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ACCOMPLICE ART BULLETIN
Articulate Journal
The 20th Biennale of Sydney unveiled by Artistic Director Stephanie Rosenthal
The 20th Biennale of Sydney: The future is already here — it’s just not evenly distributed was unveiled today by Artistic Director Stephanie Rosenthal. Asia Pacific’s largest contemporary visual arts event features 83 artists hailing from 35 countries and is presented free to the public across seven venues or ‘embassies of thought’ and multiple ‘in-between spaces’ around the inner city, from Friday 18 March until 5 June 2016.
The Biennale’s seven ‘embassies of thought’ are: Cockatoo Island (Embassy of the Real); Art Gallery of New South Wales (Embassy of Spirits); Carriageworks (Embassy of Disappearance); Artspace (Embassy of Non-Participation); Museum of Contemporary Art Australia (Embassy of Translation); a roving bookshop (Embassy of Stanislaw Lem) and first time venue Mortuary Station (Embassy of Transition).
More than half of the 200 artworks in the exhibition have been specially commissioned for the 20th Biennale of Sydney, including a robust schedule of artist performances, which are an integral part of the 20th Biennale, presented at each embassy and at in-between locations by artists. Performance works include: boychild, Boris Charmatz, Neha Choksi, Mette Edvardsen, Mella Jaarsma, Lee Mingwei, Adam Linder, and Justene Williams, who is collaborating with Sydney Chamber Opera.
The exhibition is supplemented by a comprehensive schedule of public programs spanning three months including artist performances, daily guided tours, artist and curator-led talks, lectures, workshops, salons, reading groups and gatherings.
Art Month Sydney 2016 launches seventh annual celebration of Sydney’s creative ecosystem, with new artistic director and fresh programming ideas
Art Month Sydney returns in 2016, from 1 March – 20 March, with new Creative Director, Barry Keldoulis at the helm. This follows Barry’s recent success as Director of Sydney Contemporary art fair in 2013 and 2015 and the Melbourne Art Fair in 2014. The dynamic program, inspired by the creative producers of Sydney, will expand across the city and inhabit new spaces and unexpected locations. Comprised of Exhibitions, Talks, Tours, Experiences and the much-loved Precinct Nights, Art Month Sydney will highlight the galleries, institutions, ARIs, art schools, artists and curators that generate Sydney’s marketplace of ideas.
The Collectors’ Space, an annual exhibition that celebrates private art collections, partners with long term sponsors, AON, and, for the first time in 2016, BresicWhitney, to present an exhibition at an unoccupied inner city house. The space, announced only weeks before the exhibition opens, will exhibit works from the collections of Sally Dan- Cuthbert, Courtney Gibson, Danny Goldberg, and Jasper Knight.
Precinct Nights return in 2016, beginning with a Mardi Gras-inspired queer night in East Sydney on Thursday, 3 March. Queer performers will activate restaurants, bars and retail stores during the night, while Alaska Studios hosts a queer cabaret in their untouched basement space. In addition, a pop up bar will be held in Crown Lane at Creative Space 99.
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About 50 results.
Aleksandr Tarkhanov
Aleksandr Fyodorovich Tarkhanov (Russian: Александр Фёдорович Тарханов; born 6 September 1954) is a Russian football coach and a former Soviet player. He is the manager of Armenian club Pyunik.
Aleksandr Tarkhanov Football coach
Aleksandr Tarkhanov Glafira Tarkhanova's father
Vitaly Shevchenko Russian-Soviet soccer player
Aleksandr Pobegalov Russian soccer manager
Gadzhi Gadzhiyev Football manager
Aleksandr Irkhin Soccer manager
Sergei Oborin Russian soccer player
Oleg Dolmatov Soccer manager
Aleksandr Grigoryan Football coach
Aleksei Kostylev Soviet soccer player
Sergei Pavlov Russian football coach
Ravil Sabitov Soccer player
Aleksandr Averyanov Russian-Soviet soccer player
Igor Chugainov Football coach
Vyacheslav Solovyov Soviet soccer player
Vadim Khafizov Russian soccer manager
Boris Stukalov Russian soccer manager
Konstantin Beskov Russian-Soviet soccer player
Ilya Tsymbalar Soccer player
Hans Visser Soccer manager
Aleksandr Piskaryov Soccer player
FC Ural Yekaterinburg Soccer club
Vadim Skripchenko Belarusian football coach
Yuri Krasnozhan Russian football coach
Viktor Antikhovich Soccer player
Vladimir Fedotov Russian football coach
Vladimir Kazachyonok Soviet soccer player
Viktor Maryenko Soviet soccer player
Valery Bogdanov Russian soccer player
Aleksandr Anyukov Russian soccer player
Boris Arkadyev Russian soccer player
Andrei Talalayev Russian football coach
Sergei Shaposhnikov Soccer player
Viktor Papayev Soccer player
Aleksei Petrushin Soccer player
Vladimir Shevchuk Russian soccer player
Yuri Gazzaev Russian football coach
Nikolai Agafonov Soccer player
Aleksei Yeskov Soccer player
Pavlo Yakovenko Soccer player
Anatoly Baidachny Soccer manager
Leonid Nazarenko Soccer player
Andrey Kobelev Soccer player
Leonid Slutsky Russian football coach
Aleksandr Tsygankov Russian football coach
Valery Petrakov Soccer player
Aleksandr Borodyuk Football manager
Yevgeni Bushmanov Football coach
Fyodor Novikov Soccer player
Vladimir Mukhanov Russian soccer manager
fcpyunik.am
www.rusteam.permian.ru
Desc: Aleksandr Fyodorovich Tarkhanov is a Russian football coach and a former Soviet player. He is the manager of Armenian club Pyunik.
Wiki: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aleksandr_Tarkhanov
Type: Thing, Person
Result Score: 432.21
Glafira Tarkhanova's father
Type: Person, Thing
Vitaly Shevchenko
Russian-Soviet soccer player
Desc: Vitaly Viktorovich Shevchenko is a Russian coach and former Soviet footballer. His last work was head-coach of FC Rotor Volgograd. He finished the Institute of Physical Education and the Supreme school of coaches in Moscow.
Wiki: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vitaly_Shevchenko
Result Score: 45.55
Aleksandr Pobegalov
Russian soccer manager
Desc: Aleksandr Mikhailovich Pobegalov is a Russian professional football coach. He manages FC Shinnik Yaroslavl.
Wiki: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aleksandr_Pobegalov
Gadzhi Gadzhiyev
Desc: Gadzhi Muslimovich Gadzhiyev is a Russian football manager.
Wiki: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gadzhi_Gadzhiyev
Aleksandr Irkhin
Desc: Aleksandr Sergeyevich Irkhin was a professional Russian football coach.
Wiki: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aleksandr_Irkhin
Sergei Oborin
Russian soccer player
Desc: Sergei Grigoryevich Oborin is a Russian professional football coach and a former player. He is the manager of FC Fakel Voronezh.
Wiki: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sergei_Oborin
Oleg Dolmatov
Desc: Oleg Vasilyevich Dolmatov is a Russian football manager and a former player.
Wiki: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oleg_Dolmatov
Aleksandr Grigoryan
Desc: Aleksandr Vitalyevich Grigoryan is an Armenian professional football coach and a former player. He also holds Russian citizenship. He is the manager of FC Tambov.
Wiki: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aleksandr_Grigoryan
Aleksei Kostylev
Soviet soccer player
Desc: Aleksei Nikolayevich Kostylev was a Soviet Russian football player and coach.
Wiki: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aleksei_Kostylev
Sergei Pavlov
Russian football coach
Desc: Sergei Aleksandrovich Pavlov is a Russian professional football coach.
Wiki: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sergei_Pavlov
Ravil Sabitov
Desc: Ravil Rufailovich Sabitov is a Russian professional football coach and a former player. He was most recently the manager of FK Jelgava.
As a player, he made his debut in the Soviet Top League in 1989 for FC Dynamo Moscow.
Wiki: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ravil_Sabitov
Aleksandr Averyanov
Desc: Aleksandr Nikolayevich Averyanov is a Soviet and Russian professional football coach and a former player.
Wiki: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aleksandr_Averyanov_(footballer,_born_1948)
Igor Chugainov
Desc: Igor Valeryevich Chugainov is a Russian football coach and a former defender. He is the manager of FC Novosibirsk.
Wiki: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Igor_Chugainov
Vyacheslav Solovyov
Desc: Vyacheslav Dmitriyevich Solovyov was a Soviet football player and coach.
Wiki: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vyacheslav_Solovyov_(footballer)
Vadim Khafizov
Desc: Vadim Feliksovich Khafizov is a Russian professional football coach. He manages FC Kyzyltash Bakhchisaray in the Crimean Premier League.
Wiki: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vadim_Khafizov
Boris Stukalov
Desc: Boris Alekseyevich Stukalov is a Russian professional football manager and a former player.
Wiki: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boris_Stukalov
Konstantin Beskov
Desc: Konstantin Ivanovich Beskov was a Soviet/Russian footballer and coach.
Beskov was born in Moscow. He played for Dynamo Moscow as forward, scoring 126 goals, and after finishing his playing career he became a successful manager who coached Dynamo and their rivals Spartak.
Wiki: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Konstantin_Beskov
Ilya Tsymbalar
Desc: Ilya Vladimirovich Tsymbalar was a professional football player and coach. A midfielder, he represented both Ukraine and Russia on the international level. He primarily played as an attacking midfielder and was known for set-piece ability and technique.
Wiki: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ilya_Tsymbalar
Hans Visser
Desc: Johannes Hermanus "Hans" Visser is a Dutch football manager and a former player. He is the assistant manager for OH Leuven.
Wiki: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hans_Visser
Aleksandr Piskaryov
Desc: Aleksandr Mikhaiylovich Piskaryov is a Russian football player and manager.
Wiki: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aleksandr_Piskaryov
FC Ural Yekaterinburg
Desc: FC Ural Yekaterinburg is a Russian football club based in Yekaterinburg. As of the 2018–19 season, they play in the Russian Premier League.
URL: http://www.fc-ural.ru
Wiki: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FC_Ural_Yekaterinburg
Type: Organization, SportsTeam, Thing
Vadim Skripchenko
Belarusian football coach
Desc: Vadim Viktorovich Skripchenko is a Belarusian professional football coach and a former player. Since January 2019 he manages Torpedo-BelAZ Zhodino.
Wiki: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vadim_Skripchenko
Yuri Krasnozhan
Desc: Yuri Anatolyevich Krasnozhan is a Russian professional football coach and a former player.
Wiki: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yuri_Krasnozhan
Viktor Antikhovich
Desc: Viktor Petrovich Antikhovich is a Russian professional football coach and a former player.
Wiki: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viktor_Antikhovich
Vladimir Fedotov
Desc: Vladimir Valentinovich Fedotov is a Russian professional football coach and a former player. He is the manager of FC Orenburg.
Wiki: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vladimir_Fedotov_(footballer,_born_1966)
Vladimir Kazachyonok
Desc: Vladimir Aleksandrovich Kazachyonok was a Soviet football player and Russian coach. He was the academy director with FC Zenit Saint Petersburg until his death in 2017.
Wiki: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vladimir_Kazachyonok
Viktor Maryenko
Desc: Viktor Semyonovich Maryenko was a Soviet Ukrainian football player and coach.
Wiki: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viktor_Maryenko
Valery Bogdanov
Desc: Valery Petrovich Bogdanov is a Russian professional football coach and a former player.
Wiki: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valery_Bogdanov_(footballer,_born_1952)
Aleksandr Anyukov
Desc: Aleksandr Gennadyevich Anyukov is a Russian association footballer, who plays as a right-back for Krylia Sovetov Samara on loan from Zenit St. Petersburg.
Wiki: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aleksandr_Anyukov
Boris Arkadyev
Desc: Boris Andreyevich Arkadyev was a Russian footballer and a coach. He became the first coach of the Soviet Union national football team. Merited Master of Sports of the USSR, Merited Coach of the USSR.
Wiki: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boris_Arkadyev
Andrei Talalayev
Desc: Andrei Viktorovich Talalayev is a Russian professional football coach, television commentator and a former player. He is the manager of FC Khimki.
Wiki: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrei_Talalayev
Sergei Shaposhnikov
Desc: Sergei Iosifovich Shaposhnikov is a retired Russian football player and coach.
Wiki: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sergei_Shaposhnikov
Viktor Papayev
Desc: Viktor Yevgenyevich Papayev is a retired Soviet football player and a current Russian coach.
Wiki: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viktor_Papayev
Aleksei Petrushin
Desc: Aleksei Alekseyevich Petrushin is a Russian professional football coach and a former player.
Wiki: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aleksei_Petrushin
Vladimir Shevchuk
Desc: Vladimir Mikhailovich Shevchuk is a Russian professional football coach and a former player.
Wiki: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vladimir_Shevchuk
Yuri Gazzaev
Desc: Yuri Farzunovich Gazzaev is a Russian professional football coach and a former player.
Wiki: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yuri_Gazzaev
Nikolai Agafonov
Desc: Nikolai Vasilyevich Agafonov is a Russian professional football coach and a former player.
Wiki: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nikolai_Agafonov
Aleksei Yeskov
Desc: Aleksei Alekseyevich Yeskov was a Soviet football player and coach.
Wiki: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aleksei_Yeskov
Pavlo Yakovenko
Desc: Pavlo Oleksandrovych Yakovenko – or Pavel Aleksandrovich Yakovenko, is a former Ukrainian footballer and USSR international.
Wiki: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pavlo_Yakovenko
Anatoly Baidachny
Desc: Anatoly Nikolayevich Baidachny is a Russian football manager who managed the Belarus national football team from 2003–05. Previously he managed FC Rostov.
Wiki: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anatoly_Baidachny
Leonid Nazarenko
Desc: Leonid Vasilyevich Nazarenko is a Russian football coach and a former player. He manages FC Biolog-Novokubansk.
Wiki: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leonid_Nazarenko
Andrey Kobelev
Desc: Andrey Nikolayevich Kobelev is a Russian retired footballer who played as a midfielder and a current manager.
Wiki: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrey_Kobelev
Leonid Slutsky
Desc: Leonid Viktorovich Slutsky is a Russian professional football coach and former player who is the manager of Eredivisie club Vitesse.
Wiki: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leonid_Slutsky_(football_coach)
Aleksandr Tsygankov
Desc: Aleksandr Valeryevich Tsygankov is a Russian professional football coach and a former player.
Wiki: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aleksandr_Tsygankov
Valery Petrakov
Desc: Valery Yuryevich Petrakov is a former Soviet soccer striker and manager.
Wiki: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valery_Petrakov
Aleksandr Borodyuk
Desc: Aleksandr Genrikhovich Borodyuk is a Russian football manager and former international player for USSR and Russia.
Wiki: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aleksandr_Borodyuk
Yevgeni Bushmanov
Desc: Yevgeni Aleksandrovich Bushmanov is a Russian football coach and a former player.
Wiki: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yevgeni_Bushmanov
Fyodor Novikov
Desc: Fyodor Sergeyevich Novikov was a Russian professional football coach and player.
Wiki: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fyodor_Novikov
Vladimir Mukhanov
Desc: Vladimir Vasilievich Mukhanov is a Russian football coach.
He played 37 games in Soviet Top League and scored 6 goals. He started his managerial career in 1992 and managed several Russian First Division teams until 2003, when he came in charge of Kazakhstan Premier League side FC Tobol.
Wiki: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vladimir_Mukhanov
Try searching in other languages: en - it - fr - de - es - pt
This process used 20 ms for its computations It spent 12 ms in system calls .
