, we clear it. It is a risk-mitigated way of looking at this exposure. I’m not entirely convinced that I can obtain competitive quotes in the bilateral OTC space for single-name credit default swaps anymore. The dealer community wants clearing too. From their own [perspective], the way they determine risk and the way they have to hedge the other side of trades, they are also incented to clear. MAC Swaps: An Analysis of Trading Trends in 2015 15 March 2016 4:00pm EDT Swap Market Structure Liquidity Trends CENTRAL BANKS ASSESS "FRAGILITY" OF FIXED INCOME MARKETS 8 March 2016 5:00pm EST FIA PTG releases analysis and recommendations on market liquidity FIA Principal Traders Group	cc/2019-30/en_head_0020.json.gz/line875
__label__wiki	0.846359	0.846359	Universities cut ties with Bill Cosby Julia Pagliarulo\|December 2, 2014 Marquette released a statement regarding sexual assault allegations against Bill Cosby, which resulted in the comedian — who spoke at Marquette’s 2013 commencement — resigning from Temple University’s Board of Trustees Monday afternoon. “Marquette University hosted Bill Cosby a few years ago for breaking down racial barriers and for his dedication to education,” said university spokesman Brian Dorrington in an email. “At that time, several well-known universities across the country hosted him during Commencement ceremonies for similar reasons.” Dorrington did not mention the honorary doctor of letters degree granted to Cosby during the commencement, although a number of schools have cut ties with Cosby in recent weeks. “Whenever we decide to host a commencement speaker, we consider several aspects including the speaker’s credentials and accomplishments,” Dorrington said. Sixteen women have now publicly stated that Cosby sexually assaulted them, with 12 saying he drugged them first and another saying he attempted to drug her, according to a Washington Post article. Cosby faced allegations for several years prior to his Marquette commencement speech, but the university still opted to have him speak. Robert Masson, chair of the theology department and a member of the all-university committee responsible for selecting the commencement speaker, did not have anything to say about the situation other than noting that it is a very dismaying situation regardless of future outcomes. Andrea Constand, director of operations for the women’s basketball team at Temple University first brought allegations against Cosby in January 2004 when she reported that Cosby sexually assaulted her. From this time until the most recent allegations, Cosby spoke at university commencements for Temple, Carnegie Mellon, the University of San Francisco and others. During his speech to the Marquette graduating class of 2013, Cosby encouraged students to make the world a better place. “This world needs people to understand the humanitarianism,” Cosby said. “But within that is integrity. Integrity, not to find out how you can get a guilty person off, but how you can assign that guilty person to a place where that person will be helped, to smooth out the tangled wiring.” In the light of recent allegations, Cosby lost connections with a number of schools. The Berklee College of Music will no longer award a scholarship in Cosby’s name, and the University of Massachusetts-Amherst, Cosby’s alma mater, had him step down as honorary co-chairman of a $300 million fundraising campaign. Cosby announced his resignation from Temple’s Board of Trustees in a statement after serving on the board for more than three decades. “I have always been proud of my association with Temple University,” Cosby said in a statement. “I have always wanted to do what would be in the best interests of the university and its students. As a result, I have tendered my resignation from the Temple University Board of Trustees.” Tags: allegations, Andrea Constand, Berklee College of Music, Bill Cosby, Board of Trustees, Brian Dorrington, Commencement, honorary doctor of letters degree, Marquette University, resignation, Robert Masson, sexual assault, Temple University, University of Massachusetts-Amherst Other stories filed under News French courses dropped for the fall semester Explorer challenge awards over 7 million Ray Eckstein, university alumnus and donor passes Chemistry professor researches dementia prevention, focus based on conjunction study Sold Out Run for Freedom to host 5K Soup with Substance: Full of Hope shares refugee’s story Campus Ministry trying to put in ablution station Vida Coffee: student-run business to open in West Allis Student run business program goes to conference at Harvard Marquette students work with Project RETURN to serve Milwaukee community	cc/2019-30/en_head_0020.json.gz/line876
__label__wiki	0.949108	0.949108	MRI scans reveal tapeworm in man's brain Image: Nagui Antoun By Tim Chester 2014-11-21 15:34:33 UTC LONDON — A 50-year-old man who has been suffering headaches and strange smells has finally discovered the cause of his woes: a 1 cm (0.4 inch) tapeworm in his brain. The parasite is thought to have been burrowing through his grey matter for more than four years, moving 5 cm (2 inches) from the right side to the left. See also: What Fruits and Vegetables Would Look Like Under an MRI Scanner The patient, from East Anglia, started suffering headaches and seizures in 2008. He was tested for syphilis, HIV and tuberculosis, as doctors struggled to diagnose the issue. An early MRI scan showed a cluster of rings in his right medial temporal lobe, which was revealed to be moving through his brain via subsequent scans. Surgeons discovered the worm while carrying out a biopsy at Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge, removed it surgically, and sent it to parasite experts for identification. Geneticists at the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute found the worm to be a rare species of tapeworm known as Spirometra erinaceieuropaei. A tapeworm discovered in a man's brain. The discovery has offered a unique opportunity to study its DNA. "For the first time, the genome of a rarely seen tapeworm has been sequenced," the institute said in a release. "The tapeworm has been reported only 300 times worldwide since 1953, and has never been seen before in the UK." This particular worm can cause sparganosis, an inflammation of body tissue in response to the parasite. If that happens in the brain, it can cause seizures, memory loss and headaches. "The worm's rarity means that little is known about its complex lifecycle and biology," the institute added. "However it is thought that people may be infected by accidentally consuming tiny infected crustaceans from lakes, eating raw meat from reptiles and amphibians or by using a raw frog poultice — a Chinese remedy to calm sore eyes." The man, who was of Chinese descent, is thought to have picked up the parasite while on a visit to China. "We did not expect to see an infection of this kind in the UK, but global travel means that unfamiliar parasites do sometimes appear," Effrossyni Gkrania-Klotsas, study author from the Department of Infectious Disease, Addenbrooke's NHS Trust, said in a release. Topics: DNA, UK, tapeworm, World	cc/2019-30/en_head_0020.json.gz/line878
__label__wiki	0.743242	0.743242	Wings Gaming: The young, talented, overnight millionaires of 'Dota 2' Image: valve corporation/twitch By Kellen Beck 2016-08-15 21:10:33 UTC Amid pyrotechnics and cheers from the surrounding crowd, the five members of rookie powerhouse Wings Gaming hoisted up the Aegis of Champions, the first place trophy of the 2016 International Dota 2 Championships. Next to the glory of taking first place at the biggest Dota 2 tournament of the year, Wings Gaming also took home $9.1 million in prize money. SEE ALSO: Winning cosplay from 'League of Legend's' Oceanic Pro League final After one week, four matches and one grand finals victory, every member of the Wings Gaming became a millionaire, earning over $1.8 million each. Even if the team has to split some pay with management, that's a big sum of money. The International had a fan-funded prize pool of over $20 million Before Saturday, the team had only made about $300,000 since forming in 2014. This was the team's first appearance in The International, which had a fan-funded prize pool of over $20 million — the biggest in esports history. Wings didn't make it through the Chinese qualifiers in last year's International and didn't start to rack up the wins until April this year, where they took first place over Team Liquid in a huge upset at ESL One Manila. Between April and August, the team performed well, taking second place at the Nanyang Dota 2 Championships and placing first at The Summit 5. These tournaments and a few others earned the team around $300,000, chump change compared to the $9.1 million from TI6. Not only is Wings Gaming a new team in the Dota scene, they're a young team. The oldest player Blink is only 24 years old, while captain Y'Innocence and Faith_bian are both 18 years old. Most players in the tournament were at least 21. Wings won't have to worry about any sort of student loans as long as they don't spend it all before the next big tournament. Topics: dota 2, Entertainment, Esports, Gaming, ti6	cc/2019-30/en_head_0020.json.gz/line879
__label__wiki	0.935351	0.935351	A new Sesame Place theme park is moving to the neighborhood By Annie Colbert 2017-05-18 19:24:18 UTC A is for amusement parks. And not one, but TWO amusement parks. Bwa-ha-ha-ha-haaa! Sesame Workshop, in partnership with SeaWorld Entertainment, announced on Thursday the development of a new Sesame Place theme park. The original Sesame Place opened in 1980 in Langhorne, Pennsylvania and has operated seasonally for the last 37 years, setting an opening day attendance record this year. Sesame Workshop, the non-profit umbrella company behind Sesame Street, sees the theme parks playing a role in its "reach to teach" mission. "You have to reach to teach," Sesame Workshop CEO Jeff Dunn says. "And what that means is in order to provide great educational experiences, you really have to connect deeply with your audience. And we know theme parks are a great way to connect and engage not only with preschoolers, but the entire family with these characters they love." SEE ALSO: A puppeteer's personal story about bringing Sesame Street's first autistic Muppet to life Beyond expanding the recognition and engagement of characters like Elmo, Grover, and Cookie Monster for vacationing preschoolers, Sesame Place helps provide funding for Sesame Workshop's global social impact initiatives. "The income that comes out [of Sesame Place] fuels our non-profit mission and educational activities all over the world. And many of these activities wouldn’t be possible without contributions like this," Dunn says. Dunn points to Sesame Street's work in Afghanistan on empowering young girls, its partnership with the IRC to educate refugee children, and work with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to promote health and hygiene in India as examples of programs in part funded by ventures like Sesame Place. Grover rides a rollercoaster at the original Sesame Place. Image: sesame workshop “All of the things that we do that generate income in these different areas help support all of that work all over the world," Dunn explains. "We look for partnerships that can assist us in multiple areas. So with theme parks, they first increase engagement and entertainment, but they’ll also provide a contribution to help our mission work all over the world." The new Sesame Place — featuring preschooler-friendly rides, water slides, live shows, parades, and human-sized Muppets — will open by mid-2021 in to-be-determined U.S. location. BONUS: Simply Delicious Thoughts About Food With Cookie Monster Topics: Lifestyle, sesame street, Travel	cc/2019-30/en_head_0020.json.gz/line880
__label__wiki	0.671779	0.671779	With the arrests of certain political figures, the uproar of accountability is on its peak. The anger is visible during National Assembly sessions, which show how they waste money of masses. “Tabdili Sarkar” wants to hold everyone accountable, which is good but along with accountability performance is required too. The anti-corruption narrative holders must also focus on the diminishing of incompetency. Masses do not want to see every politician and ruler to be hanged. But, they only want security, respect and equal rights for all. The history of Pakistan is one of corruption and dishonesty by its leaders but let’s hope that time has come for a change and our next generations can feel proud to be citizens of a country where there is true accountability and minimised corruption. Where there is a will, there is a way! Accountability drives are not a new phenomenon in Pakistan. Since the days of Ayub Khan’s martial law till today, many if not most of the regimes have attempted to clamp down on corruption. But all of these drives came with hidden motives. Hence there could be no true accountability. When those who were supposed to be role models for their integrity were involved in corruption and nepotism, Pakistan sank deeper into a vicious cycle of financial and administrative chaos and mismanagement. The culture of bribes, kickbacks and money laundering deepened its roots and was accepted in the corridors of power, as well as the popular level. Now, when the country is facing a severe economic predicament because of a severe debt crisis, dwindling exports, depleted foreign exchange reserves and low remittances, everyone’s attention has turned towards corruption. Accountability is being termed the only way to pull Pakistan from the brink of economic disaster. There was once a time when the country was respected in the international community. Our ethics began to erode post-1971. That was when the politicisation of our state institutions began. It was when those in power began compromising on merit, and when inefficiency and nepotism received patronage from those in power. There have been seventy years, so many governments have been toppled due to the reason of the corruption, and every government made big promises for full and fair accountability, but nothing has ever happened, In these years, our country has never witnessed accountability in true sense. Hence due to lack of accountability, corruption has gained deep roots in our society that it has become part and parcel of our life. Secondly, our country has also indebted with foreign loans. Half of our annual budget goes in paying the interest money on these loans. The total population of Pakistan is almost 220 million out of which more than 40 per cent live in deplorable condition. They neither have their two-time meal, nor do they have access to clean drinking water, electricity, gas, education and proper medical facilities. Pakistan has reached to level where accountability has become essential. PMLN and PPP have no vision other than saving money laundering and the looted wealth, but Imran Khan has taken initiative and vowed to enforce ‘strict’ accountability. Since the process of accountability has started, many different voices are being heard. Those who are convicted in corruption or have a fear of conviction are terming the process as political vendetta though it is not. Moreover, it has also been said that the economy and accountability cannot move together, which is absurd. Making the accountability process controversial is very unfortunate. This is the same old gimmick which was used in the past to stop or to create hurdles in such initiatives. Democracy is always supported by accountability. What is essential for this accountability derive is that it start from the top and secondly, no one should be spared if found guilty in corruption. Thirdly, NAB should work independently, and there should be zero tolerance for any political intervention. Fourthly, the army has taken to task serving as well as retired officers but now is judiciary’s turn irrespective of any concept of a sacred cow. A full and fair and across the board accountability process is required to take this country ahead. Progress in Pakistan has already been hindered in a major way by the fear of accountability that has been non-existent and the corruption of the rulers. Pakistan is needed to recover the money from corrupt elites and use that money for the welfare of the people, to reduce poverty, in the education and health sectors. It can also be used for the development of poor regions like the interior of Sindh, Baluchistan, KPK and Gilgit Baltistan. These regions have been neglected in the past; it will be so much beneficial for the unity of Pakistan, as people of these regions have been so much misled by their local leaders who exploit their grievances to fill up their kitties. The solution for all the problems of Pakistan is rule of law and respecting the contributions of all without any discrimination The first Budget Of Pakistan Tehreek Insaaf (PTI) without any doubt carried the storm of rampant inflation, which is unstoppable for the future also. Are we left with any other option? The biggest mistake of PTI’s government, in the beginning, was, not to go to IMF timely as they were not fully aware of the economic instability. They were the same as others with no homework at all, and they also remained futile to communicate the real economic and systematic issues of the country. Additionally, they came into power for the first time. Moreover, task forces were made at the inception of the government. In the Modern era, the survival and success of every nation and country are measured through the strength of its economy. Formation of inquiry commission against loans to determine the real looters of public exchequer is a good step, but it must start from Musharraf’s reign. How the nations fall, is all about economic imbalance they have! No room at the inn for India’s ‘sacred’ cows Pemra struggle against ‘sacred cows’ in media to continue: Absar Rulers are no sacred cows, says PTI No holy cows for Pakistan	cc/2019-30/en_head_0020.json.gz/line888
__label__cc	0.603356	0.396644	29 Nov 2018 nightmaresunleashed Baskin – movie review and analysis I’ve been hearing a lot about this movie and considering I was not that familiar with Turkish cinema (well other than the plethora of Turkish soap operas that they spam on our channels) so I decided to check it out. The movie starts off with a scene of a young child sleeping in his bed. He hears loud moaning and decides to investigate. While looking around in the house he sees a horrific figure and goes running to his mother. After this, we cut to another scene where a group of police officers is enjoying their off time at a diner. While returning home they get called as reinforcements at a part of the town which is known for odd and creepy activity. While heading for the spot they seemingly run over someone and are forced to walk the rest of the way. Once they arrive shit hits the fan and things take a turn to the insane. This movie really took me by surprise. I knew from the start that since it started off so seemingly cheerful and light (well as cheerful and light as a horror can be) that a punch in the gut was coming but boy oh boy was it a punch and a half. It felt like prime Mike Tyson hitting you with full force. The second half of the movie is grotesque, gory and really bloody with some of the most disturbing imagery that you will see combined with some stunning imagery and surprisingly decent acting. That being said the film makes you feel much more disturbed than it actually is. To a veteran horror movie viewer, it won’t be the most disturbing thing that they’ve seen but it will definitely make them uncomfortable. The most impressive thing about this movie is that this was Can Evrenol’s directorial debut. The only thing that he had done before this were a few short horror films, of which one was the original version of Baskin. Also, the budget for the film was very small and the cast is mainly comprised out of newcomers, especially the main antagonist who before acting in this worked as a parking attendant which is interesting considering he gave arguably the best performance in the movie. Fun fact he also became a friend to the director and helped a bit with the artistic direction of the movie. Even the music that was used in the driving scene (definitely one of my favorite scenes in the film) was in the public domain. As for the plot, it really is simplistic and there are a lot of things that will piss some people off and it seems that it had a lot of wasted potentials. While the first half sets things up perfectly the second bloodier part seems to fall flat plot-wise. But it only might seem like that if you don’t understand the references and foreshadowing in the movie. I will give my final verdict for those that have not seen the film and move on with the spoiler area and analysis below it. And to be fair even with an analysis and explanation of the deeper meanings, this film might still not impress everyone but to me, anything that makes me research it and dig deeper is automatically a win and it deserves a lot more praise than a regular film. Especially if it is combined with stunning visuals and a great soundtrack. Not everyone wants an illogical movie. It relies on dream logic and nightmares and that’s not everyone’s cup of tea and I understand that. Final verdict: 8/10 So what are all the signs and foreshadowings in this film? Let’s start from the beginning. The bucket. At the start of the film, we see a mysterious figure carry a bucket of meat to the diner. We see the same figure later in the film a couple of times. And the meat could be the remains of the organs of the police officers. The mirror. There is one scene where Arda is looking at himself in the mirror and lets out a terrifying scream. In Turkish folklore looking yourself in the mirror at night means that you will see your true character. The frogs. In folklore, frogs represent bringers of doom. The frog hunters. The frog hunters serve as a warning for the horrific things to come. The frogs are also prevalent throughout the movie. And the last words of the girl are roughly translated into “Pity those who walk through the door of death and do not even know it”. The bridge. Some believe that all souls must cross the bridge of judgment in order to reach the land of the dead. If the soul of the person is evil, a demon appears and takes them into the “house of lies” The ending. The ending is very ambiguous and can be understood in many ways. For some, it meant that Arda finally broke through the loop. There were a lot of clues which led us to believe that they are in a loop, like the bucket that I mentioned before. It seemed that he got run over and the loop continued but the very last scene showed an empty police van meaning Arda finally broke the loop and the officers are free. This video digs deeper into that: But to me, it really doesn’t add up. If they are in hell, what is the point of breaking the loop? If they are in hell then why is there a way out? Then again I’ll have to rewatch it and dig deeper into the symbolism, which again to me is a great thing since not a lot of movies make you do that. Previous Stan against evil – season 3 review Next Upgrade – movie review	cc/2019-30/en_head_0020.json.gz/line895
__label__wiki	0.64179	0.64179	Login or Register to make a submission. Scientific Messenger of Lviv National University of Veterinary Medicine and Biotechnology publishes results of research on areas: biochemistry, bioinformatics, biophysics, cell biology, endocrinology, genetics, immunology, microbiology, molecular biology, physiology, neuroscience, pharmacology, toxicology Focus and Scope more detailed. Articles submitted to Scientific Messenger of Lviv National University of Veterinary Medicine and Biotechnology journal should be original and unpublished contributions and should not be under consideration for any other publication at the same time. Manuscript should be written in Ukrainian, Russian or English. Responsibility for the contents of the paper rests upon the authors and not upon the editors or the publisher. 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A new species of Eutarsopolipus (Acari: Podapolipidae) from Calathus fuscipes (Coleoptera: Carabidae) from Ukraine. International Journal of Acarology, 30(4), 329–333. doi:10.1080/01647950408684401 Sidorenko, A. I., & Siokhin, V. D. (2016). Gnezdovanie bol'shogo baklana (Phalacrocorax carbo) na tehnogennyh sooruzhenijah v Ukraine [Nesting of Great Cormorants (Phalacrocorax carbo) on man-made structures in Ukraine]. Visnyk of Dnipropetrovsk University. Biology, Ecology, 24(2), 308–316 (in Russian). doi:10.15421/011640 Freeland, J. R., Kirk, H., & Petersen, S. (2011). Molecular Ecology. WileyBlackwell, Oxford. doi:10.1002/9780470979365 Having received the reviewed manuscript, please castigate the text and return it to the editor in one month at the latest. You may use papers published in the last issue as an example. At the end of the references of the manuscript author must specify his/her ORCID ID number (for each of the authors ORCID personal number needed) to allow the readers of this article refer to authors' publications in other journals. The creation of ORCID (if you do not have it yet) will take a few minutes (the official website - www.orcid.org).	cc/2019-30/en_head_0020.json.gz/line896
__label__wiki	0.752102	0.752102	Neil J. Johanson G’70 Neil J. Johanson G’70 died on November 4, 2016, in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. (The following was published in the Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram, November 8, 2016:) MERE POINT – Neil J. Johanson of Mere Point, Maine and Fort Lauderdale, Fla. died Nov. 4, 2016, at Westside Regional Medical Center after a brief illness. Mr. Johanson was born in West Hartford, Conn., the second son of the late Rev. Mr. and Mrs. E. Jerome Johanson. He spent his youth in West Hartford and Avon, Conn. He graduated from Suffield Academy, Suffield, Conn. with a WALKS Foundation scholarship. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy from Boston University, Boston, Mass., a Master of Arts degree in Education from Trinity College, Hartford, Conn. and a Master of Arts degree in Mathematics from Bowdoin College, Brunswick, Maine under a National Science Foundation grant. While he was at Trinity College he donated considerable time to Hartford Hospital in Hartford, Conn. as a volunteer male aid. He served as a Sergeant in the U. S. Army Security Agency. He was stationed overseas for two years in West Germany. He held a leadership role in his company headquarters. He married Elizabeth A. Collins on May 26, 1973, in Brunswick. Mr. Johanson began his mathematics-teaching career in South Portland High School, South Portland. Additional teaching assignments included Newton South High School, Newton, Mass. Morse High School, Bath, and Lisbon High School, Libson. Aside from teaching he was a lead Math teacher, Math department head and Assistant House Master. He served as a long time substitute Mathematics teacher at Grey-New Gloucester High School, Gray, Mount Ararat High School, Topsham, and Cony High School in Augusta. For many years after his retirement, he donated considerable time tutoring Math to local Math students at Mere Point. Organizations he was a member of included the National Education Association, the Maine Education Association, the Mathematical Association of America, the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, Association of Advanced Placement Mathematics Teachers, United States Power Squadron, Mere Point Yacht Club. and the Democratic National Committee. In the Sea Point Land Company at Mere Point, he served as President, Director, Resident Agent and long time Marine Commissioner. With the Mere Point Yacht Club he served at Commodore, Vice-Commodore, Director, Chairman of Race Committee, Interclub Race Committee Co-Chairman and Treasurer of the Mere Point Construction Fund. He was elected to lifetime membership in the Mere Point Yacht Club in 2003. In his Condominium Association in Florida he served as Vice President and Director. Mr. Johanson also served on the Brunswick School Board Public Advisory Committee on Policy. Mr. Johanson was a life long sailor. He sailed the entire East Coast from the Exuma Islands in the Bahamas to the Bras d’Or Lakes in Nova Scotia. He spent many a summer sailing his Bristol sloop Vittoria with his wife in Casco Bay, Penobscot Bay or at Mount Desert on the coast of Maine. He is survived by his wife Elizabeth; three nephews Bradford L. Johanson, Peter C. Johanson, David C. Johanson, a niece Victoria J. Kirshe; his sister-in-law Judith C. Johanson; and eight great-nieces and great-nephews. He was predeased by his brother, Bradford Johanson, in 2005. Graduate Alumni ← J. Peter Prins ’48 John W. Bradford ’61 → Add a Reminiscence: Cancel reply Submit a photo to an existing obituary Browse by Class 1927 1928 1929 1930 1931 1932 1933 1934 1935 1936 1937 1938 1939 1940 1941 1942 1943 1944 1945 1946 1947 1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1988 1989 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1999 2002 2007 2008 2011 Faculty Friends Graduate Alumni Honorary Staff Trustee	cc/2019-30/en_head_0020.json.gz/line898
__label__wiki	0.701255	0.701255	34 years ago, a KGB defector chillingly predicted modern America. Posted on April 9, 2019 April 9, 2019 by Admin. A disturbing interview given by a KGB defector in 1984 describes America of today and outlines four stages of mass brainwashing used by the KGB. Bezmenov described this process as “a great brainwashing” which has four basic stages. The first stage is called “demoralization” which takes from 15 to 20 years to achieve. According to the former KGB agent, that is the minimum number of years it takes to re-educate one generation of students that is normally exposed to the ideology of its country. President Trump was almost universally panned for the press conference that followed the meeting with Russia’s President Putin in Helsinki, Finland. Trump was seen as capitulating to Russia by refusing to confront Putin on the issue of past and present interference in American elections. In fact, the American president seemed to be saying he doesn’t support the findings of his own intelligence agencies and instead prefers to take the Russian leader at his word. Even if he’s changed his tune under the backlash. Whether you believe Putin really has some kind of compromising material to make Trump do his bidding or if Trump is simply being nice to people who partially helped get him elected, or if you somehow still think, despite ample evidence to the contrary, that all this is much ado about nothing, the fact is President Putin is a very experienced former KGB officer. He has both the know-how and the intelligence to carry out very far-sighted and ingenious operations. We don’t know his endgame and neither do we know how much of his KGB training he still employs, but in light of current events, there may be a way for us to get a deeper understanding by studying the words of Yuri Alexandrovich Bezmenov, a former KGB agent who defected to Canada in 1970. Vladimir Putin in a KGB uniform around 1980 In 1984, Bezmenov gave an interview to G. Edward Griffin from which much can be learned today. His most chilling point was that there’s a long-term plan put in play by Russia to defeat America through psychological warfare and “demoralization”. It’s a long game that takes decades to achieve but it may already be bearing fruit. Bezmenov made the point that the work of the KGB mainly does not involve espionage, despite what our popular culture may tell us. Most of the work, 85% of it, was “a slow process which we call either ideological subversion, active measures, or psychological warfare.” What does that mean? Bezmenov explained that the most striking thing about ideological subversion is that it happens in the open as a legitimate process. “You can see it with your own eyes,” he said. The American media would be able to see it, if it just focused on it. Here’s how he further defined ideological subversion: “What it basically means is: to change the perception of reality of every American to such an extent that despite of the abundance of information no one is able to come to sensible conclusions in the interest of defending themselves, their families, their community, and their country.” Bezmenov described this process as “a great brainwashing” which has four basic stages. The first stage is called “demoralization” which takes from 15 to 20 years to achieve. According to the former KGB agent, that is the minimum number of years it takes to re-educate one generation of students that is normally exposed to the ideology of its country. In other words, the time it takes to change what the people are thinking. He used the examples of 1960s hippies coming to positions of power in the ’80s in the government and businesses of America. Bezmenov claimed this generation was already “contaminated” by Marxist-Leninist values. Of course, this claim that many baby boomers are somehow espousing KGB-tainted ideas is hard to believe but Bezmenov’s larger point addressed why people who have been gradually “demoralized” are unable to understand that this has happened to them. Referring to such people, Bezmenov said: “They are programmed to think and react to certain stimuli in a certain pattern [alluding to Pavlov]. You can not change their mind even if you expose them to authentic information. Even if you prove that white is white and black is black, you still can not change the basic perception and the logic of behavior.” Demoralization is a process that is “irreversible”. Bezmenov actually thought (back in 1984) that the process of demoralizing America was already completed. It would take another generation and another couple of decades to get the people to think differently and return to their patriotic American values, claimed the agent. In what is perhaps a most striking passage in the interview, here’s how Bezmenov described the state of a “demoralized” person: “As I mentioned before, exposure to true information does not matter anymore,” said Bezmenov. “A person who was demoralized is unable to assess true information. The facts tell nothing to him. Even if I shower him with information, with authentic proof, with documents, with pictures; even if I take him by force to the Soviet Union and show him [a] concentration camp, he will refuse to believe it, until he [receives] a kick in his fan-bottom. When a military boot crashes his balls then he will understand. But not before that. That’s the [tragedy] of the situation of demoralization.” It’s hard not to see in that the state of many modern Americans. We have become a society of polarized tribes, with some people flat out rejecting facts in favor of narratives and opinions. Once demoralization is completed, the second stage of ideological brainwashing is “destabilization”. During this two-to-five-year period, asserted Bezmenov, what matters is the targeting of essential structural elements of a nation: economy, foreign relations, and defense systems. Basically, the subverter (Russia) would look to destabilize every one of those areas in the United States, considerably weakening it. The third stage would be “crisis”. It would take only up to six weeks to send a country into crisis, explained Bezmenov. The crisis would bring “a violent change of power, structure, and economy” and will be followed by the last stage, “normalization.” That’s when your country is basically taken over, living under a new ideology and reality. This will happen to America unless it gets rid of people who will bring it to a crisis, warned Bezmenov. What’s more “if people will fail to grasp the impending danger of that development, nothing ever can help [the] United States,” adding, “You may kiss goodbye to your freedom.” It bears saying that when he made this statement, he was warning about baby boomers and Democrats of the time. In another, somewhat terrifying excerpt, here’s what Bezmenov had to say about what is really happening in the United States. It may think it is living in peace, but it has been actively at war with Russia. And for some time: “Most of the American politicians, media, and educational system trains another generation of people who think they are living at the peacetime,” said the former KGB agent. “False. United States is in a state of war: undeclared, total war against the basic principles and foundations of this system.” Whether you think that is true may depend on your politics, but the reality of Russian active measures, as has been outlined in the recent indictments by the special counselor Robert Mueller, give Bezmenov’s words new urgency PreviousEVEN AHMADU BELLO WOULD BE ASHAMED OF BUHARI’s AREWACENTRICITY By Farooq Kperogi, Ph.D. NextMYSTERY AND MISERIES OF BEING A NIGERIAN. By Casmir Igbokwe.	cc/2019-30/en_head_0020.json.gz/line899
__label__wiki	0.598759	0.598759	View Entire Episode $1.49 Monthly Subscription for $4.99 One of best ways to enter and appreciate the original, prolific brain of Joseph Gordon-Levitt is through the lens of hitRECord, the open, collaborative production company he founded in 2005, and one of the most creative and inspiring uses of the Internet ever. Its nearly 100,000 members submit projects – films, stories, songs, drawings, you name it – for other members to edit, build on and evolve. Gordon-Levitt credits directing short films on hitRECord with teaching him what he needed to know to make Don Jon, his first feature film as a writer, director and star. It was a darkly comic but ultimately hopeful tale about what happens when we become too connected to our devices, consuming people as things and communicating at versus with each other. His effort was rewarded with critical acclaim rare for actors who have the audacity to become auteurs; more importantly, audiences dug it. A lot of artists might find hitting it out of the park on their first time at bat daunting, but it just made him want to do more, and on a more collaborative level. That’s because Gordon-Levitt has never been fond of one-way streets – not for communication, not for critiques, not for creating, and especially not for careers. He could’ve ambled down his own pretty easy and lucrative path after early childhood success in commercials, films and most famously, NBC’s hit sitcom 3rd Rock from the Sun. Instead, he went to Columbia University, largely out of a desire to reclaim the feeling of “not knowing what I was going to be” – an open question for many college freshmen, but few actors who’ve worked steadily from the age of four. When he found himself roaming the streets of New York with a video camera, he knew a return to acting was inevitable, but he knew it would have to be in unexpected roles – not to make an artistic statement, but to prove to the business (and himself) that he didn’t have to be just one thing. When such roles weren’t immediately forthcoming, his restless creativity found an outlet in hitRECord. The roles he was seeking eventually surfaced in films like 500 Days of Summer, Brick, Inception and Mysterious Skin; and hitRECord projects began to take on momentum. Good times for someone who “gets off on the stuff I never anticipated would happen.” He believes we should welcome versus dread the unexpected, that change is the most natural state, that good becomes great when we all participate and, as poignantly demonstrated by his late brother Dan, that “people can be whatever the hell they want to be.” All of which posits that the best artists are collaborators, and the best collaborators tend to have a stubborn optimistic streak. Maybe it’s that enthusiasm (and a certain degree of DIY showmanship) that invests his performance as funambulist Philippe Petit in Robert Zemekis’ The Walk with such verve and authenticity. That, and his superior make-believe skills – a blank green screen is no match for a fertile imagination. In this issue, we talk to him about that film, the role of technology in modern life, what he’s learned from being on both sides of the camera, and his hopes for future of hitRECord. For those still unclear on that concept, tune in to our broadcast episode for Gordon-Levitt’s demonstration – and the musical results. Thanks, well,…everyone.	cc/2019-30/en_head_0020.json.gz/line900
__label__cc	0.524279	0.475721	← Только немного [August 22, 2016 / Kyrgyzstan] Façades → [Tajikistan / August 30, 2016] Pamir Highway and Wakhan Valley, Tajikistan Map approximate, border not crossed. Tajikistan stands in contrast to its other ex-Soviet (Commonwealth of Independent States, CIS) neighbours. Where the others all speak Turkic languages and look anywhere between Eurasian and Mongol, Tajik people are Persian. The change in demographic is jarringly visible once encountered. But never mind Tajik people for now: the Gorno-Badakhshan region on the country, comprising of the eastern half (almost 50% of Tajikistan) yet containing only 3% of its population, is nearly all Pamiri (also Persian) and Kyrgyz. Kyrgyz yurts dot the sparse landscape in the far east, and small, humble Pamiri villages are a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it occurence along the road. Detouring off the Pamir Highway leads you to the Wakhan Valley road, which traces the Panj River (the merged Pamir and Wakhan Rivers) that also marks the border of Afghanistan for over a thousand kilometres. The Pamir Highway itself, if you stay on it the whole time, goes from Kyrgyzstan through Tajikistan to Afghanistan via a shorter route. Transport in such a region is very sparse, and so I joined up again with Tom (Ireland) and hopped into a 4×4 with Munar, the manager of the guesthouse we stayed at in Osh, who was also heading to Tajikistan for the first time. With a 1600 km route to Dushanbe and only 6 days to get there, we still managed to squeeze in more than enough stops. That’s not to say it was all smooth though. Tajikistan is the poorest country in the CIS, and the porous border (read: wade across a river at night) to Afghanistan means a whole lot of illegal drug trafficking (mostly opium) is going on. This means an abundance of police checks and stringent border controls… which were frequently no more than uniformed men asking for bribes. The one time we didn’t want to pay, at the Tajikistan border, they made us wait two hours for nothing while other cars went through, then made up an extra permit we “had” to buy just to go through. I have a feeling that they were mainly harassing Munar, who is Kyrgyz and speaks Russian; if it was just Tom and me or any group of foreign tourists (like the many groups self-driving on the Mongol Rally), they probably wouldn’t have bothered due to the language barrier. Seven times in a week: this is easily the highest frequency I’ve ever seen in all of my travels, and yet this is in a sparsely populated area. The first two days of the drive, tracing the border fence with China, consisted of long distances that are beautiful but devoid of civilisation. Climbing from the lowlands (1000-2000 m) to mountain passes over 4300 m in one day, we went from toasty weather to chilly winds over what looked like a moonscape. We made brief stops at the two high altitude lakes of Karakul (not to be confused with the one just over the border in China) and Bulunkul, with a Milky Way-lit overnight in between in the village of Murghab, which hosts their bazaar in shipping containers and inexplicably has people trying to stuff goats into burlap sacks. Only a few people in Tajik hats (round, flat, and green, with a small pompom on the side) here: this area is almost completely Kyrgyz. On the contrary, we saw some unintentional KKK fashion out in the fields… After making a turn off into the Wakhan Valley and reaching the outpost of Khargush, the next thousand kilometres were directly alongside the Afghanistan border. As a country which has been only portrayed as a place of war for the last few decades, being barely 100 m away, separated by a river, and literally able to wave to the people on the other side (and have them wave back!) is an absolutely surreal feeling. Sure, the Wakhan Corridor of Afghanistan is generally safe (although one of its borders has been closed recently due to a Taliban surge) compared to the rest of the country, and we met a handful of tourists with details on visiting Afghanistan, but it’s still such a clash from my mental image of the place. The Wakhan Corridor, an odd little arm sticking out of the rest of Afghanistan, was actually created by the Russian and British Empires during a late 1800s-era cold war known as the Great Game, where each state was afraid of invasion from the other. Russia, controlling all of Central Asia down to Tajikistan, and Great Britain, controlling India (which back then included what is now Pakistan), ended up using Afghanistan as a buffer state in between them, gifting it a thin stretch of land both remote and poor in resources. Barely 100 km of land from north to south now separates independent Tajikistan and Pakistan. And the Wakhan scenery on both sides is absolutely idyllic: green farms, trees, and humble houses (a little less humble on the Tajikistan side) line the bottom of the valley, while mountains over 7000 m jut suddenly from the ground. The people on both sides are Pamiri, and it’s a travesty that they can’t cross the river/border freely since it’s clear they’re related: some crossed over to Afghanistan before the border was drawn up, and now they can no longer return. The only difference between both sides? Tajikistan has a nicer road and more villages hooked up to electricity; Afghanistan seems to have precarious drops next to thin gravel paths. As for the Pamiri people in general: while also Persian, they identify separately from Tajiks (in contrast with China, who groups them both together), but find themselves and their languages threatened by the national presence. In 1992, they even briefly declared an unrecognised independence and fought a war against Tajikistan. While Tajiks are Sunni Muslims, Pamiris are Ismaili Shia, and when the region found itself utterly neglected in poverty, the only people stepping in to help were those of the Aga Khan (the top Ismaili Shia imam, a direct descendant of the Prophet) and his foundation, who remain extremely revered. Some noticeable differences in their religious practice: instead of five times a day, they pray twice, and instead of mosques, they have prayer/meeting halls called jamoat khana. The Pamiris are also very friendly and hospitable, operating guesthouses out of their homes with room and half board, offering practically all the fruit you could pick from their gardens, and pointedly eating dinner only after all their guests already have. Their houses are beautiful, with ceilings adorned with four rotated squares symbolising the four elements (earth, air, water, fire), and walls covered in carpets. And as we pass through the villages on the only road, possibly as one of the very few cars going through the area each day, children yell out hello (in English!) and chase us, adults chatting on the roadside give a friendly wave (as they stare), and farmers in the field stop their work at the sound of a car and also wave, scythes still in hand. As Tom put it, we felt a bit like the Queen of England, waving unceasingly to the crowds. We also picked up a few hitchhikers here and there, knowing the extremely long distances they have to walk otherwise, whether to buy something or to lead their livestock to graze or to go home. Their culture and locale has been influenced by wildly disparate groups, however. In Langar, we climbed up a steep hill to check out some petroglyphs, primarily of hunters. It seems the significance of such an archaeological site was lost amongst the locals until recently though: alongside the ancient petroglyphs are some, let’s say… modern ones. Down the road 5 km is the village of Zong, and up the hill behind it for 8 km after that is the even smaller village of Dirch, whose locals walk down to and up from Zong just to buy stuff. Guided by a local elementary school teacher, a 47-year-old man who completely schooled us in terms of fitness, we climbed up an exhaustingly and precariously steep slope for an hour to reach the top, home to the ruins of a fortress of unknown origin and some formerly-inhabited caves. These caves were used as homes by some miners (locals? Russians? who knows) looking for gold in the area: while one cave was relatively roomy and even had multiple primitive levels built into it, another was straight-up claustrophobic, requiring me (the only one of us other than our guide who would fit) to crawl through dust-laden tunnels and holes with steep drops difficult to see even with three lamps. Both caves had clear evidence of habitation in the form of discarded animal bones and hides… though it was pretty dark in there to see it! As the climb we took was too steep for us to comfortably go down, our guide took us the long way, passing through farmers’ fields (including his own) and the village of Dirch itself, settled on a hilltop with an idyllic view of the mountains across the river in Afghanistan. If I didn’t know any better, this may as well have been Switzerland. The many views of the valley that we got in our hikes and drives were consistently stunning. Further west down the road is Vrang, with a Buddhist stupa — a pyramid of stones. Too exhausted from the Dirch hike, we didn’t climb up to it, but we did get swarmed by kids when we stopped at the side of the road… And out in Yamg, there’s a museum dedicated to the Sufi scholar, astronomer, and musician Mubarak Kadam Wakhani. Dedicated to spreading Ismaili Shia Islam to the people, he managed to write (with paper and ink he made himself) books about the faith and successfully hid them from the Soviet authorities during their campaign against religion. His house, preserved from the late 19th century, is a beautiful example of a traditional home, and the caretaker showed us some of his artifacts and played his very unique-looking instruments for us, while also pointing out the traditional Pamiri-Ismaili symbols like the ibex skull, used commonly in shrines where offerings are made (another Ismaili thing). Outside, there’s even a solar calendar, indicating the spring equinox every year when the sun shines directly through the hole. For the caretaker’s grandson, well… The fourth day, we stopped by the 3rd-century Yamchun Fortress, built by fire-worshipping Zoroastrians and shockingly still sturdy, before heading to the next-door Bibi Fatima hot springs, named after a daughter of the Prophet Muhammad. (Talk about a clash of faiths!) The hot springs require complete nudity — throw away any preconceived notions of what “modesty” means to Islam here, though they alternate half-hour intervals for each gender. With the water just a smidgeon below “too hot to handle”, it was quite a relaxing experience nonetheless, especially after the previous day of steep hiking! There’s a small, womb-like cave in the spring’s rock wall that men and particularly women like to climb into — not just for fun, but because it’s reputed to boost fertility. I just enjoyed hanging out under the steaming-hot “waterfall” until I felt like I was being cooked — usually a matter of seconds. And not far from Ishkashim, the southern border town (whose border has recently been closed), the Khaakha fortress in Namadgut dates back to the 3rd century BC with the same purpose as Yamchun. More interesting for us was the Tajikistani border patrol at the top of the fortress, headed by an ethnic Kyrgyz who saw Munar and invited us up for a view right into the village directly across the river/border in Afghanistan. We waved at some farmers there. They waved back. Same with some people in a car on the parallel road directly across the river, as we continued to try our luck further down our side of the road. Hello, people of Afghanistan! Finally reaching Khorog on the fourth night, the only city in the Pamir region and home to most of its population, we said goodbye to Tom the next morning, who sadly missed out on the weekly market. We didn’t have time to see the town either, with a necessary car repair taking up most of our time. The children, yet again, were the most welcoming people, spotting us from a distance and coordinating a “Welcome to Pamirs!” cry in English. Every Saturday, when the border is safe, a nondescript building 5 km out of town (on the border post, at the Tajik side of the bridge) holds a very nondescript market — nothing special is up for sale other than basic necessities, many imported from either China or Iran. But what makes this market special is that it’s primarily made up of Afghan merchants and customers! While many of the people were visibly Tajik (Tajik is essentially the same as the Dari language, and more Tajiks live in Afghanistan than in Tajikistan!) or Pamiri, there were also others that clearly looked like neither: different facial features and blue eyes, dressed in Afghan robes. (Pashtuns, perhaps?) We met a teenager named Mirza, who approached us when he heard us speaking English, which he could also speak: he goes to school in Kabul. Seeing him and others here all relaxed is just… mind-blowing. Perhaps it’s a bit ignorant of me to assume the worst, but hey, they all have lives to live after all, and northern Afghanistan (not Kabul) is relatively peaceful. Mirza was merely happy to chat about nothing in particular, but when I spotted him holding some Afghan afghani (the currency) and asked him how much it was worth and whether I could trade for Tajikistani somoni, he happily obliged. Others saw us with our big cameras and asked for a “tasvir” (photo, same as in Hindi/Urdu). Yet more invited us to their table to eat some plov and share their vodka… at 11 am. (They’re also Muslim, so uhh…?!) Heh. And when asked where I was from, they were happily surprised to hear “Canada” — seems like there’s still a lot of love for the peacekeepers. And indeed, the market is supported by the Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs. But hey, they reacted just as positively to Munar’s response of “Kyrgyzstan”, so maybe they just like anyone! And then I realise, as I see everyone blur together, chatting more than doing commerce with each other — this is a border they typically can’t cross. Families must have been divided when the border was formed, and friendships too. Perhaps this is the one morning every week (when safe) that they have this time together to relax and spend time with each other, in relatively-safer Tajikistan. 1 pm, and they’ve all packed up and started leaving. It was time for us to leave too: we had a few more valleys and over 600 km to go to Dushanbe. Afghan market Bibi Fatima Springs Bulun-kul Ishkashim Khorog Langar Murgab Pamir Highway Pamirs Wakhan Corridor Wakhan Valley	cc/2019-30/en_head_0020.json.gz/line902
__label__wiki	0.887714	0.887714	Home Music Road rage Pere Ubu do not make road records by Tim Perlich PERE UBU with the MERCURY MEN at Lee's Palace (529 Bloor West), Sunday (September 22). $13.50. 416-532-1598. Rating: NNNNN the images of highway signs on the sleeve of Pere Ubu's latest disc, St. Arkansas (SpinArt/Linus), along with lyrical allusions to cars and travelling, could lead people to think it's a concept album about the road. In which case, the distorting vocal treatments used by mainman David Thomas to make his voice sound it's coming out of an old car radio seem to make perfect sense. But Pere Ubu have never been particularly interested in being logical Thomas -- whose mother threw him out of the house for refusing to wear pants that fit properly -- has invested far too much time and energy cultivating the obtuse persona of the group's unfathomable frontman to settle for the simple, straightforward approach at this stage in his career. Something as mundane as a road album wouldn't be good for the whole arty mystique. "It's not meant to be a "road record,'" sighs Thomas from his folks' place in Pennsylvania, clearly disgusted by the suggestion. "If the sound of my voice on the recording has AM radio quality, it's probably because I don't use microphones any more -- I only use speakers to record vocals. "One of my favourites, which I call the fly's eye, came from a transistor radio, and a bit of that is on every track. So you see, things probably sound the way they do for a reason." And despite the car references, that reason has nothing to do with the road, he says. Perhaps it would be best to just let the creative genius behind St. Arkansas explain what's really going on. "Anyone familiar with Pere Ubu knows that our work always reflects my theories about sound, geography and culture -- how they interact and define each other. "For this record, I decided I would drive until I entered a certain mental state of being and then write the record. "So last year I drove for many, many days until I reached the right state of mind, which happened to be in Conway, Arkansas. At that point I started writing and driving, and kept at it until I got to Tupelo, Mississippi. It was really the road that wrote this record." OK, so there is an underlying subtext concerning the road that connects the songs thematically. Thomas is enjoying the surreal nature of the Abbott-and-Costello-like exchange too much to concede the point. "Well," snorts Thomas, "a "road record' is something that makes people think -- (singing) "I'm on the road again' -- y'know, stories of cheap motels and excess drinking. This is just a series of stories informed by geography. It's stuff we've been working on for a very long time. "I've been delivering a lecture at various colleges around the world, called The Geography Of Sound In The Magnetic Age, so it's all tied together in a vast and complicated way. "I could offer a hideously long-winded explanation, but I'm sure most people would find it very boring." Much more exciting is Thomas's recent release of The Day The Earth Met The Rocket From The Tombs (Smog Veil) disc, presenting stunning live recordings of the notorious Cleveland proto-punk group involving Gene "Cheetah Chrome" O'Connor, Peter Laughner and Thomas, aka Crocus Behemoth. The surprisingly coherent and well-recorded rehearsal sessions from 75 -- featuring blazing early takes of Final Solution, Sonic Reducer and 30 Seconds Over Tokyo -- document the explosive origins of Pere Ubu and the Dead Boys. "I really don't like nostalgia, but I just got tired of all the bootlegs. They weren't very good and I didn't like the idea that bootleggers were doing it. So I figured I should put something out myself. It just took three or four years to find the original tapes. "It's not like we ever meant to record anything. What you hear is all incidental stuff recorded a couple of months after we formed. We got better later on, but the whole thing was over in about eight months. "Rocket from the Tombs was a great band, and the people involved were good people. It was just one of those groups you knew were doomed from the beginning."timp@nowtoronto.com music feature Critics' Picks Tweets by @nowtoronto	cc/2019-30/en_head_0020.json.gz/line907
__label__wiki	0.751814	0.751814	Home > CAHSS > CAHSS Journals > TQR Home > TQR > Vol. 16 > No. 1 (2011) Face-to-Face in Writing: My First Attempt at Conducting a Text-based Online Focus Group Steven R. Terrell, Nova Southeastern UniversityFollow Having completed graduate degrees in educational research and counseling, I have studied the theory of focus groups and participated in many while in a classroom setting. Interestingly, I had never moderated one until my first attempt in a text-based online environment. This paper describes my preparation for the session as well as the issues I faced while actually conducted the focus group. Readers will find that being prepared by establishing rapport with their group prior to the event, understanding the change of dynamics that distance brings to the process and handling the pressures of an expanded role as moderator, will help ensure a successful focus group session. Qualitative Research, Focus Group, Online, and Distance Education This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 4.0 License. Recommended APA Citation Terrell, S. R. (2011). Face-to-Face in Writing: My First Attempt at Conducting a Text-based Online Focus Group. The Qualitative Report, 16(1), 286-291. 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__label__wiki	0.623196	0.623196	Nature Writing in America: The Power of Rachel Carson — Adam Regn Arvidson I was almost finished reading Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring when I authorized the application of Garlon to 3300 square feet of vegetation surrounding a new commercial building. Garlon is an herbicide: a chemical officially called triclopyr—a cocktail of oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen, and chlorine arranged in a particular structure that makes it fatal to broad-leaved plants. I visited the application site after a few days and the plants had already started to wither. Garlon takes a little while to act, but over the course of a week or two, the lambs-quarters and creeping charlie browned and fell to the earth. The company I hired later arrived to mow the whole thing down. Silent Spring spends an entire chapter (ominously called “Elixirs of Death”) on how exactly the various pesticides and herbicides work. Garlon is more recent, so it doesn’t appear, but it shares many of the chemical properties of the chlorinated hydrocarbons and organic phosphates Carson describes. “Elixirs of Death” occurs early in this seminal (some would say THE seminal) environmental work. Carson, an otherwise soft-spoken science writer, sets the book’s tone with the chapter’s title, and with stories like this: On another occasion two small boys in Wisconsin, cousins, died on the same night. One had been playing in his yard when spray drifted in from an adjoining field where his father was spraying potatoes with parathion; the other had run playfully into the barn after his father and put his hand on the nozzle of the spray equipment. Dwell on those words for a minute: “had run playfully into the barn after his father.” Chemical diagram of triclopyr (Garlon) I am a landscape architect, which means I typically come up with designs for parks, homes, and commercial properties, then leave the maintenance to others. At some level I suppose I understand that a broad array of synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides are being sprayed on my idealistically created landscapes. But what they do is their business—out of sight, out of mind. On the particular commercial project I mention above, though, I was thrust into a management role due to some contract discrepancies. The responsibility of maintaining the native prairie grasses I had seeded along the building’s main walkway fell to me. I called a prairie expert who told me herbicide would be the best way to get the weeds under control and allow the little bluestem room to grow. I wavered. Then agreed. Hanging up the phone I was wracked with guilt. Carson’s book has a way of making one feel that way, if one is in any way complicit in the use of pesticides or herbicides. Silent Spring is both fact-packed and heart-wrenching. It leaves a reader feeling emotionally spent, yet unable to find relief in the possibility that the stories are either exaggerated or untrue. And that, of course, was its intended effect. It’s hard to know exactly where to start a new essay about Carson, since of all the environmental writers in American history, she has been more researched, praised, referenced, essayed, and reprinted than anyone but perhaps Thoreau and John Muir. Certainly of all the writers covered in this series, no one sold more books and no one had a more direct effect on legislation than she did—even though she only wrote four books and succumbed to cancer a mere 18 months after Silent Spring was published, at age 56. If you want biography, read Linda Lear’s excellent and honest Rachel Carson: Witness for Nature. If you want homage, go for Courage for the Earth, edited by the venerable Peter Matthiessen. You can find Rachel Carson children’s books and Rachel Carson school curricula. (I’m thinking of starting a line of “what would Rachel do?” bumper stickers and coffee mugs.) It’s hard to know where to start with Carson because so much has been said already. What I will add is this: Silent Spring struck me in two ways. Foremost, I felt like a direct subject of criticism, because of the Garlon, and the book has made me rethink some of my professional practices, even though it is near 50 years old and wildly out of date factually. I also felt a deep admiration for Carson because she, I believe, deliberately altered her writing style in order to have the desired impact. Silent Spring, in tone, subject, and language choice, is markedly different from her earlier works about the ocean: Under the Sea Wind (1941), The Sea Around Us (a 1951 bestseller), and The Edge of the Sea (1955). Though this earlier trilogy—completed a full seven years before Silent Spring—has notes of warning, it is above all a paean to the sea, in all its glory and poetry. I read The Sea Around Us immediately before delving into Silent Spring, and the contrast was stark. Indulge me in a side-by-side comparison. To make it a little more apples-to-apples, I’ll look at the same subject: water. Here is Silent Spring: Here and there we have dramatic evidence of the presence of these chemicals in our streams and even in public water supplies. For example, a sample of drinking water from an orchard area in Pennsylvania, when tested on fish in a laboratory, contained enough insecticide to kill all of the test fish in only four hours…. For the most part this pollution is unseen and invisible, making its presence known when hundreds of thousands of fish die, but more often never detected at all. The chemist who guards water purity has no routine tests for these organic pollutants and no way to remove them. And The Sea Around Us: Fish, amphibian, and reptile, warm-blooded bird and mammal—each of us carries in our veins a salty stream in which the elements sodium, potassium, and calcium are combined in almost the same proportions as in sea water. This is our inheritance from the day, untold millions of years ago, when a remote ancestor, having progressed from the one-celled to the many-celled stage, first developed a circulation system in which the fluid was merely the water of the sea. You will of course have to give me the benefit of the doubt that I have selected representative samples. Yes, there are glimpses of the critical Carson in the sea trilogy and of the enraptured Carson in Silent Spring (“those woodland sprites the kinglets…the warblers, whose migrating hordes flow through the trees in spring in a multicolored tide of life”). But it’s not a stretch to say that the sea trilogy is poetic while Silent Spring is analytical. I believe that difference is not just because of the passage of time between the works, nor is it because of the inherently negative subject matter of the later book. As Ann Zwinger writes in her introduction to the 2002 reprint of Silent Spring, after World War II “The public endowed chemists, at work in their starched white coats…with almost divine wisdom. The results of their labors were gilded with the presumption of beneficence. In postwar America, science was god, and science was male.” Science also stood alone, in philosophical opposition to art and poetry. That dichotomy, which Loren Eiseley and others began to expose in the early 1960s, led to the intense social upheval that pitted “9-to-5-ers” and “hippies” against each other in the decades to come. In order to have an affect on the science of the day, and on the general population, Carson needed to adopt an empirical rhetoric, mostly free of the soul-stirring prose that populates her earlier work but would be rapidly discredited in the context of her new subject. In fact, the chemical industry tried to do exactly that, launching a smear campaign that, among other things, labeled Carson a spinster and a madwoman—powerful and damning language in the late 50s. Carson buttoned Silent Spring up tight, leaving no space for the chemical establishment to set a hook and tear it apart. However, if that had been Carson’s only trick, Silent Spring would stand as an excellent report to Congress, rather than as the “cornerstone of the new environmentalism,” as Peter Matthiessen calls it. Carson’s final book was embraced by an entire generation and many believe it led to not just the domestic ban on DDT application (for which it is best known), but also the Clean Air Act and the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 1970 and the Clean Water Act in 1972—all of which directly address environmental pollutants like herbicides and pesticides. The reason for Silent Spring’s longevity is that laced within the analysis are passages like this: I know well a stretch of road where nature’s own landscaping has provided a border of alder, viburnum, sweet fern, and juniper with seasonally changing accents of bright flowers, or of fruits hanging in jeweled clusters in the fall…. But the sprayers took over and the miles along that road became something to be traversed quickly, a sight to be endured with one’s mind closed to thoughts of the sterile and hideous world we are letting our technicians make. But here and there authority had somehow faltered and…there were oases of beauty in the midst of austere and regimented control…. In such places my spirit lifted to the sight of the drifts of white clover or the clouds of purple vetch with here and there the flaming cup of a wood lily. Or this, in reference to the “explosive power” of nature to reproduce and fill a void: I think of shore rocks white with barnacles as far as the eye can see, or of the spectacle of passing through an immense school of jellyfish, mile after mile, with seemingly no end to the pulsing, ghostly forms scarcely more substantial than the water itself. It has been more than a month now since I was complicit in the application of an herbicide. Today the site is a green swath of baby prairie grasses pushing their roots deep into the earth and covering the soil with their stems. Next spring there will be fewer broad-leaved plants and after another year this landscape will not need to be mowed, fertilized, watered, or treated with chemicals of any kind—ever. My 3300 square feet is infinitesimal compared to the millions of square miles of neighborhoods, forests, and farms that used to be sprayed from airplanes with a mixture of DDT powder and fuel oil (can you imagine?!). And Carson’s last chapter gives me an out: perhaps surprisingly, she doesn’t call for outright bans, but rather a careful combination of biological control and chemical use applied where needed and for the right reasons. She also calls for effective regulation and decision-making through sound science, and that sentiment became the foundation for the EPA and all the environmental legislation passed in the early 1970s. So if you will indulge me in one more paragraph, I would be remiss in not mentioning current events. I opened this series by referencing a January 25, 2012, speech by Newt Gingrich in which he proposed elimination of the EPA. He, the few remaining presidential hopefuls, and conservative members of the U.S. Congress have held that line for the past year. The standard phrase, crowed ad nauseum in debates and stump speeches, is that the EPA and the Clean Air and Water Acts are “job-killing” regulations. Gingrich and the other so-called advocates for business and jobs should take a moment to remember life before 1970: fuel oil dropped from airplanes on suburban neighborhoods, chemicals in general use so dangerous that children could die from touching a spray nozzle, Cleveland’s Cuyahoga River so polluted it actually caught fire (that was 1969), cities across the nation dumping untreated sewage into local waters (yes, the Clean Water Act regulates government in addition to private business). Conservatives are holding a ridiculous and untenable position that essentially suggests businesses would pay more taxes and hire more people–if only they could pollute. Carson described the 1950s as “an era dominated by industry, in which the right to make a dollar at whatever cost is seldom challenged. When the public protests…it is fed little tranquilizing pills of half-truth.” Silent Spring is 50 years old in 2012—election year. As I wrote in the introduction, it’s time for another reading. Proceed to the next essay, on Joseph Wood Krutch; or return to the Table of Contents. —Adam Regn Arvidson 2011, Nature & Science, NC Magazine, Nonfiction, Vol. II, No. 9, September 2011 6 Responses to “Nature Writing in America: The Power of Rachel Carson — Adam Regn Arvidson” Again, Adam, thanks for bringing these important essays to NC. I once taught an AP Environmental Science course that had a summer reading component. I made the kids read Silent Spring and they hated it..too dense, too serious…but suprisingly, most of them muddled their way through. I think it’s interesting that Carson altered her style for SS and appreciate that you illuminated the reasons why. Looking back, it was probably not an ideal choice for me to make as a teacher, but I did continue to teach pieces of her book while I taught that class. Our society has short memories, and one can only hope that the slow progress the environmental movement made over the years is not wiped out for political/fiscal expediency. Thanks again for this installment in your series. ns says: Another great installment, re: an ever urgent issue. Your last paragraph about current events is chilling. Thanks for helping to keep us vigilant. Wendy Voorsanger says: You remind us again Adam that the poetry of truth, embedded in honest, raw words can be a singular method for change, a powerful weapon against corrupt “industry” seeking profits above reason and compassion. Carson seemed fearless, so courageous given her gender and the times, illuminating, galvanizing, and affecting change through the simple act of writing. If there were only more writers like Carson in 2011! Adam A says: Wendy et al: It truly has been weird reading Carson during presidential debates where the EPA is regularly derided. But to Wendy’s larger point (the point that is hopefully being made through this series): I do feel that, collectively, these environmental writers (and others that could easily be covered here–Matthiessen, Gary Snyder, John Hay and their precursor Aldo Leopold) did change the public mindset and public policy. This mid-century outpouring came about 60 years after Muir (and a couple other writer-advocates) succeeded in turning public opinion toward the preservation of land. And that outpouring came 50-60 years after Thoreau and the Transcendentalists told us that nature wasn’t scary, nor just a resource to be exploited. Cycles, cycles. Perhaps ill-recognition or ill-use of the environment builds up in the 5 decades after a major success, and a new outpouring is needed. Late 60s + 50 years = 2010s… quarmby says: A timely and effective lifting up of an important work. Thank you, Adam. I’ll be sharing this essay. Lené Gary says: When I read your essay, I immediately thought of a contest that you might be interested in (if you haven’t already heard about it). The Rachel Carson Center is sponsoring it, along with other organizations. I found out about it through the ASLE listserv. Unfortunately, I can’t find a link for the contest online, but I do have the flyer that someone attached in pdf form that I would be happy to email you. I pasted part of the flyer below. You’re probably familiar with ASLE (Association for the Study of Literature and the Environment), but if not, the organization is full of wonderful people and resources that compliment your interests. You might want to check them out too. Thank you for continuing to keep Rachel Carson’s work alive. As a person who was poisoned by organophosphate pesticides and works on these issues, I appreciate it on a very personal level. Lené In commemoration of fifty years of Silent Spring, the Rachel Carson Center for Environment and Society (in collaboration with the British Council, the International Consortium of Environmental History Organizations, and the Consulate General of the United States, Munich) is soliciting essays from junior and senior scholars which analyze the impact and reception of Silent Spring as well as the legacy of Rachel Carson. Essays might address one or more of the following questions: • How has Silent Spring shaped environmentalism or environmental thought in various countries? How is it a global phenomenon? • What elements of Silent Spring have had the greatest impact on environmental leaders? Policy makers? Anti-environmentalists? • How is Silent Spring still relevant to current environmental debates? • How has the relevance of Rachel Carson’s writing changed over the decades since Silent Spring was published? • If Rachel Carson were alive today, what would she be writing about? The Courage to Write and Publish Your Story: Five Reasons Why it’s Important to Write Memoir \| Essay — Sue William Silverman Postcards from Italy: Lake Como, September 2011 — Natalia Sarkissian	cc/2019-30/en_head_0020.json.gz/line909
__label__wiki	0.660792	0.660792	OU gymnastics team wins Norman Regional - Photo Gallery Oklahoma's Keeley Kmieciak competes on the uneven parallel bars during an NCAA women's gymnastics regional in Lloyd Noble Center in Norman, Okla., Saturday, April 4, 2015. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman The Oklahoma team poses for a photo after winning an NCAA women's gymnastics regional in Lloyd Noble Center in Norman, Okla., Saturday, April 4, 2015. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman Oklahoma coach K.J. Kindler reacts after OU's Rebecca Clark finishes on the balance beam during an NCAA women's gymnastics regional in Lloyd Noble Center in Norman, Okla., Saturday, April 4, 2015. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman Oklahoma's McKenzie Woffard competes on the uneven parallel bars during an NCAA women's gymnastics regional in Lloyd Noble Center in Norman, Okla., Saturday, April 4, 2015. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman Oklahoma's Haley Scaman competes in the floor exercise during an NCAA women's gymnastics regional in Lloyd Noble Center in Norman, Okla., Saturday, April 4, 2015. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman Oklahoma's Erica Brewer competes on the balance beam during an NCAA women's gymnastics regional in Lloyd Noble Center in Norman, Okla., Saturday, April 4, 2015. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman Oklahoma's Rebecca Clark competes on the balance beam during an NCAA women's gymnastics regional in Lloyd Noble Center in Norman, Okla., Saturday, April 4, 2015. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman Oklahoma's Ali Jackson competes in the floor exercise during an NCAA women's gymnastics regional in Lloyd Noble Center in Norman, Okla., Saturday, April 4, 2015. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman Oklahoma's Kara Lovan competes on the vault during an NCAA women's gymnastics regional in Lloyd Noble Center in Norman, Okla., Saturday, April 4, 2015. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman Oklahoma's Keeley Kmieciak celebrates after her vault during an NCAA women's gymnastics regional in Lloyd Noble Center in Norman, Okla., Saturday, April 4, 2015. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman Oklahoma's Ali Jackson celebrates after her vault during an NCAA women's gymnastics regional in Lloyd Noble Center in Norman, Okla., Saturday, April 4, 2015. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman Oklahoma's Ali Jackson competes on the vault during an NCAA women's gymnastics regional in Lloyd Noble Center in Norman, Okla., Saturday, April 4, 2015. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman Oklahoma's Rebecca Clark competes on the uneven parallel bars during an NCAA women's gymnastics regional in Lloyd Noble Center in Norman, Okla., Saturday, April 4, 2015. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman	cc/2019-30/en_head_0020.json.gz/line910
__label__cc	0.54985	0.45015	Thunder beats the Hawks - Photo Gallery Oklahoma City's Russell Westbrook (0) reacts after making a three-point shot in the second quarter during an NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Atlanta Hawks at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Friday, Nov. 30, 2018. Photo by Nate Billings, The Oklahoman Oklahoma City's Paul George (13) dunks the ball in front of Atlanta's Trae Young (11) in the first quarter during an NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Atlanta Hawks at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Friday, Nov. 30, 2018. Photo by Nate Billings, The Oklahoman Oklahoma City's Russell Westbrook (0) shoots against Atlanta's Alex Len (25) during an NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Atlanta Hawks at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Friday, Nov. 30, 2018. Photo by Nate Billings, The Oklahoman Oklahoma City's Dennis Schroder (17) tries to steal the ball from Atlanta's Trae Young (11) during an NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Atlanta Hawks at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Friday, Nov. 30, 2018. Photo by Nate Billings, The Oklahoman Oklahoma City's Jerami Grant (9) takes the ball to the basket against Atlanta's John Collins (20) during an NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Atlanta Hawks at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Friday, Nov. 30, 2018. Photo by Nate Billings, The Oklahoman Oklahoma City's Patrick Patterson (54) shoots over Atlanta's DeAndre' Bembry (95) during an NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Atlanta Hawks at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Friday, Nov. 30, 2018. Photo by Nate Billings, The Oklahoman Oklahoma City's Russell Westbrook (0) takes the ball to the hoop in front of Atlanta's Trae Young (11) during an NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Atlanta Hawks at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Friday, Nov. 30, 2018. Photo by Nate Billings, The Oklahoman Oklahoma City's Paul George (13) passes away from Atlanta's John Collins (20) during an NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Atlanta Hawks at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Friday, Nov. 30, 2018. Photo by Nate Billings, The Oklahoman Oklahoma City's Dennis Schroder (17) takes the ball to the hoop during an NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Atlanta Hawks at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Friday, Nov. 30, 2018. Photo by Nate Billings, The Oklahoman Oklahoma City's Alex Abrines (8) reacts after making a three-point basket in the third quarter during an NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Atlanta Hawks at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Friday, Nov. 30, 2018. Oklahoma City won 124-109. Photo by Nate Billings, The Oklahoman Atlanta's Trae Young (11) passes over Oklahoma City's Dennis Schroder (17) during an NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Atlanta Hawks at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Friday, Nov. 30, 2018. Photo by Nate Billings, The Oklahoman Oklahoma City's Paul George (13) dribbles the ball on a fast break in front of Atlanta's Taurean Prince (12) during an NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Atlanta Hawks at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Friday, Nov. 30, 2018. Photo by Nate Billings, The Oklahoman Oklahoma City's Patrick Patterson (54) shoots during an NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Atlanta Hawks at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Friday, Nov. 30, 2018. Photo by Nate Billings, The Oklahoman Oklahoma City's Dennis Schroder (17) defends Atlanta's Trae Young (11) during an NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Atlanta Hawks at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Friday, Nov. 30, 2018. Photo by Nate Billings, The Oklahoman Oklahoma City's Paul George (13) drives against Atlanta's Dewayne Dedmon (14) during an NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Atlanta Hawks at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Friday, Nov. 30, 2018. Photo by Nate Billings, The Oklahoman Oklahoma City's Russell Westbrook (0) encourages his teammates from the bench in the fourth quarter during an NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Atlanta Hawks at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Friday, Nov. 30, 2018. Oklahoma City won 124-109. Photo by Nate Billings, The Oklahoman	cc/2019-30/en_head_0020.json.gz/line911
__label__wiki	0.824951	0.824951	11/11/04 obituaries Judy Todd Loa J. Duggan, 70, of Windsor died Tuesday, Nov. 9, at Centennial Heath Care Center, Greeley. She was born Dec. 30, 1933, in North Platte, Neb., to Si and Ruth (Gordon) Doyle. She graduated from St. Mary’s in Grand Island, Neb., with a bachelor’s degree in science. On March 11, 1955, she married Don Daly in Raton, N.M. He died in 1972. She married Ed Duggan in June 1973 in Fort Collins. They renewed their vows in June 2003 for their 30th anniversary. Mrs. Duggan was a member of Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church in Windsor. She was very active in her grandchildren’s lives. She enjoyed many trips to Las Vegas, Black Hawk and Central City. She also enjoyed rodeos. Survivors are her husband, Ed Duggan of Windsor; two daughters, Sheryl Chaves and husband Danny of Galeton and Kim Daly-Graff and husband Steve Graff of Windsor; a son, Lynn Daly of Windsor; her father, Si Doyle of Greeley; a brother, Jim Doyle of Ringold, Neb.; and four grandchildren, Zach Smith, Dondi Smith, Jordan Smith and Tanner Smith. Her mother and a sister, Pearl Carlson, are deceased. Recitation of the rosary will be at 7 p.m. today at Stoddard Funeral Home. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. Friday at Our Lady of the Valley in Windsor. Interment will be in Lakeview Cemetery, Windsor. Friends may visit from 4-7 p.m. today at the funeral home. Memorial gifts may be made to the American Cancer Society in care of Stoddard, 3205 W. 28th St., Greeley, CO 80634. An online memorial is at http://www.mem.com. Evelyn M. Hibler, 86, of Greeley died Wednesday, Nov. 10, at her home. She was born May 13, 1918, in Wray to Todd and Callie (Hawes) Kouba. On March 26, 1949, she married Kenneth Lester Hibler in Greeley. He died Sept. 23, 1996. Mrs. Hibler worked for Mountain Bell for 35 years until retiring in 1978. She belonged to the Telephone Pioneers. Survivors are a son, Kenneth Hibler and wife Kathy of Monument; two sisters, Mabel Blackwell and husband Merle of Greeley and Maude Brown of Wray; a grandson, Kyle Hibler; and a stepgrandson, Blake Shipman. Memorial services will be at 2 p.m. Friday at Adamson Memorial West Chapel. Instead of flowers, contributions may be made to Hospice and Palliative Care of Northern Colorado in care of the West Chapel, 2000 47th Ave., Greeley, CO 80634. Condolences may be sent to the family at http://www.adamsonchapels.com. John T. Martinez, 59, of Cheyenne died there Sunday, Nov. 7. He was born Sept. 9, 1945, in Eaton and lived in Eaton before moving to Cheyenne in 1977. Mr. Martinez was a drywaller for K.G. Drywall. He was a member of Our Lady Rosary Society and volunteered at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. He made rosaries and sent them overseas. Survivors are five daughters, Theresa Martinez, Mary Lobmeyer and Michelle Banks, all of Cheyenne, Melanie Martinez of Aurora and Renee Martinez-Tews of Littleton; a son, Gabriel Martinez of Broken Arrow, Okla.; four sisters, Vicky Barela and Clara Trujillo, both of Cheyenne, Connie Ramirez of Fort Collins and Bernice Martinez of Colorado Springs; two brothers, Toby Martinez of Eaton and Joe Martinez of La Salle; and seven grandchildren. His wife, Julie Ann Martinez, died Aug. 12, 1998. A son Johnny Martinez, his parents, Ruben and Genavieve Martinez, four sisters, Lucy Rosalez, Jerry Llamas, Lucinda Hernandez and Emily Gallegos, and four brothers, Raymond Martinez, Louis Martinez, Danny Martinez and Dan Martinez, also are deceased. A vigil will be at 7 p.m. today and funeral liturgy will be at 10 a.m. Friday, both at St. Joseph’s in Cheyenne. Interment will be in the Eaton Cemetery. Wiederspahn-Radomsky Chapel of the Chimes in Cheyenne is in charge of arrangements. Sherry Lynn Slate, 29, of Johnstown died Monday, Nov. 8, near Platteville in an auto accident. She was born Aug. 25, 1975, in Fort Smith, Ark., to Linda Reed and Douglas Slate and was raised by Floyd Slate of Commerce City and Margaret Salamanca of Fort Lupton. Ms. Slate graduated from Fort Lupton High School in 1993 and was involved in gymnastics. She was a member of Kim and Co. dance for several years. Her children and family were important to her. She was a manager for the Jackson food stores. Survivors are her husband of two years, Christopher Alan Callender of Johnstown; two daughters, Jasmine Marie Kiss of Virginia Beach, Va., and Emma Rose Callender of Johnstown; a son, Jacob Andrew Kiss of Virginia Beach; a sister, Risa Ann Slate of Las Cruces, N.M.; two brothers, Douglas “Woody” Slate of Claremore, Okla., and Carl Gene Slate of Cedarville, Ark.; and her grandparents, Tony and Margaret Salamanca of Platteville. Recitation of the rosary will be at 7 p.m. Friday and funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, both at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church in Wattenburg. Interment will be in Mizpah Cemetery in Platteville. Viewing will be private. Bostick Funeral Home in Fort Lupton is in charge of arrangements.	