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Poker Face - Lady Gaga
The Fame
pop dance Lady Gaga electronic party
"Poker Face" is an electropop song by American pop singer-songwriter Lady Gaga from her debut album, The Fame. Produced by RedOne, it was released as the album's second single in late 2008 for some markets and in early 2009 for the rest of the world. The song is an uptempo dance song following in the footsteps of her previous single "Just Dance" but has a darker musical tone. The main idea behind the song is bisexuality and was a tribute by Gaga to her rock 'n' roll boyfriends. Lyrically "Poker Face" is about sex and gambling. "Poker Face" has been well-received by the critics most of whom have praised the robotic hook and the chorus. The song has attained worldwide success, topping the charts in more than seventeen countries including the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and many European countries. "Poker Face" is also the most downloaded song in the British chart history. The accompanying music video for the song portrays Gaga singing it in various costumes and playing in a mansion. Gaga performed the song for the eighth season of American Idol and her first headlining Fame Ball Tour. The live performances included an electronic version performed as the last song of the tour, and an acoustic version she played on the piano. "Poker Face" was written by Red One and Gaga, while the music has been produced by RedOne. Gaga stated in an interview that "Poker Face" was written by her as a pop song and was a tribute to her rock 'n' roll boyfriends. She also stated that the main idea behind the song was sex and gambling. In an interview with UK's Daily Star, Gaga noted of the song, "It's about a lot of different things. I gamble but I’ve also dated a lot of guys who are really into sex and booze and gambling, so I wanted to write a record my boyfriends would like too." In an interview with Rolling Stone magazine, when asked about the meaning of the line "bluffin' with my muffin", Gaga explained that it really was a metaphor for her vagina. She explained, "Obviously, it's my pussy's poker face! I took that line from another song I wrote but never released, called 'Blueberry Kisses.' It was about a girl singing to her boyfriend about how she wants him to go down on her, and I used the lyric. [Gaga sings] 'Blueberry kisses, the muffin man misses them kisses'." During her Fame Ball Tour performance at Palm Springs, California, on April 11, 2009, Gaga explained to the crowd the true meaning behind the term "Poker Face" used in the song. She suggested that the song dealt with her personal experience with bisexuality. The idea behind the song was to be with a man but fantasizing about a woman, hence the man in the song needs to read her "Poker Face" to understand what is going through her mind. "Poker Face" is an uptempo dance-pop song, and follows the footsteps of the previous single "Just Dance". Whereas "Just Dance" was predominately electropop, "Poker Face" carries a dark sound with clear vocals on the chorus and a pop hook while combining the synths from "Just Dance" and the more dance-oriented beat of the next single "LoveGame". According to Kerri Mason of Billboard, the composition "carr[ies] the pleather-and-sequins vibe of the downtown New York scene out of the underground and onto the FM dial without losing its smut and sass." The song is set in common time with a moderate tempo of 120 beats per minute and is written in the key of G-sharp minor. Gaga's vocal range spans from F♯3 to B4. It begins with a medium tempo followed by electronic chord arrangement and the "Mum-mum-mum-mah" hook. The chords follow in this order, G♯m—E—F♯—G♯m—E—F♯. This is followed by the sound of dance music, produced by a powerful beat from the instruments and a stuttering hook following the chorus. Lyrically, "Poker Face" is all about sexual innuendo and teasing. According to Daily Star, the chorus repeats two alternating lyrics. After the hook "Can't read my Poker Face" the backup singer says "He's got me like nobody" and then in the next line says "She's got me like nobody". Gaga explained in an interview with them that the line carries a bit of an undertone of confusion about love and sex. However, the liner notes from the album booklet indicate both these lines only repeat "she's got me like nobody". The "Mum-mum-mum-mah" hook used in the song is sampled from Boney M's 1977 hit "Ma Baker." Priya Elan from The Times, in a review for The Fame, said that "Poker Face" was one of the finest moments of the album with its "love-as-card-game cheek." BBC reviewed the "strut-tastic" single as "expressing her overwhelming desire for celebrity and fortune." Bill Lamb of About.com said, "'Poker Face' works well on pop radio, but with slight mixing alterations it would be equally at home in a dark, sweaty, late night party atmosphere. She has refreshed the pop world in the US and UK at one of the slowest times of the year. 'Poker Face' keeps the motors humming as everyone waits for the next step forward from Lady Gaga." Chris Williams of Billboard also gave a positive review of the song saying, "Once again, hooks are aplenty, with '80s-inspired synthesizers, robotic verses and a warm, sunny hook in the chorus, which is even more addictive than the previous single ('Just Dance')...With a focused artistic vision, a swagger in her interview style and above all, a fantastic collection of diverse pop nuggets, Gaga is playing her cards right—and "Poker" is another obvious ace." Slant Magazine music reviewer Sal Cinquemani included "Poker Face" among the songs that work in The Fame, namely tracks like "Starstruck," "Paper Gangsta" and "Summerboy". Matthew Chisling from Allmusic called the song "infectious" and along with the title track "The Fame", complimented them for "rejuvenating the vibe on the album for its second half." Andy Downing from The Chicago Tribune called the song "jaunty" while reviewing Gaga's Fame Ball tour. Evan Sawdey from PopMatters.com felt that "Poker Face" along with the track "Paparazzi", duplicate much of the same "glitzy territory that previous single 'Just Dance' had covered, but never once does it feel like Gaga is deliberately repeating herself." Rolling Stone in a review for The Fame Ball Tour compared the live acoustic "bluesy" version of "Poker Face" with the music of singer Amy Winehouse. Erika Hobert from the New Times Broward-Palm Beach newspaper called the song "trashtastic Europop." The music video for "Poker Face", directed by Ray Kay and aided by Anthony Mandler, was filmed at the luxury villa on bwin PokerIsland. bwin also provided the poker equipment and obtained product placements in return. The video premiered on October 22, 2008. It is set by a pool, as well as in a mansion. It begins with Gaga emerging out of the pool wearing a shiny masquerade mask and a black full-body leotard, with two Great Danes beside her (Lava and her son Rumpus). She throws the mask aside and the song begins with a facial shot of Gaga singing it. Gaga wears a metallic sticker on her left cheek in this shot. Featured in the video are scenes of Gaga in a mansion and dancing poolside with her dancers in a turquoise leotard. Gaga attends a wild party where every man and woman tries their luck on a strip game. The party gets wilder when all the party's guests strip down to their underwear, dance around, and share kisses with each other. The video also features two harlequin Great Danes and several white mannequins on her swimming pool deck. During the musical interlude before the "I won't tell you that I love you" hook, Gaga is shown in her trademark "Pop Music Will Never Be Low Brow" sunglasses while sitting beside the pool. The video ends with the head shot of Gaga singing the Mum-mum-mum-ma hook. Gaga explained in the nineteenth episode of her "Transmision Gagavision" series, the main idea behind the music video of "Poker Face". She said that "I knew I wanted it to be sexy, so I thought no pants, because that's sexy. [...]And I knew I wanted it to be futuristic, so I thought shoulder pads, because that's my thing." The music video premiered on MTV UK on February 17, 2009. In some versions of the song, the words "muffin" (being a slang term for the woman's vagina), "Russian Roulette" and "gun" are censored out (bleeped). On June 21, 2009, the video won the Best International Artist Video at the 2009 MuchMusic Video Awards. The video has received four nominations at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards, in the categories of Video of the Year, Best New Artist, Best Female Video and Best Pop Video. Along with five other nominations for "Paparazzi", Gaga is tied with Beyoncé for most nominations each for that year.
Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta (born March 28, 1986), who performs under the stage name Lady Gaga, is a singer, songwriter, musician and actress from New York City, New York, United States. Perhaps unsurprisingly given her flair for grand gestures, Lady Gaga has deep roots in drama. Gaga played piano as a child and pursued musical theater in high school, regularly auditioning for New York-based television shows, notably landing a background role for a 2001 episode of The Sopranos. Show more ...
Mum mum mum mah
I wanna hold em like they do in Texas please
Fold em let em hit me raise it baby stay with me, I love it
Luck and intuition play the cards with Spades to start
And after he's been hooked I'll play the one that's on his heart
I'll get him hot, show him what I've got
Can't read my, can't read my
I wanna roll with him a hard pair we will be
A little gambling is fun when you're with me, I love it
Russian Roulette is not the same without a gun
And baby when it's love if it's not rough it isn't fun, fun
I won't tell you that I love you
Kiss or hug you
Cause I'm bluffin' with my muffin
I'm not lying I'm just stunnin' with my love-glue-gunning
Just like a chick in the casino
Take your bank before I pay you out
I promise this, promise this
Check this hand cause I'm marvelous
1) Poker Face
2) Bad Romance
3) Paparazzi
4) Just Dance
5) LoveGame
6) Alejandro
7) Telephone (feat. Beyoncé)
8) Born This Way
9) Eh, Eh (Nothing Else I Can Say)
10) Beautiful, Dirty, Rich
11) Boys Boys Boys
12) The Fame
13) Monster
14) Money Honey
15) I Like It Rough
16) Dance in the Dark
17) Judas
18) Applause
19) So Happy I Could Die
20) The Edge of Glory
21) Speechless
22) Summerboy
23) Brown Eyes
24) Teeth
25) Paper Gangsta
1) Lady Gaga - Paparazzi
2) Lady Gaga - Bad Romance
3) Britney Spears - Toxic
4) Rihanna - Only Girl (In the World)
5) Britney Spears - Piece of Me
6) Madonna - Hung Up
7) Ke$ha - TiK ToK
8) Rihanna - S&M
9) Tony Bennett & Lady Gaga - I Can't Give You Anything But Love
10) Katy Perry - This Is How We Do
11) Madonna - Girl Gone Wild
12) Ariana Grande - Break Free (feat. Zedd)
13) Katy Perry - Walking on Air
14) Ke$ha - Die Young
15) Nicki Minaj - Starships
16) Christina Aguilera - Not Myself Tonight
17) Nicki Minaj - Pound the Alarm
18) Tony Bennett & Lady Gaga - Anything Goes
19) Miley Cyrus - We Can't Stop
20) Christina Aguilera - Your Body
21) Kylie Minogue - Get Outta My Way
22) Gwen Stefani - Hollaback Girl
23) Carly Rae Jepsen - Call Me Maybe
24) Selena Gomez - Slow Down
25) Kylie Minogue - Can't Get You Out of My Head
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22nd of March, 2015
What Day: The 22nd of March, 2015, fell on a Sunday.
This date fell on a weekend.
4 years, 3 months and 27 days have passed since the 22nd of March, 2015.
Leap Year: 2015 was NOT a leap year.
Zodiac Sign (Astrology): Anyone born on this date will have the star sign Aries.
Zodiac Element: Fire.
Chinese Zodiac Animal: In the Chinese Zodiac, 2015 was the year of the Goat (Yin Metal).
Native American Zodiac: The 22nd of March, 2015 falls under the Falcon.
Birthstone: Anyone born during the month of March will have the birthstone Aquamarine.
Age: Anyone born on the 22nd of March, 2015, will be 4 years of age.
Unix Timestamp: The Unix Timestamp for this date is 1426982400.
Songs that were on top of the music singles charts in the USA and the United Kingdom on the 22nd of March, 2015:
United States: Uptown Funk - Mark Ronson featuring Bruno Mars
United Kingdom: Lay Me Down - Sam Smith featuring John Legend
Movie Box Office
What movie was on top of the box office?
The movie "The Divergent Series: Insurgent" was at the top of the box office on this date.
News Topics, Fads & Culture
Trending news stories and fads that were prevalent throughout this time period. These are news stories and events that would have been in the media on the 22nd of March, 2015.
Michelle Keegan
English actress Michelle Keegan is named as FHM's sexiest woman in 2015.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel is named as the Time Person of the Year for 2015.
European Migrant Crisis
Throughout 2015, media attention became focused on the rising number of refugees and migrants that were attempting to enter Europe.
2015 in music.
Popular music artists in 2015 included Ellie Goulding, The Weeknd, Fetty Wap, Wiz Khalifa, Walk the Moon, Jason Derulo, Ed Sheeran, Selena Gomez, Justin Bieber, Drake, Shawn Mendes, Adele and Omi.
Barack Obama was the President of the United States on the 22nd of March, 2015.
A baby that was born on the 22nd of March, 2015 was probably conceived around the 12th of June, 2014. (Rough Estimate).
The due date for a baby that was conceived on the 22nd of March, 2015 is the 30th of December, 2015. (Rough Estimate).
22nd of February, 2015: Eddie Redmayne wins the Academy Award for Best Actor for his role of Stephen Hawking in the movie The Theory of Everything
27th of February, 2015: Season 3 of House of Cards is released on Netflix.
27th of February, 2015: Star Trek actor Leonard Nimoy passes away.
1st of March, 2015: The 2015 Football League Cup Final takes place at Wembley.
2nd of March, 2015: The Game Developers Conference 2015 begins in San Francisco, California.
2nd of March, 2015: The Independent Games Festival begins in San Francisco, California.
6th of March, 2015: PAX East 2015 takes place at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center.
10th of March, 2015: Release date for Madonna's album Rebel Heart.
12th of March, 2015: Author Terry Pratchett passes away.
15th of March, 2015: The 2015 Formula One season begins.
17th of March, 2015: The movie "Paranormal Activity: The Ghost Dimension" is released.
17th of March, 2015: Battlefield Hardline is released.
17th of March, 2015: Final Fantasy Type-0 is released on the PS4 and the XBox One.
29th of March, 2015: Wrestlemania 31 takes place at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California.
30th of March, 2015: Release date for The Prodigy's album "The Day Is My Enemy."
2nd of April, 2015: A mass shooting at the Garissa University College in Kenya results in 148 deaths..
3rd of April, 2015: The release date of the movie Furious 7.
9th of April, 2015: The 2015 Masters Tournament begins at the Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia.
12th of April, 2015: The start of Game of Thrones Season 5.
14th of April, 2015: Grand Theft Auto V is released for the PC (after several delays).
14th of April, 2015: The game "Mortal Kombat X" is released.
19th of April, 2015: The World Snooker Championship begins.
Historical events that have occurred on the 22nd of March:
22nd of March, 1933: Prohibition ends in the United States.
22nd of March, 1997: The comet Hale-Bopp reaches its closest point to earth.
22nd of March, 2009: Former Big Brother contestant Jade Goody passes away after a battle with cancer.
22nd of March, 2016: 31 people are killed when three coordinated nail bombings occur in the Belgian city of Brussels.
22nd of March, 2016: Former controversial Toronto Mayor Rob Ford passes away after a battle with cancer.
22nd of March, 2016: Rap musician and A Tribe Called Quest member Phife Dawg passes away due to complications relating to diabetes.
22nd of March, 1991: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze (1991) is released.
22nd of March, 1996: The game Resident Evil is released.
22nd of March, 2002: Blade II (2002) is released.
Celebrities and historical figures that were born on the 22nd of March:
22nd of March, 1931: William Shatner: Actor.
22nd of March, 1976: Reese Witherspoon: Actress.
Enter your date of birth below to find out how old you were on the 22nd of March, 2015.
1899 1900 1901 1902 1903 1904 1905 1906 1907 1908 1909 1910 1911 1912 1913 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 1919 1920 1921 1922 1923 1924 1925 1926 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 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
Looking for some nostalgia? Here are some Youtube videos relating to the 22nd of March, 2015. Please note that videos are automatically selected by Youtube and that results may vary! Click on the "Load Next Video" button to view the next video in the search playlist. In many cases, you'll find episodes of old TV shows, documentaries, music videos and soap dramas.
Visualize the days that have passed since the 22nd of March, 2015. Each day that has passed will be represented as a calendar icon.
Here are some fun statistics about the 22nd of March, 2015.
1,579 days have passed since this date.
136,422,000 seconds have passed since the 22nd of March, 2015.
If you were born on this day, your heart has beated approximately 159,159,000 times.
Since the 22nd of March, 2015, earth has travelled approximately 70,393,752,000 miles through space.
If you were born on this day, your eyes have blinked approximately 22,737,000 times.
If you were born on this day, you have taken approximately 11,732,292 steps. That's about 5,214 miles!
Since this date, 1,637,064 meteors have entered the earth's atmosphere!
Time for a quick language lesson! The word for "Sunday" in other languages is:
German: Sonntag.
French: Dimanche.
Italian: Domenica.
Spanish: Domingo.
Portuguese: Domingo.
What does the 22nd of March, 2015 mean to you? Were you born on this date? Did you finish school? A loved one passed away?
17th of August, 2025
21st of April, 2008
8th of July, 2008
21st of March, 2015
23rd of March, 2015
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From performing synchronized light shows at the Super Bowl to changing the way we think about home delivery, drones have been gaining the spotlight for the many ways they can enhance our lives.
Here at ACUA, we’ve been using a drone as an important tool to evaluate infrastructure and improve operations across our facilities.
Our drone can be used with either a high resolution 4k camera or an infrared camera that can monitor surface temperatures. In addition to taking aerial photos and video, the camera can also measure volume calculations, which has helped us measure waste quantities at the landfill and calculate EcoProduct inventory.
Our engineers have used the drone to assess areas that are hard to reach by foot or car. For example, they recently used it to locate a manhole in a meadow area. The drone footage gave a better perspective on its location and how it can be accessed for repair.
Our engineering team has also utilized the infrared camera to monitor our landfill gas collection system at the landfill. By scanning the area, the camera can pick up areas of inefficiency or a build-up of gas in a particular area.
After a Nor’easter came through our area in late January, we were able to quickly assess damage to our temporary landfill cap, which covers a 30-acre area, by using the drone.
Most recently, our Clean Communities Coordinator used the drone to assess litter in Hammonton ahead of the town’s upcoming lake park cleanup. Because the high resolution camera takes such quality photos, we are able to zoom in and identify areas needing attention.
By using a drone we have saved time and money on projects that could have taken weeks or months to hire outside contractors or assess by other means. We look forward to putting it to use in other applications as the opportunities arise.
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Modern Bus
Volvo B6 L104EPA this is brian j aston coaches volvo b6 with northern count body - reg l104 epa
Brian J Aston - KWT coaches this is a volvo b9 plaxton paramount come from moseley in the south again in our old livery now been...
brian j aston coaches volvo b10m jonckeere this is two volvo b10m jonckeere deuvilles - l945 nww and l946 nww both 2 gether in the yard and bot...
Damar Travel DAF AHZ8280 this is damar travels dock town toours bus. dave thorne use to run this but sadly he died in novembe...
this is the back of damars bus this is the back of damar travel duck town tours bus See picture #2611 also
Neoplan tri-axle JPL 697 Footballteam from Halmstad (HBK) Bus Sweden
Mercedes coach Football team from Malmö (Malmö FF ) in Halmstad Bus Sweden
Mercedes coach of 'National Mannschaft' Deutcher Fussball-Bund tri-axle coach in Halmstad Sweden.
Neoplan of Göranssons Photo of a tri-axle coach of Göranssons in Båstad Sweden
South West Coaches Optare Solo In April 2007 South West Coaches bought four Optare Solo M850s for Yeovil Town services 11/11A to Ab...
South West Coaches Optare Solo bus In April 2007 South West Coaches bought four Optare Solo M850s for Yeovil Town services 11/11A to Ab...
South West Coaches Optare Solo #68 In April 2007 South West Coaches bought four Optare Solo M850s for Yeovil Town services 11/11A to Ab...
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How Should People in Pretrial Detention Be Treated? And--a Primer on the "Reasonable Man"
Most issues reviewed on this blog that pertain to prison conditions are legally assessed under the Eighth Amendment's prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment. Therefore, one of the ways in which the state tries to avoid accountability for the way it treats people is to argue that their situation does not count as "punishment"; and, indeed, the Supreme Court has routinely decided that many situations don't count as "punishment", and therefore do not merit an intervention, no matter how cruel and unusual the state's behavior might be.
Pretrial detention has been explicitly left out of the category of "punishment", per Bell v. Wolfish (1979). But today's decision in Kingsley v. Hendrickson is a step forward in protecting pretrial detainees from use of force and violence while behind bars.
Michael Kingsley was arrested on a drug charge and held in a Michigan jail while awaiting his trial. Following the escalation of a dispute over Kingsley's refusal to remove a piece of paper from the light fixture, officers forcibly removed him from his cell and put him in another cell, forcing him to lie face down on a bunk bed with his hands cuffed behind his back. There's some dispute over what happened next; Kingsley said the officers slammed his head against the bed, which they denied. But everyone agrees that the officers subsequently tased Kingsley in the back for five minutes and then left him alone in the cell.