cc/2019-30/en_head_0020.json.gz/line912
__label__cc	0.725383	0.274617	The GLA is a strategic regional authority, with powers over transport, policing, economic development, and fire and emergency planning. Three functional bodies — Transport for London, the Mayor's Office for Policing and Crime, and London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority — are responsible for delivery of services in these areas. Spreadsheet (1) ZIP File (1) Projections Demography (1) Population (1) Population projection (1) Try typing: projections, demography, population... GLA: Interim 2015-based population projections From January 2017 the GLA has revised its naming convention for it's population projections. Projections will now be labelled based on the latest mid-year estimate data which informs the projection. As such this set of projections is a 2015-based projection. This set of projections is labelled ‘interim’ in anticipation of a revised set of 2015-based projections which will inform the London Plan. Once released, in spring 2017, those pro... × 3 × 6 (124.41 MB) PopulationPopulation projectionProjectionsDemography	cc/2019-30/en_head_0020.json.gz/line915
__label__cc	0.637725	0.362275	K2 the Savage Mountain Post By Ather Shah February 7, 2016 Title: K2 the Savage Mountain: The Classic True Story of Disaster and Survival on the World's Second Highest Mountain Author: Charles S. Houston (Author), Robert H. Bates (Author) Publisher: The Lyons Press Release Date: 24 April 2009 Format: 1.3 x 15.2 x 22.9 cm Pages: 336 Source: http://www.amazon.co.uk/K2-Savage-Mountain-Disaster-Survival/ Then on… Where the Indus is Young Title: A Winter in Baltistan Author: Dervla Murphy Publisher: Eland Publishing Ltd Release Date: 15 Oct. 2011 Format: 2.5 x 14 x 21.6 cm Pages: 272 Source: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Where-Indus-Young-Winter-Baltistan/ One winter, Dervla Murphy, the four-footed Hallam (the mule) and her six-year-old daughter Rachel explored ‘Little Tibet’ high up in the Karakoram… Savage Summit Title: Savage Summit: The Life and Death of the First Women of K2: True Stories of the 5 Women Who Climbed K2 Author: Jennifer Jordan Publisher: It Books pages Release Date: 1st Harper Paperback Ed edition (2 Mar. 2006) Format: 13.5 x 2 x 20.3 cm Pages: 352 Source: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Savage-Summit-Death-Stories-Climbed/… 8000m: All 14 Summits Title: 8000m: Climbing the World's Highest Mountains: All 14 Summits Author: Alan Hinkes Publisher: Cicerone Press Release Date: 8 Oct. 2013 Format: 29.7 x 2.3 x 26.9 cm Pages: 192 In this stunning large-format book, British mountaineer Alan Hinkes describes for the first time in one place his experiences of… No Way Down: Life and Death on K2 Title: No Way Down: Life and Death on K2 Author: Graham Bowley Publisher: Harper Paperbacks Release Date: Reprint edition (24 May 2011) Format: 13.5 x 1.7 x 20.3 cm Pages: 253 Source: http://www.amazon.co.uk/No-Way-Down-Life-Death/ The summit of K2, 1 August 2008. An exhausted band of climbers pump their fists into the… A Travel Companion to the Northern Areas of Pakistan Title: A Travel Companion to the Northern Areas of Pakistan Author: Tahir Jahangir Publisher: OUP Pakistan Release Date: 2nd edition (3 Mar. 2011) Format: 23.1 x 1.3 x 15.7 cm Pages: 226 Source: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Travel-Companion-Northern-Areas-Pakistan/ The Northern Areas of Pakistan are truly magnificent in their beauty ranging from majestic mountains that… Buried in the Sky Title: Buried in the Sky: The Extraordinary Story of the Sherpa Climbers on K2's Deadliest Day Author: Peter Zuckerman (Author), Amanda Padoan (Author) Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company Release Date: Reprint edition (10 Sept. 2013) Format: 14 x 2.3 x 21.1 cm Pages: 320 Source: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Buried-Sky-Extraordinary-Climbers-Deadliest/ When Edmund Hillary… Journey Through Pakistan Title: Journey Through Pakistan Author: Graham Hancock (Author), Mohamed Amin (Author, Illustrator), Duncan Willetts (Illustrator) Publisher: The Bodley Head Ltd Release Date: Reprint edition (Aug. 1982) Format: 2.5 x 25.4 x 32.4 cm Pages: 256 Source: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Journey-Through-Pakistan-Graham-Hancock/ The Silk Road: Taking the Bus to Pakistan Title: The Silk Road: Taking the Bus to Pakistan Author: Bill Porter Publisher: Counterpoint Release Date: 25 Feb. 2016 Format: 22.6 x 15 x 1.8 cm Pages: 288 Source: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Silk-Road-Taking-Bus-Pakistan/ To travel upon the Silk Road is to travel through history. Millennia older than California’s Camino Real, and perhaps even… Pakistan Handbook Title: Pakistan Handbook Author: Isobel Shaw Publisher: NTC Publishing Group, U.S. Release Date: 2nd Revised edition edition (1 Jan. 2001) Format: 0.6 x 14 x 20.3 cm Source: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Pakistan-India-Guides-Series-Isobel/ Pakistan Handbook suggests well-traveled and relatively unknown routes through the Pakistani countryside. Travelers will appreciate the detailed itineraries for long and… Pakistan Handbook: The Travel Guide Title: Pakistan Handbook: The Travel Guide Author: Imran Khan (Foreword), David Winter (Author), Ivan Mannheim (Author) Publisher: Footprint Handbooks Release Date: 2nd Revised edition edition (1 Dec. 1999) Format: 21.1 x 12.6 x 3 cm Pages: 680 Source: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Pakistan-Handbook-Travel-Guide-Footprint/ Information about travelling in Pakistan has often been limited and out… Insight Guides: Pakistan Title: Insight Guides: Pakistan Author: Alan Palmer (Author), Beryl Dhanjal (Author), Salman Rashid (Author), Christopher Shackle (Author), Mohammed Mian (Author), Anthony Lambert (Author), Christine Cottam (Author), Tony Halliday (Editor) Publisher: Insight Release Date: 3 edition (10 Jan. 2007) Format: 15.7 x 2.2 x 22.3 cm Pages: 300 Source: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Insight-Guides-Pakistan-Alan-Palmer/ The… Pakistan – Culture Smart!: The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture Title: Pakistan – Culture Smart!: The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture Author: Safia Haleem Publisher: Kuperard Release Date: 28 May 2013 Format: 11.2 x 1.3 x 17 cm Pages: 168 Source: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Pakistan-Culture-Smart-Essential-Customs Pakistan is a land with a unique history, formed by migrating peoples who have left their footprint… Title: Pakistan Author: David St.Vincent Publisher: Lonely Planet Release Date: 5th Revised edition edition (31 Aug. 1998) Format: 18.6 x 12.9 x 2.1 cm Pages: 457 Source: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/086442535X/ref=nosim?tag=pakisthighla-21&linkCode=sb1&camp=2378&creative=8430 Contains quirky tales of Pakistani culture, from the porno cinemas in Lahore to catching crabs in Karachi; complete details on excursions by… Pakistan & the Karakoram Highway Title: Pakistan & the Karakoram Highway (Travel Guide) Author: Sarina Singh (Author), Lindsay Brown (Author), Paul Clammer (Author), Rodney Cocks (Author), John Mock (Author), Kimberly O' Neil (Author) Publisher: Lonely Planet Release Date: 7 edition (1 May 2008) Format: 19.7 x 12.9 x 1.8 cm Pages: 432 Source: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Lonely-Planet-Pakistan-Karakoram-Highway/dp/1741045428/ref=dp_ob_title_bk This…	cc/2019-30/en_head_0020.json.gz/line916
__label__wiki	0.554665	0.554665	March 29, 2016 Pale Red Dot 1 Comment By Rim Fares, Osservatorio Astrofisico di Catania, Italy I am sure that you are already convinced of this statement if you have followed the previous contributions to this blog. But let’s make sure things are clear: isn’t everything relative? Magnetic fields do trick planet hunters, but their study gives us insights into stars and planetary environments, which help us better understand exoplanetary worlds. So why do we worry about magnetic fields if we want to detect Earth-like planets? They can mimic a planet’s signature and make our goal of detecting Earth-like planets much tougher. In cool stars (don’t be mislead by this name; these stars still have surface temperatures up to 7,000 K), magnetic fields manifest on the stellar surface in different ways. They can emerge in the form of dark spots. These regions have strong magnetic fields (up to a few thousand Gauss in the solar case). As Xavier Dumusque explained in his contribution, the effect of these spots can be greater than the effect of an Earth-like planet on the radial velocity variations of a star. This is not everything; stars have large-scale magnetic fields too. While spots are small areas on the surface relative to the size of the star (but can be the size of a planet!), large-scale fields are distributed on the scale of the star itself. The star can, for example, act as a huge dipole. This dipolar field contributes to the large-scale field. As Elodie Hebrard and Rakesh Yadav told us in their contribution, stars have magnetic personalities. Extensive studies of large-scale fields show that stars with similar masses and rotation periods seem to have magnetic fields that share similar properties (field strength, configuration). To detect very small planets, we need to understand the contribution of the large-scale field to the radial velocity variations of a star. But to make things complicated, stars can have magnetic cycles. Which means that both small-scale (e.g. spots’ emergence) and large-scale fields vary with time. Cristina Rodriguez told us in her contribution that stars beat by waves’ propagation inside the stars. These beats can mimic planetary signals. Over a cycle, the magnetic field changes, and so does the music of the star. But magnetic fields are not as evil as you think. Have you ever dreamt of watching an aurora, wondered about the ice age, the safety of astronauts? Well, there is a magnetic field contribution to all that. They play an important role from the birth of a star to its death (they affect stellar rotation, stellar wind, mass loss of the star, …). They contribute to the interactions between stars and their surrounding planets. Magnetic fields of planets protect them from stellar winds and are probably important for habitability. Figure 1. Artist impression of the interaction between the Solar wind and the earth’s magnetosphere. The magnetic field of the Earth (presented to the right) form a magnetosphere that protects us from the Solar wind (coming from the Sun – to the left). A bow shock, highlighted in purple, form from such interactions. Credit: NASA/ESO/SOHO While it is a tough job to detect Earth-like planets, it is much easier to detect massive planets that are very close to their stars (because they produce a much stronger effect on the radial velocity of the star, or on the light-curve when they are transiting). These planets are called hot-Jupiters, because like Jupiter they are very massive, but more than 50 times closer than Jupiter is to the Sun, so they are pretty hot. Their discovery was a big surprise to the community, because we do not have such planets in our own solar system (the massive gaseous planets are the furthest from the Sun). It raised questions about how they form, and how they migrate from further distances to very close to the star. At these distances, being massive, these planets interact with their stars through tidal interactions (like the Earth-Moon case, and its effect on the oceans’ tides). The large-scale magnetic field of the star and the stellar wind also interact with these planets (remember the auroras I talked about? They result from the interaction between the solar wind and our atmosphere, and the amazing colours they produce are due to the molecules we have in the upper atmosphere). These interactions affect the planet but they might also affect the star. In fact, some observations suggest there are spots on the stellar surface that follow the planet on its orbit, instead of rotating with the star. When we observed a sample of stars that have hot-Jupiters, we discovered the first polarity flip of the magnetic field for a star other than the Sun. This star is Tau Bootes, a star visible to the naked eye in the Bootes constellation. Figure 2. Artist impression of the system Tau Bootes. The star has a large-scale field that flips on yearly basis. The exoplanet is very close to its parent star. Credit: Karen Teramura, University of Hawaii Institute for Astronomy Imagine this star being a huge dipole (Figure 2), the north-south poles flip every year. This discovery was very surprising because the Sun flips polarity every 11 years. Tau Bootes’ flips are very fast compared to the Sun. When we discovered that, we though that it might be due to the tidal interactions with its very massive planet. This star and the planet are synchronised, which means that the star rotates with the same period of the planet on its orbit. This system was the only one observed with such a characteristic, and it was the only one for which a fast magnetic flip is detected. Coincidence or causality? We are still puzzled about that. We did observe polarity flips in other stars more recently, but for now Tau Bootes is the only star observed with regular flips over a long time period. Back to the planet—imagine it close to the star, and bombarded by the stellar wind. It can interact with this wind and produce signatures at different wavelength (that’s cool because if you observe the same system with different instruments, you can have the whole picture of the physics that is happening up there). It can for example produce radio emission and signatures in the UV that can be due to a bow shock formation, or to the evaporation of the atmosphere. We know that these hot-Jupiters are not habitable, so why do we care? Because they are easy to observe and characterize, but also because they give us hints to our future studies on habitable planets. Actually, Earth-like planets we are trying to detect in the habitable zone around cool red dwarfs are subject to a more aggressive environment than that of our own Earth. Red dwarfs can have strong magnetic field, and frequent ejections of particles toward the planet. The planet needs to be protected from the stellar wind in order to keep its atmosphere and be habitable. Consider the example of a volcano. Here in Catania where I currently work, we have an amazing view of Mount ETNA, the highest active volcano in Europe. The soil is fertile and farmers are happy. But the volcano is active, it can erupt and lava flows can destroy villages (luckily though, the flows are usually slow). The stellar ejections can have similar effect as volcanoes on earth, the exoplanet needs to get a protection from them: a planetary magnetic field (that will help deviate the stellar particles from hitting the planet). For now, we cannot detect planetary magnetic fields directly, we have to use indirect techniques, for example detecting a bow shock in the ultra-violet. If we study the stellar magnetic field and wind, and detect these bow shock (or radio emissions), we can calculate the magnetic field of the planet. Currently, we are trying to detect these effects on hot-Jupiters. This will shed light on the strength of the planetary magnetic fields. The coming years will see many space and ground based instruments, and we are all excited about getting new data and making new discoveries. Among these instruments, SPIROU-–a spectropolarimeter for the study of Earth-like planets in the habitable zones—will help us study the magnetic field while having very good radial velocity precision. SPIROU also has another goal: helping to understand planetary formation and migration by observing young stars and the hot-Jupiters that are formed around them. Exciting times ahead! About the author. Rim Fares is a research fellow at the Osservatorio Astrofisico di Catania, Sicily, since February 2015. Her main research interests are cool stars’ magnetism, the interactions between exoplanets and their cool stars, and exoplanets’ environment. Before moving to Italy, she was a research fellow at the University of St Andrews, Scotland. She has a PhD from Paul Sabatier University, Toulouse, France. Previous Post‘A brief personal History of Exoplanets’, by Paul ButlerNext PostMagnetic Open Cluster Stars of a Peculiar Kind observed with HARPS-POL One thought on “Magnetic Fields: those troublemakers!” Pingback: Magnetic Fields: those troublemakers! \| Histori... Première moitié des données Doppler Des étoiles froides à la personnalité magnétique À la recherche de planètes autour d\’étoiles naines M avec les spectrographes d\’aujourd\’hui et les spectropolarimètres de demain Lancement ! La quête commence le 15 janvier 2016 !	cc/2019-30/en_head_0020.json.gz/line917
__label__cc	0.657541	0.342459	Out of the Trash and into the Class: Building a STEM Program by Re-Building Computers. While many agree on the importance of extending resources to support Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) curricula within K12 education, there isn't always alignment on the best tools or techniques to, as the US Department of Education explains, equip students with the “knowledge and skills to solve tough problems, gather and evaluate evidence, and make sense of information,” or schools and districts with the resources and expertise to “improve the delivery, impact, and visibility of STEM efforts.” Recently the Open Source Initiate, working with the Schodack Central School District in upstate New York, developed the FLOSS Desktops For Kids Incubator Project, or as it is known at Maple Hill Middle School, the Open Source Computer Club. The program compliments the Technology curriculum currently offered to sixth, seventh and eight graders, and is designed to introduce computing and engineering concepts though hands-on, project-based learning activities. Best of all, the program is run at no additional cost to the district through the use of decommissioned hardware and open source software. The program started with then Superintendent Bob Huron, who made an innovative move to engage local entrepreneurs directly in the district's academics by creating an “incubator,” offering free office, lab and manufacturing space to start-ups in exchange for time teaching students the science, engineering and technology many employed in their products and services. For example, a technology start-up focused on developing applications for wastewater treatment, that also creates energy out of wastewater, has been teaching a lab each semester on the life-cycle of micro-organisms. Initially, in order to extend the resources—and the attractiveness—of the incubator, the district hoped to provide computers to the start-ups as well, making available machines that had been decommissioned due to reaching the end of their service contracts. However, even though these machines were no longer supported by the manufacturers and were destined for the “recycle bin,” issues related to FERPA, software licensing contracts, district policy and local IT support, made sharing those—still usable—computers impossible. In addition, even if the computer hardware was be made available to local start-ups, it would not include any software procured by ,and licensed to, the district. Enter open source software. Members of Schodack Open Source Computer Club engage in STEM through hands-on, project-based learning activities. Refurbished computers, once discarded, now run Linux and a variety of open source applications and, once complete, are given to students, "for keeps." Maple Hill Middle School Technology Teacher Kristopher Navratil and Principal James Derby quickly saw the educational potential of refurbishing these decommissioned computers, and offering them to not only the start-ups, but students, and even the local community as well. “The program is a wonderful opportunity for students to receive some practical experience in the world of computers. There is a difference between students knowing how to use the technology we offer them, and the students knowing how the technology works,” said Navratil. While STEM education does indeed enjoy a growing level of interest, so too does other educational initiatives around online learning, gaming in education, and digital literacy: all of which rely on student access to technology and computers. For many dis-advantaged youth, a home computer—including all of the software required to complete their assignments—is simply not affordable. “The old computers were going to be thrown out and now the students can fix them and then get to take them home,” said Derby. “It adds that extra engagement factor. It gives students a sense of ownership because it’s their computer. They’re working towards a productive goal.” The FLOSS Desktop for Kids initiative refurbishes surplus and discarded school computers, allowing students to learn (hands-on) about computers and technology by diagnosing, breaking-down and repairing hardware components. Students acquire, install and configure open source software including Linux operating systems, LibreOffice, GIMP, Pidgin, etc.—not just run “apps” on a tablet. The program, is designed to teach engineering and technology by doing, failing, fixing, frustration, and finally achieving—that's how Science, Technology, Engineering and Math really happen, and that aligns perfectly with STEM's goals: “knowledge and skills to solve tough problems, gather and evaluate evidence, and make sense of information.” Sixth, seventh and eight graders rebuild—and in the process, learn about—hardware from discarded district computers. Students "crimp" their own Ethernet cables to build a Local Area Network (LAN) and access open source software via the Internet. The best part? Once completed, the students can take their computers home, as one student said, "for keeps." For many districts serving under-privileged students, these computers not only provide educational opportunities in STEM, but extend access to support broader educational activities: logging on to their class website to download homework, communicating with classmates on assignments, researching and writing papers—all on a computer they built, administer... understand! The FLOSS Desktop for Kids program has just completed its second year with the curriculum and format still being refined. Currently the program is designed to run 10 weeks, with students beginning by literally pulling their computers and peripherals out of a dumpster. Next they inventory the internal components (what's there, what's missing), wipe their drives to meet district standards, and diagnose issues and repair their hardware—and in the process understand what that hardware is and how it works—until the machine boots to the BIOS. Before they can download and install their operating systems and desktop applications they first must connect to the Internet, using an Ethernet cable that they crimp themselves. Once online, they take on the role of system administrator: setting up users and permissions, connecting to different networks, installing, configuring and customizing the software for their workstations. Each phase includes an assessment where the students share what they did to get their machines up and running, software installed, peripherals added. Collaboration is encouraged. If a student has completed their module, they can help a friend. Each machine has different issues, so the learning never stops. Navratil highlights, “The Open Source Computer Club allows students to learn through problem solving, troubleshooting and identifying individual issues, yet finding solutions through collaboration.” When asked about the practical vs. academic goals of the program, Navratil added, “These experiences develop the skills students need in the real world, no matter what field they may pursue. It's fantastic we can offer them a non-traditional, hands-on, collaborative environment while at the middle school level. Yes it's practical, the kids walk away with a computer, but it also provides learning opportunities beyond the nuts and bolts of hardware and software: lessons about determination, persistence, collaboration, dedication.” Maple Hill Middle School Technology teacher Kris Navratil and District IT Administrator Matt Purificato, with a lesson on networks—NIC cards, Ethernet cables, routers and switches—during a meeting of the Open Source Computer Club. A Maple Hill Middle School student diagnoses and repairs various components of a desktop computer as part of the STEM curriculum. After two years, the district and OSI are thrilled with the outcomes. Indeed administrators are dreaming up all sorts of new opportunities: a student centered help desk; a lab of rebuilt machines open to all students; contributions of refurbished machines to the community (senior centers, libraries, etc.); donations of completed machines to other kids in the district. With such a positive response from the district, administrators and most importantly, students, the OSI and Schodack CSD are ready to expand the program to other schools and districts. A curriculum and complementary resources are under development to provide interested teachers and schools with the academic and organizational resources to implement the program: teaching and learning activities, infrastructure requirements, how to work with district administrators, etc. If you're interested in learning more about the program, or maybe you're already doing something similar, please visit the FLOSS Desktop for Kids Incubator Project at the OSI. Students present their rebuilt computers and the FLOSS Desktops for Kids project at the University at Albany's Open Source Festival. Just a few of the computers rebuilt by Schodack students. On display, machines at each stage of refurbishment.	cc/2019-30/en_head_0020.json.gz/line920
__label__cc	0.543162	0.456838	Letter from the Chair - June 2018 When I was elected to Chair a year ago we were already in the early stages of what we anticipated to be a difficult few years. As you will know, in 2012 the government announced the removal of subsidies from universities in England and, as these bit deeper with the end of transitional arrangements, the cost of studying became impossible to either reach or justify for many students. This was particularly devastating in the case of the OU where so many students studied out of interest and enjoyment compared to other universities where most studied towards career goals. Consequently the university reported a 30% fall in student numbers between 2012 and 2017. This percentage was even higher in Psychology, the largest student group in the university. Along with the introduction of the new degree structure that essentially removed exams from the psychology degree (only two courses, DE200 and DD317, now have exams), this had a direct and almost catastrophic effect on OUPS, which had traditionally made most of its income from exam revision weekends. We saw an immediate and savage drop in numbers at all our module-related events. Previous committees, anticipating this decline in numbers and hence income, had built up a reserve fund to help smooth this out, and as planned we drew on this to fill this gap again this year. However our financial performance was quite a bit better than we had anticipated in that the loss we made was less than we had forecast. Our costs are relatively fixed; for example accommodation costs are largely out of our control and we can only reduce the numbers of tutors or speakers so far without compromising quality. This means the cost-per-head of our events depends on the numbers of people we can attract. So this “loss” is simply the difference between what it cost OUPS for each person who attended our events and what we charged them to come along. We also put a lot of effort into reviewing and reducing our costs, and re-thinking the kind of events that we offer in order to increase attendance. Although numbers at module-related events have declined, we see much more interest in our conferences and seminars and have offered more of these than ever before. While it is still an enormously challenging time, we seem to be seeing some light at the end of the tunnel now. As a committee we carried out a detailed review of our financial situation with the aim of making significant savings without compromising the service we give our members. This has included reducing committee attendance for our events, removing the costs of printing and delivery for our event materials through our Paperless programme, reviewing the costs and locations of our regional events and for the first time, gaining financial support from the OU itself. This has included agreement in principle for OUPS to use OU premises without charge to host events as well as direct financial contributions. We have also trialled a number of new payment systems to test whether being able to spread the cost of our weekends over a number of payments rather than pay in full would make it easier for people to budget and hence increase bookings. However the OUPS Credits savings scheme attracted zero deposits over twelve months so we withdrew it to remove the maintenance overhead, and OUPS PayPlan, despite its simplicity (send our standing order form to your bank six months in advance and then just turn up in Warwick) has only been used by a small number of attendees. However we’ll continue trialling OUPS PayPlan up to May 2019 before deciding on its fate. In contrast the ability to pay online by credit and debit card that we introduced in January now accounts for more revenue than all other methods combined, and has reduced the cost of taking card payments by phone substantially. Our analysis shows that the vast majority of bookings for most events are in the month immediately beforehand, so this might explain why spreading payments is not as widespread a problem as suggested. Faculty liaison As a priority this year we created an OUPS Faculty Liaison team, headed by Abi Robbins, to build on the excellent work that Abi has done over the past years in building awareness of OUPS within the OU and making contacts in the School of Psychology. We sometimes hear from students in their final year who wish they’d heard of OUPS in their first one, so it seemed that we were not reaching as many students as we could. In the first of our meetings with the department heads last year they estimated that they had around 19,000 registered psychology students, so in fact with 700 members we were visible to less than 5% of the cohort ! Years ago the University used to include an OUPS flier in each box of books sent to students at the beginning of each psychology course, and it was clear that the University could do much to promote OUPS to students now, but we needed to demonstrate that working with us would be in their interest too, and that we were aligned with their values and ethos. The team has now rebuilt a positive working relationship with the Heads of the OU School of Psychology, who are now committed to promoting OUPS to all new students and to helping us understand their plans and the content of future modules, which helps us build events to support these. We are seeing rising numbers of students who tell us in post-event feedback that they heard of OUPS through the module websites and forums, and we are holding events that are jointly-funded between OUPS and the OU, which we aim to make cheaper or even free to students where possible. We held our latest planning session with the faculty team in mid-May and have some exciting plans for the coming year (watch this space !). With direct faculty input we are also better able to plan the dates of our events so that they offer topics relevant to the stage of the module that students have reached, and are less likely to conflict with coursework or dayschools. Without this close faculty engagement, OUPS will quickly become unable to function effectively, and we look forward to further collaboration in the coming years. On a different front, we started the first significant overhaul of OUPS governance in many years, reviewing our Constitution and putting forward the first of a number of amendments for approval at the AGM. We also introduced codes of conduct for our society and policies for equality, diversity and complaints management. However there is still quite a bit of work to do in this area and we’ll continue to do this in the coming year. We also completed a six-month programme of work to ensure that our data protection and information security was ready for the introduction of the new GDPR data protection regulation in May 2018. We reviewed all of our manual and systems business processes and by April had made the changes necessary to ensure that all personal information is treated confidentially, responsibly and securely. Regional structure The current regional structure is idealistic but not fit for purpose as it relies completely on dedicated individuals to establish and keep a region open. We’ve been exceptionally lucky in the past with strong regional teams in the North, in London, Cambridge and in the South/South East. However while the number of members in London means we've been able to replace committee members who move on relatively easily, in other parts it’s been really difficult and "no committee" in most regions has meant "no events" there either. So we are slowly changing this but need to accelerate - there’s no point in having a structure that actively prevents us holding regional events. We are quite a way through the planning of an event in Scotland for the first time in many years, and have also held events in London, Cambridge and Brighton recently. We’ve held our first event in partnership with the OU (London Postgraduate Seminar) and have a second arranged to run in parallel with our “Thinking of Postgrad” weekend in Warwick September. This will be a Research Showcase featuring a number of the research team at the OU presenting on their work. We’re also discussing a number of approaches with the OU for bringing events to new parts of the UK. Finally ... I have found the current committee to be a great team who I enjoy working with very much and would like to thank them for their energy and effort this year. Without volunteers (and they are all volunteers with the sole exception of our dedicated Business Administrator, Irene), OUPS could not function. I welcome the opportunity to continue our work together to keep OUPS strong and relevant. Sadly after many years on the OUPS committee, our Vice Chair, Alan Pechey, has had to unexpectedly withdraw from the committee, though he will continue to be a valued part of OUPS through chairing the Cambridge regional team and, as one of our tutors, giving attendees at our regional and national events the benefit of his knowledge and experience. The committee has elected Graham Edgar to the role of Vice Chair, and I look forward to working with Graham for the rest of the year ahead. I would like to thank Alan for everything he has done for OUPS and to welcome Graham into his new role. I’d also like to thank all our volunteers who helped arrange and run our regional events, and those who are helping us investigate new events in new regions - please keep those thinking caps on and send all ideas through to Faye our Regional Representative. And last but not least, I would like to thank all of you who have supported us over the year by coming to our events, engaging with our Facebook pages, and taking the time to send us your feedback and to tell us how much you’ve enjoyed OUPS - you make it all worthwhile :) Letter from the Chair - November 2017 Well it’s just over halfway through my year as Chair of OUPS but in ways it feels like a lifetime! I knew that I was taking up the position at a turbulent time, and I haven’t found anything to contradict my first impressions, but I think we’re making steady progress on all fronts. As we reported at our AGM, OUPS is facing challenging times. We have been sustained for many years by the demand for our revision weekends - I was one of thousands of OU psychology students who would start to think about booking onto a revision weekend as soon as I started any of the big mandatory modules in the days of exams. However, three primary factors - affordability, relevance and visibility - have resulted in fewer students supporting our events. The net result as far as OUPS is concerned is that we have much lower attendance at our study-related events, which now generally run at a loss. The first of these is a consequence of the removal of government subsidies for higher education, with the resulting tripling of university fees leaving many students less able or less willing to pay for additional support such as our study events. It has also led to an enormous drop in OU student numbers in the past few years, where study for personal growth or just for fun is now out of reach for many of us, which means that OUPS also has a smaller “market” to support. To address this, we have maintained our prices again this year - now for over seven years - in spite of rising accommodation and venue costs. While this helps today’s students, it depletes our financial reserves, so we have less ability to absorb losses or unforeseen costs and is clearly not something we can continue to do for much longer. To help students spread the cost of events we looked at new ways to pay and launched two of these - OUPS Credits which acts like a piggy-bank into which students can save up over time and OUPS PayPlan which allows the costs of our larger events to be spread across six one-monthly payments. These have taken considerable work but it's great to see that they are slowly gaining support and we hope they help to make our events more affordable. The second factor contributing to lower numbers at our course-specific revision events is the change in the OU psychology degree, with exams being largely eliminated, to the point where you need only sit two exams to get a psychology degree through the OU. This is very much at odds with most universities: an ex-student I spoke to at one of our recent events mentioned that she had sat 26 exams to achieve her psychology undergraduate degree at one of the traditional UK universities. We have spent a lot of time this year thinking of alternative events that would be useful and attractive to OU students and that also attract enough attendees to cover the costs of venues, tutors and overheads. We’ve also analysed where to locate our events so that they are convenient to the largest numbers of attendees. To support this work, we conducted a number of surveys in which we canvassed all of our tutors, as well as sending invites to contribute to over 2000 people including tutors, OUPS members, non-members and via Facebook, to anyone who had any interest in helping us solve the conundrum. The results have been very interesting and we will share these along with our conclusions shortly. Events such as our Conferences and Mental Health workshops have been very well supported, both at national and regional level, and we hope to continue providing and maybe even increasing the number of these. We’ve also spent many hours debating how to reduce the costs of our events to attendees, whether running more one-day or non-residential events might be viable, investigating alternative venues and locations around the country, coming up with ideas for non-revision events and so on. We’re trialling a number of these in the coming months. Finally, despite the sterling efforts of those OUPS tutors who also work for the OU and who can tell their cluster groups about us, it seems the majority of students are simply not aware of OUPS and it’s always so frustrating to meet final-year students who have just discovered us as they come to the end of their degree journey and wish they’d heard of us five years earlier! The most obvious way to improve our visibility would seem to be through the OU itself, but in recent years it's been difficult to get consistent support from the University in this way so a lot of effort in the past six months has been focused on building a really strong and positive relationship with the School of Psychology at the OU. This year we created the role of OU Liaison Officer and appointed Abi to formalise the work that she has been doing for a number of years, which has now blossomed into a formal regular working group between OUPS and the Head of Psychology at the OU, the Dean of the school, a number of senior lecturers at the faculty, and senior managers from the Student Support team. We’ve held three meetings so far at Walton Hall that have surpassed our expectations, and have scheduled quarterly meetings for the rest of the year to continue making progress. Instead of having to rely solely on the effort of friendly tutors to post information on cluster group forums we now also have the faculty on-side, and they’ve worked with us to put a schedule of postings and other communications out right across the academic year via module websites, the new qualification websites that are launching in 2018. We hope that these regular scheduled communications with students and the faculty support for promoting and making OUPS visible to students will help raise our numbers. We are also collaborating on a number of other shared initiatives such as increasing accessibility to OUPS events through online material, regional roadshow events etc. Away from the business side, the committee has had a lot of work to do to address gaps in our governance. Where we were able to run OUPS in the past through shared aims and values, these were often undocumented. Even though the vast majority of our members have little or no interest in whether we have policies and procedures, we have a responsibility as a professional organisation and a registered charity to ensure that we run ourselves to the highest standards so we took the opportunity to review these, generate new ones where needed and publish them on our website. We are also in the process of reviewing our Constitution with a view to presenting a number of amendments to our members at the next AGM. Finally we've noticed over the last year that the cost of printing handouts for our events has increased, and also that even though we've reduced the number of copies we print there seem to be more left over after each event as time goes on. In addition we are often asked if we can make handouts available online. I’m delighted to say that our Secretary, Amada, who has been championing a more environmental approach has just launched a Paperless trial in the London, South and South East regions. For events in these regions we will email any relevant handouts to all registered attendees, either in advance so that those who need printed versions have plenty of time to organise these, or shortly after the event if the tutor has decided that this is more appropriate for their lecture. We'd like to thank our tutors for working to ensure that their presentations are copyright-free and for making them available in this way. And in advance, we'd like to thank all of you who support us in actively contributing toward a paperless environment and saving a few trees along the way. So it’s been a hugely busy six months, and there’s no sign that the next six will bring any less work. I’d like to say how much I appreciate the enormous amount of work that everyone on the national committee and in the regional committees puts into OUPS - there isn’t the slightest doubt that without this the society would just vanish. And I’d also like to say thanks to all of you who come along to our events, and who tell us how much you value them - without you none of it would be worthwhile. Until next time :)	cc/2019-30/en_head_0020.json.gz/line921
__label__wiki	0.837537	0.837537	Tag Archives: Global Council of India Christians INDIA: OFFICIALS ON DEFENSIVE AT ‘WATCH LIST’ DESIGNATION Posted on August 19, 2009 by particularkev U.S. religious rights panel cites culture of impunity at authorities allowing atrocities. NEW DELHI, August 18 (Compass Direct News) – Ahead of one-year remembrances of massive anti-Christian violence in the eastern state of Orissa, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has put India on its “Watch List” for the country’s violations of religious freedom, evoking strong reactions from the Indian government. USCIRF Chairman Leonard Leo said in a statement on Wednesday (Aug. 12) that it was “extremely disappointing” that India “has done so little to protect and bring justice to its religious minorities under siege.” The U.S. panel’s decision was “regrettable,” a spokesperson for India’s Ministry of External Affairs, Vishnu Prakash, said in a statement on Thursday (Aug. 13), after the USCIRF put India on the list due to a “disturbing increase” in violence on minorities and a growing culture of impunity in the country. Violence erupted in Kandhamal district of the eastern state of Orissa in August-September 2008, killing more than 100 people and burning 4,640 houses, 252 churches and 13 educational institutions, according to rights groups such as the All India Christian Council (AICC), the Global Council of India Christians (GCIC) and the Christian Legal Association (CLA). “India’s democratic institutions charged with upholding the rule of law, most notably state and central judiciaries and police, have emerged as unwilling or unable to seek redress for victims of the violence,” Leo said. “More must be done to ensure future violence does not occur and that perpetrators are held accountable.” Disagreeing with the USCIRF report, the foreign ministry’s Prakash said India is a multi-ethnic and multi-religious society. “The Constitution of India guarantees freedom of religion and equality of opportunity to all its citizens, who live and work together in peace and harmony,” he said. Christians were shocked by the foreign ministry spokesman’s claim that “aberrations, if any, are dealt with promptly within our legal framework, under the watchful eye of an independent judiciary and a vigilant media.” Attorney Robin Ratnakar David, president of the CLA, told Compass that one year after the violence only six people have been convicted in just two cases of rioting, while several suspects have been acquitted in four such cases despite the formation of fast-track courts. Dr. John Dayal, secretary general of the AICC, pointed out that the more than 50,000 people who fled to forests or took shelter in refugee camps have not returned home out of fear of Hindu nationalist extremists who demand they either convert to Hinduism or leave their villages. He said there also had been several “pogroms against Muslims, often sponsored or condoned by the state.” In 2002, India’s worst-ever anti-Muslim violence occurred in the western state of Gujarat. A compartment of a train, the Sabarmati Express, caught fire – or was set on fire (as claimed by Hindu extremists) – near the Godhra city railway station on Feb. 27. In the fire, 58 Hindu passengers, mainly supporters of the Hindu extremist Vishwa Hindu Parishad (World Hindu Council or VHP), were killed. The VHP and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) claimed it was an attack by Islamic terrorists; the ensuing violence killed more than 2,000 people, mostly Muslims. Following the anti-Muslim violence, the USCIRF recommended that India be designated a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC), its list of the world’s worst violators of religious freedom. India was removed from the CPC list in 2005. Designation on the Watch List means a country requires “close monitoring due to the nature and extent of violations of religious freedom engaged in or tolerated by the government,” according to USCIRF. The other countries on USCIRF’s Watch List are Afghanistan, Belarus, Cuba, Egypt, Indonesia, Laos, the Russian Federation, Somalia, Tajikistan, Turkey, and Venezuela. CLA attorney David said the August-September 2008 violence in Kandhamal could have been prevented had the administration brought to justice those responsible for previous mayhem in December 2007. The December 2007 violence in Kandhamal killed at least four Christians, burned as many as 730 houses and 95 churches and rendered thousands homeless. The attacks were launched under the pretext of avenging an alleged attack on a VHP leader, Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati. It was the assassination of Saraswati by Maoists (extreme Marxists) on Aug. 23, 2008 that sparked the second spate of violence in Kandhamal, as Hindu nationalists blamed non-Marxist, local Christians for it. Dayal said the USCIRF’s latest conclusions could have been avoided if more action had been taken against the perpetrators of last year’s violence. “The USCRIF action would not have been possible, and India would have been able to rebuff the U.S. scrutiny more effectively, if several thousand Christians were still not in refugee camps, if the killers were still not roaming scot-free and if witnesses, including widows, were not being coerced,” he said. ‘Indifferent’ Shashi Tharoor, India’s Minister of State for External Affairs, told a private news channel that India did not need approbation from outside its borders. “As far as we are concerned, we are essentially indifferent to how others view the situation,” he said. “In democracy, what matters to us is how we deal with our own internal issues. I don’t think we need any certificates from outside.” He dismissed the report as meddling in internal affairs even though between June 2002 and February 2007 Tharoor served as under-secretary general for communications and public information for the United Nations, a body representative of international accountability in human rights. In its annual report, India’s home (interior) ministry had acknowledged that the incidence of communal violence was high. It noted that in 2008, as many as 943 communal incidents (mainly against Muslims and Christians) took place in which 167 persons were killed and 2,354 persons were injured. The figures were up from those of 2007, when there were 761 incidents in which 99 persons were killed and 2,227 persons were injured. Justifying its decision, the USCIRF report stated that several incidents of communal violence have occurred in various parts of the country resulting in many deaths and mass displacements, particularly of members of the Christian and Muslim minorities, “including major incidents against Christian communities within the 2008-2009 reporting period.” “Because the government’s response at the state and local levels has been found to be largely inadequate and the national government has failed to take effective measures to ensure the rights of religious minorities in several states, the Commission decided to place India on its Watch List.” The USCIRF had released its 2009 annual report on religious freedom across the globe on May 1 but put the India report on hold, planning to prepare it after a visit to the country in June. A USCIRF team planned to visit India to speak to the government and others concerning the situation in Kandhamal and Gujarat on June 12, but the Indian embassy in Washington, D.C. did not provide visas in time. “USCIRF’s India chapter was released this week to mark the one-year anniversary of the start of the anti-Christian violence in Orissa,” Leo pointed out in last week’s statement. ‘Teflon-Coated State’ The AICC’s Dayal seemed pessimistic about a change in the government’s attitude. “Unfortunately, nothing really impacts the government of India or the government of Indian states,” he said. “The state, and our social conscience, seems Teflon-coated. The patriotic media and political sector dismiss international scrutiny as interference in the internal affairs of India, and a beaten-into-submission section of the leadership of religious minorities assumes silence to be the best form of security and safety.” Dr. Sajan George, the national convenor of the GCIC, said the report showed that India had become a “super violator” of human rights. The Rev. Dr. Babu Joseph, spokesman for the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India, said the U.S. panel’s report did not augur well with India’s claim to find a respectable place within the community of nations. “India as an emerging economic power in the world should also endeavor to better its records of protecting human rights, particularly when it comes to religious freedom of its citizens,” Joseph said. Joseph told Compass the USCIRF report was “a clear indication of the growing concern of the international community with India’s repeated failure to take decisive and corrective measures to contain religious intolerance.” Christian leaders generally lauded the report, with Dayal saying, “India’s record on the persecution of minorities and the violation of religious freedom has been a matter of international shame for the nation.” Posted in Afghanistan, Belarus, Christianity, Cuba, Egypt, Hinduism, India, Indonesia, Islam, Laos, Roman Catholicism, Russia, Somalia, Tajikistan, Turkey, USA, Venezuela \| Tagged accountability, accountable, acquitted, action, administration, affairs, Afghanistan, AICC, All India Christian Council, alleged, allowing, anniversary, annual, anti-Christian, anti-Muslim, approbation, assassination, atrocities, attack, attitude, attorney, authorities, avenging, Babu Joseph, beaten, Belarus, Bharatiya Janata Party, BJP, blamed, borders, burning, cases, Catholic Bishops' Conference of India, caught, central, certificates, chairman, channel, charges, Christian, Christian Legal Association, Christianity, Christians, churches, cites, citizens, city, CLA, close, coerced, communal, communications, community, compartment, condoned, constitution, convert, convicted, country, Country of Particular Concern, Courts, CPC, Cuba, culture, deaths, decision, defensive, democracy, Democratic, designation, dismiss, displacements, disturbing, Dr, eastern, educational, effective, Egypt, embassy, emerged, emerging, engaged, equality, evoking, extent, extreme, extremists, fast-track, fear, fire, fled, forests, formation, freedom, GCIC, Global Council of India Christians, globe, Godhra, government, growing, guarantees, Gujarat, harmony, high, Hindu, Hinduism, Hindus, home, homeless, houses, human rights, impunity, inadequate, incidence, increase, India, Indian, indifferent, Indonesia, institutions, interference, internal, international, intolerance, Islam, issues, John Dayal, judiciaries, justice, justifying, Kandhamal, killed, killers, killing, Laos, lauded, launched, leader, leadership, leave, Leonard Leo, list, Maoists, mass, massive, measures, meddling, media, Minister of State for External Affairs, Ministry of External Affairs, minorities, monitoring, multi-ethnic, multi-religious, Muslim, muslims, national convenor, nationalist, nations, nature, New Delhi, news, officials, opportunity, Orissa, outside, panel, passengers, patriotic, peace, people, perpetrators, Persecution, pessimistic, pogroms, police, political, power, President, pretext, private, protect, protection, railway, reactions, rebuff, records, redress, refugee camps, regrettable, religion, religious, religious freedom, remembrances, report, respectable, resulting, returned, Rev, rights, rioting, roaming, Robin Ratnakar David, Roman Catholic, Roman Catholicism, Roman Catholics, rule of law, Russia, Russian Federation, Sabarmati Express, safety, Sajan George, scot-free, scrutiny, Secretary General, section, sector, security, seige, shame, Shashi Tharoor, shelter, Society, Somalia, sparked, spate, sponsored, state, station, strong, submission, super, supporters, suspects, Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati, Tajikistan, terrorists, tolerated, train, Turkey, U. S. Commission on international Religious Freedom, UCCIRF, under-secretary general, unwilling, USA, Venezuela, VHP, victims, villages, violations, violator, violators, violence, visas, Vishnu Prakash, Vishwa Hindu Parishad, visit, Washington D. C., Watch List, western, widows, witnesses, world, World Hindu Council, worst \| 1 Comment	cc/2019-30/en_head_0020.json.gz/line922
__label__wiki	0.511524	0.511524	Current: Stafford Earns HEARTSafe Community Designation FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Connecticut Department of Public Health April 18, 2011 Contact: William Gerrish Hartford – The Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH), in collaboration with the American Heart Association, announces that Stafford has been designated a HEARTSafe Community. “The HEARTSafe Communities program is designed to increase the awareness of the signs and symptoms of sudden cardiac events by ordinary citizens,” said DPH Commissioner Dr. Jewel Mullen. “Stafford has demonstrated its commitment toward ensuring that its residents and visitors receive the early lifesaving response proven to increase the chances of survival for heart attack victims.” DPH began the HEARTSafe Communities program to foster community environments that improve the survival odds for people suffering sudden cardiac events, such as cardiac arrests or heart attacks. The key to the program has been dubbed by the American Heart Association as the Chain of Survival. The Chain of Survival has four vital links: early access to emergency care; early cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR); early defibrillation and early advanced care. Johnson Memorial Medical Center (JMMC), with the help of the West Stafford Fire Department and the First Selectman’s Office, spearheaded the project that resulted in a HEARTSafe Community designation for Stafford. Stafford met the program requirements for public placement of automated external defibrillators (AEDs), which automatically diagnose and treat potentially life threatening cardiac events; trained community residents; and equipped, staffed and trained emergency responders. In addition, JMMC and West Stafford Fire Department plan to provide community CPR training programs and the Office of Selectman plans to expand the availability of AEDs in public locations. “Part of the mission of Johnson Memorial Medical Center is to improve the health status of the community through readily accessible emergency care and health education. In fulfillment of that mission, we are proud to have led this effort. We will continue to support the HEARTSafe Communities program by offering CPR/AED training classes to Stafford residents and strengthening the Chain of Survival” said Peter J. Betts, LFACHE, President and CEO of JMMC. A HEARTSafe Community promotes and supports: CPR training in the community; public access to defibrillation through strategic placement of AEDs for use by public safety professionals and other trained community members; and early advanced care. “As First Selectman, I am very humbled by our many volunteers who have taken the time to be CPR trained and are prepared to help their fellow citizens in the event they suffer a cardiac arrest. I am honored that Stafford has received this HEARTSafe designation” said First Selectman, Michael P. Krol. Municipalities wishing to obtain designation as a HEARTSafe Community can download an application from the State Department of Public Health website at: www.ct.gov/dph/hdspp or contact Gary St. Amand, Health Program Associate, Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention Program at gary.stamand@ct.gov or 860-509-7581. The Connecticut Department of Public Health is the state’s leader in public health policy and advocacy with a mission to protect and promote the health and safety of the people of our state. To contact the department, please visit its website at www.ct.gov/dph or call (860) 509-7270. -###-	cc/2019-30/en_head_0020.json.gz/line927
__label__wiki	0.830566	0.830566	Home » News » Study: Married People More Satisfied With Life Than Singles Study: Married People More Satisfied With Life Than Singles By Janice Wood Being married has a lifelong effect on how content people are, according to a new study that investigated people’s levels of well-being based on their marital status. Researchers Shawn Grover and Dr. John Helliwell of the Vancouver School of Economics in Canada also found that an even greater sense of well-being was reported by people who think of their spouse as their best friend. For the study, data about the interaction between marriage and friendship was gathered from the long-term British Household Panel Survey (BHPS), which was collected from around 30,000 people between 1991 and 2009, and the United Kingdom’s Annual Population 2011 to 2013 Survey, which involved more than 328,000 people. After analyzing the data, researchers found that married people were more satisfied with life than singles. Those living as a couple, but not married, also were more satisfied than singles. This satisfaction with life wasn’t only true in the so-called honeymoon phase of a marriage, but persisted into old age, according to the study’s findings. “Even after years the married are still more satisfied,” said Helliwell. “This suggests a causal effect at all stages of the marriage, from pre-nuptial bliss to marriages of long duration.” The boost that being married gives to a person was especially noteworthy during middle age, a period in life that is often associated with a drastic dip in well-being, the researchers noted. Unmarried people were found to experience a much deeper dip in their satisfaction with life, according to the study’s findings. “Marriage may help ease the causes of a mid-life dip in life satisfaction and the benefits of marriage are unlikely to be short-lived,” Helliwell said. The researchers also found that people who are best friends with their partners gain the largest well-being benefit from marriage and living together. “The well-being benefits of marriage are much greater for those who also regard their spouse as their best friend,” Helliwell said. “These benefits are, on average, about twice as large for people whose spouse is also their best friend.” According to the researchers, the happiness that is associated with marriage seems to flow largely through social channels. Friendship could help explain why the benefits of marriage do not change as time goes on, and why one’s partner can often be referred to as a “super-friend,” they said. The researchers caution that the methods used in this study, and the conclusions drawn, can only be applied to other Western countries where suitable long-term surveys are available. The study was published in Springer’s Journal of Happiness Studies. Source: Springer Janice Wood Janice Wood is a long-time writer and editor who began working at a daily newspaper before graduating from college. She has worked at a variety of newspapers, magazines and websites, covering everything from aviation to finance to healthcare. Wood, J. (2018). Study: Married People More Satisfied With Life Than Singles. Psych Central. Retrieved on July 18, 2019, from https://psychcentral.com/news/2017/12/21/study-married-people-more-satisfied-with-life-than-singles/130226.html	cc/2019-30/en_head_0020.json.gz/line930
__label__wiki	0.694103	0.694103	Wellesley Symphony Orchestra to present Holiday Pops concert The Wellesley Symphony Orchestra will present the Holiday Pops concert at 3 p.m. Dec. 9 at MassBay Community College, 50 Oakland, St., Wellesley. Soprano Elaine Daiber will join the orchestra for several selections. This year the winners of the contest to perform “All I Want for Christmas is My Two Front Teeth” are two sisters, Lillian and Josephine Arnold Mages. Maestro Max Hobart will lead the orchestra and singers in holiday favorites, including Tchaikovsky’s “Waltz of the Flowers” from “The Nutcracker” and “’Twas the Night Before Christmas” narrated by Leslie Holmes. Santa will drop in, the audience can join a singalong, kids will be able to join Santa onstage to sing Christmas songs, and soprano Leslie Holmes will sing “I’ll Be Home for Christmas.” Daiber is a recent graduate of the Graduate Vocal Arts Program at Bard Conservatory, where she studied with Edith Bers. She earned a Bachelor of Music from the Oberlin Conservatory of Music in vocal performance with an emphasis in theater and will continue her studies this fall at the New England Conservatory Graduate Performance Diploma program, where she will study with Bradley Williams. Daiber will return to the Tanglewood Music Center as a vocal fellow, where she will sing the principal role of Dede in a new production of Leonard Bernstein’s “A Quiet Place,” in celebration of the composer’s centennial year. Daiber recently performed the role of Milica in Ana Sokolović’s “Svadba” at the Richard B. Fisher Center for the Performing Arts. Previous new music engagements include performances as a vocalist in Steve Reich’s “Drumming with So Percussion,” the Boston premiere of composer Sky Macklay’s “Glossolalia” and the world premiere performance of Nathan Davis’s “The Sand Reckoner” at the Tanglewood Music Center. Recent engagements have seen the soprano in various performances: a debut with the Albany Symphony excerpting the Countess in Mozart’s “Le Nozze Di Figaro”; a vocal fellow at the Tanglewood Music Center, where festival highlights included performing in a concert of Ella Fitzgerald songs alongside mezzo-soprano Stephanie Blythe and soprano Dawn Upshaw; and selections from Berg’s “Sieben Frühe Lieder” with the Tanglewood Music Center Orchestra. In her performance with the Grammy Award-winning Albany Symphony, Daiber “was a standout as the Countess, singing with a shadowy, unfolding beauty,” according to Albany Times Union. Lillian and Josephine Arnold Mages are 10- and 8-year-old sisters from Waltham. They began their musical career in the living room, playing ukulele along with the PBS children’s television show “Peg + Cat.” When they were ages 6 and 4, they graduated to learning violin. Lillian and Josephine enjoy playing classical violin, Texas fiddling and Irish fiddling and compete in contests locally and around the U.S. In 2018, Lillian and Josephine played onstage at 6:26 a.m. on Groundhog Day in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, to welcome Punxsutawney Phil, who predicted six more weeks of winter. In 2017, Lillian won the National Oldtime Fiddle Championship for “Small Fry” 8 and Under and in 2018, she won the youth division 14 and under at the 38th annual Banjo and Fiddle Contest in Lowell. Josephine, who was 7 at the time, took second in Small Fry division at the 2018 National Oldtime Fiddle Contest in Weiser, Idaho, and placed third in the youth division of the Lowell contest. They both enjoy playing violin, mandolin, guitar and ukulele with their older sisters in their sisters band, Queen of the West. Besides playing music, Lillian and Josephine enjoy soccer, archery, playing with their dogs and their bunny and activities with Waltham Troop 89190 of the Girl Scouts. Tickets for the concerts are $25 for adults, $20 for seniors and students and free for ages 12 and younger. Tickets may be purchased at Wellesley Books, Andrews Pharmacy, online, at the door and at P.O. Box 81860, Wellesley Hills, MA, 02481. Free parking will be available at the college. For information, call 781-235-0515 or visit http://wellesleysymphony.org.	cc/2019-30/en_head_0020.json.gz/line933
__label__wiki	0.650968	0.650968	Neil Patrick Harris & Newsies Cast to Perform New Holiday Song at Disney Parks Christmas Parade December 19th, 2013 \| By Kathy Henderson After you’ve emptied your stocking on Christmas morning, tune in to hear Neil Patrick Harris and the cast of Newsies introduce an original holiday song on the Disney Parks Christmas Day Parade. Harris and the guys will kick off the parade by performing “Are You Ready for Christmas?” by Cry-Baby collaborators David Javerbaum and Adam Schlesinger, in a production number staged by Newsies' Tony-winning choreographer Christopher Gattelli. Harris is set to return to Broadway on March 29 as the title star in Hedwig and the Angry Inch. The Emmy-winning star of How I Met Your Mother has appeared on Broadway in Cabaret, Proof and Assassins and in concert versions of Sweeney Todd and Company. Shot on location in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World, the 2013 Disney Parks Christmas Day Parade airs on ABC beginning 10AM EST.	cc/2019-30/en_head_0020.json.gz/line935
__label__wiki	0.877799	0.877799	Queen of Soul highlights performing arts weekend Under the glow of disco ball lights twinkling on the ceiling, many people didn’t stay in their seats when Aretha Franklin took to the stage in Sanford Field House on March 5. Franklin and her orchestra pulled in a crowd of more than 4,100 for a special weekend celebrating the performing arts at Colgate. Performing arts weekend photos (3) by Andrew Daddio The Colgate Chamber Singers, backed up by a student and faculty band, warmed up the crowd with lively renditions of Motown, Stevie Wonder, and Jackson Five tunes. Then, when Franklin opened with her 1987 hit (with George Michael) “I Knew You Were Waiting for Me,” both longtime fans and new ones were on their feet, bopping at their seats or dancing in the aisles. During the performance, Franklin delivered favorites from throughout her career, like “Think” and “Freeway of Love.” She also belted out covers from her new album, Aretha Franklin Sings the Great Diva Classics, including “Rolling in the Deep” (Adele), “People” (Barbra Streisand), and a tribute to Natalie Cole with “Inseparable.” And when it came to her signature tune, the Queen of Soul didn’t disappoint, pulling out “Respect” as her encore. University Theater’s A Map of Virtue More than 1,000 alumni and parents came to campus to steep themselves in the weekend of performing arts. Events included University Theater’s production of Erin Courtney’s A Map of Virtue; a dance performance featuring student groups; a lecture/demonstration on jazz by saxophonist Glenn Cashman and friends; and a Colgate Chamber Players recital featuring works by Mozart, Moszkowski, and more. Flathands by Madison Bailey ’18 From family moments to campus life to selfies, student photography filled a spring-semester exhibition called Captured by the Lens. The exhibition was the culminating work of 12 students in the fall course Photography: Anthropology and Archaeology, taught by Nick Shepherd, the A. Lindsay O’Connor Professor of American institutions. Shepherd based the idea on his book, The Mirror in the Ground: Archaeology, Photography, and the Making of a Disciplinary Archive, which dealt with “archival photographs of archaeologists at work in Africa, from the 1920s to the 1950s,” he explained. “I saw this as a great opportunity to pick up on some of the themes and ideas from the book, in a classroom setting,” Shepherd said. Addressing themes of objectification, humanization, self-stylization, and even selfie culture, the exhibition explored “how people capture one another through the medium of photography,” said Sarah Horowitz, curatorial assistant at the Picker Art Gallery and Longyear Museum of Anthropology. “In many ways, the work is a social commentary on the students’ reactions to their everyday world, and how that relates to their lives as students.” Shepherd explained: “I wanted students not only to be reading and thinking about these issues, but also practicing and thinking about what it means to take photographs and curate them in a public exhibition.” Some projects tackled current events at Colgate. A number of students “looked at selfies as an emergent genre of images, and at the role that social media and selfie culture play in student life,” Shepherd said. “Others worked in quite an inward way from the basis of their own experiences, or experiences of people close to them.” Madison Bailey ’18 explained that one of her photographs — with the working title Flathands — shows her dad’s hands and an injury that he sustained while working in an aerospace machinery factory when he was younger. “I owe everything to my dad for allowing me to show the world an imperfection that he deals with and transforming it into a celebration of the unique,” Bailey said. The exhibition was on display at the Longyear Museum of Anthropology, Creative Arts House, and the Thought Into Action Entrepreneurship Institute. — Jessica Rice ’16 Ref 2, 2012. William Kentridge. Linocut printed on non-archival pages from The Shorter Oxford English Dictionary. Image courtesy of Gund Gallery, Kenyon College, and David Krut Projects, Johannesburg/New York. Renowned South African artist William Kentridge reflects on a lifetime of work and reimagines elements of everyday life in the exhibition Universal Archive, on display at the Picker Art Gallery until May 15. More than 75 of Kentridge’s linocut prints are featured in the exhibition, depicting images of coffee makers, trees, birds, and typewriters, most of which are printed on pages of the Oxford English Dictionary. The prints are based on an earlier set of ink drawings that he produced. “It’s Kentridge reflecting upon his overall body of work, and certain subject matters that are reoccurring throughout,” explained Sarah Horowitz, curatorial assistant. “He’s trying to document what we think are these ordinary objects, and how they are part of our overall understanding or knowledge of the world.” The traveling exhibition from the Gund Gallery at Kenyon College was adapted for its time at the Picker. Two sculptures, titled Nose II (Walking), were brought to the gallery on loan from the collections of Anne M. Huntington ’07 and Ahmar and Noreen Ahmad. In preparation for the exhibition, Daniel Serrano ’16 conducted extensive research on Kentridge’s work. He did much of that research with Jessie Cohen, a scholar from the David Krut Workshop in Johannesburg, where the Universal Archive print series was produced. Then, Serrano considered different elements to add to the show. Serrano and Cohen worked with the workshop to obtain two rare documentary films on view and photographs of Kentridge creating some of the pieces on display in his studio in Johannesburg. “It was interesting to decide which piece of video art would work best to show Kentridge’s abilities with a different medium, but would also flow seamlessly with the print materials being exhibited,” said Serrano. In addition, Natalie Ramirez ’19 and Serrano gave tours of the exhibition during the opening, and wrote labels for a few of Kentridge’s pieces on display from their extended research on his work with Cohen. They also helped create a docent program for the exhibition. “Kentridge’s work is full of nuances, metaphors, and figures that make the viewer question what they actually know about the object they are looking at,” Ramirez said. “Especially with this exhibit, each print seems like a still in a film, allowing viewers to narrate their own story.” VACANCY in CNY Collaboration is at the heart of the artistic works of Chris Adler ’11 and Ali Edmark ’12. The Los Angeles–based couple, who co-direct and curate their gallery, VACANCY, visited central New York this winter to connect with local artists. They were offered a joint opportunity at Colgate and at Utica’s Sculpture Space, by Professor DeWitt Godfrey and his wife, Monika Burczyk, respectively. Sculpture Space hosts between 18 and 20 artists in residence annually, providing a supportive environment for experimentation and creation. Burczyk, the director, is trying out a program that would bring back alumni artists from area colleges for a joint residency program with their alma maters and Sculpture Space. While at Sculpture Space, Adler and Edmark curated the exhibition Soft Remove at a graduate student–run space at Syracuse University called Random Access. The pair fabricated all work on site by using instructions sent in from artists around the world. In addition to running VACANCY, Adler and Edmark work as an artistic pair, combining digital media with everyday objects to form expansive installations. They used part of their time at Sculpture Space to explore a new body of photo-based sculptures made from folded large-format prints. Meanwhile, at Colgate, Adler and Edmark advised senior art majors on their final projects — something close to their hearts, because they both created their own projects within the last five years. The seniors, who were approximately two months from installing their projects when they met with the artists, each presented what they were working on. “Visiting at a pivotal moment in the project, it was fun for us to talk to them about things that hadn’t quite come together yet, helping to form the discourse around the work,” Edmark said. In addition, the duo gave real-world advice to the students. “We tried to pass along a Colgate perspective,” Adler said. “Like what to expect when you’re transitioning from a small undergrad experience, and how to navigate that when moving out into the wider spheres of art practice.” In all, the couple met with eight senior studio art majors, who had all been assigned spaces at the Paul J. Schupf Studio Arts Center. “It was really cool to talk with artists who have graduated from Colgate and to see where their paths have taken them,” said Sara Hinton ’16. “Ali and Chris were so helpful in discussing our projects, because they completely understood the struggle. Chris explained that a lot of what he is working on now relates to themes he explored in his senior project at Colgate.” — Emma Loftus ’16 TagsanthropologyAretha FranklinartArt MajorCapturing lifedewitt godfreylongyear museumperforming artsPicker Art GalleryQueen of SoulWilliam Kentridge Sculpture class Hands-on experience in Professor Sarah... Underground murals In Colgate’s underground hallways, new... Native American Festival 2016 Celebrating indigenous dance, music, and art...	cc/2019-30/en_head_0020.json.gz/line936
__label__cc	0.639608	0.360392	Partnering to benefit local students Wake Forest will host a community forum to explain the benefits of the International Baccalaureate (IB) Program to local students and their parents on Dec. 15. The forum will be held in Brendle Recital Hall in the Scales Fine Arts Center beginning at 7 p.m. Wake Forest has a close partnership with local IB schools and provides resources and opportunities for students in the IB program. The IB curriculum is taught at Parkland IB Magnet High School, Paisley IB Magnet School and Ashley IB Elementary School. The forum is for middle school and older students and their parents. During the forum, admissions directors from Wake Forest, Duke University and Davidson College will speak on the program’s value in helping students prepare for college. At least 63 first-year students at Wake Forest this year graduated from IB schools, said Martha B. Allman (’82, MBA ’92), Wake Forest Director of Admissions. “Accomplished IB students are well prepared for the rigors of the most selective colleges and universities around the country and the world,” she said. Also during the forum, students and their parents from the three local IB schools will talk about their experiences. Wake Forest students who completed the IB program and then enrolled at the University will also share their experiences. Wake Forest supports the IB program in numerous ways. University faculty provide guest lectures and carry out special projects in the local IB schools. IB students also come to Wake Forest for lectures and presentations and attend University cultural events. Stephen Robinson, professor and chair of mathematics, chairs a committee of Wake Forest professors, local teachers, and administrators that develops programs for the IB schools and encourages IB student participation in programs and activities on the WFU campus. He also organizes the IB/WFU Math Teachers’ Circle, where faculty from Paisley, Parkland and Wake Forest meet once per month to discuss interesting mathematical topics and pedagogy. In the fall, 22 Wake Forest undergraduates, four biology faculty and staff members, and three graduate students taught plant biology and plant genetics to 200 7th grade students and 50 9th grade students, and 30 high school students at Paisley and Parkland. This project focused on the diversity of heirloom tomatoes was supported by a grant to faculty and researchers in biology and education including Gloria Muday, Carole Browne, Hanya Chrispheels and Michelle Klosterman from the American Society of Plant Biologists Education Foundation. The IB program is open to any highly motivated student who wants to participate. The program offers a rigorous comprehensive curriculum requiring students to demonstrate knowledge and skills in six academic areas: English, foreign language, math and computer science, individuals and societies, the arts, and experimental sciences. The program places an emphasis on global awareness and community service. Categories: Admissions, Community, Faculty, For Alumni, For Parents, International, Top Stories, Wake Forest College	cc/2019-30/en_head_0020.json.gz/line937
__label__wiki	0.64269	0.64269	Garmin® Expands Global Aviation Charting Capabilities OLATHE, Kan.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Garmin International Inc., a unit of Garmin Ltd. (NASDAQ: GRMN), the global leader in satellite navigation, today announced the release of European VFR and IFR charts for the aera® 795/796 aviation portable GPS, with VFR data sourced directly from Deutsche Flugsicherung (DFS). These charts are the most recent addition to the growing list of worldwide aviation charting products available from Garmin. “Pilots have flown behind DFS paper charts for years, but the ability to display the charts electronically is something our European customers have been asking for. We’ve listened to that feedback and have made significant investments over the last year to expand our electronic chart offerings for customers worldwide,” said Carl Wolf, Garmin’s vice president of aviation sales and marketing. “Having information available electronically in the cockpit offers pilots more immediate access to the information they need to make good decisions.” Earlier this year, Garmin also introduced European VFR terminal charts, or Bottlang charts, from Jeppesen for the aera 795/796, containing colored visual approach, landing and area charts, as well as general-and country-related text sections such as Regulations, Communications, Meteorology, Aerodrome Directory and more for the planning and execution of flights within Europe under Visual Flight Rules. Additionally, Garmin recently expanded its SafeTaxi® database, which now includes geo-referenced airport diagrams for over 1,000 U.S. airports, nearly 500 European airports and over 250 Canadian airports. This database is complemented by an electronic AC-U-KWIK global airport directory that includes information about nearly 8,000 airports worldwide. The new European VFR and IFR charts for the aera 795/796 are available as a combination subscription for $410. Customers may purchase only the IFR charts for $155 for an annual subscription. VFR charts are available as a one-time purchase of a single country ranging from $32 to $90, or as a one-time purchase for all of Europe for $205. The charts are available from flyGarmin.com. Garmin’s aviation business segment is a leading provider of solutions to Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM), aftermarket, military and government customers. Garmin’s portfolio includes navigation, communication, flight control, hazard avoidance, surveillance, and other products and services that are known for innovation, reliability, and value. Garmin International Inc. is a subsidiary of Garmin Ltd. (Nasdaq: GRMN), the global leader in satellite navigation. Since 1989, this group of companies has designed, manufactured, marketed and sold navigation, communication and information devices and applications – most of which are enabled by GPS technology. Garmin’s products serve automotive, mobile, wireless, outdoor recreation, marine, aviation, and OEM applications. Garmin Ltd. is incorporated in Switzerland, and its principal subsidiaries are located in the United States, Taiwan and the United Kingdom. For more information, visit Garmin's virtual pressroom at www.garmin.com/pressroom or contact the Media Relations department at 913-397-8200. Garmin, aera and SafeTaxi are registered trademarks of Garmin Ltd. or its subsidiaries. This release includes forward-looking statements regarding Garmin Ltd. and its business. Such statements are based on management’s current expectations. The forward-looking events and circumstances discussed in this release may not occur and actual results could differ materially as a result of known and unknown risk factors and uncertainties affecting Garmin, including, but not limited to, the risk factors listed in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011, filed by Garmin with the Securities and Exchange Commission (Commission file number 0-31983). A copy of such Form 10-K is available at www.garmin.com/aboutGarmin/invRelations/finReports.html. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made and Garmin undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. Garmin International Inc.Mika CohnPhone \| 913/397-8200E-Mail \| media.relations@garmin.com	cc/2019-30/en_head_0020.json.gz/line938
__label__wiki	0.579159	0.579159	Lenawee, MI post office locations ADDISON 103 S TALBOT ST ADDISON, MI 49220 - 9998 517-547-5642 Mon-Fri 9:00am - 12:00pm 1:00pm - 4:00pm Sat 9:00am - 11:00am Sun Closed ADRIAN 413 E MAUMEE ST ADRIAN, MI 49221 - 9998 517-263-3795 Mon-Fri 8:00am - 5:00pm Sat 9:00am - 12:00pm Sun Closed Blissfield BLISSFIELD 302 S LANE ST BLISSFIELD, MI 49228 - 9998 517-486-4735 Mon-Fri 8:15am - 4:45pm Sat 8:30am - 12:00pm Sun Closed BRITTON 209 E CHICAGO BLVD BRITTON, MI 49229 - 9998 517-451-8547 Mon-Fri 8:30am - 11:00am 12:30pm - 4:00pm Sat 8:30am - 10:30am Sun Closed Cement City CEMENT CITY 227 MAIN ST CEMENT CITY, MI 49233 - 9998 517-592-5195 Mon-Fri 9:30am - 1:30pm Sat 9:30am - 12:30pm Sun Closed CLAYTON 3409 STATE ST CLAYTON, MI 49235 - 9998 517-445-2468 Mon-Fri 8:00am - 11:30am 12:00pm - 2:30pm Sat 8:00am - 10:00am Sun Closed CLINTON 123 E MICHIGAN AVE CLINTON, MI 49236 - 9998 517-456-7641 Mon-Fri 7:00am - 4:30pm Sat 9:00am - 12:00pm Sun Closed DEERFIELD 123 WILLIAMS ST DEERFIELD, MI 49238 - 9998 517-447-3584 Mon-Fri 8:00am - 12:00pm Sat 8:00am - 10:15am Sun Closed HUDSON 401 W MAIN ST HUDSON, MI 49247 - 9998 517-448-8476 Mon-Fri 8:30am - 5:00pm Sat 8:30am - 12:00pm Sun Closed JASPER 8520 S ADRIAN HWY JASPER, MI 49248 - 9998 517-436-3094 Mon-Fri 8:00am - 12:00pm Sat 8:00am - 10:00am Sun Closed Manitou Beach MANITOU BEACH 1235 ELM ST MANITOU BEACH, MI 49253 - 9998 517-547-5734 Mon-Fri 9:00am - 12:00pm 1:00pm - 4:30pm Sat 9:00am - 11:00am Sun Closed MORENCI 126 W MAIN ST MORENCI, MI 49256 - 9998 517-458-6145 Mon-Fri 8:00am - 11:30am 12:30pm - 4:00pm Sat 9:30am - 12:00pm Sun Closed Onsted ONSTED 110 E 3RD ST ONSTED, MI 49265 - 9998 517-467-2530 Mon-Fri 8:30am - 12:00pm 1:00pm - 4:30pm Sat 8:30am - 10:30am Sun Closed PALMYRA 6380 PALMYRA RD PALMYRA, MI 49268 - 9998 517-263-1851 Mon-Fri 7:30am - 11:30am Sat 7:30am - 11:00am Sun Closed RIGA 7512 RIGA HWY RIGA, MI 49276 - 9998 517-486-4968 Mon-Fri 8:15am - 12:15pm Sat 8:15am - 10:30am Sun Closed SAND CREEK 6300 SAND CREEK HWY SAND CREEK, MI 49279 - 9998 517-436-3009 Mon-Fri 8:00am - 12:00pm Sat 7:30am - 9:45am Sun Closed TECUMSEH 320 E CHICAGO BLVD TECUMSEH, MI 49286 - 9998 517-423-1197 Mon-Fri 8:30am - 5:00pm Sat 9:00am - 1:00pm Sun Closed TIPTON 3936 W MONROE RD TIPTON, MI 49287 - 9998 517-431-2802 Mon-Fri 9:00am - 12:00pm 1:00pm - 4:00pm Sat 8:30am - 11:00am Sun Closed WESTON 4116 WESTON RD WESTON, MI 49289 - 9998 517-436-3283 Mon-Fri 11:00am - 1:00pm Sat 8:00am - 10:00am Sun Closed	cc/2019-30/en_head_0020.json.gz/line939
__label__cc	0.676688	0.323312	News \| Innovation Major Project for Men’s Mental Health Thursday, 18th June 2015 at 10:41 am Xavier Smerdon Two major Not for Profits have joined forces in a bid to reduce the stigma around men’s mental health issues. Thursday, 18th June 2015 Not for Profit, beyondblue has launched a what is describes as world-first research project involving thousands of men, including former Australian Rules Football players as well as refugees, to end the embarrassment that stops them from getting help for conditions such as depression and anxiety. The STRIDE (Stigma Reduction Interventions: Digital Environments) project includes six smaller projects that use technology, such as apps and websites, along with evidence-based techniques to show men that taking action on mental illness is nothing to be ashamed of. It is funded by beyondblue with donations from The Movember Foundation and has been unveiled to coincide with Men's Health Week this week. beyondblue CEO Georgie Harman said STRIDE was a response to the “shocking” number of men who die by suicide in Australia each year, which is almost double the number who die on the roads. "Nearly 2000 men die by suicide each year, with men three times more likely to die this way than women," Harman said. "This is a national tragedy and is fuelled by the fact that men don’t seek help for mental health problems as much as women because they don’t want to be seen as weak or as a burden on others. “In recent years there have been increases in awareness about depression and anxiety but we now need to focus on using digital tools to reduce the stigma that prevents men from seeking support and keeps the suicide rate high. “We must focus on stigma reduction within the digital environment because this is where men spend an increasing amount of time, and STRIDE aims to do this by challenging the attitudes of participating men, showing them the benefits they can reap if they tackle these conditions and analysing which elements of each of the six smaller projects has worked best. “I have no doubt this project will save men’s lives, while teaching us the best ways to reduce the stigma of mental health conditions among men.” The Movember Foundation’s Executive Director of Programs, Paul Villanti, said STRIDE’s scope meant it would include a wide range of at-risk men. “Each of these six projects will drive men within the target communities to confront any negative or stigmatising attitudes they hold about mental health conditions,” Villanti said. “Stigmatising beliefs can be the biggest barriers to men getting help but STRIDE will aim to remove these barriers and save lives. "In the Tell Your Story project, 600 refugees with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) will hear stories in their first language, from fellow refugees with PTSD who have sought support.” Villanti said participating men will learn why their fellow refugees sought help and how it made them feel better. Former Australian Rules Football players will also be part of the project. “Another project, Real Courage, will have up to 1,000 former Australian football players, coaches and construction workers involved,” Villanti said. “These men come from male-dominated environments, where traits such as self-reliance and stoicism are celebrated and where men can suddenly find themselves sidelined due to injury or other factors, which can lead to loss of self-esteem and shifts in the way they see themselves. To encourage conversations, ambassadors from these communities will share their stories. The projects commence on July 1 and will run for two years before being evaluated. Information on the six projects can be found here. Xavier Smerdon \| Journalist \| @XavierSmerdon Xavier Smerdon is a journalist specialising in the Not for Profit sector. He writes breaking and investigative news articles. Tags : beyondblue, Men's Health, Mental health, Movember, Record donation to make mental health headway Wednesday, 3rd July 2019 at 5:08 pm ‘Have you been feeling your spirit was sad?’ Culture is key when assessing Indigenous Australians’ mental health Victorian mental health system not responding to kids’ needs Thursday, 6th June 2019 at 5:09 pm How good is New Zealand’s budget? Thursday, 6th June 2019 at 7:20 am	cc/2019-30/en_head_0020.json.gz/line945
__label__cc	0.707245	0.292755	(-) Remove WMO filter WMO (-) Remove World Met Day filter World Met Day (-) Remove Clouds filter Clouds 40040249760_9b675a47b8_z.jpg Integrated Services for Decision-makers We live in the age of the Service Economy. In the 20th century, scientific and technological breakthroughs, particularly in computing and information technology, combined with the globalization of trade to... The Smart Organization for the Future A smart, agile and responsive WMO – fit for the 21st Century – coordinates across all areas and takes a holistic and inclusive weather, water and climate approach. The WMO... i-k7cBShB-XL.jpg Mozambique cyclones are “wake-up call,” says WMO Climate change, Tropical cyclones, Disasters, Floods, WMO Publish Date: 29 May 2019 Fact-finding mission makes recommendations for future resilience / The devastation caused by cyclones Idai and Kenneth which hit Mozambique within the space of a few weeks is a wake-up call about more high-impact tropical cyclones, coastal flooding and intense rainfall linked to climate change, according to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). 38318469885_7721ac4474_o.jpg WMO and GWP strengthen climate-resilient water management The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and Global Water Partnership (GWP) are increasing their long-standing cooperation to strengthen water resource management at a time when climate change, population shifts and environmental degradation are leading to more stress on water supplies and more water-related hazards. airpollution.jpg World Environment Day: Beat air pollution Environment, WMO, Pollution Air pollution represents a serious environmental problem, causing an estimated seven million premature deaths per year, and seriously impacting economic activities and ecosystems. In support of this year’s World Environment Day and its theme Beat Air Pollution, the World Meteorological Organization has released an animation highlighting its contribution to the goal of reducing air pollution deaths by two thirds by 2030. 