Kingsley filed a §1983 suit against the jail officials. Since he couldn't argue cruel and unusual punishment, he argued that the officers' behavior violated his due process rights. The legal debate that ensued revolved around the question: what legal standard should be used when adjudicating claims about use of force? Kingsley maintained that the appropriate standard was objective: that is, that all he needed to prove was that the use of force would have seemed excessive to a reasonable officer at the time. The officers, by contrast, argued that the appropriate test was subjective, i.e., that Kingsley would have to prove intentional conduct on their behalf (very much akin to the standard employed in Eighth Amendment analysis in similar cases involving inmates). Since officers are likely to perceive their actions as appropriate (or at least claim they were appropriate later in court), you can see why the former standard is more favorable to the plaintiff.
The court found, 5:4, for Kingsley. The division of votes is pretty much what you would expect; Justice Breyer wrote the majority opinion, finding that an objective standard is appropriate here.
Whenever I talk to my students about the reasonable man, I draw someone like this on the blackboard:
Whenever courts hold someone to an objective standard of behavior--and this can happen in the context of a trial for criminal negligence or in a disposition of a search and seizure incident--it essentially compares the behavior of the person in question to an imaginary person. The "reasonable man" is not a statistical aggregate of all the people in the world; even if one's attorney summons all the people in the world and they testify that they would behave just as the defendant has done, it's not enough. The court is the sole arbiter of what a "reasonable person" would have done, and sometimes it deliberately sets the standard just a bit higher than the behavior of an average person, or of the defendant himself. The reason for that is that negligence, reasonability, and other objective standards rarely address issues that were within the defendant's awareness and intent, and the court seeks to educate people who might be in the defendant's shoes at a later time on how to behave.
If this seems harsh, take into account that the court's "reasonable man" is not entirely divorced from the circumstances in which the actual actor found himself. As Justice Breyer reminds us in Kingsley, "[a] court must make this determination from the perspective of a reasonable officer on the scene, including what the officer knew at the time, not with the 20/20 vision of hindsight." In our case, in which the officers had to decide how to treat Kingsley for his paper-on-the-light-fixture violation, the court's assessment of the officers' reasonability may include the following factors: "the relationship between the need for the use of force and the amount of force used; the extent of the plaintiff ’s injury; any effort made by the officer to temper or to limit the amount of force; the severity of the security problem at issue; the threat reasonably perceived by the officer; and whether the plaintiff was actively resisting."
Justice Breyer explains why the objective standard is suitable in this case. He starts off by reminding us that, precisely since pretrial detention is not "punishment", whether or not the officers intended to "punish" the detainee does not matter for the disposition of the case. Moreover, it is a workable standard, which might even be included in training materials for jail personnel anyway. And finally, even though the standard is objective, since the examination takes into account the officer's perception at the time, it protects officers who acted in good faith.
Justice Scalia's dissent ties Kingsley to Wolfish, arguing that the objective standard is not enough to equate the behavior to punishment. Ironically, juxtaposing the majority and the dissent leads to some unclarity on which situation benefits the defendant more: framing pretrial detention as "punishment" or as something else. And Justice Alito's dissent brings up even one more possibility, which is as of now undecided--the question whether a detainee in Kingsley's situation could raise a Fourth Amendment claim.
Detainee rights advocates may find some encouragement in the fact that the majority opinion subverts the usual problem with non-punishment confinement situation, which is the inability to apply Eighth Amendment protections to them, by supporting a test that is actually more favorable to the defendant. But what is even more remarkable is that the decision leaves the door open to Fourteenth Amendment claims of excessive force not only on behalf of detainees, but on behalf of convicted prisoners:
We acknowledge that our view that an objective standard is appropriate in the context of excessive force claims brought by pretrial detainees pursuant to the Fourteenth Amendment may raise questions about the use of a subjective standard in the context of excessive force claims brought by convicted prisoners. We are not confronted with such a claim, however, so we need not address that issue today.
What with this, and with Kennedy's concurrence in Davis v. Ayala last week, this was a good week for promising dicta sayings that are sensitive to prisoners' rights and to correctional excesses.
But lest we become overly overjoyed, let's keep in mind that Kingsley's ordeal dates back to 2010. The conversation about bail and pretrial detention often expounds on how much better off you might be if you are not detained before trial: it's easier to prepare your defense, communicate with your loved ones and with your attorney, and keep your job, not to mention avoiding doing time that might later become "time served" by default. Kingsley is a reminder that pretrial detention also exposes one to violence and force, which hindsight support from courts--even from the Supreme Court--cannot undo.
Props to Mark Edwards for drawing my attention to this interesting case.
Posted by Hadar Aviram at 11:23 PM
Labels: jails, prison management
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Strategy, Hegemony & 'The Long March'
STRATEGY, HEGEMONY
& THE ‘LONG MARCH’:
GRAMSCI’S LESSONS
FOR THE ANTIWAR MOVEMENT
As we enter the fourth year of the war on Iraq, our grassroots antiwar movement faces a critical political conjuncture, here and abroad. How we respond to it means a great deal, most importantly to the people of Iraq, but also to all Americans touched by this unjust war.
There are four main factors of this turning point.
-- First, the U.S. invasion of Iraq is floundering, stalemated, and drifting toward defeat – but in a horrible way unleashing all the fury of sectarian violence and slaughter, and, beyond Iraq, a ‘Clash of Civilizations’ throughout the region that serves no one but reactionary zealots on all sides.
-- Second, the American people, in their majority, have turned against the war. Likewise, although not by exactly the same numbers, the American soldiers fighting the war in Iraq have also, in their majority, seen the futility of their mission and want to return home by the end of 2006, if not sooner.
-- Third, the American political class is more deeply divided than ever. The antiwar factions are emerging in the entire range – left, center and right – and are gaining in strength. A significant section of the Pentagon has even turned on the war policy of the White House, even if its rules of discipline require it to find others to serve as its voice.
-- Fourth, the critical leadership factions of the American political class–the GOP alliances making up the Bush administration and the DLC caucus in the Democratic Party–are still determined, however, to continue the war. They simply have greater fear of the cost of defeat now than the prospect of even greater defeat in the future. They are like an addicted gambler, still hoping that by ‘staying the course’ in the game and doubling their bets, they can regain their losses, if not come home winners.
The problem for the rest of us is that their deluded thinking is the cause of untold suffering.
But how can an unjust war be ended?
Apart from what happens in Iraq and the stubbornness of the White House, it requires three things:
-- First the antiwar insurgency has to expand, with majority support, until the streets are ungovernable.
-- Second, the antiwar views among soldiers and their families have to intensify to the point that young people refuse to join and soldiers refuse to fight.
-- Third, the antiwar bloc in Congress, which will grow in response to the growth of the first two, has to become a majority that will vote to cut off funds for the war, impeach the president, or both.
Our problem, as a grassroots peace and justice movement, is to develop an appropriate strategy, tactics and plan for getting from here to there.
Militant Minority, Decisive Majority
It won’t be easy. It’s one thing to mobilize the militant minority of activists, even a million of them, for another vigil, rally or mass action. It’s quite another to activate and mobilize the antiwar majority of everyday folks who have yet to take part in their first active protest. It’s one thing to get a union local, or labor council, or even the AFL-CIO to pass a resolution against the war. It’s quite another to organize workers to ‘hot cargo’ war munitions, realistically threaten a mass strike or even break with pro-war Democrats. It’s one thing to organize a small ‘Out Now’ caucus in Congress or get your city council to oppose the war. It’s quite another to develop the independent, grassroots electoral organization and strength needed to defeat the pro-war leadership of both parties or to impeach a president.
The common thread in all of these examples is the varying degrees of political understanding and commitment. The militant minority is in one place, while the antiwar majority is in another. It’s important to keep both places in mind when developing strategy and tactics. It does little good, for instance, to complain that we’re tired of vigils and marching, that they don’t do any good, when most of those now critical of the war have not yet gone to a vigil or rally. There’s no iron wall separating the two places, but it’s critically important to accurately assess both, especially if the links and transitions between them are to grow in a progressive, empowering way.
In short, just because a set of tactics or beliefs has become obsolete for you and your friends, doesn’t mean those same tactics or beliefs are also obsolete for the bulk of the country’s antiwar majority. In fact, the opposite is usually true.
So how does the passive sentiment of the majority against the war grow into active opposition? One thing is certain: it usually doesn’t happen because the militant minority increases the intensity of its rhetoric, the frequency of its media outreach or the militancy of its tactics. All these things play a role, but the main way new people become radicalized is the same way many of us did. They learn through their experiences, mainly through their experiences in carrying out mass actions or confronting institutions of power. We have all felt, in this kind of practice, the surge of solidarity, the widening of possibilities, and the potential for empowerment and changing an unjust order.
Our task, then, in the first place, is to listen to the antiwar majority, to learn how they frame the issues and express their concerns and priorities. Then, in the second place, we work with them to find the forms of protest and struggle most suited to their conditions and concerns, and work with them to deploy this new activity. People won’t take to the streets because the militant minority declares profusely that going through legislative or electoral channels is ineffective – they take to the streets because they learn, first hand through their own experiences, that legislative and electoral channels alone are ineffective. This way we bring forward new layers of practice that will provide the lesson plans for new levels of consciousness and radicalization.
A Long March Through the Institutions
There’s a name for this process. It’s called ‘the long march through the institutions.’ The phrase is often attributed the Italian communist and anti-fascist leader, Antonio Gramsci. While entirely consistent with Gramsci’s work, the term was actually coined and popularized in the late1960s by Rudi Dutschke, a leader and theoretician of the German SDS and founder of the German Greens, who had studied Gramsci’s work.
Both Gramsci and Dutschke focused on the problem of working in a revolutionary or radical way when conditions were not insurrectionary or revolutionary, but when reformist or even reactionary conditions prevailed. Gramsci spent many years writing in Mussolini’s prisons, where harsh conditions took a toll on his health. He died under confinement in 1937. Dutschke was severely wounded by an would-be assassin’s bullet to his brain. He continued working for several years, but died young in 1979 from the damage of the wound.
Both Gramsci and Dutschke argued that radical social change in highly developed societies would be the result of long, patient organizing inside and outside of key institutions, and not simply or primarily a quick, frontal assault through mass actions. This is Dutschke’s long march through the institutions, what Gramsci called the ‘war of position,’ a concept we’ll come to later.
In many ways, ‘the long march’ is already reflected in how our current antiwar movement has grown over the past four years. It started with small but insurgent actions centered in towns, cities, campuses and neighborhoods. It proclaimed opposition to impending war and captured a portion of public space, breaking a fear of public dissent in the post-9/11 period. Petitions were signed, email lists multiplied, and soon local churches and local city councils began passing resolutions against the onset of war. These efforts were linked into wider and larger actions and mass mobilizations, nationally and globally. Some took the issue to the trade unions; others to Congress where they formed a small antiwar bloc; still others to churches and community groups, often winning them over from the bottom up. In the 2004 elections, independently of the party organizations, many activists also trained election workers and registered massive numbers of new voters. More city councils again voted against the war, after it was well underway. Iraq vets and their families formed organizations.
At each step, what happens here is a portion of public space and the organizations of civil society and governing bodies are won over, ‘captured’ or simply express their solidarity with the antiwar opposition. In doing so, these same institutions, starting at the grassroots and working upwards, are then denied to the War Party and its defenders. Naturally, there are lots of forces in between, still in contested areas. But step-by-step, campaign by campaign, we expand the building of a counter-consensus, while the Bush regime’s consensus, such as it is, begins unraveling. This is the ‘long march’ and, to use the Gramscian language, it builds the counter hegemonic bloc to break up the political hegemony of our adversaries, and to accomplish our goals with a new, empowered, broad-based insurgent alliance.
War of Position, War of Maneuver
‘The long march,’ however, doesn’t proceed in a straight line or at a steady speed. Any mass insurgency is full of twists and turns, ebbs and flows. Sometimes changes are very rapid; other times they move at a snail’s pace. Gramsci dealt with this condition by advancing two concepts, ‘the war of position’ and ‘the war of maneuver.’ In doing so in the early 1920s, he was drawing on the powerful memories of ‘The Great War,’ or World War One, as we now call it. One of the first fully industrialized modern conflicts, it featured a long standoff between two sides, where they dug extensive networks of trenches and barriers, filled them with millions of troops, and kept them supplied through the growth of war industries in the rear. Building your strength this way was ‘the war of position.’ But when your troops climbed ‘over the top’ out of their trenches and made a frontal assault on the other side, this was ‘the war of maneuver.’
The concepts of ‘position’ and ‘maneuver’ could be either strategic or tactical. One could try to secure a series of entrenched strongholds, while still launching an overall strategic offensive, as in, say, the D-Day invasion of Normandy. Or, conversely, one could focus strategically on building a secure area, while still launching forays to eliminate or capture small groups of the other side, as both the Chinese and Vietnamese did in the early phases of ‘people’s war.’ Either way you look at it – in modern politics or modern warfare – capturing, holding, consolidating key positions and then exercising power depends on effectively waging the war of position.
Gramsci developed these ideas, first, by studying how the Italian fascists had gradually built their strength and come to power, and second, by trying to find ways successfully to fight them. Essentially, he took these military concepts and expanded their implications into the arenas of politics, culture and ideology. On one hand, he wanted to counter a one-sided ultra-leftism that stressed a head-on ‘class vs. class’ offensive. On the other, he opposed a capitulationist reformism that failed to develop the strength and vision of the working people and their grassroots organizations.
Gramsci also recognized the necessity of an ‘inside/outside’ approach to building a counter-hegemonic bloc. In addition to building new up independent, grassroots organizations outside traditional groups, a movement for radical change will only be successful if it also wages a long, careful war of position inside key economic, social, cultural and political institutions. A movement’s ultimate success will depend on its capacity to contend for power and hegemony, in an incremental, step-by-step fashion, inside key institutions while concurrently developing independent, grassroots organizations, or base communities.
Significance for Today
What are the implications of these ideas for us? First, from this strategic perspective, a number of traditional and often divisive debates—mass direct action vs. electoral or legislative activity, civil disobedience vs. legal protest, working within the two capitalist parties vs. working only for third parties or no parties, working only with one class or working with all classes—need not be seen as mutually exclusive options. In fact, their possible interconnections gain importance. Second, they give us a positive vision of how a mosaic of local constituencies and groups can grow into an instrument of popular political power.
Setting the growth of a counter-hegemonic alliance as a mile marker also serves to measure how far we have come and, more important, how far we still have to go. It compels us both to maintain our vision and to make utterly realistic assessments of conditions and our tasks.
For example, to address a question raised earlier, why has a majority of Americans expressed sentiment and opinion against the war, yet only a small minority has taken action against it? A critical reason is how the power of the hegemony of the current order is still reflected in their consciousness, keeping them isolated and divided. They may hate the war, but they believe they are powerless to do anything about it. Mass belief in powerlessness and the disconnectedness of individuals or small groups is required for the upper classes to maintain their hegemony. Some others may hate the war, but for reasons that are self-sabotaging. They may believe all Muslims are less than human, forever violent toward one another, and the whole bunch not worth a drop of blood of one more American soldier. Still others may hate the war, but fear ostracism for betrayal of the nation or religious faith, of being anti-patriotic, anti-Christian or anti-Jewish.
Each of these hegemonic elements in the thinking of the antiwar majority needs to be identified, exposed, neutralized and defeated. It requires a popular and democratic practice. From the perspective of individual people, it is important to provide them with opportunities for new experiences involving collective effort. In doing so, winning or losing this or that campaign is not nearly as important as gaining the experience of solidarity, of widening one’s experience beyond familiar comfort zones. To do so, one must frame campaigns or activities that require the new activist to stretch a bit, but not so much that remaining passive wins the day.
But even more important is winning over a critical range of the institutions of civil society. The power of the existing order is mediated, to a large degree, through these institutions. Gramsci wrote:
The massive structure of modern democracies... set themselves up as the trenches and permanent fortification of the front in the war of position: they render the element of movement, which before was the 'whole' war, only 'partial.’ (Prison Notebook 13, Essay 7)
If the War Party’s power is to be challenged effectively, it has to be undermined in civil society first, prior to any frontal assault. Since institutions are rarely won over all at once, they must also be challenged with new organizations created within their milieu, especially at the most basic levels.
A local Iraq Vets Against the War or Military Families Speak Out does wonders to undermine fear, isolation and jingoism in the military and the wider social base of the military-industrial complex among the people. Likewise for local churches: they provide social and moral authority, not only when they speak out themselves, but also when they build interfaith alliances, especially with Muslims. These are the experiences that challenge and undermine the ‘clash of civilizations’ notions reinforcing the prevailing hegemony.
Schools, workplace organizations, community groups, local political clubs, cultural and media venues – all are part of this contested terrain that the anti-war movement must win over if it is serious about moving from protest to power.
A good strategic orientation for this period, then, is the ‘war of position’ to build popular power. In culture, in the political arena, in economic life, we work to establish ourselves and accumulate strength, while disestablishing and weakening our adversaries. We start with building grassroots ‘base communities’ in insurgent constituencies, building organizations and coalitions outward and upward, in widening circles, into new constituencies that are not yet insurgent. At the same time, the anti-war movement needs to contend for power and influence inside key institutions, including the Democratic and Republican Parties.
The ‘war of maneuver,’ however, is required to make this process dynamic. In this context, this is comprised of the periodic ‘speaking truth to power’ mass mobilizations, direct actions and civil disobedience confrontations. These are both displays of the growing influence and creativity of the counter-hegemonic alliance, as well as a means for drawing in new forces.
One thing to keep in mind as the anti-war movement moves forward is something that Gramsci wrote cautioning that the war of position ‘… demands enormous sacrifices…’ and ‘… an unheard of concentration of hegemony… because, in politics once the ‘war of position’ is won, it is definitively decisive.’ (Prison Notebook 6, Essay 138)
Broader Alliances, Electoral Capacity
In the period ahead, then, we face two major tasks in the war of position: broadening our alliances for mass action and developing our capacity for electoral intervention. The two need not be opposed to each other, but are interconnected and enhance each other.