20739979198_959f8e527e_z.jpg Climate change drives more focussed WMO response: Congress The increasing signs and impacts of climate change demand a much more focussed and integrated international response, the World Meteorological Congress was told today at the start of a session intended to sharpen action to meet the challenges. Nauru.png Nauru becomes 193rd WMO Member Climate change, WMO The Republic of Nauru has become the 193rd Member of WMO. The tiny nation lies in the South Pacific and, like other low-lying small island developing states, is particularly exposed to rising sea levels and climate change. WMO HQ from front.jpg World Met Day, Weather, Climate, Water World Meteorological Day takes place every year on 23 March and commemorates the coming into force on 23 March 1950 of the Convention establishing the World Meteorological Organization. It showcases... WMO_World_MET_Day_-_A2_Poster_Final_Landscape.jpg Weather-ready, climate-smart (2018) The ever-growing global population faces a wide range of hazards such as tropical cyclone storm surges, heavy rains, heatwaves, droughts and many more. Long-term climate change is increasing the intensity... cloudscape-768453_1920_2.jpg Previous World Meteorological Days Since 1961, the World Meteorological Organization has been celebrating World Meteorological Day with a different theme selected for each year.	cc/2019-30/en_head_0020.json.gz/line949
__label__wiki	0.530697	0.530697	Russian Warriors In The Land Of Miltiades And Themistocles: The Colonial Ambitions Of Catherine The Great In The Mediterranean Humanities. HUM. Basic Research Programme, 2014. No. WP BRP 55/HUM/2014 . Smilyanskaya E. The Mediterranean policy of Catherine the Great gave rise to a discussion about how extreme her colonial ambitions in the Mediterranean were. This article argues against the theories that ‘the Greek idea’ was only a political game for Russia, that Russian activity on the Aegean islands was only military, and that the success of the Archipelago expedition (1769-1775) was primarily due to foreign support. It shows that Catherine II’s colonial ambitions were in fact rather limited compared to other powers of the period. Russia could not imagine having a colony in the eastern Mediterranean, but planned only a small military base surrounded by liberated self-governed Greek territories under the Catherine II’s protection. When the liberated Greek islands became an obstacle to enlarging Russian territory on the Black sea coast, however, they were exchanged, primarily for Crimea. Keywords: Catherine the GreatSouthern MediterraneanGreek liberationphilhellenismArchipelago principality of Catherine IIRusso-Turkish warsforeign policy of Russia Relations between Moscow and Minsk (2005–2007) Suzdaltsev A. In bk.: Belarus: External Pressure, Internal Change. Frankfurt am Main: Peter Lang GmbH, 2009. P. 349-365. Греческие острова Екатерины II: Опыты имперской политики России в Средиземноморье Смилянская Е. Б. М.: Индрик, 2015. Th is monograph “Th e Greek Islands of Catherine the Great: Russia’s Imperial Realities in the Mediterranean” by Professor Elena B. Smilianskaia of the National Research University Higher School of Economics, investigates the history of the Russian-Ottoman War of 1768–1774. It is based on a wide array of historical sources, among them archival records from the collections of the Russian State Naval Archive (RGAVMF), the Russian State Archive of Ancient Acts (RGADA), the Russian State Military History Archive (RGVIA), and others. Th e text also contains visual materials gathered in Greece. Th e book proceeds in two parts: the fi rst discusses the development of political authority over the Greek islands in the Aegean Sea (otherwise referred to as the Archipelago islands), which came under Russian control in the 1770s, while the second examines the creation of a Russian naval base on Paros. Th e appendices include a journal kept by a participant of the expedition, K.L. von Tölle (an archival manuscript translated from the German and annotated by Anna Friesen) and M.G. Kokovtsev’s 1786 essay, “A Description of the Archipelago.” During the years from 1770 to 1775 Russian naval commanders Aleksei Orlov, Grigorii Spiridov, and Andrei Elmanov pursued Catherine’s goals in the Mediterranean, which involved constructing a Russian naval base and liberating Orthodox Christians from Ottoman rule. Th is was a unique moment in Russian history, as it brought the fi rst overseas territories — thirty islands in the Aegean Sea — under Russian control, and it provided an opportunity for future Russian military and political presence in the Mediterranean. Beginning in 1771, when the fi rst archipelago islands took an oath to Empress Catherine II, the leaders of the Archipelago expedition endeavored to reform government and taxation, set up a Senate and chancellery, create an autocephalous Orthodox Church, and form an independent Synod. In accordance with the Empress’s wishes, they established a special school for Greek children on the island of Naxos. However, according to the Treaty of Küçük Kaynarca (1774) between Russia and the Ottoman Empire, the Russian fl eet had to leave the Eastern Mediterranean and Archipelago islands. Th e Russians also abandoned a partiallybuilt military base on Paros. Th ese departures stranded the islands’ inhabitants, who for fi ve years had considered themselves ‘subjects’ of the Russian empress. Th e Russian Empire left them only with the possibility of migrating to southern Russia. Catherine the Great’s Mediterranean policy provoked a discussion about the extreme nature of her colonial ambitions in that region. Th is book debunks the theories that ‘the Greek idea’ constituted merely a political game for Russia and that Russian activity on the Aegean islands was only military in nature. At the same time it demonstrates that Catherine II’s colonial ambitions were in fact rather limited compared to those of other contemporaneous powers. Not being able to support a colony in the eastern Mediterranean, Russia dreamed only about establishing a small Russian military base that would be surrounded by liberated self-governed Greek territories under Catherine II’s protection. When the liberated Greek islands became an obstacle to enlarging Russian territory on the Black sea coast, however, they were exchanged primarily for Crimea. Российско-грузинский кризис (январь-август 2008) Суздальцев А. И. Вестник аналитики. 2008. № 33(3). С. 37-52. Edited by: M. Borowska, M. Kalinowska, K. Tomaszuk. Warsz.: Wydawnictwa Uniwersytetu Warszawskiego, 2012. The collective works consists of 27 articles of historians and philologists on different aspects of philhellenism and its influence in European culture and thought from eighteenth till twentieth centuries. Добыча сырья за национальными границами: международный опыт и возможная стратегия России Пахомов Н. Л. Безопасность Евразии. 2009. № 4. С. 351-356. Russia's Policy toward Korean Peninsular - 2012 Korean Russian Jeju Forum Jungmun: Jeju Peace Institute, 2012. Korean-Russian Jeju Forum 2012 was organized by the East Asia Foundation and was dedicated to relations between Russia and the countries of the Korean Peninsula. Россия и Польша: неизбежное соседство? Офицеров-Бельский Д. В. Вестник МГИМО Университета. 2014. № 6. С. 18-28. Over the last quarter of the century relations between Russia and Poland are balancing between trying to understand the burden of mutual guilt and a desire to construct non-emotional pragmatic relations. Sources of tension vary. In particular, it is the desire of Poland to position itself as a valued player in NATO and the EU and the role distance between the two countries in IR system, which does not allow Russia to maintain an equal political dialogue with Poland. In fact, Poland is not afraid of a direct threat from Russia, but the worst scenario is the one in which Russia without changing the content of its imperial policy can be accepted as a full partner in the international community. The evolution of Russian statehood and national specifics of democracy is largely determined the assessment of the prospects of Russian politics in Poland. The mistake of Polish diplomacy last years was that it took no direct efforts to improve relations with Russia, but only tried to impose the dialogue on Russian authorities. Diplomatic methods were designed to hurt Russian interests and to create a topic for discussion. In response, after 2006 Russia chose the tactic of ignoring Poland. But, ignoring Polish authorities, Russian politicians acted similarly with other political forces. In Poland among influential political forces, there was and there is still no loyalty to Russia. For Russian interests it is no matter who are or will be in power in Poland. However as a rule, it is an important factor that foreign policy decisions are de facto within the competences of the President and the government, as well as experiencing a significant influence of the parliamentary forces. Recent trends show no tangible innovations in bilateral programme. But innovations appear in multilateral and conflict enough issues, such as deployment of US missile defense system in Poland or Polish supervision of "Eastern Partnership" programme. The main problem is low self-sufficiency of bilateral relations and excessive influence of third countries. Any efforts to normalize bilateral relations will be meaningless until the weight of bilateral relations really increases to each of the party. Russia-Polish relations, foreign policy of Poland, Polish-American relations, EU, Common Foreign and Security Policy, NATO Проблемы российско-белорусской экономической интеграции в рамках Союзного государства России и Белоруссии Суздальцев А. И. В кн.: Мироустройство XXI: мировоззрение, миропорядок: Опыт гуманитарно-социологического исследования. М.: ЗАО "Книга и бизнес", 2007. С. 150-167. Экономические интересы России, Китая и Запада в Средней Азии Суздальцев А. И., Братерский М. В. В кн.: Материалы V Конвента Российской ассоциации международных исследований. Мировая политика: взгляд из будущего. Т. 5: Будущее стабильности и безопасности в регионе Центральной Азии. М.: МГИМО-Университет, 2009. С. 181-193.	cc/2019-30/en_head_0020.json.gz/line951
__label__wiki	0.771098	0.771098	Oyster Starts 2015 Off With Two Big Announcements In News by Dennis Abrams January 14, 2015 Oyster, the nation’s “leading streaming service for books” has kicked off 2015 with two major announcements, including reaching more than 1 million books. By Dennis Abrams Oyster, the nation’s “leading streaming service for books” has kicked off 2015 with two major announcements. 1. Macmillan books are now available on Oyster. With the addition of Macmillan (including imprints Tor, FSG, St. Martin’s Press, and more) to their roster, Oyster is now offering titles from the majority of the Big Five publishers, and eight out of the top ten. 2. Oyster is now able to offer users access to more than 1 million books with the addition of Macmillan, as well as other recent editions, including Candlewick, New York Review Books Classics, Capstone, Soho Press, Bloomsbury, and many others (along with existing partners such as HarperCollins and Simon & Schuster),. In fact, since its launch in September of 2013, its library has expanded tenfold; their app has gone from just to almost every smartphone and tablet on the market (plus the web); they have launched The Oyster Review, (a modern literary magazine about a life well read); and have helped to connect countless readers with books through personal recommendations. As Oyster’s CEO Eric Stromberg told Publishing Perspectives, “In a little over a year, we’ve built a business that is already having a huge impact on the publishing industry. Our mission is to connect readers with books they’ll love, and partnering with Macmillan is a big step forward in this goal. We have a few more launches coming soon that we think our readers will really enjoy.” Dennis Abrams Dennis Abrams is a contributing editor for Publishing Perspectives, responsible for news, children's publishing and media. He's also a restaurant critic, literary blogger, and the author of "The Play's The Thing," a complete YA guide to the plays of William Shakespeare published by Pentian, as well as more than 30 YA biographies and histories for Chelsea House publishers. Tags: E-books, Macmillan, oyster, subscription, USA	cc/2019-30/en_head_0020.json.gz/line953
__label__cc	0.605947	0.394053	James Khattak - July 1, 2019 Inside PPAI: Industry Leaders Hold 300-Plus Meetings On Capitol Hill James Khattak - June 27, 2019 Above photograph: In its 10th year, L.E.A.D. attendance has grown to include almost 80 participants, holding more than 300 meetings on Capitol Hill. Almost 80 PPAI leaders and other industry professionals traveled to Washington, D.C., in May for PPAI’s Legislative Education and Action Day (L.E.A.D.), now in its 10th year. During the annual event, which ran May 15-16, participants conducted more than 300 meetings with senators, representatives and their legislative staffs on Capitol Hill to discuss pending legislation and issues relevant to the promotional products industry, and presented Reps. During the event, PPAI leadership also presented Warren Davidson (R-OH) and Scott DesJarlais (R-TN) with the Association’s 2019 Legislator of the Year award. The program began with lunch on Wednesday, May 15, followed by an informative presentation by Paula Calimafde, Esq., of the Small Business Legislative Council and a partner at the law firm of Paley Rothman. After a refresher on tips for talking with members of Congress and their staffs, Calimafde updated listeners on several key pieces of legislation, including state sales tax, health care, social security legislation, estate tax and retirement plans. “As a first-time L.E.A.D.-er, I was impressed by the process of meeting and dialoging with the Michigan legislators,” says Sandra Kelley, chief operating officer of Prestige Promotions Powered by Proforma in Burton, Michigan, one of 10 first-time attendees. “Out of four appointments, we met with two U.S. Representatives and two staffers. All were receptive to our issues, understood and related to our industry and fully embraced our ask to support legislation that would allow the promotional products industry to continue to grow and thrive.” Above photograph: At L.E.A.D. this year, PPAI leadership presented Warren Davidson (R-OH), left photograph, and Scott DesJarlais (R-TN), right photograph, with the Association's 2019 Legislator of the Year award. L.E.A.D. participants came to Washington, D.C., with many subjects to address with legislators and their staff, most importantly was the increase in tariffs—from 10 percent to 25 percent—on $250 billion of Chinese imports announced the week before, and the Trump administration’s announcement that it might be extending those tariffs to a further $300 billion in Chinese products, essentially everything imported from the country. Also top of mind in the conversations was elevating legislators’ understanding of global value chains and the industry’s involvement in them, preserving independent contractor designations and deductibility of advertising expenditures, Section 530 of the Revenue Act and other ways legislators can support the promotional products industry to ensure it remains vibrant and dynamic. Carroll Hanley Goggin, MAS, owner of DBG Promotions in Winter Park, Florida, who has participated in L.E.A.D. for several years, says, “Engagement on the Hill was strong in regard to the value of the global supply chain. Rep. Stephanie Murphy’s legislative aid, Jeff Rapp, commented without hesitation that the representative was strongly opposed to the current tariffs because they were bad for business in Florida. We celebrated being on the same team with my representative and focused on the need to educate the White House on the struggles our industry and businesses in Florida are facing with the ongoing tariff battles with China.” Longtime L.E.A.D. participant Nick D’Eramo, owner of Triple Stitch Sportswear in Prospect, Connecticut, says he feels the awareness of the industry’s issues was heard and understood overall. “We were meeting with a staffer at Sen. Blumenthal’s office and discussing the tariffs. I asked what the feeling was [on that issue] from his office and his response was ‘uncomfortable.’ The White House is in control and they’re not getting enough information." Above photograph: A group comprised of members of the Upper Midwest Association of Promotional Professionals met with Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA), center. Jeanne Walls, president of JWalls Ink! in Richmond, Virginia, sums up her experience. “Great day on the hill,” she says. “It doesn’t matter if you’re a Democrat or Republican, where else in the world would you have the opportunity to walk the halls of justice, meet your legislators, be invited into their offices and actually voice your opinion, talk about your profession and ask your government officials to keep us in mind when they say ‘yea’ or ‘nay?’ Thank you to PPAI for this opportunity. I love my job.” As part of L.E.A.D.’s goal of growing and protecting the promotional products industry, those who couldn’t be on Capitol Hill were encouraged to add their voice about concerns and legislation that affect their business and the industry through PPAI’s virtual fly-in program. Over four days during the week of L.E.A.D, industry advocates sent almost 7,700 messages to legislators on a range of subjects, from promotional products effectiveness and independent contractors, to the global value chain and advertising deductibility. To find out more about L.E.A.D., contact lawmakers about the issues and learn how to be a part of next year’s trip, visit ppai.org/lead. James Khattak is news editor of PPB. filed under July 2019 \| Inside PPAI \| L.E.A.D. \| Legislative Education and Action Day	cc/2019-30/en_head_0020.json.gz/line954
__label__wiki	0.797179	0.797179	Tim Heidecker Has Been Cast in Jordan Peele’s New ‘Social Horror Thriller’ Called ‘Us’ The new project from Jordan Peele has just got even more intriguing. Comedian Tim Heidecker—best known for his work on the absurdist Adult Swim series Tim & Eric Awesome Show, Great Job—has joined Elizabeth Moss and Lupita Nyong’o in Us. Though not many details of the plot have been released, the film is being described as a “social horror thriller,” which sounds similar to Peele’s directorial debut, Get Out. The movie releases in March.	cc/2019-30/en_head_0020.json.gz/line957
__label__cc	0.707244	0.292756	Vacant Lot / 1.68 AC / Best Use: Multi-family, Retail, Medical Office, Senior Living, Religious Facility, School. 15721 N 155th Dr, Surprise, AZ 85374, USA Search other listings in Surprise, AZ, USA NEEC of N. Reems Rd. and W. Tierra Buena Ln. . Between Bell Rd and Greenway Rd. just East of the Loop 303. LOCATED CLOSE TO THE LOOP 303, The property is adjacent and close to various shopping centers. In 2017, Surprise, AZ had a population of 130k people with a median age of 41.3 and a median household income of $62,927. Between 2016 and 2017 the population of Surprise, AZ grew from 127,492 to 129,534, a 1.6% increase and its median household income grew from $61,035 to $62,927, a 3.1% increase. The population of Surprise, AZ is 70.3% White Alone, 18.7% Hispanic or Latino, and 5.63% Black or African American Alone. 13.1% of the people in Surprise, AZ speak a non-English language, and 96.9% are U.S. citizens. The median property value in Surprise, AZ is $213,600, and the homeownership rate is 74%. Most people in Surprise, AZ commute by Drove Alone, and the average commute time is 28.2 minutes. The average car ownership in Surprise, AZ is 2 cars per household.	cc/2019-30/en_head_0020.json.gz/line961
__label__cc	0.713596	0.286404	Developing for mobile – and beyond It’s a common sight on rush hour trains across Japan: Scores of office workers gaze intently at their smartphones as they check emails, play games and, it seems, shop. The rise of the smartphone is as fast-paced as it is high-profile. In the four years through 2015, the percentage of Japanese using smartphones leaped from just 9.7 to 62.3 per cent of the population, according the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications. And one consequence of the smartphone’s soaring popularity? Growing pressure on e-commerce services to adjust, in terms of interface and technology, to accommodate devices that in many ways are now more important than conventional PCs. Rakuten is no exception. At Rakuten Ichiba, for example, the percentage of gross merchandise sales made on smartphones or tablets, as opposed to PCs, has jumped from 38.5% at the beginning of 2014 to 57.6% in early 2016. The figure is expected to reach 70% by the end of the year. One person with responsibility for leading this change – and preparing for even more changes in the future – is Tomoya Ishikawa, who directs the company’s Marketing & Design Supervisory Department. “Tech trends are always changing,” says Rakuten’s Tomoya Ishikawa. “One big challenge for us right now is to provide training to existing engineers to make sure they have appropriate skills.” “The trends of internet usage have totally changed over the past three to five years,” explains Ishikawa. “If you look at people aged 20 to 30, most are using smartphones daily. Mobile phones are more important than desktops right now,” he says. As a result, “mobile first” has become the mantra when it comes to developing new services. “This has been a game changer for us,” says Ishikawa. “When we start new services – in particular one targeting those aged 20 to 30 – we design for mobiles first.” The challenges of such a shift are multi-faceted: “The difference in approach between mobile-first and desktop-first are not only in terms of information and the architecture, but functionality, too.” But, despite the meteoric rise of the smartphone, Ishikawa believes it would be premature for e-commerce operators to disregard PCs entirely. As long as PCs are used in the workplace, they will continue to be relevant, he says. “If we see a big change in terms of the devices used in the workplace, then that would represent an important turning point for PCs.” Of course, this being the 21st century, nothing is guaranteed – not even the future of smartphones, at least in their current form, according to Ishikawa. Where purchases on e-commerce sites such as Rakuten Ichiba are now split between smartphone/tablet and PC users, Ishikawa sees potential for new types of devices to emerge with the rise of the Internet of Things (IoT), in which everyday household objects – from watches and fridges to coffee cans – will become connected. “I think what will happen is that you’ll have one or two devices you use to actually make purchases, and those will be devices with screens, like smartphones, PCs or televisions, but then you’ll also have many other appliances or objects that feed information to those purchasing devices,” he explains. “For example, your fridge might notice that you’re out of milk and then send an alert to your main device, from which you’ll actually place an order for more milk,” he says. For the moment, though, it seems the very pace of change is what presents the greatest challenge for Ishikawa. “Tech trends are always changing. One big challenge for us right now is to provide training to existing engineers to make sure they have appropriate skills for the latest technologies, such as HTML5.” Amid such a state of flux, it’s perhaps reassuring to see those predictable commuter crowds glued to their smartphones on trains every morning – for now at least. To read Tomoya Ishikawa’s “5 secrets to a successful mobile platform,” click here. e-commerceIoTmobileTomoya Ishikawa Previous ArticleCelebrating five years of Rakuten Germany Next Article5 secrets to a successful mobile e-commerce platform Mint chocolate, Akita dogs and transparent beer: The trends that shaped Japan in 2018 Rakuten trials ‘smart stadium’ concept with 5G tech 5 ways to make the most of Mobile World Congress, Barcelona Only three days until Rakuten Future Forum Taiwan! Work in the age of AI Have your cake and eat it! Rakuten IT School: Empowering the next generation of e-commerce entrepreneurs Rakuten Blockchain Lab to open in Belfast: The backstory	cc/2019-30/en_head_0020.json.gz/line965
__label__cc	0.623606	0.376394	← The Moody Blues Raise The Question Again Dead Daisies Kickstart Rock N’ Roll Party → Heart Weaves Their Magic At Artpark Posted on August 7, 2014 by Joseph Suto Artpark Lewiston, NY Tuesday August 5, 2014 Review: Dave Leary Photos: Joseph Suto Heart returned to the outdoor stage at Artpark on Tuesday night (August 5). The crowd may not have been quite as large as in 2012 but it was still sizable and ready to hear the songs that have become classic rock radio staples. The opening 1-2 punch of “Magic Man” and “Barracuda” set the tone for the evening. As Ann Wilson said when first addressing the crowd four songs in, “We’re gonna play ‘em all tonight- all eras, all genres”. This was not entirely accurate as many of the band’s ‘80s era hits (like “Never” and “Who Will You Run To?”) were again left out. However, that decade was well represented. “What About Love?” provided a big sing-along moment. “These Dreams” is still a lovely song (though Nancy Wilson was in better voice on the Paul McCartney cover “Let Me Roll It”) And “Alone” is an even more powerful song when stripped down thanks to Ann’s still amazing voice. Other highlights included “Heaven” and “Mashallah”. The latter was from the 2012 release Fanatic and flat out rocked. After that, Nancy picked up her acoustic guitar and everyone had to know what was coming. Sure enough, it was the intro to “Crazy on You”, complete with signature leg kick. Awesome. Heart has always covered Led Zeppelin songs and it was all Zep for the 3 song encore. This sent the crowd into even more of a frenzy and was a great way to end the night. With their long-overdue induction into the Rock & Roll of Fame in 2013, Heart’s legacy is more than secure. But as long as they are still at the top of their game, why should they slow down? Opening the show was Brynn Marie, originally from Pittsburgh but now living in Nashville. She performed a set of originals mixed in with covers of Cheap Trick, Linda Ronstadt & Miranda Lambert. Many of her songs reminded me of Lambert songs. She definitely has the talent and stage presence to become a big name. Opening for acts like Heart, REO Speedwagon & Aaron Lewis should help. Pause Play Play Prev \| Next Magic Man Dreamboat Annie Straight On Let Me Roll It (McCartney cover) Led Zeppelin Encore What Is and What Should Never Be Special thanks to Maria Hays for her assistance	cc/2019-30/en_head_0020.json.gz/line971
__label__cc	0.551744	0.448256	The Houston Project - Rainer Judd thehoustonproject Rainer Judd, daughter of late artist Donald Judd, co-president of the Judd Foundation and actor/filmmaker has dedicated much of her time since she was 23 years old to upholding her father’s legacy and preserving the collections of priceless art that he left behind. Observing the instructions her father outlined in his will, she has memorialized his former studio - and her childhood home - at 101 Spring Street into a museum which opened to the public in June 2013 after 11 years of planning. Since she was a young girl Judd has been compiling personal journals. Comprising words and pictures, it is an ever-growing project with over 31 books thus far. For the latest installation of the Houston Wall Project, she will post a selection of eight entries from these journals with a new entry going up each week over the next two months. We caught up with Judd below to get a glimpse into her life and work... You have been keeping journals since you were a small child. What inspired you to start keeping journals? What I can speak of is not what’s in my head, but it’s my heart and my soul because I’ve lived it. Though I do have theory—it is from my life experience—and within that experience I can speak to the power and influence of Judgment, Pain, Loss, Transcendence, Mortal & Mundane Simple Joys, Creative Plight, Guides, Messengers, Collaborators, Friends, Bullies, Revelations, Lostness, Stuckness, Flow, Timing, Intuition, Mapping, Money’s connection to Mind Holds, Subtle Energies, the influence of Environment, the Mercurial Quality of Moods, The Miracle of Spirits entering a Moment, a story, a scene, a making. Why did you decide to partake in this project? The SoHo community has been a tight, extended family to me for most of my life. And for as long as I can remember the people here are genuinely interested in art and ideas and just want to make things happen downtown. It felt natural to do this mural series below 14th St. and it could not have happened without the spirit and generosity of other downtown artists, including the wheatpasting aficionados at JR’s studio, graphic designer Javas Lehn, photographer Henry Leutwyler and Proof7 Print House. What has it been like returning to 101 Spring and viewing it as a place that is open to the public, including your former private living space? It’s great. I think everyone should come take a tour if you are at all interested in the extraordinary historical architecture of SoHo’s Cast Iron District. Journaling is a form of preservation, you know. The document. The record. The archive. It’s all historical preservation. Is there a particular piece of your father’s art that holds a special place in your heart? My Judd bed, of course. You have done an amazing job of carrying on your father’s legacy, preserving his art and restoring 101. What other projects are you also working on? Aside from being a pal, my journals have become a repository of sorts—a deep archive holding inspiration and fodder for things like this mural project, film projects and beyond. I am currently prepping my first feature narrative feature that is a personal interpretation of events of my childhood, with all the wonder that comes from a child’s point of view. It was a magical time. There is ongoing production, too, in my Hudson and New York studios, with what we like to call “Special Projects.” In the company of three other women, we are making things we like—that we’ll very soon be sharing with others. Together we are Archer Trooper & Co. Stop by the Houston store now to see the first installation.	cc/2019-30/en_head_0020.json.gz/line974
__label__wiki	0.828334	0.828334	California Legislature Passes Bill Requiring Medication Abortion at State Universities Amid Concerns From Campus Administrators (Updated) ‘Uteruses Are Being Penalized’: Massachusetts Sees Pro-Choice Legislative Blitz California Campuses Could Soon See Expanded Abortion Access (Updated) Aug 29, 2018, 2:40pm Gabe Schneider Several student leaders said some of the fiercest critics advocating against the bill behind closed doors have been administrators within the University of California (UC) system. In California, the push for access to medication abortion on college campuses is often traced back to Students United for Reproductive Justice, a student organization at UC Berkeley. A searchable database of the laws, people, organizations, and litigation involved in sexual and reproductive health and justice in the United States. UPDATE, October 1, 9:03 a.m.: Gov. Jerry Brown (D) on Sunday vetoed SB 320. State Sen. Connie Leyva (D), a bill sponsor, told the Associated Press she would push the measure again under the next California governor. The California State Assembly passed a bill Wednesday requiring all public college campuses in the state to provide access to medication abortions starting in 2022. The measure, SB 320, was introduced in February 2017 by state Sen. Connie M. Leyva (D-Inland Empire) and passed the state senate in January 2018. Now that that bill has been passed in both chambers, it will go to the desk of California Gov. Jerry Brown (D). Medication abortion, often referred to as the abortion pill, is a nonsurgical procedure in which pregnancy is terminated through the use two drugs. While conservative critics say the bill “demands campuses hand out abortion pills,” the legislation would not mandate students receive the pills but instead provide it as an option. Student leaders said some of the fiercest critics advocating against the bill behind closed doors have been administrators within the University of California (UC) system, which contains campuses such as UC Berkeley, UCLA, and UC San Diego. Those campus officials, however, have not taken a public stance against the bill. “UC has been doing a lot behind the scenes to actively to work against the bill. They haven’t been very forthcoming about it, they haven’t taken [a] position against it, but they’ve been doing things that [made] it very hard for it to pass,” UC Student Association President Caroline Siegel-Singh said in an interview with Rewire.News. “Implementation of this would not be a huge endeavor.” To illustrate her point, Siegel-Singh said her campus, UC San Diego, offers access to the procedure across the street at one of the university’s community medical centers, but not through student health services on the campus. “We’re just moving it a few feet closer to campus,” she said. Siegel-Singh said that as recently as this week, UC administrators told legislators implementation would be too expensive, citing what she called wildly inflated numbers that have no basis in analysis done by advocacy groups. A state Assembly Appropriations Committee analysis notes that the bill will not rely on taxpayer funding. In order to supplement this, the Women’s Foundation of California, Tara Health Foundation, and several private donors are set to create a grant of $200,000 for each campus to assist with training and purchase equipment and an additional $200,000 in grants for the creation of new billing systems and 24-hour medical advice lines. The analysis notes that the UC and California State University (the state’s other largest public university system) are concerned about the cost of implementation. “UC agrees with Senator Leyva that students should have access to affordable and convenient reproductive health care,” said Claire Doan, UC Office of the President (UCOP) director of media relations in a statement to Rewire.News. “However, as we have made clear to lawmakers, we are concerned that SB 320 does not provide adequate funding to support UC’s student health centers for medication abortion services on site.” Rewire.News obtained UCOP’s fiscal analysis of SB 320. The analysis specifies that UC will only support a cost-neutral bill, one that doesn’t increase student fees or increase the university’s state general fund budget, and argues that UC already provides enough access to reproductive care services. “It just seems like their hesitation is to not deal with the political pushback, due to the politically controversial nature of abortion,” Adiba Khan, the former co-director of Students United for Reproductive Justice (SURJ) at UC Berkeley, told Rewire.News. “It’s easier for them not to provide it.” In California, the push for access to medication abortion on college campuses is often traced back to SURJ, a student organization at UC Berkeley, which started pushing for more access to health care on campus in 2016. Although their advocacy efforts on campus resulted in significant pushback and little administrative support, SURJ continued to advocate for more inclusive health-care services on campus, eventually focusing on advocacy for SB 320. “It made no sense to us that something as simple as medication abortion wouldn’t be provided on campus when other reproductive and sexual health services are available,” Khan told Rewire.News in 2017. “Our medical insurance covers abortion, and there are trained providers already there at the Tang Center [Berkeley’s student health center], so there’s no reason not to make the medication available—other than to avoid controversy on campus.” Khan, who graduated this year, is a co-founder of SURJ. Along with several others, Khan helped legislators write SB 320. “If the bill does become a law, my work will be over,” she said. Khan believes that if Brown signs the bill, student leaders like Siegel-Singh and others around the state will continue to advocate for expanded access to health-care options on university campuses. Even so, Khan expects a slow and cumbersome implementation process. “They do have until 2022 [to implement the measure] and I suspect that there will be some UC’s that will be more receptive .… And I suspect some of them will wait a while,” Khan said. “And so that’s why we have a solid base of students—to make sure that they can keep in contact with their administration and put pressure to get ready as soon as possible.” During his 2010 re-election campaign, Brown called himself “an uncompromising champion of a woman’s right to choose.” The bill now goes to his desk, though advocates are unsure of what the outcome will be. Siegel-Singh echoed Khan’s words and said that should Brown sign the bill, she and others will be there to continue the push forward, both statewide and on her own campus. “I totally expect roadblocks. They don’t want to provide the service,” Siegel-Singh said, referring to medication abortions. “What I hope will come out of this, is that people, especially legislators, become more aware that there are so many issues about access to health care services. Even if a student has health care, do they actually have access to what they need if they aren’t in the right county?” UPDATE: This story has been updated to reflect the findings of a fiscal analysis of SB 320 from the UC Office of the President. Abortion, Access to abortion, California, college campuses, Medication Abortion, State legislatures Feb 12, 10:54am Auditi Guha Jan 12, 12:05pm Nicole Knight Even in Blue-State California, Abortions Can Be Hard to Find May 24, 4:04pm Hannah Guzik California Students and State Senator Press Colleges for On-Campus Medication Abortion Apr 25, 4:44pm Dr. Diane Tober	cc/2019-30/en_head_0020.json.gz/line976
__label__cc	0.717766	0.282234	Is An Open Primary System for Floridians? Every week I deal with different subjects in this blog. I also post my blog to my Facebook page at RFrederickRiddlesWorld. This week I am taking a look at Is An Open Primary System for Floridians? So what is an Open Primary? Here in Florida they are pushing for One Open Primary. My understanding of this is that a single Open Primary would replace individual party primaries. The idea is to allow everyone the opportunity to vote for who would represent the various parties. It would appear that Independents could vote on who represents the Democratic Party and who represents the Republican Party. Basically sometime in the future we may only have one party rule. But isn’t that what they have in Russia? Normally in answering a question like ‘Is an Open Primary for Floridians’ I would take a look at both sides, but I’ve noticed that the ‘Yes’ side already is flooding us with their arguments. So instead of recapping their arguments I will be looking primarily at the ‘No’ side, which in effect tells us what the ‘Yes’ side’s arguments are. The following is just my opinion. The purpose of a primary is to select a candidate that represents a particular Party The whole idea of a primary is to select a man or woman who best represents the party’s governmental view. We have Democratic, Republican, Libertarian, Progressive, and more parties each favoring a particular brand or theme. Historically speaking the party primaries have served as platforms within a party for various political views vying for control of the party. In my opinion an Open Primary would dilute the free discussion of ideas within a party. And I might note that the Open Primary System is probably responsible for the dilution of representative democracy in our country. In recent years we’ve seen a rise in the elections of demagogues and others who use emotion rather than facts to carry the day. I think it is not surprising that California is sending to Washington Representatives and Senators who are more interested in camera time than in actually solving issues. An Open Primary allows independents and opposition party members to influence who the party’s nominee is By having an Open Primary you allow people who do not subscribe to the Party’s view of government to create an alternative view thus subverting the Party Platform. This is contrary to the concept of parties in general and to having a primary in the first place. Eventually this could result in One Party rule! Political Parties are not private clubs; they are organizations representing a view Private clubs are essentially social and restrict membership whereas Political Parties are open to anyone who wants to join. Someone who’s been a lifetime Democrat could switch to the Republican Party and vice-versa. This has happened in the past and will in the future. It is our right to change our minds. Moreover joining a party makes a statement. For instance, if you join the Democratic Party you join the party of leftist ideas, rich Hollywood types, the filthy rich, and socialists. Or you can join the Republican Party of rightist ideas, the middle class businessman, the middle class worker, and those who believe in the right to succeed. Open Primaries hinder 3rd Parties It would be pointless to join a 3rd Party if there were Open Primaries. You join a 3rd Party because they champion a cause you think is important. That cause loses out in an Open Primary System. In the long term the Open Primary System will make it almost impossible to form a new Party. Most of the 3rd parties currently existing I would have nothing to do with, but I believe they have a right to exist and a purpose to perform. An Open Primary destroys the historical party system Historically we have had at least two parties. We’ve seen parties rise and fall with the times. We’ve seen parties change their concept of government. We’ve seen parties start because of a cause (for example, the Republican Party embraced the end of slavery). In an Open Primary we might still have slavery; we might still have women without the right to vote. In other words an Open Primary suppresses new views that don’t agree with the dominate view. In the diluted primary where everyone can vote you really don’t have a multi-party system because eventually it won’t matter. There will be a single party. We live in a country where everyone has the right to have a view, the Open Primary campaigns as though it is what they want but the opposite is what is achieved. Look at the states that have Open Primaries. California, for example, is a Democratic state and most likely will remain so; this is not always the case but it can become the case. Don’t look just at what now is happening but look at the end result. There is no such thing as a non-partisan organization or person Non-partisan means ‘not biased or partisan, especially toward any particular political group’. This is essentially impossible. Yes people and organizations claim to be non-partisan but take a look at their record. If you do that you will find that while a person or organization may say they are non-partisan their overall record favors one view or another. It is the way we humans are. We get passionate about things! The Democratic Party may have some conservatives (back in the mid 1900s there were Conservative Democrats) but the Party is still liberal and the opposite is true of the Republican Party. And this is good for the country. People want to associate with people who think like they do. And when they enter the public forum their views get expressed and the Primary System is where those views are expressed, examined, and either chosen or refused. But in the One Open Primary that is not necessarily true. It is my opinion that the One Open Primary concept favors the Liberal movement. It preaches one thing, but practices something altogether different. Independents have the right to register with a party and vote in that party’s primary Also the Independents have the right not to participate in any party primary. In my opinion this is the stronger position to be in. Because the nominee of the respective parties are going to have to appeal to the Independents and bring along their constituents! Almost all elections are that way. Here in Florida Ron DeSantis won the Republican nomination for Governor by embracing President Trump and his policies. It drew in both existing and new voters who saw the President as one who championed the little guy and traditional values. But in the general election he had to reach out to others, which he did and without losing the Republican base. I contend this made him a better candidate and possibly a better Governor. In an Open Primary who knows who would have won the Republican nomination? Open Primaries don’t really force candidates to speak to ‘all’ the people That’s a joke. Again using the Florida election, if Ron DeSantis had to speak to all the people, and the other candidates did this along with him, we would have ended up with a very weak candidate; probably one that never actually ran in the election. It could have been a liberal voted in by crossover leftists and liberal leaning Independents. The Open Primary System may be why we get such weak candidates. These weak candidates try to be all things to all people, they give speeches against people rather than promoting ideas that will actually help. A good example of this is the movement toward socialism. Instead of honest debate on the merits and history of socialism it ends up being a raucous attack on honest working people and the promotion of ideas that have no chance of helping America but sound good to the uninformed. A robust debate would demonstrate this, but this won’t happen in an Open Primary System. The above are my opinions based on 55 years of observations as a voting adult. Could I be wrong? Of course. You make up your own mind, but as you do you might want to revisit our country’s history. I contend that the multi-party system has served us well and that an Open Primary is a step toward one party rule. A further thing to study is the current malaise in Washington D.C. where the Democrats still haven’t gotten over their defeat in 2016. Along with an Open Primary System they also want election by popular vote which our forefathers correctly saw as an evil to be avoided. Basically it allows a few states like New York and California to determine who our rulers will be. VISIT MY AUTHOR’S PAGE TODAY: amazon.com/author/rfrederickriddle. ARE YOU A BOOK REVIEWER? I am always looking for book reviews. Whether it is Perished The World That Was (Book One), World of Noah and the Ark (Book Two), World of Shem (Book Three), World of Abraham (Book Four) or Death Ship (Book One), Pauline A New Home (Book Two), Task Force Hunter (Book Three), or Black Death (Book Four), I value your reviews. R Frederick Riddle is the Editor of TR Writing Services providing help to struggling and/or new authors to write and publish their books. In addition he is the author of several books and is best known for Christian Historical and Speculative Fiction. For more information on him or his books visit his Amazon Authors Page. He is also co-founder and Vice President of T&R Independent Books where his books are featured. To reply to any blog you have the option of commenting on a blog and/or sending an email to marketing@tr-indbkstore.com. You may also be interested in his Facebook page at RFrederickRiddlesWorld. By R. Frederick Riddlein Democratic Party, Election, Politics, Republican Party May 6, 2019 May 6, 2019 1,731 WordsLeave a comment Are They Making the Trump/Pence Space Challenge a Reality? Monday through Friday I deal with different subjects in this blog. I also post my blog to my Facebook page at RFrederickRiddlesWorld. Monday’s I try to focus on issues. This week I am taking a look at Are they making the Trump/Pence Space Challenge a Reality? The following is a posting of a Newt Gingrich article. On Tuesday, Vice President Mike Pence announced what may prove to be the boldest space challenge since President John F. Kennedy said America would go to the Moon in 1961. In implementing President Donald Trump’s historic vision for America to go beyond the Moon and Mars, Vice President Pence sent a clear message that Americans were returning to the Moon by 2024 – and we are going there to stay. The boldness of the Trump-Pence plan can be seen in the fact that this new target is four years sooner than NASA’s most recent estimate. It was a strong response against, NASA’s long history of budget overruns and project delays. Vice President Pence made it clear that “what we need now is urgency,” and that the competition for American leadership in space is “not just competition against our adversaries; we’re also racing against our worst enemy: complacency.” The Vice President’s challenge to NASA was remarkably bold and direct. In his words, “failure to achieve our goal to return an American astronaut to the Moon in the next five years is not an option.” His words signaled a profound move away from the traditional space bureaucracy: “We’re not committed to any one contractor. If our current contractors can’t meet this objective, then we’ll find ones that will. If American industry can provide critical commercial services without government development, then we’ll buy them. And if commercial rockets are the only way to get American astronauts to the Moon in the next five years, then commercial rockets it will be.” In some ways, Vice President Pence’s challenge is even greater than what was facing President Kennedy. It’s true: Kennedy was inventing a new organization and radically expanding the Washington bureaucracy. But that meant he was building something young, fresh, excited, and innovative. Trump and Pence are trying to reinvigorate, reorient, and redirect an existing, deeply entrenched bureaucracy with a long history of great achievements – that is deeply committed to doing things how they’ve always been done. Furthermore, President Kennedy was able to use the threat of the Soviet Union to get a massive increase in space funding. At its peak in 1966, NASA was spending 4.4 percent of the federal budget. At that percentage in President Trump’s 2020 budget, NASA would have a budget of $208.8 billion instead of $21 billion. If NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine had almost ten times more money in his budget than he does now, he could do amazing things — but he doesn’t. Vice President Pence recognizes that a new approach must compensate for the absence of new money. He said on Tuesday, “we will call on NASA not just to adopt new policies but to embrace a new mindset. That begins with setting bold goals and staying on schedule … NASA must transform itself into a leaner, more accountable, and more agile organization. If NASA is not currently capable of landing American astronauts on the Moon in five years, we need to change the organization, not the mission.” The Trump-Pence-Bridenstine team has two great advantages over the Kennedy era efforts in space. First, we have a half century of developing new, better, more reliable, and more flexible technology. The reusable rockets of SpaceX and Blue Origin are miraculous improvements on the rockets of the 1960s. Radically smaller microelectronics, breakthroughs in materials technology, the development of 3D printing, and the emergence of artificial intelligence all combine to give us a chance to do more in space – and do it better, faster, and cheaper. However, this is only true if the bureaucracies can be overcome. Second, there are now competitive companies that can undertake dramatic challenges previously unimagined for the private sector even ten years ago. Since the bold, exciting challenge of Vice President Pence’s speech, I have talked with key people in the private sector space industry. They are prepared to enter a competition to put astronauts on the Moon — and to stay there. Moreover, they say they can do so ahead of schedule and under budget. The Trump Administration should propose an open competition. It should not be about planning, engineering, paper pushing, or having meetings. It should be about flying. Boeing should be challenged to fully take over the Space Launch System project — which it has been paid billions to manage in a traditional cost-plus process. Boeing should be liberated from NASA’s traditional pattern of management, over-planning, and underperforming. If Boeing could liberate its designers and engineers to be mission-oriented rather than process-dominated, the SLS could leap forward, and its price would drop. At the same time, companies such as SpaceX and Blue Origin should be invited into the competition. The central goal would be getting Americans back to the Moon and keeping them there. Companies that meet the goals ahead of schedule should get a bonus. The first company to meet the project goals should get an even bigger bonus. Furthermore, companies that come in under budget should be allowed to keep 20 percent of the savings. And there should be an opportunity for fully funded new entrants to come and compete. Importantly, participants should be paid only for achievement – not for planning or process. One suggestion I have heard from industry was for companies to be paid a price per kilo of delivery on the surface of the Moon. There would have to be a lot of details worked out, but the excitement of a genuine American space race – with each company going all out – would inspire a new generation of Americans to go into space. At the same time, each company would acquire new capabilities that would be a resource for our military, a building block for getting to Mars and beyond, and an enhancement for low Earth orbit tourism and manufacturing. This would be a bold implementation strategy worthy of the bold Trump-Pence vision. In the above article I emphasized words and phrases I thought significant. Note: This was such a well written article I felt that it should be seen by others. For transparency I had nothing to do with the writing of this article. Personally, I found this exciting news; something that should have happened a long time ago. But we needed a President with vision and the willingness to proceed. We’ve got him and he’s doing it! By R. Frederick Riddlein Future in Space, President Trump, Science, Space April 1, 2019 April 1, 2019 1,362 WordsLeave a comment Insight: Does This Novel Show How Depraved Man Is? Monday through Friday I deal with different subjects in this blog. I also post my blog to my Facebook page at RFrederickRiddlesWorld. Tuesday’s I try to focus on Insights. This week I am taking a look at Insight: Does This Novel Show How Depraved Man Is. My latest book Black Death doesn’t deal with abortion but rather the inhumanity of man to man. It shows how men (and women) can treat others so cruelly that it can cause severe injury and even death. When talking about abortion we are essentially talking about the same topic. Recently New York State passed a law that allows the inhumane murder of unborn babies. It is an atrocity that violates Christian values and Biblical directives. In fact, it violates all morality represented by Christianity and even man-made religion. I know of no religion that supports such cruelty. Yesterday I wrote about abortion and included a link to Mike Higgins who heads up Hope Children’s Home. If you missed his comments you can hear them here. In Black Death an evil doctor developed a frightening biological weapon that killed within seconds and then consumed the victim’s body. He hated Christians everywhere and went to Pauline to further develop and test his weapon with the ultimate goal of destroying all Christians on Pauline and Earth. Part of his plan included a camp he named Camp Terror. Here’s an excerpt from the book. “Welcome to Camp Terror, ladies. Starting right now you’re my slaves. You are the property of the People’s Brigade and you will work for me doing exactly what I say when I say. I’m sure you have noticed that two of you only have on a bra and panty. Well that’s your uniform from now on until you die. The naked one is for a lesson I’m about to teach. “You’ll spend your days working for me. Among your chores will be the erection of a barracks, a mess hall, and camp headquarters plus a cattle pen and a shower. I have the distinct pleasure of teaching and assigning your work. Obey me and you’ll live another day.” She smiled and walked around the girls. “James here selected you for your beautiful bodies, but he also selected you because you look healthy. You want to stay healthy and get fed regularly you obey everything we tell you.” She squatted down, grabbed Carla by her scalp and pulled her head back. Sally looked over the girl’s body. “James and I have different uses for your bodies, but in both cases we need strong, healthy girls. And you fit the bill.” By now the girls were again sobbing, this time uncontrollably. Sally watched unpityingly. Thus began a reign of terror. Not just terror but inhumane treatment of women simply because they were Christians! Abortion is the inhumane treatment of the unborn simply because they are inconvenient! Abortion is based on the wrongful belief that the unborn baby (fetus) is a part of a woman’s body. This is both scientifically and spiritually in error. That fetus is a human being dependent upon his or her mother for safety and sustenance. As the baby grows it develops a heart, brain, hands, and feet. It can feel and maybe understand. But there is something more. In Psalm 22:10 we read: “I was cast upon thee from the womb: thou art my God from my mother’s belly.” In other words David is saying he worshipped God from his mother’s belly. In Psalm 139:3 we read: “For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb.” In Luke 1:41 we read about John the Baptist who was still in the womb at six months when Mary, only recently having conceived, visited her cousin Elisabeth who was six months pregnant with John the Baptist. “And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost:” In other words, the Bible clearly tells and demonstrates that an unborn baby is known of God and can at least recognize the presence of God. Liberals deny this of course. To them the baby is a disease, a tumor, and needs to be removed. We, the people of the United States and, indeed, the world have lost how many wonderful people who could have made inventions, developed cures, established governments, and done innumerable things for humanity but were summarily murdered? Simply because they were inconvenient! The liberal responds that the woman’s mental health is at stake. This has no real merit because once the baby has been born the mother has options to let someone adopt the baby or as seen below raise the child for her. And there is another factor to consider. I have read of women who had their child aborted and then suffered years of anguish and guilt not because someone put the guilt on them but because a feeling of guilt and remorse overtook them. All this is going on while millions of husbands and wives are yearning for children and many people travel to foreign countries to adopt babies. Not because the babies are better than American babies but because our government makes it almost impossible to adopt in America. Hope Children’s Home is unique in its willingness to care for babies as well as other children. Their mission is to help the child and the family. But there are other organizations willing to care for the unborn as well. In other words, if the mother doesn’t want the baby there are others who would love to raise that child as their own or, as in the case of Hope, raise them and work with the parents with the idea of being reunited as a family. But what can we do about that? All of us can pray for revival! God wants to revive us. Let’s give Him the chance. But there are other ways as well. For example, you can keep informed and take advantage of those moments when you can let your leaders know that abortion is not a right, but is murder. You can right a blog as I am doing. Use whatever talents you have. Perhaps you were born for this moment! I believe the best thing that all of us can do is get our hearts right with God. Contrary to liberal teaching America was founded on Biblical principles. Our history books used to document this fact, but our newer history books tend to delete God’s involvement with America. But we need to turn back to Him. In line with this thought I invite all of you that live within driving distance of Port Charlotte Florida or will be visiting Port Charlotte this week to visit the Florida Gospel Crusade which will be going on from today February 18 through the 20th. There will be great preaching, music, and more at the crusade. You can find more information here. ARE YOU A BOOK REVIEWER? I am always looking for book reviews. Whether it is Perished The World That Was (Book One), World of Noah and the Ark (Book Two), World of Shem (Book Three), World of Abraham (Book Four) or Death Ship (Book One), Pauline A New Home (Book Two), Task Force Hunter (Book Three), or Black Death (Book Four) I value your reviews. By R. Frederick Riddlein Abortion, Democratic Party, Government, Health Care, Insights, Life, Morality, Politics February 13, 2019 February 9, 2019 1,403 WordsLeave a comment How is the Government Shutdown Good for Us? Monday through Friday I deal with different subjects in this blog. I also post my blog to my Facebook page at RFrederickRiddlesWorld. Monday’s I try to focus on issues. This week I am taking a look at How is the Government Shutdown Good for Us? Once again we go through a government shutdown. It appears to be an increasingly popular way of solving disputes. Only when a shutdown occurs do modern politicians get serious about issues. So who is wrong in the current dispute and does it benefit us? The answer to that is easy. Pelosi, Schumer, and other Democrats assert that a wall is ineffective. Yet walls are built today for a variety reasons and being ineffective is never an issue. Walls work. They’ve worked throughout history and God Himself directed Nehemiah to build a wall. The Democrats are wielding an empty argument. The greater question is Who’s Winning? Well, if you believe the liberals and the media you might surmise that the Democrats are winning. But this would be a faulty assumption. The American people are smart enough to see through the Democratic smoke and mirrors arguments. The American people want secure borders which the Democrats, despite their rhetoric, aren’t too eager about. Illegal immigration spawns a ready market for liberal ideology, so it is too the liberal’s advantage to see it continue. But the American people know that while there is discomfort with a government shutdown life goes on. Government workers, which are more than likely liberal in thinking, are the ones most affected by this shutdown. And this is not good for the Democrats. It looks to me like the President is winning. How long will it last? That’s really up to the Democrats. President Trump has told them what they must do to reopen government. As long as they remain recalcitrant the shutdown will continue. They like to belittle the President and pooh-pooh his negotiating abilities, but take a look at his successes since being elected. At every turn he has outsmarted and outplayed his opponents whether they are in Europe, Asia, South or North America. It’s just a guess, but I think the Democrats are sinking fast. Their base is beginning to suffer the pinch, news articles normally in their favor are beginning to ask questions, and they have to use fake polls to bolster their case (for example using polling in places like California where they are sure to draw support). Has the Blue Wave played a role? What Blue Wave? As I’ve mentioned before Midterm elections are historically times when the party in power loses seats not only in the House but in the Senate. But the Republicans gained seats in the Senate. The so-called Blue Wave fizzled upon the rocks of a counter Red Wave! And thanks to President Obama President Trump knows he can still rule and accomplish a lot with a divided government. Why do the Democrats hate President Trump? That’s an interesting question. Before he ever ran for office they liked him. He is on a first name basis with many of them. They liked him, or at least his money. But the problem came when he ran in opposition to their darling Clinton. The fix was in; she was suppose to win the election no matter who the Republicans put up. Let’s be frank. Clinton didn’t lose the election because of some nebulous collusion between Trump and Russia. She didn’t lose the election because of FBI interference. She lost the election because she once again got caught red handed multiple times and the American people recognized that she was incompetent as well as dishonest. But a Majority of the People Voted for Her? That’s true. But a majority of the states voted for Trump. There’s a reason our founders established the Electoral College. They foresaw the possibility of a few states dominating simply because they had a larger population. That would be inherently unfair to all the people. So they equalized the situation with the Electoral College. Will Trump get His Wall? It’s not really his wall. I believe that most Americans believe it is necessary. If we could get the politicians out of the way the Wall would be financed and built. Interestingly a man from Southwest Florida has used Social Media to raise in a very short time almost 21 million dollars toward support of the Wall. Parts of the Wall have already been built before Trump even came into office. I believe that we will eventually see a combination of Wall and electronic countermeasures securing our borders. Only time will tell, but Trump is a powerful force that the Left has yet to figure out let alone defeat. What will happen with Immigration? That’s a more difficult question. As long as politicians regard it as their political football it won’t get resolved. I am of the opinion that an expanded legal entrance into the United States along with a broader path for citizenship will eventually have to occur. As long as there are sharp divides and inaction there will continue to be illegal immigration with the accompanying human trafficking, crime, and possible entrance of terrorists. If the shutdown continues, how will it affect us? The ‘experts’ haven’t been able to answer that question as of yet. This is supposed to be the longest shutdown in American history. So we are in uncharted territory. But so far it hasn’t really hit the majority of Americans except as a discomfort. Of course, the TV consultants, media, and analysts will try. But their tract record is not very good. So we will have to wait and see. But as I said earlier, I think the Democrats are sinking fast and pressure is building for them to compromise. And that is what President Trump is seeking, a compromise. At the beginning I asked how it would benefit us? It really depends on the final resolution. But if the Wall is finished there are some obvious benefits to all of America. Here are a few: Major reduction in Illegal Immigration Reduction in drug smuggling A step toward stopping the rise of health care associated with immigration Less violence along our border Opportunity to work on the existing illegal immigrants now in America These are just a few ideas that come to mind. It would also allow the government to turn its attention to other important issues needing to be addressed. Unfortunately for the liberals and media it would mean another of President Trump’s promises being fulfilled. The very idea of this happening keeps them awake at night trying to think of ways to attack him. With the continuing lack of evidence of any wrong doing by the President they need all the help they can get. Although the democrats have used Social Media often they seem to misunderstand its true nature. They continue to put lies out there that the average internet user can check out and quickly discover they are lies. A Note About So-called Fact Checkers: There are well known fact checkers out there that a lot of people trust. But my experience has been that it is best not to put too much confidence in them. I think it is wise to remember there is no such thing as an unbiased person. That person doesn’t exist. Everyone has a bias. That means when making use of fact checkers we should always find out what their bias is. Then check them out. And still be cautious. Why? Because as far as I can tell there is no one who is fact checking the fact checkers! By R. Frederick Riddlein Democratic Party, Immigration, President Trump, Republican Party, U.S. constitution January 21, 2019 1,505 WordsLeave a comment How can They Say a Wall is Ineffective? Monday through Friday I deal with different subjects in this blog. I also post my blog to my Facebook page at RFrederickRiddlesWorld. Monday’s I try to focus on issues. This week I am taking a look at How can They Say a Wall is Ineffective? The Democrats primary argument against the building of a wall is that it is ineffective. But this defies the facts. Let’s take a look. Wall of China – They say it is ineffective. Of course it is now, it was built centuries ago. But until it crumbled it was effective. It at least made invasion more difficult and defense easier. Prison Walls – If walls are ineffective why do we put prisoners behind walls? It’s too keep the community safe. City Walls – In olden times they built walls to protect the city and its inhabitants from marauding bandits and opposing armies. This method of protection worked well until modern weaponry came on the scene. Walls around Homes – Many rich people including both Democrats and Republicans have homes surrounding their houses. If they are ineffective, why bother? Gated Communities – My wife and I live in a socalled gated community. In our case it consists of wooden and metal fences. Supposedly this makes us more secure. While certainly not 100 percent effective they make it harder for thieves to enter and that’s a good thing. The idea of a wall is not to stop illegal immigration entirely. That is probably impossible. But right now the rate, which changes every year, is unbearable. We cannot take care of all the world’s poor. What about the fact they’re escaping famine, extortion, murder, etc.? I don’t deny that this is happening. But we still can’t take them all in. When you try to do that other injustices take place. A good example was the forced separation of children from their parents and incarcerated in cages. This started under the Obama Administration and continued under the Trump Administration, which ultimately stopped it due to public pressure. The fact remains though that more people are coming across than we can handle. But the children are innocent. Are they? How do you know. Are you so naive that you believe that children cannot be used? Look around you. In the Vietnam War they were used to kill American soldiers. It is well known that Americans like kids and would provide food and more to them. Until children came with bombs attached and blew themselves up. More recently children in Africa have been used in war. It’s an atrocity! The fact is if anyone bypasses the border stations where they are supposed to legally apply and enter America we have no way of documenting them. Or a better word is vetting. Let’s say 1000 people enter illegally and only one is a terrorist. Since you don’t know who that terrorist is you let in all 1000. That terrorist may have the potential of killings thousands of people. If you really want to help them then help them in their own countries. Walls are a temporary but necessary solution until Congress comes up with something better. The Wall was never meant to be the final or only solution. Some people say modern technology is better. However, this has not been proven and until it is we need something in place to protect us. How about this idea: Combine the wall with modern technology. That would truly protect us better. What about Trump declaring a National Emergency?’ I think it has merit. We have thousands of people on our border with many planning on entering illegally. And last I heard there were thousands more on the way. It may not be an army with guns and tanks, but it would still amount to an army. An army of people who think that by entering America all their problems will go away. That’s a false expectation, but it is what they are being told. What about using confiscated drug money to build the wall? I don’t know if they can or can’t but I’m sure in favor of trying it. I’d like to see more on this solution. The hearts of all Americans should go out to these people. Most of them have given up everything for a better life. I think we need to do more on the international front and try to force the home countries to do more. While that may be unlikely, it should still be tried. And instead of the Democrats making a political football out of the issue, they should work with the Republicans to find a real solution. In my opinion, they use the poor, the homeless, and others for political purposes. When they have power like they did in the first few years of Obama’s Presidency they could have done something, but it wasn’t in their interests. By R. Frederick Riddlein Democratic Party, Immigration, President Trump, Republican Party January 7, 2019 1,044 WordsLeave a comment How can ‘We are not Criminals be True? Monday through Friday I deal with different subjects in this blog. I also post my blog to my Facebook page at RFrederickRiddlesWorld. Monday’s I try to focus on issues. This week I am taking a look at How can We are not Criminals be true? In today’s paper the headline read, “US agents fire tear gas as some migrants try to breach fence at border.” The ensuing story told of hundreds of migrants pushing past the Mexican police blockade in an attempt to enter the United States. Here are selected passages from that article: “Earlier Sunday, the group of several hundred migrants pushed past a blockade of Mexican police who were standing guard near the international border crossing… They carried hand-painted American and Honduran flags while chanting: “We are not criminals! We are international workers!” So what is a Criminal? According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary a criminal is “one who has committed a crime.” Technically speaking the migrants are correct. They are still in Mexico and have not violated any United States laws. What if They Cross over the Wall? There are legal ways of entering the United States. We have places where people can seek asylum or seek lawful entry. Trying to come into the country by any other means is a violation of our immigration laws. That would mean that if they go over/under/around/through the wall/barbed wire/etc. they are breaking United States law. At that moment they become criminals or lawbreakers that can be convicted as criminals! It does not matter what they are fleeing from or their motivation for entering our country. They are in violation of the law! Isn’t that Heartless? Not really. Our country was built on immigration and to this day still accepts “your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore” (from the poem The New Colossus by Emma Lazarus on the Statue of Liberty). We have and still do welcome immigrants and have established a legal way for migrants to enter our country. This mechanism has and still does work well. America is not big enough to absorb thousands of immigrants. And thousands, perhaps tens of thousands, may well come especially if those at our border are able to enter illegally without consequence. Should the System be Improved? That’s a fair question. I assume by improved you mean allow more into America. Such an improvement must also include a means to do background checks. While many, maybe most, of the migrants are legit there is the possibility of hardened criminals, even terrorists, entering our country. As a sovereign country we have the right and the obligation to screen applicants. And it may take time! A Sympathetic News Media News media reports have consistently shown a bias toward the migrants as if they are trying to create sympathy. There’s nothing wrong with sympathizing with the migrants, but what is wrong is encouraging the migrants in the belief that they have a right to enter the United States. Most articles and commentaries in the media focus on the migrant plight. They also try to make the Trump Administration look bad. We have already had terrorists enter legally (under false names and therefore actually illegally). They entered, trained, and eventually flew two planes into the Twin Towers in New York City, plus another failed attempt in Pennsylvania (9-11-2001). What About the Courts? Good question. Here’s my opinion. District Judges in California will rule against anything the Trump Administration attempts. It will be appealed up to the United States Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit. The government will lose and appeal to the United States Supreme Court where they will be victorious. It will cost the courts time, energy, and taxpayer money all because liberal judges with an agenda will try to impose their agenda on perfectly legal actions by the Trump Administration. I can tell you what I don’t think will happen though it should. The Democrats now control the House of Representatives. If they were responsible they would try to improve our immigration laws with safeguards that would protect our country. Instead they will pass bills that if enacted into law would undermine the system and endanger the people of the United States plus negatively impact those who entered or are entering the country legally. As a result the Senate will reject such actions and nothing will happen. Can the President Do Anything? One achievement of President Obama was that he showed that in absence of a law, the President can rule by decree which has the force of law. As with laws decrees can be challenged in Federal court. And Congress can pass a law that invalidates the decree. Even if the decree stands the next President can cancel or replace the decree. For example, President Trump revised Obama’s Clear Water Rule which affect private property rights. But such action is a temporary solution that may lead to a permanent law. So the Migrants Have No Hope? On the contrary, they have legal avenues to follow. Some are already doing so. But because of the sheer number of applicants it will take a long time. We live in a generation of instant gratification. We want what we want now! Mexico seems to be leaning to allowing some migrants stay in Mexico. But that seems to change daily and if I was a migrant I’d be nervous about Mexico’s sincerity. Still, it is a possibility that Mexico will allow them to stay and become citizens. So the migrants have the option to: Wait for the opportunity to legally enter Decide to live in Mexico and become Mexican citizens Return to Honduras When you violate United States law you are a lawbreaker. If convicted in a court of law you are a criminal. As for “undocumented” immigrants, that is a politically correct term with no merit. If they are in the country without proper and legal documentation then they are illegal. So, while they haven’t gone to court yet and been convicted, they are lawbreakers and could be tried as criminals. By R. Frederick Riddlein Illegal Immigration, Immigration, Legal Immigration November 26, 2018 1,257 WordsLeave a comment Remarkable Insights from Pauline A New Home Monday through Friday I deal with different subjects in this blog. I also post my blog to my Facebook page at RFrederickRiddlesWorld. Tuesday’s I try to focus on Insights. This week I am taking another look at Remarkable Insights from Pauline A New Home. ‘At that moment the President was still building his Cabinet, which currently held Vice-President Sarah Adams and Secretary of State Mark Taylor. But today he welcomed Jessica Harper into his office. The twenty four year old Jessica was a graduate of Michigan State University, located in East Lansing, Michigan. She had majored in education and had planned to continue for a Masters Degree. In fact, she had already enrolled at the time of her arrest. “Have a seat Miss Harper. May I call you Jessica?” “Yes, although some simply call me Jess.” “Any preference?” “Jess is reserved for friends and I have a hunch that we’re going to be friends, so Jess is fine.” “Does that mean you are accepting the position of Secretary of Education?”’ The above quote is taken from my novel Pauline A New Home. If you’ve read the book you know that President Adams was in the process of forming his cabinet shortly after the Christians landed on Pauline. Today’s insights come from that necessary step as the Christians formed their new government. Whenever a new government is formed the new leader needs men and women around him that he can trust to carry out whatever agenda he may have for his government. It matters little if it is an existing government on Earth or a brand new government on some distant planet, you need government and you need the right people to run it. In our country the President, who is elected by the people, selects people he feels will help him administer his government. These men and women are then submitted to the Senate who either approves of disapproves. If approved then they run their respective department in a manner that supports the Presidents will. Representative Democracy. Here in America we have what is called a Representative Democracy. This is not the same as Democracy. In Democracy you have the people making laws, etc. It is unwieldy and closely resembles mob rule. Representative Democracy is where the people elect representatives to make the decisions for them. If the people are unhappy with their representatives they have the right to replace them. When first formed it was truly unique. Since then other countries have tried to copy us with limited success. As with the government on Pauline our government adopted a Constitution based upon Biblical principles. Some people have challenged this fact, but while the Bible is not mentioned in the Constitution the ideas either came directly from the Bible or indirectly. Some countries modified their constitutions or charters. Great Britain had already adopted a form of government that has largely continued to this day. In their government they have a King or Queen born for the job and a Prime Minister chosen is the leader of the winning party and appointed by the King or Queen. Many countries have followed this pattern. But to my knowledge no country has truly imitated the United States. Not that we haven’t tried to export it. But it remains unique. The problem is that our type of government is linked to the Christian faith in spite of the detractors. When we remove God from our government we run into trouble. For example, there are many politicians who insist on a “wall of separation” between the government and religion. They claim it is constitutional, although the term is nowhere found in the constitution. It first appeared in a letter by President Thomas Jefferson to a group of Danbury Baptists in 1802. They were worried that the government would do as governments in Europe, namely run the church. His letter was to reassure them, that they were protected by a wall of separation, namely the 1st Amendment. That wall was to keep government out of the church, not to keep the church out of the government. Unfortunately in today’s world politicians don’t want to be bothered with morality (look at their lives if you doubt that). So they reinterpret the wall statement to mean the church is to be kept out of the government. Most Americans today don’t know this because modern history books reflect the current view rather than historical fact. It’s called revisionism! This tearing down of the relationship between church and state causes additional problems! Based on the new understanding God was kicked out of our schools. Bible Scripture has been removed from buildings; Bible knowledge has been banned from our schools; and Bible standards are systematically being removed from all public institutions. Persecution of Christians. Christians find it rough in colleges where toleration is preached but persecution is practiced. Every year we read of Christian college students being barred from this activity or that activity. But it’s not’s just colleges. It is showing up in government. We recently witnessed the attempt to destroy a good man whose only crime was that he was religious. Whether or not you believe the woman who claimed to be a victim, her story lacked credibility and was even denied by people she claimed were there. Plus, of course, she didn’t remember how she got there, how she left, where there was, and a lot of other details. Crime. We also see a rise in criminal activity by our young people. If they kill someone the finger is pointed at the NRA whether or not the killer was a member (usually not). The real culprit is not the gun used but the fact that our government has removed absolutes from our lives. Children grow up with no moral absolutes, therefore having their consciences instructed by TV and the movies. The only absolute they are taught is that the end justifies the means. Of course, this thinking doesn’t apply to speed limits on the road. Try telling the policeman that the speed limit is only a suggestion since there are no absolutes. Violence. Our children are growing up in a violent world. That’s a fact. I grew up watching westerns, cops and robbers, and war stories. That didn’t make me violent. My parents were not particularly religious, but they instilled in me some absolutes. And every one of them can be traced back to the Bible. The Bible teaches Christians to love one another. Not the love as expressed in Hollywood, but a love that is based on respect for one another; a love that truly cares for others. Christ is our example, but the world denies Him. They’ll use His name but ignore His Word (Bible). Is it any surprise that children that have grown up without Biblical teachings is violent to others? Apathy. The other side of violence is apathy. Women can be raped and no one will help her; people can be beaten and murdered while people look the other way. “Because they are not concerned with human life except their own. So instead of stepping in, or calling 911, or providing the police with the needed information, they look the other way and keep their mouths shut. It is a tragic day we live in. Abortion. The Bible clearly teaches that abortion is a deadly sin. “If men strive, and hurt a woman with child, so that her fruit depart from her, and yet no mischief follow: he shall be surely punished, according as the woman’s husband will lay upon him; and he shall pay as the judges determine. And if any mischief follow, then thou shalt give life for life,” Exodus 21:22-23. Homosexuality (aka transgender, gay, etc.) In the Book of Romans (1:22-28) the subject is dealt with clearly. But if people don’t read the Bible, if they don’t go to church, or are taught otherwise in school it is going to be a rampant problem. Today immorality has taken the position of being the new morality. And it all began with the removal of God and His Word from our schools! The family is the basic unit of our government. When we have strong families we tend to see more respect for government, we value absolutes, and we are more agreeable with one another. But today the family is being attacked on almost every level. There is issue after issue where the Bible has expressed itself, but today most people either are unaware or don’t care. And the results are tragic! Those of us who are Christians have got to do more than protest. We need to take political action. That includes taking moral stands. It includes using the power of the vote. And it includes being a daily example. I speak to everyone including myself. We are in danger of losing America! By R. Frederick Riddlein Administration, Bible, Government, Insights, Morality, Political, Politics, U.S. constitution, Writing November 13, 2018 November 13, 2018 1,713 WordsLeave a comment A Last Minute Recount Controversial if Dishonest Monday through Friday I deal with different subjects in this blog. I also post my blog to my Facebook page at RFrederickRiddlesWorld. Monday’s I try to focus on issues. This week I am taking a look at A last minute recount controversial if dishonest. First, a word about Veterans Day. I am a veteran (1964-68 Vietnam War), so I definitely appreciate veterans of any service that served their country. Yesterday was the official anniversary of the end of WWI. During the celebration of this event the French President made the statement that nationalism and patriotism are opposites thereby suggesting that globalism and patriotism are kindred spirits. That is far from the truth. Nationalism and patriotism are two sides of the same coin. In both cases you are loyal to your country, putting your country first. Globalism is actually a route to the One World Government that many people favor these days. It will be a sad day when that happens and it will nullify the bloodshed on countless battlefields to protect and guard our nation. While we have an independent nation let’s honor our veterans no matter what war they fought in. But not just in holding celebrations, etc. but in taking care of them. Previous administrations have left our warriors sick, dying, and homeless. That is tragic and unacceptable! Now for the Recount. Here in Florida we are looking at the possibility of another recount of up to three elections. These elections affect who will be our next Governor, who will represent us in the Senate, and who will be the AG Commissioner. Currently at least one recount is going forward, the senate race between Senator Bill Nelson and Governor Rick Scott. The recount seems centered in Broward and Palm Beach Counties. But it could expand to the entire state. Now I understand that the law says that if the difference is less than .5% of the electorate a recount is mandatory. This law came into existence as a result of the 2000 Election that had a major impact not only on the state but upon the United States. Problem #1 – why set such a high percentage? A half a percent may seem low but when you translate that into votes you discover that it is in the tens of thousands of ballots. But while I question the reasoning, it is the law. And while I question the wisdom, I accept it. The truth is I can’t do much else. But looking forward I think that percent should be lowered since we live in a divided state. If they don’t do something now we can expect recounts every major election or at least every four years. Problem #2 – I see the same counties involved that have messed up in previous elections. They have had the opportunity to get their houses in order, but obviously have failed to do so. In this modern age of computers and high tech such mess ups are inexcusable. And I am not the only one to notice. Even the liberal media has noticed! And why is Broward County refusing to even say how many votes remain uncounted. I think that in itself smells. Rightly or wrongly it is perceived as a cover-up. This needs to be addressed perhaps with a new law. I’m glad that Governor Scott is stepping into this mess. While Gillium says to count every vote that is not what is at issue. We want only legitimate votes counted. Not dead people, not illegal immigrants, only registered voters who went to the polls (or mailed it in). We the people of the State of Florida have a right to expect the State to vigorously defend the vote and insist on clean procedures. It appears that the State needs to look over the shoulder of all counties and guarantee fair and accurate counting. On Thursday of last week Scott was victorious in court and the counties were ordered to turn over all relevant records to the State. Hopefully, this order will shortcut the entire recount process and make the best of a very messy situation. I lived in Michigan when the 2000 election took place. Then as now Broward and Palm Beach counties couldn’t do their job. The election of a new President was held hostage until the result was finalized by the Supreme Court. Forty Nine other states were able to have accurate voting. But Florida couldn’t. Was it because Florida had a large immigrant community? Other states have similar communities and they didn’t experience these problems. Could it be that the ballots were too confusing? That’s an argument for standardized ballots. Could it be fraud? That’s always a possibility. Florida became the laughingstock of the country and deservedly so for the way it handled the votes in 2000. Countless jokes were passed around with Florida the butt of them. It ended up going to the Supreme Court. But while they settled the matter, it created widespread discontent. Supposedly the problems have been fixed since then and the election was supposed to go smoothly. Well, you sure fooled me! Problem #3 – who’s guarding the hen house? We have the same people recounting the ballots that did the initial counting. In fact, it has been stated in the media, liberal media at that, the counters are partisans. In a Democratic county that means they are Democrats making judgments about signatures and other issues that affect the legitimacy of ballots. In addition they will be hiring more counters that have to be trained. This is like having the fox guard the hen house! It certainly doesn’t give one a sense that this is honest and aboveboard. Rather it tickles your nose and you begin to smell something funny. A smell that alarms you. The perception is going to be that they have been dishonest no matter who wins! Once again the state of Florida will be the laughingstock of the nation. I can hear the joke now: Who’s going to go to the cemetery to verify who voted or not? The answer: The undertaker and he’s a Democrat. That admittedly is not very funny, but then again neither is the recount. But it shows the reputation that Democrats have earned over the years. Is it a correct reputation? No one knows, but it is a perception. Problem #4 – What’s this about the military and absentee ballots not being counted? History shows that the military tends to vote strongly conservative and the absentee ballots lean Democratic. Now we’re hearing that both may not have been counted. However the recount goes, they need to fix this, especially on the military side of things. People who serve our country overseas should not be robbed of their right to vote even as they continue to serve. But that is exactly what happens when you don’t count their vote or count it incorrectly. Neither the military nor absentee ballots should be treated so shamelessly. This is a right that cost many Americans their lives! We live in the best country in the world where everyone, including the poor, has a right to vote and participate in the election of representatives who will hopefully rule the country like we want. Well, there are plenty of theories. Here is a partial list: Voter mistakes. Somehow thousands of Floridians voted in the wrong precinct or didn’t write their name correctly or whatever. Thousands of voters? That’s hard to believe. Machine foul-ups. But how could the machines mess up thousands of ballots and not be discovered? Are we to believe that the workers are incompetent? The sheer size suggests it’s more than that. This can be done regarding thousands of votes. So far no evidence has been discovered proving such a crime. But the magnitude of this problem at least suggests the possibility. Just a guess but I suspect that local political powers manipulate the vote. Perhaps by submitting votes by people lying in the grave (there were reports of traffic being held up by zombies walking to the voting center), or perhaps votes by non-citizens or perhaps messing with the machines themselves. However they do it, it is hard to believe it is incompetence. Rather it is like voter fraud. So what is going to be the result? That’s a good question. The Democrats are hoping that the recount will result in flipping the original results tabulated on Election Day. That would be an acceptable outcome if only real votes are counted. But I for one am not sure that will happen. I was watching the news and some of the ballots they showed on screen showed only one person receiving a vote on the entire ballot! That raises a question: who goes to the polls and only votes for one person? I have never heard of such a thing and I’ve been voting a long time. It smells like fraud. Is it possible that they only voted for one person? Yes. But would thousands of people do it? I really doubt that. As mentioned earlier it looks now like the race to become governor is no longer over. The ongoing recounts are narrowing that lead. It looked like DeSantis won fair and square, but now the recount is also impacting that race. And then there is the AG Commissioner race. This was a race hardly visible until the last few days of the election. And now it is also up in the air. It’s a Total Mess! Because these counties failed to do their jobs right all of us in Florida are losers! Why? Because once the recount is completed we still won’t know who actually won. We’ll know who the recounts said won, but not necessarily the true vote. And that means we will never have complete confidence in whoever is chosen. It means we will be suspicious of the winner whoever eventually wins. We will doubt the person’s honesty. But more serious than that we will doubt the whole election process. And if we doubt the election process, how long will we trust our elected officials? It is the kind of situation that leads to unrest and could lead to rebellion. We must guard our nation’s credibility not only with other nations but with ourselves! What happens after the recount? Well, if history is any indication the recount could go to a machine recount. Now this may mean that recounting by selected counties could go to the State level and require all counties to do a recount. This could also require more hours and overtime, as well as add additional millions of dollars to the cost. But if that doesn’t settle the matter it could end up going to the U.S. Supreme Court! What can be done to prevent future mess ups? How about standardizing the ballots? I realize each county has its own offices and issues to be voted on, but why not have a standardized ballot so that the Broward ballot regarding State offices and Amendments appears exactly in the same place as in Lee County or any other county. This is a simple change that at least creates a uniform ballot. Another change would be videotaping of the equipment while being operated. During early voting and Election Day voting have the machines videotaped. Not just at the voting places but they would videotape every step of the election process. In Michigan, where I grew up, we would go to the voting place and they would have a list of registered voters. They would match our name to the record and then we were allowed to vote. Here in Charlotte County I believe a similar practice was followed, but was it followed in Broward and Palm Beach? I don’t know. That’s a simple practice that should reduce fraudulent votes. But the use of partisan workers (there is no such thing as non-partisan) makes the process suspicious and susceptible to fraud or other issues. Considering the magnitude of the votes I think making the process as automatic as possible is a great idea. But as long as we have people to contend with there will always be opportunities for corruption. In Conclusion. You can never eliminate partisanship entirely. It is part of human nature. But a long drawn-out recount serves no one. I hope that the recounts will be quick, honest, and transparent. If not you can’t blame people for suspecting the worst! By R. Frederick Riddlein Democratic Party, Election, Recount, Republican Party, Republicans November 12, 2018 2,315 WordsLeave a comment Sometimes People Miss It Monday through Friday I deal with different subjects in this blog. I also post my blog to my Facebook page at RFrederickRiddlesWorld. Monday’s I try to focus on issues. This week I am taking a look at Sometimes People Miss It. Normally I write Insights on Tuesdays, but today I’m tackling another subject. I opened my newspaper today and began reading about Trump’s planned visit to Pittsburgh which is the site of the horrendous massacre. In the very beginning of the article I read this: “… some members of the Jewish community and others objected to President Donald Trump’s plans to visit, accusing him of contributing to a toxic political climate in the U.S. that might have led to the bloodshed. “… Some Pittsburghers urged Trump to stay away. “His language has encouraged hatred and fear of immigrants, which is part of the reason why these people were killed.” If I was a betting man (I’m not) I would bet that 100% of the Jews in Pittsburgh are either LEGAL immigrants or descendants of LEGAL immigrants! I have neither read nor heard of any problem that anyone in government has with Jewish Immigration or any legal immigration. Although for some strange reason U.S. Jews tend to be liberal, in contrast to the citizens of Israel, there has been no toxic language leveled against them by this Administration. Sometimes the people miss the truth even though it’s there to be found. PRESIDENT TRUMP HAS NEVER DENIGRATED JEWS I can’t speak for before his Presidency but President Trump has consistently taken actions favorable to Israel. In fact Nikki Haley, U.N. Ambassador, has taken strong steps at defending Israel on the world stage. His language toward the Jewish nation and Jews in general have been kind not harsh. In fact, in Israel he is highly regarded. Yet a retired college professor lays the blame at his feet! Others claim he is Anti-Semitic. PRESIDENT TRUMP HAS MOVED OUR COUNTRY CLOSER TO ISRAEL Speaking of Trump and Israel let’s take a closer look: He moved the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem against worldwide condemnation (which is rooted in Anti-Semitism) Sided with Israel against Iran Canceled the treaty with Iran These are just a few of the things he’s done within his first two years in office. BAD LANGUAGE/ACTIONS DID NOT ORIGINATE WITH PRESIDENT TRUMP The charge is consistently made that Trump originated the anger in this country. That is not only bad history it’s simply untrue. I’ve been watching the “divide” in America for decades. Both sides have contributed to the anger long before Trump ever thought of running for President. But there is strong evidence that the current vitriolic language began on the night Hillary Clinton lost the election. The Democrats have never gotten over it. This is stunning! We’ve all seen people get upset before over lost elections, but never to this degree. Here we are closing in on two years of his Presidency and they are still angry, petulant. It is true that during Obama’s Presidency he was accused of not being American born. But this never rose to the extent of the charges and anger being directed against Trump. By the way, that charge against Obama was started by the Clinton campaign or so documentation indicates. WE LIVE IN A SAD DAY When I was young I could discuss politics with friends, neighbors, and others. We would sometimes disagree, but it was kept calm, dignified. I simply felt they had a right to disagree and a right to be wrong; I’m sure they felt the same about me. But no one ever called me names, threatened me, or in any way disparaged me unless you include being called stupid. That was as strong as it ever got. Now if you have a Trump sticker on your car you might be risking your car or your life or both. That is a sad day. And what makes it even sadder is that Trump is proving to be an excellent President in spite of the hate, anger, and news media bias. History will show him to be one of our better Presidents, maybe even great. Sometimes people miss it! They become so wrapped up in their own hatred that they miss a good man. Some Jews are so liberal that they are willing to vilify a man who is a friend of Israel, which one would have thought important to them. SPEAKING AS A CHRISTIAN I don’t know President Trump’s relationship with Jesus Christ. But I do know that he is pro-Israel! As a Christian that is important to me. The Jewish people have not ceased from being God’s chosen people. Right now they are living in the times of the Gentiles as shown in the Bible, but their day will come again. When the Son of God returns He will look favorably upon countries that befriend Israel. President Trump has chosen the right path to follow. By R. Frederick Riddlein Administration, Democratic Party, Diplomacy, Election, Immigration, Israel, President Trump October 30, 2018 1,060 WordsLeave a comment Do We Really Want Socialism? Monday through Friday I deal with different subjects in this blog. I also post my blog to my Facebook page at RFrederickRiddlesWorld. Monday’s I try to focus on issues. This week I am taking a look at Do We Really Want Socialism? In recent years the Democratic Party has made a hard left in their vision for the future of America. There is little left of the party of Roosevelt and Kennedy. Now the Democrats are increasingly faced with a choice between a Hillary Clinton or a Bernie Sanders. In fact, although Hillary beat out Bernie (apparently with a little trickery) Bernie’s influence seems to be greater than Hillary’s. More and more the party is talking socialistic solutions or outright socialism. BUT DO WE WANT SOCIALISM? Since the election of Trump we have seen what the economy can do when unleashed from burdensome regulations. In fact, the mere promise of relief from these regulations spurred the beginnings of the current thriving economy. It is almost as those industry leaders were biting at the bit hoping against hope that Trump would be elected. Shortly after his election the economy began showing signs of coming to life. Those regulations were put in place by the Obama Administration and were essentially socialistic solutions. SO WHAT IS SOCIALISM? According to the Simple English Wikipedia: Socialism is an economic system where the ways of making a living (factories, offices, etc.) are owned by a society as a whole, meaning the value made belongs to everyone in that society, instead of a group of private owners. People who agree with this type of system are called socialists. To put it simply, that means if you own a mom and pop store and manage after a lot of hard work to make a profit that profit must be shared with the community. Or perhaps you are a factory worker putting in 8, 10, or 12 hours of work, maybe including weekends yet your income will be shared by your neighbor who could be but isn’t working anywhere. After all, everyone is supposed to be equal. In other words, there is no reward or incentive for work. WHAT ABOUT HEALTHCARE? Oh, they make that sound good. Universal coverage! But the question is who pays for it. They will tell you the rich, but the ugly truth is that eventually you pay for it. That payment could come in the form of unemployment, higher taxes, and higher costs. It could also cost in the way your health is managed. Forget having any personal control, nor your doctor having the final say. It will be some board or individual, a stranger that has no more interest in you than in any statistic. BUT WON’T THAT REDUCE MEDICAL COSTS? Did ObamaCare reduce costs? No. In fact by the time the Trump Administration had taken office ObamaCare was already suffering because of increased premiums, especially upon younger people. While ObamaCare still exists the Trump Administration has been able to tweak it here and there. One such tweak was to eliminate the ACA Individual Mandate beginning in 2019. It is true the Congressional Budget Office estimates a rise in costs, but take a closer look at this supposedly nonpartisan entity. First, is it even possible to be nonpartisan? That is doubtful, at best. Second, the CBO tends to exam submissions by expectations that the Left provides. I think the CBO would be more honest if their critiques were based on expectations of the entity submitting the material to be analyzed. Or perhaps in the spirit of transparency they provide dual analysis by comparing the costs in the expected economies that the Democratic and the Republican parties assume. SOCIALIST MEDICAL CARE IS BAD FOR OUR HEALTH. While there are some glowing positives (in Canada for example) there are major problems. In Canada not everything is covered. Doctor and hospital visits are covered, but that is not so for prescription drugs, dentistry, vision care, rehabilitative service and home health care. While this is similar to the U.S. Canadians have the added problem of long wait times for non-emergency, specialty procedures like knee and hip replacements and non-urgent advanced imaging — higher than those in America. And, for those of us getting older, long wait times can be a major problem! SOCIALISM IS REPRESSIVE. Socialism is repressive. It was a major part of Communism. There have been reports that in China (a Communist country) whenever they have relaxed the rules and allowed some capitalism the economy has benefited. The problem with capitalism is that it thrives in a free country where everyone has the opportunity to succeed whether it’s a little girl selling lemonade or a multimillionaire investing money. Socialism is against both. By the way, children selling lemonade, etc. have been forced out of business by cities with overreaching socialistic governments. It could be argued that the little capitalism that was allowed in the old Soviet Union contributed to its downfall. The desire for freedom can never be fully suppressed. Humans are willing to make big sacrifices just to be free. Our own founding fathers risked and in many cases lost their wealth and health, and in some cased lost family members and their own lives. All to be free. By R. Frederick Riddlein Democratic Party, Government, Health Care, Socialism October 29, 2018 1,094 WordsLeave a comment	cc/2019-30/en_head_0020.json.gz/line977
__label__wiki	0.802797	0.802797	Rihanna reveals details for 2nd Annual Diamond Ball November 9, 2015 Off By Paula Rihanna has revealed the details for the upcoming second annual Diamond Ball, set to take place on December 10 at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, Calif. Kevin Hart will host the charity event and Lionel Richie will perform for the crowd. The evening will support the Clara Lionel Foundation. “I’m so proud of the work the Clara Lionel Foundation has done in its first year and can’t wait to celebrate with the iconicLionel Richie and incredibly talentedKevin Hart at this year’s Diamond Ball,”Rihanna said in a statement. Michael Rapino, the CEO of Live National, will be presented with the inaugural Diamond Honors Award. The award will be presented each year to someone who has demonstrated true leadership in the fields of philanthropy and entertainment and whose work furthers CLF’s mission of improving the quality of life for communities globally in the areas of health, education, arts and culture. “This foundation is close to my heart and I am so grateful for Michael Rapino’s support and commitment to our cause,” Rihanna said. “No one is more deserving of the first Diamond Honors Award than him.” CategoryCharity Events Rihanna spotted at Giorgio Baldi Rihanna launches new styling, hair and makeup agency	cc/2019-30/en_head_0020.json.gz/line978
__label__cc	0.622949	0.377051	Man cut off by the tide rescued by Lytham St Annes RNLI volunteer lifeboat crew Sunday 4 June 2017 Attempt to walk to the Fylde Coast prevented by river channel and rising tide. RNLI/David Forshaw The Lytham St Annes inshore lifeboat is brought back with the Lytham St Annes Coastguard Team in the background with the casualty A man attempted to walk across the mouth of the Ribble Estuary from Southport to Blackpool on Sunday (4 June 2017) but as he approached the north bank opposite Lytham Town he found the main channel of the Ribble blocking his path. The tide had now turned and was quickly flooding the estuary leaving the man not enough time to retrace his steps over four miles to safety. Fortunately the 10 mile perch, a tall wooden navigation aid marking the river channel, was close enough for him to wade to and scramble half way up to comparative safety above the level of the rapidly rising tide. The man could not be left exposed up the perch all night so Her Majesty’s Coastguard requested the Lytham St Annes D class inshore lifeboat (ILB) MOAM to launch at 6:05pm and rescue him from his precarious position and bring him across to Lytham. The ILB was taken to Seafield slipway and launched under the command of Helmsman Vinny Pedley. Extricating the man from his perch, the ILB brought him across the river, returning to Seafield Road slipway. The RNLI volunteers then passed him into the care of the Lytham St Annes Coastguard Team who made sure he was fit and capable to continue his journey to Blackpool unaided. RNLI Helmsman Vinny Pedley later said: 'It was a short service but a necessary one as although the man could keep above the level of the rising water while up the 10 mile perch, he could easily have succumbed to exposure if left throughout the night until the next low tide released him. He would then have still had to walk back to Southport as he had no means to cross the channel.' The ILB was returned to her boathouse and refuelled, washed off and made ready for the next time she is needed. For more information please contact David Forshaw, RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on: 07904 685206. David Forshaw Lifeboat Press Officer, Lytham St Annes Lifeboat Station Lytham St Annes Lifeboat Station	cc/2019-30/en_head_0020.json.gz/line982
__label__cc	0.579377	0.420623	Where’s the Science in Science Education? A constant refrain in articles about education and the economy highlights the need for more of a focus on STEM: Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. In fact, the National Science Foundation and many other public and private entities spend billions each year to advance STEM education. STEM is indeed critical for American economic competitiveness and progress. So naturally you’d expect that STEM subjects would be among the best researched of all, right? Wrong. My colleagues and I just published a review of research on elementary science programs in the most prestigious science education journal, the Journal of Research on Science Teaching (JRST). I’ll get to the substantive conclusions in a moment. What I want to focus on first is the most important finding of the review: that we found only 23 studies that met our inclusion standards. Our standards were not that tough. We required that studies compare experimental to well-matched or randomly assigned control groups on measures that fairly assessed what was taught in both groups. Studies had to last at least 4 weeks (less than the 12 weeks we’ve required in every other subject). Our 23 studies were the product of all qualifying research published in English throughout the world over a period of more than 30 years. That’s less than one study per year. Had we required random assignment and analysis at the level of random assignment, only seven studies would have qualified. Of course, there are thousands of studies of elementary science teaching. Why did so few meet our standards? A lot of them had no control group, or no measure of science learning. Many were very brief lab studies lasting from an hour to a few days. Among the few studies that did compare experimental and control classes over at least four weeks, most had obvious problems that made it impossible to include them. Many used measures made to register the gains in the experimental group but unrelated to what was taught in the control group. For example, many studies taught a unit on, say, electricity, to the experimental group and compared their gains on an electricity test to those of a group that was not taught electricity at all during the experiment. Among the studies we could include, the outcomes favored inquiry approaches that emphasized professional development for teachers, using methods such as cooperative learning and reading-science integration. Inquiry methods using science kits did no better than control groups, and disturbingly, these were the highest-quality studies. There were positive effects for approaches emphasizing technology, but there were very few studies in this category. The larger question posed by our review, however, is why there were so few qualifying studies. How could the entire field of science education produce less than one methodologically adequate experimental study of practical elementary science approaches per year? At first, my colleagues and I thought that this problem must surely just be due to the fact that science educators focus more on secondary schools than elementary schools. However, we are now working on a review of secondary science programs, under a grant from the Spencer Foundation. We are not finding markedly more qualifying studies at that level, either. The number of studies that meet similar inclusion standards in elementary and secondary reading and math is much higher than in science. What is it about science education that makes such research rare? Of course, there is a poignant irony in the observation that among all major branches of educational research, science education is least likely to use rigorous scientific evidence to evaluate its own programs. Science educators should be, and could still become, leaders in evidence-based reform, but this will require a serious change in direction in the field. Robert Slavin's Blog Journal of Research on Science Teaching (JRST), Research measures, Spencer Foundation, STEM Leave a comment October 9, 2014 December 22, 2017 3 Minutes Lessons from Innovators: STEM Learning Opportunities Providing Equity (SLOPE) The process of moving an educational innovation from a good idea to widespread effective implementation is far from straightforward, and no one has a magic formula for doing it. The William T. Grant and Spencer Foundations, with help from the Forum for Youth Investment, have created a community composed of grantees in the federal Investing in Innovation (i3) program to share ideas and best practices. Our Success for All program participates in this community. In this space, I, in partnership with the Forum for Youth Investment, highlight observations from the experiences of i3 grantees other than our own, in an attempt to share the thinking and experience of colleagues out on the front lines of evidence-based reform. This blog post is based on a conversation between the Forum for Youth Investment and Sharon Twitty, Project Director for the STEM Learning Opportunities Providing Equity (SLOPE) i3 project based at the Alliance for Regional Collaboration to Heighten Educational Success (ARCHES). SLOPE is a development project designed to help students succeed in Algebra in the 8th grade and to prepare for careers in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). Throughout the conversation, Twitty reflected on how relationship building and her background in communications have helped her successfully navigate a complex and geographically dispersed effort. Her reflections and advice to others working to implement and evaluate interventions are summarized here. Set realistic goals The SLOPE project is currently active in 17 districts around the state of California and is serving close to 3,500 students. Although SLOPE has met all of the participation targets identified in their i3 proposal, and although Twitty feels implementation has been rigorous, she notes that their three-tiered model is quite complex and that it is too early to determine whether the intervention is worthy of further expansion. Her team has learned a lot during the first year of implementation, in particular about what to expect from schools and teachers. “We know from change theory that it takes people 3-5 years to get comfortable with an innovation of this nature. The more traditional your values and the more ‘stand and deliver’ your method, the harder it is to acclimate to an intervention like this. Change is hard and people change slowly.” She suggests that building in a planning and development year for any complex change effort is important because it can help keep expectations realistic and give teachers time to adjust and prepare for new practices and tools. Twitty notes that — especially for complex projects — piloting in the field for refinement prior to implementation in the “study”-type environment is essential. Relationships are the work “Don’t let anyone tell you differently. Relationships are the work. You move at the speed of trust. Without relationships, any intervention, no matter how strong, is going to fail,” says Twitty. That is why she did everything she could to nurture and build personal relationships with every school and teacher involved, from big schools in a city to the single rural teacher implementing the intervention by herself. Twitty did a combination of small and big things to foster communication and engagement. She personally does a site visit at every school at least twice a year. Whenever possible, she highlights the good work of schools in newsletters, in local newspapers, and with policymakers. Sometimes she brings congressional delegates with her on site visits to highlight the project and show the schools she values their work. “I am not constantly in their face, but rather I focus on being responsive, respectful, and trying to make it as easy as possible for participants. I let them know that I need them and I thank them regularly,” says Twitty. Twitty has also learned that the more time principals spend in classrooms with SLOPE, the more they learn about the project. One strategy Twitty has used to encourage time in SLOPE classrooms is to send administrators a list of questions they can only answer by visiting classrooms and observing teachers in action. This makes participating teachers feel valued and generates useful anecdotes for communications with other sites, funders, and policymakers. One concern with a relationship-intensive approach is that it may not be scalable. Twitty isn’t worried. In her opinion this just requires working smarter, not harder. “It is not that hard to build relationships. People just want to feel taken care of. Be deliberate and strategic, and watch for opportunities to do little things.” In fact, she has found that in some cases, just giving out her cell phone number and being responsive on email (which she tries to do within 24 hours), have been enough to garner support. In addition, she is intentional about making sure every school and every member of the team feels they have an important role to play. That’s why every school engaged in the project, whether in a small town or a large district where multiple schools participate, gets a site visit from someone in a leadership role. As the project grows, regional hubs can be established for personal contact and the project director can make their presence felt from a distance — through webinars, email, and Skype or other video-chat services. Don’t forget the control group One thing Twitty has learned directing this project is that teachers and schools are not used to participating in projects that include a randomized controlled trial. She has found that it is important to nurture relationships with teachers who were part of the control group as well as the treatment group. She has found this helps to maintain their willingness to participate in the study and provides valuable information about what happens when the intervention group is not in play. “You have to keep them engaged,” Twitty notes. “Just getting a stipend is not enough. I’ve worked hard to build community among the comparison teachers by empowering them to feel good about the project. I send them information about the intervention and how it is part of a national initiative, and explain why it is important to keep their classes ‘uncontaminated.’ I explained the What Works Clearinghouse and why it is a big deal for a little development project like ours to meet their evaluation standards. It is amazing how far a little personal attention and explanation can go.” The bottom line in this day and age is time. People value their time and want to participate in something that is relevant and significant. Having respect for that concept and building relationships goes a long way. Robert Slavin's Blog Forum for Youth Investment, Investing in Innovation (i3), School Principal, Spencer Foundation, STEM, Success for All, W.T. Grant, What Works Clearinghouse (WWC) Leave a comment December 5, 2013 December 11, 2017 4 Minutes	cc/2019-30/en_head_0020.json.gz/line983
__label__wiki	0.601364	0.601364	Home > Faculty Publications > Books > 1 Legal Pathways to Deep Decarbonization in the United States Michael B. Gerrard, Columbia Law SchoolFollow John C. Dernbach Download Summary & Key Recommendations (953 KB) Legal Pathways to Deep Decarbonization in the United States provides a “legal playbook” for deep decarbonization in the United States, identifying well over 1,000 legal options for enabling the United States to address one of the greatest problems facing this country and the rest of humanity. The book is based on two reports by the Deep Decarbonization Pathways Project (DDPP) that explain technical and policy pathways for reducing U.S. greenhouse gas emissions by at least 80% from 1990 levels by 2050. This 80x50 target and similarly aggressive carbon abatement goals are often referred to as deep decarbonization, distinguished because it requires systemic changes to the energy economy. Legal Pathways explains the DDPP reports and then addresses in detail 35 different topics in as many chapters. These 35 chapters cover energy efficiency, conservation, and fuel switching; electricity decarbonization; fuel decarbonization; carbon capture and negative emissions; non-carbon dioxide climate pollutants; and a variety of cross-cutting issues. The legal options involve federal, state, and local law, as well as private governance. Authors were asked to include all options, even if they do not now seem politically realistic or likely, giving Legal Pathways not just immediate value, but also value over time. While both the scale and complexity of deep decarbonization are enormous, this book has a simple message: deep decarbonization is achievable in the United States using laws that exist or could be enacted. These legal tools can be used with significant economic, social, environmental, and national security benefits. Environmental Law Institute "A growing chorus of Americans understand that climate change is the biggest public health, economic, and national security challenge our families have ever faced and they rightly ask, 'What can anyone do?' Well, this book makes that answer very clear: we can do a lot as individuals, businesses, communities, cities, states, and the federal government to fight climate change. The legal pathways are many and the barriers are not insurmountable. In short, the time is now to dig deep and decarbonize." —Gina McCarthy, Former U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator "Legal Pathways to Deep Decarbonization in the United States sets forth over 1,000 solutions for federal, state, local, and private actors to tackle climate change. This book also makes the math for Congress clear: with hundreds of policy options and 12 years to stop the worst impacts of climate change, now is the time to find a path forward." —Sheldon Whitehouse, U.S. Senator, Rhode Island "This superb work comes at a critical time in the history of our planet. As we increasingly face the threat and reality of climate change and its inevitable impact on our most vulnerable populations, this book provides the best and most current thinking on viable options for the future to address and ameliorate a vexing, worldwide challenge of extraordinary magnitude. Michael Gerrard and John Dernbach are two of the most distinguished academicians in the country on these issues, and they have assembled leading scholars and practitioners to provide a possible path forward. With 35 chapters and over 1,000 legal options, the book is like a menu of offerings for public consumption, showing that real actions can be taken, now and in the future, to achieve deep decarbonization. I recommend the book highly." —John C. Cruden, Past Assistant Attorney General, Environment and Natural Resources Division, U.S. Department of Justice "This book proves that we already know what to do about climate change, if only we had the will to do it. The path to decarbonization depends as much on removing legal impediments and changing outdated incentive systems as it does on imposing new regulations. There are ideas here for every sector of the economy, for every level of government, and for business and nongovernmental organizations, too, all of which should be on the table for any serious country facing the most serious of challenges. By giving us a sense of the possible, Gerrard and Dernbach and their fine authors seem to be saying two things: (1) do something; and (2) it's possible. What a timely message, and what a great collection." —Jody Freeman, Archibald Cox Professor of Law and Founding Director of the Harvard Law School Environmental and Energy Law Program Environmental Law \| Law Gerrard, Michael B. and Dernbach, John C., "Legal Pathways to Deep Decarbonization in the United States" (2019). Books. 1. https://scholarship.law.columbia.edu/books/1 Find in Library	cc/2019-30/en_head_0020.json.gz/line985
__label__cc	0.609451	0.390549	African American Women's Experiences and Understanding of Secondary Infertility Claudelle Parchment, Walden UniversityFollow Patrick Tschida The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe the lived experiences of African American women with secondary infertility, defined as an inability to conceive or carry a baby to term after a previous conception. Research on secondary infertility has ignored the prevalence of the condition in African American women. The implications of secondary infertility in African American women have immediate and far-reaching health and psychosocial consequences. African American women rely on interconnectedness and social networks; therefore, social networks and social support served as the key concepts underwriting the study's conceptual framework. Social networks and social support underscore the connection between those needing and those rendering support during stressful life events. The study consisted of 10 African American women ages 18-75 years old, who met the inclusion criteria for the study. Participants completed screening questions, a brief demographic questionnaire, and an interview. Their experiences were captured through first person accounts during one-to-one semi-structured interviews developed through pilot testing. Qualitative analysis yielded four themes: (a) defining family and adjusting to the change in definition of a family; (b) experiences with secondary infertility; (c) psychosocial stressors and supports from friends and family; and (d) treatment and intervention. This research promotes social change by informing clinical practice through access to culturally competent resources, increased responsiveness and policy development promoting timely access to care. Public Health Education and Promotion Commons	cc/2019-30/en_head_0020.json.gz/line986
__label__wiki	0.833754	0.833754	Ep 120 The Luge Man \| Rueben Gonzalez Why would anybody in his right mind want to jump on a sled and hurl himself down an icy mountain at over 80 miles per hour? At the age of 21, Ruben Gonzalez took up the sport of luge and started training for the Olympics. Four years….. and a few broken bones later, Ruben made his Olympic dream come true! But he didn’t stop there… Ruben kept training, and at the age of 47, he was competing against 20-year-olds at the Vancouver Winter Olympics! Ruben's the first only person to ever to compete in four Winter Olympics EACH in a different DECADE! He’s still competing at the age of 55 and intent on trying to qualify for the 2022 Olympics! His bestselling books have sold over 100,000 copies and have been translated to over 10 languages. In this episode Ruben: Shares a big lesson he learned at the age of 12 that changed his life Explains how a 21 year old bench warmer on his soccer team became an Olympic athlete in less than 4 years What if felt like to compete at his first Olympic games Why he quit the sport and why he returned after an 8 year absence Talks about the 2 kinds of courage that are needed to succeed Shares how he talked his 30 year old architect brother into trying out for and qualifying for the Salt Lake City Olympics The importance of finding someone who has done what you want to do, and learning from them You can reach Ruben at: Website: http://ruben-gonzalez.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ruben-gonzalez-olympian/ Email- tim@screwthenaysayers.com	cc/2019-30/en_head_0020.json.gz/line988
__label__cc	0.701388	0.298612	SF Insider > san francisco museum > Exhibits at the San Francisco Craft Museum Exhibits at the San Francisco Craft Museum CC BY-SA 2.0/Isabell Schulz/Flickr All About the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art All About the Jewish Art Museum in San Francisco More About the Museum of Asian Art in San Francisco The San Francisco Cartoon Art Museum The Museum of Craft and Design on Third Street of San Francisco’s Dogpatch neighborhood is the only museum in San Francisco that exclusively displays examples of modern and contemporary craft and design. Anyone who enjoys exploring modern art or who wishes to learn more about this contemporary expression is sure to enjoy spending time at the Museum of Craft and Design. Museum of Craft and Design The mission of the Museum of Craft and Design is simply to showcase craft and design exhibitions. The museum also educates the public with programs that define and delve into the role of these mediums in the global art stage. The museum was founded in 2004, and it is a non-collecting institution. Exhibits at the Museum Exhibitions at the museum rotate continually to keep it fresh and full of new experiences for visitors. The exhibits vary widely in depth and breadth, featuring specific artists or mediums of art. For example, architectural exhibits or exhibits showcasing specific creative processes are common for the museum. Members of the museum can attend special preview nights prior to exhibits opening to the public. Tours of the Museum Students are welcome at the museum, attending in either guided exhibition tours or in hands-on workshops. The guided tours include age-appropriate presentations by trained docents to help students learn about the concepts and designs in the exhibitions. Hands-on workshops feature guided activities with students learning how to design and create various forms of art. Adults are also welcome to participate in guided tours with in-depth presentations or in hands-on workshops to learn art skills. Advance reservations are required for group tours and to participate in hands-on workshops. Fees for workshops are discounted for museum members. Museum members have free admission to the museum, and children age 12 and under are also free. An on-site store offers books, jewelry, educational toys, home and office decor as well as other accessories. The museum art lab and the entire facility are also available for private events. With active and ongoing collaboration with individual artists, other museums and teaching institutions, the Museum of Craft and Design is a constantly evolving stage for creativity. The museum’s Dogpatch location makes it easy to visit before or after a meal or snack at a nearby restaurant or coffee shop. Visiting the museum to see the exhibits or to participate in one of the many educational programs provides art-lovers with many opportunities to explore and learn.	cc/2019-30/en_head_0020.json.gz/line990
__label__cc	0.609237	0.390763	<< January >> << February >> << March >> << April >> << May >> << June >> << July >> << August >> << September >> << October >> << November >> << December >> August 15 is the 227th day of the year (228th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. There are 138 days remaining until the end of the year. Up to 1900Edit 29 BC – Octavian is celebrated as conqueror of Egypt and takes over the ruling of the Roman Empire, later changing his name to Augustus. 927 – The Saracens conquer and destroy Taranto. 982 – Otto II, Holy Roman Emperor is defeated by the Saracens in the Battle of Cape Colonna, in Calabria. 1040 – King Duncan I of Scotland is killed in a battle he fought against his first cousin, and rival, Macbeth. 1057 – King Macbeth is killed in battle. 1185 – The cave city of Vardzia is founded in Georgia, by Queen Tamar of Georgia. 1237 – The Battle of the Puig takes place during the Spanish Reconquista. The Kingdom of Aragon defeats the Tarifa of Valencia. 1248 – The foundation stone of Cologne Cathedral is laid. 1271 – Philip III of France is crowned King. 1281 – Attempted Mongol invasions of Japan: A Mongolian fleet led by Kublai Khan is destroyed by a "Divine Wind" for the second time in the Battle of Koan. 1430 – Francesco Sforza, Lord of Milan, conquers Lucca. 1483 – Pope Sixtus IV consecrates the Sistine Chapel in Rome. 1511 – The city of Baracoa, Cuba, is founded by Diego Velazquez de Cuellar. 1519 – Panama City is founded. 1537 – The city of Asuncion in present-day Paraguay is founded, named after the religious feast day of the Assumption of Mary. 1540 – The city of Arequipa in present-day Peru is founded. 1549 – Jesuit priest Saint Francis Xavier comes ashore at Kagoshima, Japan. 1695 – French forces end the bombardment of Brussels, leaving a third of the city's buildings in ruins. 1760 – Seven Years' War: Battle of Liegnitz - Frederick the Great's victory over the Austrians under Ernst Gideon von Laudon. 1769 – Napoleon, French general and emperor, is born on the island of Corsica. 1824 – Freed African-American slaves found Liberia. 1843 – The Tivoli Gardens theme park in Copenhagen, Denmark, opens. 1843 – The Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace in Honolulu, Hawaii is dedicated. It is now the Roman Catholic Cathedral of the city. 1869 – The Meiji Government in Japan establishes six new ministries, including one for Shinto. 1901 – 2000Edit 1912 – Eduardo Schaerer becomes President of Paraguay. 1914 – The Panama Canal opens. 1935 – Will Rogers and Wiley Post are killed after their aircraft develops engine problems during take-off from Barrow, Alaska. 1939 – The Wizard of Oz movie premieres at Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, California. 1941 – Corporal Josef Jakobs is executed by firing squad in the Tower of London, being the last person executed there for treason. 1945 – Japan surrenders, ending World War II. 1945 – World War II: Liberation of Korea. 1947 – India becomes independent (separate) from the United Kingdom from the formal Transfer of Power as the Empire is partitioned and adopts the name Bharat, while the new mainly Islamic state of Pakistan is created. 1947 – Muhammad Ali Jinnah becomes Governor-General of Pakistan. 1948 – The Republic of Korea (South Korea) is founded south of the 38th parallel. 1950 – Assam is struck by a major earthquake. 1952 – The village of Lynmouth in Devon, England, is hit by a flash flood. 1954 – In Paraguay, the dictatorship of Alfredo Stroessner begins. 1960 – The Republic of the Congo becomes independent, with Fulbert Youlou as President. Exactly three years later, he is removed from office in a military coup. 1961 – Conrad Schumann flees from East Germany while on duty guarding the building of the Berlin Wall. 1963 – Henry John Burnett is executed, becoming the last man to be hanged in Scotland. 1963 – President Fulbert Youlou is overthrown in the Republic of the Congo, after a three-day uprising in the capital Brazzaville. 1965 – The Beatles play to nearly 60,000 in New York City, an event later considered to be the birth of stadium rock. 1968 – An earthquake strikes the Indonesian island of Sulawesi. 1969 – The Woodstock music festival takes place in the State of New York. 1970 – Patricia Palinkas becomes the first woman to play a professional game of American football. 1971 – Bahrain becomes independent from the United Kingdom. 1973 – US bombing of Cambodia ends. 1974 – The Seoul metro is opened, becoming the first metro in South Korea. 1974 – Toronto Zoo is opened. 1975 – Along with members of his family, Bangladeshi political leader Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, is killed in a coup. 1989 – F. W. de Klerk becomes President of South Africa. 1993 – Juan Carlos Wasmosy becomes President of Paraguay. 1998 – The Omagh bombing is carried out by the IRA in Northern Ireland, killing 29 people. 1999 – The Beni Ounif massacre in Algeria kills 29 people at a false roadblock near the Moroccan border. From 2001Edit 2004 – Hans-Adam II, Prince of Liechtenstein, gives his official royal duties over to his son, Alois, but remains as Head of State. 2005 – Israel's unilateral disengagement plan to evict all Israelis from the Gaza Strip and four West Bank settlements begins. 2007 – A magnitude 8 earthquake centred off Peru's Pacific coast, devastates Ica province, killing 514 people, and injuring over 1000. 2008 – Fernando Lugo becomes President of Paraguay. 2013 – Horacio Cartes becomes President of Paraguay. 2013 – The discovery of a species of mammal in northwestern South America is announced. It is named Olinguito. 2018 – A bomb attack on an education centre in Kabul, Afghanistan, kills 34 people; on the same day, an attack in the country's Baghlan Province kills 9 police officers and 35 soldiers. BirthsEdit 774 – Emperor Heizei of Japan (d. 824) 1171 – King Alfonso IX of León (d. 1230) 1195 – Anthony of Padua, Portuguese saint (d. 1231) 1250 – Matteo I Visconti, ruler of Milan (d. 1322) 1402 – Humphrey Stafford, 1st Duke of Buckingham, English politician (d. 1460) 1432 – Luigi Pulci, Italian poet (d. 1484) 1455 – George, Duke of Bavaria (d. 1503) 1575 – Bartol Kasic, Croatian writer and linguist (d. 1650) 1613 – Gilles Menage, French scholar (d. 1692) 1736 – Johann Christoph Kellner, German organist and composer (d. 1803) 1717 – Blind Jack, English engineer (d. 1810) 1740 – Matthias Claudius, German poet and journalist (d. 1815) 1743 – Thomas Henderson, Governor of New Jersey (d. 1824) 1769 – Napoleon, Emperor of France (d. 1821) 1771 – Sir Walter Scott, Scottish writer (d. 1832) 1785 – Thomas De Quincey, British writer (d. 1859) 1794 – Elias Magnus Fries, Swedish botanist (d. 1878) 1795 – Aaron V. Brown, 13th Governor of Tennessee (d. 1859) 1798 – Sangolli Rayanna, Indian freedom fighter (d. 1831) 1813 – Jules Grévy, 3rd President of France (d. 1891) 1817 – James Wilson Henderson, 4th Governor of Texas (d. 1880) 1824 – John Chisum, American cattle baron (d. 1884) 1828 – Jean-Baptiste Billot, French general and statesman (d. 1907) 1836 – Pyotr Boborykin, Russian writer, playwright and journalist (d. 1921) 1845 – Walter Crane, English painter (d. 1915) 1846 – Charles Woodruff, American archer (d. 1927) 1856 – Keir Hardie, Scottish socialist and labor leader (d. 1915) 1856 – Ivan Franko, Ukrainian writer (d. 1916) 1858 – Edith Nesbit, English writer (d. 1924) 1858 – Michael Hainisch, President of Austria (d. 1940) 1859 – Charles Comiskey, American baseball owner (d. 1931) 1860 – Florence Harding, First Lady of the United States (d. 1924) 1860 – Henrietta Vinton Davis, American actress and playwright (d. 1941) 1863 – Alexei Krylov, Russian engineer and mathematician (d. 1945) 1865 – Mikao Usui, Japanese spiritual figure (d. 1926) 1872 – Sri Aurobindo, Indian writer and guru (d. 1950) 1875 – Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, English composer and musician (d. 1912) 1876 – Stylianos Gonatas, Greek military officer and politician (d. 1966) 1877 – Tachiyama Mineemon, Japanese sumo wrestler (d. 1941) 1878 – Pyotr Nikolayevich Wrangel, Russian counter-revolutionary (d. 1928) 1879 – Ethel Barrymore, American actress (d. 1959) 1881 – Alfred Wagenknecht, German-born American activist (d. 1956) 1890 – Elizabeth Bolden, American supercentenarian (d. 2006) 1890 – Jacques Ibert, French composer (d. 1962) 1892 – Louis, 7th duc de Broglie, French physicist (d. 1987) 1892 – Walther Nehring, German general (d. 1983) 1893 – Leslie Comrie, New Zealand astronomer and mechanical computation designer (d. 1950) 1896 – Gerty Cori, Austrian-born biochemist (d. 1957) 1896 – Léon Theremin, Russian inventor (d. 1993) 1897 – Benedetta Cappa, Italian painter (d. 1977) 1900 – Estelle Brody, American actress (d. 1995) 1901 – Pyotr Novikov, Russian mathematician (d. 1975) 1901 – Arnulfo Arias, three-time President of Panama (d. 1988) 1904 – George Klein, Canadian inventor (d. 1992) 1909 – Hugo Winterhalter, American composer and bandleader (d. 1973) 1912 – Naoto Tajima, Japanese athlete (d. 1990) 1912 – Julia Child, American cook (d. 2004) 1912 – Wendy Hiller, English actress (d. 2003) 1912 – Guido Morselli, Italian novelist and essayist (d. 1973) 1917 – Jack Lynch, 5th Taoiseach of Ireland (d. 1999) 1917 – Oscar Romero, Salvadoran priest (d. 1980) 1917 – Yukio Tsuda, Japanese footballer (d. 1979) 1919 – Huntz Hall, American actor (d. 1999) 1919 – Dina Wadia, daughter of Muhammad Ali Jinnah (d. 2017) 1921 – August Kowalczyk, Polish actor, director and Holocaust survivor (d. 2012) 1922 – Lukas Foss, German-born composer (d. 2009) 1923 – Rose Marie, American actress (d. 2017) 1924 – Robert Bolt, English playwright and screenwriter (d. 1995) 1924 – Jo Benkow, Norwegian politician (d. 2013) 1924 – Hedy Epstein, German-American political activist (d. 2016) 1924 – Phyllis Schlafly, American conservative political activist and author (d. 2016) 1925 – Aldo Ciccolini, Italian-French pianist (d. 2015) 1925 – Oscar Peterson, Canadian jazz pianist (d. 2007) 1926 – Konstantinos Stephanopoulos, former President of Greece (d. 2016) 1928 – Carl Joachim Classen, German classical philologist (d. 2013) 1928 – Muhammad Haji Ibrahim Egal, Prime Minister of Somalia (d. 2002) 1928 – Malcolm Glazer, American businessman and sports team owner (d. 2014) 1928 – Paul Adderley, acting Governor-General of the Bahamas (d. 2012) 1928 – Nicolas Roeg, English film director and cinematographer 1929 – Anna Walentynowicz, Polish activist (d. 2010) 1931 – Richard F. Heck, American chemist (d. 2015) 1932 – Jim Lange, American game show and DJ (d. 2014) 1934 – Nino Ferrer, French-Italian singer and actor (d. 1998) 1934 – Bobby Byrd, American singer-songwriter and producer (d. 2007) 1934 – Darrell K. Sweet, American illustrator (d. 2011) 1935 – Régine Deforges, French author, editor and playwright (d. 2014) 1938 – Pran Kumar Sharma, Indian cartoonist (d. 2014) 1938 – Bounnhang Vorachith, President of Laos 1938 – Maxine Waters, American politician 1940 – Gudrun Ensslin, member of the Red Army Faction (d. 1977) 1942 – Pete York, English musician 1943 – Jean-Luc Mandaba, Central African politician, former Prime Minister of the Central African Republic 1943 – Eileen Bell, Northern Irish politician 1943 – Eni Faleomavaega, American Samoan politician (d. 2017) 1944 – Sylvie Vartan, Bulgarian-French singer and actress 1944 – Thomas J. Murphy, Jr., American politician, 56th Mayor of Pittsburgh 1945 – Khaleda Zia, 9th Prime Minister of Bangladesh 1945 – Alain Juppé, former Prime Minister of France 1946 – William Waldegrave, Baron Waldegrave of North Hill, English politician 1946 – Jimmy Webb, American songwriter and composer 1946 – Tony Robinson, English actor and television presenter 1949 – Richard Deacon, Welsh sculptor 1950 – Anne, Princess Royal, member of the British royal family 1950 – Tommy Aldridge, American drummer 1952 – Rudi Kargus, German footballer 1952 – Bernard Lacombe, French footballer 1953 – Vigdis Grimsdottir, Icelandic writer 1953 – Wolfgang Hohlbein, German writer 1953 – Mark Thatcher, British businessman and son of Margaret Thatcher 1953 – Carol Thatcher, daughter of Margaret Thatcher 1954 – Stieg Larsson, Swedish writer (d. 2004) 1955 – Roger Willemsen, German author, essayist and television presenter (d. 2016) 1958 – Simon Baron-Cohen, British psychiatrist and writer 1958 – Craig MacTavish, Canadian ice hockey player and coach 1959 – Scott Altman, American astronaut 1961 – Arjun, Indian movie actor and director 1961 – Ed Gillespie, former White House counsel 1962 – Moreno Mannini, Italian footballer 1963 – Valery Levaneuski, Russian activist 1963 – Alejandro Gonzalez Innaritu, Mexican film director and producer 1964 – Melinda Gates, wife of Bill Gates 1966 – Dimitris Papadopoulos, Greek basketball player 1967 – Alan Henning, British humanitarian and aid worker (d. 2014) 1968 – Debra Messing, American actress 1969 – Bernard Fanning, Australian singer, songwriter and guitarist (Powderfinger) 1969 – Juli Minoves Triquell, Andorran diplomat and writer 1970 – Anthony Anderson, American comedian and actor 1970 – Masahiro Endo, Japanese footballer 1970 – Ben Silverman, American television producer 1970 – Maya Soetoro-Ng, sister of Barack Obama 1972 – Ben Affleck, American actor 1973 – Amitabh Bhattacharjee, Indian actor 1975 – Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi, Japanese footballer 1975 – Vijay Bharadwaj, Indian cricketer 1975 – Brendan Morrison, Canadian ice hockey player 1976 – Boudewijn Zenden, Dutch footballer 1977 – Martin Biron, Canadian ice hockey player 1978 – Lilia Podkopayeva, Ukrainian gymnast 1981 – Brendan Hansen, American swimmer 1982 – Tsuyoshi Hayashi, Japanese actor 1983 – Luke McCormick, English footballer 1985 – Emily Kinney, American actress, singer, model and composer 1986 – Natalia Kills, British singer-songwriter, musician and actress 1986 – Besik Kudukhov, Russian wrestler (d. 2013) 1988 – Oussama Assaidi, Moroccan footballer 1989 – Kristina Karjalainen, Estonian-Finnish model 1989 – Carlos Pena, Jr., American actor, dancer and singer 1989 – Joe Jonas, American actor and singer (Jonas Brothers) 1990 – Jennifer Lawrence, American actress 1990 – Danny Verbeek, Dutch footballer 1991 – Petja Piiroinen, Finnish snowboarder 1992 – Baskaran Adhiban, Indian chess player 1993 – Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, English footballer 1998 – Gulliver McGrath, Australian actor DeathsEdit 423 – Flavius Honorius, Roman Emperor (b. 384) 465 – Libius Severus, Roman Emperor 778 – Roland, Frankish commander 1038 – King Stephen I of Hungary 1040 – King Duncan I of Scotland 1057 – King Macbeth of Scotland 1118 – Alexios I Komnenos, Byzantine Emperor (b. 1048) 1196 – Conrad II, Duke of Swabia (b. 1173) 1274 – Robert de Sorbon, French theologian and educator (b. 1201) 1369 – Philippa of Hainault, Queen consort of Edward III of England 1464 – Pope Pius II (b. 1405) 1528 – Odet de Foix, French general (b. 1485) 1552 – Hermann of Wied, German archbishop (b. 1477) 1621 – John Barclay, Scottish poet (b. 1582) 1714 – Constantin Brancoveanu, Romanian prince (b. 1654) 1728 – Marin Marais, French composer (b. 1656) 1758 – Pierre Bouguer, French mathematician (b. 1698) 1799 – Giuseppe Parini, Italian poet (b. 1729) 1860 – Princess Juliane of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld, Grand Duchess of Russia (b. 1781) 1904 – John Henry Kinkead, Governor of Nevada (b. 1826) 1909 – Euclides da Cunha, Brazilian author, publicist and engineer (b. 1866) 1925 – Konrad Magi, Estonian artist (b. 1878) 1931 – Nigar Shikhlinskaya, Azerbaijani World War I nurse (b. 1878) 1933 – Christie Fuller, Australia Singer 1935 – Paul Signac, French painter (b. 1863) 1935 – Wiley Post, American pilot (b. 1898) 1935 – Will Rogers, American humorist and actor (b. 1879) 1936 – Grazia Deledda, Italian writer (b. 1871) 1941 – Josef Jakobs, German spy (b. 1898) 1942 – Mahadev Desai, Indian activist and writer (b. 1892) 1945 – Korechika Anami, Japanese Minister of War (b. 1887) 1951 – Artur Schnabel, Austrian pianist and composer (b. 1882) 1953 – Ludwig Prandtl, German physicist (b. 1875) 1962 – Lei Feng, Chinese soldier (b. 1940) 1963 – Henry John Burnett, last person to be hanged in Scotland (b. 1942) 1967 – René Magritte, Belgian painter (b. 1898) 1967 – Manuel Prado Ugarteche, President of Peru (b. 1889) 1971 – Paul Lukas, Hungarian-born actor (b. 1887) 1974 – Yuk Young-soo, First Lady of South Korea (b. 1925) 1975 – Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Bangladeshi politician (b. 1920) 1982 – Hugo Theorell, Swedish scientist (b. 1903) 1989 – Minoru Genda, Japanese military aviator and politician (b. 1904) 1989 – Thrasyvoulos Tsakalotos, Greek army officer (b. 1897) 1990 – Viktor Tsoi, Russian singer (b. 1962) 2001 – Richard Chelimo, Kenyan runner (b. 1972) 2004 – Sune Bergström, Swedish biochemist (b. 1916) 2004 – Amarsinh Chaudhary, Indian politician, 8th Chief Minister of Gujarat (b. 1941) 2006 – Te Atairangi Kaahu, Maori Queen (b. 1931) 2006 – Faas Wilkes, Dutch footballer (b. 1923) 2007 – John Gofman, American scientist (b. 1918) 2011 – Rick Rypien, Canadian ice hockey player (b. 1984) 2012 – Harry Harrison, American science fiction writer (b. 1925) 2012 – Biff Elliot, American actor (b. 1923) 2013 – Marich Man Singh Shrestha, former Prime Minister of Nepal (b. 1942) 2013 – Slawomir Mrozek, Polish author and playwright (b. 1930) 2013 – Jacques Vergès, French lawyer (b. 1925) 2014 – Licia Albanese, Italian-American soprano (b. 1913) 2014 – Jan Ekier, Polish pianist and composer (b. 1913) 2014 – James Freeman Gilbert, American geophysicist (b. 1931) 2014 – James Cama, American martial artist and teacher (b. 1957) 2015 – Rafael Chirbes, Spanish writer (b. 1949) 2015 – Julian Bond, American social activist (b. 1940) 2016 – Dalian Atkinson, English footballer (b. 1968) 2016 – Stefan Henze, German slalom canoeist (b. 1981) 2017 – Gunnar Birkerts, Latvian-born American architect (b. 1925) 2017 – Vern Ehlers, American politician (b. 1932) 2017 – Abdirahman Jama Barre, Somali politician (b. 1937) 2018 – Rita Borsellino, Italian anti-Mafia activist and politician (b. 1945) 2018 – François Garnier, French Roman Catholic prelate (b. 1944) 2018 – Albert Millaire, Canadian actor (b. 1935) ObservancesEdit Independence Day in India, Bahrain and the Republic of the Congo Liberation Day in South Korea VJ Day, marking the end of World War II in East Asia Assumption of Mary – Roman Catholic Church and other churches in Western Christianity Ferragosto (Italy) National Day of Liechtenstein Mother's Day (Costa Rica) Retrieved from "https://simple.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=August_15&oldid=6298784"	cc/2019-30/en_head_0020.json.gz/line997
__label__wiki	0.700009	0.700009	American rapper, record executive and entrepreneur from New York NAS can also be a shorthand for Network-attached storage Nasir Jones (better known as Nas) is an American hip hop musician and actor. He is most known for his first album, Illmatic, which was released in 1994 (jobs). It has been widely critically acclaimed. Nas has been nominated for twelve Grammy Awards. Nas performing Nasir Jones Nasty Nas Long Island City, Queens, New York 1993-present day Nas was born on September 14, 1973 in Long Island City, Queens, New York. On June 15, 1994, Nas's ex-fiancée Carmen Bryan gave birth to their daughter, Destiny. Nas was married to Kelis from 2005 until they divorced in 2010. She is the mother of his son. In 2010 Nas released an album with Damian Marley called Distant Relatives. It entered the Billboard 200 at number five. Three singles were released from the album. In 2012 Nas released his eleventh album Life Is Good. He wrote it after he divorced Kelis. The album got good reviews. It was nominated for Best Rap Album at the 2013 Grammy Awards. Amy Winehouse sung on the track "Cherry Wine". Nas will release his twelfth album in 2014.[1] ↑ Williams, Brennan (18 October 2013). "Nas Reveals New Album Details, Business Ventures & More" – via Huff Post. Nas at Def Jam. This short article about a person from the United States can be made longer. You can help Wikipedia by adding to it. Retrieved from "https://simple.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Nas&oldid=6433699"	cc/2019-30/en_head_0020.json.gz/line1000
__label__cc	0.683613	0.316387	Collaborative city 2018-10-31 2018-10-31 Smart city technology: a case for digital social innovation On November 4th 2011, the trademark smarter cities has been officially registered as belonging to IBM. It marked the beginning of a successful campaign to launch the company as an obligatory passing point for cities that wanted to become smart. As I wrote elsewhere: The success of IBM’s narrative rests on the suggestion of a systematic solution of urban problems by approaching these as parts of manageable system…. At the moment cities are sick and at the eve of a fatal breakdown. But, once new technology has been installed, problems come under control. Conquering the smart city market According to Oda Öderstrom, the narrative of IBM is an example of company storytelling as its evidence at that time was very thin, and still is. IBM does not stand alone. Cisco’s vice-president of strategy Inder Sidhu described the company’s ‘smart city play’ as its biggest opportunity, a 39,5 billion dollar-market. The prospects have rocketed: the consultancy firm Frost and Sullivan estimates the global smart city market to be worth $1.56 trillion by 2020. And the organizers of the 7th Smart City Expo from 26-27 November 2018 in Dubai promise companies a multi-trillion smart city market. The persistent policy of technology companies to usurp the use of technology in urban development angers me. Every euro they are chasing at, is citizens’ tax money. What has been accomplished until now is disappointing. Basically, no city in the world meets the current definition of a smart city: A place where technology is successfully deployed to realize sustainable prosperity and wellbeing for all citizens. Forces behind technological development I agree with Pieter Ballon, VUB-professor and Director Smart Cities at IMEC, who does not exclude that technology and data might contribute to the liveability and humanity of our cities. However, in order to reach this goal becoming dependent from big technology companies is the last thing to do. The same applies to all those fourth industrial revolution adepts who claim that thanks to new enablers and tools like the Internet of things, 3D printing, big data, connected devices, wearables and blockchain anything can be transformed in a more efficient way. As the World Economic Forum states: “no technology is neutral” – and the powers of the Fourth Industrial Revolution certainly aren’t. As a consequence, the Forum states that application of technology must be preceded by a broad policy discussion about a number of technology-related questions. Calling for such a discussion is probably too late already. As Bas Boorsma states (A New Digital Deal by Bas Boorsma, Rainmaking Publications, 2017, page 52): “A couple of years ago we believed digitalization to facilitate the emergence of a ‘true’ free market, i.e. an economy based on peer-to-peer principles, collaboration, with small enterprises relying on the network effect and digital tools to conduct business in ways previously reserved for large corporations.” However, the network paradigm and the platform economy have been appropriated by big companies and some governments. As a consequence, the workings of capitalism, revitalizing monopolism and oligarchy have been strengthened. “Digitalization-powered capitalism now possesses a speed, agility and rawness that is unprecedented” (A New Digital Deal, p.54). Elsewhere I have compared Bas Boorsma’s view of technology with Alan Greenfields’, one of the most outspoken opponents of the smart city idea. As a consequence, most of our capacity to influence the direction of the development of technology has been lost already and is taken over by oligopolistic giants like Apple, Google, Microsoft, Amazon and other technology companies (Adam Greenfield: Radical Technologies: The design of every day life. Verso 2017). First because digital technology is constraining us through the rules contained in its code, secondly because they capture, process and store, through the gathering of data almost everything about our lives. Thirdly, technologies control our perception of the world, because it is gathering, filtering and producing information, like the virtues of a tech-enabled society, smart cities included. Countervailing power: Digital Social Innovation The question is whether this development can be countered. As a first step, policy has to recapture technology companies’ activities in democratic procedures, disclosing full transparency of their cost and benefits and recovering competition. However, more is needed. This can be summarized as digital social innovation. Digital social innovation goes beyond political control over the application of digital technology and data, which already is a tremendous challenge. Realizing the full benefits of technology requires changing relations between people themselves, towards more co-operation and away from the executing of power. The recent Manifesto for Digital Social Innovation (2017), has compiled a list of the core values. Among these are openness and transparency, democracy and decentralization, experimentation and adoption, multi-disciplinarily and digital skills for anybody. But citizens themselves have to address together the imbalances of power shaping their social environment and making social relations more just, inclusive and democratic instead. After Ada Colau became mayor of Barcelona in 2015, the town started a new phase in its smart city history. As described here, digital tools were deployed to democratize the government of the city, with open data and open standards as key enablers. The city is making privacy, data sovereignty, and data security core elements of its approach. The intention is in the first place to open up governance through participatory processes and in the second place to ensure that the smart city would serve its citizens in a way the citizens choose by themselves, rather than the other way around. From a digital social innovation perspective, decarbonization is not simply exchanging fossil energy by sustainable energy: Instead, it is about people who decide together how and why they organize the production and consumption of energy in the future. The same applies to future patterns of mobility. Whatever politics decide and what types of cars automotive companies bring to the market, citizens have to decide together how their neighborhoods regain liveable and how different mobility solutions can contribute. For instance, how the use of cars can be decreased and how the decreased number of cars can be shared best. The development of citizens science is part of this movement. People in many towns are gathering their own data to explore liveability and health issues. The video below is the trailer of the documentary Citizen Science Revolution, which premiere was at 25th October in de Waag Amsterdam. It is promising to see how digital social innovation has taken off. About 1,200 organizations are recently mapped by DSI Europe, and many more around the world. A couple of ‘traditional’ innovation agencies also have adopted some of the language of digital social innovation such as Sweden’s Vinnova, Finland’s Sitra, Canada’s MaRS and Malaysia’s AIM. A few mayors have demonstrated their commitment to digital social innovation, such as the legendary Won Soon Park in Seoul. The digital social innovation movement is countering the corporate-based brand of smart city development, looking for ways to empower people – individually or collectively – with technology, high tech and low tech as well. Social digital innovation is changing the way how people live together, deploying technological devises and data as a contribution towards a better life. ) Source header: Shutterstock *) This article was brought to you by Professor Herman van den Bosch, Professor at Open University of The Netherlands. Tesla powerpack will store solar power and discharge later Inspiring circular economy projects from 16 cities Collaborative city, Energy, Sustainability	cc/2019-30/en_head_0020.json.gz/line1005
__label__cc	0.731958	0.268042	Spirit Of The Sikh Every Sikh has a story to tell…and this is my experience. It is a collection of thoughts and reflections as I journey on this path with the Guru. In these essays, poems, and random thoughts – I hope to learn more about myself, learn more about my Guru, and strengthen the bond between the two. Combating Hunger…One Meal at a Time By RP Singh “Everybody can be great…because anybody can serve. You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. You don’t have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.” – Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Last week, in celebration of Dr. King’s legacy, the DC Metro satellite of Kid’s Against Hunger drew volunteers all across the DC, Maryland, and Virginia area for a hugely successful meal packaging event. Kid’s Against Hunger (KAH) is a non-profit organization with the mission to significantly reduce the number of hungry children in the United States and to feed starving children throughout the world. This is accomplished through partnering with satellite organizations who raise funds, organize volunteers, and arrange events where meal packets (consisting of soy, rice, vegetable blend, and flavored vitamin powder) are filled, sealed, and packed for a population in need. Meals are then transported through KAH’s broad network of humanitarian organizations. I came to learn about KAH, as the DC Metro satellite was founded by a group of young Sikh professionals in the DC area only six months ago. One of the founders, Romi Bhatia, a professor at George Washington University’s School of Business with a background in microfinance, learned about KAH from a report on The News Hour with Jim Lehrer back in August 2009. “It was the simplicity of it all that initially appealed to me”, Bhatia said, describing the packaging events where volunteers meet in a central location to package nutritious meals for an underserved population. “We wanted to create an avenue where the work of local volunteers, who are willing to spare a few hours, can have far-reaching impact globally.” Shortly after watching the news report, Bhatia called the KAH headquarters in New Hope, MN and was surprised to learn that of the 70 satellite locations, the DC Metro area was not one of them. By September 2009, Bhatia and others gathered a handful of like-minded people to discuss the idea. Two months later, after raising their initial funds and establishing their non-profit organization status, they held their first packaging event – recruiting over 30 volunteers and packaging 9,500 meals. Three months later for their second packaging event on Dr. King’s Day of Service, they set a goal to package 18,500 meals. However, through the flurry of facebook invites and the announcement that all packaged meals would be sent to the recently earthquake-stricken Haiti, the number of volunteers tripled, topping 100 – in which 21,750 meals were packaged. It even received coverage from the local media [see below]. “It was amazing to see such a huge turnout and so many people come together for a common goal“, said Veena Chawla, a KAH-DC Metro board member and physician at a local primary care clinic. “We have to realize that it doesn’t really take a lot of money or even a lot of effort to make a difference in someone’s life”, said Chawla. I must admit, last week’s event was one of the few times I’ve seen dozens of volunteers from all races, religions, and backgrounds all diligently volunteering for an initiative that was founded and managed by Sikhs. Bhatia, however, feels this is very much in line with their satellite’s mission. “Although the board is currently made up of Sikhs, and many of our personal reasons for doing this stem from our Sikhi roots, our goal is to bring people together of different races, ages, and ethnicities to package and distribute meal packets. We are very pleased to see the diversity in our volunteers, and plan for our board to eventually reflect that diversity too,” said Bhatia. Following the work of the KAH-DC Metro satellite since its inception, it’s remarkable how quickly they moved from a handful of people discussing a concept in a living room to producing actual results, assisting people in need. Part of their success is due to the model they chose. Rather than “re-inventing the wheel”, they partnered with Kids Against Hunger to take advantage of its established infrastructure, yet they also created their own non-profit organization, where they have the flexibility to make independent decisions on their goals and even where they send the meals. More so than that, I believe it has to do with having a solid vision and a focused objective – in other words…focus on the work…and let the organization slowly build itself around it. The KAH-DC Metro team set a goal to raise enough funds and organize enough events to package 50,000 meals in their first 12 months. They are well on their way of accomplishing that goal and perhaps surpassing it. Congratulations to KAH-DC Metro for a successful launch! I look forward to hearing more about their achievements in the future. Check out the coverage from News Channel 8 on last week’s event [see above]. If you’d like more information on Kid’s Against Hunger – DC Metro, or would like to make a donation…please visit: http://www.kahdcmetro.org/Kids_Against_Hunger_DC_Metro/Home.html About RP Singh Writer. Reader. Runner. Thinker. Seeker View all posts by RP Singh This entry was posted on Tuesday, January 26th, 2010 at 3:18 am and posted in Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. « A New Day… Book Review: A Lion’s Mane »	cc/2019-30/en_head_0020.json.gz/line1011
__label__cc	0.566848	0.433152	Stephen Reid Case historian of science / writer / urban photographer The High House The High House by James Stoddard This book is a survivor, one of those volumes that has come through multiple bookshelf purges over the years. It was purchased in an age of Brooks and Jordan and Star Wars novels, but it was solid enough that it remains when most of my pulp paperback science fiction and fantasy are gone. I was reminded of it recently by the graphic novel Joe the Barbarian, so I fished it off the shelf and decided to return to Evenmere, the epigrammatic house of the title, for the first time since childhood. Evenmere is the central idea and the setting for The High House, which is more of a fable than a fantasy novel. The story is of Carter Anderson, a boy who grew up in the country English manor and only now returns to it as a man. The master keys of the house have been stolen by Anarchists, and Carter has to seek the mantle and the sword of his missing father and take his rightful place of Master of the House. This house, however, is more than a rambling mansion. It is a world unto itself, with entire kingdoms and countries within its rooms, corridors, and courtyards. The image of the house itself is enough for Stoddard to hang his tale on, and the concept comes to life with his descriptive language. Evenmere is Gormenghast done brighter (even with the Room of Horrors). It is a more cosmological version of Wolfe’s House Absolute. It is the extension of the house Susan, Lucy, Edmund, and Peter found a wardrobe within. Stoddard takes the idea of finding an entire world in a cabinet and transforms it into a place where a suite of rooms can be a kingdom without ceasing to also be a suite of rooms. What is it about this kind of rambling, magical house that has such an appeal in fantasy? Stoddard’s house is a Christian house, the house of the created universe. There is an appeal here to a certain type of fantasy writer (and reader): those who believe the universe was indeed created and that we are all living in our Father’s house. It touches on a way of seeing the universe itself. Stoddard has his main character spell it out after a day of wandering empty corridors: I love these halls, the crannies and endless passages. The secret panels. The promise of adventure. I think there is something wonderful in all the desolate places. It’s like being a child again, walking outside at night, with the wind stirring the trees, and the sudden fear that something would leap out before I reached the house. But beyond the fear there was a question, a mystery of what inhabits a land when no man is there. What do the trees do when they are alone? And the stones? And this is another desolate place. Think of it, year upon year, and perhaps we are the first ones to walk her halls in many lifetimes. It is the same thought a friend voiced upon viewing a planetarium show on exoplanets: what does it mean that there are these worlds out there with measurable wind speeds and surface temperatures? How is it significant? In a sense, these places are the empty rooms, the barren corridors. For a writer like Stoddard, they are not simply random or wasted space. They are aspects and portions of a created order. Evenmere is a representation of a universe in which every seam and joining of space was crafted. There is meaning or significance to all of it. The characters spend days walking down empty corridors with dusty sconces and threadbare carpet. But even the empty parts were designed. They are part of the plan of the house. As empty or desolate or far away as they may be, as endless, they are still part of a home. That’s the power of this book, the idea of a house as an entire universe, which reflects the idea of the entire universe as a house. The rest of the work, unfortunately, has not held up as well as it did when this book first captured me. The characters, though likable, are wooden and predictable. Besides their names, it is difficult to tell one from the other. It is a fable, not a character piece. You follow an Everyman on an adventure through the house, an adventure in which there are no deep personal twists or surprises or stakes beyond the survival of the universe itself. The bad guys, including the Wicked Stepmother, are unequivocally bad. The good guys have to wrestle with their own weaknesses but never in a way that transforms how they think. Everyone is on a set trajectory from the novel’s very beginning. In fable though, these are not necessarily weaknesses. More disappointing reading this as an adult was the realization that the central theme, a house that is a universe unto itself, could have gone so much deeper. Stoddard’s Evenmere is beautiful, but about halfway through the novel I started getting tired of wandering its corridors. The world of the house starts to become simply an endless variation of architecture and decorating along with a network of secret passageways, all painstakingly described. But a house is so much more than that. There’s an entire universe in the plumbing alone, or the chimneys and gas pipes, or a hundred other things that could have been brought into play. Stoddard has written a sequel to this work that I have not yet read, and he is apparently working on a third novel as well, so perhaps these are aspects of the house he will explore in the future. One final quibble: the dreams. A house that contains entire kingdoms within its walls is dreamlike enough, but a major portion of the action in this book takes place in long, meandering dream sequences that didn’t do much to move the plot along. These made the action drag. The High House may not be a perfect, tightly executed novel, but it is a wonderbook, a quest through a beautifully rendered world hidden in the hallways of a house as old as time. In this respect it is simultaneously as new and mysterious as a house you’ve never visited and as familiar and comforting as your own hearth. This entry was posted in Reviews and tagged fantasy, fiction, Gene Wolfe, Gormenghast, houses, James Stoddard, novels, reviews on August 26, 2014 by StephenRCase. ← Gaines, Michigan Gaines, Michigan → 1 thought on “The High House” Pingback: The Remains of the Day \| Stephen R. 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__label__cc	0.592411	0.407589	September 16, 2017 by Steve The Next Big Move: (I) Overview The Metrolinx Board considered its Draft Regional Transportation Plan for the GTHA on September 14, 2017 and approved its release for comment, subject to some last-minute editorial changes. This is an update of the original “Big Move” plan, and it takes the view of transportation needs and networks out to 2041. The context for this is summarized in a covering report from Leslie Woo, Chief Planning Officer for Metrolinx: By 2041, over 10 million people will live in the region. We need to plan for a future characterized not only by continued population and employment growth, but also by changing demographics (including an aging population), the changing nature of work, new transportation technologies and services, and the impacts of climate change. In short, we cannot stop. Our plan for moving forward – the Draft 2041 Regional Transportation Plan – calls for governments to move beyond The Big Move to put people’s needs at the core of planning and operations. This means: Completing delivery of current regional transit projects; Connecting more of the region with frequent rapid transit; Optimizing the transportation system to make the best possible use of existing and future transit and transportation assets; Integrating land use and transportation, and Preparing for an uncertain future. As the transportation network in the GTHA becomes more extensive and complex, travellers’ expectations will rise and transit infrastructure alone will not be sufficient to meet the needs of a growing region. Transit providers need to broaden the focus to address not just the quantity, but the quality of transit service for travellers. That means making transit more accessible, frequent, reliable, comfortable and convenient. [p 3] This is a fine, rousing opening statement, but I must say at the outset that for all its many components, the plan falls short in a key element: shifting more travel to public transit. That is not to say that over $40 billion worth of planned investment is without value, but at the end of the next quarter century, transit’s share of the travel market will not have budged much from current levels. Autos with their associated planning focus will remain the dominant mode, especially as one moves further out from major centres such as downtown Toronto. Just as with the original Big Move, we are running very hard just to stay in the same place. This is a dangerous situation on two counts. First, the political constituency for transit depends on its being valued by a wide cross-section of GTHA citizens. People who don’t use transit regard spending on new construction or operations as something for “them”. They wonder when there will be more roads for “us”. Second, if much of the travel is still not on the transit network, this means that transit has failed to attract its audience. This could be either because one can’t get from “here” to “there”, or because doing so by transit is simply not an acceptable way to make the journey. There is also a fundamental political and economic problem. Getting agreement that we need better transit, and just what that entails, is hard enough, but governments change, the economy waxes and wanes, and all it takes is one bozo politician with enough clout to bring the whole process to a stop. This is not simply a case of a streetcar hating mayor, but could be the effect of a “tax fighting” premier who sees his role as making things better for motorists and to hell with transit. Not to mention politicians at all levels playing the electorate for votes by cherry picking transit plans, not by building a network and embracing the need for frequent service beyond their ward or riding. Seeing a proposed new 25-year plan in today’s climate is a real stretch. Should we laugh or cry? The Evolution of Travel Patterns Four maps show how travel patterns in the GTHA have changed over the decades, and where Metrolinx expects they will go in the future. [Click to view as a slideshow.] In the 1970s, when GO Transit was a small-scale operation on the Lake Shore corridor, the focus of commuting was downtown Toronto with smaller nodes at Toronto International Airport (the name “Pearson” would come in the 1980s) and at Hamilton. Much of what we now call the GTHA was still farmland. By the new millenium, many jobs, but equally importantly many homes, were to be found in the outer part of Toronto and the regions beyond. This produced travel demands not just for commuting, but for all types of travel in areas poorly served by transit. Even within Toronto, the network design focused on moving riders to the subway and thence to the core area for work and school trips. Over the past two decades, suburban commuting demands have become more complex as more and more jobs spread over the area, and the many-to-many travel pattern is almost exclusively served by autos. The charts above would be more informative if the thickness of the arrows were proportional to the volume of travel, and if separate maps broke down this information by transit and auto modes. This would show the degree to which the planned transit network does or does not actually address growth in demand across the region. The “Future” map is, to me, more a case of wishful thinking than probability. It shows a simplified travel pattern concentrated on major nodes, but if the past decades have taught us anything, it is that the idea planners and politicians will dictate where development occurs is utter folly. Development goes where the money is despite the political rhetoric claiming that designated subcentres will be the happening places. It would be nice to think that building a base network to serve those future nodes will solve all problems but life isn’t that simple. One need only look at the centres within Toronto to see the utter failure of this approach. Those “centres” are monuments to a long-past political structure and to geographic accidents of land assemblies by developers. (One might say that Yorkdale is the real “centre” of North York, despite Mel Lastman’s attempt to build one on Yonge Street.) A related problem is that the transportation network will continue to be dominated by its origins as a downtown-centric system. Moving hundreds of thousands of people to a small part of the GTHA is easy work compared to linking homes and jobs across the huge region. Moreover, there is no guarantee that populations will conveniently shift themselves in alignment with the new corridors. This is a classic problem of “transit oriented development” – we always build transit long after auto-based travel patterns are established. New development may spring up on a proposed corridor, but that corridor must compete with a backlog of transit needs. The heart of the problem facing Metrolinx (and all of us) lies in directing land use and the disconnect between plans and actual development over long time periods. Over the next 25 years, the population of the GTHA is expected to grow to 10.1 million people and the number of jobs is expected to rise to 4.8 million. The population and employment growth as forecasted in the Growth Plan for the GGH is shown for GTHA municipalities [below]. While most of the growth in people and jobs will continue to occur in GTHA municipalities outside of Toronto, recent trends indicate that significantly more growth is expected to take place in Toronto than was forecasted, particularly in the downtown area. Suburban centres outside of Toronto, including designated Urban Growth Centres, may not see the concentration of growth envisioned in the provincial Growth Plan. Outside of Toronto detached and semi-detached homes are expected to continue to dominate the housing market. Nonetheless, higher density housing forms are becoming increasingly common in these areas, and a few significant urban centres outside of Toronto are starting to emerge. Office employment, which is a major driver of transit use, is becoming increasingly concentrated in downtown Toronto and in a few large suburban employment centers (see Figure 7). Importantly, significant employment is also occurring outside the designated Urban Growth Centres and away from existing and planned rapid transit services. Suburban employment areas continue to be designed around the car, and are difficult to serve by transit and to navigate on foot or by bicycle. The concentration of growth in downtown Toronto, particularly office employment, is expected to continue, furthering the need for increased transit capacity and access to the downtown core from across the region. However, most growth in the region is forecasted to take place outside of Toronto, and this will result in a significant increase in total trips within and between these municipalities. Travel in these fast growing travel markets outside of the city of Toronto has traditionally been dominated by the automobile, with transit making up only about 4% of trips in the morning peak period. Overall, 25% of population growth and 20% of growth in transit trips to 2041 is projected to be in areas of the GTHA where the current transit mode share is less than 5%. [pp 32-34] Notwithstanding the higher than anticipated growth in Toronto, most population and employment growth is forecasted to be in newly-urbanized areas. While travel to downtown Toronto is expected to increase, travel between suburban regions will grow even faster. Historically, this travel market has been dominated by single-occupant automobile, so in the face of increasing growth it is critical to reduce the share of people driving alone in this market. If this is not achieved, the result will be higher costs for travellers and taxpayers, and significantly more congestion and emissions region wide. [p 43] The GTHA’s population is expected to grow by 49 per cent by 2041, and with it, so will the travel demand. Within the City of Toronto, the increase will be about 25 per cent, but the jump will be much greater for trips between the “416” and “905”, and even greater for trips entirely outside of the City. The charts above show just how badly suburban travel has been served by transit in that by 2011 there were already more peak trips outside of the City than all of the travel forecast within the City for 2041. Almost none of this is served by transit as shown by the tiny green (transit) sliver of the 2011 mode share for these trips. Transit trips are expected to grow by 55 per cent in the GTHA overall. This is only slightly more than the growth in population. In absolute terms, the greatest growth in trips will occur within the City of Toronto with lesser contributions from 905/416 cross-border trips and an even smaller growth in the number of outside-416 trips. Transit travel times will be marginally better, notably for cross-border trips, but this depends on the full implementation of the 2041 plan. In the charts below, the “2041 Minimum” option would only add a few lines to those already under construction. The present and future networks are summarized in the maps below. These maps contain subtle choices in the display of information that are quite misleading. On the first map, the term “In-Delivery” implies that all of the lines on the first map will actually be built in the near future, but the status of projects varies from about-to-open (the Vaughan subway extension) to unfunded-and-unloved (the Sheppard East LRT/BRT). The new freight bypass south of Brampton will be an important component of unlocking capacity in the rail passenger corridors, but its construction could be as far off as the Downtown Relief subway which is not even on this map. The Draft Plan claims that all of these will be implemented by 2024: Sixteen more transit projects are In Delivery and are currently being planned or are under construction. These projects vary in scale and include GO RER, five LRTs, three BRTs, a Transitway, four GO Transit extensions and two subway extensions. These are all targeted for completion by 2024. [p 26] However, two projects in Scarborough are listed as “less than 10 years” from opening and that takes us to at least 2027 if not beyond. The Scarborough Subway is known to be at least a 2026 project, and the Sheppard East LRT does not even have funding and faces an uphill battle against those for whom only subways are good enough. On the second map, projects “In Development” include the DRL on which $150 million has been allocated for design work, but actual construction will present severe sticker shock. The only reason the DRL gets any attention is that York Region’s dream of a Yonge Subway extension cannot be built unless the capacity problems further south are resolved. The Eglinton East and West LRT extensions occupy a dubious status with the former unfunded (thanks to massive escalation in the Scarborough Subway project), and the latter potentially victim to a similar problem with cost overruns on the SmartTrack project (of which Eglinton West is part). The Waterfront lines are not even Metrolinx projects, and although they are under study, a chronic lack of funding has delayed actual construction here for years even with demand and development visible to anyone who looks. (The Waterfront LRTs will be the subject of a separate article following a public meeting on September 18, 2017 that will review the current thinking on design options.) Metrolinx projects that the jobs will be more accessible across the region, but the maps are misleading. The biggest problem with these maps is the use of a 60-minute screen in a region where the average commute, especially by auto, is considerably smaller. Moreover, there is no indication of the starting location for these trips, and the maps will be very different depending on whether one begins at Yonge and Eglinton, Malvern, Central Mississauga, Hamilton, Richmond Hill or Oshawa. The chart tells a very different story. Between 2011 and 2041 the number of people in the GTHA will rise from 7.2 to 10.1 million. Although a larger proportion of them will be in “walking distance” to frequent transit, the percentage will be under 40 per cent. This is four times the proportion in 2011, a value so low it is no surprise that the dominant form of travel is auto, but a majority of the population remains beyond an easy reach of transit. The situation for jobs is slightly better, but still over half of the region’s jobs will be beyond frequent transit. There is a disconnect here in that job locations will be proportionately better served than home locations making access to transit for many workers challenging, and reinforcing the notion that transit is not a reasonable alternative for many. Moreover, the maps and charts say nothing about income distribution and the degree to which lower income residents who are more transit dependent are forced to live in areas with poorer transit and longer commutes to jobs. This is mentioned in the text, but not underscored in the presentation. Despite some improvement since the recession of 2008, poverty is an increasing concern in the GTHA. In the Toronto region, for example, the percentage of seniors living in poverty increased from 10.5% in 2011 to 12.1% in 2014. As of 2011, more than one-third of all households and 43% of renters spent more than 30% of their income on housing, a commonly-used marker of affordability. Low income households tend to depend more on transit, but are more likely to live in areas with poor access to frequent rapid transit. This can limit access to employment opportunities, health care, education, and other services. [p 36] Street Design and Land Use A pair of diagrams is intended to show what transit-oriented street design should look like. This is nothing new to anyone who thinks of what actually getting to a rapid transit station entails. In “old” cities, a dense grid of streets places a large area within “walking distance” of a node, whereas in “modern” suburbs, large areas can be cut off from transit through inward-facing development patterns that turn their back on main streets. However, there is are fundamental problems with these pictures, well-intentioned though they are. A great deal of the GTHA, certainly those areas around probable rapid transit nodes, is already developed. The opportunity to retrofit an “urban” grid on these areas is limited. The diagrams do not show the effect of that plague visited by GO Transit on the region – parking lots that sterilize large tracts of land closest to stations. An 800 metre circle implies a substantial trip from home to transit, especially in poor weather. To put this in context, 800m from Yonge and Eglinton reaches from Avenue Road to Mt. Pleasant, and most of the way from Davisville to Blythwood. It is simply not credible that this constitutes transit access attractive enough to lure motorists out of their cars, especially with transit service only four times per hour. (By contrast, the Growth Plan uses only 500m circles for the zone of influence of a station, and even then does not rule out concentration of density close to the node to minimize average access time.) A Frequent Rapid Transit Network Metrolinx proposes an overlay of various service types to build up a Frequent Rapid Transit Network. Right at the bottom of these layers is the local transit network, an essential part of making the entire thing work. However, this is a rare acknowledgement in the overview presentation, and it gets little more in the full Draft Plan. The proposed 2041 Frequent Rapid Transit Network covers a great deal of ground, but the lion’s share of this is “Priority Bus”. Just how much “priority” those buses will get, let alone how frequently they operate, is a matter of some conjecture. “Frequent” is defined as service every 10 to 15 minutes, and this is on a fairly widely spaced grid of routes. When people think of transit in areas where it has a substantial market share, they think of much more frequent service. We are nearly a century removed from the TTC’s early goal of “always a streetcar in sight”, but to be a credible alternative transit must not involve long wait times. The grid nature of the FRTN and its dependence on local feeder/distributor services will inevitably impose one or more transfers in a typical trip, transfers that could occur on windswept roadways, not in the relative convenience of subway terminals and junctions. Getting from the near future map to 2041 will take some effort, and there are major problems ahead: Little of this has committed funding, and the amounts involved are routinely portrayed in some political circles as waste, not as investments in the region’s future. There is little guarantee that all of the network will be built, and there is certain to be a long interim period where there are many “missing links”. The level of service on the incomplete network, and especially on the local transit layer, is likely to be poor, operated at a level to just handle the demand that shows up, not as a real encouragement for auto users to switch to transit. The priority for spending on the many components will be influenced by political considerations, and the order of construction may have more to do with ego and influence than with real need. Absent in the overview and in the larger Draft Plan is any definition of just what each component of the network will achieve. Are the lines needed today, or for future demand? How much effect will various components have on the auto/transit market split? How much more would be needed to improve that split? How much local service will be needed to make each part of the regional plan viable? The Draft Plan contains five strategies, each with its own set of goals. 