A case in point on the importance of new alliances is the recent upsurge in mass protests focused on the rights of immigrants, bringing nearly a million people into the streets in several cities. This is clearly an insurgent constituency with a great deal of potential for political power. Immigrant rights are also connected to the question of war and peace, since many of the new restrictions on immigrant rights are being tied to national security and ‘the war of terror.’ The same ‘America First’ jingoism is used to justify both, and many peace and justice groups have taken up the defense of democratic rights for Arab and Muslim immigrants from the beginning.
It would be a mistake, however, to see widening the alliance to other nationalities as automatic or taken for granted. Even though a considerable majority of this constituency is antiwar, it also has a sector that has yet to break with the war. Latinos are disproportionately represented, for instance, among military recruits and casualties in Iraq. Polish, Irish and Asian immigrant communities may also have different views of the war than Latin Americans.
Nor can these alliances be made simply from the top down. Of course it helps to adjust your slogans and speakers, and get endorsements from national organizations and leaders. But most important is building relationships and finding common ground, on the most local level possible, at the grassroots. This is where it counts most for accumulating strength and mobilizing forces.
From Protest to Power
A more difficult transition is getting local peace and justice groups to develop an electoral capacity. A critical component here is a nonpartisan and local, bottom-up orientation. Community based organizations develop their electoral capacity by registering new voters, developing lists of voters and where they stand on issues, getting their own donors and campaign chests, making assessments of officials and candidates, training their members as registrars, judges, poll watchers and other forms of electoral work. Nonpartisan means, in part, that this capacity belongs to the group itself, and not to the local branch or district of any political party. This way, on Election Day, the group has the ability to mobilize and deploy its own clout for whatever candidates or ballot propositions it chooses, if any.
This is not only important as an instrument of independent popular democracy. It also serves as a pole of attraction for more moderate forces within the two-party system, who would be more likely to break from the dominant political class if they had something to break toward and form an alliance with.
Another dimension of ‘nonpartisan’, moreover, is that none of those groups or individuals joining the alliance has to break, necessarily or immediately, with their current parties. Initially, they only have to break with the policies and programs we are challenging and contesting.
The nonpartisan alliance is a necessary starting point precisely because our country is currently saddled with a reactionary two-party electoral system, the worse in the industrialized world. The left and progressive movements have yet to create a mass struggle for electoral law reform, one that would establish instant runoff, fusion, preferential balloting and proportional representation. All these things are taken for granted in other capitalist countries of the West.
If you have these, you can make a multiparty system. If you don't, you're pretty much stuck with what we have -- a two-party system with a little safety valve that allows for marginalized minor parties as long as they remain minor and toothless. The third parties, under this setup, are thus usually part of the social control mechanism, too.
But the ball is in our court. It does little good to attack progressive elected officials simply for being within the two-party system without making an effective challenge to those conditions.
There's still another factor restricting progressive electoral options, although it is often unmentioned. Many progressive activists have been bought off, in a way, by 501C3 tax status. One of the first things said when starting a new group is often: 'Let's get a 501C3 and apply for a grant!' Fine, but what are the terms? Two things: your newly funded group has to agree not to support any candidate and not to support any particular ballot proposition. In other words, in effect, the IRS is indirectly funding an anti-electoral, anarcho-syndicalist approach to change among nonprofit, nongovernmental organizations.
Of course, there are ways around this by going through additional hurdles. But many don’t. They often say, 'Well it’s too involved, and we don't care that much about candidates and parties anyway.' But that's just the point. They've boxed you in, even if some like the box. You’re restricted to simple oppositionism.
Alternatively, if the approach outlined in this essay sounds like a plan for creating the building blocks of a new political formation—one that is popular, democratic and participatory—then you’ve got the right idea. This is what it means to move from protest to politics to power, from being an antiwar opposition to a counter-hegemonic force. Not only does it create the conditions for wider, systemic change, it is also arguably the most effective way to win a particular victory, such as ending the war and occupation in Iraq.
Carl Davidson is a co-author of ‘Stopping War, Seeking Justice: Essays in a Time of Empire’ (with Marilyn Katz) and ‘Cyberradicalism: A New Left for a Global Age’ (with Jerry Harris). Both are available at www.lulu.com/changemaker. He is also one of the founders of Chicagoans Against War and Injustice, as well as Peace & Justice Voters 2004. Read more!
Labels: Antiwar, Gramsci, Philosophy, Strategy
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Tag Archive for: lesbians
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The biology of why guys are obsessed with lesbians
July 12, 2012 /0 Comments/in Most popular, Old blogs, Sex & Evolution /by Carly
From gay to straight and everything in between, there is an enormous amount of sexual inclinations out there and every last scintillating one of them is natural. There is not one mating system that humans have thought of that an animal did not think of first. Sex is, after all, an animal act.
The obsession so many men have with lesbians, though, has always perplexed me. Lesbian porn, in particularly, is baffling. It’s not really made for lesbians; it’s made for straight men. They love it so much that they regularly destroy their monthly internet download limits in their pursuit of it, and for what? As Susan from “Coupling” pointed out, “it’s a whole area of sex with nothing for them to do”.
Women don’t seem to share this obsession with homosexual behaviour in the opposite sex. Sure, we love our gay boys but you don’t see us crawling under the covers with a rabbit, an iPad, and some gay male porn. It just doesn’t do for us what it does for them. Why is that? Well, once again I suspect it has to do with our evolution.
Female koalas will mount one another when there is a hunky male around
Homosexual behaviour has been documented in over 1500 species and well-studied in about 500. More often than not this “homosexual” behaviour has to do with female/female interactions rather than male/male interactions (although there are plenty of documented accounts of those as well). The most common female/female sexual interactions that you see don’t seem to be inspired by a genuine attraction of a female to another female as much as its a way to for the females to signal to the males that they are ready to be mated. Females are not fertile all the time so homosexual behaviour is one way that they can signal to males when they are. Its comparable to girls making out with each other in night clubs as a way to get the attention of men. Males don’t need to use this same technique to signal to us when they are ready to mate because they are always ready to mate. They don’t have cycles of fertility like we girls do.
Cows are one of these species famous for lesbian behaviour. The girls will regularly mount one another when they are in heat which researchers think is partly to do with their peaking oestrogen levels (which make them feel uncontrollably sexual) and partly to do with their needing a way to signal to the males that they are fertile. My research advisor at the University of Queensland is studying this same behaviour in koalas. Captive female koalas will mount one another when there is a male koala around but, interestingly, not if they are left alone. Sometimes they will reject the advances of the male, though, and continue on with the lesbian escapade. Why this happens is a biological mystery.
Because of this way that many female animals will display homosexual behaviour when they are in heat or otherwise ready to mate, male animals seem to be forever on the lookout for signs of girl-on-girl action. With this in mind, it makes perfect sense that a man would get a rise out of watching lesbians in action. There must be some ancient, primal, instinctual thing happening in men (most of them, anyway) that recognises female homosexual behaviour as a sign of female fertility and mating-readiness.
Let it be known, though, that while it appears that many female animals act homosexual as a way to attract males, there are plenty of truly homosexual female animals who don’t seem to be, in any way, seeking male attention by way of their behaviour. The classic example is the swan family. Swans are known for being exceptionally loyal in terms of mate choice. Swan couples generally stay together for life and it is not uncommon for them to choose a mate of the same sex. Probably the most famous lesbian swan couple lives in Boston Public Garden but there have been many others documented elsewhere.
http://carlywilson.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/koalalesbians-e1342614845680.jpg 325 400 Carly http://carlywilson.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/cwlogo2.png Carly2012-07-12 11:53:552016-04-25 02:02:53The biology of why guys are obsessed with lesbians
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home Edinburgh The Ross fountain at Edinburgh Castle
Work to renovate the historic Ross Fountain was completed this afternoon as the last statue was crane-lifted into place. A mainstay in West Princes Street Gardens for more than 140 years, the A-listed Edinburgh landmark has been undergoing a £1.9m restoration since last July. The statue at the top of The Ross Fountain in West Princes Street Gardens was put back into place today marking the completion of the £1.9M renovation.
Buy t-shirts and prints of the Ross Fountain at Edinburgh Castle
During the work a small crowd gathered to watch the lofty two-tonne statue being carefully dropped into its final position. It signalled the end of a meticulous repair job spearheaded by the Ross Development Trust and conducted by Wigan-based specialists Lost Art Ltd.
Vibrant new colour scheme for restored Ross Fountain Testing, ancillary works and landscaping still remain to be finished, with a final unveiling scheduled to take place in the next 5 or 6 weeks.
Among those in attendance was Lord Provost Frank Ross who seemed impressed with the restoration as the finishing touches were made. He said: “It’s fantastic. Once the scaffolding’s down and people get to see it, I really believe that the citizens of Edinburgh will get to love it”. Fiona MacDonald, Conservation Architect at Edinburgh World Heritage, who have helped to partly fund the project, said: “We’re delighted the project has now finally been delivered. It’s wonderful that it’s now here in all its glory”.
David Ellis, Managing Director the Ross Development Trust added: “It’s been almost a year since we were standing here taking her down and it’s been a huge amount of work but it honestly feels like it’s flown past. Seeing her go up though is obviously a fantastic moment, this is really the final piece of the puzzle. “They (Lost Art Ltd) have put in an incredibly strong foundation and a whole new modern pumping system, which will make sure there is no potential that the fountain will have to be switched off in the future – which is exactly what everyone wants. “What is most important is making sure it’s going to run properly for decades to come.”
Castles fan ? Take our five castles tour and visit 5 ancient historic castles in Scotland
Read more at: https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/watch-ross-fountain-ready-to-flow-once-more-as-restoration-completed-1-4743385
TAGS: Conservation Architect David Ellis edinburgh castle Edinburgh World Heritage Fiona MacDonald five castles tour Ross Development Trust Ross Fountain Ross Fountain at Edinburgh Castle
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Fleetwood Has the Profile To Win This Week By Ian Hudson
The CIMB Classic in Malaysia is the second tournament on the 2017-18 US PGA Tour schedule and usually attracts an average field due to the timing and location. This year’s renewal features the player currently third in the world rankings and the winner of the FedEx Cup. Hideki Matsuyama and Justin Thomas are playing this week and the latter is the player to beat. On the European Tour Francesco Molinari is playing in the Italian Open, a tournament he won in 2006 and 2016.
Thomas has had five victories in 2017 including his major at the PGA Championship. He broke 70 in the final round each time he won which is the mark of a potentially great player. His winning margin was at least two shots on all five occasions. Thomas also recorded a career best of 59 in the Sony Open, a tournament he won. He was the Player of the Year in the States and looks a worthy favourite this week. Thomas is above average in length off the tee and scores well in the accuracy disciplines. That means he has an excellent all-round game with hardly a weakness.
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The CIMB Classic is being played at TPC Kuala Lumpur so heat and humidity will be a factor. At less than 7,000 yards the course is short by modern standards and has a par of 72. The 18 holes put a premium on accuracy over distance and the key skills for good scoring are driving accuracy, finding greens in regulation and putting average. Thomas clearly has a game suited to conditions because he has won the tournament in the last two years. His second place finish at the Tour Championship clinched the FedEx Cup on his latest start. The three-peat is on the cards this week.
Ian Poulter has been through a dip in form and injury. The petrol tank of confidence is slowly filling up and he can have another good week on a course suited to his game. He played in the event for the first time last year and posted a top 20 finish. Poulter was tied 11th in the British Masters two weeks ago and that was one of his six top 25s in his last eight starts. Winning this week may be beyond Poulter but he can make the payout places and should be backed with bookies who settle bets down to 7th place.
The Italian Open on the European Tour has also attracted some big names. Jon Rahm is at number five in the world rankings, Sergio Garcia Masters is the current Masters champion and Tyrrell Hatton defended in the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship last week. The Italian Open is part of the Rolex Series which is the premium tournament category and features eight events each carrying a generous prize fund hence the quality of the field. Francesco Molinari is the defending champion and also plays.
Molinari is of 10 multiple winners of the Italian Open and has a great chance to become the first 3 time winner since 1955. He is a fairways and greens machine who is ideally suited to this week’s host course in Milan. That means both events in the States and Europe can be won by the current champions and that is a rare occurrence. Thomas and Molinari can go back to back this week in Malaysia and Italy.
Click Here To Join The Golf Rater
Filed Under: Betfan, Golf, Sports Tagged With: British Masters, Italian Open, Jon Rahm, Malaysia
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Showing posts from July 22, 2017
160,000 firms deregistered till July 12: Jaitley
By Unknown July 22, 2017
More than 160,000 companies been deregistered and a series of actions are being taken against shell firms, Corporate Affairs Minister Arun Jaitley told the Lok Sabha on Friday. His response was to a query on whether a large number of shell companies and entities that are primarily used as conduits for dealing in black money and hawala transactions have come to the notice of the government. Out of the 162,618 companies that have been struck-off the register, the registration of 33,000 were cancelled by RoC (Mumbai), according to a written reply by minister of state for corporate affairs Arjun Ram Meghwal. The Business Standard, new Delhi, 22th July 2017
GST Council may Examine Sectoral Issues in Aug 5 Meet
The Goods and Services Tax Council could take up at its next meeting taxation issues raised by sectoral bodies along with a review of the implementation of the new tax regime, a top official has said. “Different issues will be coming to the table (at the next council meeting). Things that have been brought to our notice may be on the rules and implementation. Maybe, even on rates,“ Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC) chair person Vanaja Sarna told reporters on the sidelines of a Ficci event here on Friday . The GST Council, chaired by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and comprising state counterparts, will meet on August 5 to review implementation of the new tax regime. On whether concerns raised by the textile sector will be taken up, she said, “Possibly.“ GST is a uniform tax structure that replaces 17 different levies, including excise, service tax and VAT. Some textile traders have been seeking removal of the 5% GST on fabric. Surat-based traders, who had gone on strike in protest,…
GSTN to Analyse Statistics of Tax Payers Registered with GSTIN
Three weeks into the new tax regime, the Goods and Services Tax Network (GSTN) has said that it will analyze the statistics of tax payers registered with GSTIN and give them ratings based on the data they would provide on the portal. GSTN is the technology backbone for implementing the single producer levy, which came into effect from July 1. The company will also study tax-payer behaviour after the system has captured data for a couple of years. It will undertake studies of various kinds for the central government to help in the future planning process. “We would also be studying trends in various sectors production types, or turnover for certain commodities such as steel or coal or anything else,“ GSTN Chairman Navin Kumar said. The GSTN will also help the government locate tax evaders. “We will compare the data of compani es registered on our portal with those of the income tax department to find discrepancies.“ The system will alert the tax departments in case of any discrepancy betwe…
So far, 76 lakh businesses, service providers register with GSTN
GST Network, the technology platform for indirect taxes, has registered 76 lakh businesses and service providers with the total base expected to top the 80-lakh mark, which includes those paying central excise, service tax, state VAT, central sales tax and other levies. With 10 days left for registration of existing businesses, the government expects that it will be able to significantly expand the base, helping generate 20-25% rise in indirect tax collections, said sources. So far, 70 lakh existing taxpayers have enrolled, while six lakh new players have registered. A large number of businesses did not have to register as the threshold for GST was pegged at Rs 20 lakh, twice the level for VAT. There are, however, some companies which are in multiple businesses that can register each vertical se parately . For instance, a company which is in tobacco and hotels can seek two GST registration numbers.In addition, service providers -from Indian railways to banks, telecom and insurance compan…
F. No. 345/114/2017-GST
F. No. 345/114/2017-GST Government of India Ministry of Finance Department of Revenue Central Board of Excise and Customs GST Policy Wing *** New Delhi, the 21st July, 2017 Order No. 01/2017-GST Subject: Extension of time limit for filing intimation for composition levy under subrule (1) of rule 3 of the CGST Rules, 2017 In exercise of the powers conferred by section 168 of the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017, the Board hereby extends the period for filing an intimation in FORM GST CMP-01 under sub-rule (1) of rule 3 of the Central Goods and Services Tax Rules, 2017 upto 16th August, 2017. -sd- (Upender Gupta) Commissioner (GST)
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Exposing Modern Reefer Madness
All Public Records
Only the White Man Can Profit from Pain
February 16, 2019 420leaks Cops & Cannabis, Editorials, Integrity Check, Racism and Cannabis No comments
by author and activist Saab Lofton
http://saablofton.com/
Saab Lofton Channel on YouTube
“Nah, man, the government will never legalize drugs in America. The first reason they will never legalize drugs in America is because the government makes way too much money putting our brothers and sisters in fucking jail. That’s first of all. The second reason the government will never legalize drugs in America is because, God forbid, some brown people got wealthy. Can’t have that. ‘Cause drugs come from brown countries. We can’t have wealthy brown people. There are no wealthy black — or brown — people in America. We got some rich ones, we don’t got no fucking wealth. People go, ‘what’s the difference?’ Here’s the difference: Shaq is rich. The white man that signs his check is wealthy. ‘Here you go, Shaq! Go buy yourself a bouncing car! Bling-bling!’ I’m not talking ’bout rich, I’m talking ’bout wealth… One of the number one rules when it comes to acquiring wealth goes like this: The rule is, only the white man can profit from pain. So if you’re black or brown, you can make money in America, you can prosper in America, you can get rich in America, but whatever you decide to do, it better be positive. ‘Cause if one person is harmed, you will be destroyed… White man makes alcohol. Tastes great, I love it, you love it, we all love it. Kills motherfuckers every single day. Okay? Some of y’all ain’t even make it home tonight ’cause of alcohol… But it’s all right ’cause it’s all white. White man makes cigarettes, the most dangerous product known to man. Cigarettes are so fucking dangerous, it kills motherfuckers that don’t smoke… But it’s all right ’cause it’s all white. Could you imagine if the Philip Morris family was a bunch of jheri-curled niggers from Mississippi? Do you know how illegal a pack of cigarettes would be? You would get sixty years just for a carton of Newports!” –Chris Rock, from the 2004 HBO comedy special, “Never Scared”.