1. Complete Delivery of Current Regional Projects Complete building GO, LRT, BRT and Subway projects that are in delivery Advance rapid transit projects that are in development Strengthen Union Station’s capacity for GO expansion beyond 2025 Co-ordinate with the province’s High Speed Rail Plan Exactly what “advancing” projects in development entails is hard to determine. They occupy a position in the maps above implying some degree of priority following works already underway, but “advancing” them will not bring service to our local stops any time soon, if ever. As for HSR, that scheme has the flavour of yet another provincial boondoggle written all over it unless the focus is on providing service the region actually needs rather than building and operating a prestigious toy train. The memory of UPX and claims made for that service should warn of what can happen when politicians meet signature projects. 2. Connect More of the Region with Frequent Rapid Transit Implement a comprehensive frequent rapid transit network Develop complementary bus services (such as a regional 24 hour bus network) Improve access to airports by transit This is an odd set of goals in that a 24 hour network requires an underlying set of connecting services at least as much as the daytime network to make it accessible. As for airports, they are nodes to be sure, but there is much more to the region than airports. 3. Optimize Our Transportation System Advance integration of fares and services Expand first and last mile choices Set consistent quality standards for the traveller experience Develop and implement mobility as a service strategy Plan and design for universal access Incorporate Vision Zero framework into regional transportation planning Make transportation demand management a priority Expand the High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) network Integrate road and transit planning and operations Define and support a regional goods movement network That is quite a shopping list and it has least two clear subsets, one of which is very road oriented. It is amusing to see transportation demand management here because this has been talked of for years. The problem, of course, is that travel demand grows faster than anyone’s attempt to “manage” it, and it is unclear just how this would be achieved beyond the basic aspect of throttling capacity. Goods movement has been talked about since the dawn of Metrolinx, but almost nothing has been achieved, in part because the infrastructure involved is really not part of Metrolinx’ mandate. A fundamental conflict that the Ministry of Transportation must address is this: who are roads for? Are they for the ever-growing commuter demand, or are they to move goods? How much of the local street systems throughout the GTHA can be given over to freight as opposed, broadly speaking, to passengers? Is economic growth constrained by the capacity of the road network and the many-to-many demand patterns of freight movement, and what if anything can relieve this? First and last mile choices are important, and they involve many modes: walking, cycling, auto parking, kiss-and-ride and local transit. As the network grows and stations proliferate, it is simply not practical to deliver everyone to and from the core network by car, let alone to store those cars all day long. Recently there has been talk of self-driving vehicles as a “solution” to this problem, but those vehicles (leaving aside technical issues) still require road space, and they have to be stored and maintained somewhere. Are they part of a future transit system, or something we leave to the “private sector” to finance with varying degrees of long-term commitment? Will there be road capacity for all of the trips to and from transit stations? How much of the access can be provided by conventional local transit service, and who will fund this service? This chart implies a growth in parking spaces by about one third to 2031. Some of this construction is already underway, and there is no sign of Metrolinx shifting away from this tactic, notably in their designs for proposed new GO and SmartTrack stations. A vastly larger growth, twice the capacity of all existing parking in 2011, is foreseen for other modes of access. Metrolinx has yet to explain just how this would be achieved. 4. Integrate Land Use and Transportation Much of this section draws on goals that have been heard commonly in planning circles going back to the dark ages well before the internet, a time when vast areas in the GTHA were farmland, or possibly aging industrial areas that might be repurposed. Although some new communities can be built in keeping with these principles, a great deal is already in place and as a proportion of the total area, development built to these goals will not move the averages very much. Redevelopment of some areas around transit stations is possible, but this will be very ad hoc as large sites become available. Review legislative linkage between provincial and municipal planning framework Require transit supportive planning by municipalities for provincial funding Focus development on Mobility Hubs and major transit station areas, including joint development Evaluate incentives to support transit-oriented development Plan and design communities to promote shift in travel behaviour Complete a regional commuter cycling network Embed transportation demand management into land use planning Rethink the future of parking Encourage development of future generations of pedestrians and cyclists 5. Prepare For an Uncertain Future This is an even more nebulous set of goals because they depend on technology changes that are still in play. I must return to the basic fact that the majority of regional travel will not be served by transit, and that the number of trips in this category will rise in coming decades. This is not a question of tagging an autonomous fleet onto the transit system for last-mile trips, but of well over half of all travel outside the City of Toronto. Moreover, autonomous vehicles will not do much to squeeze more capacity out of the road network. Develop regional framework for on demand and shared mobility Develop region-wide plan for autonomous mobility Address climate resiliency of the transportation system Prepare for a future with low-carbon mobility options Develop a regional transportation big data strategy Partner for innovation Paying For Transit Metrolinx flags the need for sustained funding, but with a noticeable omission. The Province has made an unprecedented investment, more than $30 billion, in the region’s transit infrastructure. While this committed funding will cover the capital costs of building the 16 additional rapid transit projects that are targeted for completion by 2025, it does not include maintenance and replacement costs. Additional funding will be needed for new rapid transit projects after 2025, along with the complementary and supporting initiatives that are needed to optimize the transportation system, working collaboratively with other levels of government. Financial resilience depends on having sufficient funding sources in place and having them tied directly to the RTP. Funding needs to address both capital and operating costs and include the costs of financing and asset management. It also needs to make provisions for maintaining infrastructure assets in a state of good repair. Sustainable and reliable funding is necessary to carry out planning that takes into account what is feasible and what is likely to occur year after year (i.e., to align planning with what can be reliably delivered). [p 47] The question of funding the local transit network which is an essential underpinning to the rapid transit plan is only alluded to within “optimization” of the transportation system, and yet this will bring substantial costs that are now borne substantially by municipalities. Better local transit funding will be a hard sell in areas where the transit market share is projected to improve only slightly from minuscule. In future articles I will turn to specific sections of the plan, but for now other issues and activities will draw my attention. Responding to the Draft Plan is a challenge even for the merry band of transit advocates and critics, let alone for the wider population. Metrolinx wants to finalize this plan for its December 2017 Board meeting, and yet a considerable amount of background material has not yet been published. There is a strong sense that Metrolinx simply wants their map endorsed before the 2018 election, and will leave the details for another time. The consultation plan is shown below. This entry was posted in A Grand Plan, Beyond 416, Transit. Bookmark the permalink. ← Metrolinx Board Meeting: September 14, 2017 (Updated) TTC Overhead Shop Open House → 11 thoughts on “The Next Big Move: (I) Overview” Steve \| September 16, 2017 at 7:42 am Steve: “Ed” left a comment under a different thread: Hopefully there will be a post on Metrolinx’ Next Big Thing. That CBC article has much humour in it; mostly unintentional on Metrolinx’ part of course. DavidC \| September 16, 2017 at 12:09 pm Steve asks: “Should we laugh or cry?” I am afraid the latter seems more appropriate, the Waterfront transit “reset’ certainly seems to have accomplished VERY little except to postpone, yet again, actually building something. I love the Toronto obsession on consultation – and it can really improve projects of all sorts – but sooner or later decisions must be made and $$ must be allocated. Steve: And oddly enough, Metrolinx’ consultations are launched without a great deal of necessary background material available. They don’t want consultation, they want validation. Bill R \| September 16, 2017 at 6:45 pm Steve said: the Sheppard East LRT does not even have funding Hilary Holden, another Toronto transportation official, said the Sheppard project is “paused” but still funded. Steve: That article is from February 2016. Hilary Holden has been working in the UK for about a year. The Sheppard East line has no money allocated – it has all gone to the Scarborough Subway. Murray Lumley \| September 16, 2017 at 9:00 pm Thanks for your analysis. Makes for depressing reading – that the auto will not be replaced by good transit in the new draft plan. I can’t see how the implications of climate change, habitat destruction of other creatures living with us can allow this to continue. There is a wall somewhere, sometime that we are going to hit. It has already been hit in places around the world and close to home in the Caribbean, Texas & Florida as well as western North America. And the regular death toll from highway crashes, pedestrian & cyclist deaths will only grow after coming down when the super highways were built. Patrick \| September 16, 2017 at 11:21 pm I don’t think that most of these projects will remain on the books for long because with two Liberal corruption trials ongoing in the courts, a change in government is imminent and the Progressive Conservatives know nothing but to cut, cut, and more cuts. kd \| September 17, 2017 at 9:22 am I had a very different reaction to the plan. As I understand it: a) over its 40 year history, increases in ridership have been very closely tied to GO Transit’s willingness to provide parking (see page 12 of its December 12/16 GO Rail Station Access Plan for an interesting chart); b) Metrolinx now intends to radically change this relationship and has planned for the park and ride share to plummet from 62% of weekday riders to 36%/38% in 2031; c) at the same time they forecast total regular weekday rides will climb from 100,000 in 2016 to 225/250,000 in 2031. Combining both forecasts means that Metrolinx believes the park segment will rise from 62,000 last year to 86/90,000 in 2031, while the non-park group soars from 38,000 to 140/160,000. These numbers are very, very hard to believe. The practical problem is that most riders are unwilling to spend more than 15 minutes getting to the GO station – a figure that is impossible for most local transit authorities to manage for most customers. Theoretically Metrolinx could solve this conundrum by simply acknowledging that for many train users – especially most suburban riders – the automobile is an indispensable means of getting to the train station. The agency could opt to support its customers by say, running shuttles from off-site parking lots. However, I’m not optimistic. Elsewhere in the plan Metrolinx asks for new powers to control development and re-development around rapid transit stations in part to promote the Places to Grow program. If the Province grants the agency this authority, the agency will soon find itself in a conflict of interest between its classic role as a rail service operator and its new mandate as a high density developer/advocate. Call me a cynic, but it’s very easy to see driver-riders being sacrificed on the altar of political expediency and financial “prudence.” hamish wilson \| September 17, 2017 at 8:21 pm Thanks for all of this Steve, and pardon me for only giving it a once-over ahead of comment. There is a third aspect to the “dangerous situation” of the relative effort to stay in status quar (car) – the horribly ominous problem of climate change which we are doing relatively little about except making it worse. Transport leads our GHG emissions – again – and it’s growing, and we are not counting air travel in it all, though the laws of physics still prevail regardless. Both car-building and road-building are significant GHG contributors too; and we really have to measure all aspects of materials use soon, including in transit EAs. The ‘caronic’ denial of how devastating automobility really is will continue – odds are – as the bulk of the GTA population is more suburban and it’s just really hard to make transit so good in lower-density areas, unless there’s a LOT of back-stopping/subsidy. The transit subsidies are very transparent; car subsidies are buried, very thoroughly, in all sorts of varied budgets, so the tax fighters (alleged) can go after transit, but will usually ignore the costs of cars, including within the health care budget. vtpi.org could be a good resource. And as cars take up a lot of room on the road, the cost of providing all that asphalt is ignored, including land. Etc. etc. Bureaucrats won’t really risk careers to point out the obvious or the less-obvious, so we lurch along with inferior ideas and ‘planning’ depending on what the scheme du jour is, regardless of how blighting it actually is eg SSE (and I’m not saying Scarborough doesn’t deserve better transit, and don’t spend big money either) A very nice point on ignoring the actual people flows by mode: I’d love to see a people flow for the Lakeshore/Gardiner/King/Queen/GO corridor from the pinch point at the base of High Park in to the core. And providing a milk run and expecting that it will ‘solve’ this east-west issue, is pretty sad, but odds are, may be accepted. If we had people flow diagrams, we could also start thinking of new corridors, but also a newer way of thinking such as near-express routes. That’s what’s needed, along with preserving the rare chance of linear corridors when they appear, or actually investing in such things as that ‘missing link’ rail project to work on freeing up a valuable corridor near to Bloor etc. Bill R \| September 18, 2017 at 10:14 am Steve said: The Sheppard East line has no money allocated – it has all gone to the Scarborough Subway. From the Toronto Star Sept 18, 2017 “And today, plans for a Sheppard East LRT — supported by evidence and with funding from other levels of government — have stalled amid lingering political promises of an underground extension, meaning no rapid transit has been built at all.” Steve: My understanding is that all of the monies once earmarked for Sheppard East have been reallocated to the SSE. This is all part of the big shell game that is Scarborough transit “planning”. Three Card Monte would be more honest. Malcolm N \| September 20, 2017 at 11:28 pm I am somewhat bothered, in that they do not appear to have the backing or direction from government to be part of a general change to zoning. The province needs to force a general change to zone in coordination with a rapid transit roll out, to actually really move the relative size of modes. Remove the requirement for 1 parking spot per use, reduce the residential to 1 car per residence, in areas supported by the new plans, and allow the market to price parking. Perhaps that will start to move people to transit, and get pressure aligned to help its development. Steve: Another issue is the generic description of additional density near “rapid transit stations”. That could be anything from Finch terminal to a surface LRT/BRT stop, but under the Growth Plan the “reach” is the same, a 500m radius from any station, and so is the target density. The plan was clearly drawn up thinking only of subway and GO stations. More fine “planning” from Queen’s Park. Joe M \| September 21, 2017 at 9:23 pm Really? I was under the impression those funds were allocated to the Finch west LRT? The Province has not committed any more money to the SSE as of yet than the original (1.4B plus inflation) to my knowledge. Malcolm N \| September 25, 2017 at 10:12 am Steve said: “Another issue is the generic description of additional density near “rapid transit stations”. That could be anything from Finch terminal to a surface LRT/BRT stop, but under the Growth Plan the “reach” is the same, a 500m radius from any station, and so is the target density. The plan was clearly drawn up thinking only of subway and GO stations. More fine “planning” from Queen’s Park.” Yes, choosing to ignore there is a substantial difference between a busway, with a bus every 15 minutes, that heads to a GO station with service every 30, and a Subway stop on a line that leads directly to the core, or an LRT stop, on a line that transfers to a couple of others, has lots of employment along the way, and has a subway station on a line that goes directly to the core, as one of its stops.	cc/2019-30/en_head_0020.json.gz/line1018
__label__wiki	0.531585	0.531585	UMass Dartmouth Vijay Chalivendra did his doctoral studies in Applied Mechanics at University of Rhode Island in 2003. He later had postdoctoral experience during 2003-2005 at California Institute of Technology, Pasadena. He joined as Assistant Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at University of Massachusetts Dartmouth (UMASSD) in 2005. He received tenure and promoted to Associate Professor in 2011 and became full Professor in 2017. He published about 60 peer-reviewed journal articles in the area of experimental and analytical fracture mechanics of various kind of materials. He currently serves as technical editor for Experimental Mechanics.	cc/2019-30/en_head_0020.json.gz/line1025
__label__cc	0.650405	0.349595	Additional Useful Information New to Sefaira Smart Modeling Daylighting Design HVAC Design Sefaira is joining SketchUp and Trimble Buildings Annette Burgard Updated : August 30, 2017 16:18 Created : February 08, 2016 12:12 By Mads Jensen, CEO Sefaira In 2009, Peter Krebs and I founded Sefaira with a mission to democratize the design of sustainable and high-performing buildings. From day 1, we aspired to transform the building design process, and we took an uncompromising approach as we sought to push the boundaries of what technology could accomplish for building designers. In particular, we wanted to empower architects with the most sophisticated cloud computing power, in order to deliver something that had never before been possible – real-time performance analysis (principally energy and daylight) of 3D building models. In the building design community, we found enthusiastic support for our mission, and this is what propelled us forward as we built and released successive versions of our Sefaira software. It enabled us to build a great team that in turn created amazing software which today is used by more than 500 leading architecture and engineering firms across more than 40 countries. According to the American Institute of Architects, Sefaira is now the most widely used performance analysis tool by architects across the US. We are proud of the result we have achieved, and thankful to our customers and partners who have championed us along the way. We couldn’t have done this without you. Today we are beginning a new phase of our journey. We are excited to announce that – as of today – Sefaira has been acquired by Trimble, and going forward we will be part of Trimble’s SketchUp group. At Sefaira, we have always seen SketchUp as a big source of inspiration for how we wanted to build software. A powerful design tool that “gets out of the way” and lets designers exercise all their creative powers. This is how we wanted to build Sefaira, and thus it was natural for us to develop a partnership with Trimble following their acquisition of SketchUp from Google in 2012. Since then, Trimble has continued to invest significantly in the buildings space, creating many new technologies and investing aggressively to create a strong portfolio of offerings across the “Design - Build – Operate” continuum. In joining Trimble, we are now becoming part of an already large and rapidly growing family that has become a force to be reckoned with in the construction industry, and we are excited about the things we can build together. Importantly, with Trimble and SketchUp, we are expanding Sefaira’s reach so that we can now bring performance-based design to designers everywhere. Although we are part of a new family, our mission continues unchanged. We are as committed as ever to deliver powerful software and outstanding customer support to all of you. Our goal continues to be making the implementation of performance-based design as easy as possible. And expect to see even closer integration with SketchUp, alongside our commitment to continued support of Revit. Finally, a word of thanks to customers, partners and investors. You have all supported us on our journey so far, and what we have accomplished wouldn't have been possible without you. Our team is looking forward to continuing on this journey with you and our new friends at SketchUp and Trimble. We are proud of what we have achieved to date. Thank you all for being a part of it! And now, let’s get ready for the next chapter in the transformation of the building design process. Onwards! You can read more about the transaction and about Trimble Buildings on our website http://sefaira.com. Envelope Optimizations: High Insulation 30 Day Trials Section 2: Accessing Sefaira and Downloading the Plugins	cc/2019-30/en_head_0020.json.gz/line1027
__label__cc	0.643294	0.356706	You are currently browsing the tag archive for the ‘ancient hebrew’ tag. Watch – Episode #2: Susya’s Elementary School December 30, 2012 in General, video-post \| Tags: . President/Prime Minister, A story of a Palestinian village without basic infrastructure #2, ancient hebrew, archaeological zone, demolition, For treatment of Regavim’s misleading responses to the issue, israeli civil administration, judiciary, middle-east, mt hebron, politics, save susya, susya, The origin of the expulsion – A Brief history of Palestinian Susya, Write to the President and prime Minister \| 6 comments This video will introduce Susya’s elementary school, which was established four years ago and has been under the constant threat of demolition. The pending demolition orders issued by the Israeli Civil Administration (The branch of the Israeli army that deals with civilian affairs.) put at risk the basic right to education for dozens of young students, and threaten to destroy years of hard work carried out by devoted teachers. The school offers the first stage of education for children between the ages of 6-11 (Sometimes children attend even when they are older, as they cannot afford to continue their education elsewhere). The school is run by the principal, Muhammad Abu Jaber, and four teachers. The faculty members and the principal are also responsible for the maintenance of the school. Because educational alternatives are very distant and require families to pay for transportation, the existence of this school is critical to the lives of the younger generation of Susya. Watch! Susya’s Elementary School	cc/2019-30/en_head_0020.json.gz/line1029
__label__wiki	0.887275	0.887275	Your favorite band’s next show could be at the famed Stanley Hotel as AEG partnership cranks up concerts The historic Estes Park lodge, known for “The Shining,” has become a favorite stop for bands By John Wenzel Oct 10, 2018, 6:13 pm The Stanley Hotel is pictured from the front on January 12, 2016 in Estes Park, Colorado. (Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post) Scott Campbell wasn’t exactly desperate for another room to book. “On a given day I work on everything from Red Rocks and the Ogden and the FirstBank Center to the Bluebird and Gothic,” said Campbell, the vice president of talent for Denver-based promoter AEG Presents Rocky Mountains. “Not to mention the Larimer Lounge, Globe Hall, Lost Lake and festivals like Polofest, Velorama or the Westword Music Showcase.” But when presented with the chance to book regular shows at the Stanley Hotel — Estes Park’s 109-year-old lodge that provided the inspiration for Stephen King’s “The Shining” — he was happy to add another name to his list. “The Stanley Hotel is an immersive experience for fans and artists that you don’t really get in any other place in Colorado,” he said. “When you stay in the hotel it’s not uncommon to see the band hanging out in the packed bar ’til 2 in the morning. It’s just a beautiful, boutique landmark of a place and everyone who goes there has a great time.” As a popular tourist and wedding destination at the edge of Rocky Mountain National Park, the Stanley has in recent years renovated its mystique with experiments in spa culture, film festivals and performance stages. But this week’s news of AEG’s new booking partnership with the Stanley lends the latter national-quality connections, booking muscle and influence in the music and comedy arenas. “We’re thrilled to add the Stanley to our venue portfolio. Booking the hotel that inspired ‘The Shining’ creates endless creative opportunities for artists and fans,” said Chuck Morris, CEO of AEG Presents Rocky Mountains, in a press statement. “We’re already getting a ton of interest.” As Campbell tells it, bands big and small are constantly asking him for “boutique plays” when they travel through Colorado, whether coming off back-to-back, sold-out dates at Red Rocks or looking for shows in secondary markets such as Fort Collins and Colorado Springs. The Stanley, with its classic but understated glamour, spooky reputation and (perhaps most important) successful track record of hosting multi-night runs from performing artists, looks particularly attractive to them. “We owe much of the Stanley Live success to the idea planted by AEG Presents,” said Stanley vice president Reed Rowley in a press statement. “It was only logical that we further combine forces and take the entertainment program at the Stanley to the next level.” Rock-star holograms, Sleater-Kinney, Ludacris, Rachel Bloom and more Denver concerts on sale this week Wilco at Mission, Pitbull’s postponement and more Denver concert news this week “Where it all started”: Garth Brooks to perform before record-breaking crowd at Broncos Stadium Post Malone and Swae Lee will play Denver’s Pepsi Center this fall 12 places to catch free outdoor summer concerts in the Denver area While AEG is investing as much into the Stanley as any other mid-sized venue — with a booking team that includes Campell (who founded and runs the Larimer Lounge and formerly booked the 15th Street Tavern), as well as Danny Sax, Scott Morrill and Adam Stroul — the hotel won’t see a huge increase in the number of events it holds annually. At least not at first. Currently at about 40, Campbell expects the number of concerts and live performances to swell to 60 per year, building on the success of the first-ever multi-night performances there by the band Murder by Death, one of Campbell’s personal favorites. That experiment started casually enough five years ago, with the band, promoter and hotel staff all unaware of what a beacon it would become. Murder By Death band members appreciate the history and cinematic mood of the Stanley Hotel, said Scott Campbell of AEG Presents.( Tall James Photography, provided by Bloodshot Records) “Around 2012, Adam Turla, the singer, guitarist and creative force behind Murder by Death, was playing the Bluebird and I took them out to lunch,” Campbell said. “Adam pulled me aside and said to me: ‘We have this big anniversary as a band coming up and I want to do a special show at the Stanley Hotel, and I would like you to be the promoter.’ ” After some post-lunch research, Campbell learned the Stanley had a banquet hall that typically held weddings, complete with a stage that appeared suitable for a touring band’s needs. “You could definitely book a show there,” he thought to himself at the time. “So I basically drove up there, checked it out and booked that three-night run with (Murder by Death) over Martin Luther King Day weekend in January 2013. It sold out very quickly and that, at least, was a sign to us that this was the right band for the right situation.” In Campbell’s mind, bands that fit the Stanley best tend to have dedicated fan bases open to flying across the country to see their heroes (as many Murder by Death fans have) and potentially buying an inclusive hotel package (as the Stanley offers). But they also have band members who appreciate the history and cinematic mood of the hotel, as with Murder by Death — “a band steeped in film culture,” Campbell said. In other words, the Stanley is selling an experience, not simply a product. “Even the first year, people dressed up like they were at a 1920s New Year’s Eve ball (inspired by Stanley Kubrick’s 1980 film adaptation of ‘The Shining’). It’s more than just a party for them,” Campbell said. “It’s been so deeply successful that now we’re doing five nights across two weekends with Murder by Death. And the hotel is of course thrilled because they’re usually somewhat quiet in January.” Encouraged by the success of the shows, the Stanley began booking its own events and eventually expanded into other cultural offerings. As recently as 2016, owner John Cullen, the president of Grand Heritage Hotel Group, told The Denver Post he was investing $35 million in the hotel’s arts, entertainment and cultural amenities — despite the fact that he and his business partners paid a mere $3 million for it in foreclosure in 1995. Granted, parts of the 47-acre complex had been on the National Register of Historic Places since 1977, so its historic value was clear. But using live music as a launchpad for expanding the complex and drawing new customers had never occurred to Cullen. “No question the Murder by Death shows were the trigger,” Cullen told The Denver Post in 2016. “We gave them the entire hotel on one of the slowest weekends of the year and said, ‘Let’s just see what happens.’ Not only did they sell it out, everyone was really well-behaved, and we made a lot of money. So I thought, ‘What else is out there?’ ” After years of booking on their own, the Stanley’s decision to join forces with AEG Presents takes the pressure off promoting, ticketing, marketing and other concert-business concerns, allowing hotel staff to focus on the guest experience and development of the hotel’s brand. Adding more shows has yet to harm that mystique, Campbell said. “Normally I would think it could (dilute) it, doing 40-some shows a year there. But it doesn’t seem to have affected it at all. It shares some aspects with Red Rocks in that way. That, and the fact that tickets sell very quickly,” he said. As with Red Rocks, the 155-guest-room Stanley, which recently added a $10 million amphitheater, is also an increasingly attainable venue for many musicians looking to mix up their tour schedule with a legendary “mountain play,” including Los Lobos, David Crosby and Colorado’s own Big Head Todd and the Monsters (managed by AEG’s Morris). This week, Campbell also announced an April 15, 2019 concert at the Stanley by Texas psychobilly band Reverend Horton Heat, with openers Legendary Shack Shakers and Hooten Holler. Other projects underway at the Stanley include a revived schedule for construction of its 40,000-square-foot Stanley Film Center, which received an $11.6 million award from the state under the Regional Tourism Act. Once complete, the film center plans to offer a 1,200-person capacity auditorium, revolving exhibits and “a robust film screening and educational program,” according to a press statement. More about the neighborhood: Estes Park Post tags: AEG Presents, Rocky Mountain National Park, Stanley Hotel John Wenzel, Entertainment reporter John Wenzel is a reporter and critic-at-large for The Denver Post who has written about comedy, music, film, books, fine art, video games and other popular culture over the years. Last hit: First Colorado ski area to open for 2018-19 season plans to start running lifts this weekend Up next: Coroner: Verne Troyer death suicide by alcohol intoxication Scenic Trail Ridge Road at Rocky Mountain National Park finally opens for the season The raptors are coming: Rocky Mountain National Park closes some areas for the bird’s nesting season 5 of the best waterfall hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park Get to know Washington Park	cc/2019-30/en_head_0020.json.gz/line1040
__label__cc	0.555249	0.444751	« Does Disney’s Paper Straw Policy Violate The American Disabilities Act? Schlitterbahn Kansas City Likely To Be Closed For Good » Is Universal Rolling Out Attractions With Terrible Intellectual Properties? Theme Park University reader Adam writes in, “Hey! Love your website. All of your attraction information on Universal is really interesting. I personally think that a show based on the Bourne franchise and Nintendo attractions are terrible ideas. Bourne isn’t that popular and Nintendo is kind of dated. It just seems like a terrible decision. Why are they using them?” Great question, Adam! You bring up a sentiment I hear echoed a lot within the fan community. Let’s take a look at other intellectual properties at other theme parks first. Many people have echoed the same concerns as Adam. I’m sure he won’t be the last either. When Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout was announced for Disney California Adventure, fans were livid. Taking what had become an iconic attraction, The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, and morphing it into anything different seemed like straight up blasphemy. The announcement video was being shared all over social media. Even today, the amount of who “likes” versus “dislikes” the change is roughly only 20 percent on YouTube. That’s a huge margin. There were all kinds of fans looking to petition and letters were sent. However, at the end of the day, once the new ride opened, it’s been heralded as one of the best attractions at the Disneyland Resort. Disney Chairman of Parks Bob Chapek even mentioned at the last D23 event in Anaheim in 2017 that it was the highest rated attraction on property at the time. Then you’ve got “Avatar” at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. The amount of rage Disney fans felt over the new land when it was announced was insane. Theme park enthusiasts were once again livid. Many threatened to never visit the park again because of how “dumb” Disney was for acquiring the rights to a movie that had a highly profitable, but short-lived shelf life. Now here we are in 2019. Pandora is, without question, the gate-buster land that 90 percent of guests rush to as soon as the park opens. Wait times for Flight of Passage are the highest compared to virtually any other attraction at Walt Disney World. Yet, it gets the highest ratings from what I hear over any other attraction at the resort. Then you’ve got Fast & Furious: Supercharged at Universal Studios Florida. Make no mistake about it, we think this attraction is a dumpster fire. However, on paper, this made sense when they announced that the attraction was replacing the Earthquake attraction. Most younger guests weren’t familiar with the “Earthquake” movie even when the park opened. Yet, the “Fast & Furious” franchise is still cranking out films. In total, all eight “Fast & Furious” movies have grossed over $5 billion at the box office worldwide. It’s a slam dunk of a decision, right? Universal Studios Florida’s newest attraction is also it’s worst rated. Not only is it panned online, but I’m told that in-park surveys show it consistently in the bottom three of all attractions at Universal Orlando. I’m told that internally, Universal is working on ideas on how to “fix” the attraction. Anything from small modifications to complete overhauls. While none of it may come to fruition, we are closely following it. Then you’ve got the WaterWorld Stunt Show at Universal Studios Hollywood, Japan and soon to be at Universal Studios Beijing. Many of you reading this article may not even be familiar with the 1995 Kevin Costner film that inspired the attraction. It is regarded as one of the biggest bombs in Hollywood’s history. It had a budget of $175 million (which for 1995 was a lot of dough to spend on a film) and only brought in $88 million domestic. Since then, it has made some money via home movie and distribution sales. However, it’s not widely known. My guess is the majority of the guests visiting Universal Studios Hollywood have never seen the movie, but may have heard of it. Why is it still around? I promise I am not making this up. Consistently, the WaterWorld Stunt Show at Universal Studios Hollywood is in the top three attractions according to guest surveys every week. Sometimes it even ranks as the number one attraction. Wrap your head around that for a moment. It competes with the Wizarding World of Harry Potter’s Forbidden Journey ride. Yet, it sometimes even comes out ahead! It really is incredible and makes sense why they are duplicating it yet again for Universal Studios Beijing. Make no mistake about it Adam, Disney and Universal aren’t going to pour millions of dollars into any attraction without an intellectual property attached to it moving forward. That’s just not going to happen. However, the IP doesn’t have to be popular or even make a lot of money to be a well-received and successful attraction. In the end, that name recognition goes a long way. Maybe some guests have never picked up a Nintendo game controller in their life. Yet, they are familiar with what Mario looks like. They see an add for a Mario Kart attraction and it looks fun. And that is often enough to buy a ticket. It really is that simple. Time will tell if these attractions featuring Bourne Identity, Nintendo and others are well-received by the masses. Until then, just keep in mind, online fans have been wrong about new IP attractions opening in the past. And without question, they’ll be wrong again. Make sure to follow Theme Park University on Instagram, on Twitter, subscribe to YouTube and like our Facebook page! Want to support Theme Park University? Donate via Paypal! Doing any online shopping? Click on any Amazon link on this page and it helps TPU pay the bills and costs you nothing extra! This entry was posted in Disney, Theme Parks 101, Universal and tagged Avatar, Disney World, Fast and Furious, intellectual property, Nintendo, Universal Orlando, WaterWorld Stunt Show. Bookmark the permalink. Trackbacks are closed, but you can post a comment. fan51 Posted May 5, 2019 at 8:44 pm \| Permalink Biggest problem is Universal doesn’t have many popular franchises except for horror. They either need to produce more family friendly IP or buy out a studio. Warner Bros? Log in to reply.	cc/2019-30/en_head_0020.json.gz/line1042
__label__wiki	0.971393	0.971393	You must have Javascript enabled to view this content. MLB® The Show™ MLB® The Show™ 19 Show Shop Topps Now® PSN Login PennStateFencer I saw we're getting a new conquest map for Jackie Robinson day. Any chance we may need his card for some kind of mission? I feel like they did something like that back in 17 for Griffey Jr. and Sr. 4/14/2019 11:26AM PDT NOTandris The reward might be a jackie robinson card, the map might be a 42. I could be wrong though 4/14/2019 1:37PM PDT See original thread. Topps.com Forum Terms of Use Twitch Sweepstakes Rules Terms of Use Privacy Policy California Privacy Rights Major League Baseball and Minor League Baseball trademarks and copyrights are used with permission of Major League Baseball Properties, Inc. and MLB Advanced Media, L.P, as applicable. All rights reserved. Visit MLB.com, the Official Site of Major League Baseball and MiLB.com, the Official Site of Minor League Baseball. The Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum trademarks and copyrights are used with permission of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, Inc., as applicable. Visit the official website of the Hall of Fame at BaseballHall.org OFFICIALLY LICENSED PRODUCT OF MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL PLAYERS ASSOCIATION-MLBPA trademarks and copyrighted works, including the MLBPA logo, and other intellectual property rights are owned and/or held by MLBPA and may not be used without MLBPA’s written consent. Visit www.MLBPLAYERS.com, the Players Choice on the web. © 2019 Sony Interactive Entertainment LLC.	cc/2019-30/en_head_0020.json.gz/line1046
__label__cc	0.585217	0.414783	I don’t know about you, but i’ve always wondered that: why is a person from Philippines called Filipino when the country is clearly spelled with a ‘Ph’? Well, it was about time to have an article answering this question. As it turns out, the answer lies in the history of the islands and it’s not as complex as you think. So, here’s how it goes: (the article continues after the ad) Simply said, someone from Philippines is called Filipino because the word comes from Spanish name of the country: las Islas Filipinas. You see, the Spanish were originally calling the islands San Lázaro but in the mid-16th century the name was changed to las Islas Filipinas after King Philip II (Felipe in Spanish). When the name was transferred into the English language, the name was changed to “The Philippines” in order to match the English “Ph” spelling of Phillip. However, the English never had a suitable name for the people of Philippines – “Philippine” or “Philippinian” just didn’t sound right so they adopted the ‘Filipino’ as it was used in Spanish – with an ‘F’ and with the suffix ‘ino’. Interestingly, when the Filipinos developed their own national language at the end of the 1800s, they called it Pilipino – with a ‘P’. That is because the language is based mainly on the Austronesian language of Tagalog which has no ‘F’ sound. And now you know! If you like what you read, then you will definitely love this one: This Is The Difference Between ‘Latino’ And ‘Hispanic’ Photo: Wikimedia, MonicaVolpin / Pixabay Sources: Why isn’t it spelled “Philippino?” \| Why is “Filipino” spelled with an “f”? \| Why is Filipino spelled with an ‘F’ when the Philippines is spelled with a ‘Ph’? Why Are Mice The Preferred Animals For Medical Research?	cc/2019-30/en_head_0020.json.gz/line1050
__label__wiki	0.665017	0.665017	Stratospheric Seeds by Emma \| Jun 10, 2019 \| flowers, science, seeds, space \| 5 comments Last month, for my day job, I was writing about helium. Helium is the second most abundant element in the Universe (after hydrogen) and the lightest of the noble gases (which point blank refuse to react with almost everything). Helium is produced by radioactive decay, deep in the Earth, but it’s so light that it filters up to the surface, rises through the atmosphere, and escapes into space. Along the way it can get caught up in some geological features, and most of the helium we use is a by-product of natural gas extraction. It has a surprising number of uses, beyond filling balloons and giving people squeaky voices, and gets used a lot for chilling really cool (-268.9 °C/4.22 K) science experiments. Atmospheric layers (Image credit: scied.ucar.edu, via Wikimedia) I was writing about helium in its chilling capacity mostly, but whilst I was doing my research I came across plenty of stories of one of its other abilities – lifting things to the edge of space. Well, not really to the edge of space, just quite high in the stratosphere. A toy balloon will burst at an altitude of about 10 km; weather balloons can get to 30 km. It might not be outer space, but you can get some pretty cool pics from up there, and people do. What I love about this is that kids have been sending things ‘into space’ on helium balloons (makes for an interesting science project!), and people who are allegedly more grown up have been sending some daft things, too. Astronaut teddies MAT and KMS (Image credit: Cambridge University) My favourite story is of two intrepid bears, called MAT and KMS, who became the world’s first teddynauts in 2008. Whisked from a shelf in Mothercare and kitted out with custom made spacesuits by local school children, the teddynauts were propelled into the space flight annals of fame by a weather balloon made by Cambridge University’s Space Flight science club, enduring temperatures of -35°C and reaching 30,000 metres. After successfully completing their mission to monitor weather conditions above the Earth, the pair parachuted back down and made a soft landing near Ipswich, 50 miles from their launch pad. In fact, four bears took part in the mission, but it seems as though the other two were never named. History does not record what happened to the bears after their 15 minutes of fame, but I hope they are enjoying a thoroughly cuddly retirement. Sam the Dog soars above the Earth (Image credit: The Midland Hotel) In April 2016, another intrepid cuddly toy was launched. Sam the Space Dog reached an altitude of 15.5 miles (25 km) after launching from the Midland Hotel as the climax of a project by Morecambe Bay Primary School. Unfortunately, Sam became detached from the helium balloon during his descent, and although the equipment was recovered, Sam was never found 🙁 But a Sam clone made a more successful second flight the following year. NASA’s rubber chicken astronaut, Camilla (Image credit: NASA) In April 2012, a group of Californian students sent a rubber chicken to an altitude of 120,000 ft as part of a project to test the levels of radiation exposure during a solar storm. At the time, Camilla Corona was already well known among space enthusiasts as a mascot of NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO), and had more than 20,000 followers on Twitter, Facebook, and Google+. Camilla wore a pair of radiation badges, the same kind medical technicians and nuclear workers wear to assess their exposure, and a space suit knitted by Cynthia Coer Butcher from Blue Springs. She flew twice – once on 3 March before the radiation storm and again on 10 March while the storm was in full swing – to give the students a basis for comparison. Astrochicken Camilla was attached to the mission’s payload, a modified lunchbox filled with instruments – four cameras, a cryogenic thermometer, and two GPS trackers. Seven insects and two-dozen ‘Sunspot’ sunflower seeds (Helianthus annuus) were also sent up to test their response to near-space travel. The students planted the sunflower seeds to see if they produced flowers that are different than those grown from the seeds that stayed on Earth (but I can’t find a record of the results…). None of the insects survived the mission, so the students pinned their corpses to a black “Foamboard of Death”, a rare collection of bugs that have nearly made it to space. Space pie (Image credit: SentIntoSpace) People seem to love sending edible things into space. In December 2016, ahead of the World Pie Eating Championship, Sheffield-based space enthusiasts attached a camera and tracking equipment a meat and potato pie in Wigan and sent it to the skies on a weather balloon. At the time, it was believed to be the first pie to be launched into the stratosphere, and the alleged aim was to see if its journey up to 30 km changed its molecular structure and made it quicker to eat. Its flight lasted around two hours, and the pie touched down 38 miles from its launch site, near the Forest of Bowland. It was reported as landing “mostly intact”, but investigations showed its structure was actually different, and it wasn’t eaten due to health and safety concerns. A space-faring Bakewell Pudding (Image credit: S. Anselm’s Preparatory School) A Bakewell pudding launched in June 2018 was lost in space. Pupils tracked it to 52,500 ft (16,000 m) over Saxilby, near Lincoln, before contact was lost. They raised about £1,600 for the Guide Dogs for the Blind as part of the experiment, by asking local firms to sponsor them. The Bakewell Pudding is an upper crust version of the more modern Bakewell Tart, and if you want to make your own (for launch, or lunch), here’s a recipe. Spaced seeds (Image credit: Earth to Sky Calculus) In February 2015, students of Earth to Sky Calculus flew varieties of garden vegetables and flowers (turnips, cherry and beefsteak tomatoes, sweetcorn, green beans, bell peppers, jalapeño peppers, carrots, radishes, pumpkins, broccoli, sunflowers, cosmos, petunias and helichrysum) to the edge of space. The seeds experienced temperatures as low as -63°C and air pressures similar to those on Mars, and received 40 times the dose of cosmic rays they would have on Earth. Identical seeds remained on Earth as control samples, with the intention that the students would grow both sets side-by-side to see whether the trip had affected the viability, colour, size or taste of the plants. (Again, I don’t think they published their results.) This seedy space mission was partly a fundraising exercise for the students, who flew about 80 packets of seeds, and sold them off with control samples for people who wanted to try growing space seeds at home. Earth to Sky Calculus continue to send exciting things into space, including bananas: High flying bananas (Image credit: Earth to Sky Calculus) And an orchid: Astrorchid (Image credit: Earth to Sky Calculus) Speaking of flowers, in 2017 artist azuma makoto sent approximately 100 different kinds up into the stratosphere in three different bouquets, as part of a series of works placing elements of botanical life in naturally impossible situations. They were exposed to temperatures of about -43.9℃, climbing to an average altitude of 95,555 feet during 2 hours of flight. Prior to this, in 2015, the artist had sent a bonsai tree into space. Flowers in flight (Image credit: azuma makoto) This is just the tip of the iceberg as far as things that have been sent skywards on helium balloons, and some of them are definitely not safe for work. Far more sensible and informative are NASA’s stratosphere experiments, which are showing that some of Earth’s microbes could potentially hitch a ride on a spacecraft and survive long enough to establish themselves on Mars. Julieanne Porter on 10th June 2019 at 11:00 am This is so wonderful. Thanks for such an intriguing and exciting blogpost Emma. I love the idea that stuff is sent to space and then comes back. I would really love to know what happened to those different seeds when grown in comparison with their earthbound cousins. A shame they didn’t think to publish that. I’d love to know what the flowers looked like when they came back too. Now I want to send some seeds to space and then do a controlled experiment to see if they grow differently. Not now (health), but maybe one day I will. Just love this post – thanks for writing in such an accessible away too. Emma on 10th June 2019 at 11:28 am I think the reason the results don’t normally get published is because the school children aren’t conducting new research, they are following in the footsteps of professional scientists – so theoretically the results are known and it’s just a case of finding them! In HIGH-ALTITUDE BALLOONING STUDENT RESEARCH WITH YEAST AND PLANT SEEDS, it says: “Un-sprouted seeds have had very high survival rates in all of our balloon flight experiments. The radish and Brassica seeds in this experiment also had 100% germination. We assessed the effects of radiation by measuring a variety of quantitative traits including plant height and weight, the number of flowers and seed pods and size of the longest seed pod. Reproductive rates in B. rapa, as measured by the number of flowers and pods, were lower for seeds exposed to both cosmic and UV radiation, than for seeds exposed just to cosmic rays; both were lower than control seeds although these differences were not significant. The radish plants above ground weight at 5 weeks did not differ between treatments. Radiation should also increase variation in phenotypic traits. The coefficient of variation (CV = standard deviation / mean) is a useful statistic for describing variation. For every trait measured, the CV was greater in the seeds from the balloon flights than the control seeds. It is this variation that gives us the potential to find new mutations of interest. For example, the longest seed pod was from B. rapa flown on the outside of the payload and the largest radish plant, flown inside the payload, was 50% larger than the largest plant grown from control seeds.” There is quite a lot of interest in using exposure to cosmic radiation to generate genetic mutations that lead to new crop varieties, but that is normally done using dedicated satellites, or by sending seeds to the International Space Station, rather than by short duration balloon flights. There’s a lot of research into how plants are affected by microgravity and other off-world conditions, because it will be relevant to any long duration space missions in the future, which will have to be more self-sustaining than our current efforts. Julieanne Porter on 10th June 2019 at 12:52 pm The interesting thing, from what I understand, is that the end results aren’t that much different, and in some cases, a bit better, for those that went into space. I’d love to see them doing larger scale growing of plants in space, which as you say, would be necessary if we want to have self-sustaining space flight. Emma on 10th June 2019 at 12:04 pm Another fun story: Nikesh Shukla novelist launched a lamb chop into the stratosphere in 2014, as a promotional event for his book “Meatspace”. The chop came from Tayyabs in the East End of London, an award-winning restaurant famed for its Pakistani food. There’s a lovely Vice article which outlines the mission, including the bizarre events that took place after they lost the payload on its descent. Following an appeal it was found by a farmer in his threshing machine, but after numerous failed attempts to get him to return it, Shukla had to involve the police before the footage was recovered! Julieanne Porter on 10th June 2019 at 1:25 pm I read both pieces OMG, that’s hilarious!	cc/2019-30/en_head_0020.json.gz/line1051
__label__cc	0.747994	0.252006	Classes, Programs & Special Events All summer classes, workshops and events will be held at Farragut Town Hall, 11408 Municipal Center Drive. Register at townoffarragut.org/register, in person at Town Hall or by phone (218-3375). Payment is due at the time of registration. All credit card payments will incur a transaction fee. Cash and check payments are also accepted when registering in person. No refunds are given. The Town of Farragut is not responsible for costs associated with the purchase of supplies when a class is canceled. Making Medicare Easier Monday, July 15, 6-7 p.m. Cost: Free. Registration deadline: Friday, July 12. Instructor: Bruce Landis of Providence Advisors Group. Learn about enrollment periods, overview of parts A, B, C and D and supplements. Essential Oils: Succulent Garden Make & Take Wednesday, July 17, 6-7:30 p.m. Cost: $20. Registration deadline: Monday, July 15. Instructor: Kristi Hulsey of Tennessee Thyme. Create a fun, modern dish garden. Includes instruction, design assistance, one container, three succulents, gravel and essential oils. Add your favorite scent to diffuse within your home. National Moth Week with Ijams Nature Center (ages 8 and up) Saturday, July 20, 9-11:30 p.m. Cost: $5 for individuals, $10 for families (up to two adults and four children under 18 years of age). Registration deadline: 5 p.m. Thursday, July 18. Instructor: Nick Stahlman from Ijams Nature Center. Meet at the lower parking lot/restroom at McFee Park. Moths are among the most diverse insects and are truly beautiful. This is a nighttime event where we will attract, collect and attempt to identify moths for a nationwide citizen science effort. To register, visit Ijams.org or call (865) 577-4717 ext. 127. TWRA Boating Safety Education Saturday, July 20, 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m. – one-day class Monday & Tuesday, Aug. 5-6, 6-9 p.m. – two-day class Saturday, Aug. 10, 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m. – one-day class Preregistration required at tn.gov/twra. Each session limited to 50 people. Any Tennessee resident born after Jan. 1, 1989, must show the TWRA-issued wallet Boating Safety Education Certificate as proof of successful completion of the TWRA Boating Safety exam. No other certificate will be accepted as meeting the requirements of the law. Please bring Type 600 boating safety exam permit and a writing utensil to class. The permit is available from any business (license agent) that sells hunting and fishing licenses (Walmart, sporting goods stores, bait stores, marinas, etc.). For more information, visit tn.gov/twra. Lunch & Learn: Can We Talk? End of life issues conversation Monday, July 22, 12:30-2 p.m. Cost: Free. Registration deadline: Friday, July 19. Maureen Willis of Choices in Senior Care will discuss important end-of-life questions to examine and consider. A light lunch will be provided to those who preregister. Make & Take: Picnic Basket Saturday, Aug. 3, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Cost: $50. Registration deadline: Monday, July 29. Instructor: Sheri Burns with the Appalachian Arts and Crafts Center and Pellissippi State Community College. Participants make a basket perfect for picnics with colored reed and coordinating handles. Appropriate for all skill levels. All tools and supplies provided by the instructor. Summer Insect Safari with Ijams Nature Center (ages 3 and up) Saturday, Aug. 17, 10-11:30 a.m. Cost: $5 for individuals, $10 for families (up to two adults and four children under 18 years of age). Registration deadline: 5 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 15. Instructor: Nick Stahlman from Ijams Nature Center. Meet at the Saratoga Pavilion at Anchor Park. Fun for the whole family! This program will take you all over the park in search of everything the insect world has to offer. You never know what you will find. To register, visit Ijams.org or call (865) 577-4717 ext. 127. Intro to Farragut Learn more about Farragut’s history, government structure and operations, public safety, education and volunteer opportunities in this unique series of classes. Program kickoff is 6 p.m. at Farragut Town Hall on Wednesday, Aug. 21, and classes are at 6 p.m. on the following Wednesdays: Sept. 4 and 18, Oct. 2, 16 and 30. See article on page 2 for more information. Essential Oils: Back to School Health Wednesday, Aug. 21, 6-7:30 p.m. Cost: free. Registration deadline: Monday, Aug. 19. Instructor: Kristi Hulsey of Tennessee Thyme. It’s that time of year: the kids are heading back to school and will bring home all kinds of new germs and challenges. Learn about Kristi’s top five back to school essential oils to help you navigate the upcoming school year. Making Social Security Easier Monday, Aug. 26, 6-7 p.m. Cost: free. Registration deadline: Friday, Aug. 23. Instructor: Garrett Crawford of Providence Advisors Group. Learn the basics of social security so you can make informed decisions about when to file. d old jewelry parts, maybe an upcycled planter for all of those summer time herbs. It is up to you- bring something to repurpose and we have the rest!!! Cost is $10 and we will have some refreshing and tasty treats for you. Bring a friend, a neighbor or anyone who wants to get creative!!!AARP Smart Driving Program Friday, Sept. 13, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Cost: $15 for AARP members; $20 for non-AARP members. Bring cash or check to the class. Registration deadline: Monday, Sept. 9. Participants must bring their AARP membership card or their membership number to the class to receive the $5 discount. Membership numbers can be obtained by calling 1-888-687-2277. Participants must be 55 years of age or older and complete eight hours of class time to be eligible for a discount (up to 10 percent) on their auto insurance. The program, taught by trained AARP volunteers, is designed to cover such topics as age-related physical changes and declining perceptual skills and serve as a refresher course for the rules of the road, local driving problems and license renewal requirements. Coffee and snacks are provided. Participants should bring a lunch. Essential Oils: Balancing Healthy Emotions Wednesday, Sept. 18, 6-7:30 p.m. Cost: free. Registration deadline: Monday, Sept. 16. Instructor: Kristi Hulsey of Tennessee Thyme. We will have a light and fun discussion about emotions and some simple tools you can use to process them in real time. Also, learn some solid tools to make feeling and sharing emotions a little less scary. Stop the Bleed Training and Certification Thursday, Sept. 19, 6-7:30 p.m. in the community room. Cost: Free. Registration deadline: Monday, Sept. 16. The American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma is leading the effort to save lives by teaching the civilian population to provide vital initial response to stop uncontrolled bleeding in emergency situations. This will be accomplished by the development of a comprehensive and sustainable bleeding control education and information program targeted to civilians that will inform, educate and empower the citizens of the United States. Fun Farragut Fungi with Ijams Nature Center (ages 10 and up) Saturday, Sept. 21, 10-11:30 a.m. Cost: $5 for individuals, $10 for families (up to two adults and four children under 18 years of age). Registration deadline: 5 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 19. Instructor: Nick Stahlman from Ijams Nature Center. Meet at the Burnside Pavilion at Founders Park at Campbell Station. Toadstools, Dryad’s Saddles, Fairy Helmets, oh my! This program will introduce you to the fascinating world of fungi and lichens. This hike may go off-trail: wear appropriate footwear. To register, visit Ijams.org or call (865) 577-4717 ext. 127. Monday, Sept. 23, 6-7 p.m. Cost: Free. Registration deadline: Friday, Sept. 20.	cc/2019-30/en_head_0020.json.gz/line1054
__label__wiki	0.775228	0.775228	(812) 689-6181 \| Contact Us \| 128 North Main Street Mon - Fri 8:00 - 4:00 (Closed 12:00 - 1:00pm) Our Town's Rich History Emergency Shelters Live, Work Moving Here? Mainstreet Versailles and Play Annual Pumpkin Show Versailles State Park Busching Covered Bridge (Excerpts taken from the book "Tales of Versailles" written by Alan F. Smith. This book is published by Four-Sep Publications. Excerpts used by permission) A few copies of this book are available from the Ripley County Historical Socety (Scroll to the bottom to see a gallery of historic pictures) Versailles, Indiana Versailles, the county seat of Ripley County, is located in southeastern Indiana, 50 miles from Cincinnati, Ohio; 70 miles from Indianapolis, Indiana and 70 miles from Louisville, Kentucky. Versailles was founded in 1818 by the first settlers who came to this Indian Territory in 1781. 166 lots were sold in 1818 for the sum of $815. Versailles was incorporated in 1845. The Ripley County Courthouse was under construction for 5 years and was completed in 1864. The following year, the county treasury was looted by General Morgan's Raiders during his historic raid into Northern territory. The Town of Versailles was very fortunate in being the home of the late James H. Tyson, benefactor and philanthropist, who with Charles Walgreen, Sr. founded the Walgreen drug chain. Before his death, "Uncle Jim" Tyson generously donated Tyson Temple, a $150,000 church as a memorial to his mother; $77,000 of $200,000 for a school, a $50,000 library, and a $230,000 water and sewage plant. To this, he later added $100,000 to build the Tyson Gymnasium and the interest yearly on $500,000 stocks for civic improvement. The Versailles State Park, the second-largest state park in Indiana, boasts a 230-acre lake that borders the Town of Versailles.Versailles extends a cordial welcome to tourists visiting this scenic section of the Indiana hills of the Ohio Valley and hopes they will enjoy its many facilities. Choosing the seat The Ripley County Commissioners’ Books reveal that the state laws in 1817 required the commissioners to select a group of men to choose a seat for the new county. Those approved on January 4, 1818 were John DePauw of Washington County, Wm. Eads of Franklin County, John Conner of near Connersville and John R. Graham and Charles Beggs of Clark County. On May 25, 1818, John DePauw received $48.00 for 16 days, Wm. Eads $21.00 for 7 days and Charles Beggs $39.00 for 13 days for their services in selecting the site that is now Versailles. Town’s Naming Mistakes have been made concerning the naming of Versailles. Many claimed it was named Versailles after John Paul's ancestral home in France. This is incorrect as Paul was a Dutch name. Most probably it was derived from John DePauw, one of the three who selected the town's site, and for whom DePauw University was named. John DePauw was a Frenchman and is the one man of the group who would likely name the new town Versailles. The 1700's: From Territory to Township The Johnson Township-Versailles area has a history resembling a modern day fairy tale. After the disappearance of the baffling mound builders and during the time of the more modern Miami, Shawnee and Delaware Indians, the French controlled this land. Indiana belonged to the General Territory of Louisiana until 1721. The Mississippi Company divided the country into nine districts: New Orleans, Biloxi, Mobile, Alabama, Yazoo, Natchaz, Natchitoches, Arkansas and Illinois. Indiana was included in the Illinois Territory until the British defeated the French in the French and Indian War. It is believed that Robert Caveliere de LaSalle was the first white man to chart the LaBelle (Ohio River). LaSalle traveled over part of the river and made crude maps of the area and sent them to France where they can still be viewed. In 1749 Capt. Celeron DeBienville, with the aid of Indian guides, planted lead plates at the mouths of six rivers that emptied into the Ohio River. These plates gave France title to all the lands surrounding them. The sixth and last plate was at the mouth of the Stoney or Great Miami River. This plate has never been found, but would be a great prize for some lucky hunter. In 1742, according to the U.S. Geological Survey, Bulletin #1212, Plate #1, a Mr. Howard blazed a trail from Norfolk, Virginia to an area near southern Indiana. Many years later Daniel Boone made a shorter trail a little north of Howard's. These early trials usually followed old Indian or buffalo trails. The most important and only Revolutionary War battle of the locale occurred on August 24, 1781. Colonel Archibald Lochry from Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, with over one hundred volunteers, left Fort Pitt in rafts to meet General George Rogers Clark in Cincinnati. The combined forces were going to attack the British and Indians at Vincennes. Because of low water, Lochry was delayed and Clark proceeded to the Falls of the Ohio. While Lochry camped at the mouth of a creek two miles downriver from the present site of Aurora, Indians under the command of British educated Chief Joseph Brant, George Girty and Indian Agent Alex McKee ambushed the small army. Lochry was forced to surrender. However, before Brant could get his savages under control, Lochry and forty men were killed. The survivors were taken prisoner and marched to forts in Canada. The creek where Lochry was ambushed has been named Laughery for Colonel Lochry. The spelling mistake has been attributed by some to Roosevelt who was an avid historian and owned papers and reports of the battle. In 1787, the Northwest Territory was formed with General Arthur St. Clair at its head and was headquartered at Chillicothe, Ohio. The Territory was made up of what are now the states of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan and Wisconsin. The United States Congress enacted an ordinance to colonize this vast rich land, and even at the early date, land speculators and brave pioneers were grabbing prime locations with the hope of reaping huge profits in the near future. The Greenville Treaty of 1795 was signed with the Indians which included all land in the following area: land north of the Ohio River and west of the present Indiana-Ohio state line, and east of a line running north-northeast from the mouth of the Kentucky River (now the site of Carrollton, Kentucky) to Fort Recovery, Ohio. This area formed an elongated triangle which in sewing parlance is called a "gore." Thus, Dearborn County was within the area in the Greenville Treaty that was called the Gore.In the year 1800, the Indiana Territory was created. On March 7, 1803, William Henry Harrison proclaimed all land in the Gore to be called "Dearborn County." The name derived from Major General Henry Dearborn, Secretary of War under President Jefferson. Israel Ludlow began surveying from the first meridian line (Indiana-Ohio state line), and soon after William Ludlow and Benjamin Chambers were assisting in the surveys. In the 1780's, a Reverend John Tanner from Virginia, with his family and a few slaves, settled in a clearing across the river from the mouth of the Great Miami River near what is now Petersburg, Kentucky. While the slaves were planting corn and the Reverend was standing guard with his gun, nine-year-old John Tanner Jr. was grabbed by two Shawnee Indians. Manito-o-Geezhik, the father, and his son Kish-Kau-Ko, had watched for an opportunity to capture a white child and young John was the victim. Tanner was taken northward across both the Ohio and Miami rivers, finally to the Indian's camp farther north. John lived the life of an Indian for over twenty years, and afterward never was able to live with either the white or red race. The very first reference to anyone in the area of Johnson Township or Versailles was a story of a group of men who chased a small band of Indians from near the state line. They tracked the Indians to a spot up Fallen Timber Creek where they found a pair of elk horns as tall as the shortest man in their group. These horns were still covered with velvet, and the ashes left behind told that the band had suddenly departed. Early Town Facts On November 9, 1818, Carney Goodrich granted a license for an ordinary and to sell spirituous liquors in Versailles. Apparently saloons came before churches in the new town. Ripley County Agent Richey was ordered to advertise a sale of a Court House in the "Indiana Republican" at Madison and in the "Plain Dealer" at Brookville, and to sell lots the same day. This was to be scheduled for September, 1819. November 8, 1819, Joseph Bently allowed $30.00 for clearing a public square. Also on November 8, 1819, lot #19 deemed a public lot (jail lot). August 14, 1820, ordered that the agent John Ritchey have a court house built in the center of the public square in the town of Versailles. John Paul of Jefferson County, on November 11, 1823 conveyed a deed for 100 acres in the Ripley County Seat which was established and laid-out to John Ritchey for the sole use of the county. Some dissatisfaction appears to rest on the minds of some lot holders for fear that his heirs (in case the county seat moved) would claim the land. He made a quit claim to John Hunter for the sole use of the county, and purchasers of lots in the town of Versailles in April, 1825. Evidently some people were worried that since Paul had donated the first lots that later heirs could take away their property. The above transaction put that fear to rest. Surveying Change On June 7, 1819, the county agent was ordered to have the town lines cleared completely and have the 100-acre Town of Versailles laid-out as planned, and have the same on record. Versailles First Sheriff On February 14, 1820, William Skeen was appointed sheriff and ordered to give bond. Early Versailles Bridge September 9, 1871, a contract was let by the Ripley County Board of Commissioners to George Shook to repair the Laughery Creek Bridge. The sill was to be 58 feet long, 13x17 inches, plus two sills 20 feet long and 14x14, 4 sills 6 feet long and 12x14 inches. This included roofing the bridge, weatherboarding it with poplar wood, painting, and covering sills with tin. For all this he was to receive $500. The Famous Morgan's Raid Versailles played a part in the rebel raid into northern territory in 1863 known as "Morgan's Raid." Many books are still being written about this rebel raid, and the Ripley County Historical Society has several firsthand accounts on file. General John Hunt Morgan from Lexington, Kentucky, with approximately 3000 mounted cavalrymen, made a raid into northern territory with the hope of causing panic. This raid had several purposes. The North would have to fortify Cincinnati, drawing many soldiers from the Gettysburg area, thus weakening the Army of the Potomac. And, it would give sympathetic citizens in northern border states a chance to join rebel forces. This raid by Morgan had several motives, and although it was understood by many that it could not hold and secure the captured area, it would benefit the rebel cause. Morgan crossed the Ohio River below Louisville and, having six pieces of artillery and 3000 men, he easily captured two steamboats, J.T. McCoombs and Alice Dean at Brandywine, Kentucky. From here he proceeded in a northeastern direction to Vernon, Indiana. Almost everywhere Morgan went locals had quickly formed armed units with the noble intent of turning back the rebels. The spirit was willing but the flesh weak, and in most cases not a shot was fired, as at the sight of the invaders the resistance faded away. Morgan's Raid Facts On July 12, 1863, Morgan easily captured Versailles. The hastily formed militia and Tanglewood Home Guards, at sight of the size of Morgan's Raiders, prudently melted away. Morgan, it is said, took charge of the County Courthouse and Treasury. Morgan then notified officials that should there be any armed resistance he would level and fire the town. He positioned one piece of artillery at the corner of Adams and Water Streets and threatened to blow down the courthouse. Soon the Steinmetz and other saloons were emptied of their whisky, horses were stolen, and shoes, food and other essentials were confiscated by the rebels. The silver "jewels" made from silver francs by John B. Carrington were taken as loot, but Morgan, being a Mason, had them returned to Masonic Lodge #7. Morgan treated the captured towns and citizenry with uncommon respect considering that this was war, and had he not had control of his troops, the results could have been much worse. Morgan, after a short stay, proceeded northeast toward Sunman and on to Ohio. My great-grandfather, Fred Wilhelm Schmidt (Smith), was a shoemaker and lived just north of the square on the right side of Main Street. He hid his supply of shoes in culverts so Morgan's men would not steal them. Many people had their horses and valuables hidden from the invaders. Much could be written about the Morgan Raid, but there are so many versions, without actual proof, that the above covers the main facts of this important event. It is probably true that the rebels took guns from some of the resisting forces and broke them on the corners of the Court House and some stepping stones. One local account of the raid was written by W.C. Stark, and here is a condensed version by Stark: Stark and Bob Kennedy gathered 17 volunteers to go to Versailles and protect the town. Only one man, James Toph, was armed, but in their own minds they were without a doubt going to turn Morgan back. While on their way to Versailles three of the men, including Stark, began to realize how impossible their case was. Upon reaching the top of Firth Hill they saw that Morgan had already taken Versailles. Upon being spotted by some rebel scouts Toph opened fire, the rest, being unarmed, hastily retreated. Stark then thought he would telegraph Indianapolis and inform them of Morgan's position, and on his way to Pierceville met old man Horsley (on his way to preach). Stark knowing Horsley to be deaf tried to warn him and turn him back, but Horsley was not about to be stopped. Soon Stark heard shots, and later learned scouts had commanded Horsley to halt, but because of his deafness Horsley failed to hear the command and was the only casualty of the raid in the area. Morgan's Raid Story The Reverend B.F. Harris related this story. "My friend, W.M. Duley was treasurer of Ripley County. As soon as Duley was certain that Morgan would capture Versailles, he took all the money from the safe except $8.00 and buried it in his garden. When the commanding officer had the safe opened and saw $8.00 in change, he thought that a small amount for such a large county. Duley admitted that he sent most of the money to Indianapolis for safe keeping. Was Duley justified in telling that lie?" Morgan's Raid claims Below is a notice informing Versailles and surrounding area citizens who suffered losses from Morgan's Raid how they should apply for compensation. Also shown are the names of some citizens who have already filed with the Quarter Master's Department."Mr. George B. Cowlam, agent of the Quarter Master's Department, United States Army is in Versailles, stopping at the Hassmer House. Mr. Cowlam's business is to investigate such claims as have been filed for property taken by the Union Forces engaged in the pursuit of the Rebel Forces of General Morgan in July 1863, and to report to the authorities at Washington, D.C. charged with the settlement of these claims, as to their justness, etc. He will be at Versailles this week, taking up claims in the immediate vicinity and south of this point, and afterwards visit points along the railroad, Osgood, Delaware and Milan, notifying claimants when and where to appear before him to prove their claims. As this investigation is ordered by the government, is free of any expense to claimants and as those who fail to prove their claims when notified will only themselves to blame for the consequent loss it will be well for those receiving notices to appear promptly. Mr. Cowlam has now on hand the following Ripley County claims: Christina Anderson, Elijah Brown, William Bonforth, W.D. Bratten, Selah Bodine, Isaac Blaisedell, William Chadwell, Wilson W. Chance, James H. Cravens, Alex Connelley, John Cravens, Henry Durant, Davis W. Fuller, Alfred Flint, David Hastings, John Hanse, Jonathan Hill, Peter Houger, S.B. Isgrigg, Thomas Harper, Elizabeth Johnson, Margaret E. Johnson, Jacob Kirsh, Samuel Knowlton, Christian Luhring, Jacob Ludwick, Amos Laswell, Hiram Melson, J.D. Meyer, Adaline Malhop, Richard Morton, Daniel Marsh, J.V. Noyes, Nancy Pratt, Thomas Purcell, John Rea, B.E. Ransome, Eb Redlove, Harleigh Sage, Albert H. Severs, Samuel Shaw, David McKay, agent for Alfred Smart deceased, Lawrance Steinmetz, Jacob Steinmetz, Anthony Steinmetz, Eph Sparks, James B. Spears, Thomas F. Spencer, Joseph Stephens, Eliphalet Stephens, Leander Smith, J.W. Sweazy, Joseph Truitt, William Thompson, James Vanness, O.G. Willson, F.J. Wetzler, Julia A. Webster, William White and Nicholas Young." (Ripley County Historical Society)The famous Gordon's Leap A misnomer from the beginning, Gordon's Leap has remained just that for all these many years. Actually, the leaper was one John B. Glass, but by some quirk of fate, Dr. Jonathon Gordon was given credit for the deed. Gordon's Leap is one of the town's earliest medical takes, and is described fairly accurately in this excerpt from the Indianapolis Star Magazine. "Just half a mile northeast of Versailles, a point on the tremendous rock cliff that overlooks the Versailles State Park has been known as Gordon's Leap. It was popularly supposed that a young doctor named Gordon had leaped off the cliff to escape a mob. Doctor Gordon never made the leap, but another man did, and Gordon never went back to dispute the eerie story that named the bluff in his honor. It was in 1846 that a young doctor, Jonathon W. Gordon, began to practice in Versailles." Dr. Gordon lost a patient and could not understand why. He was quite interested in performing an autopsy on the body, but the family of the deceased would have nothing to do with the desecration of their relative's earthly body. Gordon then convinced two young medical students, John B. Glass and Bernard Mullen, to help him disinter the corpse. A guard was posted at the grave by the family, and he sounded an alarm which brought the townspeople running after the grave robbers. In the darkness, Glass ran over the cliff, though only suffered minor injuries, and later met up with his two accomplices.Gordon ended up fleeing the state, later becoming a lawyer as well as a decorated Union Soldier. The cases against the three fell into obscurity, but, perhaps because Gordon was the dead patient's doctor, the general public always held the belief that it was he who had jumped. September 14, 1856, William and Eliza Tyson became the parents of a son, James H. Tyson. Tyson was born on lot #3 on the east side of the Versailles Square. James later was known as "Uncle Jim", the great benefactor of Versailles. A.F Beer and his famous Pumpkin show The Versailles Pumpkin Show was the brain child of Alfred H. Beer, the enterprising Versailles jeweler. Beer was eternally thinking of some advertising scheme for his jewelry business. In 1889 he topped all his former ideas by starting a "Pumpkin Show". Other neighboring towns have tried to emulate his baby, but always failed. On Saturday October 14, 1899, A.F. staged his first show, and he promised five prizes. Prize winners were: Geo. W. Watkins, from Elrod, who won a gold-filled watch for the heaviest pumpkin, weighing in at 74 pounds, 5 ounces; second prize went to Henry Stegemiller whose pumpkin was a 68-pounder. His prize was a gravy ladle. Christ Thomas, of Cross Plains won 3rd with a 64-pound pumpkin, and he received six teaspoons. Thomas E. Wilson, Osgood native, won 4th, a fine clock, with his pumpkin which measured 5 feet and 3 inches in circumference. The Ugliest Pumpkin winner was Henry Ballman of Versailles; he was rewarded with a violin. Beer continued promoting the show each year until 1907 when the merchants of Versailles, finally realizing its merits, got together and staged the annual show. If you believe the old newspapers, each succeeding year drew the largest crowd ever. Farm products, flower arrangements, fancy sewing, culinary skill and other handicrafts were judged for prizes. Later, parades were staged, and each year these became a larger crowd draw. Finally, commercial rides were added, much to the delight of the younger set. Lastly, a big "Pumpkin Show Saturday Night Dance" added to the fun. An Annual Art Show is a yearly event today. For many years, neighboring town businessmen sponsored aerial acts, stage acts, etc., which were enjoyed by the crowd. This all stemmed from A.F. Beer's little business scheme. The Versailles Pumpkin Show is one of the longest running shows in the state. New State Park On October 11, 1934, the "Park Plan" was given final approval. 