I can relate. I’ve been called “the Tiger Woods of science fiction” by Professor Sam E. Anderson (author of Black Holocaust for Beginners) as well as “the black Rod Serling” — not necessarily as flattery, but as dire warning, for as Serling himself once wisely said…
“Television, like its big sister, the motion picture, has been guilty of the sin of omission… Hungry for talent, desperate for the so-called ‘new face,’ constantly searching for a transfusion of new blood, it has overlooked a source of wondrous talent that resides under its nose. This is the Negro actor.” –The Twilight Zone Companion
“Overlooked” is an all too polite way of saying “passed over.”
I was asked to comment on systemic discrimination insofar as hemp/marijuana because I know for a fact it’s the case in science fiction/fantasy, so…
Let’s start with the basics: First, “white privilege” simply means the odds are on your side.
However harsh your lives may have been, Caucasians, the odds are, anyone resembling Halle Berry or Lenny Kravitz will have had it far, far worse and God help you if yo’ ass resembles Tracy Chapman or Yaphet Kotto (there’s also such a thing as “lightskinned privilege” amongst blacks).
Likewise, the term “black tax” is similar in meaning to “the glass ceiling,” whereby, again, the odds are you will have worked harder than your pale, male rivals in order to prevail.
Far harder.
Second, the price of liberty is eternal vigilance because history tends to repeat itself whenever it’s forgotten, so don’t, as in, do not wait for some “Age of Aquarius” moment whereby color will forever be barred from conversation.
If you’d never tell a survivor of World War II’s Jewish Holocaust to “let it go,” then refrain from telling that to African Americans. Silence slows (or halts) the solving of societal problems, and countless lives are on the line, so no one cares how embarrassing certain subjects are to discuss
In order words, black lives matter more than white feelings — so much more, it’s now become all-important to remember that merely being accused of racism is insignificant next to actually suffering from it.
Finally, Negrophobia is the fear of ethnic miscegenation (what accounts for, say, Obama looking more like his black parent than his white one) or of being surrounded by dark skinned Humans who’re (presumably) harboring revenge for past atrocities.
Negrophobia is in fact a form of criminal insanity (as I explain in my lectures, the Joker will kill over a joke, the Cracker will kill over a skin) whether or not it’s actually acted upon (in either event, its protected by the First Amendment just as the Flat Earth Society, the nonsense of Alex Jones, et cetera) and it manifests itself in a variety of ways.
In my case, Negrophobia assumes this form…
“[White supremacist Milo] Yiannopoulos bragged about how rudely he behaved to the ‘top execs’ and was as surprised as anyone when he landed a reportedly large advance of $250,000, according to The Hollywood Reporter, which broke news of the deal: ‘I met with top execs at Simon & Schuster earlier in the year and spent half an hour trying to shock them with lewd jokes and outrageous opinions. I thought they were goingto have me escorted from the building — but instead they offered me a wheelbarrow full of money.'” –Jenny Pierson, AlterNet, January 4th, 2017.
M E A N W H I L E . . .
“Because Saab Lofton’s A.D. is one of the most exciting books to emerge from a young black writer in years, its obscurity is all the more shameful.” –Tony Norman, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, December 16th, 1997
ALL THE MORE SHAMEFUL
“Lofton’s novel deserves a far broader audience than it has accumulated thus far.” –Darius James, New York Press, November 12th, 1997
DESERVES A FAR BROADER AUDIENCE
“It’s been hard to ignore the mounting evidence — the friends who were pushed out of jobs… even if they were eminently overqualified … Most of all, it’s the small moments of discrimination that are so insidious, they’re hard to pinpoint. In my career, I’ve been excluded from key projects that were given to white women… often made fun of and called ‘defensive’ and ‘difficult to work with’ by white men and women.” –Ruchika Tulshyan, The Seattle Times, September 20th, 2018
So a known enabler of the alt right tried to shock publishing executives with “lewd jokes” and was given “a wheelbarrow full of money” while my black ass is sleeping in the garage of a house with NO plumbing/electricity for the second winter in a row. The odds are, someone as pale skinned as Milo will be given quarter of a million dollar advances even as I’m constantly told to “tone it down” by the civility-obsessed. It’s the system’s fault; it’s bigger than any one man.
And there’s no, as in, less than negative zero reason to assume the hemp/marijuana dynamic is supposedly free of such irrational duplicity.
In anything, I’ve been informed recently of at least one phenomenon whites and blacks will perceive very differently: Cannabis start-ups employing former policemen as frequently as security firms?!
Presumably this sick practice is designed to “confer legitimacy” upon cannabis businesses; to “assuage community concerns” whenever new locations are opened, which sadly places white feelings over black lives once again…
“I’m bothered by the fact that the government’s current plan is to bar people with pot convictions from participating in the huge marijuana economy that is now emerging. We have the expertise. We know how to grow high-quality plants. We have the distribution networks. The government’s policy is unfair, punitive and discriminatory. If it really believed in amnesty*, it would let people with non-violent records for possession lead the way … The government has turned the pot economy over to the people who lost the drug war: the cops and politicians who were responsible for destroying so many lives by turning pot smokers into criminals. They’ve been given the keys to the vault. They’ll be profiting from the same activities they used to prosecute. The hypocrisy is staggering … Amnesty* is not enough. It should include an apology for ruining the lives of hundreds of thousands of people for no legitimate reason. They should be asking us to forgive them.” –Rosie Rowbotham, a former producer at CBC Radio, The Guardian (UK), June 6th, 2018
Rather turn the pot economy over to those “responsible for destroying so many lives” than turn it over to a bunch of niggers, huh?
Only the white man can profit from pain.
Saab Lofton was born in South Central Los Angeles, raised on the road as a “military brat” and graduated from Olympia, Washington’s Evergreen College. He’s also a cartoonist, an award-winning journalist as well as a novelist — in fact, his first novel (A.D., 1995, III Publishing) was endorsed by Professor Howard Zinn and it’s responsible for a Republican (Jon Hatchell from Alexandria, Virginia) becoming a socialist … As an “internet troll,” he personally led the charge to save Uganda’s LGBT community from certain death (thus saving half a million lives), fought past a fleet of libertarians in order to cattle prod the FCC into voting for net neutrality in 2015 and cyberstalked white supremacists since then until the Ku Klux Klan itself lost over fifty subsidiaries, according to the Southern Poverty Law Center … A documentary based on him — Saab Lofton: The Movie — is available on YouTube.
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Steroids (glucocorticoids): the third most important, but least understood, major category of therapeutic drug
The most important drugs, the one you'd least like to be without, are the opiates - especially morphine; because they are the only effective treatment for extreme pain, and extreme pain is the worst thing.
The second most important drugs are the antibiotics.
But the third most important drugs are probably the 'steroids' - which mimic the action of the hormone cortisol (secreted by the outer part of the adrenal gland) specifically the type of steroids called glucocorticoids: prednisone, prednisilone, hydrocortisone, betamethasone, beclomethasone and many others.
The discovery of both antibiotics and steroids in the middle of the twentieth century represents the greatest breakthrough era in the history of medicine.
But, unlike antibiotics, steroids are not well known, and very poorly understood; in fact, (like opiates) they tend to be regarded as more of a problem than a benefit - we take for granted their wonderful life-saving and life-enhancing power, and focus almost exclusively on the problems of side effects.
(There are also other kinds of therapeutically-useful steroid drugs which mimic different natural hormones; for example mineralocorticoid steroids which mimic a hormone from the kidney, female sex steroids which mimic oestrogen or progesterone from the ovaries, and anabolic steroids which mimic testosterone from the testis.)
What do glucocorticoid steroids do?
In a sense, steroids do the opposite of antibiotics. Antibiotics enhance or assist the immune system by killing invading bacteria (or allowing the immune to kill invading bacteria); but steroids modify and suppress the immune system when it is attacking the body - instead of attacking invading micro-organisms.
And it turns out that a lot of symptoms and diseases are essentially, or mostly, a matter of the immune system attacking the body
Steroids mimic the effect of cortisol, which is secreted from the outer part of the adrenal gland. Cortisol is essential to life - if your adrenal glands were removed, you would certainly die, probably within a few weeks (unless you took replacement therapy); but what cortisol does is (unlike most of the other hormones) hard to describe - because conrtisol sustains pretty-much every cell in the body.
On the other hand, excess amounts of glucocorticoids causes 'Cushing's Syndrome' - moon face, muscle wasting and weakness, osteoporosis, thinning and damage to skin, psychiatric symptoms...
And sometimes these serious side effects are unavoidable in order to have a large enough and sustained enough level of steroid to treat severe diseases.
Steroids work slowly, compared with most drugs - usually building up over a few days, perhaps because they need to get into the cell nucleus and alter DNA transcription.
So what are steroids used for?
Well, they have saved many lives. Among people I know personally, two would have died of the auto-immune disease sarcoidosis, if it wasn't for steroids. Other automimmune dieases include rheumatoid arthritis, SLE (systemic lupus erythematosus), systemic sclerosis and many with no names.
Steroids get used in all kinds of medical emergencies such a premature babies, or head injuries (with swelling of the brain), or as a palliation in terminal cancers.
Almost all of the effective and lifesaving types of chemotherapy - e.g. for leukaemia, includes steroids.Steroids are also used to prevent rejection in organ transplants.
Steroids are the mainstay of treatment of many skin diseases, including the commonest - eczema/ dermatitis; but also psoriasis.
Steroids (either inhaled or - in emergencies - by mouth) are the mainstay of treatment of asthma, and also severe hay fever type allergies.
Many many uses.
Let me close by my own recent personal experience of what steroids can do.
I have 'osteoarthritis' in my knees - which means that on X-ray there are bone deformities in the joints.
It turns-out I cannot tolerate the usual symptomatic treatment - which is Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory drugs such is diclofenac or ibuprofen - and anyway they were not terribly effective.
But a steroid injection into the joint produced a very substantial improvement - reduced swelling and redness, and a much more solid and stable joint - which lasted about three months.
What this tells us, indirectly, is that many medical problems are side effects of our own bodies responses to infection and injury - or due to errors in the immune system itself.
It turns out that the arthritis was not really the main problem with my knee - it was the body's inflammatory response to that arthritis which was causing pain, swelling, instability and at one point collapse of the joint. Dampen the inflammation, and 66 percent of the problem disappeared - although the arthritis was itself unchanged.
And, quite often it seems, the underlying pathology causing an disease is relatively trivial - it seems that most of the medical problem was the body's response to a trivial, maybe temporary, underlying cause.
One of the mysteries of steroids is that they are apparently temporary-acting drugs, yet so often have a permanent and curative effect.
Somebody has sarcoidosis, or temporal arteritis, or acute rheumatoid arthritis - and they would certainly die - but that high dose steroids stop them from dying (at the cost of severe Cushing's syndrome side effects).
Yet once the crisis is over and the situation is under control, the side effects of the steroids become the most pressing problem. So, as soon as maybe, after a while, the steroids are reduced and tapered-off - often to nothing.
Yet the disease does not come back.
At medical school we were told that steroids suppressed disease, but did not really cure it.
True enough in one sense - but in another sense, the temporary suppression is apparently enough to allow the body to cure the disease.
So indirectly, steroids are indeed potentially curative.
At any rate, overall, I believe that the cortisol-mimicking, glucocorticoid steroids are worthy of the third place in a pantheon of all-time most-useful drugs.
NOTE: My doctoral thesis (Neuroendocrine correlates of depression - awarded in 1988) was substantially about cortisol and its hormonal control. I then studied the microanatomy of the adrenal cortex, specifically the neural control of cortisol secretion, for a further three years.)
Posted by Bruce Charlton at Thursday, January 30, 2014
Ingemar said...
Those non-medical people who are most interested in steroids actually consider cortisol as the bogeyman of hormones due to its "catabolic" effects.
@I - Yes, glucocorticoids are catabolic - that is, they cause break down and loss of muscle and connective tissue.
Karl said...
I am grateful for posts like this one in which you share your perspective on modern medicine.
One of the few times I think a doctor may be said to have worked a cure on me was when a dose of these corticosteroids cleared up a case of contact dermatitis that I got from unwittingly digging among the roots of poison ivy. (If you don't have poison ivy in England, I advise you not to import it!) Perhaps given time it would have cleared up on its own, but two weeks had seen no improvement whatever, and my betrothed wished to make sure that the ring would fit on my finger at my forthcoming wedding.
Luqman said...
The utility and efficacy of these drugs can sometimes border on the miraculous. They are indeed overprescribed around the world, but this is not the practice in the UK as far as I have observed, where the side-effects are so powerfully driven into the heads of trainees that they almost seem to fear them - as you mentioned.
I once saw a patient who had been complaining of a niggling pain in their forearm for some time. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs did not help at all, nothing had, and the condition (intersection syndrome to be specific) was affecting their work and mood severely despite how minor it seemed. Strongly needle-phobic, so I prescribed a short course of oral steroids; for which there is no evidence as far as I am aware (locally injected, definitely). Nevertheless in three days the pain was gone and did not recur. I had to take some negative criticism from a senior for what was perceived as poor practice but the patient was so happy about being rid of the problem that it more than made up for it. Corticosteroids definitely deserve the rank you have given them.
Not to denigrate the opiates, about which I entirely agree with you Dr. Charlton, but I would ask why you would not place antibiotics at the very top? Considering their impact on life in the modern world that is.
@L - Yes, that kind of thing happens - IF doctors care enough to try and help the patient rather than practice according to 'guidelines' based on faked mega randomized trials.
I was talking to a knee surgeon who said that some men with X ray confirmed arthritis in a single joint (and severe functional disability) get apparently permanent benefit from a single steroid injection.
Mechanism of benefit unknown - presumably the breaking of a self-perpetuating, positive feedback cycle of inflammation-induced response.
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The Chitnis Family
Gopal Ganesh Chitnis
Gopal Ganesh Chitnis was born on the 16th of December, 1928 in Tadsinhal, a small village in the Chandgad District of Maharashtra.
Very early in his life, he showed signs of the drive and determination that would become his trademark characteristic. In an era when any form of education was deemed as optional, he fought the odds that were against him and completed his primary and secondary education.
In 1948 he decided that there was more to learn, and decided to join the College of Engineering in Pune, which he did despite all the odds of a poor village boy ever doing so. In 1952, he successfully completed his course in Mechanical and Electrical Engineering.
At this point, he set himself another challenge – to continue his education in London and to gain work experience there. With the help of a loan of Rs.200 from Shri Baburao Pusalkar, he set On the 4th of September 1952, this village boy landed in London, where he proceeded to work and study, eventually earning his Higher National Certificate from the Hendon Technical College in 1955.
Thereafter, he joined AEG Germany as a Trainee Engineer, rising to be a Project Engineer in the newly formed Rourkela Cell at AEG.
In 1957, he left AEG to start his own import/Export and Consultancy business, focussing on the Oil Hydraulic line. As a side business, he decided to enter the tape-recorder business, and at the age of thirty became the youngest tape-recorder manufacturer in the world.
In 1959, he met his benefactor Baburao Pusalkar again in Germany, and arranged a collaboration with Vogel & Co. for him, for the manufacture of hydraulic presses – the first of its kind in India.
In 1961 he married Monika Barthel, his erstwhile secretary. A German by birth, she was the ideal partner in his career, and has has stood by him through thick and thin ever since.
Through the 60′s, he continued his businesses, focussing more and more on the import and export of engineering goods. But the urge to return to India and get into the manufacture of hydraulics became stronger and stronger, more so with the birth of his two sons, whom he wanted to raise in an Indian environment. In 1969, he returned to India after almost eighteen years in Europe. In 1972, his wife and sons followed him to settle in India.
In 1970, he established his first unit – Standard Hydraulik (India) – in Belgaum, a city not far from his village. This firm was followed by more and more such units – each one focussing on a particular field in oil hydraulics, such as Hydrokraft for presses, Hyguri Hydraulik for hydraulic motors, Chitnis Machine tools for hydraulic application machinery, etc.
His hydraulic pumps, valves, presses and other hydraulic machinery can be found all over India and across the world. His constant innovations and design improvements gave rise to hydraulic equipment his customers swear by. And his vast knowledge in the field made him a much sought-after consultant in the field of hydraulics.
The Government of India recognised his efforts by awarding him the much coveted Udyog Patra, considered to be the “Industrial Nobel Prize” in India.
Mr.Chitnis traveled often. Not content sitting on his laurels, he could be found wherever the action was – just like that boy back in in the 1930′s in the small village of Tadsinhal in India – the little boy who stood up and said:
He spent his later years in retirement, often spending time in the villages that he grew up in, only to emerge with new ideas that he was always keen to discuss with people who wanted to follow in his footsteps.
Mr.Chitnis passed away on April 6th, 2009, leaving behind a rich legacy of industrial development and advancement that he could rightfully claim credit to.
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We’ve been showcasing contemporary art since 1880 to provoke new thinking and conversations in a rapidly changing world.
Feast on contemporary art and culture. Meet artists, curators, designers, writers, musicians, filmmakers and other thinkers.
Inside CoCA
People need art and art needs people. Take a tour of our building and meet the talented team behind the scenes.
We're committed to keeping our gallery extraordinary. As a charity, it's only possible with support from people like you.
Visiting History News Opportunities Supporters Volunteer Associates Venue Hire
The radical, the reactionary.
Spreading a love of artistic work through the community”
At CoCA we enjoy a rich and proud history. Formed in 1880 as the Canterbury Society of Arts (CSA), we were the first organisation in Christchurch to exhibit and collect works of art.
Our gallery was based on a simple premise: that the making of art by artists could be supported by regularly exhibiting art in Christchurch; it's what was true in 1880 and remains true for us today.
Developing New Zealand art.
Since 1880, we have played a significant role in supporting and advocating the arts in Canterbury, exhibiting the early work of generations of leading New Zealand artists, including Petrus van der Velden, Raymond McIntyre, Margaret Stoddart, Rhona Haszard, Frances Hodgkins, W. A. Sutton, Colin McCahon, Michael Smither, Neil Dawson, Andrew Drummond, Billy Apple, Julia Morison and Pauline Rhodes.
From the beginning, our objective was to nurture people's relationship with, and love for, art. The Annual Report for 1881-82 emphasised this, stating that the CSA had "the express purpose of spreading a love of artistic work through the community."
Reflecting and leading change in the arts.
Over 135 years we have reflected and nurtured both change in the arts as well as social and cultural change. Our gallery was also a place of radical practice.
In an effort to meet the needs and desires of both the artistic community and the wider public, we performed the roles of a public gallery, dealer gallery and a traditional art society, more often playing all three roles at one time.
In the early decades of the CSA by far the majority of works exhibited were paintings. Over the twentieth century the kind of work exhibited expanded as definitions and practice of art broadened, including not only sketches, drawings and sculpture but print-making, textile art, pottery, photography, architecture, graphic design, performance, post-object and conceptual art.
The diversity of our exhibitions have been a mix of enthusiastic amateurism and avant-garde practice, gaining us a reputation in 1968 as being a "very swinging place". In 1996 we changed our name, focus and legal structure, with the CSA transforming to become the Centre of Contemporary Art (CoCA), a place where the 'diversity of cultural production' was embraced.
The CoCA Collection
Collecting New Zealand art (and in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, Europrean art) was one of the original, stated purposes of the CSA.
By the 1960s our collection had swelled to more than 300 works. In an effort to manage the growing collection with limited storage and to raise funds, a 'picture hire' scheme was established in the 1970s, where works in the collection were loaned to businesses in the community for an annual fee.
By the 1990s, the society was in a perilous financial position and we sold 42 of the most significant works in the collection to the Christchurch Civic Art Gallery Trust.
The new direction of the programme and the lack of adequate storage for a collection lead to the decision to sell much of the collection. 180 works were successfully auctioned to a large and enthusiastic Christchurch audience in March 2016.
The architecture of CoCA
Our purpose-built gallery at 66 Gloucester Street has significant architectural value. Designed by Minson, Henning Hansen and Dines, the building is a major work of the modernist 'Christchurch Style', championed by a generation of architects led by Miles Warren and Peter Beaven, and influenced by the British movement, The New Brutalism.
The building received two New Zealand Institute of Architects awards that honour outstanding examples of this country's architecture.
"It is very heartening to see the CoCA gallery building restored to such a high standard. The architect and trustees have been careful to retain the architectural integrity of this delightful building whilst simultaneously improving the functionality of the space within, meaning it can perform as a 21st century gallery building should. Bravo CoCA!" - Sir Miles Warren. Architect and former president and founding patron of the restored gallery.
CoCA 2011 - 2016
February 2011 saw the closure of CoCA gallery following the Canterbury earthquakes. The changes that took place during the gallery's closure between February 2011 - February 2016 helped reinvigorate its purpose in 'stimulating conversations about contemporary life and culture'.
The adoption of 'Toi Moroki' as part of CoCA's name in 2015 and bilingual signage and interpretative text for the re-opening of the gallery in 2016 reflected New Zealand society's common use of Te Reo Māori in all settings of public life.
The CoCA building suffered significant damage in the 2010 and 2011 earthquakes. Over four million dollars was spent on strengthening, repairing and refurbishing the gallery during its closure and on 13th February 2016, the gallery re-opened with a fresh and reinvigorated vision.
Monthly email news.
Open 10am - 5pm
Closed Mondays & Public Holidays
66 Gloucester Street, Christchurch Central
info@coca.org.nz
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Inspiration Dissemination
Inspiring Stories From Oregon State Graduate Students on KBVR FM
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Treating the Cancer Treatment: an Investigation into a Chemotherapy drug’s Toxic Product
One of the most difficult hurdles in cancer treatment development is designing a drug that can distinguish between a person’s healthy cells and cancer cells. Cancerous cells take advantage of the body’s already present machinery and biochemical processes, so when we target these processes to kill cancer cells, normal, healthy cells are also destroyed directly or through downstream effects of the drug. The trick to cancer treatment then is to design a drug that kills cancer cells faster than it harms healthy cells. To this end, efforts are being made to understand the finer details that differentiate the anti-cancer effects of a drug from its harmful effects on the individual. This is where the research of Dan Breysse comes in.
Dan a third-year master’s student working with Dr. Gary Merrill in the department of Biochemistry and Biophysics. Dan’s research focuses on a common chemotherapy drug, doxorubicin. Doxorubicin has been researched and prescribed for about 40 years and has been used as a template over the years for many other new drug derivatives. This ubiquitous drug can treat many types of cancer but the amount that can be administered is limited by its toxic effect on the individual. Nicknamed “the red death,” doxorubicin is digested and ultimately converted to doxorubicinol, which in high doses can cause severe and fatal heart problems. However, hope lies in the knowledge that doxorubicinol generation is not related to the drug’s ability to kill cancer cells. These mechanisms appear to be separate, meaning that there is potential to prevent the heart problems, while keeping the anti-cancer process active.
Cancer cells replicate and build more cellular machinery at a much faster rate than the majority of healthy cells. Doxorubicin is more toxic to fast-replicating cancer cells because its mechanism involves attacking the cells at the DNA level. Dividing cells need to copy DNA, so this aspect of doxorubicin harms dividing cells faster than non-dividing cells. It is common for chemotherapy drugs to target processes more detrimental to rapidly dividing cells which is why hair loss is often associated with cancer treatment.
Separately, doxorubicin’s heart toxicity appears to be regulated at the protein level rather than at the DNA level. Doxorubicin is converted into doxorubicinol by an unknown enzyme or group of enzymes. Enzymes are specialized proteins in the cell that help speed up reactions, and if this enzyme is blocked, the reaction won’t occur. For example, an enzyme called “lactase” is used to break down the sugar lactose, found in milk. Lactose intolerance originates from a deficiency in the lactase enzyme. During his time at OSU, Dan has been working to find the enzyme or enzymes turning doxorubicin into doxorubicinol and to understand this chemical reaction more clearly. Past research has identified several potential enzymes, one of which being Carbonyl reductase 1 (CBR1).
Doxorubicin is converted to doxorubicinol with the addition of a single hydrogen atom.
While at OSU, Dan has ruled out other potential enzymes but has shown that when CBR1 is removed, generation of doxorubicinol is decreased but not completely eliminated, suggesting that it is one of several enzymes involved. In the lab, Dan extracts CBR1 from mouse livers, and measures its ability to produce doxorubicinol by measuring the amount of energy source consumed to carry out the process. To extract and study CBR1, Dan uses a process called “immunoclearing,” which takes advantage of the mammal’s natural immune system. Rabbits are essentially vaccinated with the enzyme of interest, in this case, with CBR1. The rabbit’s immune system recognizes that something foreign has been injected and the system creates CBR1-specific antibodies which can recognize and bind to CBR1. These antibodies are collected from the rabbits and are then used by Dan and other researchers to bind to and purify CBR1 from several fragments of mouse livers.
Prior to his time at OSU, Dan obtained a B.S. in Physics with a concentration in Biophysics from James Madison University where he also played the French horn. Realizing he loved to learn about the biological sector of science but not wanting to completely abandon physics, Dan applied to master’s programs specific to biophysics. Ultimately, Dan hopes to go to medical school. During his time at OSU, he has balanced studying for the MCAT, teaching responsibilities, course loads, research, applying to medical schools, and still finds time to play music and occasionally sing a karaoke song or two.
To hear more about Dan’s research, tune in Sunday, December 16th at 7 PM on KBVR 88.7 FM, live stream the show at http://www.orangemedianetwork.com/kbvr_fm/, or download our podcast on iTunes!
This entry was posted in Biochemistry and Biophysics, College of Science on 2018-12-15 by Heather Forsythe.
Applying medical anthropology: a history of stress in Puerto Rico and its impacts on birth outcomes
Over the course of the last six years, Holly Horan, a doctoral candidate in the Applied Anthropology program at Oregon State University, has developed and carried out a course of research culminating in the largest-ever study measuring perceived and biological maternal stress during and after pregnancy in Puerto Rico. By combining in-depth interviews with Puerto Rican mothers with quantitative analysis of perceived stress and the stress hormone cortisol during each stage of pregnancy, Holly has gained insights into both the perceived and the physiological components of maternal stress that have potential to impact birth outcomes (in particular, timing of birth).
Holly describes herself as an applied medical anthropologist. She strives to take a holistic approach to health, considering not only the physiology of an individual, but external factors as well: the political situation, economics, the culture, and the historical context of the research site. She is passionate about “community-led research.” In community-led research, the community where the research is being conducted takes a role in the development, execution, analysis, and evaluation of the research.
Holly has found a way to combine her personal and professional interests in maternal and infant health with her desire to engage in research with Puerto Rican communities. Holly’s mother is Puerto Rican, and she had long wanted to engage in research that could benefit the island. While completing a master’s degree in anthropology at the University of Montana, Holly did preliminary research on the early onset of puberty among Puerto Rican girls. Here at OSU, Holly has been able to use both qualitative and quantitative methods to research maternal and infant health within a community-led framework.
At the beginning of her dissertation research, Holly learned that the cesarean birth rate in Puerto Rico was close to 50% — far higher than the rate in the continental U.S., which hovers around 30%. Both rates are much higher than the rate recommended by the World Health Organization, which indicates that the cesarean birth rate should be no higher than 15%. She also learned that the island struggled with high incidence of preterm birth and low birth weight, both of which are important population-level health indicators. Holly’s advisor, Dr. Melissa Cheyney, is a home-birth midwife and an associate professor within the Applied Anthropology program in the School of Language, Culture, and Society. Dr. Cheyney helped connect Holly to Puerto Rican midwives, who, in turn, connected them to other medical providers in Puerto Rico.
In the summer of 2014, Holly conducted a pilot study, spending six weeks in Puerto Rico interviewing maternal and infant health-care professionals. These interviews allowed her to develop goals for her dissertation research that aligned with the needs of the community. Participant narratives frequently displayed concerns associated with unexplainable high rates of preterm birth.
Holly’s National Science Foundation (NSF)-funded dissertation research examined the relationship between perceived maternal stress, biological maternal stress, and prematurity. After the 2014 pilot study, she moved to Puerto Rico for 16 months, where she used semi-structured interviews and perceived stress questionnaires to develop an understanding of this relationship. In addition to this qualitative component, she also measured the stress hormone cortisol from maternal hair samples. Cortisol is one of the most well-understood biological stress indicators. Up until recently, the primary available way to measure cortisol levels was through blood or saliva samples, which provided only an indication of short-term stress. As it turns out, however, cortisol is also incorporated into hair. Hair cortisol provides a measure of long-term stress — the type of stress that is speculated to impact maternal and infant health outcomes, including preterm birth.
In the summer of 2016, Holly initiated her dissertation research with an extensive series of in-depth interviews with pregnant and recently-postpartum women. At this time, the ZIKA virus was declared a public health emergency, and there was a variety of public health messaging concerning delayed reproduction and the risk of microcephaly. Through these interviews, Holly learned that the U.S. Government’s public health messaging led to an internal conflict for many pregnant Puerto Rican women. Families felt stress and fear about the prospect of infants developing microcephaly. However, the warnings and official recommendations to delay reproduction provided uncomfortable reminders of the island’s colonial past, which includes targeted experimental clinical trials of oral contraceptives and sterilization offered primarily to low-income women. This led many interviewees to be skeptical about the threat of the Zika virus, but did not deter them from being concerned for their fetus’ well-being.
These participants identified sources of stress that varied widely, ranging from socioeconomic concerns, political changes, and gender-based inequalities. For example, in May 2016, Puerto Rico’s government defaulted on over 70 billion dollars of debt. Under the regulations passed by La Junta, the appointed fiscal board, many employees were fired and then rehired for lower pay. Also affected was the secondary public-school system: nearly 150 schools were closed. While these events are structural, the interviews revealed that within the Puerto Rican people, the impact of the events was personal, and the magnitude of impacts depended on individuals social support networks and life circumstances.
After comparing maternal cortisol levels with the perceived maternal stress from the structured surveys, which were collected in each trimester across pregnancy, Holly found a counter-intuitive result: some of the mothers who had most problems with their pregnancies (such as premature birth) had unusually low levels of cortisol. One current theory is the concepts of allostasis or allostatic load and “weathering,” a term which has been in the media in recently describing the cumulative effects of chronic stress on health (discussed in an NPR interview here in the context of race-based discrimination). Normally, the body responds to stress by heightening the amount of hormones such as cortisol. After the stressor is removed, hormone levels shift back to a low-stress state. However, if stress is prolonged over months or years–such as when living under a system of oppression–the body starts to experience “wear-and-tear,” causing the body’s stress response system to become ineffective. This ultimately impacts health outcomes, such as premature birth.
There have been road bumps along the way. In late summer 2017, Holly was nearly three quarters completed with data collection and the project was moving along smoothly. However, Mother Nature had different plans: In September 2017, Puerto Rico was hit first by Hurricane Irma and then by Category 4 Hurricane Maria two weeks later. The hurricanes destroyed the power grid and most of the island’s infrastructure. Holly was evacuated by OSU a week after the storm. Although she was worried about the well-being of her participants, and the impact this storm would have on the research project, NSF and her other funders graciously supported her to return and complete the study, which she did in February and March of 2018. As a separate side-project, Holly plans to return to Puerto Rico this summer to share study results with the community and with community partners.
To hear more about Holly’s research, tune in Sunday, December 9th at 7 PM on KBVR 88.7 FM, live stream the show at http://www.orangemedianetwork.com/kbvr_fm/, or download our
podcast on iTunes!
This entry was posted in Anthropology, Applied Anthropology, College of Liberal Arts, Healthcare and tagged Anthropology, maternal health, perceived stress, pregnancy, premature birth, puerto rico, stress on 2018-12-09 by Daniel Watkins.
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centre for past climate change
You are currently browsing articles tagged centre for past climate change.
Predicting the future: climate change modelling requires cautious use
August 12, 2015 in CPCC by katberry
A new paper published in Nature Climate Change (Harrison et al. Implications of evaluation of CMIP5 palaeosimulations for climate projections. Nature Climate Change 5: 735-743. August 2015) suggests that we need to exercise considerable caution about future projections of regional climate changes.
The paper looks at features of the climate that are characteristic of 21st century projections and then examines whether state-of-the-art climate models predict these features correctly in the geologic past. Lead author, Sandy Harrison says “This is necessary because future climate changes will be much larger than anything we have experienced in last hundred years or so when we have meteorological observations. But there is abundant geologic evidence for large climate changes in the past that can be used to see whether the models are working”.
The paper shows that climate models capture the large-scale patterns of temperature change, including the fact that warming over land is more than twice as much as over the ocean and that the biggest warming will occur in high latitudes. They also reproduced the observed global relationship between precipitation changes and temperature as temperature increases.
However, the paper shows that the models do not capture the scale of regional climate changes. The models predict an increase in monsoon rainfall both in the future projections and in the mid-Holocene, 6000 years ago, in response to enhanced land-sea temperature contrast. Abundant evidence shows that the Sahara desert was vegetated and supported abundant wildlife during the mid-Holocene, but models underestimate the observed change in precipitation in northern Africa by at least 50%.
Modelled changes can also be opposite to what actually occurred. Models predict drying in the mid-continents in both the future and the mid-Holocene. The mid-Holocene predictions for central Eurasia are wrong – palaeoenvironmental data show that this region was in fact wetter and cooler than today – and this raises serious concerns about the future projections for the region.
“Our evaluations give us confidence that the general trajectory of modelled global warming is correct and that means that model estimates of what we need to do to limit global warming, say to less than two degrees, are likely to be realistic – which is very good news indeed. However, many government agencies want to use the projections for planning purposes at a local scale and here I think we have to exercise considerable caution about what the models say”.
Tags: centre for past climate change, CPCC, global warming, modelling, Nature Climate Change, paper, Sandy Harrison
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Daniel Statham Architects was founded in London by Daniel Statham in 2006. The practice has won international competitions as well as direct commissions in Asia, Europe and the United States and built and collaborated on over 50 projects in a variety of sectors. The diverse international body of work includes arts and culture, commercial, educational, hospitality and leisure and residential buildings and spaces for both the private and public sectors.
We have offices in London and Shanghai, providing architecture, interior and urban design services from concept to completion. Our design approach is characterised by evolving an aesthetic responding to the geographical location, cultural context and heritage. This results in an aesthetic driven by a rigorous design approach that is unique and appropriate to each individual client commission and budget.
We explore the unique potential of every client brief with a relentless focus on refining design ideas to arrive at a solution which responds to the brief and is architecturally, socially, and intellectually coherent. Achieving this through is a combination of collaboration, innovation, technology and traditional model making to communicate the design to the client and consultant team.
The practice also has had many collaborators within the arts, music, fashion and technology including Vivian Rosenthal, Chris Lee & PC Music, Ben Turner & DJ Richie Hawtin, IPCN founder Rebecca Yang, Langlands & Bell, Juan Munoz, Marc Quinn, Burning Man and Live Nation’s Electric Daisy Carnival.
未来的停车大楼
民生现代美术馆
太平鸟总部大楼
恒悦轩
Copyrights © DanielStathamArchitects. All rights reserved.