1500 acres were purchased in the initial land buy-out. 18 cabins were to be erected by the Civilian Conservation Corp (C.C.C.) boys near Dieckman's Ford. This was under the Federal Park Board, and the land was used at the time by the C.C.C. as the corps’ base. This C.C.C. Park was on ground purchased by the government east of Versailles, and is now the Versailles State Park. James H. Tyson James H. Tyson, industrialist, humanitarian, world traveler, philanthropist, and native son of Versailles, dedicated the twilight years of his life to the civic, religious and moral welfare of those in the Versailles community. Co-founder of the Walgreen Drug Company, "Uncle Jim" as he was affectionately known to his friends, remembered the place of his youth by building Tyson Methodist Temple, Tyson Library, the Versailles Water Works, a large portion of the Versailles Public School building, and by leaving an endowment valued at thousands of dollars to the people of Versailles. He was born on September 14, 1856, in Versailles and learned the printer’s trade at the Versailles Republican newspaper. Here he met the tramp printer of that age and learned of places he longed to see. He took his trade to Denver, Colorado, and then to Chicago, where he made the acquaintance of Charles Walgreen and together they organized the Walgreen Drug Company.After satisfying his deep desire to travel in all parts of the world, Mr. Tyson decided to bring a new way of life to Versailles, and devoted substance, time and energy toward that end. More About Our Town © 2019 Town of Versailles, Indiana. Design and Hosting by NavigateTomorrow	cc/2019-30/en_head_0020.json.gz/line1055
__label__wiki	0.678424	0.678424	Newsletter & Notifications BRITAIN GROUP info@traditionalbritain.org The Road to National Suicide by The Editor Browse Related Books The following address is a speech given by the Rt. Hon. J. Enoch Powell, MP, to a meeting of the Stretford Young Conservatives at the Civic Theatre, Stretford, Manchester at 8pm, Friday, 21 January 1977. Powell clearly explicated his views on postwar immigration and the grave threat it posed to the nation. Throughout the last twenty years, locally at first, then nationally, one political subject has been different from all the rest in the persistence with which it has endured and the profound and absorbing preoccupation which it has increasingly held for the public. This is all the more remarkable because of the sedulous determination with which this subject has been kept, as far as possible, out of parliamentary debate, and the use which has been made of every device—from legal penalty to trade union prescription—to prevent the open discussion and ventilation of it. No social or political penalty, no threat of private ostracism or public violence, has been spared against those who have nevertheless continued to describe what hundreds of thousands of their fellow citizens daily saw and experienced and to voice the fears for the future by which those fellow citizens were haunted. The efforts that were made during the 1930s to silence, ridicule, or denounce those who warned of the coming war with the fascist dictatorships and who called for the peril to be recognized and met before too late, provide but a pale and imperfect precedent. In all this suppression more than one powerful motive can be seen at work. On the one hand there is the primitive but widespread superstition that if danger is not mentioned, it will go away, or even that it is created by being identified and can therefore be destroyed again by being left in silence. Akin to this is the natural resentment of ordinary people, but especially of politicians, at being forced to face an appalling prospect with no readily procurable happy ending. The custom of killing messengers who bring bad news is not confined to the kings and tyrants of antiquity or of fiction. On the other hand there are at work the dark motives of those who desire the catastrophic outcome which they foresee. All round the world in various forms the same formula for rending societies apart is being prepared and applied, by ignorance or design, and there are those who are determined to see to it that Britain shall no longer be able to escape. I marvel sometimes that people should be so innocently blind to this nihilism. One of the ordinary weapons for the suppression of free speech and of frank expression of opinion is to allege that those who warn of a danger, be they right or wrong, actually desire that danger; that those who warn of war desire war; that those who warn of the materials of hatred and conflict being heaped up desire to see hatred and conflict come about. This is why Churchill was denounced as a warmonger. Because he did not fear to envisage and express the possibility and even probability of war, he could be accused of wanting it. The fallacy is obvious; for the interest of those who desire calamity would obviously lie in keeping silent till it comes, instead of crying out for means and measures to avert it. But the fallacy is nonetheless dangerous for that. Till now, however, there has been one essential bulwark against suppression of free speech and of open debate upon the nature and reality of the public danger to which I refer and upon the means to cope with it. That has been the necessity for those who aimed at suppression to prove evil intent on the part of their prospective victims. That condition was of vital importance; for it is inherently unlikely that any subject of public anxiety or apprehension can be discussed or debated without touching upon strong feelings, fears, antagonisms, emotions—indeed, that very probability is proportionate to the importance of the subject. If expression of opinion likely to have that effect is rendered criminal per se, irrespective of the intention of the speaker, then all free and open public discussion is rendered impossible, to the manifest endangering of the public interest; for the public interest depends upon the preservation of free speech. It ought to be understood that, in the intention of the legal advisers of the Crown, this bulwark is now to be swept away. That was made clear by a recent exchange of published letters between the attorney general and myself regarding the effect of section 70 of the Race Relations Act, 1976. For a criminal offense under that section to be committed two conditions must be fulfilled. Speech or writing must be “threatening, abusive or insulting;” and it must also be speech or writing by which “having regard to all the circumstances, hatred is likely to be stirred up against any racial group in Great Britain.” Now, I have never in a political speech used language which to my knowledge was in any natural sense of the words “threatening, abusive or insulting.” To the contrary, I have always regarded such language as self-defeating in public debate. However, the principal law officer of the Crown has asserted that in his view it was insulting to quote, as I did in a speech at Croydon last October, the expression “alien wedge,” which Viscount Radcliffe in a public address had applied to New Commonwealth immigrants, or to express the opinion that, in the foreseeable numbers and circumstances, the New Commonwealth immigrant and immigrant-descended population in our cities is not likely to be able to live and work in harmony with the rest of the population. The attorney general has further asserted that in his view race hatred against colored members of our community was likely to be stirred up by what I said. He added that he did not believe a court would find that this was my intention. However, when Section 70 of the new Act comes into force, intention will become irrelevant. Thus it is clear that the attorney general believes the uttering or publishing of such speech or writing will thereafter be criminal, and that as attorney general he would expect to give his consent to prosecution of the speaker and of the media which report the speech. The interpretation, which is given for this purpose to the notions of “insulting” and “stirring up hatred,” is radically perverse and one-sided, and it goes to the root of the misconceptions which have hindered rational discussion and handling of this subject from the beginning. Let me illustrate them as follows. In his Christmas day sermon the Archbishop of Canterbury said this: “We can view the man with a colored face as a threat. . . . But we can think of it very differently. That man with a different skin color from mine could be an enrichment to my life and that of my neighbors.” Now, I am certain that nothing was further from His Grace’s intention than to be insulting to the New Commonwealth immigrant and immigrant-descended population and were exactly the sort of words which stir up intense hatred. I do not see how it can be other than deeply insulting to describe a Jew as that man with a different shaped nose from mine, or a Zambian as that man with a different sort of hair from mine, or a Chinese as that man with narrower eyes and a yellower pigment than mine. To reduce all the deep-seated differences between the various nations, societies, and tribes of mankind to some external physical attribute in this way is to commit the grossest indignity and disrespect to human nature itself. It is a literally inhuman point of view. What is worse, it is insufferable arrogance to suppose that an Iranian or a Bantu wants to be, or to be thought of, as an Englishman under the skin. On the contrary, with few exceptions, he has no idea or intention of any such thing; and quite right too. The matter unfortunately does not end there. By talking about the consequences of two million New Commonwealth immigrants in England in terms of a single individual and thus ignoring all the facts and circumstances of the real situation, His Grace and those who speak as he does use the language most calculated to stir people to frenzy. To tell the indigenous inhabitants of Brixton or Southall or Leicester or Bradford or Birmingham or Wolverhampton, to tell the pensioners ending their days in streets of nightly terror unrecognizable as their former neighborhoods, to tell the people of towns and cities where whole districts have been transformed into enclaves of foreign lands, that “the man with a colored face could be an enrichment to my life and that of my neighbors” is to drive them beyond the limits of endurance. It is not so much that it is obvious twaddle. It is that it makes cruel mockery of the experience and fears of hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of ordinary, decent men and women. I repeat, I am sure that His Grace is as innocent of intending to cause evil as the attorney general believes a court would find myself to be; and I trust that, if the Archbishop should unfortunately use the same or similar language again after section 70 of the new Act is in force, the attorney general will refrain from authorizing prosecution. Nevertheless, the consequences of the Archbishop’s words, whether the reason for them be actual ignorance of the facts or belief that good can come of ignoring the facts, is that people say to themselves: “If the Primate of all England understands no more than that about what has happened, is happening and is going to happen in our cities, then clearly we must look to leaders of a different sort.” The prevalent determination, of which the Archbishop’s is a typical though eminent example, not to see or to admit that violence on a disastrous scale is virtually certain if the “alien wedges”—I use Lord Radcliffe’s phrase again—in the metropolis and other major English cities and towns increase at the predictable rate, is due I am sure to a grave misconception. It is supposed that those who envisage such a prospect are accusing the immigrant and immigrant-descended population of having the desire and intention to bring this result about. One is thought to be attacking them for harboring aggressive and violent designs. Hence, very largely, the accusations of insult and of stirring up hatred by pointing out the dangers of the future and denying that those dangers can be averted by measures designed to promote what are called “good race relations.” This, I repeat, is a radical misunderstanding, and it is important that if possible it be removed. The truth is that both the indigenous and the immigrant population will alike be the victims, and the unintending victims, of forces created by the circumstances which we have allowed and continue to allow to develop and which we show no intention of ever endeavoring to reverse. It is impossible to begin to understand the way in which these forces operate if the discussion is conducted, as race relations always are discussed, in terms of moral imperatives and the attitudes of individuals—like and dislike, good will and ill will. The behavior of men in the mass and in society is not the sum total of the behavior of individuals—any more than inflation is the sum total of voluntary individual increases of prices and wages. A remarkable speech was made exactly a year ago by the Labor Member for Norwood, John Fraser, in which he pointed to what he called “segregation, not legal or enforced or even well-defined or precise, but segregation nevertheless” as a state of affairs which “ought to send a shudder down our spines,” and he added that “once it happens, the process is well nigh irreversible.” This is an accurate description of the result of a steady and foreseeable increase in a population, or populations, which are not only seen and felt by the rest among whom they live to be distinct and different but which, more importantly, are themselves strongly predisposed to maintain and reinforce that distinctness and difference. Where I part company with Mr. Fraser is that he identified what he called “discrimination” and “deprivation” as the causes of segregation and regarded measures for reducing and preventing discrimination and deprivation as calculated to prevent segregation. The opposite is the case. It is segregation that is the cause, and not the result, of discrimination and deprivation; and measures aimed at reducing discrimination and deprivation only increase segregation and enhance its destructive potential. In understanding this matter, the beginning of wisdom is to grasp the law that in human societies power is never left unclaimed and unused. It does not blow about, like wastepaper on the streets, ownerless and inert. Men’s nature is not only, as Thucydides long ago asserted, to exert power where they have it; men cannot help themselves from exerting power where they have it, whether they want to or not. The colored population of over two million in England, a population which grows at the rate of nearly 100,000 a year while the remainder diminishes, a population which is predominantly concentrated in the central areas of the metropolis and other key urban and industrial centers of England, does possess—simply by reason of segregation and differentiation—a power which would not accrue to a mere random sample of two million persons similarly located but not perceived or perceiving themselves as distinct from the rest. The potential power derived from this basic and, as it were, physical cause is enhanced by the special circumstances attending upon the New Commonwealth immigration which brought it about. The publicly expressed attitude of the indigenous population towards the colored population is one of apology and self-accusation, denoted, amongst other things, by the passing of ever severer laws for the protection of the minority in circumstances where protection is not intended to be available, and would in practice not be available, for members of the majority who were similarly disadvantaged. The plain effect is, and is understood by both minority and majority to be, to endow the members of a distinctive and growing minority with privilege, and to communicate to them the dangerous conviction that the guilty and apologetic behavior of the majority derives at least in part from fear. This effect is enormously heightened when seen as part of the contemporary worldwide and systematic movement to use color to exploit and foment internal and international conflicts. The result is that the indigenous population perceives its own predicament as that of part of a world minority, which is under verbal and sometimes physical pressure and attack. Once the position of strength and privilege, natural and psychological, which I have described is created, it is bound to be used as a means to extend that strength and privilege further. In this the situation of a minority which possesses full political rights but yet regards itself and its interests as distinct from, and possibly antagonistic to, those of the host society, is especially favorable. In the narrowly balanced politics of Britain, political support can be auctioned to the highest bidder in return for further privileges and concessions; for the requisite precedents and grievances will always be available and in the context—uniquely—privilege enjoys vocal public approval. I think I cannot be the only one to have noticed that if four percent of the population had four percent representation in the House of Commons it would already contain twenty-five colored MPs, or to have wondered how soon measures will be proposed to ensure that the present disproportion is rectified. It is the business of the leaders of distinct and separate populations to see that the power which they possess is used to benefit those for whom they speak. Leaders who fail to do so, or to do so fast enough, find themselves outflanked and superseded by those who are less squeamish. The Gresham’s law of extremism, that the more extreme drives out the less extreme, is one of the basic rules of political mechanics which operate in this field: it is a corollary of the general principle that no political power exists without being used. Both the general law and its Gresham’s corollary point, in contemporary circumstances, towards the resort to physical violence, in the form of firearms or high explosive, as being so probable as to be predicted with virtual certainty. The experience of the last decade and more, all round the world, shows that acts of violence, however apparently irrational or inappropriate their targets, precipitate a frenzied search on the part of the society attacked to discover and remedy more and more grievances, real or imaginary, among those from the violence is supposed to emanate or on whose behalf it is supposed to be exercised. Those commanding a position of political leverage would then be superhuman if they could refrain from pointing to the acts of terrorism and, while condemning them, declaring that further and faster concessions and grants of privilege are the only means to avoid such acts being repeated on a rising scale. We know that those who thus argue will always find a ready hearing. This is what produces the gearing effect of terrorism in the contemporary world, yielding huge results from acts of violence perpetrated by minimal numbers. It is not, I repeat again and again, that the mass of a particular population are violently or criminally disposed. Far from it; that population soon becomes itself the prisoner of the violence and machinations of an infinitely small minority among it. Just a few thugs, a few shots, a few bombs at the right place and time—and that is enough for disproportionate consequences to follow. Differentiation by color, where it exists, is an enormously important factor in this context, effective in a number of ways which all operate in the same direction. It is, first, a permanent and involuntary uniform, which performs all and more of the functions of a uniform in warfare, distinguishing one side from the other, friend from foe, and making it possible to see at a glance what is happening, where to render assistance, and where to attack. This is why those who have sought to organize the domination of a majority by a minority have commonly, where possible, used insignia and means of mutual recognition to increase the potency of small numbers. Moreover, the uniform of color, because it is involuntary and irremovable, becomes an irresistible force for dominating and disciplining those who wear it. They are literally marked people, expected to rally to whatever is designated as their cause and treated as manifest traitors if they fail to do so. When one has witnessed how the invisible uniform of religion enables the IRA to exert over the mass of peaceful and law-abiding Roman Catholic citizens in Northern Ireland a terror and compulsion far severer than that under which their Protestant fellow citizens live, one can form some idea of the consolidating potential of the visible uniform of color. Finally, color polarizes, and reinforces differentiation and segregation, because the individual, however much, as an individual, he may become, and wish to become, assimilated to the host population, is firmly identified, and thus eventually obliged to identify himself, with the minority to which he belongs. Color is a recruiting sergeant, and a recruiting sergeant for officer material. I have been describing the forces which, with a kind of mechanical inevitability, invest the New Commonwealth immigrant and immigrant-descended population in England with the sort of power which cannot in the nature of things remain unexerted; but one crucial factor has not yet been mentioned. The consequences of New Commonwealth immigration are not static, they are dynamic. The resultant population is not a fixed element of the total, bearing a proportion to the whole not destined to increase, and representing therefore a phenomenon which, despite all the attendant difficulties of highly differentiated and segregated enclaves, might eventually, by a kind of collective force of habit, become a stable feature of the England of the future. This probably the mistaken picture still in the minds of many people, including a correspondent who in a letter to me after my last speech on this subject wrote, “After all, what’s so terrible about a few race riots?” What we do know is that upon any conceivable assumptions, short of wholly new policy initiatives, the New Commonwealth immigrant and immigrant-descended population will continue to grow not only absolutely but proportionately until far into the next century. This is implicit in the age-structure of that population, apart from any other causes whatsoever. Thus of the two differentiated populations, one will be advancing and the other retracting, both numerically and territorially. The significance of this fact is again enhanced by the pattern of distribution The picture is not that of a province or corner of the country occupied by a distinct and growing population, though that would be perilous enough. It is of the occupation, more and more intense, of key areas—and, it may be added, of key functions—in the heartlands of the Kingdom. The process is one of which both populations will continuously and increasingly be conscious. It is this fact which, added to all the rest, points to the prospect of eventual conflict upon a scale which cannot adequately be described by any lesser term than civil war. Thus by our own past actions of commission and omission we have set in motion the processes which will lead to a result equally catastrophic for both the host and the immigrant-descended populations and equally unwilled by both, who will be the prisoners and the victims of their situation. I defy anyone to suggest that to trace those processes and to envisage this prospect is to “insult” either population, unless it be an insult to assume that they will act and react as human societies observably do and always have. But still the question may be asked: “So be it; but why do you not, foreseeing this, keep silence? What is gained by speech?” To this I answer that even if I thought the outcome could by no contrivance be avoided, it would still be one’s instinct and one’s duty to speak: we cry out to warn our fellow beings of impending catastrophe, whether or not we calculate that they can still escape. The instinct is a healthy instinct, and the duty is a rational duty; for who knows what efforts men are capable of when necessity stares them in the face? Nor have I ever doubted that, once the nature and scale of the consequences were recognized, the common interest of all in averting them could make possible measures hitherto dismissed as impracticable or unthinkable. They would indeed be heroic measures, measures which radically altered the prospective pattern of our future population; but they would be measures based on and operating with human nature as it is, not measures which purport to manipulate and alter human nature by laws, bureaucracy, and propaganda. Such as they are, they will never come, or they will come too late, if a prohibition is placed upon rational and temperate free speech and a premium upon self-deception and willful blindness. Content on the Traditional Britain Blog and Journal does not necessarily reflect the opinions of The Traditional Britain Group Help the Traditional Britain Group by joining us today. Whether you would like to donate, start a local group, write for us, or organise an event, the Traditional Britain Group would like to help. Browse our shop to find materials on the British nation, its institutions, peoples, traditions, and history. 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__label__cc	0.60005	0.39995	Explore AI Blog. Immerse yourself in AI. Home Blog What is edge AI? Definition and application with Google Coral What is edge AI? Agata Chudzińska, AI Team Leader Recently, there has been a tremendous buzz surrounding the so-called edge AI phenomenon. It is widely described as the future of artificial intelligence. That is why we decided to explain what it is, and also describe the latest related technologies available on the market. From this article you will learn: What are its applications?? What are the newest devices in this field? [including Google Coral and Nvidia Jetson]. Edge AI is a solution in which artificial intelligence algorithms are implemented directly on a device collecting data. For example drones, cameras or augmented reality glasses. In a breakaway from contemporary solutions, Edge AI does away with the need to transfer data to a server or the cloud. Applications of edge AI Changing the place of data processing to terminal equipment proves to be particularly important when: The speed of data processing is crucial, and we cannot even afford the milliseconds of data transmission delay There are problems with stable access to the network. Such a situation may occur, for example, in less populated areas or rooms deliberately blocking the signal. We work with sensitive data, that should not leave the device. When we care about low power consumption. In the case of edge AI, we don’t have to send data to the cloud regularly, so we automatically minimize the use of batteries. There is a vast number of scenarios for edge AI applications. These include autonomous vehicles and drones. The common theme is the need to make decisions in real time. Therefore, there is no time to send data to the cloud for further processing. The Edge AI is also used in wearables. Smart watches and wristbands collect more and more accurate measurements of life parameters. This information, combined with artificial intelligence algorithms, makes it possible to plan training, improve health and take care of the elderly. Edge AI also helps to fulfill the assumptions of Industry 4.0, enabling, among other things, quick prediction of future machine failures on the basis of sensor data, which examine, e.g., vibrations, temperature, and ultrasounds. It also supports the increasing automation of production processes and quality control. For example, image processing algorithms can be used to recognize, classify and track objects close to the equipment. The possibilities are endless. These include all places and situations for which the reasons mentioned above for using the AI edge are essential. Just think about smart homes, smartphones, and augmented reality glasses… Furthermore, this is just the beginning, because these technologies are entering our lives and business more and more. Technologies supporting edge AI The edge AI market is developing very rapidly. Recently, more and more devices appeared, which allow running deep neural networks directly on them. Many of them are in the form of AI accelerators, which are connected to the device via USB or in the form of whole boards, to which cameras and additional sensors can be connected. In this article, however, we want to emphasize the possibilities offered by two particularly interesting solutions: <>Google Coral Beta (just released), The Nvidia Jetson series, with particular reference to the Nvidia GTC 2019 conference, Jetson Nano. Edge AI in practice - Google Coral Recently we had the opportunity to test Google’s latest solution in the area of edge AI – Google Coral. It is the first TPU (Tensor Processing Unit) device. It uses a technology developed by Google that supports machine learning algorithms with the use of a dedicated integrated circuit. For our tests, we used a solution in the form of an AI to USB accelerator, which we connected to the Raspberry 3 board. It’s shown below: Coral Beta (this version was just released) focuses on scenarios connected to image processing. It allows building solutions related to the detection and classification of objects in photos and camera images. Examples of dedicated models allow for instance to recognize faces, bird species or thousands of objects of everyday use. Google Coral allows you to work with Tensorflow Lite models. However, it is necessary to compile it properly so that it can use the Edge TPU technology. Currently, the compiler can work with four types of neural network architectures, to which they belong: Inception V3/V4: 299×299 fixed input size, MobileNet SSD V1/V2: 320×320 max input size; 1.0 max depth multiplier, Oraz MobileNet V1/V2: 224×224 max input size; 1.0 max depth multiplier. However, the .tflite models delivered to the compiler should not exceed 100MB. A significant advantage of the TPU API for Python supplied with the Edge TPU is the possibility of using Transfer Learning, i.e., using a learned model and training it on your data. It can take place directly on the device. Due to working with quite large data (images) and long processing time, it was better to skip the model in our case on the computer and then move the trained model back to the device. Graphics cards are commonly used to train deep learning models. That’s why Nvidia has decided to take advantage of its many years of leadership in this field and enter the Artificial Intelligence market. The company plays a significant role in the AI edge market thanks to its Jetson product line. The Jetson product line is often used in robotics and drones. The series, with models such as the TX2, or the latest version of the AGX Xavier, provide excellent technical parameters that allow even very compute-intensive algorithms to be run directly on the device. GTC NVidia also introduced Jetson Nano, a new member of the Jetson family, at last week’s conference. It is much smaller and cheaper than the other products in the series while providing quite impressive technical parameters. It is also supposed to enable the use of a wide range of neural network architectures and known machine learning frameworks, such as TensorFlow, PyTorch, Keras, Caffe. An interesting addition will be the possibility of using a set of CUDA-X libraries dedicated to the Jetson series, supporting the use of the full potential of the GPU. We are looking forward to testing Jetson Nano to see if it could handle more advanced applications such as image segmentation and pose estimation. Nvidia Jetson Nano versus Google Coral - comparison of capabilities Nvidia made an interesting comparison of Jetson Nano’s performance compared to its competitors: Google’s Coral, and the Neural Compute Stick from Intel, in terms of video processing. As can be seen from the graph below, Coral achieves better results for the MobileNet architecture, but Jetson Nano offers a much broader range of available network architectures and frameworks. You can find a more detailed comparison here. Wondering how you can use AI edge in your company? Counting visitors locally – a test run built in few days Quantum Computing – Boost for AI Technology How do machine learning algorithms work? Koppel 18A, Hamburg, Germany Rubiez 46, Poznan, Poland	cc/2019-30/en_head_0020.json.gz/line1061
__label__wiki	0.580701	0.580701	12 Books to Read in 2017 It’s the beginning of a new year and a new baby has arrived in our house! I’m going to take full advantage of soaking up a newborn by pulling out my Kindle and reading some books that I have wanted to read for awhile. I spent some time last month researching books & today, I’m sharing some of the books that I have added to my must-read list: 12 Books to Read in 2017. These are based off reader reviews, friend recommendations, & my own interest. I would love to hear what other books you would recommend and make sure to check out some of our previous recommended books in the links at the end of the post! Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult Goodreads’ Synopsis: Ruth Jefferson is a labor and delivery nurse at a Connecticut hospital with more than twenty years’ experience. During her shift, Ruth begins a routine checkup on a newborn, only to be told a few minutes later that she’s been reassigned to another patient. The parents are white supremacists and don’t want Ruth, who is African American, to touch their child. The hospital complies with their request, but the next day, the baby goes into cardiac distress while Ruth is alone in the nursery. Does she obey orders or does she intervene? Ruth hesitates before performing CPR and, as a result, is charged with a serious crime. Kennedy McQuarrie, a white public defender, takes her case but gives unexpected advice: Kennedy insists that mentioning race in the courtroom is not a winning strategy. Conflicted by Kennedy’s counsel, Ruth tries to keep life as normal as possible for her family—especially her teenage son—as the case becomes a media sensation. As the trial moves forward, Ruth and Kennedy must gain each other’s trust, and come to see that what they’ve been taught their whole lives about others—and themselves—might be wrong. With incredible empathy, intelligence, and candor, Jodi Picoult tackles race, privilege, prejudice, justice, and compassion—and doesn’t offer easy answers. Small Great Things is a remarkable achievement from a writer at the top of her game. Goodreads’ Synopsis: A grumpy yet loveable man finds his solitary world turned on its head when a boisterous young family moves in next door. Meet Ove. He’s a curmudgeon, the kind of man who points at people he dislikes as if they were burglars caught outside his bedroom window. He has staunch principles, strict routines, and a short fuse. People call him the bitter neighbor from hell, but must Ove be bitter just because he doesn’t walk around with a smile plastered to his face all the time? Behind the cranky exterior there is a story and a sadness. So when one November morning a chatty young couple with two chatty young daughters move in next door and accidentally flatten Ove’s mailbox, it is the lead-in to a comical and heartwarming tale of unkempt cats, unexpected friendship, and the ancient art of backing up a U-Haul. All of which will change one cranky old man and a local residents’ association to their very foundations. Faithful by Alice Hoffman Goodreads’ Synopsis: From the New York Times bestselling author of The Marriage of Opposites and The Dovekeepers comes a soul-searching story about a young woman struggling to redefine herself and the power of love, family, and fate. Growing up on Long Island, Shelby Richmond is an ordinary girl until one night an extraordinary tragedy changes her fate. Her best friend’s future is destroyed in an accident, while Shelby walks away with the burden of guilt. What happens when a life is turned inside out? When love is something so distant it may as well be a star in the sky? Faithfulis the story of a survivor, filled with emotion—from dark suffering to true happiness—a moving portrait of a young woman finding her way in the modern world. A fan of Chinese food, dogs, bookstores, and men she should stay away from, Shelby has to fight her way back to her own future. In New York City she finds a circle of lost and found souls—including an angel who’s been watching over her ever since that fateful icy night. Here is a character you will fall in love with, so believable and real and endearing, that she captures both the ache of loneliness and the joy of finding yourself at last. For anyone who’s ever been a hurt teenager, for every mother of a daughter who has lost her way, Faithful is a roadmap. Alice Hoffman’s “trademark alchemy” (USA TODAY) and her ability to write about the “delicate balance between the everyday world and the extraordinary” (WBUR) make this an unforgettable story. With beautifully crafted prose, Alice Hoffman spins hope from heartbreak in this profoundly moving novel. The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead Goodreads’ Synopsis: Cora is a slave on a cotton plantation in Georgia. Life is hellish for all the slaves but especially bad for Cora; an outcast even among her fellow Africans, she is coming into womanhood – where even greater pain awaits. When Caesar, a recent arrival from Virginia, tells her about the Underground Railroad, they decide to take a terrifying risk and escape. Matters do not go as planned and, though they manage to find a station and head north, they are being hunted. In Whitehead’s ingenious conception, the Underground Railroad is no mere metaphor – engineers and conductors operate a secret network of tracks and tunnels beneath the Southern soil. Cora and Caesar’s first stop is South Carolina, in a city that initially seems like a haven – but the city’s placid surface masks an insidious scheme designed for its black denizens. Even worse: Ridgeway, the relentless slave catcher, is close on their heels. Forced to flee again, Cora embarks on a harrowing flight, state by state, seeking true freedom. As Whitehead brilliantly re-creates the unique terrors for black people in the pre-Civil War era, his narrative seamlessly weaves the saga of America from the brutal importation of Africans to the unfulfilled promises of the present day. The Underground Railroad is at once a kinetic adventure tale of one woman’s ferocious will to escape the horrors of bondage and a shattering, powerful meditation on the history we all share. Two by Two by Nicholas Sparks Goodreads’ Synopsis: At 32, Russell Green has it all: a stunning wife, a lovable six year-old daughter, a successful career as an advertising executive and an expansive home in Charlotte. He is living the dream, and his marriage to the bewitching Vivian is the center of that. But underneath the shiny surface of this perfect existence, fault lines are beginning to appear…and no one is more surprised than Russ when he finds every aspect of the life he took for granted turned upside down. In a matter of months, Russ finds himself without a job or wife, caring for his young daughter while struggling to adapt to a new and baffling reality. Throwing himself into the wilderness of single parenting, Russ embarks on a journey at once terrifying and rewarding—one that will test his abilities and his emotional resources beyond anything he ever imagined. Fractured by Catherine McKenzie Goodreads’ Synopsis: Julie Prentice and her family move across the country to the idyllic Mount Adams district of Cincinnati, hoping to evade the stalker who’s been terrorizing them ever since the publication of her bestselling novel, The Murder Game. Since Julie doesn’t know anyone in her new town, when she meets her neighbor John Dunbar, their instant connection brings measured hope for a new beginning. But she never imagines that a simple, benign conversation with him could set her life spinning so far off course. After a series of misunderstandings, Julie and her family become the target of increasingly unsettling harassment. Has Julie’s stalker found her, or are her neighbors out to get her, too? As tension in the neighborhood rises, new friends turn into enemies, and the results are deadly. Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family & Culture in Crisis by J.D. Vance Goodreads’ Synopsis: From a former Marine and Yale Law School Graduate, a poignant account of growing up in a poor Appalachian town, that offers a broader, probing look at the struggles of America’s white working class. Part memoir, part historical and social analysis, J. D. Vance’s Hillbilly Elegy is a fascinating consideration of class, culture, and the American dream. Vance’s grandparents were “dirt poor and in love.” They got married and moved north from Kentucky to Ohio in the hopes of escaping the dreadful poverty around them. Their grandchild (the author) graduated from Yale Law School, a conventional marker of their success in achieving upward mobility for their family. But Vance cautions that is only the short version. The slightly longer version is that his grandparents, aunt, uncle, and mother struggled to varying degrees with the demands of their new middle class life and they, and Vance himself, still carry around the demons of their chaotic family history. Delving into his own personal story and drawing on a wide array of sociological studies, Vance takes us deep into working class life in the Appalachian region. This demographic of our country has been slowly disintegrating over forty years, and Vance provides a searching and clear-eyed attempt to understand when and how “hillbillies” lost faith in any hope of upward mobility, and in opportunities to come. At times funny, disturbing, and deeply moving, this is a family history that is also a troubling meditation on the loss of the American dream for a large portion of this country. The Woman in Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware Goodreads’ Synopsis: From New York Times bestselling author of the “twisty-mystery” (Vulture) novel In a Dark, Dark Wood, comes The Woman in Cabin 10, an equally suspenseful novel from Ruth Ware—this time, set at sea. In this tightly wound story, Lo Blacklock, a journalist who writes for a travel magazine, has just been given the assignment of a lifetime: a week on a luxury cruise with only a handful of cabins. At first, Lo’s stay is nothing but pleasant: the cabins are plush, the dinner parties are sparkling, and the guests are elegant. But as the week wears on, frigid winds whip the deck, gray skies fall, and Lo witnesses what she can only describe as a nightmare: a woman being thrown overboard. The problem? All passengers remain accounted for—and so, the ship sails on as if nothing has happened, despite Lo’s desperate attempts to convey that something (or someone) has gone terribly, terribly wrong… With surprising twists and a setting that proves as uncomfortably claustrophobic as it is eerily beautiful, Ruth Ware offers up another intense read. Before the Fall by Noah Hawley Goodreads’ Synopsis: On a foggy summer night, eleven people–ten privileged, one down-on-his-luck painter–depart Martha’s Vineyard headed for New York. Sixteen minutes later, the unthinkable happens: the passengers disappear into the ocean. The only survivors are Scott Burroughs–the painter–and a four-year-old boy, who is now the last remaining member of a wealthy and powerful media mogul’s family. With chapters weaving between the aftermath of the tragedy and the backstories of the passengers and crew members–including a Wall Street titan and his wife, a Texan-born party boy just in from London, a young woman questioning her path in life, and a career pilot–the mystery surrounding the crash heightens. As the passengers’ intrigues unravel, odd coincidences point to a conspiracy: Was it merely dumb chance that so many influential people perished? Or was something far more sinister at work? Events soon threaten to spiral out of control in an escalating storm of media outrage and accusations–all while the reader draws closer and closer to uncovering the truth. The fragile relationship between Scott and the young boy glows at the heart of this novel, raising questions of fate, human nature, and the inextricable ties that bind us together. Raising Grateful Kids in An Entitled World by Kristen Welch Goodreads’ Synopsis: “But everyone else has it.” “If you loved me, you’d get it for me!” When you hear these comments from your kids, it can be tough not to cave. You love your children–don’t you want them to be happy and to fit in? Kristen Welch knows firsthand it’s not that easy. In fact, she’s found out that when you say yes too often, it’s not only hard on your peace of mind and your wallet–it actually puts your kids at long-term risk. In Raising Grateful Kids in an Entitled World, Kristen shares the ups and downs in her own family’s journey of discovering why it’s healthiest not to give their kids everything. Teaching them the difference between “want” and “need” is the first step in the right direction. With many practical tips and anecdotes, she shares how to say the ultimate yes as a family by bringing up faith-filled kids who will love God, serve others, and grow into hardworking, fulfilled, and successful adults. It’s never too late to raise grateful kids. Get ready to cultivate a spirit of genuine appreciation and create a Jesus-centered home in which your kids don’t just say–but mean!–“thank you” for everything they have. My Name is Lucy Barton by Elizabeth Strout Goodreads’ Synopsis: Lucy Barton is recovering slowly from what should have been a simple operation. Her mother, to whom she hasn’t spoken for many years, comes to see her. Gentle gossip about people from Lucy’s childhood in Amgash, Illinois, seems to reconnect them, but just below the surface lies the tension and longing that have informed every aspect of Lucy’s life: her escape from her troubled family, her desire to become a writer, her marriage, her love for her two daughters. The Swans of Fifth Avenue by Melanie Benjamin Goodreads’ Synopsis: Centered on two dynamic, complicated, and compelling protagonists—Truman Capote and Babe Paley—this book is steeped in the glamour and perfumed and smoky atmosphere of New York’s high society. Babe Paley—known for her high-profile marriage to CBS founder William Paley and her ranking in the International Best-Dressed Hall of Fame—was one of the reigning monarchs of New York’s high society in the 1950s. Replete with gossip, scandal, betrayal, and a vibrant cast of real-life supporting characters, readers will be seduced by this startling new look at the infamous society swans. Make sure to visit our other recommended book lists & happy reading! 14 More Books to Read in 2014 15 Books To Read This Summer Princess Crafts & Activities for Kids Filed Under: Book Lists Tagged With: Book Lists	cc/2019-30/en_head_0020.json.gz/line1062
__label__cc	0.687078	0.312922	RoberG/Shutterstock.com How the neoliberal obsession with valuing nature changes our understanding of it December 3, 2018 11.43am EST John Henneberry, University of Sheffield John Henneberry Professor of Property Development Studies, University of Sheffield John Henneberry is a co-investigator for a project on Improving Wellbeing through Urban Nature (IWUN), funded by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), ESRC, BBSRC, AHRC & Defra. NERC grant NE/N013565/1. Part of the Valuing Nature Programme. University of Sheffield provides funding as a founding partner of The Conversation UK. Over the last decade, an industry has developed that values different aspects of nature in different ways. Its growth has been underpinned by the argument that, in a neoliberal world where the market is the dominant mechanism for distributing scarce resources, those assets that cannot be priced and traded are either undervalued or overlooked. Putting a price on nature allows it to be included in the market calculus and, thereby, to be noticed. It is also argued that the discipline involved in doing this contributes to more rational and therefore better decisions involving nature. This drive to subject nature to an economic rationale, to make it capable of being valued and marketable, has been much criticised. Some of the arguments are philosophical, pointing to the inability of economics to capture the extraordinary, intrinsic character of nature. Other arguments are more practical, highlighting the difficulty of determining the economic value of a public good, such as nature, that is not traded. Natural and unnatural. Tampo/Shutterstock.com Both perspectives have their merits. But here I want to take a different approach, and consider what we do to nature in order to make it amenable to calculation. Defining bits of nature Before we can measure or count something, we need to know what it is. It must be distinguishable (clearly identified) and distinctive (differentiated from other things). But nature is far too complex a thing to be treated in this way. In order to deal with this issue, we define and categorise bits of nature. In the UK, nature is divided into eight broad habitats (for example, woodlands or enclosed farmland) and sub-divided into 23 classes (for example, broadleaved woodland or coniferous woodland). The distribution of these classes can be seen in this map. Land cover map. NERC, Author provided In practice, this kind of categorisation is very useful for breaking down an integrated, complex whole into comprehensible parts. But in principle it is problematic. We create a class or category by identifying the essential, common qualities of a group of things and excluding what, for the purposes of the exercise, are the thing’s inessential particularities. We abstract and simplify. So all individual elements of nature must be placed in specific categories, and those categories must be clearly bounded or defined. This is necessary if double counting is to be avoided and comprehensive coverage is to be achieved. Nature must be made to fit this template. For example, in the above classification there is no such category as mixed woodland – so mixed woodland, by this definition, does not exist. In areas where broadleaved and coniferous woodlands segue into one another, some rules must be formulated to determine where the boundary between the two is drawn, allowing trees to be placed in one category or the other. Trees don’t fall easily into our categories of them. BABAROGA/Shutterstock.com We cannot use a single number to capture the essence and all of the multifarious characteristics of a tree or a group of trees forming a wood. Instead we apply numbers to those features that we consider important, or that are measurable, or both, and we ignore or exclude other features that don’t meet these criteria. We measure how much trees reduce pluvial run off, but not by how beautiful they are. Calculating nature When numbers are applied to entities such as (bits of) nature, they describe those entities in selective, reduced, simplified form. But they also imbue those entities with the properties of numbers. Compared with words, numbers offer apparent order, precision, stability, and mobility. Numbers are produced and consumed by people such as scientists, technicians, policy makers, managers, politicians and economists. Once created, various types of number may be transposed, linked and applied to conceptually different subjects and contexts for purposes quite distinct from those that underpinned their generation. And the deployment of numbers in the analysis of difficult, complex matters reinforces perceptions of numbers as purveyors of accuracy and truth. Human parcelling up of nature is not natural. Zangrilli Andrea/Shutterstock.com All these features of numbers may be observed when we calculate and value nature and, by doing so, embed nature in larger systems of numbers. It is rare, largely because of time and cost constraints, for valuations of nature to be based on primary empirical data derived from the case in hand. Instead, we take values produced by other studies and transfer them, suitably adjusted or qualified, to our case. If a house adjacent to a park in Bristol is found to be worth 8% more than an identical house remote from any park in that city, then we may apply the same uplift to a house next to a similar park in Newcastle. Similar translations may be made of the estimates of, say, the savings in NHS spending arising from the impact of green infrastructure on physical health. Quantifying and valuing nature are complex tasks. Undertaking them alters our conception of nature. As a result of it, nature appears more fragmented because we have to slice it into categories and dice those categories into bits before we can value bits of those bits. The sum of these parts is far short of the whole and does not capture the interconnectedness and holism of nature. In addition, our view of nature is biased to those aspects of it that can be measured and particularly to those that can be valued because “what can be counted usually counts”. No matter how careful we are to qualify the results of a valuation and to be explicit about the assumptions that it embodies, these problems remain. They are inherent to the process of valuing nature. After all, such a process is hardly natural. How capitalism ruined our relationship with bacteria SADLERC1 / shutterstock Plastic waste is visible, but ‘natural capital’ such as bees makes more difference to a sustainable future If companies won’t see things differently, we need to. frankspandl/Pixel Trying to cash in on climate change won’t fool nature chuyuss / shutterstock Why you can’t have free trade and save the planet	cc/2019-30/en_head_0020.json.gz/line1063
__label__wiki	0.559679	0.559679	Share on Facebook750 Tweet Email Print Historic Notre Dame Cathedral Destroyed by Fire, 5 Fast Facts Published April 15, 2019 at 12:30pm Notre-Dame Cathedral went up in flames on Monday in a roaring blaze that devastated the Parisian landmark, a searing loss for the city and for France. Here are five facts on the Gothic masterpiece that celebrated its 850th jubilee in 2013: – The first stone of the Notre-Dame de Paris (“Our Lady of Paris”) cathedral was laid in 1163 in the reign of Louis VII, as the medieval city of Paris was growing in population and importance, both as a political and economic center of the kingdom of France. – Construction would continue for much of the next century, with major restoration and additions made in the 17th and 18th century. The stonework and stained glass of the edifice recreate images and lessons from the Bible. – Dominating the structure are its two 13th century bell towers. The so-called “bourdon,” the largest bell, goes by the name of “Emmanuel.” – The 387 steps up to the towers take visitors past the gallery of chimeras, mythical creatures typically composed of more than one animal. The most famous of these, the “Stryge” gargoyle sits atop the cathedral watching Paris with its head resting in its hands. – Victor Hugo used the cathedral as a setting for his 1831 novel, “The Hunchback of Notre-Dame.” Quasimodo, the main character, is feared by Parisians because of his deformity but finds sanctuary in the cathedral and is employed as a bell-ringer. Quasimodo has been portrayed by Hollywood actors including Charles Laughton and also in an animated Disney adaptation. Heartbreaking scenes of Notre Dame cathedral in flames. London stands in sorrow with Paris today, and in friendship always. #NotreDame pic.twitter.com/jc6z0Oc2P3 — Sadiq Khan (@SadiqKhan) April 15, 2019 WATCH LIVE: A major fire is underway at Notre Dame cathedral in Paris https://t.co/XQBITwSiT6 https://t.co/ngttpTlHZQ — Bloomberg (@business) April 15, 2019 BREAKING: A major fire has broken out at the world-famous Notre-Dame cathedral in Paris. pic.twitter.com/BQlGe9K94B — Downtown Radio (@downtownradio) April 15, 2019 The mayor of Paris tweeted that they are in the midst of a terrible fire at the cathedral, and that Paris firefighters are trying to control the flames. https://t.co/Cjg1ezoRuq	cc/2019-30/en_head_0020.json.gz/line1066
__label__wiki	0.82351	0.82351	You are here: Home / Archives for Rick Perry WHY IS TEXAS SILENT ABOUT IMMIGRATION REFORM? Gov. Rick Perry and Texas Republicans have been relatively silent on the renewed push to overhaul the nation’s immigration system. Despite the state’s nearly 2 million undocumented immigrants and 1,200-mile long border with Mexico, Perry and the Texas legislature have kept mum on the issue. They’re not resurrecting dozens of contentious immigration bills that roiled the statehouse in 2011. They’re not making the rounds on TV and radio to talk about President Barack Obama’s plan for legalizing immigrants. They’re not even saying the word “immigration.” When Perry delivered his State of the State recently — his first since his failed presidential run — glaringly absent in the 37-minute speech was any mention of the issue at all. The silence speaks to the sudden political shift in immigration since last fall’s presidential election, in which Hispanics voted Democratic by a nearly 3-to-1 margin and created a powerful incentive for Republicans to change their approach to this growing ethnic group. In Congress, Republicans have softened their opposition to accommodating immigrants, and a bipartisan group of Senate negotiators unveiled a bill framework that includes a pathway to citizenship for those already in the U.S. so long as border security is beefed up. But in Texas, the party has been left speechless in the Capitol. Only two years ago in his State of the State address, Perry called for punishing “sanctuary cities” that bar police officers from asking detainees about their immigration status. There’s no talk of such measures now. Texas Republican Party Chairman Steve Munisteri “You want an answer? That tried and that failed,” said Texas Republican Party Chairman Steve Munisteri. “Responsible leadership is now focusing on things that have a chance to get passed.” Immigration isn’t an easy subject to ignore in Texas, though. About 16 percent of the undocumented immigrants in the United States live in the state, according to a Department of Homeland Security report in 2012, and immigration leaves an outsize footprint on the state’s infrastructure. So red-hot was immigration for Texas Republicans in the last legislative session that state Rep. Debbie Riddle camped outside the clerk’s office to make sure her bills targeting undocumented immigrants were filed first. About 50 bills related to immigration were filed in all. This time, Riddle, who once famously warned of immigrant mothers in the U.S. giving birth to “terror babies” who would grow up to attack the country as unsuspecting citizens, has not submitted any immigration proposals. “Establishment Republicans are trying to brand a different message,” said Maria Martinez, executive director of the Immigration and Reform Coalition of Texas that backed “sanctuary city” proposals in 2011. READ MORE: FOX NEWS LATINO If you have any questions, concerns or simply would like to get a quote on my Marketing, Public Relations, Social Media and/or Events services, please feel free to contact me at thehispanicblog@me.com. Filed Under: LATINO POLITICS Tagged With: Barack Obama, Debbie Riddle, JESSICA MARIE GUTIERREZ, Republican, Rick Perry, Steve Munisteri, Texas, Texas Republicans, United States THE TEJANO MONUMENT ON TX CAPITOL GROUNDS: A TESTIMONY OF SPANISH-MEXICAN HERITAGE INFLUENCED IN PRESENT DAY TEXAS CULTURE March 30, 2012 by Jessica Marie Gutierrez 2 Comments photo by: Marjorie Kamys Cotera The Tejano Monument was created to emplace a monument on the Texas Capitol grounds to establish an enduring legacy that acknowledges and pays tribute to the contributions by Tejanos as permanent testimony of the Spanish-Mexican heritage that has influenced and is inherent in present-day Texas culture. For more on history http://www.tejanomonument.com/history/. Tejano Monument unveiling Sculptor Armando Hinojosa took 11 years to create the Tejano masterpiece Credit: Erin Cargile/KXAN The long overdue and much anticipated official unveiling of the Tejano Monument at the State Capitol in Austin. Gov. Rick Perry attended the dedication of a new monument on the Texas State Capitol grounds honoring Hispanic contributions to Texas History. The Tejano Monument is located on the south lawn. “This important monument reflects a larger truth about the origins of Texas, about the contributions of so many Hispanic citizens to the creation of the state we love and the lives we share,” Gov. Perry said. “These contributions are ongoing with Latinos providing political, business and spiritual leadership in communities throughout Texas. The future of our state is tied directly to the future of our Hispanic population, and I believe we have a glorious future ahead of us.” The Tejano Monument was created by Laredo artist Armando Hinojosa and consists of 11 life-size sculptures commemorating the 500-year role of Tejanos in Texas and the Spanish-Mexican legacy in the state from 1500 to 1800. Work on placing a Tejano Monument at the State Capitol began in 2001, when legislators passed and Gov. Perry signed legislation establishing it. In 2007, the Legislature approved $1.087 million for completion of the monument and an additional $1 million was raised through private donations. State Rep. Richard Peña Raymond (from left), Gov. Rick Perry, Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, State Supreme Court Justice Eva Guzman and State Sen. Judith Zaffirini join in prayer during the dedication of the Tejano Monument at the Texas Capitol in Austin, on Thursday, Mar. 29, 2012. Photo: Kin Man Hui, San Antonio Express-News / ©2012 San Antonio Express-News Early Spanish and Mexican pioneers and their descendants have helped shape the way of life in Texas, dating back to the 1500s. Today, some of our state’s top Hispanic leaders include Secretary of State Hope Andrade; Texas Court of Criminal Appeals Justice Elsa Alcala; Supreme Court Justice Eva Guzman; Chancellor of the UT System Francisco Cigarroa; Austin Diocese Bishop Joe Vasquez; and Presiding Officer at the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission Jose Cuevas, just to name a few. Among the state lawmakers, official dignitaries, business leaders, school children, and thousands of Texans from across the state taking part in today’s official unveiling were also Texas State Representative Roberto R. Alonzo of Dallas and his wife Sylvana. “It was an honor indeed to take part in today’s history-making event showcasing the official unveiling of the Tejano Monument at the State Capitol grounds,” said Rep. Alonzo. State Representative Roberto Alonzo, D-Dallas. (File photo: RGG/Steve Taylor) “Witnessing come to fruition the over decade-long effort that began with talks close to 12 years ago to emplace a monument on the grounds of our State Capitol was truly inspirational, historical, and thought-provoking at the same time. Furthermore, witnessing Tejanos of all ages from all geographic corners of the state, particularly our school children and young college students, convene in Austin for this event was historical in itself. The monument acknowledges and pays tribute to the contributions by Tejanos on present-day Texas culture and history, and to see so many people from across the state converge at our State Capitol was testament to that,” continued Rep. Alonzo. With the official ceremonial unveiling of the majestic Tejano Monument, an enduring legacy has been established to serve as a permanent testimony of the Spanish-Mexican heritage that has influenced and shaped the history of Texas. For more information about the festivities and other related events, you may contact: Lino Garcia Jr via e-mail at : drlinogarcia@SBCGLOBAL.NET or visit the website at www.nosostroslostejanos.com. If you have any questions, concerns or simply would like to get a quote on my Marketing, Public Relations, Social Media and/or Events services, please feel free to contact me at thehispanicblog@gmail.com. God Bless and may you have a fabulous day! Filed Under: LATINO HISTORY Tagged With: Austin, Austin Texas, Eva Guzman, Judith Zaffirini, Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, Rick Perry, Roberto R. Alonzo, State Capitol, Tejano, Tejano Monument, Texas, Texas History, Texas State Capitol JUSTICE DEPARTMENT GIVES TEXAS JUSTICE AND BLOCKS THE VOTER ID BILL March 12, 2012 by Jessica Marie Gutierrez 1 Comment Attorney General Greg Abbott took the dispute over Texas’ maps to federal court in Washington. Photo: Harry Cabluck, AP / HC The Justice Department’s civil rights division on Monday blocked Texas from enforcing a new law requiring voters to present photo identification at the polls, contending that the rule would disproportionately suppress turnout among eligible Hispanic voters. The decision, which follows a similar move in December blocking a law in South Carolina, brought the Obama administration deeper into the politically and racially charged fight over a wave of new voting restrictions, enacted largely by Republicans in the name of combating voter fraud. In a letter to the Texas state government, Thomas E. Perez, the assistant attorney general for civil rights, said the state had failed to meet its requirement, under the Voting Rights Act, to show that the measure would not disproportionately disenfranchise registered minority voters. “Even using the data most favorable to the state, Hispanics disproportionately lack either a driver’s license or a personal identification card,” Mr. Perez wrote, “and that disparity is statistically significant.” Texas has roughly 12.8 million registered voters, of whom about 2.8 million are Hispanic. The state had supplied two sets of data comparing its voter rolls to a list of people who had valid state-issued photo identification cards — one for September and the other in January — showing that Hispanic voters were 46.5 percent to 120 percent more likely to lack such identification. PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY TODD WISEMAN / TEXAS TRIBUNE Under the Voting Rights Act, certain jurisdictions that have a history of suppressing minority voting — like Texas — must show that any proposed change to voting rules would not have a disproportionate effect on minority voters, even if there is no evidence of discriminatory intent. Such “preclearance” can be granted either by the Justice Department or by a panel of federal judges. Texas officials had argued that they would take sufficient steps to mitigate any impact of the law, including giving free identification cards to voters who lacked them. But the Justice Department said the proposed efforts were not enough, citing the cost of obtaining birth certificates or other documents necessary to get the cards and the bureaucratic difficulties of that process. In anticipation that the Obama administration might not clear the law, Texas officials had already asked a panel of judges to allow them to enforce the law. A hearing in that case is scheduled for this week, and the Justice Department filed a copy of its letter before the court. The offices of Gov. Rick Perry and Attorney General Greg Abbott did not immediately respond to a request for comment. But Representative Lamar Smith, the Texas Republican who is chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, criticized the Justice Department, saying that “the people of Texas overwhelmingly supported” the law to prevent fraudulently cast votes from canceling out legitimate ones. “This is an abuse of executive authority and an affront to the citizens of Texas,” Mr. Smith said in a statement. “It’s time for the Obama administration to learn not to mess with Texas.” Under the state’s existing system, voters are issued certificates when they register that enable them to vote. But last year, Mr. Perry signed a law that would replace that system with one requiring voters to present one of several photographic cards at their polling station. The approved documents include a state-issued driver’s license or identification, a federal military card, a passport, a citizenship certificate or a concealed gun license issued by Texas. Other forms of identification, like student identification cards, would not count. The measure was part of a wave of new voting restrictions passed in states around the country, mostly by Republicans following their sweeping victories in the 2010 elections. Supporters argue that the restrictions are necessary to prevent fraud. Critics say there is no evidence of significant amounts of in-person voter impersonation fraud — the kind addressed by photo identification requirements — and contend the restrictions are a veiled effort to suppress turnout by legitimate voters who tend to vote disproportionally for Democrats. READ MORE: THE NEW YORK TIMES Filed Under: FEATURED POLITICS Tagged With: Greg Abbott, Justice Department, Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, Rick Perry, Texas, Thomas Perez, United States Justice Department, Voting Rights Act GOV PERRY LURED APPLE TO TEXAS AND CREATES MORE THAN 3,600 JOBS Governor Perry Sweetened the Deal for Apple and for the Texas Economy Gov. Rick Perry today announced that Apple will expand its presence in Texas with a $304 million investment in a new campus in Austin that will create more than 3,600 new jobs. The new campus will more than double the size of Apple’s workforce in Texas over the next decade, supporting the company’s growing operations in the Americas with expanded customer support, sales and accounting functions for the region. In exchange for Apple’s commitment to create these new jobs in Texas, the state has offered Apple an investment of $21 million over ten years through the Texas Enterprise Fund (TEF). “Apple is known for its bold innovation and game-changing designs, and the expansion of their Austin facility adds to the growing list of visionary high-tech companies that have found that Texas’ economic climate is a perfect fit for their future, thanks to our low taxes, reasonable and predictable regulations, fair legal system and skilled workforce” Gov. Perry said. “Investments like this further Texas’ potential to become the nation’s next high-tech hub.” The project is supported by an investment from the TEF, which offers companies incentives to invest in Texas. When completed, it will be one of the largest job creation projects in TEF history, and one of the largest capital investments by a TEF recipient. The agreement is contingent upon the finalization of contracts and a local incentive agreement with the City of Austin and Travis County. The Legislature created the TEF in 2003 and re-appropriated funding in 2005, 2007, 2009 and 2011 to help ensure the growth of Texas businesses and create more jobs throughout the state. TEF projects must be approved by the governor, lieutenant governor and speaker of the House. The fund has since become one of the state’s most competitive tools to recruit and bolster business. To date, the TEF has invested more than $443.4 million and closed the deal on projects generating more than 62,000 new jobs and more than $15.4 billion in capital investment in the state. Read More: from the office of Governor Rick Perry SUBSCRIBE to The Hispanic Blog and stay on top of the latest Latino news, politics and entertainment! Filed Under: FEATURED STORY, LATINO POLITICS Tagged With: Apple, Austin, Austin Texas, Investment, public relations, Rick Perry, Texas, Texas Enterprise Fund IS GOVERNOR RICK PERRY DOING AWAY WITH PLANNED PARENTHOOD IN TEXAS? photo source Perry Says Women’s Health Program Won’t Die Gov. Rick Perry notified President Obama on Thursday that Texas will find the money to continue to fund the Women’s Health Program, no matter what the federal government does. But Planned Parenthood won’t be allowed to participate — and the program may no longer be affiliated with Medicaid. “We’re going to fund this program. … That’s a moot point,” Perry said. He declined to say where he’d get the roughly $35 million the federal government provides every year, but told reporters that the state would not drop the program that has become a political football between Washington and Texas. “We’ll find the money. The state is committed to this program,” he told reporters. “This program is not going away.” Perry and Republican leaders in the Legislature don’t want Planned Parenthood to be allowed to participate in the $40-million-per-year program, which is designed to help low-income women get birth-control pills, family-planning help and cancer screenings. Though no clinics that accept funding from the program may perform abortions, the state’s Health and Human Services commissioner signed a rule last week that forces Planned Parenthood clinics, which provide more than 40 percent of the program’s services, out of the program anyway. The Obama administration believes that move is illegal, and has said the federal government will not renew the Medicaid waiver program at the end of March if Planned Parenthood and other clinics affiliated with abortion providers are excluded. Currently, the state puts in $1 for every $9 contributed by the federal government to the Women’s Health Program. Sarah Wheat, interim CEO of Planned Parenthood of the Capital Region, said that if Perry has suddenly “identified newly available state funding to support women’s health and birth control,” her organization urges him to use it to restore tens of millions of dollars in cuts made to state family planning during the last legislative session, as opposed to shoring up the Women’s Health Program. “We realize Governor Perry has a history of forgetting,” she said. “But most low-income Texan women remember well that last year, Governor Perry eliminated 2/3 of the budget for women’s preventive health care.” Health and Human Services Commission spokeswoman Stephanie Goodman confirmed that the agency is trying to find the funding to keep the program going without the federal government; health officials received a letter from Perry on Thursday directing them to do so. “Keeping the program alive with state funds will actually cost less than eliminating the program if the federal funding is cut off,” she said. “That’s because the program saves money by reducing the number of births that Medicaid would have to cover.” But she said that the program probably wouldn’t be able to be affiliated with Medicaid — the joint state-federal health provider for children, the disabled and the very poor — because there would be no federal dollars coming in. Perry said Texas has a “multibillion-dollar budget, so we have the ability to be flexible.” He said Texas taxpayers shouldn’t be forced to send their dollars to Planned Parenthood clinics, which can refer for abortions even if they can’t perform them. “Texans don’t want Planned Parenthood, a known abortion provider, to be involved in this,” he said. “We’ve made that decision, and that should be the state’s right to decide.” Read More: Texas Tribune Filed Under: LATINO NEWS Tagged With: Barack Obama, Federal government of the United States, Medicaid, Perry, Planned Parenthood, Rick Perry, Texas, United States Department of Health and Human Services	cc/2019-30/en_head_0020.json.gz/line1067
__label__wiki	0.818806	0.818806	An Unexpected Gateway to the West—Or East, Depending on Who You Are The Significance of the Tennessee-Savannah River Route in early America: In February of 1701, a party of three Frenchmen lowered their birchbark canoe into the frigid headwaters of a snowmelt stream. They were clad in buckskins, and their boat was loaded down with a winter’s worth of peltry—beaver furs, buffalo hides, and deerskins ready to sell. Known as coureurs de bois (literally, “runners of the woods”) they were independent French traders, unsanctioned by the Crown. Men like these would have been a familiar sight in the expanse of French North America, plying their canoes anywhere from Quebec west to the Upper Great Lakes in search of furs and Indian markets. But these Frenchmen were paddling east and south, and they were bound not for the markets of Canada, or even French Louisiana, but an English settlement known as Savannah Town in the Carolina Colony. The would-be traders followed a route they had heard about the previous year during their travels along the Mississippi River, in hopes of establishing a water-route to more favorable markets. Their small commercial venture from the midcontinent to the Carolina Piedmont would force France to recalibrate its colonial policies, open up new markets of slave trading, and might even challenge our understandings of the early imperial contest for the North American frontier. While the historical record is sparse, we know that two of the coureurs de bois on this trip went by the surnames Bellefeuille and Soton. They made contact with the English sometime in March of that year along the Savannah River, in what is now South Carolina, selling their furs and returning west. They arrived at a military post on the frontier of French Louisiana, Biloxy (Present day Biloxi, Miss.), in late July to share their exciting news with fellow traders. They reported that it was a mere 400 league canoe voyage from the mouth of the Missouri River to the headwaters of the Little Tennessee River, and from there only a league and a half portage into the tributary streams of the Piedmont country, which led eventually downstream to the Carolina colony and the sea. As exciting as the news of easy transport may have been to likeminded French coureurs, the commandant of the fort, Sieur de Sauvole, found the report troubling. He reported the incident to his superiors, worrying that “vagabonds and rebels” like these, untrustworthy at the best of times, might have opened up a route for English expansion westward, and the siphoning off of trade eastward. As far-fetched as Sauvole’s fears may sound, the dangers of English incursions into the Mississippi River Valley remained a distinct possibility at the time. French Louisiana was less than two decades old in 1701, and French claims to the Mississippi south from the Great Lakes remained highly contingent on Native peoples’ cooperation and alliance. Rumors from the backcountry insisted that English traders had already infiltrated the region. The great French explorer La Salle predicted that, “the English would come from Carolina by a river which takes its rise near the boundaries of that province, and would draw off thither a large part of the French trade.” As early as the 1690s French in the Illinois Country had heard stories that “Doherty, a trader from Virginia, had visited the Seraquii” on “one of the southern branches of la Belle Riviere,” or Ohio River. That English traders were among the Seraquii, a French mispronunciation of ‘Cherokee,’ indicate their potential presence already in the upper stretches of the Tennessee River, in the heart of Cherokee territory. Bellefeuille and Soton themselves had learned of the route to Carolina the year before from a vanguard of English traders they encountered among the Quapaw Indians of the Arkansas Country. These English had come into the region through the Savannah-Tennessee route following the guidance of a French trader named Jean Coutre who had been living among the Shawnee Indians in the upper reaches of the Piedmont. According to English colonial records, Coutre was a “great Trader and Traveller amongst the Indians” and knew the country well “beyond the Appalatean Mountains.” In 1699, he had offered his services to the English to guide a trading expedition back over the mountains, retracing his original route from the Piedmont to the west. Such a suggestion from a defected Frenchmen excited the English, who worried that French hegemony along the Mississippi River might “unreasonably cramp up” English expansion into the North American interior. Governor Francis Nicholson of Virginia, upon hearing the plan, suggested that traders might go west to “sell goods on terms so cheap as to exclude the French from competition.” Governor Joseph Blake of Carolina endorsed the plan and sent off the expedition, laden with trading goods, up the Savannah River in the winter of 1700. Ironically, this English expedition’s successful reconnoiter of the Tennessee River route opened up more traffic moving east than moving west. Bellefeuille and Soton’s party of coureurs de bois was only the first in a number of French trading groups that made their way to the Carolina colony the following year. The English in Carolina offered a growing market for export goods, an appealing option to the illicit French traders cut off in the backcountry. Charles Town was exporting an incredible 68,000 deerskins annually by 1698, and there was always more demand for furs. Compounding these market incentives, unlicensed French coureurs could face severe fines and penalties if they returned to Canada to sell their merchandise, so the English colonial route offered a clandestine option and guaranteed profit. Another point in favor of the Tennessee route for coureurs was the bureaucratic regulations of New France. In an effort to funnel the lucrative fur trade exclusively through the government monopolies at Montreal and Quebec, the French Crown required that all backcountry furs be sold there, regardless of where traders acquired their pelts. For coureurs working in the Illinois and Mississippi regions, a trip to Canada required weeks of paddling and backbreaking work across multiple overland portages. With Louisiana not included in the French monopoly regulations, a route up the Tennessee and into English lands could prove the easiest access to markets for many French frontiersmen. The coureurs de bois were not the only ones to begin considering trade with the English through Tennessee as their best option. Illinois and Miami Indians of the upper Mississippi and lower Great Lakes, who had traditionally traded furs and bison meat with the French, began to view the Tennessee route as a new outlet for yet another commodity. The Illinois Confederacy specialized in the Indian slave trade, capturing Siouan Indians from farther west and reselling them to the Algonkian tribes of the Great Lakes. As of 1701, however, there was a strict ban on the purchase and ownership of Indian slaves within French Canada. The English in Carolina, on the other hand, had no such compunction against slavery, be it Indian or otherwise. From 1675 to 1700, conservative reports estimated that the colony of Carolina purchased at least 51,000 Indian slaves, in most cases from local Indians like the Catawba and Chickasaw who had captured them from farther west and resold them to the colonists for trade goods. With the opening of the Tennessee route, Indian slave traders in the Illinois country saw the potential for a new market for their own Siouan slaves in Carolina. For French officials in Canada and Louisiana, the defection of coureurs de bois seemed bad enough, but the prospect of losing Indian allies to the English proved untenable. Understanding that in Native custom, trade and alliance were inseparable, the French worried that the inception of a robust slave trade between the Indians of the midcontinent and the English in Carolina “threatened not only a loss of revenues, but also a loss of military allies to a wartime enemy.” France could not afford to lose the support of Native nations in the Mississippi Valley, as this endangered their entire colonial project in North America, connecting Louisiana with Canada. By 1708 things were bleak for French officials as the hemorrhaging of trade and travel up the Tennessee to Carolina continued. Reports from the French posts along the Illinois confirmed that French coureurs “living among the Kaskaskia Illinois were inciting the savage nations in the environs of this settlement to make war upon one another, and that the [coureurs] themselves were participating in order to get slaves, that they afterwards sold to the English.” With both coureurs and Indians looking east towards the English, Louisiana Governor Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne de Bienville sent an emissary to Kaskaskia to distribute gifts to the local headmen and demand that trade with the Carolinas cease. In the meantime, other French officials petitioned back home for a temporary dispensation on the ban to sell furs in Louisiana, opening up a downriver route for coureurs of the Mississippi River Valley to reach French markets. An Illinois Slaving Party, circa 1735 With these measures, the French colonial government began to curtail the allure of the Tennessee country, but the real victory came in 1709 when New France passed a slave ordinance condoning the purchase and ownership of Indian slaves within Canada for the first time. Reasoning that, “it would be better for the French to buy and sell Indian’s slaves in Montreal than to trade them with the English of Carolina,” Jacques Raudot, the Intendent of New France, opened up Canada as a market for the Illinois. With the option of this new French market, Miami and Illinois Indians were happy to divert most of their trade back north. Through the trading lanes of the Great Lakes, thousands of Pawnee, Osage, and Sioux Indian slaves were pouring into Canada by 1710, where one French resident rejoiced that “now we might use these native slaves for all manner of labor, on farms and in towns, as the other colonies do.” That French officials were willing to radically alter the social makeup of their colony with the introduction of Indian slaves in 1709 shows just how powerful these backcountry trade routes were for maintaining French hegemony throughout the Mississippi River Valley. As the Illinois Confederacy reoriented themselves back north towards the Great Lakes, traffic along the Tennessee River began to wane. Coureurs de bois abandoned the route as quickly as they had adopted it, opting for the much easier paddle downstream to Louisiana. By 1718, the young settlement of New Orleans had sprung up near the terminus of the Mississippi, providing plenty of access to local and Atlantic markets for the fur traders of the Mississippi Valley. By reacting to this unexpected river route with radical policy changes, French officials successfully consolidated their own control in the Illinois and Mississippi regions and shut down a potentially lucrative lane between the midcontinent and the eastern seaboard. French, British, and Indians all saw such geographical linchpins as the crucial points for trade and hegemony on the continent, and similar routes remained the flashpoints of competition for control into the eighteenth century. In many ways, the Tennessee-Savannah route, and France’s reaction to it, foreshadowed the contests over sites like Niagara and the forks of the Ohio later in the century. While these more famous sites loom large in American histories of the frontier, we tend to ignore the myriad other routes that could, and at times did, affect imperial policies and connect a continent long before “American” westward expansion proved the norm. Crane, Verner. “The Tennessee River as the Road to Carolina: The Beginnings of Exploration and Trade,” Mississippi Valley Historical Review, 3 (1916), 3-18. Crane, Verner. The Southern Frontier: 1670-1732, Ann Arbor, MI: The University of Michigan Press, 1929. DuVal, Kathleen. The Native Ground Indians and Colonists in the Heart of the Continent. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press, 2006. Gallay, Alan. The Indian Slave Trade: The Rise of the English Empire in the American South, 1670-1717. New Haven, Conn.: Yale University Press, 2002. Margry, Pierre. Memoires et Documents Pour Servir a l’histoire des Origines Francaises des pays d’outre-mer (Paris, 1879). Morrissey, Robert Michael. Empire by Collaboration Indians, Colonists, and Governments in Colonial Illinois Country. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press, 2015. Rushforth, Brett. “A Little Flesh We Offer You’: The Origins of Indian Slavery in New France,” William and Mary Quarterly, 60, no. 4 (Oct. 2003), 777-808. Rushforth, Brett. Bonds of Alliance Indigenous and Atlantic Slaveries in New France, Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina Press, 2012. Snyder, Christina. Slavery in Indian Country : The Changing Face of Captivity in Early America. Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard University Press, 2010. September 16, 2016 by Butch Cassidy American West, Borderlands, Carolina Backcountry, Coureurs de bois, Early Carolina Frontier, French in North America, French Louisiana, Illinois Confederacy, Illinois Country, Indian Slavery, New France, Portage, River Routes, Tennessee River Route, voyageurs	cc/2019-30/en_head_0020.json.gz/line1068
__label__wiki	0.503033	0.503033	Canadian adoptee: Vivian Vivian was adopted from Jiujiang, Jiangxi province in 1995, where she was found wrapped in a blanket in the downtown area of the city as a baby. Now part of a loving Canadian family, she attends a multi-cultural Toronto high school and holds a curiosity towards her heritage. It’s been a long time dream of Vivian’s to return to her birth city and discover the life that was hers, and what her future could have been had she remained. Chinese adoptee: Shumin Where: Jiujiang, China Shuminwas born the third daughter in a rural area where parents are allowed two children. Her birth parents opted to give Shumin away to the Zhu family at the age of 4 months, rather than face social penalties and steep fines for having a third child. Shumin is a shy, quiet girl who loves to draw. At 14, she had just finished grade 7 when we filmed. Shumin had previously felt ashamed of being adopted, and now felt more confident after seeing how comfortable Vivian was with it. Vivian’s Parents : Eve and Hubert Eve and Hubert (pictured here on the plane to China to adopt Vivian in 1995)were among the very first couples in Ontario to adopt from China, first with their older daughter Hilary and then with Vivian, three years later.They feel protective of Vivian in what could be an emotionally challenging trip for her, but are excited about what they all will discover on this trip to China. Eve will definitely be accompanying Vivian on the trip, making her a strong supporting character in the film, but work commitments make it uncertain whether Hubert will be there as well.	cc/2019-30/en_head_0020.json.gz/line1070
__label__cc	0.637217	0.362783	to the victor go the toils ← A response to some criticism from Socialist Worker The Oakland Greens need to stop → On Leninism and anti-Leninism Posted on November 25, 2013 by Scott Lenin’s body: preserved, sterile and unchanging From the 1903 until 1914, Lenin was the leader of the Bolshevik faction of the Russian Social Democratic Labor Party. During this time, nobody ever thought of such a thing as “Leninism.” As Lars Lih documented extensively in his book Lenin Reconsidered, he merely considered himself a follower of Karl Kautsky and a proponent of the Second International in Russia. Between 1914 and 1917, Lenin mulled over the crisis of Social Democracy, a result of socialists throughout the world capitulating to World War I. In 1917, Lenin and the Bolsheviks led an insurrection against the Russian state, and thus some of the world’s attention first began to focus on the practices of Lenin and his comrades in Russia as an alternative to Kautsky. Within a few years, Lenin fell ill and withdrew from political activity, dying in 1924. It was only then that “Leninism” was born. Stalin sat himself at the throne of Lenin, declaring himself the rightful heir of a kingdom that was never meant to be, consolidating power and legitimacy in his hands. The day before Lenin’s funeral, Stalin gave a speech declaring the Russian Communist Party the “army of comrade Lenin.” The doctrine of “Marxism-Leninism” was revealed in Stalin’s speeches and writings and Petrograd, the center of the Russian Revolution, was renamed Leningrad. The party even introduced the “Lenin Levy,” which brought in hundreds of thousands of new members, mostly petty bourgeois careerists who sat out the revolution but could now be relied upon to form a new bureaucracy that would suffocate the remaining forces of revolutionary workers who remained in the party. This all went down a bit easier under the name of Lenin. Finally, Lenin’s body was embalmed and sat on display in Red Square for loyal “Leninists” to view. This was the ultimate reification of “Leninism,” transforming his body into a stale monument to be glorified and beheld, undying, unchanging, inalterable and held up as a standard to be studied and mimicked, if only the followers could be so bold as to dare to reach His level of greatness. Stalin’s Leninism entailed the worship of Lenin’s body while rewriting the history of the revolution. Few if any Leninists today hold up Lenin’s physical body in such high regard, but the monument of “Leninism” remains in the veneration of his body of work. The pillars of “Leninism” There are a handful of specific organizational concepts which are often held up as more-or-less defining features of Leninist party building. We will call these the pillars of Leninism. However, when investigated it is not clear that there is anything uniquely “Leninist” about any of them, or that they are even unique to revolutionary organizations. The vanguard party The standard Leninist view is that Lenin conceived of a party only of the revolutionary vanguard–the “advanced guard,” the most class conscious and militant members of the working class–while Kautsky conceived of a party of the entire class, including liberal and reactionary workers. But Lenin scholar Lars Lih rejects this stark difference, pointing out that Lenin was not proposing something new but adhering to the principles of mainstream Social Democracy and that “neither Kautsky nor Martov [the leader of the Mensheviks]—no social democrat would ever say that the party should be a party of “the whole class,” whatever that is supposed to mean.” At a very basic level, the idea that revolutionaries should have their own organization with their own theory and their own tactics is not unique to either Leninism or Marxism. Certainly, there are many radicals and revolutionaries who organize this way, they just don’t describe it as Leninist. Democratic Centralism This concept has been defined in various ways by Leninists of differing stripes, from banning factions, to following orders without questions, to having a single monolithic line on every political issue, to “maximum debate but unity in practice.” However, as Lars Lih points out, this term was introduced by the Mensheviks, rarely used by Lenin and not really a guiding concept of Bolshevik practice. “I am compelled to conclude,” Lih writes, “that the common supposition that Lenin had a particular organisational philosophy called ‘democratic centralism’ that was distinct or essential to Bolshevism is something of a myth.” More often than not, democratic centralism is the overarching term used for the rules and norms of any given Leninist organization with little or no direct relation to Lenin or the Bolsheviks. That Leninists can continue to invoke this term as some sort of guiding principle after reading and praising Lars Lih ought to raise alarm bells. The Revolutionary Newspaper Lenin’s proposal for an all-Russian newspaper in Where to begin? is nothing new. There were prominent newspapers among revolutionaries well before Lenin, from the French Revolution to the American Abolitionists. Even among Marxists, it seemed that Lenin borrowed rather than invented his conception of the newspaper. In one of Lih’s many interesting insights from his book Lenin Rediscovered, he quotes Franz Mehring describing the SPD when it was forced underground in the 1890s due to German anti-socialist laws: “Bernstein [the editor of the SPD newspaper] well understood how to maintain the newspaper as an organ of the whole party and to give it, at the same time, a definite, firm, clear direction that took into account all tactical demands without violating principle.” This is surprisingly close to Lenin’s formulation of the paper in Where to begin? written a few years later. It is also worth pointing out that Eduard “Bernstein” is the notorious victim of Rosa Luxemburg’s Reform or Revolution?