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Complete DHS Daily Report for November 27, 2012
• Approximately 140 people including passengers and crew on board Royal Caribbean’s Voyager of the Seas developed gastrointestinal symptoms resembling norovirus upon returning from New Zealand to Sydney, according to a Royal Caribbean blog report November 23. – Denver Examiner
10. November 23, Denver Examiner – (International) Norovirus outbreak sickens 140 on Royal Caribbean’s ‘Voyager of the Seas’. Approximately 140 passengers and crew on board Royal Caribbean’s Voyager of the Seas developed gastrointestinal symptoms resembling norovirus upon returning from New Zealand to Sydney, according to a Royal Caribbean blog report November 23. Those infected with the stomach bug responded well to over-the-counter medications administered on board the ship. Cruise officials notified passengers November 23 that they would begin cleaning and sanitizing guest rooms per Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations. Because of these events, big lines were formed at the Overseas Passenger Terminal in Circular Quay, which stretched hundred of meters. The Voyager of the Seas can hold 3,138 passengers and over 1,100 crew members. Norovirus is spread person to person particularly in crowded, closed places. Source: http://www.examiner.com/article/norovirus-outbreak-sickens-140-on-royal-caribbean-s-voyager-of-the-seas
• Peanut products, manufactured by Sunland Inc. in Portales, New Mexico, responsible for sickening at least 41 people in the U.S. with Salmonella have fallen under the scrutiny of international food safety authorities, Food Safety News reported November 26. – Food Safety News
11. November 26, Food Safety News – (International) Sunland recall goes international. Peanut products manufactured by Sunland Inc. in Portales, New Mexico, responsible for sickening at least 41 people in the U.S. with Salmonella have fallen under the scrutiny of international food safety authorities in recent weeks, Food Safety News reported November 26. Consumers in Canada, Hong Kong, France, the United Kingdom, Italy, and Norway have received warnings about the potential danger of imported Sunland products. November 21, the UK’s Food Standards Agency issued a warning to UK consumers concerning Sunland’s products, noting that while Sunland products were likely not sold in UK supermarkets, they may be sold by some online retailers who import American foods. Consumers in Hong Kong were warned of Sunland peanut butter back November 8. Two Sunland-brand Valencia peanut butter products were imported to Hong Kong and may be contaminated. Canadians received a number of warnings about Sunland products as well, with many of the products recalled in the U.S. also having been shipped to Canada. Source: http://www.foodsafetynews.com/2012/11/sunland-recall-goes-international/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+foodsafetynews/mRcs+(Food+Safety+News)
• Two individuals watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City November 22 discovered that shredded documents containing sensitive police information were among the confetti being thrown for the parade. – Help Net Security
18. November 26, Help Net Security – (New York) Shredded police documents showered down on Macy’s parade spectators. Two individuals watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City November 22 discovered that shredded documents containing sensitive police information were among the confetti being thrown for the parade. After picking it up and examining it, they realized it contained numbers and the acronym “SSN.” They thought the number was likely a social security number, and decided to gather more of the confetti strips laying around. They realized that some contained entire phone numbers, addresses, more social security numbers, license plate numbers, and other confidential information. Some contained information regarding police incident reports and police controlled events. The logo and the information on the shredded documents made it possible to tie them to the Nassau County Police Department, which polices parts of Long Island. It was unknown how the strips ended up at the parade, but after being notified of the matter, the Nassau County Police Department stated that they will be conducting an investigation into this matter as well as reviewing their procedures for the disposing of sensitive documents. Macy’s said that they used only commercially manufactured multicolor confetti for the parade. Source: http://www.net-security.org/secworld.php?id=14012
• A utility worker responding to reports of a natural gas leak in Springfield, Massachusetts, punctured a pipe and an unknown spark ignited a massive explosion that injured 18 people and damaged 42 buildings November 23. – Associated Press
27. November 25, Associated Press – (Massachusetts) Utility worker pierced pipe before Springfield, Mass., gas explosion that injured 18 people and damaged 42 buildings. A utility worker responding to reports of a natural gas leak in Springfield, Massachusetts, punctured a pipe and an unknown spark ignited a massive explosion that injured 18 people and damaged 42 buildings, the State fire marshal announced November 25. The November 23 natural gas blast in the city’s entertainment district was caused by “human error,” the fire marshal said at a news conference. The worker was trying to locate the source of the leak with a metal probe that tests natural gas levels when the probe damaged the underground pipe, he said. A flood of gas then built up in a building that housed a strip club, and a spark touched off the blast, officials said. Preliminary reports showed the blast damaged 42 buildings housing 115 residential units. Three buildings were immediately condemned, and 24 others require additional inspections by structural engineers to determine whether they are safe. The building that housed the Scores Gentleman’s Club was destroyed. After the pipe was ruptured, authorities evacuated several buildings. Most of the people injured were part of a group of gas workers, firefighters, and police officers who ducked for cover behind a utility truck just before the blast. The truck was destroyed. Source: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/utility-worker-pierced-pipe-mass-gas-explosion-article-1.1207741
Banking and Finance Sector
6. November 25, KFVS 12 Cape Girardeau – (Missouri; Michigan) Forgery suspects found in Perryville. A Michigan man’s stolen credit card information lead to three arrests in Perryville, Missouri, where three men were arrested for credit card fraud. The Michigan man reported his card being used fraudulently in Perryville November 23. Police then used surveillance video to identify the suspects, who were later found at a local hotel. Police obtained a search warrant for the room where the suspects were found. Officers said they found a laptop computer connected to stripe card reader/writer. They also found 112 credit cards and gift cards. Police said the suspects were creating usable credit cards and gift cards by transferring other persons personal information onto the cards. Police also found 23 more cards inside a vehicle owned by one of the suspects. They also found more than $1,000 worth of cigarettes, which were purchased using the fraudulent credit cards. Source: http://www.kfvs12.com/story/20177571/forgery-suspects-found-in-perryville
7. November 24, Orange County Register – (California) Police arrest suspect in ‘desperate bandit’ robberies. Law-enforcement authorities believe they arrested the “desperate bandit” November 23, wanted in connection with numerous bank robberies in California’s Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties. Indio police arrested a man after a bank robbery in that city. A FirstBank branch was robbed after a man approached the teller with a note demanding money. Police radioed the car’s description and an officer spotted a vehicle matching that description on westbound I-10 about a mile west of the bank, an Indio police spokesman said. The car was pulled over and the driver arrested. A two-liter plastic bottle filled with clear liquid and suspicious wiring was found by investigators during a search of the car. The Riverside Sheriff’s Department sent out its Hazardous Device Team in response and determined that the device was not a bomb. FBI officials suspected the man might be connected to the nine robberies that occurred over the past year because of the nature of the crime and the man’s physical description. Source: http://www.ocregister.com/news/bank-378651-police-downing.html
22. November 26, Threatpost – (International) Researcher finds nearly two dozen SCADA bugs in a few hours’ time. A researcher at Exodus Intelligence says that after spending a few hours looking for bugs in SCADA applications, he came up with more than 20, several of which are remote code-execution vulnerabilities. The vice president of research at Exodus said that finding the flaws was not even difficult. In fact, he said that locating the software was more difficult than finding the bugs themselves. He said he decided to go after the SCADA apps, which he had never researched before, after seeing a video posted by ReVuln the week of November 19. In the video, ReVuln researchers say they have server-side remote code-execution flaws in software from GE, Schneider Electric, Siemens, Kaskad, ABB/Rockwell, and Eaton. The Exodus researcher also found flaws in Schneider Electric, Rockwell, and Eaton apps, as well as in software from Indusoft and RealFlex. ReVuln does not disclose vulnerabilities to vendors, but instead keeps the information to itself and sells it to customers. The Exodus researcher, meanwhile, said he plans to disclose all of the bugs he found to the Industrial Control Systems-Cyber Emergency Response Team (ICS-CERT). Of the 23 bugs he discovered, 7 of them were remotely exploitable code execution flaws. Source: http://threatpost.com/en_us/blogs/researcher-finds-nearly-two-dozen-scada-bugs-few-hours-time-112612
23. November 25, The H – (International) eBay closes critical security holes. The online auction house eBay has fixed two vulnerabilities in its U.S. Web site. One of the vulnerabilities was a critical SQL injection hole in the site’s selling area that gave potential attackers unauthorized read and write access to one of the company’s databases. The hole was discovered by a security researcher, who confidentially reported the security issue to eBay. The researcher said that the company responded quite quickly and closed the hole after 20 days. The other hole was a cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability that enabled attackers to inject JavaScript code into the eBay server for execution via a specific URL. The vulnerability could have been exploited to steal other eBay users’ access credentials. The company told The Register November 22 that the hole had been fixed. Source: http://www.h-online.com/security/news/item/eBay-closes-critical-security-holes-1756422.html
24. November 23, Threatpost – (International) Symantec warns of new malware targeting SQL databases. Symantec is warning of a new bit of malware that appears to be modifying corporate databases, particularly in the Middle East, though its showing up elsewhere in the world too. W32.Narilam, first discovered November 15, follows a similar pattern of other worms by copying itself onto infected machines, adding registry keys and propagating through removable drives and network shares. “What is unusual about this threat is the fact that it has the functionality to update a Microsoft SQL database if it is accessible by OLEDB. The worm specifically targets SQL databases with three distinct names: alim, maliran, and shahd,” wrote a Symantec security researcher. Once Narilam finds the targeted databases, it looks for financial terms such as “BankCheck,” “A_sellers” and “buyername” and Persian terms like “Pasandaz” (“Savings”) and “Vamghest” (“Instant Loans”). The malware also deletes tables with the following names: A_Sellers, person and Kalamast. “The malware does not have any functionality to steal information from the infected system and appears to be programmed specifically to damage the data held within the targeted database,” the researcher wrote. The overall infection rate is low at the moment, but those whose networks are not properly protected could see business disrupted, he said. Source: http://threatpost.com/en_us/blogs/symantec-warns-new-malware-targeting-sql-databases-112312
25. November 23, Softpedia – (International) Numerous .eu domains registered to host BlackHole exploit kit. Security researchers from Sophos reveal that a number of malicious .eu domains have been registered by cybercriminals and set up to host the infamous BlackHole exploit kit. In order to avoid security filtering, cybercrooks have registered several domains, which they use to infect the computers of unsuspecting internauts. After closely analyzing the domains, experts have noticed that they all resolve to the IP address of a server located in the Czech Republic. The server hosts over 100 domains utilized as exploit sites and gateways for adult Web sites. The cybercriminals seem to have a clever method of keeping their operations online. This month they registered domains such as nrxpxq.eu, vjtjpy.eu, xzjvhs.eu, or xipuww.eu, while a few months ago they registered domains hosted on the .in Top Level Domain (TLD). Each of the domains is active only for a short period of time and all their names appear to follow this pattern of 6 random characters. One connection between the domains appears to be Finland. The .in domains were all registered by someone apparently from Finland and the .eu registrant’s language was set to Finnish. Source: http://news.softpedia.com/news/Numerous-eu-Domains-Registered-to-Host-BlackHole-Exploit-Kit-309360.shtml
Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
DHS Daily Open Source Infrastructure Report Contact Information
About the reports - The DHS Daily Open Source Infrastructure Report is a daily [Monday through Friday] summary of open-source published information concerning significant critical infrastructure issues. The DHS Daily Open Source Infrastructure Report is archived for ten days on the Department of Homeland Security Web site: http://www.dhs.gov/IPDailyReport
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Contact DHS
To report physical infrastructure incidents or to request information, please contact the National Infrastructure
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Department of Homeland Security Disclaimer
The DHS Daily Open Source Infrastructure Report is a non-commercial publication intended to educate and inform personnel engaged in infrastructure protection. Further reproduction or redistribution is subject to original copyright restrictions. DHS provides no warranty of ownership of the copyright, or accuracy with respect to the original source material.
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• XPLOR Energy SPV-1, Inc., agreed to pay a $3.1 million fine and serve a 3-year probation term after pleading guilty to knowingly violating the Clean Water Act by discharging oily wastewater into the Breton Sound and the Gulf of Mexico off Louisiana. – Associated Press
1. November 21, Associated Press – (Louisiana) XPLOR Energy pleads to Clean Water Act Violation. XPLOR Energy SPV-1, Inc., an Oklahoma-based oil company agreed to pay a $3.1 million fine and serve a 3-year probation term after pleading guilty for knowingly violating the federal Clean Water Act by discharging oily wastewater into the Breton Sound and the Gulf of Mexico from an offshore facility off Louisiana. Source: http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/nov/21/xplor-energy-pleads-to-clean-water-act-violation/
• A tour bus traveling from Los Angeles to Pasco, Washington, crashed in northern California November 23 killing 1 passenger and injuring 28 others when the bus drifted off Interstate 5 and overturned into an embankment. – Los Angeles Times
4. November 23, Los Angeles Times – (California) One dead, dozens hurt in Northern California bus crash. A tour bus traveling from Los Angeles to Pasco, Washington, crashed in northern California November 23 killing 1 passenger and injuring 28 others, with 11 in serious or critical conditions when the bus drifted off Interstate 5 and overturned into an embankment. The same bus was reportedly involved in an earlier minor crash at a Denny’s restaurant in Red Bluff, California, but no injuries were reported. Source: http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-bus-crash-story.html
• Symantec researchers reported the discovery of a piece of sophisticated cyber espionage malware that works as a backdoor to steal information from compromised systems and appears to have been created by a nation-state actor. – Securityweek See item 21 below in the Information Technology Sector
• The former general manager of the Sleep Inn hotel in Allendale, Michigan, was charged November 21 for allegedly stealing more than $872,929 by directing credit card payments to personal accounts. – Grand Rapids Press
29. November 22, Grand Rapids Press – (Michigan) Hotel general manager accused of stealing nearly $900,000 in credit card scheme. The former general manager of the Sleep Inn hotel in Allendale was charged with wire fraud and money laundering according to an indictment unsealed November 21 for allegedly stealing more than $872,929 by directing credit card payments to personal accounts through the form of fraudulent customer refunds between October 2006 and April 2013. Source: http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2014/11/hotel_general_manager_accused.html
2. November 24, Securityweek – (International) Fraud service uses charity websites to validate stolen credit card data. Researchers with PhishLabs reported November 21 that it had found online fraudsters using a bot and an IRC channel to conduct transactions on the Web sites of charity or non-profit organizations in order to test the validity of stolen payment card information and related personal information. Source: http://www.securityweek.com/fraud-service-uses-charity-websites-validate-stolen-credit-card-data
3. November 21, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission – (New York) SEC charges CEO and close friend with insider trading ahead of company sale. Two New York City men, including one who served as CEO and a member of the board directors for GenTek Inc., agreed to pay a total of $324,000 to resolve U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission charges that the former CEO passed on nonpublic information to the second man, who used it to engage in insider trading and make $164,260 in illicit profits ahead of GenTek’s sale to American Securities. Source: http://www.sec.gov/News/PressRelease/Detail/PressRelease/1370543516329
For another story, see item 29 above in Top Stories
21. November 24, Securityweek – (International) Symantec uncovers stealthy nation-state cyber attack platform. Symantec researchers reported the discovery of a piece of sophisticated cyber espionage malware dubbed Regin that works as a backdoor to steal information from compromised systems and appears to have been created by a nation-state actor. The malware is modular in design and has predominantly targeted small businesses, individuals, and telecoms companies, as well as the hospitality, energy, and airline industries and research organizations. Source: http://www.securityweek.com/symantec-uncovers-stealthy-nation-state-cyber-attack-platform
22. November 24, The Register – (International) Sony quietly POODLE-proofs Playstations. Sony released a patch for its Playstation 3 and Playstation 4 gaming consoles that adds Transport Layer Security to the consoles’ apps and browsers and removes the use of SSL 3.0 to protect against POODLE attacks. Source: http://www.theregister.co.uk/2014/11/24/sony_playstation_update_spells_death_knell_for_poodle/
23. November 21, Softpedia – (International) Facebook bug remains unpatched, risk is partially mitigated. A researcher who reported a flaw in Facebook that could allow posting to a user’s timeline without permission in 2013 reported that the proof-of-concept for the attack still works in some cases where certain third-party Facebook apps do not implement the new content share model Facebook developed to address the issue. Source: http://news.softpedia.com/news/Facebook-Bug-Remains-Unpatched-Risk-Is-Partially-Mitigated-465611.shtml
See item 21 above in the Information Technology Sector
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• The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reported November 20 that an additional 75,000 Volkswagen AG luxury cars and sport-utility vehicles were found outfitted with technology designed to cheat emissions standards. – Reuters
4. November 21, Reuters – (National) VW adds 75,000 vehicles to emissions cheat scandal. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reported November 20 that an additional 75,000 Volkswagen AG luxury cars and sport-utility vehicles, dating back to 2009, were found outfitted with technology designed to cheat emissions standards. The admission is a continuation of a wide-reaching investigation that has affected 482,000 Volkswagen vehicles. Source: http://triblive.com/business/headlines/9483044-74/emissions-vehicles-diesel
• Tesla Motors Inc., recalled November 20 for all 90,000 of its Model S vehicles and all its variant models after receiving a report that the vehicle’s front seat belt was not properly connected and would pose a safety risk in a crash. – Bloomberg News
6. November 20, Bloomberg News – (International) Tesla recalls all 90,000 Model S cars to check seat belts. Tesla Motors Inc., announced a recall November 20 for all 90,000 of its Model S vehicles and all its variant models after receiving a report that the vehicle’s front seat belt was not properly connected to the outboard lap pretensioner and would pose a safety risk in a crash. The company found no other issues after an inspection of 3,000 vehicles and its assembly process. Source: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-11-20/tesla-to-recall-90-000-model-s-cars-to-check-front-seat-belts
• The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved November 19 Massachusetts-based AquaBounty Technologies to farm genetically engineered Atlantic salmon for human consumption. – Reuters
16. November 19, Reuters – (National) U.S. clears genetically modified salmon for human consumption. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved November 19 Massachusetts-based AquaBounty Technologies to farm genetically engineered Atlantic salmon for human consumption, and stated that the product will not require special labeling due to its nutritionally equivalence to conventional farm-raised Atlantic salmon. The salmon will be raised in hatcheries in Canada and Panama. Source: http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/11/20/us-aquabounty-technologies-fda-idUSKCN0T826T20151120#jIDCgkDAsMdrJXj7.97
• Connecticut-based Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc., reported November 22 that its payment systems were compromised at 54 of its hotel restaurants, gift shops, and other retail areas after malware was found in its systems that allowed attackers access to debit and credit card information. – Associated Press
26. November 22, Associated Press – (National) Starwood warns of data breach at 54 of its hotels. Connecticut-based Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc., reported November 22 that its payment systems were compromised at 54 of its hotel restaurants, gift shops, and other retail areas after malware was found in its systems that allowed attackers access to debit and credit card information including names, card numbers, security codes, and expiration dates of customers. The malware infected computer systems as early as November 2014 and has been removed. Source: http://wwlp.com/2015/11/22/starwood-warns-of-data-breach-at-54-of-its-hotels/
See item 26 above in Top Stories
21. November 23, The Register – (International) Data breach at biz that manages Cisco, F5, Microsoft certifications. The certification management provider, Pearson VUE reported that its Credential Manager (PCM) system was breached, allowing attackers to access Cisco certification users’ information including their names, mailing address, email address, and phone numbers. Pearson reportedly believes Social Security numbers were not disclosed and other PCM systems were not compromised. Source: http://www.theregister.co.uk/2015/11/23/pearson_vue_data_breach_pcm/
22. November 20, Securityweek – (International) Nmap 7 brings faster scans, other improvements. Network Mapper (Nmap) released its Nmap Security Scanner 7.0.0 addressing significant improvements including the Nmap Scripting Engine (NSE) that allows users to construct script designed to automate networking tasks, an improved Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6) support, faster and improved Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) and Transport Layer Security (TLS)-related scans, and an updated version of its Ncat utility. Source: http://www.securityweek.com/nmap-7-brings-faster-scans-other-improvements
For additional stories, see item 7 below from the Transportation Systems Sector and 26 above in Top Stories
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History of Spain
Prehistoric Iberia
Pre-Roman peoples of the Iberian Peninsula
Carthaginian Iberia
Roman conquest of Hispania
Romanization of Hispania
Suebic kingdom
Visigothic kingdom
Byzantine Spania
Umayyad conquest of Hispania
Al-Andalus / Reconquista
Catholic Monarchs
Age of Expansion
Napoleonic Spain / War of Independence
Cádiz Cortes / 1812 Constitution
Independence of Spanish America
Reaction and Revolution
First Republic
Disaster of 1898
Second Republic
Francoist Spain
Transition to democracy
Spain since 1975
Spain portal
The history of Spain dates back to the Early Middle Ages. In 1516, Habsburg Spain unified a number of disparate predecessor kingdoms; its modern form of a constitutional monarchy was introduced in 1813, and the current democratic constitution dates to 1978.