–the most significant proponent of Second International reformism and revisionism. Thus, Lenin’s conception of the newspaper, whatever strengths it has, is hardly unique nor even uniquely revolutionary. The idea that the revolutionary party is specifically focused on recruitment is often seen as a hallmark of Leninism. Yet, all sorts of organizations hold meetings, march behind their own banners and advocate for people to join them. One fascinating example comes from Evangelical Christian sociologist Rodney Stark, who describes in the book Cities of God how the early Christians built a mass following, largely by recruiting people in the “ones and twos.” The lessons drawn from this book would be fascinating to any Leninist. The point, however, is that there is nothing unique to Leninism or even revolutionary politics to organizational recruitment and the challenges entailed. In fact, there is a wealth of sociological literature on this subjection, although none of it would fall under the category of “Leninism.” These are, more or less, the pillars of Leninism. And yet, there is nothing uniquely Leninist about any of them. Perhaps Leninism is the collection of these strategies into a single organizational form? Perhaps. But if that is all there is, then quantity would hardly be expected to lead to quality, and the inclusion of the nefarious practices sometimes grouped under “democratic centralism” should be expected to degrade quality. Granted, Lenin wrote extensively about other political issues, but what typically defines one as a Leninist is adherence to these conceptions of building a party and declaring oneself a Leninist. The problem is, after we have knocked down the above pillars as not being necessarily unique or even non-trivial, we are left with very little. Perhaps we can hold onto the common description of Lenin as having a remarkable flexibility in practice, while maintaining a single-minded focus on the ultimate goal. Well, I hate to break it to you comrades, but even though Lenin may be an exceptional example of this, these skills are also learned and employed by anybody who organizes a church group or assembles a couch from IKEA. In fact, it is a problem that the great skill of “flexibility” even needs to be mentioned at all. I doubt many working class militants need to be reminded of the importance of flexibility in tactics, not to mention a single mother on food stamps whose primary goal is to pay the rent and feed her children. But for Leninists, this is some great insight. The monolithic party line, a consequence of distorted views of “democratic centralism,” is particularly problematic. If democratic centralism really means open debate with unity in practice, and this applies to decisions about theoretical issues as well–a bizarre approach to theory–then there is no way around theory ossifying after some decision has been made about it. The point of theory is to guide practice, which can then lead to new areas of theoretical study as a consequence of this experience. But if theory cannot be changed, then nothing can be learned from practice. In this case, it is not even theory, just religious dogma. Maintaining a situation where the leadership can change the theory but nobody else can is hardly any better. Monolithism, rather than developing leadership, is nothing more than a stale formula for creating stale formulas, which then hold back young revolutionaries from widening their perspectives and discovering some innovative new theory or understanding of the world–making them better able to change it. Rather than developing a “vanguard,” the monolithic party line assures that any vanguard is extinguished. On the question of recruitment, we do not really know how the Bolsheviks went around recruiting people. Are there any examples? I’ve never seen one, and I doubt most Leninists have either. They almost certainly did recruit in some way, either actively or passively, but if we do not know how they did this, we cannot mimic the example nor can we attempt to improve on it. To say that “we use a Leninist method of recruitment,” for example, is to do no more than to put the method up on a pedestal. No living revolutionary was ever a member of either the Bolsheviks or any other party overseen by Lenin and the early Third International. Some Leninist practices may have come down directly from Trotsky, but he was not a member of the Bolsheviks until a few months before the 1917 revolution. While he certainly learned something from his proximity and experience, he also gave all sorts of horrible advice to his followers about meddling in the affairs of their sister groups and tarnishing internal opponents which he most likely made up. All the current Leninist organizations sprung forth from previous organizations from which they inherited most of their practices. The preceding organization is probably now considered to be anti-Leninist, which is fine because the practices that were abandoned–and precisely those practices and no others–are what made the previous group anti-Leninist. So an organization can slap the label “Leninist” on the practices they came up with and/or inherited 20 or 30 years ago and feel like they are being good Leninists. But more often than not, these practices cannot be confirmed as having much to do with Lenin and the Bolsheviks, and in some cases–around banning factions and holding a monolithic party line–are clearly the opposite of the Bolshevik’s practices. All of these practices require various resources, the use of physical spaces and the expenditure of energy over time, leaving behind artifacts not only in the form of newspapers but also leaflets, books, banners and picket signs. However useful this activity might be, the result is the reification of Leninism–taking something ephemeral and transforming it into something real, no longer just an abstract idea. Structures are built up in order to make this happen and they need to be maintained and even defended. Ideas which may not have existed 100 years ago are repeated endlessly and turned into real objects, thus reinforcing their perceived value. Attaching the term “Leninism” to these practices elevates them to an untouchable status even though they are largely trivial and non-unique. The effort exerted, the objects created and the repetition of the term “Leninist” not only reifies but also naturalizes the concept. This is Leninism. This is how it always has been. This is how it always will be. Against “anti-Leninism” Leninism is simply the set of practices carried out by people who identify as Leninists. To a Leninist, Leninism is what we do. Anti-Leninism is what people who are opposed to us do. How do we know they are against us? Because they are against our methods, therefore they are anti-Leninist. Once the charge of “anti-Leninism” is bandied about, it is hard to get around it, especially when thrown around amongst Leninists. No good Leninists wants to fall victim to this charge, or be caught defending practices that are deemed anti-Leninist. Just like the charges of “sectarian” or “ultra-left,” this charge obscures more than it clarifies. It’s use merely signifies that some idea or action is outside the terms of debate, set by some arbitrary group of people at some arbitrary time. Much is debatable, but some things are not, lest we negate ourselves. The charge of “anti-Leninism” is rarely hurled at an action in contradiction to a 100-year-old practice taken directly from Lenin and the Bolsheviks, if for no other reason than these practices are a mystery to most of us. Far more often, the anti-Leninism gun is pointed at a practice dating only a few decades at most. How the methods being criticized can be deemed inherently anti-Leninist is unclear, and remains so, largely because the discussion is shut down at this point. Occasionally in a Leninist organization, member A will accuse member B of arguing or doing something that is anti-Leninist. In the best case, the comrades will work it out amongst themselves and come to an agreement. The worst case scenario is when an accused anti-Leninist is and remains a member of a Leninist organization. They are an outsider within our ranks. This creates an untenable situation that must be resolved. Very occasionally–far less often than most non-Leninists would presume–the contradiction is resolved with the dialectic of expulsion. The inside anti-Leninist is now an outsider, and the natural state of things can resume. It is not so much that the power of expulsion is able to dictate the physical abilities of the now-outsider anti-Leninist. Few if any expulsions ever require physical force. The expulsion of anti-Leninist member B is meant to delegitimize their critique. Since they are now an outsider, their critique is no longer legitimate. Hostile ex-members are a problem, but only insofar as they have a hearing among members. These members become “inside-outsiders” and their status needs to be resolved. They can be anti-Leninist all they want, but not within the Leninist organization, lest we negate ourselves. Expelling the anti-Leninist is the negation of the negation. By expelling the anti-Leninist element from the Leninist organization, Leninism is further reified and naturalized. Lenin’s body of work is preserved from destructive elements. Not that anybody actually knows for certain how Leninism is supposed to work, but at least there is some certainty restored to the current situation. Finally, it may turn out that member A, the accuser, was actually wrong to make the accusation. Does this mean that they are anti-Leninist for attacking an idea that was essentially Leninist? Not necessarily. As long as the comrades come to an agreement, the contradiction can vanish rather than be negated and the Leninist stasis may resume. We are all Leninists once again. What any of this has to do with the revolutionary struggle against capitalism is utterly unclear. What it has to do with building and sustaining and defending an organization should be very clear. Unfortunately, while these are not mutually exclusive, they are not necessarily the same thing either. Solidarity means attack, and vice-versa [T]he facts are plain to see: the advanced industrial societies are still without the revolutionary force that can wrest power from the capitalists who hold it, and the Leninist model has never yet proved itself effective for this purpose. — Marcel Liebman, Leninism Under Lenin, page 428 The anti-Leninist is the outside agitator of the Leninist organization. A critique from an anti-Leninist is an attack from the outside. It cannot be accommodated, it must be challenged. Otherwise we will succumb to anti-Leninism. This sort of thinking is unfortunately all too common among many Leninist organizations. Criticizing a set of ideas that have been reified and naturalized into Leninism cannot be seen as anything but an attack, not because the organization cannot survive change but because the norms and practices have been placed next to the world’s first successful workers’ revolution, even if that is not historically the case. Leninists sometimes employ a model of their organization as operating in concentric circles, with the party at the center, surrounded by fellow travelers and activist allies, surrounded by passive liberals, surrounded by hostile liberals, conservatives, etc. Each circle creates the ability to both affect the outside world and be properly influenced by it. Unfortunately, this model can sometimes look like a medieval fortress, with each circle a moat or stone wall protecting from outside attack. Sometimes, the drawbridges in the inner circle are retracted, the center is surrounded but temporarily secure, neither influencing the world nor influenced by it. Leninism is safe. What needs to be asked is, if the critique is hostile, then hostile to what exactly? Is it hostile to the working class, or to the revolutionary struggle against capitalism? Is it an obstacle toward building these struggles? Does it accommodate capital or the state, or the liberal and reformist forces that uphold them? If a critique is deemed to attack “Leninism,” then perhaps it is not attacking anything at all, or perhaps it is working in solidarity with attempts to build a stronger resistance against capitalism with better forms of organization. What “Leninism” does more than anything else is raise various methods to the level of world-historic principle. Arguing about whether something is Leninist or anti-Leninist is largely counter-productive, unless we are simply having an academic discussion over Russian history. We can continue fighting over Lenin’s body or we can do what revolutionaries–including Lenin–have always done–evaluate the situation as it is and seek out new forms of organization and resistance that empower the working-class, regardless of what came before. The truth is, many of us have ideas about this, but ultimately we do not know. Revolutionaries and radicals are in the process of discovering these practices, not only through study of the past but through experiment in the present. The future working-class rebellions in the US will not self-identify as Leninist, not this long after the Soviet Union has fallen and the Leninist parties of the world have collapsed. To believe otherwise would be utter idealism, along the lines of believing that a revolution will occur because enough people read the Communist Manifesto. Rather than arguing over “Leninism,” Leninists would be better off building resistance to neoliberalism with an explicit eye toward societal transformation and joining forces with all those who seek to do the same. Rather than seeing the world through 100 years of Leninism and Trotskyism, adjusting by inches one way or another to improve their practice, we should seek to build something new that nobody else has even considered before, just as every revolutionary before us has done. After all, it is the creation of something new that is revolutionary, not the reconstruction of the old. We do not need to ignore history, but we do need to enthusiastically embrace the future. Lenin did not have a Leninism to fall back on, and neither do we. This entry was posted in Leninism. Bookmark the permalink. 5 Responses to On Leninism and anti-Leninism Pingback: On Leninism and anti-Leninism davidellis987 says: To me Leninism is 1) faithfulness to Marxism; 2) the analysis of imperialism and its impact on the 2nd International which allowed him to build a party in Tsarist Russia capable of leading the working class to revolutionary power. Pingback: The great Lenin debate of 2012 \| Red Atlanta Pingback: The Great Lenin Debate of 2012 \| Red Party Pingback: The great Lenin debate of 2012 \| External Bulletin	cc/2019-30/en_head_0020.json.gz/line1071
__label__wiki	0.656747	0.656747	Book Review: Empowering Pak Army was a US Mistake By Amir Mir \| Via The News International “Empowering the Pakistani military at the cost of democratic institutions was an American mistake and Washington’s personalization of relations with different autocrats has significantly weakened the state of Pakistan,” so says a recent book which has been authored by a former high-ranking official of the US State Department who had served the policy planning staff of the secretary of state for years. Currently serving as a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR), Daniel Markey, the author of the book titled “No Exit From Pakistan: America’s Tortured Relationship with Islamabad”, has challenged the previous narrative of the Americans about the indispensability of the Pakistan Army. The book assesses how the US has made and implemented policies regarding Islamabad since the 9/11 terrorist attacks. While Markey provides an exhaustive historical account of the Washington-Islamabad ties, the most striking feature of his book remains the realisation that a military-first approach towards Pakistan suffers from the crucial fact that the army has never run the country very effectively. He writes: “The generals have never managed to set Pakistan on the path to better governance, unlike celebrated strongmen in other countries such as Turkey or Singapore…America will be better off it advocates universal principles and supports stronger democratic institutions in Pakistan rather than specific individuals.” The title of his book actually references Jean Paul Sartre’s play ‘No Exit’ because the Pak-US relationship has a very specific comparison with the play that consists of characters that are pitted against one another in a living room. Markey believes that these aspects of the play worked as a useful analogy for US-Pakistan relations. He likens the frustration of American and Pakistani policymakers to that of the sinners in Jean-Paul Sartre’s play, who discover hell is a room where they torment one another forever. “Both sides believe they have been sinned against. Even at high points in the relationship there were still underlying irritations and disagreements that got in the way of building any sort of strong, sustainable cooperation,” Markey writes. He explains that the United States is concerned about terrorist threats emanating from Pakistan, its nuclear arsenal, growing military ties with China, and history of tensions with India. Together these issues are too large and complicated for the United States to resolve quickly – or perhaps ever – yet they are also too important to neglect; there is no exit. “To best achieve its goals with Pakistan, the United States will need to pick carefully among aspects of three strategic approaches – defensive insulation (to protect US from Pakistan-based threats, such as nuclear proliferation and terrorism); military-first cooperation (by providing technical and financial assistance to Pakistani military to address top security concerns); and comprehensive cooperation (by supporting Pakistani military and civilian leadership, as well as its civil society, to build a more stable Pakistan over time).” While stating that Pakistan always perceived its relationship with Washington as a means to deal with India, the writer refers to General Pervez Musharraf’s memoirs in which the latter says: “Pakistan chose to partner with America out of fear that Washington and New Delhi might unite against Pakistan, not because Islamabad felt a genuine compulsion to assist after the 9/11 tragedies.” Markey then states that Islamabad is guilty of “misrepresenting its commitment to American goals in order to extract the material benefits of partnership with a superpower.” The author describes Pakistan as a black hole for American aid out of which nothing good comes out, but concedes in the same breath that there seemed to be no alternative than to work through this relationship. “War against Pakistan would be too messy, too dangerous and too awful. The former State Department official then classifies Pakistan as a country with four faces: an elite-dominated basket; a garrison state; a terrorist incubator and a youthful idealist. The Americans believe that Pakistan multiplies its faces while dealing with different audiences. Its internal politics and society are deeply influenced by Islam and insecurity from India. Thus, it is these dynamics, not US strategic goals or financial assistance, which defines Pakistan’s relationship with the US. Markey has picked up two Pakistan individuals in his book with contrasting reasons but the mutual hobby of bashing the United States inside Pakistan. The first individual is Dr Shireen Mazari, who is now affiliated with Imran Khan’s Tehrik-e-Insaf and earned her doctorate at Columbia University. Mazari represents a breed of Pakistanis who are educated in the West and do not look at all like radical Muslims. The book states: “Mazari’s worldview begins with the conviction that the United States is untrustworthy, India is the enemy and China is Pakistan’s one true ally. She reflects a mind-set that runs throughout much of the Pakistan’s military, no matter that tens of billions of dollars in US assistance and weaponry has flowed to Pakistan over the decades.” The second individual mentioned by Markey is Chaudhry Aitzaz Ahsan, a liberal lawyer and politician, who represents the other school of thought, which blames the US for contributing to Pakistan’s dysfunction by bolstering the country’s army; criticises the US for intentionally undermining democracy and free expression in their country by supporting dictators like Ayub Khan, Zia-ul-Haq and Pervez Musharraf. The US State department official concludes that Pakistan may be a problem too big to solve and too big to avoid, but a unified strategy may provide some hope of a better alliance with Pakistan in the future. Daniel Markey Pakistan Army 2014-03-11 Previous Morocco, Algeria and the Cold War Next Gender Gap: 4 States Yet to Send a Woman to U.S. Congress	cc/2019-30/en_head_0020.json.gz/line1073
__label__wiki	0.938438	0.938438	Loyal Bushie Nicolle Wallace calls Tom Ridge a ‘wussy.’ Faiz Shakir Aug 23, 2009, 4:18 pm This morning on Fox News, the pundit roundtable discussed new charges leveled by former Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge that politics played a role in the issuance of terror alerts in the Bush administration. Nicolle Wallace, who served as the Communications Director for the 2004 Bush-Cheney campaign and later served as the White House communications director, complained that Ridge was making a “wussy” allegation: We were having a very political discussion [in the 2004 campaign] about terrorism. … But that is quite different from what he very, I think in a kind wussy way, alleges. I mean, this is not a very precise attack. This is — he pondered and wondered if perhaps politics went into it. You know, it’s very fishy to me. Tad Devine, a senior strategist on the 2004 John Kerry presidential campaign, responded, “I don’t think he’s wussy to expose this. I think he’s shown a lot of courage, and I’m glad he did it.” Watch it: Wallace’s criticism echoes that of former Bush speechwriter David Frum. “That is the most tentative possible way of advancing an accusation,” Frum said of Ridge’s accusation. Last week, a spokesman for John Ashcroft said, “Now would be a good time for Mr. Ridge to use his emergency duct tape.” #Homeland Security, #Politics, #Terrorism	cc/2019-30/en_head_0020.json.gz/line1076
__label__cc	0.71844	0.28156	Graecum est; non legitur February 5, 2016 by thomtruelove in Design, Eureka, Imagination, Inspiration, Musing, Perspective, Sci fi and fantasy, Work in Progress and tagged Benjamin Franklin, Circular Gallifreyan, Conlanging, Doctor Who, Fandom, International Phonetic Alphabet, IPA, Noah Webster Letters are fascinating. Why shouldn’t we find them so? Their shapes afford us a sense of order if not actual orthodoxy and by them – along with the sounds they represent – we attempt to make ourselves known. Letters are even how we identify ourselves. As writing systems are essential to our having a recorded history, letters are as old as time. In his last fable, Hyginus states, “The Parcae – Clotho, Lachesis, and Atropos invented seven Greek letters.” The novel I’ve set in mythological Greece won’t be written in Ancient or Modern Greek but I have been making an effort to get the character names and certain terms correct. Effort at being thorough and accurate has often taken me to the area where fascinating letters become tricky things — in combination they invite pronunciation, spelling, and meaning. During my formal education the pronunciation key in any dictionary made use of diacritical marks. Later the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) became the key of choice. Though there is an online English-to-IPA translator, I’ve yet to find one that works in reverse. I still have to compare IPA vowels to a diacritical chart. In addition to the story of Teiresias, another novel in development takes place chiefly in WWII-era Great Britain. This setting brings up an entirely new set of permutations of expression and a few slightly different vowels. While on his third visit to England and attempting, among other things, to have Pennsylvania made a Royal Colony rather than a proprietary province, Benjamin Franklin devised A Scheme for a new Alphabet and a Reformed Mode of Spelling. The premise of any phonetic structure – beyond illustrating pronunciation – is that knowing how a word sounds is the same as knowing how to spell it. Dr. Franklin removed c, j, q, w, x, and y. Six new letters were introduced. The rules are not included here but many websites provide them. It seems unlikely that Franklin’s scheme could have replaced the alphabet; it would have meant having to relearn to read and write for those who already knew. Dr. Franklin did give permission to another to try. “As an independent nation, our honor requires us to have a system of our own, in language as well as government. Great Britain, whose children we are, and whose language we speak, should no longer be our standard…” — Noah Webster Both men became more involved with The American War of Independence. Spelling and use of certain words were deliberately – and apparently irrevocably – changed. The British-import alphabet thankfully remained. When not writing or involved with other arts and history, I sometimes explore the world of conlanging – a documentary about which was directed by a friend of mine – Britton Watkins. Conlanging is the pursuit of developing new languages and/or alphabets, usually for the sake of fiction. Examples include languages of Tolkien’s elves and of Roddenberry’s aliens (developers include Dorothy Jones Heydt, Mark R. Gardner, and Marc Okrand). Mr. Watkins has also produced a very thorough and beautiful font for writing in Vulcan. The best-known real world conlang may be Esperanto, created by L. L. Zamenhof and offered with high hopes as “an easy-to-learn, politically neutral language”. I hesitate to say that most conlangers use the IPA while developing their new languages but many do. This is particularly true of most of the dozen or so who’ve attempted a Circular Gallifreyan font. Exceptions include the systems by Loren Sherman and Rachel Sutherland, respectively. Their alphabets are the most commonly used by fandom. All this to say — we may not have been looking at the symbols of the Time Lords from quite the right vantage point. Every letter – real or imaginary – is two-dimensional. Given time and relative dimensions in space, Gallifreyan letters may not be flat shapes; I don’t think it’s Circular at all. For the sake of art and of curiosity, I am developing a new system and will likely produce a font and/or Photoshop Brush Set. The guide will include IPA and diacritical alike. 鬼劃符 ← 3rd Quadrant, Sector 8023 Citius, Altius, and away… →	cc/2019-30/en_head_0020.json.gz/line1078
__label__cc	0.504241	0.495759	by Amanda Armstrong, Rhetoric Department, UC Berkeley. 5th of 5 talks from The Operation of the Machine panel, UC Berkeley October 1, introduced by Prof. Colleen Lye. Cross-posted from Reclaim UC Photo: Outside the office of UC Berkeley's Vice Chancellor for Real Estate, October 1, 2014 I’m going to be talking today about the operation of the UC machine then, versus its operation now. But notthen as in 1965. More like then as in 2009. I still have vivid memories from fall 2009—a semester when students, workers, and professors built assemblies, walked out of classes, and took direct actions to challenge austerity measures being imposed by the newly-appointed UC President, Mark Yudof. These austerity measures included a 32% tuition increase, furloughs for faculty and staff, and layoffs of over 2,000 service workers across the UC system. At one of the first walkout planning meetings I attended that fall, people were talking about something called the “Meister report,” which I later learned was named after its author, UC Santa Cruz Professor Bob Meister. The Report talked about how UC administrators were able to take out low-interest construction bonds because they essentially pledged to Moody’s and other rating agencies that they would raise student tuition if necessary to pay back the bonds. The Meister Report challenged the official story of the 2009 tuition hikes, which claimed that the hikes were necessary given the state’s defunding of public education. The report suggested that, in hiking tuition so drastically, UC administrators weren’t only making up for state defunding – they were also showing bond rating agencies that they had the political will and capacity to deliver steep fee hikes if necessary. And they were protecting their ability to carry on with construction projects, even if this meant trimming funds for basic instruction and saddling students with more debt. In this way, the Meister Report opened up questions about how and in whose interests UC administrators were managing the money they did have, and about why so many construction projects were moving forward even at a moment of financial crisis. 2009 was thus defined by the politicization both of UC real estate development and of rising student debt levels; it was also a period of significant political mobilization. Even so, we did not succeed in stopping the fee hikes, or otherwise reversing austerity on a large scale. There were some minor victories though: at Berkeley, some of the demands of those who occupied Wheeler Hall on November 20thwere realized. The University renewed its essentially no-cost lease to the Rochdale co-op, and a number of custodial workers who had been laid off were rehired. The larger political victory came in 2011 and 2012. Facing another round of steep fee hikes, students linked their organizing against privatization to the larger occupy movement. We set up encampments on the campuses, and, after acts of police violence, held massive strikes at Berkeley and Davis. The movement broadened through the spring, with people in all sectors of education marching to the capitol building in Sacramento and occupying it, in order to build support for progressive taxation and for the refunding of public education and social services. Ultimately, a ballot initiative for progressive taxation passed and, with guarantees of more state funding, the regents agreed to freeze in-state tuition for at least four years. Since the political victory of 2012, some things have changed. In the aftermath of the in-state tuition freeze, the priorities and practices of UC administrators have mutated somewhat, which, I want to suggest, presents an altered political context, and some ambiguities, for those of us interested in challenging University privatization. To begin to get a sense of this new terrain, we can look at recent bond rating reports and UC financial documents. This year, two rating agencies, Moodys and Fitch, downgraded the UC’s bond rating. In explaining their decision, Moodys noted that, while “The university's debt doubled over the last eight years,…. Political and public scrutiny of the rising cost of higher education will constrain UC's ability to grow net tuition revenue.” They continued: “The university's relatively low cost compared to other market leading universities and expansive geographic draw of students help offset these pressures.” In other words, UC administrators aren’t politically able to raise enough tuition revenue to offset their debts, but at least they can make money on out-of-state tuition, and maybe sometime soon they’ll be able to raise in-state tuition as well. These bond rating reports, in addition to vindicating Bob Meister’s analysis from 2009, help clarify and explain a couple strategies recently undertaken by UC administrators—strategies that are spelled out fairly explicitly in UC’s financial documents. First: In the absence of a political context conducive to across-the-board tuition hikes, administrators have nevertheless tried to increase tuition and fee revenues by admitting more out of state students and by increasing other costs students have to pay (including for housing and healthcare). And Second: In an attempt to decrease their debt levels, administrators have begun to aggressively promote the privatization of development. Instead of generally taking on debt to construct buildings themselves, they are now often working to rent out university-owned land to developers who are willing to build, and in some cases manage, dorms, labs, and other facilities. In what follows, I will discuss these two administrative strategies, as well as some of their possible political implications. First, on UC administrators’ recent attempts to salvage tuition and fee income. This really varies by campus, and I’m going to focus mostly on Berkeley. Following the crisis of 2009, Berkeley administrators started actively recruiting out of state and international students, who paid more in tuition. In the last couple years, as the cost of out-of-state tuition has risen to almost three times that of in-state tuition, administrators continued to admit progressively more out-of-state students. Last year, a third of new admits came from outside of California. Like other public universities, Berkeley has started “leveraging” student aid to compete to enroll higher-income, out-of-state students. The new Middle Class Access Plan, the cutoff for which was just raised to include those from families making up to $150,000, leverages relatively small grants in exchange for the higher return of out-of-state tuition revenues. Berkeley has also selectively increased housing costs since 2012, raising rents dramatically on the most desirable housing options, while keeping other rents relatively flat. This follows a period of dramatic rent hikes; between 2001 and 2011, room and board rates nearly doubled. Finally, as part of the restructuring of SHIP in 2013, Berkeley raised healthcare premiums by thirteen percent for undergraduates and twenty percent for graduate students—a cost increase that mostly falls on grad students in professional schools, whose tuition rates have also continued to increase. Thinking politically about this situation, it’s worth saying initially that a politics organized around the principles of racial justice, class equality, and affordable public education remain critical. Since 2009, the admission and enrollment rates of black students have declined even further than in the immediate aftermath of Proposition 209. Over this period, the class composition of the student body has also been shifting; there are relatively fewer low-income students but significantly more from the highest income brackets. Since 2001, the costs borne by all students have continued to rise, even for those receiving the maximum support from Pell Grants and the Blue and Gold plan. For these and other reasons, it’s critical that we continue to target the race and class exclusions that are only becoming more entrenched in the admissions process. But I think we also should be thoughtful about how politically to address the fact that the bulk of new tuitionand fee revenues has been coming from out-of-state and international students, who now make up a greater percentage of the student body and have the potential to take on a greater role—as either protagonists or antagonists—of any student movement against privatization that might reemerge. Perhaps advocating for across the board rent and tuition reductions, including for out-of-state tuition, would be a generally compelling way to address affordability issues, which would push back as well against UC administrators’ post-2012 strategy for increasing tuition and fee revenues. The second post-2012 administrative strategy concerns the privatization of development. In June 2012, right around the time the Regents announced that they would freeze in-state tuition if Proposition 30 passed, Berkeley housing administrators announced that, in order to limit their construction-related debt, they would begin seeking out private developers to build new dorms. This kind of privatization of dorm construction had been happening for some time at Irvine and Davis. And Berkeley had done something similar with the Blum Center, as well as in partnering with BP to fund the construction of the Energy Biosciences Institute building on Hearst and Oxford. Just in the last couple of years though, the privatization of construction has significantly intensified across the UC system. The UC Office of the President recently posted on their website documents outlining the various partnerships, or rent agreements, the campuses are looking to make with private developers. At Berkeley, housing administrators announced that the Martinez commons would be the final dorm funded and built in-house, and they recently leased Bowles Hall to a private entity interested in redeveloping the building. They are working now on finding a developer interested in building and managing a new dorm on Ellsworth and Channing. The Berkeley rent stabilization board has expressed concern that such privately developed and managed dorms could further drive up student rents, especially when other privately-run dorms, such as the newly-constructed Metropolitan on Dana and Durant, charge rents higher than the cost of room and board. Construction workers’ unions have also raised concerns about the fact that, unlike building projects on campus, these development projects won’t be bound by state prevailing wage laws, and so could involve more dangerous and exploitative building practices. UC Berkeley administrators have also been working to make arrangements with private firms for the development of portions of the Gill Tract, in Albany. So far, the efforts of Occupy the Farm have stalled this development, and have put on the agenda the conversion of the Gill tract into space for community-based farming, research, and education. Berkeley administrators, including the newly appointed Vice Chancellor of real estate Robert Lalanne, are also working on coordinating a massive development project on 109 acres of land owned by the University in Richmond Bay. They are saying this project will involve private construction and management of some of the research facilities, and recently published an “Infrastructure Master Plan,” outlining ways for private companies to buy space and influence at the Richmond Bay campus. A coalition of labor and community groups has issued a number of demands around this development project including the payment of prevailing wages to construction workers, the promise that all service workers employed in the facilities will be represented by AFSCME, the opening up of space for community-based and community-driven research, that those profiting from the project help fund affordable housing in Richmond, and that formerly incarcerated people be hired for some of the construction and other work set to occur. These are demands that students and workers on campus can help amplify. And in general, I think it’s imperative that we respond to UC’s efforts to privatize construction by building relations of solidarity with local communities and making the case for a kind of public knowledge making. I can imagine some ambiguities and difficulties that might accompany such a project, aside from just the myriad practical challenges of coalition building and of building power sufficient to interrupt administrative agendas. It might also be hard to know when to oppose new development outright and when to try and direct it to less damaging, more accessible and public-oriented ends. And there’s a question as well about federal research money, which is public in one sense but is often linked to military or other state interests. In a power-point presentation last spring, Robert Lalanne, the Vice Chancellor of real estate, noted that drone development and testing is part of the research agenda for Richmond Bay. Given the entailments of much federal research, how can we envision and struggle for a kind of public knowledge making that is resolutely anti-militarist? Any renewed movement against university privatization will need to work through these ambiguities and difficulties. But if the last six years have shown us anything, it’s that concerted action on the part of students, workers, and instructors can fundamentally shift the operations of the university, and can block the worst effects of university privatization, if not reverse this process outright. So there is reason to try, and to hope. Labels: Academic Freedom, Academic Labor, Budget, guest post, Privatization, Protests, Students, UC, UC Berkeley, Unions Chris here: This was too long for the comments section for Free Speech and Fre UC so I've posted it. First, faculty attitudes themselves: The most systematic research shows that a majority are moderate liberals, that leftists are a very small minority. See reporting on Gross & Simmons here and here (showing faculty centrism, rejection of political influence over hiring across the political spectrum, and the anti-"PC" views of a majority of faculty "stars"). These studies were conducted by investigators who went out of their way to find evidence of radicalism and PC views. They found moderation, professionalism, and increasing conservatism as one rises in status and influence. (I also work through studies endorsed by David Horowitz and others in a late chapter and appendix of Unmaking the Public University.) This and similar research has been around for years. It shows a relatively small number of self-identified conservatives on faculties, and moderates outnumbering liberals. It does not show a professoriate that is unrepresentative of the electorate when you poll electoral views on particular issues. I don't know party registration of UC faculty, but since Republican registration in CA is now at 28% , it's at least possible that UC is more Republican than the state of California. Second, there's the question of whether party affiliation or inferred ideological commitments affect professional performance in either instruction or research. One of the insights of the "human sciences" over the past fifty years involves the ways that personal identity and social positioning affect perception and the structuring of knowledge itself. So for human beings the answer for indirect influence of outlook on behavior including professional behavior is always yes. This is one reason why professions exist, along with their cumbersome methodologies that are difficult for outsiders to understand or appreciate--protocols of various kinds are put in place to manage perceptions, insure regularity, create reproducibility, etc. The most important examples are not in the humanities but in clinical testing, where human subjects are in life-or-death situations. There, "double blind" protocols among many other safeguards are put in place to control for the effects of human intention. Something similar happens in non- academic professions like policing. It would be wrong to assume that the party affiliation of police officers controls their professional conduct. You can read on this blog a criticism of what I regard as the overpolicing of this past year's Deltopia event without finding speculation about officers’ ideological bias or dismissing the existence of their professionalism, which they both have in abundance and which affects their behavior. In the humanities, various forms of peer review make the same kind of effort. Some non-academics have gotten in the habit of dismissing all of this with a wave of the hand as itself a kind of ideology, but that is because of lack of experience with the reality of these generally unforgiving methodologies, which are never applied in everyday conversation or to media discourse, little of which would survive the kind of tests to which academic publishing and teaching are subject. In short, there is really no evidence that faculty are unable to subject their own views to professional controls in their research or teaching, and, inflammatory exceptions aside, plenty of evidence that they do exactly this in the classroom--teaching by connecting conclusions to evidence, looking at evidence from various angles, making sure the evidence is relatively complete, and teaching students how to follow these procedures on their own. There's quite a bit more to say about academic procedure and why it is so superior to American political discourse in our era, but I will let it go there. Third, there's the issue of whether citizens can ethically subject public agencies to party affiliation tests and opt out if they perceive, on an individual basis, an imbalance. The answer is no. Police, fire, health, education, road maintenance units could potentially be subject to checks of one's party cards, but the Soviet-like nature of this gesture is obvious and I'm always surprised when conservatives go down the road of making a condition of proper funding (or of reversal of previous cuts in the case of higher ed) their preferred ideological balance on staff. I assume that police officers are as a group more conservative politically than I am. I would never dream of making funding judgments about them on that basis, or think that it's ok for them to have their pensions cut or have inferior equipment because they don't vote like me. Whether the issue is public safety or educational quality, the issue is the professionalism of staff, insured by peer review and qualified, procedurally explicit, systematic judgments, not their political beliefs. Finally, the hostility of some members of the Santa Barbara community toward their local university is nothing sort of tragic. It overfocuses on isolated (and often sensationalized incidents), and it ignores the fact that UCSB is the backbone of the middle-class economy for the overall county, both in terms of salaries and benefits and in terms of student expenditures in the local economy. Some Santa Barbarans complain all the way to the bank, as they cash rent checks in the amount of $800-1000 per month per bed, with no interest in how the absence of cultural amenities or of even a basic friendly attitude towards students outside of their designated I.V. / Lower State playgrounds affects their behavior, their education, and their well-being. Could we contain our older-and-wealthier disapproval of the younger-and-poorer long enough to actually help them get a proper start in the world, or simply to try to understand their concerns? Will later Californians remember Santa Barbara and Santa Cruz as making active contributions to the future of the state or as dragging their feet the whole way? The most probable answer makes me sad. Labels: Corruption, Faculty, Politics, Students by Chris Newfield, UC Santa Barbara 4th of 5 talks from The Operation of the Machine panel, UC Berkeley October 1, introduced by Prof. Colleen Lye Members of the FSM had to fight for free speech on campus, as we still must. But they did not have to fight for a free university. They already had one. They succeeded at winning specific free speech protections. The free university, they took for granted. For UC students in 2009 and 2011, Free UC was a nostalgic memory, like 78-RPM records and episodes of Marcus Welby, MD. They had to fight to block massive tuition hikes. They succeeded too—not in blocking those hikes, but in raising the political cost of hikes so high that UC & CSU tuition has been frozen for the past several years. The University isn’t really that happy about this. They’ve used tuition hikes to top up revenues for decades now. Faculty aren’t really that happy about it either. Some of us oppose high tuition on the grounds that it damages access and the public functions of the university. But most faculty have given up on their senior managers’ ability to get correct public funding from the state. Most see high tuition, coupled with what’s called high financial aid, as inevitable, fated, predestined, and necessary to restoring UC quality. In this context, when you oppose continued tuition increases, you are told that you are being selfish and shortsighted, and that maybe you don’t understand the generosity of UC financial aid. You are told that low tuition is a subsidy to the rich. You don’t want to subsidize wealthy students, do you? You are told that low tuition hurts the poor, because they have to subsidize students with their taxes. You don’t want to hurt the poor, do you? You are told that low tuition is a political “non-starter.” You don't want to waste your time on lost causes, or tilt at windmills like Don Quixote, do you? You are told that low tuition would undermine the high financial aid levels that have protected poor students from unaffordable fees, and that are now expanding to the middle class. You don’t want to hurt aid for low-income students, I’m sure. You are told that low tuition would undercut improvements in teaching and learning—that educational quality depends on high tuition, and on more non-resident students paying even higher tuition than residents. You don’t want to lock in “limited learning” at Berkeley or anywhere else, I know. So it looks like current tuition levels are a bare minimum, and that pretty soon they’re going to have to go even higher—we’re realists, and we agree that college graduates get the benefits of their degree so should pay most or all the cost. Don’t we? But in reality, all five of these statements are wrong. The right answers point not simply to freezing tuition, which is one cause UC free speech was used for, but to rolling tuition back. We can dispense quickly with first two statements—that Free UC subsidizes the rich by charging them far less than they could afford, and is a burden to the poor, by forcing them to subsidize students at Berkeley where they can’t go. The way to deal with these is through progressive taxation at the state level. For a family making between $300,000 and $400,000 a year, there could be a higher ed surcharge of $1700.18. Someone making $17,000 a year would pay an additional $5.13—or nothing, if there were a threshold. I’ll explain those strange numbers in a minute. For now, the main point is that the tax system can equalize burdens for all public institutions according to ability to pay. That’s the basic idea of progressive taxation. The third truthy statement is that low or no tuition is a political non-starter. The truthiness part is that it is non-starter only for a portion of the political and business class, who have no interest in paying more taxes themselves to lower college costs for the masses of California students. Regent Blum thinks low-tuition is a non-starter. Regent Gould thinks low tuition is a non-starter. Columnist Dan Walters thinks low-tuition is a non-starter. Former President Yudof thought low tuition was a non-starter. Former Chancellor Birgeneau thought low tuition was a non-starter. On the other hand, in polls Californians think low tuition is a great idea. They think the tuition is too damn high--they’ve been saying this since the early 1990s. They think somebody should pay more taxes, and recently 40% said they should pay more taxes themselves. The need for high tuition is a social construction, a fabrication, an artifact of a passing era, a conventional belief. It can be changed. Changing beliefs is a purpose of free speech, of thought itself, of movements of the kind that have brought us together today. But, they say, Free UC is a nice idea but we just don’t have the money. Actually, we do! The Council of UC Faculty Associations did the math, and showed to get tuition back down to 2000-01 levels $5300 in today’s dollars), and state funding back up to spend 20001 amounts per student, would cost to the median individual California taxpayer , each year, a total of $50. Restoring full quality and affordability for the state’s 1.6 million public college and university students would cost the state median taxpayer about the same as a holiday bottle of single malt scotch. That would get us halfway back to a Free UC So Free UC wouldn’t help the rich, and wouldn’t hurt the poor, and wouldn’t cost too much. We’re on the fourth defense of high tuition. What about all that high financial aid—the Blue and Gold Plan, the Middle Class Scholarships, Cal Grants plus Pell Grants, Berkeley’s own programs--that have inoculated low-income students from high tuition? Well actually, they haven’t. As you know all too well, students must cover not only tuition but also the full “cost of attendance,” which includes rent, food, clothes, books, and similar everyday expenses. On-Campus cost of attendance is over $33,000. High overall costs make a huge difference in who gets to complete. High tuition means that degree completion depends on ability to pay, which depends on family income--and debt capacity. Source: Tom Mortenson, PostSecondonary Education Opportunity 2010. Nationally, 71% of the top quartile completes their degree. 10% of the bottom quartile completes their degree. Note too that as you move from the top to the next income quartile (which starts at around $90,000 for a family and ends at somewhat above $50,000), attainment falls by half. What does the High tuition /high aid model do to fix this? Does it give grants to low-income students so they don’t have to borrow? No. It gives them grants to cover a portion of their total costs of attendance. And then they have to borrow to cover the rest of their costs. Here's what that looks like broken down by income. Average Cumulative Debt by Parent Income Band: 2011-12 UCB Graduating Cohort Poor students borrow about as much as rich ones. Even more dramatically, they borrow a much higher share of their family income –over 60% in the lower brackets. (The situation is worse than it appears: this chart folds non-borrowers into the averages, and it excludes parental borrowing through the PLUS and similar programs e.g. Figure 1-7). UC Berkeley expends significant money and effort to mitigate the damage to affordability of the high tuition model, and yet after all that work it keeps borrowing to pretty close to the national average. Median Debt Levels of 2007-08 Bachelor's Degree Recipients by Income Level Source: College Board, Trends in College Pricing High tuition does not fight inequality—it feeds inequality. High tuition does this by keeping college proportionately more expensive for low-income students—who are disproportionately students of color. Since college is relatively more expensive for them, they are less likely to finish college. High tuition is not worth keeping for its high financial aid. The aid system is a debt system. It makes inequality worse. Finally, wouldn’t low tuition undercut improvements in teaching and learning? No again. The university’s limited spending on learning is what limits learning—we spend less than half of “core funds” on instruction (Display II-3). Instruction is the one thing that public officials clearly understand the value of paying for. As tuition takes over paying for instruction, politicians have ever less incentive to rebuild public funding, or help UC keep enough places for California students. Other private sources expect their funds to stay with targeted projects. This is true of philanthropy, where up to 99% of funds raised are restricted to special activities. It is true of research funding, which must be spent on particular research—and which overall loses money for the university, requiring additional subsidies from internal university sources. It is true of instruction, where the state is now subtracting from the General Fund the costs of the Middle Class Scholarship program. University costs go up as the university tries to replace lost public funding, and little of that helps instruction. In the fifty years since Berkeley students fought for free speech, all students have been steadily losing “free university.” Every financial aid fix has been tried, every bank has devised a student loan program, every scam and for-profit rip-off has been deployed. One result is the world’s highest cost of higher education. Another result is the destructive explosion of student debt. A third is decades of stagnating degree attainment. We have in fact spent most of the last five decades privatizing public universities. The results of the experiment are in. Privatization has failed to deliver low costs, or low fees, or low debt, or more degrees for low-income students, or high quality. Privatization in the form of high tuition has undermined the public purposes of public universities. Now we have reached a turning point. UC student protests froze tuition, and Gov Brown, the original austerity Democrat, is now enforcing this. Tuition freezes without funding increases aren’t sustainable. The next step is to rebuild public funding. It won’t work to say the university needs more money in the abstract, that we’ve been trying to save and have done our best. What will work is laying out the student outcomes of recovered public funding. This is what the current no-tuition movement is about. It’s about inclusive, general, taxpayer based, whole-society-contributing public funding of the overall enterprise, and accountable to the overall public. Public universities uncover and develop the individual brilliance of regular smart people, those millions whose large but previously underdeveloped talents transformed the economy and the society in the past, and whose talents, on a mass scale, are needed to transform it again. Now is not the time to scale back mass Bildung and return it to the ivory towers of our elite private universities that do excellent work in miniature. We need the thousand-foot mural art of public universities. This is going to require getting people to pay taxes for higher education again—an extra 50 bucks! The real goal should be free public university—Free UC. We need to use our free speech to call for that. Labels: Academic Freedom, Costs, Public Funding, Public vs. Private, Strategies & Goals, Students, UC, UC Berkeley by Wendy Brown, Political Science, UC Berkeley 3rd of 5 talks from The Operation of the Machine panel, UC Berkeley October 1, introduced by Prof. Colleen Lye I want to make two brief points this afternoon, one about freedom and one about speech. If forced to compress into a few sentences the contours of student freedom and its limits in public universities 50 years ago and now, those sentences might go this way: Then: Because developing the next generation of Californians as educated individuals, citizens and contributing members of society was widely valued as a public good, the university offered a free, high quality education to qualifying (mostly white) middle class and working class students. Faculty (also mostly white and male) had significant power over large domains of university policy-- they determined what was to be learned and how, what counted as an educated person worthy of a degree, and much more. But the university administration not only prohibited student political expression, it codified a panoply of restrictions as it sought to be a zone clear of politics, unmarried sex, illegal substances and, implicitly, non-whites. Thus “the gears of the machine”—from racial exclusion to speech restrictions—were tangible controls that cast students as rightless children being prepared for educated participation in society, economy and politics. That was Then. And Now? UC doors are open to anyone with the wherewithal, parental pressure or supplemental support structures to deliver the test scores, grades, and profile to compete for admission (or who have singular athletic ability, or are well-off non-residents). No longer a public good or publicly supported, UC is construed as a place to invest in oneself as human capital, and according to a set of calculations about what will appreciate or diminish this capital. Courses are increasingly on offer like Walmart goods, and respond heavily to consumer demand. And faculty power has receded to a few small corners of the plantation—students feel it most in the form of access to classes and grades. In the domain of student political, social and sexual expression, just about anything is permitted. However, the burden is on each of you to invest your time and effort strategically, not only to gain high return on your expensive investment but to develop the little speck of human capital that is you and that is yours alone to develop. This burden is so great and so impossible to put down for anything —an alluring music class or other exciting course outside your major, let alone a political cause, or dwelling for uncounted hours with an idea, a question, a compelling bit of text. Thus, if there are few repressive rules or overt restrictions on what you can do or say, the conversion of the university from a public good to a private investment made by you and your family radically changes the coordinates of unfreedom faced by students today. How much can you afford to think, learn, want or do that does not comport with enhancing your future value to employers, grad or professional schools? What freedom to speak, protest or organize against injustice can you exercise that would not be suicidal for the human capital you are enjoined to develop here, into which you have invested family life savings or taken on debt, and which has become the supervening if not sole purpose of a university education? Thus, today, the gears of the machine don’t clang and grind out there: they are are soft, quiet, and deep inside us. And throwing our bodies on them in resistance requires a complex contortion and commitment. Ok, that was freedom. Now speech, where I will also mark just one of many major differences between then and now, or between what we might call the repressive liberal era and the putatively emancipated neoliberal era. This one pertains to the ways that the neoliberal assault on public things—a public sphere, public goods, public life--has led both university administrators and would-be activists into a certain confusion about free speech as a distinctly political right, one born from political struggle and secured historically for political life. We have seen a bit of this confusion in recent months when “civility” or “respectful listening” have been mistakenly declared an inherent entailment of free speech or academic freedom. Certainly civility and respectful listening may be expected at a dinner table, a university classroom or a department meeting—it would be good if they prevailed more routinely. But they have nothing to do with the exercise of free speech in public, where (barring threats, harassment, or dangerous incitements), anyone may say anything…and no one must listen or listen well. A far more treacherous instance of contemporary confusion about our political rights comes from the Supreme Court in recent years. From Citizens United to Hobby Lobby, the Court majority has been busily granting political freedoms—of speech, of religious belief-- to corporations who may now use their enormous wealth and power to overwhelm the last standing icon of democracy, elections, and withhold medical insurance for Constitutionally guaranteed reproductive rights. This confusion, from high places, of whom and what our political rights are for, and what they do and don’t entail, would take hours to analyze properly. But I want to consider one especially troubling version of it on college campuses today, one that we can do something about. This is the effort to regulate public speech to protect certain vulnerable groups from offense, hatred, being retraumatized. This protection racket begin, alas, a couple of decades ago with well-intentioned feminist and anti-racist efforts to outlaw hateful or offensive speech and images. But this tool, which aimed to shield the historically hated or subordinated from being hit again in the present, has not remained in the hands of the Left. Indeed, while it’s animating the contemporary “trigger warning” madness (a discussion for another day) it has also become one of the more potent instruments of illiberal American ultra-Zionism today. It is what dignifies the fallacious argument that publicly criticizing Israel on campus creates an unsafe or offensive climate for Jewish students. So what begin as a concern with subordinating or hateful speech has been appropriated to silence protest against power. Of course any political argument can be flipped—Californians know this best from the legislation that ended affirmative action, which, you’ll recall, was called The Civil Rights Initiative. But there’s something more troubling here, which is the confusion of the public sphere with therapeutic spaces or homes. The domain of free public speech is not one of emotional safety or reassurance, and what you might hear in Sproul Plaza or up at this podium might be disturbing, uncomfortable, enraging, even offensive. Public speech is one of the most powerful weapons ordinary human beings have, and even the most civilly uttered sentences can disturb or terrify. Certainly the speeches of Sojourner Truth, Frederick Douglass, Martin Luther King Jr., or Malcolm X made neither white people nor many blacks feel safe. Certainly the revolutionary slogan, “liberty, equality, fraternity” did not reassure either the French aristocracy or its minions in mid-18th century Paris. Do you think Wall St Bankers felt safe when they walked past thousands of Occupy protestors decrying the obscene wealth, destruction of democracy, and carnage of public goods for which they were being held responsible? Do you think closeted homosexuals felt safe when the Stonewall rebellion broke out? Do you think men who have pushed, drunk or drugged women into unwanted sex feel safe as women on campuses everywhere are finally speaking out against the commonplace of sexual assault? Or that civil servants, police and other hired guns of regimes across the Middle East felt safe when citizens amassed in public squares to denounce them during the Arab spring? Emotional safety is not what the public sphere and political speech promise. It’s for cultivating at home if you are lucky enough to have one. It is what you seek among friends and intimates where you expect your vulnerability to be taken into account. A university education, too, ought to call you to think, question, doubt. It ought to incite you to question everything you assume, think you know or care about, not because those assumptions or cares will be jettisoned. Rather, because, as those wild-eyed radicals Immanuel Kant and John Stuart Mill insisted, there is no possibility of knowing what’s right, justified, valuable or true unless you question deeply and relentlessly…unless you’re willing to consider whether your attachment to an idea or principle is really just a teddy bear you cling to, a comforting familiar. The public sphere and a university classroom are not for hanging onto your teddy bears. Your bears have their place, back in your room where you’re safe and restored. But when we demand—from the Right OR the Left-- that universities be cleansed of what is disturbing, upsetting, enraging, “offensive” or triggering, we are complicit both with the neoliberal destruction of university as a place of being undone, transformed, awakened (rather than a place to get job training) AND with neoliberalism’s destruction of public spaces and the distinctive meaning of political rights, (rights that some in this room fought to bring onto campus 50 years ago). Let’s demand something far more important, which is to be provoked and challenged, every day and down to our very toes in what remains of this extraordinary institution. Let’s have the courage to stand for that, and to be willing to withstand it. Labels: Academic Freedom, Campus Safety, Crisis, Economy, guest post, Protests, Quality, Students, UC Berkeley by Leigh Raiford, UC Berkeley with thanks to Michael Cohen and Nzingha Dugas Photo credit: Harvey Richards 2nd of 5 talks from The Operation of the Machine panel, UC Berkeley October 1, introduced by Prof. Colleen Lye Fifty years ago today, Jack Weinberg, a student activist, set up a table outside of Sproul Hall in direct defiance of the campus ban on political speech. What followed is of course well-known: a campus police car drove into the middle of the plaza to arrest Weinberg, students surrounded the vehicle and occupied Sproul Plaza for the next 33 hours, Marios Savio climbed atop the car and gave a powerful speech…. And the Free Speech Movement was born. What perhaps is not so well-known about this moment is that Jack Weinberg was the head of UC Berkeley’s CORE chapter. CORE—the Congress of Racial Equality—was a frontline civil rights organization, that along with SNCC—the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee—had organized the massive black voter registration and education effort in Mississippi that year, known as Freedom Summer. Weinberg, Savio, and numerous other campus activists had joined more than 800 other students from around the nation, mostly white, mostly Northern, and they lived, worked, and organized side by side with Southern African Americans against the Jim Crow system of racial apartheid. These volunteers witnessed and experienced firsthand the violence and terror that maintained Jim Crow: the murder of four summer volunteers by Klansmen, the more than eighty people—including Savio—beaten by police as well as citizens, the hundreds arrested, and the bombing of scores of homes, businesses and churches. When they returned to campus in the Fall of 1964, galvanized and also sobered by their experiences, they were eager to continue the struggle and to recruit others to join in the fight for racial justice. But instead they found an administration that, in Savio’s words, was “out of touch.” Here [Berkeley and Cal campus] was one of the main outlets in the free part of the country…for recruiting people to go down there [to the South, and it seemed outrageous] that the University would presume to cut this off…because [the southern freedom struggle] was the most important thing going on in the country. If the university could throttle politics on the campus, then in the spirit of “Which Side Are You On?’ they are saying… ‘we are on the same side as the state of Mississippi.’… It would be shameful not to stand up… --stand up against UC’s ban on free speech and more specifically on what Savio biographer Robert Cohen has rightly labeled “the University’s attempt to disable the student arm of the civil rights movement" (pp 76-77). I begin my comments here because I want to remind us that the legacy of the Free Speech Movement is the legacy of Freedom Summer; that the Free Speech Movement and Civil Rights are inseparable, and that the Free Speech Movement could not have happened without student commitment to issues of social justice beyond the campus. So, Fifty years later, where are we now? What is the legacy not just of free speech on campus, but of Civil Rights, integration and racial justice at UC Berkeley? It is in an inescapable truth that since the passage of Proposition 209, the so-called California Civil Rights Initiative that ended affirmative action in the state, the University of California has failed the legacy of the Free Speech Movement. Though we give lip service to diversity, more as a comforting image and corporate commodity, the messy work of a true diversity is no longer a priority at this university. In the year after Prop 209’s passage, diversity at UC Berkeley completely collapsed, reducing the numbers of students of color by more than half in a single year. For the last 18 years, the black student population has hovered at 3%, the Latino/Latina student population at about 11%, the Native American student population at about one half of one percent--in a state in which these groups make up 7%, 40% and 1.5% of the population respectively. Eighteen years. Prop 209 is old enough to enter Cal’s freshman class. What that means is that these numbers – evidence of an American legacy of racism and discrimination in education -- are seen no longer as constituting a Crisis. But like the shocking rise of tuition, this situation has become the New Normal. We can no longer delude ourselves into believing that the University has the will or commitment or imagination to honor the civil rights legacies of the Free Speech Movement, namely representation and integration. It has, instead, fallen silent. What are the ways in which we see this complacency manifest? If we look to the 2014 UC Office of the President Campus Climate Report, we see that students of color, and African American students in particular, reported the lowest feelings of respect on campus. This is something that those of us who work with students of color hear everyday and didn’t necessarily need a report to confirm. It is easy to see in terms of a persistently hostile racial climate, micro (and macro) aggressions both within and outside of the classroom, and general feelings of anti-blackness. These include reported incidents of the hanging of nooses across from African American theme dorms and the racial profiling of students of color by campus police. The ongoing rise of tuition makes it difficult for all but the wealthiest and the very poor to attend UC, when we know that class divisions are very much articulated via racial divisions. We also see the outsourcing of recruitment and retention work to the students themselves--work that the University itself is no longer willing or able to take on. And we can also point to the fact that I am here, in part as a token, one of less than twenty black women faculty on a campus of more than 1400. But I want to speak specifically to two ways in which the campus’ failure to address the ongoing diversity crisis constitutes a violation of free speech. That students of color constitute such a tiny minority on this campus squelches their freedom of speech at a most basic level. With such low numbers, students of color take on and bear an incredible burden of representation. In most of the classrooms on this campus, students of color find themselves the only one of their kind in the room. And when the subject of race comes up—you know, Ferguson, or immigration or President Obama for that matter—they are looked to, by professor and students alike, to act as expert and representative for their race, to stand in for their group, effectively to stand in for all those who have been excluded from campus. This incredible burden of representation has the effect of silencing students of color, of further isolating and marginalizing them. Our new Executive Vice Chancellor Claude Steele has termed the associated fear “stereotype threat,” by which he means an anxiety that one will confirm or conform to all the degrading dehumanizing stereotypes held about one’s group. A hundred years ago, WEB Du Boiscalled this problem “double consciousness,” the “sense of always looking at one’s self through the eyes of others, of always measuring one’s soul by the tape of a world that looks along with amused contempt and pity.” And yet, the Development Office continues to use the silent images of these marginalized students —to trade on and sell their difference—as part of the “Thanks to Berkeley” capital fundraising campaign on banners all over campus in numbers disproportionate to their actual demographic. The second example I want to cite is in light of the Task Force on Academics and Athletics’ report released last week. In conversations with student athletes, a number of them have told me and other faculty that they are instructed by coaches and other athletic staff “not to do anything” which might jeopardize their eligibility. This includes participation in student protest or political activity. Now of course there is no written policy, but former members of revenue-generating sports teams (football, basketball) as well as other (non-revenue, Olympic or intercollegiate) teams have for years expressed their feeling of being silenced. For black student athletes and for the black student population on campus, this has deep impact. The University cynically uses alternative admission standards for student athletes and then uses these increased numbers of black students to pad already dismal diversity numbers. By placing unspoken restrictions on the free speech of student athletes as a tacit condition of their eligibility, the university effectively isolates these students from the larger black student body, further marginalizing an already diminished population. The cost of playing Cal sports while black is silence. I want to conclude by returning to Mario Savio and the legacy of the movement Savio spent the Spring of 1964 protesting discriminatory hiring practices in San Francisco hotels. He spent the summer of 1964 living and organizing against racial injustice in the Deep South. His was an identity formed in community, a coming to self through working alongside others for the betterment of society. Savio’s legacy in part is one in which we are reminded that to be our best selves, to create the kind of University community we aspire to, we must speak up and make space for the least visible and most silenced members of our campus. This includes following up on the progressive recommendations of the Task Force on Academics and Athletics, continuing to fight for tuition reduction, and advocating for a more racially diverse campus. What we remember and celebrate here is Mario Savio standing on a cop car speaking eloquently about fighting the machine. What we need to remember is that it was the Civil Rights Movement and the fight for racial justice that gave Savio his voice and his community. Labels: Academic Freedom, Discrimination, guest post, Race, UC, UC Berkeley By Colleen Lye, English Department, UC Berkeley, and Co-chair, Berkeley Faculty Association. This fall marks the 50th anniversary of the Free Speech Movement (FSM) at UC Berkeley, a student movement that since Mario Savio’s death in 1996 has gained increasing institutional acknowledgement as part of the campus’s celebrated history. The 50th anniversary commemorations, however, got off to an unexpectedly rocky start with Chancellor Nicholas Dirks’s campus-wide message on civility. The free speech rights won by students in 1964 became the basis for time, place and manner regulations governing student conduct. It appeared to some that Chancellor Dirks’s comments suggested a misunderstanding of those rights, or a new policy reversal of them. With media attention already trained on campus because of the FSM anniversary, combined with the fact that the Salaita case at the University of Illinois had, over the course of the summer, turned “civility” into a hot-button word in a debate over faculty academic freedom, an avalanche of negative publicity required the Chancellor to quickly drain the force of his initial remarks in a follow-up message. In a meeting with the staff of The Daily Californian, which had run a critical forum on the Chancellor’s message on civility and his subsequent clarification, Dirks talked about how his own scholarship on colonial India had once analyzed the ways in which civility had been used by those in power to restrain the freedoms of the disempowered. Breathing a sigh of relief, Berkeley faculty, staff and students returned to the business of commemorating the FSM, in light of which a large number of events have been planned for the fall. From the perspective of the Berkeley Faculty Association, FSM-50 represented an opportunity to take stock of the distance traveled since the time when the co-author of the Master Plan and the avatar of student free speech had once been primary antagonists in a drama that kicked off the Sixties as that period in which universities came to be conceived as a base from which to organize for broader social change. Is the increasing sympathy many feel for the position of Clark Kerr—as embattled liberal caught between a reactionary Sacramento and an insurgent student demand for their First Amendment right to express politically consequential speech on campus—indicative of the extent to which we are still fighting the battles of the Sixties but on ever weakening ground? Racial segregation is still with us, feminist reproductive rights are under siege, corporate power has seized extensive control of our democracy, preventing even modest government amelioration of growing economic inequality. The dismantling of the notion that higher education is a public good rather than a consumer choice, and the degradation of the link between democracy and education that follows from that, is something that our UC administrators—scrambling to patch public deficits by all available means on a short-term basis—seem unwilling or unable to combat. Thus since 2009 it has fallen largely to UC students, staff unions and faculty to diagnose our structural situation from the standpoint of the public interest, with this blog serving as a primary outlet for expression. As part of this tradition, the Berkeley Faculty Association organized a teach-in entitled “The Operation of the Machine: UC Then and Now” on Oct 1, in commemoration of the day that thousands of students surrounded a police car on Sproul Plaza that held FSM activist Jack Weinberg, and refused to allow his arrest and removal. At our event last week, UC faculty and student speakers addressed a packed audience on some of the most crucial topics relating to the question of the changed relationship between freedom and the university since the 60s. How does the heavy burden of tokenism placed upon the few African American students left at Berkeley since Prop. 209, and the fact that student athletes are constrained by their scholarships from participation in political protest, combine to rob underrepresented minority students especially of their freedom of speech? How is the conservative seizure of a therapeutic discourse of a safe campus climate functioning to regulate academic and campus debate in a way that fundamentally departs from an understanding of the university as a place of intellectual provocation and challenge? How is it that a free university education for Californians can seem so far-fetched when our current high fee/high aid model is contributing to relentlessly increasing student debt, and persists because of a lack of political will rather than an economic necessity? How is UC Berkeley’s increasing privatization of its real estate holdings likely to raise the cost of student housing and diminish campus community access to facilities and resources previously understood to belong to a university commons? Finally, what is to be done? These questions and more were explored by Leigh Raiford, Wendy Brown, Chris Newfield, and Amanda Armstrong, whose talks will be published here starting tomorrow. Labels: Academic Freedom, guest post, UC Berkeley After the Freeze: UC Privatization Since 2012 On Sympathy and Professionalism Free Speech and Free UC Free Speech is not for Feeling Safe The Free Speech Movement and the Unfinished Work o... The Operation of the Machine: UC Then and Now	cc/2019-30/en_head_0020.json.gz/line1081
__label__wiki	0.885359	0.885359	Beyonce Got A Standing Ovation At 'The Lion King' Premiere — Find Out Why posted by Hayden Brooks - Jul 11, 2019 Beyoncé's star power is unparalleled and it was for all to experience at the Los Angeles premiere of The Lion King on Tuesday night (July 9). Seth Rogan, who plays the role of Pumbaa in the film, took to Jimmy Kimmel Live! on Wednesday and spoke to the late-night host about the big premiere, which included appearances from the rest of the cast, including the pop superstar. Prior to the film, the director, Jon Favreau, invited each cast member to the stage at the Dolby Theater in Hollywood and Bey's appearance brought the venue to new heights, as per the actor. "Everyone was losing their mind...I've never seen this happen before," he recalled. "Beyoncé was called out and the audience stood up and went crazy. And I was like, 'she's getting a standing ovation for just existing.' Her mere presence was a reason to stand and go crazy, and I totally got it. I was like, 'yeah, like we should be celebrating. We made it. We're all in a room with Beyoncé.'" Rogan went on to explain that he took the singer's praise and tried to envision what it would be like if he was universally loved. "For a brief moment, I felt what it must feel like to get that adulation. All I was thinking was, 'People do not like me that much. I don't get one iota of this.' I got a smattering at best. They saw her and people lost their God damn sh*t." Expect more from Bey by checking out the curated and produced accompanying album, The Lion King: The Gift, which is due on July 19, alongside the live-action film, which also stars Donald Glover, Chiwetel Eijiofor and James Earle Jones. On the night of the film's L.A. premiere, the singer dropped a new song from the compilation called "Spirit."	cc/2019-30/en_head_0020.json.gz/line1082
__label__cc	0.577388	0.422612	Category: Sustainable Food Production Corn Tastes Better on the Honor System – Robin Wall Kimmerer On April 5, 2019 April 5, 2019 By Susan FeathersIn Community, Culture, Democracy, Ecoliteracy, Ecology, Education, Ethics, Nature, Sustainable Food Production, Women, Writing, Philanthropy, Nature, Wildlife ConservationLeave a comment Robin Wall Kimmerer is a member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation and a botanist who explains her knowledge of an indigenous worldview about plants with that of the western worldview. In that process, Kimmerer embeds whole Earth teaching along with botanical science. Here in this beautiful essay, ” Corn tastes better on the honor system” published in Emergence Magazine, is one of the author’s best teaching contrasting indigenous ways of knowing with western perspectives about the Earth. At this ragged time in American history, return to sanity. Listen. Robin Wall Kimmerer is a mother, scientist, decorated professor, and enrolled member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation. She is the author of Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teaching of Plants and Gathering Moss: A Natural and Cultural History of Mosses. She lives in Syracuse, New York, where she is a SUNY Distinguished Teaching Professor of Environmental Biology, and the founder and director of the Center for Native Peoples and the Environment. What about food supply? On November 30, 2016 November 25, 2016 By Susan FeathersIn Climate Change, Environment, Global Security, Sustainable Food Production3 Comments “Changing climate equals changing water” is the phrase that many water and climate experts in the southwest are using today. As the temperature increases, and less rain falls, soils are depleted of moisture in a cycle that turns healthy soil into barren landscapes. The seeds that we use, the means of careful water use to grow them, and the quality of the fruit and legumes produced are now in a precarious time when climate is less certain. Seeds that are specifically adapted to a region with long genetic history may become more important due to their unique resiliency to heat and drought. Our commercial, industrialized food system is highly dependent on predictable conditions not only in the agricultural fields but also in the transportation systems that now intersect with a global market system. If too hot, planes may not be able to fly; if sea level rise or large storms destroy ports, cargo ships are not able to pick up or drop off cargo. When food is not shipped in a timely manner, it can rot as it sits in place as with fresh fruit and vegetables. In Threshold, Ed Flanagan, food bank operations director and climate change denier, has to confront his beliefs as his normal food supply sources are in turmoil. The dependable food supply we are accustomed to in developed countries is at a threshold with current and predicted climate change realities. Protecting our food supply personally, nationally, and internationally should be part of the work we all can do to build resilience to changes in our climate. Book Sales and Readings in Tucson On November 18, 2016 By Susan FeathersIn Books, Citizen Science, Community, Culture, Frank Waters Foundation, Health and Wellness, Nature, Sustainable Food Production, Sustainable Society, University Research, Youth EmpowermentLeave a comment Tomorrow I will be a Bookman’s on Wilmot and Speedway from Noon to 2 pm for their Authors’ Fair. Hope you can drop by and chat and take a look at Threshold. If you have a church group or book club that might wish to read a story about Tucson, with familiar settings and characters, give me a call at: 520-400-4117 or email me at susanleefeathers@gmail.com Threshold makes an enormous contribution to contemporary literature by teaching readers—in engaging and utterly consumable terms—about the physics of “the planet’s human induced fever.” Susan Feathers stages the need to know as part of the narrative dynamic. Key characters —academics, school teachers, museum biologists—understand only too well the processes by which the earth is growing hotter, while others don’t. The latter are in some cases too young or inexperienced to know; in other cases they’re complacent or too far in denial to face them. Those who know teach those who don’t. Through lively dialogues concerning, for example, how sunlight gets converted to electricity; or how oceans absorb solar energy; or how neighborhoods can set up electrical generating systems, we learn along with the characters. We’re invited to go through the same processes of recognition and assimilation that the various students in the story experience. READ A REVIEW ~ Mary Lawlor, Muhlenberg College Right of Passage in a Monsoon Storm On May 23, 2016 May 24, 2016 By Susan FeathersIn Climate Change, Community, Culture, Ecology, Education, Environment, Nature, Ocean, Spiritual, Sustainable Food Production, Sustainable Society, Women, WritingLeave a comment When I fist moved to Tucson, Arizona, I was new to the high desert. Biologists refer to its flora and fauna as “lush”–a term that up until then I would not have chosen for a desert. Through colleagues at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, I learned about a poetry reading at University of Arizona by Dr. Ofelia Zepeda, Dr. Zepeda is a member of the Tohono O’odham Nation, a lifelong desert dweller, a linguist, and cultural preservationist. In 1999 she was awarded the MacArthur Fellowship for her work creating a Tohono O’odham book of grammar. However, Dr. Zepeda’s poetry is what I wish to focus on and how the chance encounter with her performance in the first week of my residency in Tucson led to my deep feeling for a place and community as culturally rich as any I’ve known. The poetry reading took place in the circular auditorium (kiva) in the American Indian Studies Department at U.A. In the large room with rows pitched down toward the lectern in its center, a soft voice rose and fell. Dr. Zepeda’s was reading from her book, Ocean Power. She spoke in O’odham and English, alternating between each as she read. I closed my eyes to listen to the language of desert communities at Tucson’s origin. She explained the relationship of her family and community to rain in the desert, its precious nature, and how, after the long hot, dry foresummer, the first monsoon clouds gather, and people point and wait for the first cold dollops of rain. After her lecture, I walked to my hot, dusty car to drive home. Not long after I was on the road, a massive monsoon cloud, as black as coal, threw lightening strikes like explosions on the ground, and rain burst from the sky, falling n buckets, cleansing the car and blinding my sight. I had to pull over. Flood waters gushed around drains, cars stalled as the water rose, but all the people smiled behind their windshields or stood outside their vehicles with open arms, letting the storm soak them to the bone. It was a celebration, first delivered through Dr. Zepeda’s poetry and, then, by the monsoon itself. I believe to this day that hearing about rain on the desert in O’odham made the impact of the storm much deeper for me. It was a true rite of passage. Listen to a short video about Dr. Zepeda. Don’t Forget Florida’s Forgotten Coastline On February 18, 2014 February 18, 2014 By Susan FeathersIn Ecology, Environment, Nonprofits, Ocean, Sustainable Food Production, Writing, Writing, Philanthropy, Nature, Wildlife ConservationLeave a comment The Forgotten Coast of Florida near Port St. Joe, on the St. Joseph’s Bay, is one of the remaining intact ecosystems in the state and well worth a visit. This photo is near an Indian midden where you can view layer upon layer of broken shells left behind by Indian communities that shelled and fished on the productive bay. Near the Old Salt Works Cabins on highway 30E, the bay is accessible down long weathered boardwalks. Visitors walk out into the muddy recesses or shallow waters where they can see urchins, tunicates, fiddler crabs, and juvenile fish that use the area as a nursery. Peppered through the sea grass beds we found the casts of horseshoe crabs from molting seasons before. My friend, Barbara, is an ecologist who spent the four days of our trip collecting casts and abandoned urchin shells. She described the sea grass beds along the bay as a treasure of Florida’s natural environments because they function as a nursery for numerous species of crustaceans and fish that are important economic species for the Gulf region and primary filters of pollutants that keep the water quality high. We met a young family from the Atlanta area who were putting together a small catamaran to sail around an enclosed area of the bay on the St. Joe’s Peninsula that arcs like a curved arm protecting the shoreline from storms. Their young sons were busy seining for fish and other sea life. My friend joined them to teach a little ecology in the best environment in the world where children can see the ecosystem at work. Earlier we had visited the Gulf Specimen Marine Laboratory and Education Center founded by Jack and Anne Rudloe, two of Florida’s important writers and educators about Florida’s marine wildlife. Priceless Florida, The Living Dock, In Search of the Great Turtle Mother, and Shrimp are just several of their many books. The lab and education center are filled with touch tanks and aquarium where families can learn about many species not easily seen from shore such as loggerhead turtles, and octopuses. Later we visited the St. Andrews Marina which is a working marina where you can observe a variety of fishing vessels. The one pictured here has turtle-excluder devices (TEDs) that allow fast escape of turtles when they are caught up in the netting. Before this apparatus was invented, sea turtle deaths were much more numerous. St. Joseph’s Peninsula State Park is a wonderful place to snorkel, kayak, fish, camp, and bike. Carl, Barbara’s partner in life and biking enthusiast, enjoyed the 27-mile round trip on a newly completed bike path from the Old Salt Works Cabins to the entrance of the wildlife refuge. The refuge on the last seven miles of the peninsula is a terrific walk where you can observe thirty foot dunes – how much of Florida’s coastline once looked before massive storms and human activities have diminished their size and capacity to shelter the coastline. Why Are We Creating the World No One Wants? On December 19, 2011 December 19, 2011 By Susan FeathersIn Ecology, Environment, Sustainable Food ProductionLeave a comment Frances Moore Lappé at TED Conference Oil Globs on Santa Rosa Island: It’s Here On June 4, 2010 June 4, 2010 By Susan FeathersIn Childhood, Climate Change, Ecology, Environment, Nature, Ocean, Photography, Spiritual, Sustainable Food Production, Sustainable Society, Ecoliteracy, Women, Writing, Philanthropy, Nature, Wildlife ConservationLeave a comment Late this afternoon I drove to Santa Rosa Island, to the entrance of a seven-mile stretch of undeveloped barrier island, protected by the Gulf Islands National Sea Shore, one of our priceless U.S. National Parks. While there was a long stretch of beautiful beach, as I walked west toward the end of the island, I began to see oil – firsts dime-sized, then bottle-cap, then hand-sized: thick crude oil, pooled and hardened among shells and sea grasses on the high tide line. Adjacent to this pollution, black skimmers sailed by with their long lower jaw skimming in the shallow edge of the surf and Least Terns dive-bombed for small fish not far off shore. Surely they must be tasting and smelling this invasion of foreign substances. We can only guess what is happening to fish, corals, jellies, dolphins, plankton…I am so profoundly sad about this awful time when we are facing our ourselves – our ways and wants. It is NOT a pretty picture. Only a few days ago this was the image of this treasured coast at sunrise: And to think we are risking this and our families health for a culture addicted to speed and consumption and which cannot function without an enormous and uninterrupted supply of oil. Will it be worth it when all this plays out? And, it will continue to playout over months and years and there will be other catastrophes like it where we have taken enormous risks as the People of the Forward Stampede. They will all be impacted by the oil catastrophe and eventually it will reach to our children and us through our air, food, and spirit. Synchronicities On February 22, 2010 February 22, 2010 By Susan FeathersIn 1, Ecology, Environment, Nature, Spiritual, Sustainable Food Production, Writing, Philanthropy, Nature, Wildlife Conservation, YogaLeave a comment On my first break from the teaching, I drove to San Diego to stay with friends from my work days at Scripps Clinic and Research Foundation. At that time, the clinic gave health and wellness classes at Rancho la Puerto, a spa and retreat center near Tecaté, Baja California. My friends arranged for three days of rest and contemplation. I was exhausted, and confused about whether to continue my education in Yuma. The resort was on the grounds of a previous Essene community established in the 1920s. The library still shelved many of the community’s books. I wandered in there one evening, not knowing the background of the ranch, and found a history of how the community was founded by Edmond Bordeau Szekely, an internationally known translator and student of world religions. The American Essene Community flourished for over fifty years, and gradually evolved into the present-day spa as more and more people wanted to experience the Essene quietude, exercise, vegetarian food, and spiritual practice. Szekely is the scholar who translated the Essene Gospel of Peace from the original Aramaic, the native language of Jesus. He was given permission to translate the texts that were kept under lock and key in the Vatican. Szekely later discovered he followed on the path of St. Benedict and the monks of the Monte Cassino Monastery who protected these documents through the ages. The texts had been originally translated by St. Jerome in the fourth century. He found fragments of the original texts in many small communities in the desert. Many of the residents who harbored the document fragments were descendents of the original Essenes. These ancient documents precede the Dead Sea Scrolls of Qumran, and represent ancient teachings as old as eight thousand years B.C.E. (all the way back to Zarathrustra). They describe The Law. It is the same Law to which Moses referred. When St. Jerome was made the Secretary to Pope Damascus, who established a Papal Library, he was allowed to translate the ancient writings of the Essenes. However, the translations caused a storm of criticism. The basic principles of the teaching emanated from natural law, not the laws of man. This body of knowledge made it impossible to follow while promoting the ownership of land and the suppression of women and children to the rule of men (i.e. patriarchal government). The Essene Gospel was the original ecological literature of the west, binding human beings to the Earth and her natural rhythms in a cosmology connecting Mother Earth and Father Sky, the feminine and masculine principles. When Pope Damascus died, his successor St. Augustine made sure these documents were suppressed. Jerome fled for his life to the desert. There he continued to search for more fragments of the ancient knowledge. After his death, Jerome’s manuscripts were scattered, but eventually many found their way into the Secret Archives of the Vatican, where they remained under lock and key. The Essenes were a peace-loving sect that believed in the sacredness of all life, practiced vegetarianism, and held that there are spiritual manifestations for all physical phenomena. In this, they were the first quantum physicists: all matter exists in two forms, particle and wave – flesh and spirit. They understood all of life in the universe as the Ocean of Life, and all thought in the universe as constituting the Ocean of Consciousness. It was their experience that angels connected these two realities. The Essenes believed that Moses understood this through the vision of his ancestor, Jacob, who saw angels ascending and descending a ladder connecting Heaven and Earth. Essenes practiced self-improvement, which they deemed a life-long process. Achievement of harmony required a balance between earthly and cosmic forces. The heavenly father (cosmic) and the earthly mother (earth) are balanced: eternal life with earth; creative work with life; peace with joy; power with sun; love with water; wisdom with air. These correlations remind us that whenever we contact earthly forces, we are in contact with heavenly forces. I eagerly read these teachings, and I was encouraged to learn that the principles and cosmology taught to me in Yuma were the same described in the Essene teachings. Here was an Earth-based spirituality making the connection between the material world and the world of thought at a universal consciousness level. The Teacher of Righteousness in the Essene texts is believed by some to be Jesus, when he was between eighteen and thirty years of age. During this time, his whereabouts are not mentioned in the Biblical texts we have today. Jesus and his family were Essenes, the ancient Jewish sect, existing from 250 B.C. to 60 A.D in Palestine. The community lived and taught a way of life consistent with Native American spirituality in which all things are imbued with the spirit of the Creator – rocks, water, air, plants, animals, and people. The philosophy of non-violence extended to animals, invoking a deep reverence for the living creatures of our planet. The last and most famous Essene-in-spirit was St. Francis. He lived and believed exactly as the Essenes, and his own writings are nearly identical to Essene texts. So, I took this discovery of Szekely’s community, at the time I was questioning whether to stay with my Indian teachers, as an affirmation of the integrity of the work. I returned to Yuma. Haiti in the Long Run On January 24, 2010 January 24, 2010 By Susan FeathersIn 1, Childhood, Climate Change, Environment, Nature, Sustainable Food Production, Women, Writing, Philanthropy, Nature, Wildlife ConservationLeave a comment Most of us have been glued to the news about the immediate assistance to Haitians following the 7.2 magnitude earthquake and its continuing aftershocks. We all most likely contributed initially to the Red Cross and other humanitarian aid organizations. Aid is finally arriving but much is still in the emergency phase. What remains is the larger logistical questions about how to rebuild a devastated infrastructure and how to rebuild entirely differently to provide people with the safety and resilient systems many developed countries are not only used to but expect. What does this massive restoration and innovation mean for the world community? While there have been many preceding natural catastrophe’s to the collapse of Haiti’s infrastructure, this event has to become a kind of flag and marker for humankind about the much greater work we may share as climate change, entwined with nature’s natural furies, makes Haiti one of dozens of catastrophic events. We cannot let that happen. While humankind cannot control the natural cycles of the Earth’s systems, we can control how we as a species add to the impact of them. As a Gulf coast resident in Florida, I am eying the predictions for an average of 11 Atlantic storms in the 2010 hurricane season. Haiti is right in their path as well. How will the people there, how will all the countries who are going to be there helping to rebuild Haiti, deal with major storms? An article in Science Daily recently described how climate change could impact poverty, deepening it by virtue of collapsing food systems due to climate change. I watch my countrymen and women and representatives in Washington and realize how easily distracted we are by seemingly more pressing problems like health care and jobs. But up the road we need to be charting our next moves to prepare for many more natural disasters. Resilience to them can be seen in a country like ours which has such a high standard of living, so much social and economic infrastructure, that we find it hard to imagine a place where there are no options and everything that could go wrong does. What hurt the Haitian people so much is poverty. How can we get to work to make sure poverty does not deepen but is turned on its head and becomes a solution? All the people without jobs…all the things that need doing…is there a bridge between these two realities that might create a third: better living standards by investing our time, talent, money, and sweat into GOOD WORK, and in quitting our bickering, deal playing and investment in wars. For now, I plan to set up an affordable monthly withdrawal from my bank for Haiti relief, however small, and keep it there for the time it takes to get the job done. What we are investing in is not so much clean-up as raising a standard of living so that whatever may come their way, Haitians will have the resources to protect themselves and to build structures with the latest safety standards and materials that we Americans have come to expect. Every Haitian child is one of ours, our future in an increasingly connected world community.	cc/2019-30/en_head_0020.json.gz/line1085
__label__wiki	0.904875	0.904875	GSA fees to fund e-gov projects The General Services Administration is proposing that it bolster President Bush's $5 million e-government request in the fiscal 2005 budget with $40 million in fees collected from agencies that buy products and services off of GSA's purchasing vehicles. The $40 million would otherwise be returned to the Treasury, said Debi Schilling, GSA budget director. GSA projects a $75 million surplus in its general supply fund in 2005, so $35 million still would be returned to the Treasury, she said. Last year, Bush requested $45 million for the e-gov fund, but Congress appropriated $5 million. The fund is used to pay for some of the government's 24 cross-agency information technology projects. "The administration has not been successful in getting appropriated money, and with discretionary spending declining, this seemed to everyone to be a useful way to use funds that would otherwise go back to the Treasury," Schilling said. The idea to spend GSA fee money on e-government came out of budget discussions with officials at the Office of Management and Budget this fall, Schilling said. OMB officials would decide which e-gov projects would share in the $40 million, she said. Under law, GSA can use the general supply fund to pay for e-government projects that advance its work, such as e-travel and the integrated acquisition environment. Congressional approval will be required to spend the money on e-gov projects outside GSA's domain, Schilling said. The GSA budget request also includes: * $4.6 million to establish standards for identity management and electronic authentication, an increase of $570,000. * $17.3 million for the FirstGov.gov Web site, including $3.7 million to improve IT security, the search engine, usage reporting and content management capabilities. * $11.5 million for USA Services, up $2.1 million from the 2004 request. USA Services answers citizen queries received by multiple agencies using advanced technology and methods. About $1.5 million will be used to establish governmentwide standards in customer service and performance metrics.	cc/2019-30/en_head_0020.json.gz/line1086
__label__wiki	0.60779	0.60779	Case nº A.A.R. No. 981 of 2010 of AAR Cases, August 17, 2016 (case In Re: MERO Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd. Vs) Judge: For Appellant: Anita Sumanth, Advocate and R. Venkataramani, FCA President: V.S. Sirpurkar, J. (Chairman) and A.K. Tewary, Member (R) Defense: Income Tax Act, 1961 - Sections 195, 197 (1), 9, 9(1)(i); Sale Of Goods Act, 1930 - Sections 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 Resolution Date: August 17, 2016 Issuing Organization: AAR Cases FREE EXCERPT Judgment: A.K. Tewary, Member (R) The applicant has sought ruling on the following questions:-- (1) On the facts and circumstances of the case, whether the amounts, received/receivable by the applicant from Larsen & Toubro towards offshore supply of goods and materials are liable to tax in India under the provisions of the Indian Income Tax Act read with the Agreement for the Avoidance of Double Taxation between India and Singapore? (2) If the answer to (1) is in the affirmative, to what extent are the amounts reasonable attributable to the operations carried out in India and accordingly taxable in India by virtue of Explanation (a) to Section 9(1)(i) of the Act and/or Article 7(1) of the India-Singapore tax Treaty? 2.1 MERO Asia Pacific Pte Ltd. (MAPL) is a company registered under the Laws of Singapore and is engaged in the business of executing contracts in relation to structural glazing and wall cladding works. It has set up project Offices in India for the purpose of executing the contract works awarded to the company. Delhi International Airport Private Limited (DIAL) entered into operations, management and Development Agreement (OMDA) on 4/4/2006 with the Airports Authority of India. DIAL floated a global tender for various works in connection with the development of T3 terminal in Delhi Airport. Larsen & Toubro (L&T) won the contract involving design and construction of a state of art passenger terminal. The main contract was awarded by DIAL (Employer) to L&T (contractor) and L&T, in turn, awarded the contract for entire external and internal facade for the glazing and cladding systems for Piers, fixed link bridges and nodes to the applicant (sub-contractor) for which an agreement was entered into on 23rd April, 2008. The applicant was to design the curtain wall and facade, supply all materials, erect, install, inspect, test and commission the entire sub contact works. The currency of the contract is in Indian Rupees and place of payment is Delhi and pursuant to an option given the payment is also made in Singapore dollar in Singapore. The contract was to be completed by 26/03/2010. 2.2 Appendix 2A to the agreement is subcontractor's responsibilities and the scope of subcontract works is set out in Appendix 2A to the agreement. The applicant has referred to this appendix and stated that the scope of work can be broadly divided into: (i) Off-shore supply of goods. (ii) Installation and other works to be executed in the airport. 2.3 In the application the applicant has not specified the clause of the Appendix on the basis of which the scope of work can be broadly divided in two parts. However, during the course of arguments she mentioned that clause 1.1.4 of Appendix 2A may be treated as comprising of two different scope of work. Clause 1.1.4 reads as under: 1.1.4 Supply of all the materials, shipment and/or transportation, prefabrication/fabrication, erection, installation, inspection, testing and commissioning, including all the necessary enabling and allied activities for the entire subcontracts works. 2.4 According to the applicant's counsel 'supply of all materials, shipment and/or transportation, prefabrication/fabrication' may be treated as separate and considered as part of offshore supply of goods. The applicant has heavily relied upon the judgment of Hon'ble Supreme Court in the case of Ishikawajima Harima Heavy Industries Ltd. v. DIT (288 ITR 408) saying that the present contract was an offshore supply contract in respect of supply of goods, the title to the goods passed to L&T Offshore, that the payment for the same was received in Singapore and, therefore, the said judgment is applicable and no income accrues or arises or is deemed to accrue or arise in India. The applicant has further pointed out that the Hon'ble Supreme Court in the case of Ishikawajima harima has noted the following proposition of law that emerges from the decision of various Courts on the issue of offshore supplies: "In case of sale of goods simpliciter by a non-resident in India, if the consideration for sale is received abroad and the property in the goods also passes to the purchaser outside India, no income accrues or arises or is deemed to accrue or arise to the seller in India." Other cases relied upon by the applicant are Hysoung Corporation, In re (314 ITR 343), DIT v. Linde AG, Linde Engineering Division (2014) 44 Taxmann.com 244 (Delhi), DIT v. Nokia Networks OY (2012) 25 Taxmann.com 225 (Delhi)and Joint Stock Company Foreign Economic Association Technopromo Expert (322 ITR 409). 2.5 The applicant has further mentioned that with regard to the offshore supply of goods, it negotiated and concluded the supply of goods and materials from various third party suppliers/manufacturers outside India and, therefore, all the activities in connection with the offshore supply were carried outside India. The suppliers/manufacturers fabricated and manufactured the goods and materials based on the specifications stipulated by the applicant. The goods were sold by the Applicant from outside India to L & T and the consideration was paid by M/s. L & T to the Applicant in Singapore Dollars by way of a transfer of funds to the bank account of the Applicant in Singapore. M/s. L & T thereafter sold the consignments to DIAL on a "high sea sale" basis against transfer of bill of lading. L & T issued a high sea sale invoice and entered into an agreement with DIAL where under the ownership in the consignment was transferred to DIAL along with the bill of lading, duly endorsed. On the arrival of the goods in India, the goods were cleared by the applicant on behalf of DIAL using the services of the Project Office of the Applicant as its agent. Custom duties were paid by the applicant. 2.6 Article 7 of the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement between India and Singapore deals with "business profits" and sub-clause (1) read as follows: ARTICLE 7: Business Profits - (1) The profits of an enterprise of a Contracting State shall be taxable only in that State unless the enterprise carries on business in the other Contracting State through a permanent establishment situated therein. The applicant has submitted that if the enterprise carries on business as aforesaid, the profits of the enterprise may be taxed in the other state but only so much of them as it is directly/indirectly attributable to that permanent establishment. The Applicant carries on business in India through a Project Office that constitutes its Permanent Establishment in India. However, the Project Office of the Applicant is a separate taxable entity. The Applicant submits that the profits earned by way of off-shore supplies to M/s. Larsen & Toubro Limited are not either directly or indirectly attributable to that Permanent Establishment, the permanent establishment (Project Office) in India oversees the installation of structural glazing works and wall cladding works for the Delhi International Airport and has no connection, whatsoever, directly or indirectly in the offshore supplies and the off-shore supplies executed by the Applicant are an independent scope of work. During the course of hearings spread over a long period both the Department of Revenue and the applicant have given several submissions and counter-submissions. These are contained in Department's letter dated 3/9/13, 2/4/14, 4/9/15 and 9/10/15. The applicant's responses are contained in submission dated 7/2/14, 6/5/14 and 14/10/15. The comments of the Department and response of the applicant on main relevant points of fact are summarized below. Department's comments The Department of Revenue has objected to the interpretation of the applicant both on facts and in law and its comments, in brief, are as under: "( According to the Department, considering the number of days consumed by MAPL in executing the project works in India through the project office situated in India, a Permanent Establishment for the nonresident company MAPL in India gets established. (b) The Department has submitted that MAPL had conducted its business operations in India through its Project Office in India and this establishes a business connection within the meaning of Explanation 2 and 3 to clause (i) of subsection 1 of Section 9 of the Income-tax Act, 1961. A Permanent Establishment of the Non- resident Company is established in India, as per Article 5(3) of the India-Singapore DTAA also. (c) According to the Department there is no separate or exclusive contract of offshore supply of materials. The contract comprises of both supply of goods and rendering of services which includes erection, installation, commission and completion of work. (d) The Department has submitted that the contractor did not want to split the risk and has kept the risk factor/liability for the entire subcontract as a whole on the applicant. It means that any issue which involves risk at any part or time of the execution of the work will have the impact on the whole project. This demonstrates that the contract cannot be dissected in any way as it is a composite one and the responsibility on the sub-contractor applicant is wholesome. (e) The Department has further submitted that payment in both currencies relate to the single composite work and is evidenced by the fact that the payment schedule does not show any such divisions. The payment schedule talks about the cost centre value and the percentage of payment at various stages. The cost centre value as said in the agreement in App 5.6.2.1 reads as follows 5.6.2.1 Cost Centre Value is the total amount of money which will become due to the subcontractor in his final account in accordance with Appendices 4 and 5, determined for the applicable Cost Centre identified in App 5.2 (f) The Department has also submitted that delivery would not be completed till the goods are supplied and commissioned on site. (g) The Department has drawn attention to the resource material Vision No... REQUEST YOUR TRIAL Forms and Contracts	cc/2019-30/en_head_0020.json.gz/line1091
__label__wiki	0.842918	0.842918	Flamecaster Set in the world of the New York Times bestselling Seven Realms series, a generation later, this is a breathtaking story of dark magic, chilling threats, and two unforgettable characters walking a knife-sharp line between life and death. This dazzling beginning to a new series is indispensable for fans of Cinda Williams Chima and a perfect starting point for readers who are new to her work. Adrian sul’Han, known as Ash, is a trained healer with a powerful gift of magic—and a thirst for revenge. Ash is forced into hiding after a series of murders throws the queendom into chaos. Now he’s closer than ever to killing the man responsible, the cruel king of Arden. With time running out, Ash faces an excruciating choice: Can he use his powers not to save a life but to take it?Abandoned at birth, Jenna Bandelow was told that the magemark on the back of her neck would make her a target. But when the King’s Guard launches a relentless search for a girl with a mark like hers, Jenna assumes that it has more to do with her role as a saboteur than any birth-based curse. Though Jenna doesn’t know why she’s being hunted, she knows that she can’t get caught. Eventually, Ash’s and Jenna’s paths will collide in Arden. Thrown together by chance and joined by their hatred of the ruthless king, they will come to rescue each other in ways they cannot yet imagine. New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Cinda Williams Chima writes fantasy for teens of all ages, including the Heir Chronicles and the Seven Realms series. Her critically acclaimed books... #1 New York Times bestselling series The first book in the #1 New York Times bestselling series that inspired the hit ABC Family TV show Pretty Little Liars. In ultra-trendy Rosewood, Pennsylvania, four beautiful girls are hiding very ugly secrets. High school juniors Spencer, Hanna, Aria, and Emily have grown apart since their best friend Alison DiLaurentis went missing three years ago. But now someone is sending them anonymous notes, threatening to reveal their darkest secrets. There’s only one person who knows that much about them, but Ali’s gone . . . isn’t she? Full of unexpected twists and shocking revelations, this is the first book in New York Times bestselling author Sara Shepard’s compelling Pretty Little Liars series. Startled by His Furry Shorts On the rack of romance. And also in the oven of luuurve. Woe is Georgia: Dave the Laugh has declared his love for her (at least she thinks he was talking about her), and she has finally given Masimo an ultimatum to be her one and only and he has to think about it. And will she ever be able to stop thinking about the Sex God plucking his guitar strings of loveosity? Are These My Basoomas I See... For Georgia, the more things change, the more they stay the same. Just when she thought she was the official one-and-only girlfriend of Masimo, he's walked off into the night with the full hump, leaving Georgia all aloney on her owney-again. All because Dave the Laugh tried to do fisticuffs at dawn with him! Two boys fighting over Georgia? It's almost as romantic as Romeo and Juliet . . . though perhaps a touch less tragic. It's time for Georgia to get to the bottom (oo-er) of this Dave the Laugh spontaneous puckering business once and for all. It's like they always say: If you snog a mate in the forest of red bottomosity and no one is around to see it, is he still a mate? Or is he something more?</p? Amy Ewing The Selection meets The Handmaid’s Tale in the epic sequel to the New York Times bestselling author Amy Ewing’s The Jewel. Violet is on the run. She’s escaped the Duchess of the Lake, who bought her at auction, and the lifetime of servitude she was once resigned to. But no matter how far Violet runs, she can’t avoid the rebellion brewing just beneath the Jewel’s glittering surface or the fact that she wants in on it. With Ash and a new ally by her side, Violet discovers her Auguries are more powerful than she could have ever imagined. But is she strong enough to rise against the Jewel and everything she has ever known? And is she willing to risk the lives of everyone she cares about to find out? The Jewel New York Times bestselling author Amy Ewing delivers a dark and riveting tale that "will have fans of Oliver’s Delirium, Cass’s The Selection, and DeStefano’s Wither breathless.”* The Jewel has many meanings: wealth, beauty, royalty. But for Violet, the Jewel has always meant servitude. Born and raised in the Marsh, Violet is destined for the Jewel. She is trained as a surrogate for the elite and is bought by the Duchess of the Lake at auction. And she quickly learns that beneath the Jewel’s glittering façade lies the cruelty, backstabbing, and hidden violence that have become the royal way of life. Violet must accept the ugly realities of her life...all while fighting for her survival. But before she can accept her fate, Violet meets a handsome boy who is also under the Duchess’s control. A forbidden love sparks. But their illicit affair has consequences, which will cost them both more than they bargained for. And toeing the line between being calculating and rebellious, Violet must decide what, and who, she is willing to risk for her own freedom. *BCCB Pretty Little Liars #2: Flawless The second book in the #1 New York Times bestselling series that inspired the hit ABC Family TV show Pretty Little Liars. In ultra-exclusive Rosewood, Pennsylvania, four beautiful girls are hiding very ugly secrets. Spencer covets her sister’s boyfriend. Aria is fantasizing about her gorgeous young English teacher. Emily is infatuated with the new girl at school. And Hanna is using some ugly tricks to stay amazingly beautiful. But their most horrible secret is something so scandalous it could destroy their perfect little lives. And someone named “A” is threatening to do just that. Full of unexpected twists and shocking revelations, Flawless is the second book in New York Times bestselling author Sara Shepard’s compelling Pretty Little Liars series.	cc/2019-30/en_head_0020.json.gz/line1095
__label__cc	0.706993	0.293007	Tag Archive for: Anthony Hopkins You are here: Home / Blog / Anthony Hopkins Hamming to Strauss 25th May 2015 /0 Comments/in Budapest, Reviews /by Mary Murphy A few years ago, I saw a clip of violinist André Rieu and the Johann Strauss Orchestra premiering a waltz written by Sir Anthony Hopkins. Hopkins was in the audience and heard his waltz being played, in public, for the first time. It was lovely to watch. I don’t know enough about music to say whether it’s good, bad or indifferent. And I certainly don’t know enough about music to debate whether, as some YouTube comments suggest, Hopkins might have borrowed a bar or two from elsewhere. But I know I liked it. Till then, I’d never heard of André Rieu, who along with his orchestra, rose to fame some 20 years ago when an unknown waltz on their recently released CD took Holland by storm and has become Holland’s unofficial second national anthem – or so he told us last week when he was in Budapest. He showed us a video of himself conducting football fans at the Olympic Stadium in Amsterdam back in 2009 as they ‘sang’ the waltz. I quite like my waltzes. I quite like classical music, even if I couldn’t tell Chopin from Bartok Bela. I’m not so keen, though, when it’s all very highbrow and everyone is taking it really seriously. Little did I know that Rieu seems to think the same. In almost pantomime fashion, some 50 or so musicians waltzed through the audience up to the stage in the half-full Papp Lázsló Stadium on Wednesday night, the ladies in their multicoloured ballgowns, the gents in their dickey-bows and tails. It looked a little like a macaroon and penguin fest. The Platin Tenors (one of whom is Hungarian) were bloody amazing. Their version of Puccini’s Nessun Dorna was goosebumpingly great. With over ten nationalities on stage, this truly international orchestra is undeniably talented. And they all seemed to be having great craic. It was quite surreal. Serious music, with seriously talented musicians who were hamming about like Curly, Dick, and Moe. You know that solemn atmosphere you find in the concert hall with classical music, and how it intimidates most people and keeps them away? With us, it is simply not there. Rieu has a set piece. I’d wager that all his concerts are pretty much the same. But it was a first for me. The only other time I’d seen him was the brief YouTube clip of the Hopkins waltz. It seemed as if everyone else in the audience was on more familiar terms. Flags were flying, pictures of the man himself floated on banners through the air. And the usually timid audience I’ve come to expect in Budapest was waltzing in the aisles. Grannies and grandkids – the entire age spectrum was having a ball. I’ve never before seen a musician who uses a translator. Rieu did. And even the banter between the two of them was comical. He spoke in English and she translated to Hungarian, never missing a beat. He does something weird with his eyes that is strangely amusing and his facial expressions hover somewhere between weird and zany. His portrait gallery on Google Images gives some indication of the many faces of the man who truly is doing his damnedest to make classical music more accessible without sacrificing his musical standards. The hamming irritated me a little at first, but as the evening went on, and I began to realise that they all were genuinely having a blast on stage, I bought into it and thoroughly enjoyed the performance – because it was a performance. I never thought I’d see the day when I’d be encouraged to sing along to classical music. Brilliant. Havasi Balázs, the pianist I was mad about a few years back, does the same. And you know, for those of us who grew up outside the classics and the salons, it’s lovely to see the high brows plucked a little. Worth a night out, if he happens to be in your neighbourhood. https://unpackingmybottomdrawer.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/logo-300x82.png 0 0 Mary Murphy https://unpackingmybottomdrawer.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/logo-300x82.png Mary Murphy2015-05-25 21:10:142016-08-10 11:38:45Hamming to Strauss	cc/2019-30/en_head_0020.json.gz/line1101
__label__wiki	0.925973	0.925973	HomeHarry's Best Ever Escape From Being a Royal to Live a Normal Life Harry's Best Ever Escape From Being a Royal to Live a Normal Life 272 May 13, 2019 \| by Dannally Torrealba Prince Harry is without a doubt one of the most popular members of the British Royal Family. He's been in the public eye right after he was born, with the world following him every step of the way since then. But being an open book can't be easy, so there must be a lot of moments the royal ginger might have wanted to keep for himself, like when he grieved his mom's death. So it should come as no surprise that, like anybody else, Harry has needed a break from time time. In fact, he once revealed what he considered the best escape from royal life. If you're curious to know what he meant, keep reading this article to discover everything about it. Image credits: Twitter/PAImages Harry had his life in the fast line during his teenage years. It was during his time that the Prince indeed went crazy and starred scandals such as cheating at college, doping, underage drinking, getting naked in Las Vegas, and so much more. No wonder why everybody was eagerly waiting for him to make a 180-degree turn. And boy did he do that! After all those years of madness, the then 20-year-old royal joined the British Army. As the British Royalty's website explained, the red-headed Prince passed his Regular Commissions Board (RCB) in 2004. This was the essential qualification to train at Sandhurst and thus start a military career. Image credits: YouTube/Global TV But the Board is quite demanding and requires several physical, mental, and emotional tests and tasks. Despite all odds, Diana's youngest son accomplished his goal and entered The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in May 2005 to begin his 44-week training as Officer Cadet. After successfully completing the course, he was commissioned as an Army Officer in April 2006. And a month later, he joined a regiment that was part of the Household Cavalry, the Blues and Royals. Harry then added a second phase to his preparatory training with instruction in gunnery, driving, maintenance, and signals. "Being in the army was the best escape I've ever had. I felt as though I was really achieving something," the royal told Newsweek two years ago. He served for ten years and rose to the rank of Captain, going by "Captain Wales" during the time he spent with the troops. All he wanted was to show his skills and succeed for what he was and not for his royal status. He wanted people sitting next to him to forget he was a Prince. But now we wonder, how was Harry's military getaway? The truth is that it was far from being a bed of roses; Harry had to experience hardship not once but twice in that decade. Image credits: YouTube/CBS This Morning A FAILED FIRST ATTEMPT The Guardian revealed that the then third-in-line-to-the throne wanted to serve in Iraq in 2006, but the media thwarted his efforts. Sir Richard Dannatt, who was the head of the British army and Chief of the general staff back then decided that it was too risky for the Prince and the rest of the soldiers to go to Iraq. Image credits: YouTube/Royalsdirect PressGazette added that the main reason was the press. The speculation about the Prince's possible deployment in Iraq forced senior army officials to decide that it wasn't safe for him to go to the southern Iraqi city of Basra. CNN reported Dannatt's statements at that time: "I have come to this final decision following a further and wide round of consultation, including a visit to Iraq by myself at the end of last week. There have been a number of specific threats. These threats exposed him and those around him to a degree of risk I considered unacceptable." Express further said that too much information about his activities, such as his unit, location, vehicle, and even clothing was made public. Knowing every single detail of the intended deployment gave insurgents advantage to trace and kill the Prince. Therefore, army authorities called off the plans at the eleventh hour. AND ONE MORE TIME There was to be no repeat of the deployment fiasco in Iraq, but sadly, that's pretty much how things turned out to be a year later. Diana's son was deployed on active duty to Helmand, Afghanistan, being the first royal to do so since 1982. For a two-month stint, the soldier was able to carry out his tour of duty, serving with his unit from Household Cavalry Regiment Battlegroup. He was on the front line as a forward air controller (FAC), the person in charge of guiding lighter jets toward Taliban targets in the dangerous province of Helmand in the south of Afghanistan. Thus, it was highly crucial that his whereabouts were kept under wraps because otherwise, he could become a Taliban objective. By no means, his deployment couldn't be mentioned until it was safe for him to go back home. But what happened with the press in this case? The tour was partially successful because hundreds of British and foreign news organizations came to an agreement with the monarchy to black Prince Harry out during his service. However, since American and Australian broadcasters were not included in the deal, everything was over after two months. The Drudge Report, a news outlet from the USA that was not involved in the agreement, broke the news on February 28, 2008, after the Aussie Magazine News Idea also leaked some info. The Telegraph said that, with the story in public domain, the Defence Staff sent Harry back to London because of security issues. FEELING BITTER Harry opened up to Newsweek confessing he was resentful and broken after leaving his team behind in Afghanistan. According to CheatSheet, he also stated that he felt as if he was "literally being plucked out of my team." The royal added, "And there was an element of me thinking, 'I'm an officer, I’m leaving my soldiers, and it’s not my own decision.'" The source explained that Harry returned to Afghanistan five years later for a second tour of four months in 2012. Based at Camp Bastion in Helmand, Captain Wales served as an Apache Helicopter pilot. In his role, Harry had to provide air coverage on missions and kill insurgents operating the aircraft's weapon systems. Image credits: YouTube/ODN Read more: Queen Elizabeth is not happy about Meghan Markle modernizing royal tradition. Telegraph unveiled that the Cap was full of pride and anticipation to be able to come back to the Afghan city after his failed attempt. This time, the Ministry of Defence decided to inform of his deployment. However, since he was flying a helicopter at the main British base in the region, it was virtually impossible for enemies to reach him. Harry said goodbye to his military career in June 2015 after ten years, according to Today. As the source explained, the Prince wanted to dedicate more of his time to help wounded service members, battle AIDS, and work with charities that supported different causes. Image credits: YouTube/City Dreamer Read more: It turns out that Meghan and Harry might not have custody of their first child. With his chances of escaping from royal duties being over now, Prince Harry found meaning in life outside monarchy through the Invictus Games. This is a global multi-sports competition for sick and disabled service personnel that the prince organized in 2004. The creation of the games was definitely a way of keeping in touch with his military side and giving back to others. The competition was also the best opportunity for him to make the first big public outing with Meghan in 2017 prior to their engagement. And in 2020, the fifth event will be held in The Hague, Netherlands. Image credits: YouTube/The Royal Family Wow! What a way for Harry to run away from his royal life! Do you think it was a good idea? We are eager to know your opinion, so do not hesitate to drop a message in the comment section. Wanna read more? We have many more fantastic articles for you, so stay tuned! Source: CheatSheet, British Royalty, PressGazette, The Guardian, CNN, Express, Newsweek, Today, The Telegraph Buckingham Palace Gives an Official Update on Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's Baby. Eugenie and Harry’s Wedding Photos Have One ‘Sad’ Difference That Says A Lot About The Royal Family. Princess Diana Would Have Turned 57 This Year And Would Look Like This Today, Experts Say. Prince Charles Was Crying Before His Wedding Day And Prince Harry May Not Be Charles’ Son. How Kate Middleton Treats Her Children Due To Their Royal Status. How Prince Harry's Life Was Once Totally Dependent On British Media Queen Elizabeth Had To Be Patiently Awaiting for Prince Harry to Settle Down How Prince Harry as a King could bring the monarchy to the entirely new stage The Uneasy Facts About the Royal Family's Reaction to Princess Diana's Accident Buckingham Palace Gives an Official Update on Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's Baby Melania Trump Turns Heads in a Lilac Designer Coat as She Returns to the White House in Style Father of Sandy Hook School Shooting Victim Found Dead Doris Day Always Thought She Was Two Years Younger Than Her Real Age Prince George and Princess Charlotte Look so Grown-up in New Photos during a Recent Outing Gregory Peck's Grown-up Grandson Is His Spitting Image and Follows in His Footsteps in Film Passengers on Bahamas-Bound Cruise Ship Injured after 'Freak Weather' Incident John Wayne's Son Defends His Late Father after the Actor’s Controversial 1971 Interview Resurfaces Wendy Williams Talks about Her Health after Returning to Show for First Time in 2 Months Protests Erupt over Stephon Clark Shooting, Police Arrest Dozens	cc/2019-30/en_head_0020.json.gz/line1103
__label__wiki	0.911038	0.911038	U.S. Capitol Historical Society ~ A Blog of History Rep. Emanuel Celler Posted by Lauren Borchard in USCHS events, What We're Working On 1965 Immigration Act, Elizabeth Holtzman, Emanuel Celler, Hart-Celler Act, immigration history, Lance Sussman, USCHS symposium On May 5 and 6, the U.S. Capitol Historical Society will host its annual symposium on congressional history. After a dozen years on a chronological journey through the sectional conflicts that dominated much of the nineteenth century, this year we shift gears to trace one topic that appears repeatedly in American history. Discussions about immigration, related legislation, and consequences of reforms or changes to current laws are sprinkled across the pages of current events news and campaign coverage; these topics pepper conversations around the country. Congress and a Nation of Immigrants, 1790-1990: From the First Naturalization Act to the Simpson-Mazzoli Act will examine the historical underpinnings of these current debates through various lenses, including race, quotas, politics, and popular culture. As speakers consider immigration law and related issues, they will detail and challenge popular perceptions of racial, ethnic, and political differences in American society. Speaker Lance Sussman (Reform Congregation Keneseth Israel; Gratz College) is focusing his talk on Rep. Emanuel Celler, one of the namesakes of the landmark 1965 immigration legislation that shifted U.S. immigration policy away from primary reliance on quotas based on national origins and toward skill- and family-based preferences. The title of the talk, “Reopening the Golden Door: Congressman Emanuel Celler’s 40 Year Struggle for Immigration Reform, 1924-1965”, initially suggested to me that Celler retired, covered in glory, shortly after winning an extended battle over immigration policy, but Celler had a fifty-year career that spanned the mid-twentieth century and its dominant issues, including the New Deal, WWII, the Red Scare, the civil rights movement, and feminism. Rep. Emanuel Celler in 1951. Courtesy New York World-Telegram and the Sun Newspaper Photograph Collection (Library of Congress). Celler entered the House just in time to (unsuccessfully) fight against the 1924 Johnson-Reed Act, which barred Asian immigration and limited immigration from many countries in an attempt to maintain the racial and national origin status quo in the United States. Celler, representing a Brooklyn district full of immigrants of varied backgrounds (including many from eastern or southern Europe) and their descendants, objected to legislation that would limit future immigration from many of their homelands. The 1965 Hart-Celler Act was certainly a centerpiece in Celler’s work on immigration reform, but when looking at his career as a whole, writers tend to classify it as an example of his ongoing work on civil rights legislation. Celler chaired the House Committee on the Judiciary almost continuously throughout the 1950s and 60s and authored, co-authored, or otherwise championed the groundbreaking civil rights acts of the period. Celler supported New Deal programs, urged FDR to accept more Jewish refugees during WWII, and opposed the House Unamerican Activities Committee. Elizabeth Holtzman (Library of Congress) Ironically, another facet of the civil rights era shaped the end of his congressional career. Celler lost the 1972 Democratic primary to Elizabeth Holtzman, who highlighted his opposition to the Equal Rights Amendment and his support for the Vietnam War while running the same kind of underdog, grass-roots, on-the-street campaign that Cellar had run when he first won his seat in 1922. The upcoming symposium is free and open to the public, so if you’re in DC, join us May 5 and 6 on Capitol Hill to learn more about immigration legislation throughout American history. Pre-register here! The schedule is posted on our website, and Sussman will speak about Celler’s work on immigration reform at 10 am on May 6. Works Consulted Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Emanuel Celler and Elizabeth Holtman. Carroll, Maurice. “Emanuel Celler, Former Brooklyn Congressman, Dies at 92.” The New York Times (New York): January 16, 1981. Kammer, Jerry. “The Hart-Celler Immigration Act of 1965.” Center for Immigration Studies website: October 2015. U.S. Department of State Office of the Historian website. Key Milestones, “The Immigration Act of 1924 (The Johnson-Reed Act).” Wasniewski, Matthew, editor in chief. “Elizabeth Holtzman,” Women in Congress, 1917-2006, p. 482-487. Washington, DC: 2006. About Lauren Borchard Director of Historical Programs at the US Capitol Historical Society View all posts by Lauren Borchard » 1 thought on “Rep. Emanuel Celler” Ronald Johnson said: Nicely done posting, Lauren. We learn a great deal here and the photos enrich the text. Sorry I could not make the presentations. USCHS hosts so many good historical events like this. 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__label__wiki	0.679755	0.679755	Difference between revisions of "Did Muhammad and the early Muslims know that the Earth is round" (Tag: Visual edit: Switched) '''ibn Taymiyyah''' To do so, they first quote from a book by ibn Taymiyyah (d. 728 AH/1328 CE), who in turn cites Abu’l-Husayn Ahmad ibn Ja‘far ibn al Munadi as saying that the scholars from the second level of the companions of Imam Ahmad (d. 241 AH / 855 CE) – i.e. the early Hanbalis – said there was consensus among the scholars that both heaven and Earth are balls, the latter based on astronomical reasoning. This evidence is worthless, because from the 8th century CE the Muslims had access to Greek and Indian astronomical knowledge (see below), so of course Muslim scholars had this view. The term 'consensus' (ijma) was used in different ways by different scholars, but essentially meant the agreement of Muslim scholars, or ideally, also of the salaf (the first three generations of Muslims)<ref>http://www.sunnah.org/fiqh/ijma.htm</ref>. In this case it is explicitly the scholars. As we read on, however, it is apparent that even this "consensus" for a round Earth was rather nebulous, and as already mentioned and will see again, those who did endorse a round Earth did so because they were educated people aware of the astronomical arguments. To do so, they first quote from a book by ibn Taymiyyah (d. 728 AH/1328 CE), who in turn cites Abu’l-Husayn Ahmad ibn Ja‘far ibn al Munadi as saying that the scholars from the second level of the companions of Imam Ahmad (d. 241 AH / 855 CE) – i.e. the early Hanbalis – said there was consensus among the scholars that both heaven and Earth are balls, the latter based on astronomical reasoning. This evidence is worthless, because from the 8th century CE the Muslims had access to Greek and Indian astronomical knowledge (see below), so of course Muslim scholars had this view. The term 'consensus' (ijma) was used in different ways by different scholars, but essentially meant the agreement of Muslim scholars, or ideally, also of the salaf (the first three generations of Muslims)<ref>[http://www.sunnah.org/fiqh/ijma.htm]</ref>. In this case it is explicitly the scholars. As we read on, however, it is apparent that even this "consensus" for a round Earth was rather nebulous, and as already mentioned and will see again, those who did endorse a round Earth did so because they were educated people aware of the astronomical arguments. They then quote ibn Taymiyyah again, who is answering a question about the shape of the heavens and Earth, this time citing Abu’l-Husayn Ahmad ibn Ja‘far ibn al Munadi (again), Abu’l-Faraj ibn al-Jawzi (d. 597 AH / 1201 CE), and ibn Hazm (d. 456 AH / 1064 CE) as saying that there is a consensus that the heavens are round. Notice that despite the topic, he says the heavens, but nothing about the Earth. He says they provided evidence from the Qur'an, sunnah, and narrations from the companions (sahabah) and second generation. Revision as of 19:04, 1 April 2019 The 'Blue Marble' photograph of the Earth taken by the crew of Apollo 17 on their way to the moon in December 1972 2 False claims that there was always a Muslim consensus for a round Earth 3 Acquisition of Greek and Indian astronomical knowledge 4 Flat Earth(s) in hadith collections 5 Flat Earth in Tafsirs 5.1 The spring where the sun sets 5.2 The sky is a dome above the Earth 5.3 The Earth on the back of a whale When critics point out that the Qur'anic Earth is flat, or that the author of the Qur'an believed that the sun sets in a muddy spring, and furthermore, that such verses encouraged the early Muslims to maintain false beliefs about the world, sometimes people claim in response that everyone knew that the Earth was round by the time of Muhammad. This article will dispel that assertion, and as such is complementary to discussions about Islamic cosmography. It seems that despite the best efforts of apologetics websites, there is no known evidence for a round Earth belief among the earliest Muslims, which would surely be abundant if Muhammad had such knowledge, and plenty of evidence for belief in a flat Earth. While many people in some regions had known for centuries that the Earth was round and not flat, the question is whether Muhammad and his nearby contemporaries in Arabia had this knowledge. One Islamic fatwah website[1] (copied by others) quotes from scholars who lived hundreds of years after Muhammad in a failed attempt to show that there was always a Muslim consensus that the Earth is round. They are implying that the Qur'an does not reflect a very human lack of knowledge about the shape of the Earth. ibn Taymiyyah To do so, they first quote from a book by ibn Taymiyyah (d. 728 AH/1328 CE), who in turn cites Abu’l-Husayn Ahmad ibn Ja‘far ibn al Munadi as saying that the scholars from the second level of the companions of Imam Ahmad (d. 241 AH / 855 CE) – i.e. the early Hanbalis – said there was consensus among the scholars that both heaven and Earth are balls, the latter based on astronomical reasoning. This evidence is worthless, because from the 8th century CE the Muslims had access to Greek and Indian astronomical knowledge (see below), so of course Muslim scholars had this view. The term 'consensus' (ijma) was used in different ways by different scholars, but essentially meant the agreement of Muslim scholars, or ideally, also of the salaf (the first three generations of Muslims)[2]. In this case it is explicitly the scholars. As we read on, however, it is apparent that even this "consensus" for a round Earth was rather nebulous, and as already mentioned and will see again, those who did endorse a round Earth did so because they were educated people aware of the astronomical arguments. Ibn Taymiyyah continues the passage[3] giving the supposed evidence for round heavens in the Qur'an, sunnah, and narrations from the early Muslims (not included by the Islamic fatwah website). In between, he argues that a round heavens and Earth is supported by what specialists on tafsir and language have said about certain words in the Qur'an. It is the hadiths and companions that we are interested in for the purposes of this article (the Qur'an verses cited by ibn Taymiyyah are Quran 21:33, Quran 36:40, Quran 39:5, and Quran 67:5). Narrations of the companions The solitary piece of evidence that Ibn Taymiyyah can bring from the companions about round heavens is that ibn 'Abbas and others said regarding Quran 36:40 and the heavenly bodies swimming in a falak (rounded course): فِي فَلْكَة كَفَلْكَةِ الْمِغْزَل fee falka, ka-falkati almighzal in a whirl (whorl), like the whirl of a spindle al-Tabari and ibn Kathir Tafsirs for 36:40[4] See the comments and footnotes about falak in the article Geocentrism and the Quran (a whirl was a small wheel or hemisphere that span around a spindle[5]). Now given that the sun and moon appear both to arc across the sky, even to those who imagined the Earth was flat and the heavens a dome (or a sphere), such people would also imagine some path for them continuing beneath the Earth after they have set so they can return whence they came (as also in the hadith from Abu Dharr discussed later in this article). Indeed, this is precisely what we read from ibn 'Abbas as noted by ibn Kathir in his Tafsir for Quran 31:29. The sun runs in its falak (فَلَكهَا) in the sky / heaven (السَّمَاء) during the day, and when it sets it runs during the night (بِاللَّيْلِ - omitted from the translation) in its falak beneath the Earth:[4] Ibn Abi Hatim recorded that Ibn ’Abbas said, “The sun is like flowing water, running in its course in the sky during the day. When it sets, it travels in its course beneath the earth until it rises in the east.” He said, “The same is true in the case of the moon.” Its chain of narration is Sahih. Tafsir ibn Kathir for 31:29 So the evidence from the companions presented by ibn Taymiyyah is not exactly much to go on regarding the shape of the heavens, and says nothing about the shape of the Earth. Hadiths Ibn Taymiyyah then mentions the hadith in Sunan Abu Dawud (graded weak) Sunan Abu Dawud 4726 (Dar-us-Salam Ref) in which Muhammad forms a dome with his fingers above his head when saying that Allah's throne is above the heavens. Ibn Taymiyyah's interpretation is that the throne is dome shaped. The other hadith he mentions is in Sahih Bukhari, which says: if you ask Allah for anything, ask Him for the Firdaus, for it is the last part of Paradise and the highest part of Paradise, and at its top there is the Throne of Beneficent, and from it gush forth the rivers of Paradise." [the word translated 'last' means middle]. Ibn Taymiyyah then says that a middle only exists in a round thing. How any of this helps demonstrate that the heavens are spherical is a mystery. Ibn Hazm The Islamic fatwah website then quotes one of the three that ibn Taymiyyah cited, ibn Hazm, who said that there is sound evidence that the Earth is round, but the common people and some non-leading Muslim scholars thought otherwise, though none of the leading scholars denied that the Earth is round. So firstly, uneducated people (as were Muhammad and the sahabah) thought the Earth to be flat even in ibn Hazm's day. Secondly, his statement provides no evidence that the earliest scholars actually said the Earth is round (just that leading scholars didn't say it was flat). It is clear that Ibn Hazm and the other followers of Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal mentioned above believed in a round Earth for astronomical reasons, even if some of them attempted to find further backup from the Qur'an and sunnah. Given that Ibn Taymiyyah cites these scholars, the narrations he then uses to support spherical heavens (when asked about the shape of both the heavens and Earth), were presumably the best they could come up with. If a consensus for a round Earth went back to Muhammad and the companions, surely the scholars could come up with better than this feeble evidence. Even the already dubious claims of just a scholarly consensus are further undermined when we read Tafsir al-Jalalayn, which was written centuries later by two people who were not trying to massage the Qur'an to fit a round Earth reality. For Quran 88:20 we read the following: As for His words sutihat ‘laid out flat’ this on a literal reading suggests that the earth is flat which is the opinion of most of the scholars of the revealed Law and not a sphere as astronomers (ahl al-hay’a) have it even if this latter does not contradict any of the pillars of the Law. Tafsir al-Jalalayn for Qur'an 88:20 For details on this word, sutihat, in verse 88:20, see this section of the flat Earth article. The website goes on to quote from a 20th century book of fatwas, which claims that the Earth is egg shaped and also makes an argument using verse 39:5, both of which are debunked in the article Flat Earth and the Quran. So to summarise, there seems to be no evidence available that the earliest Muslims believed the Earth is round. Instead, there is lots of evidence that they thought the Earth to be flat, as explained further below. But before we come to that, let's see what historians have to say about Arab astronomical knowledge. Acquisition of Greek and Indian astronomical knowledge Ptolemy’s Almagest was translated into Arabic in the 8th century CE after the Qur’an was completed. Ptolemy recorded in book five of his AlMagest in the mid-2nd century CE the discovery of Hipparchus, and of Aristarchus before him, that the sun is much larger than the earth and much more distant than the moon, and the Aristotelian view that Earth was spherical and the heavens were celestial spheres.[6] Professor Kevin Van Bladel says: When the worldview of educated Muslims after the establishment of the Arab Empire came to incorporate principles of astrology including the geocentric, spherical, Aristotelian-Ptolemaic world picture – particularly after the advent of the ‘Abbāsid dynasty in 750 – the meaning of these passages came to be interpreted in later Islamic tradition not according to the biblical-quranic cosmology, which became obsolete, but according to the Ptolemaic model, according to which the Quran itself came to be interpreted.[7] Earlier in the same paper, Van Bladel describes how Christian theologians in the region of Syria in the sixth century CE shared the view that the Earth was flat and the heaven, or series of heavens was like a dome or tent above the Earth, based on their reading of the Hebrew and New Testament scriptures. This was a rival view to that of the churchmen of Alexandria who supported the Aristotelian-Ptolemaic view of a spherical Earth surrounded by spinning celestial spheres. See the footnote below[8] for excerpts of that chapter, which he summarises by saying: Clearly the Ptolemaic cosmology was not taken for granted in the Aramaean part of Asia in the sixth century. It was, rather, controversial.[8] David A. King writes: The Arabs of the Arabian peninsula before Islam possessed a simple yet developed astronomical folklore of a practical nature. This involved a knowledge of the risings and settings of stars, associated in particular with the cosmical setting of groups of stars and simultaneous heliacal risings of others, which marked the beginning of periods called naw’, plural anwā’. […] Ptolemy’s Almagest was translated at least five times in the late eighth and ninth centuries. The first was a translation into Syriac and the others into Arabic, the first two under Caliph al-Ma’mūn in the middle of the first half of the ninth century, and the other two (the second an improvement of the first) towards the end of that century […] In this way Greek planetary models, uranometry and mathematical methods came to the attention of the Muslims.[9] Hoskin and Gingerich say: In 762 [Muhammad’s] successors in the Middle East founded a new capital, Baghdad, by the river Tigris at the point of nearest approach of the Euphrates, and within reach of the Christian physicians of Jundishapur. Members of the Baghdad court called on them for advice, and these encounters opened the eyes of prominent Muslims to the existence of a legacy of intellectual treasures from Antiquity - most of which were preserved in manuscripts lying in distant libraries and written in a foreign tongue. Harun al-Rashid (caliph from 786) and his successors sent agents to the Byzantine empire to buy Greek manuscripts, and early in the ninth century a translation centre, the House of Wisdom, was established in Baghdad by the Caliph al-Ma’mun. […] Long before translations began, a rich tradition of folk astronomy already existed in the Arabian peninsula. This merged with the view of the heavens in Islamic commentaries and treatises, to create a simple cosmology based on the actual appearances of the sky and unsupported by any underlying theory." [10] Flat Earth(s) in hadith collections The next few sections are about evidence of a commonplace flat Earth belief among the earliest Muslims (it omits evidence from the Qur'an itself, as per the purpose of this article stated in the introduction). Two easy ways to demonstrate that at least a large number of the earliest Muslims imagined the Earth to be flat are to look at hadiths and tafsirs. For the purposes of this article, it matters little whether the hadiths are authentic or not; either way they demonstrate beliefs of early Muslims. Narrated Salim's father (i.e. `Abdullah): The Prophet said, "Whoever takes a piece of the land of others unjustly, he will sink down the seven earths on the Day of Resurrection." This next hadith is on the same topic. It is graded daif (weak), but shows what some early Muslims (if not actually Muhammad) thought about the world: ...Then he said: ‘Do you know what is under you?’ They said: ‘Allah and His Messenger know better.’ He said: ‘Indeed it is the earth.’ Then he said: ‘Do you know what is under that?’ They said: ‘Allah and His Messenger know better.’ He said: ‘Verily, below it is another earth, between the two of which is a distance of five-hundred years.’ Until he enumerated seven earths: ‘Between every two earths is a distance of five-hundred years.’... Jami` at-Tirmidhi 6:44:3298 The following hadith is graded Sahih by Dar-us-Salam (Hafiz Zubair 'Ali Za'i) and has a chain of narration graded as Sahih (authentic) by al-Albani. It is from Sunan Abu Dawud, book XXV - Kitab Al-Ahruf Wa Al-Qira’at (Book of Dialects and Readings Of The Qur’an): Narrated Abu Dharr: I was sitting behind the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) who was riding a donkey while the sun was setting. He asked: Do you know where this sets ? I replied: Allah and his Apostle know best. He said: It sets in a spring of warm water (Hamiyah). Sunan Abu Dawud 4002 (Dar-us-Salam Ref) It is narrated on the authority of Abu Dharr that the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) one day said: Do you know where the sun goes? They replied: Allah and His Apostle know best. He (the Holy Prophet) observed: Verily it (the sun) glides till it reaches its resting place under the Throne. Then it falls prostrate and remains there until it is asked: Rise up and go to the place whence you came, and it goes back and continues emerging out from its rising place and then glides till it reaches its place of rest under the Throne and falls prostrate and remains in that state until it is asked: Rise up and return to the place whence you came, and it returns and emerges out from it rising place and the it glides (in such a normal way) that the people do not discern anything ( unusual in it) till it reaches its resting place under the Throne. Then it would be said to it: Rise up and emerge out from the place of your setting, and it will rise from the place of its setting. The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said. Do you know when it would happen? It would happen at the time when faith will not benefit one who has not previously believed or has derived no good from the faith.[11] Sahih Muslim 1:297 Notice that it says, "from its rising place" (min matli'iha مَطْلِعِهَا ), and "from the place of your setting" (min maghribiki مِنْ مَغْرِبِكِ). The sun is commanded to go somewhere – it cannot be claimed that this is an idiomatic way of commanding the Earth to rotate, nor that the words mean the east and west here (despite mistranslations of similar hadiths), not least because the words al mashriq and al maghrib would have been used for that purpose and without the possessive suffixes. The words used in this hadith must refer to the sun’s rising and setting places - it is pure nonsense to claim otherwise. The following hadith, unless it is allegorised to death, clearly indicates a flat earth belief where night occurs at the same time for everyone on Earth: Abu Huraira reported Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) as saying: Allah descends every night to the lowest heaven when one-third of the first part of the night is over and says: I am the Lord; I am the Lord: who is there to supplicate Me so that I answer him? Who is there to beg of Me so that I grant him? Who is there to beg forgiveness from Me so that I forgive him? He continues like this till the day breaks. Thauban reported that Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) said: Allah drew the ends of the world near one another for my sake. And I have seen its eastern and western ends…. Sahih Muslim 41:6904 It was narrated from Sahl bin Sa’d As-Sa’idi that the Messenger of Allah said: “There is no (pilgrim) who recites the Talbiyah but that which is to his right and left also recites it, rocks and trees and hills, to the farthest ends of the earth in each direction, from here and from there.” Sunan Ibn Majah 4:25:2921 Flat Earth in Tafsirs The spring where the sun sets In the tafsir of al-Tabari (b. 224 AH / 839 CE) for Quran 18:86, we see the following remarks about the nature of the spring into which the sun sets. The similar sounding words hami'ah (muddy) and hamiyah (hot) seem to have become confused at some point: الْقَوْل فِي تَأْوِيل قَوْله تَعَالَى : { حَتَّى إِذَا بَلَغَ مَغْرِب الشَّمْس وَجَدَهَا تَغْرُب فِي عَيْن حَمِئَة } يَقُول تَعَالَى ذِكْره : { حَتَّى إِذَا بَلَغَ } ذُو الْقَرْنَيْنِ { مَغْرِب الشَّمْس وَجَدَهَا تَغْرُب فِي عَيْن حَمِئَة } , فَاخْتَلَفَتْ الْقُرَّاء فِي قِرَاءَة ذَلِكَ , فَقَرَأَهُ بَعْض قُرَّاء الْمَدِينَة وَالْبَصْرَة : { فِي عَيْن حَمِئَة } بِمَعْنَى : أَنَّهَا تَغْرُب فِي عَيْن مَاء ذَات حَمْأَة , وَقَرَأَتْهُ جَمَاعَة مِنْ قُرَّاء الْمَدِينَة , وَعَامَّة قُرَّاء الْكُوفَة : " فِي عَيْن حَامِيَة " يَعْنِي أَنَّهَا تَغْرُب فِي عَيْن مَاء حَارَّة . وَاخْتَلَفَ أَهْل التَّأْوِيل فِي تَأْوِيلهمْ ذَلِكَ عَلَى نَحْو اِخْتِلَاف الْقُرَّاء فِي قِرَاءَته The meaning of the Almighty’s saying, ‘Until he reached the place of the setting of the sun he found it set in a spring of murky water,’ is as follows: When the Almighty says, ‘Until he reached,’ He is addressing Zul-Qarnain. Concerning the verse, ‘the place of the setting of the sun he found it set in a spring of murky water,’ the people differed on how to pronounce that verse. Some of the people of Madina and Basra read it as ‘Hami’a spring,’ meaning that the sun sets in a spring that contains mud. While a group of the people of Medina and the majority of the people of Kufa read it as, ‘Hamiya spring’ meaning that the sun sets in a spring of warm water. The people of commentary have differed on the meaning of this depending on the way they read the verse. Tafsir al-Tabari for verse 18:86 So he says of the Basra version: "بـمعنى: أنها تغرب فـي عين ماء ذات حمأة" "Meaning: that it sets in a spring of muddy water." And of the people of Kufa reading hot spring: "يعنـي أنها تغرب فـي عين ماء حارّة" "It means that it sets in a spring of hot water" He goes on to quote various opinions such as Ibn 'Abbas, that the sun sets in black mud: حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّد بْن عَبْد الْأَعْلَى , قَالَ : ثنا مَرْوَان بْن مُعَاوِيَة , عَنْ وَرْقَاء , قَالَ : سَمِعْت سَعِيد بْن جُبَيْر , قَالَ : كَانَ اِبْن عَبَّاس يَقْرَأ هَذَا الْحَرْف { فِي عَيْن حَمِئَة } Muhammad bin 'Abd al-A'laa narrated and said: Marwan ibn Mu'awiya narrated from Warqa, he said: I heard Sa'id ibn Jubayr say: ibn 'Abbas read this letter "in a muddy spring" وَيَقُول : حَمْأَة سَوْدَاء تَغْرُب فِيهَا الشَّمْس and he said: the sun sets in black mud. وَقَالَ آخَرُونَ : بَلْ هِيَ تَغِيب فِي عَيْن حَارَّة Others said: it disappears (تَغِيب) in a hot spring. From these comments and narrations in al-Tabari's tafsir, we can reasonably conclude that many, and perhaps all, of the earliest Muslims took verse 18:86 to mean that the sun actually sets in a spring and thus that the Earth is flat. If the reader wishes to explore this sub-topic further, they can see how al-Tabari in his History of the Prophets and Kings, and al-Baydawi in his tafsir mention the opinion that the sun has 360 springs into which it can set, and the pre-Islamic Arab poems on the same topic in the article Dhu'l Qarnayn and the Sun Setting in a Muddy Spring. The sky is a dome above the Earth In his tafsir for Quran 2:22, al-Tabari includes narrations from some of the earliest Muslims about the sky being a dome or ceiling over the Earth: حَدَّثَنِي مُوسَى بْن هَارُونَ , قَالَ : حَدَّثَنَا عَمْرو بْن حَمَّاد , قَالَ : حَدَّثَنَا أَسْبَاط , عَنْ السُّدِّيّ فِي خَبَر ذَكَرَهُ , عَنْ أَبِي مَالِك , وَعَنْ أَبِي صَالِح , عَنْ ابْن عَبَّاس , وَعَنْ مُرَّة , عَنْ ابْن مَسْعُود وَعَنْ نَاس مِنْ أَصْحَاب النَّبِيّ صَلَّى اللَّه عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ : { وَالسَّمَاء بِنَاء } , فَبِنَاء السَّمَاء عَلَى الْأَرْض كَهَيْئَةِ الْقُبَّة , وَهِيَ سَقْف عَلَى الْأَرْض .وَحَدَّثَنَا بِشْر بْن مُعَاذ , قَالَ : حَدَّثَنَا يَزِيد , عَنْ سَعِيد , عَنْ قَتَادَةَ فِي قَوْل اللَّه { وَالسَّمَاء بِنَاء } قَالَ : جَعَلَ السَّمَاء سَقْفًا لَك . Musa ibn Harun narrated and said that Amru ibn Hammad narrated and said that Asbath narrated from al-Suddi in the report mentioned, from Abu Malik, and from Abu Salih, from ibn 'Abbas and from Murrah, from ibn Masud and from people of the companions of the prophet (peace and blessings be upon him): "...and the sky a canopy..." The canopy of the sky over the earth is in the form of a dome, and it is a roof over the earth. And Bishr bin Mu'az narrated and said from Yazid from Sa'id from Qatada in the words of Allah "...and the sky a canopy..." He says he makes the sky your roof. Tafsir al-Tabari for 2:22 See also the English translation from J. Cooper's abridged translation of Tafsir al-Tabari[12] Ibn Kathir in his tafsir for Quran 13:2 has yet more narrations of the sahabah and tabi'un (2nd generation) on this topic: Allah said next, (..without any pillars that you can see.) meaning, `there are pillars, but you cannot see them,' according to Ibn `Abbas, Mujahid, Al-Hasan, Qatadah, and several other scholars. Iyas bin Mu`awiyah said, "The heaven is like a dome over the earth," meaning, without pillars. Similar was reported from Qatadah, and this meaning is better for this part of the Ayah, especially since Allah said in another Ayah, (He withholds the heaven from falling on the earth except by His permission.) 22:65 Therefore, Allah's statement, (..that you can see), affirms that there are no pillars. Rather, the heaven is elevated (above the earth) without pillars, as you see. This meaning best affirms Allah's ability and power. Tafsir ibn Kathir for Qur'an 13:2 The Earth on the back of a whale Al-Tabari's tafsir contains other indications of a common flat Earth belief. For example, regarding Quran 68:1, which mysteriously starts with the Arabic letter nun, he (and many other tafsirs) records that one of the interpretations among sahabah such as ibn 'Abbas was that the 'nun' is a whale on whose back the Earth is carried (other interpretations were that it was an inkwell, or a name of Allah). The evidence is extensively documented on other websites including narrations with sahih chains from the sahabah, so the interested reader is referred to them.[13][14][15] Islamic apologists have failed to provide any evidence that Muhammad or the earliest Muslims knew that the Earth was round. In contrast, there is lots of evidence to show the early Muslims believing the Earth to be flat. The cited hadiths and tafsirs demonstrate early Muslim views, whether or not the chains of narration are accurate. This evidence can be used as a foundation for other arguments concerning the flat Earth verses in the Qur'an: that they cause a justifiable suspicion that the author of the Qur'an was just as unaware as his nearby contemporaries about the shape of the Earth. It also supports the point that even if we supposed that its author was aware of a round Earth, it is a secondary major weakness for the Qur'an to use such language when it will inevitably encourage 7th century Muslims to maintain their false notion that the Earth is flat (and even some Muslims living many centuries later, such as al-Suyuti in his Tafsir al-Jalalyn, and ibn Kathir in his Tafsir[16]). Answering Islam - The Seven Earths AnsweringIslamBlog.wordpress.com - Muhammad's Magical Mountain: One Whale of a Tail! Answering-Islam.com - The Quran and The Shape of the Earth Youtube.com Islam & the whale that carries the Earth on its back - Video by TheMaskedArab ↑ IslamQA.info - 118698: Consensus that the Earth is round ↑ For the full chapter in Arabic see Wikisource.org, and for someone's English translation for most of the relevant parts see Salafitalk forum ↑ 4.0 4.1 For the Arabic, see quran.al-islam.com ↑ الفَلَكُ falak - Lane's Lexicon Volume 1 page 2444. See also the previous page. Lane says that the falak was generally imagined as a celestial hemisphere by the Arabs, but also that the Arab astronomers applied the term to seven spheres for the sun, moon, and the five visible planets, rotating about the celestial pole. This must reflect the post-Qur'anic influence of Ptolemy, whose astronomical work was translated for the Arabs from the 8th century onwards. ↑ Toomer, G. J., Ptolemy and his Greek predecessors, In Astronomy Before the Telescope, Ed. Christopher Walker, p.86, London: British Museum Press, 1996 ↑ Van Bladel, Kevin, “Heavenly cords and prophetic authority in the Qur’an and its Late Antique context”, Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies, 70:223-246, p.241, Cambridge University Press, 2007 ↑ 8.0 8.1 ibid. pp.224-226. Here are some more excerpts: Entering into the debate was John Philoponus, a Christian philosopher of sixth-century Alexandria, who wrote his commentary on Genesis to prove, against earlier, Antiochene, theologians like Theodore of Mopsuestia, that the scriptural account of creation described a spherical geocentric world in accord with the Ptolemaic cosmology. [...] On the other hand, Cosmas Indicopleustes wrote his contentious Christian Topography in the 540s and 550s to prove that the spherical, geocentric world-picture of the erroneous, pagan Hellenes contradicted that of the Hebrew prophets. Cosmas was an Alexandrian with sympathies towards the Church of the East, who had travelled through the Red Sea to east Africa, Iran, and India, and who received instruction from the East Syrian churchman Mār Abā on the latter's visit to Egypt. His Christian topography has been shown to be aimed directly at John Philoponus and the Hellenic, spherical world-model he supported. [...] However, it is clear that Cosmas was going against the opinions of his educated though, as he saw it, misguided contemporaries in Alexandria. A number of Syrian churchmen, notably but not only the Easterners working in the tradition of Theodore of Mopsuestia, took the view of the sky as an edifice for granted. Narsai d. c. 503), the first head of the school of Nisibis, in his homilies on creation, described God's fashioning of the firmament of heaven in these terms: "Like a roof upon the top of the house he stretched out the firmament / that the house below, the domain of earth, might be complete". ayk taṭlîlâ l-baytâ da-l-tḥēt mtaḥ la-rqî῾â I d-nehwê mamlâ dûkkat ar῾â l-baytâ da-l῾el. Also "He finished building the heaven and earth as a spacious house" šaklel wa-bnâ šmayyâ w-ar῾â baytâ rwîḥâ. Jacob of Serugh (d. 521) wrote similarly on the shape of the world in his Hexaemeron homilies. A further witness to the discussion is a Syriac hymn, composed c. 543-554, describing a domed church in Edessa as a microcosm of the world, its dome being the counterpart of the sky. This is the earliest known text to make a church edifice to be a microcosm, and it shows that the debates over cosmology were meaningful to more than a small number of theologians. ↑ King, David A., “Islamic Astronomy”, In Astronomy Before the Telescope, Ed. Christopher Walker, p.86, London: British Museum Press, 1996 ↑ Hoskin, Michael and Gingerich, Owen, “Islamic Astronomy” in The Cambridge Concise History of Astronomy, Ed. M. Hoskin, p.50-52, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1999 ↑ For the Arabic, see sunnah.com or #159: hadith.al-islam.com ↑ The commentary on the Qur'an, by Abu Ja'far Muhammad b. Jarir al- Tabari ; being an abridged translation of Jami' al-bayan 'an ta'wil ay al-Qur'an, with an introduction and notes by J. Cooper, general editors, W.F. Madelung, A. Jones. Oxford University Press, 1987. p.164 ↑ Youtube.com Islam & the whale that carries the Earth on its back - Video by TheMaskedArab ↑ AnsweringIslamBlog.wordpress.com - Muhammad's Magical Mountain: One Whale of a Tail! ↑ Answering-Islam.com - The Quran and The Shape of the Earth ↑ See also ibn Kathir's tafsir for verses 2:229, 21:32, 36:38, and 41:9-12, in all of which he says the heavens are a dome or roof or like the floors of a building over the Earth Retrieved from "http://wikiislam.net/index.php?title=Did_Muhammad_and_the_early_Muslims_know_that_the_Earth_is_round&oldid=120594" Martin Taverille	cc/2019-30/en_head_0020.json.gz/line1105
__label__wiki	0.595171	0.595171	June 15, 2014 Blog Craft, Controls, Connections and Career…. The confined, warmly damp, busy world of the insectaries at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine was where Dr Nina Stanczyk, Research Fellow in Medical Entomology and my partner scientist in the WISRNet Shadowing Scheme and I started our tour of her workplace. Collecting a number of Anopheline mosquitoes from their netted cage in the insectary, we took them up to a brightly lit lab for the experiment Nina was due to carry out that day. Nina’s research investigates how mosquitoes respond to different chemical odours, particularly those that attract and repel them. That morning she was looking at the electrophysical response mosquitoes have to different chemicals as they are blown over their antennae. Several weeks later, after the Christmas and New Year break, we met up again to talk in more detail about how she came to work in her research area and to what extent she felt the issue of being a ‘woman in science’ had been significant for her. In fact, Nina was keen to emphasise that in her career so far being a woman had not been a particular issue. She pointed out that the majority of people she worked with were women and recalled a particularly inspirational doctoral supervisor who had shown it was possible to both lead and continue to do science research as a woman. The experiment that morning used the process of electroantennography. A decapitated mosquito’s head was mounted between two very fine electrodes, one to its brain, the other to its antennae. A sample of a chemical was then blown over the mosquito’s antennae. Effectively, this briefly and minutely completed the circuit, as the mosquito’s antennae reacts to the sample, causing its brain to produce a minute measurable electrical signal. Samples ranged from lactic acid (which it’s known mosquitoes respond to), to ‘researcher’s foot odour’ dissolved out of socks. Nina was also showing a junior colleague how carry out electroanntenography. As Richard Sennett (2009: 11) has observed in his book on craftsmanship, while an understanding of knowledge and theory underpins the processes of a technique, all skills begin with mastering the bodily practices of the technique. Deftness and a controlled, fine dexterity was required to mount the tiny insect’s head on a custom-made electrode made of finely drawn glass capillary tube filled with saline solution. Meanwhile, careful control was needed to introduce the chemical sample into the apparatus without touching it, all while standing on one leg to operate the foot pedal that released the sample. Later, Nina talked about how she had come to learn skills and research practices that have been essential to her work. A first graduate job as a laboratory research assistant raising mosquitoes lead to PhD research with her then supervisor and current boss. This created opportunities to specialise in new research techniques such as the opportunity to learn ‘single hair’ electroantennography in a Swedish lab. She describes how the intense concentration on detail and fine dexterity required meant that the work had to be done early in the day, adding only half jokingly, before any coffee was drunk. With a first degree in genetics and doctoral research as an entomologist, she has built up a set of skills that have allowed her to ask research questions at the intersection of disciplines. Yet, as she also points out, the requirement for science graduates to have lab experience, before they can work in a lab to get experience, can exclude people from scientific work or lead them embark on PhDs before they know whether day-to-day of lab work is really for them. She observes that while she has been lucky enough to benefit from colleagues and atmospheres in labs that have emphasised learning how to ask questions, cultivate specialist skills, sharing experience, knowledge and techniques, this is not the case in all labs. As we spend the morning in the lab, the question of what counts as a reading, what to record and what to discard emerge from the practice of the experiment in progress. What order should the samples be tested in: randomly, or those which will decay soonest so that the experiment will get done and produce results? Part of the aim of the WISRNet Shadowing Scheme was to bring scientists and historians closer together to better understand how each works, so it is fascinating to hear the interpretation of results and meaning of controls discussed, as scientific method is negotiated in practice. Questions of interpretation are central to the work of historians and social scientists too, but the way they operate, are validated and discussed is very different. In both cases, though, it often is the craft knowledge that is smoothed out of formal accounts as they are written up into journal articles. Discussing the details that are included or not, I am reminded of the tongue in cheek ‘Overly Honest Methods’ Twitter hashtag that posts jokey statements of research protocol. Relationships in the lab as the basis for learning and developing the craft of research are clearly important. Nina describes her experiences of working in labs in other countries, noting how the connections made there also valuable for finding out about jobs, especially in small fields of research. That other people know your speciality and the skills you can bring to a job is useful, if someone is trying to fill a post, but as she also observed, so are informal references. She described emails flying between labs as much to ensure that the prospective candidate is the kind of person that a team can get on with, working in a lab, day after day, as to confirm their academic or intellectual credentials. Talking to Nina, all these elements seem to be needed for a career, but can also present dilemmas. What happens when relationships don’t work or don’t offer the opportunities to develop one’s research skills and experience? How does one decide to push one’s career forward? Nina commented that chatting with fellow postdocs, there was a ‘cloud of mystery’ about how to manage the next stage of one’s career; should one apply for another postdoc, but how many postdoc positions are ‘too many’ and signal a lack of career progression? Plus, at what cost? Moving continents to pursue research can also have consequences for personal relationships. Nina observed that it’s not clear that research work outside of academia at this career stage would offer any more job security or less stress, with industry perhaps even more competitive with the pressure to produce successful new products. Comparing the gendered experience of academic research in the US, where her previous postdoc placement was based, with the UK, Nina recalled a PhD student confiding to her that she didn’t feel she could have a relationship while she did her PhD. ‘I was thinking that’s not good! I mean I know you get stressed and the rest, but it shouldn’t stop you – it didn’t me.’ Nonetheless, in the US, as in the UK, she comments: ‘It was always the [women] who had kids seemed to have a work/life balance. They were the ones who said, no, enough, now I’m going [home]. But they were the ones who were usually advanced enough in their career to say so. I suppose the problem comes in earlier in your career and you don’t have the seniority to say.’ Reflecting on the experiences of female friends working in science who have children, she notes that for some priorities have changed, so that stable jobs (not short term contracts) and the need to provide for their child, prompting in one case a return to school science teaching, become more important. Nina is clear that she does not see that gender has been an issue in her career as a woman working in science so far. Yet, in the decisions that her female friends have made after having children, it is also evident that people’s perspectives on the demands made by work in relation to the rest of one’s life can change, even if those demands are less extreme than those of the US tenure track system. Everyday lab-based relationships of conviviality are underpinned by exacting craft skills which suggest a presence in the lab is highly valued, something that may become more difficult with small children. How do lab-based relationships and the standing of ones current research in a small, competitive field combine with the dilemmas of negotiating postdoctoral career progression amidst structural pressures of job insecurity and short term contracts? In this context it is hard to know whether a predominantly female workplace is one that is more supportive to the careers of women in science, or simply reflects the high proportion of women entering the field anyway. It is not clear that the numbers of women in science will continue to increase: will a longer route to permanent posts produce disproportionately gendered losses at particular points in the career path? Or as Nina suggested, might the disinclination of scientists of either sex to retire from active research, reduce the opportunities for younger colleagues to progress up the hierarchy of an institution, so that senior posts perhaps reflect the gender balance of earlier decades, changing only gradually? All of these points offer sound, largely structural reasons for why there are still fewer women working in science more generally. Yet, given the degree of commitment to the practice of research itself implied in this account, it is tempting to speculate whether the hesitation in discussing gendered differences in science more generally reflects a concern felt by women about appearing less than totally dedicated to the work itself. Reflections on ‘shadowing’ a woman working in science. This project sought to bring historians of science and practicing scientists together to forge mutually beneficial exchanges of information and experience. As someone who trained as a social anthropologist, rather than a historian, I found this a stimulating experience that illuminated aspects of the values and practices of both fields: history and science. Deploying unfamiliarity and difference to produce new insights into one’s own and other people’s ways of doing things, a strong interest in teasing out unwritten rules and social relations are all constitutive practices to anthropological knowledge making. So, entering the unfamiliar world of the lab and hazily remembered principles of scientific method to observe (rather than participate) in the practice, teaching and learning of scientific craft was fascinating and also curiously familiar. Yet, trained with an empiricist’s interest in the present and making generalisations that can be validated (albeit in very different ways), the WISRNet project raised questions for both Nina and I about the nature and purpose of what it sought to collect and do with its material. In this respect, as a recent migrant to the world of the history of medicine and science, I have also been trying to gain a feel for the craft of historians and the kinds of questions that are be particularly important to them. One common concern anthropologists and historians share is the importance of context; what might a broader focus open up of interest to scientists, beyond a pragmatic, functional view of relationships? Is it enough to simply collect material? What questions do the different disciplines overlook? Given my training it is perhaps unsurprising that what most catches my eye is the way relationships are negotiated in the lab. But how do the more interpretive practices of historians and social scientists sit with the highly structured frameworks of scientific method? In fact, what emerged from being pushed into the unfamiliar environment of the lab, was a contrast between methods of inquiry, but also commonalities in the form of questions about interpretation, how to understand a particular result, and the disjunctions between theory and practice. Sennett, Richard. 2009. The Craftsman. London: Penguin. Twitter: #OverlyHonestMethods: https://twitter.com/search?q=%23overlyhonestmethods&src=tyah Accessed 20th March 2013. Dr Nina Stanczyk discusses her work on repellents and DEET sensitivity in mosquitoes: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hRayBUKvo_c Cressida Jervis Read is a Postdoctoral Research Assistant at the Wellcome Unit for the History of Medicine at the University of Oxford, exploring the emergence of dengue fever, a mosquito-borne ‘neglected tropical disease’, in Delhi. This is part of a larger project at the Unit entitled ‘The Challenge of Urbanisation: Health and the Global City’. She completed her DPhil in social anthropology at Sussex exploring the politics of development and urbanisation in the same city.	cc/2019-30/en_head_0020.json.gz/line1108

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