After the completion of the Reconquista, the kingdoms of Spain were united under Habsburg rule in 1516. At the same time, the Spanish Empire began to expand to the New World across the ocean, marking the beginning of the Golden Age of Spain, during which, from the early 1500s to the 1650s, Habsburg Spain was among the most powerful states in Europe.
In this time, Spain was involved in all major European wars, including the Italian Wars, the Eighty Years' War, the Thirty Years' War, and the Franco-Spanish War. In the later 17th century, however, Spanish power began to decline, and after the death of the last Habsburg ruler, the War of the Spanish Succession ended with the relegation of Spain, now under Bourbon rule, to the status of a second-rate power with a reduced influence in European affairs. The so-called Bourbon Reforms attempted the renewal of state institutions, with some success, but as the century ended, instability set in with the French Revolution and the Peninsular War, so that Spain never regained its former strength.
Fragmented by the war, Spain at the beginning of the 19th century was destabilised as different political parties representing "liberal", "reactionary", and "moderate" groups throughout the remainder of the century fought for and won short-lived control without any being sufficiently strong to bring about lasting stability. The former Spanish Empire overseas quickly disintegrated with the Latin American wars of independence and eventually the loss of what old colonies remained in the Spanish–American War of 1898.
A tenuous balance between liberal and conservative forces was struck in the establishment of constitutional monarchy during 1874–1931 but brought no lasting solution, and Spain descended into Civil War between the Republican and the Nationalist factions.
The war ended in a nationalist dictatorship, led by Francisco Franco, which controlled the Spanish government until 1975. The post-war decades were relatively stable (with the notable exception of an armed independence movement in the Basque Country), and the country experienced rapid economic growth in the 1960s and early 1970s.
Only with the death of Franco in 1975 did Spain return to Bourbon constitutional monarchy headed by Prince Juan Carlos and to democracy. Spain entered the European Economic Community in 1986 (transformed into the European Union with the Maastricht Treaty of 1992), and the Eurozone in 1999. The financial crisis of 2007–08 ended a decade of economic boom and Spain entered a recession and debt crisis and remains plagued by very high unemployment and a weak economy.
Spain is ranked as a middle power able to exert regional influence but unlike other powers with similar status (such as Germany, Italy and Japan) it is not part of the G8 and participates in the G20 only as a guest. Spain is part of the G6.
Early history of the Iberian Peninsula 2
Roman Hispania 3
Gothic Hispania (5th–8th centuries) 4
Visigothic rule 4.1
Islamic al-Andalus and the Christian Reconquest (8th–15th centuries) 5
Abbasids overthrow the Umayyad Caliphate 5.1
Warfare between Muslims and Christians 5.2
The Spanish language and universities 5.3
Early Modern Spain 6
Dynastic union 6.1
Conclusion of the Reconquista and start of the Spanish Inquisition 6.1.1
Imperial Spain 6.2
Spanish Kingdoms under the Habsburgs (16th–17th centuries) 6.3
The Golden Age (Siglo de Oro) 6.4
Decline in the 17th century 6.5
Spain under the Bourbons (18th century) 7
The 19th century 8
War of Spanish Independence (1808–14) 8.1
Loss of North and South American colonies 8.2
Reaction and change (1814–73) 8.3
First Spanish Republic (1873–74) 8.4
The Restoration (1874–1931) 8.5
Disaster of 1898 8.6
1914–31 9.1
Second Spanish Republic (1931–39) 9.2
Spanish Civil War (1936–39) 9.3
Political and military balance 9.3.1
Military operations 9.3.2
The dictatorship of Francisco Franco (1936–75) 9.4
Spain since 1975 10
Transition to democracy 10.1
Spain within the European Union (1993 to present) 10.2
Spanish statehood and secessionism 11
A painting of bison dating from the Upper Paleolithic era in the Altamira caves
Ethnology of the Iberian Peninsula c. 200 BC
The Iberian Peninsula was first inhabited by anatomically modern humans about 32,000 years BP.
The earliest record of hominids living in Western Europe has been found in the Spanish cave of Atapuerca; a flint tool found there dates from 1.4 million years ago,[1] and early human fossils date to roughly 1.2 million years ago.[2] Modern humans in the form of Cro-Magnons began arriving in the Iberian Peninsula from north of the Pyrenees some 35,000 years ago. The most conspicuous sign of prehistoric human settlements are the famous paintings in the northern Spanish cave of Altamira, which were done c. 15,000 BC and are regarded as paramount instances of cave art.[3]
Furthermore, archeological evidence in places like Los Millares and El Argar, both in the province of Almería, and La Almoloya near Murcia suggests developed cultures existed in the eastern part of the Iberian Peninsula during the late Neolithic and the Bronze Age.[4]
Spanish prehistory extends to the pre-Roman Iron Age cultures that controlled most of Iberia: those of the Iberians, Celtiberians, Tartessians, Lusitanians, and Vascones and trading settlements of Phoenicians, Carthaginians, and Greeks on the Mediterranean coast.
Early history of the Iberian Peninsula
In the time before the Roman conquest the major cultures were the Iberians along the Mediterranean coast, the Celts in the interior and north-west, the Lusitanians in the west, and the Tartessians in the southwest. The seafaring Phoenicians, Carthaginians, and Greeks successively established trading settlements along the eastern and southern coast. The first Greek colonies, such as Emporion (modern Empúries), were founded along the northeast coast in the 9th century BC, leaving the south coast to the Phoenicians.[5]
The Greeks are responsible for the name Iberia, apparently after the river Iber (Ebro). In the 6th century BC, the Carthaginians arrived in Iberia, struggling first with the Greeks, and shortly after, with the newly arriving Romans for control of the Western Mediterranean. Their most important colony was Carthago Nova (Latin name of modern day Cartagena).[5]
The peoples whom the Romans met at the time of their invasion in what is now known as Spain were the Iberians, inhabiting an area stretching from the northeast part of the Iberian Peninsula through the southeast. The Celts mostly inhabited the inner and north-west part of the peninsula. In the inner part of the peninsula, where both groups were in contact, a mixed culture arose, the Celtiberians. The Celtiberian Wars were fought between the advancing legions of the Roman Republic and the Celtiberian tribes of Hispania Citerior from 181 to 133 BC.[6][7] The Roman conquest of the peninsula was completed in 19 BC.
Hispania was the name used for the Iberian Peninsula under Roman rule from the 2nd century BC. The populations of the peninsula were gradually culturally Romanized,[8] and local leaders were admitted into the Roman aristocratic class.[9]
The Romans improved existing cities, such as Tarragona (Tarraco), and established others like Zaragoza (Caesaraugusta), Mérida (Augusta Emerita), Valencia (Valentia), León ("Legio Septima"), Badajoz ("Pax Augusta"), and Palencia.[10] The peninsula's economy expanded under Roman tutelage. Hispania supplied Rome with food, olive oil, wine and metal. The emperors Trajan, Hadrian, and Theodosius I, the philosopher Seneca, and the poets Martial, Quintilian, and Lucan were born in Hispania. Hispanic bishops held the Council of Elvira around 306.
After the fall of the Western Roman Empire in the 5th century, parts of Hispania came under the control of the Germanic tribes of Vandals, Suebi, and Visigoths.
The collapse of the Western Roman Empire did not lead to the same wholesale destruction of Western classical society as happened in areas like Roman Britain, Gaul and Germania Inferior during the Early Middle Ages, although the institutions and infrastructure did decline. Spain's present languages, its religion, and the basis of its laws originate from this period. The centuries of uninterrupted Roman rule and settlement left a deep and enduring imprint upon the culture of Spain.
Gothic Hispania (5th–8th centuries)
The greatest extent of the Visigothic Kingdom of Toulouse, c. 500, showing Territory lost after Vouillé in light orange
The first Germanic tribes to invade Hispania arrived in the 5th century, as the Roman Empire decayed.[11] The Visigoths, Suebi, Vandals and Alans arrived in Spain by crossing the Pyrenees mountain range, leading to the establishment of the Suebi Kingdom in Gallaecia, in the northwest, the Vandal Kingdom of Vandalusia (Andalusia), and the Visigothic Kingdom in Toledo. The Romanized Visigoths entered Hispania in 415. After the conversion of their monarchy to Roman Catholicism and after conquering the disordered Suebic territories in the northwest and Byzantine territories in the southeast, the Visigothic Kingdom eventually encompassed a great part of the Iberian Peninsula.[9][12]
As the Roman Empire declined, Germanic tribes invaded the former empire. Some were foederati, tribes enlisted to serve in Roman armies, and given land within the empire as payment, while others, such as the Vandals, took advantage of the empire's weakening defenses to seek plunder within its borders. Those tribes that survived took over existing Roman institutions, and created successor-kingdoms to the Romans in various parts of Europe. Iberia was taken over by the Visigoths after 410.[13]
At the same time, there was a process of "Romanization" of the Germanic and Hunnic tribes settled on both sides of the limes (the fortified frontier of the Empire along the Rhine and Danube rivers). The Visigoths, for example, were converted to Arian Christianity around 360, even before they were pushed into imperial territory by the expansion of the Huns.[14]
In the winter of 406, taking advantage of the frozen Rhine, refugees from (Germanic) Vandals and Sueves, and the (Sarmatian) Alans, fleeing the advancing Huns, invaded the empire in force. Three years later they crossed the Pyrenees into Iberia and divided the Western parts, roughly corresponding to modern Portugal and western Spain as far as Madrid, between them.[15]
The Visigoths, having sacked Rome two years earlier, arrived in the region in 412, founding the Visigothic kingdom of Toulouse (in the south of modern France) and gradually expanded their influence into the Iberian peninsula at the expense of the Vandals and Alans, who moved on into North Africa without leaving much permanent mark on Hispanic culture. The Visigothic Kingdom shifted its capital to Toledo and reached a high point during the reign of Leovigild.
Visigothic rule
The Visigothic Kingdom conquered all of Hispania and ruled it until the early 8th century, when the peninsula fell to the Muslim conquests. The Muslim state in Iberia came to be known as Al-Andalus. After a period of Muslim dominance, the medieval history of Spain is dominated by the long Christian Reconquista or "reconquest" of the Iberian Peninsula from Muslim rule. The Reconquista gathered momentum during the 12th century, leading to the establishment of the Christian kingdoms of Portugal, Aragon, Castile and Navarre and by 1250, had reduced Muslim control to the Emirate of Granada in the south-east of the peninsula. Muslim rule in Granada survived until 1492, when it fell to the Catholic Monarchs.
Importantly, Spain never saw a decline in interest in classical culture to the degree observable in Britain, Gaul, Lombardy and Germany. The Visigoths, having assimilated Roman culture during their tenure as foederati, tended to maintain more of the old Roman institutions, and they had a unique respect for legal codes that resulted in continuous frameworks and historical records for most of the period between 415, when Visigothic rule in Spain began, and 711, when it is traditionally said to end. However, during the Visigothic dominion the cultural efforts made by the Franks and other Germanic tribes was not felt in the peninsula, and were not achieved in the lesser kingdoms that emerged after the Muslim conquest.
Visigothic Hispania and its regional divisions in 700, prior to the Muslim conquest
The proximity of the Visigothic kingdoms to the Mediterranean and the continuity of western Mediterranean trade, though in reduced quantity, supported Visigothic culture. Arian Visigothic nobility kept apart from the local Catholic population. The Visigothic ruling class looked to Constantinople for style and technology while the rivals of Visigothic power and culture were the Catholic bishops – and a brief incursion of Byzantine power in Córdoba.
Spanish Catholic religion also coalesced during this time. The period of rule by the Visigothic Kingdom saw the spread of Arianism briefly in Spain.[16] The Councils of Toledo debated creed and liturgy in orthodox Catholicism, and the Council of Lerida in 546 constrained the clergy and extended the power of law over them under the blessings of Rome. In 587, the Visigothic king at Toledo, Reccared, converted to Catholicism and launched a movement in Spain to unify the various religious doctrines that existed in the land. This put an end to dissension on the question of Arianism. (For additional information about this period, see the History of Roman Catholicism in Spain.)
The Visigoths inherited from Late Antiquity a sort of feudal system in Spain, based in the south on the Roman villa system and in the north drawing on their vassals to supply troops in exchange for protection. The bulk of the Visigothic army was composed of slaves, raised from the countryside. The loose council of nobles that advised Spain's Visigothic kings and legitimized their rule was responsible for raising the army, and only upon its consent was the king able to summon soldiers.
The impact of Visigothic rule was not widely felt on society at large, and certainly not compared to the vast bureaucracy of the Roman Empire; they tended to rule as barbarians of a mild sort, uninterested in the events of the nation and economy, working for personal benefit, and little literature remains to us from the period. They did not, until the period of Muslim rule, merge with the Spanish population, preferring to remain separate, and indeed the Visigothic language left only the faintest mark on the modern languages of Iberia.[17]
The most visible effect was the depopulation of the cities as they moved to the countryside. Even while the country enjoyed a degree of prosperity when compared to the famines of France and Germany in this period, the Visigoths felt little reason to contribute to the welfare, permanency, and infrastructure of their people and state. This contributed to their downfall, as they could not count on the loyalty of their subjects when the Moors arrived in the 8th century.[17]
Islamic al-Andalus and the Christian Reconquest (8th–15th centuries)
al-Andalus at its greatest extent, 720
The Arab Islamic conquest dominated most of North Africa by 640 AD. In 711 an Islamic Berber and Arab raiding party, led by Tariq ibn Ziyad, was sent to Iberia to intervene in a civil war in the Visigothic Kingdom. Crossing the Strait of Gibraltar, they won a decisive victory in the summer of 711 when the Visigothic King Roderic was defeated and killed on July 19 at the Battle of Guadalete.
Tariq's commander, Musa bin Nusayr, quickly crossed with reinforcements, and by 718 the Muslims were in control of nearly the whole Iberian Peninsula. The advance into Western Europe was only stopped in what is now north-central France by the West Germanic Franks under Charles Martel at the Battle of Tours in 732.
A decisive victory for the Christians took place at Covadonga, in the north of the Iberian Peninsula, in the summer of 722. In a minor battle known as the Battle of Covadonga, a Muslim force sent to put down the Christian rebels in the northern mountains was defeated by Pelagius of Asturias, who established the monarchy of the Christian Kingdom of Asturias. In 739, a rebellion in Galicia, assisted by the Asturians, drove out Muslim forces and it joined the Asturian kingdom. The Kingdom of Asturias became the main base for Christian resistance to Islamic rule in the Iberian Peninsula for several centuries.
Umayyad Caliphate era (the second major Arab dynasty after Mohammad and the first Arab dynasty of Al-Andalus). It was this tactic that supported the ultimate expansion to Spain. Caliph Al-Walid I's reign is considered as the apex of Islamic power, though Islamic power in Spain specifically climaxed in the 10th century under Abd-ar-Rahman III.[18]
Abbasids overthrow the Umayyad Caliphate
The rulers of Al-Andalus were granted the rank of Emir by the Umayyad Caliph Al-Walid I in Damascus. Emir Abd al-Rahman I challenged the Abbasids. The Umayyad Caliphate, with origin in Hejaz, Arabian peninsula or Emirate was overthrown by the Abbasid Caliphate or Emirate (second Arab dynasty), some of the remaining Umayyad leaders escaped to Castile and declared Córdoba an independent emirate. Al-Andalus was rife with internal conflict between the Islamic Umayyad rulers and people and the Christian Visigoth-Roman leaders and people.
The Christian kingdoms of Iberia and the Islamic Almohad empire c. 1210
In the 10th century Abd-ar-Rahman III declared the Caliphate of Córdoba, effectively breaking all ties with the Egyptian and Syrian caliphs. The Caliphate was mostly concerned with maintaining its power base in North Africa, but these possessions eventually dwindled to the Ceuta province. The first navy of the Caliph of Córdoba or Emir was built after the humiliating Viking ascent of the Guadalquivir in 844 when they sacked Seville.[19]
In 942, pagan Magyars (present day Hungary) raided across Europe as far west as Al-Andalus.[19] Meanwhile, a slow but steady migration of Christian subjects to the northern kingdoms in Christian Hispania was slowly increasing the latter's power. Even so, Al-Andalus remained vastly superior to all the northern kingdoms combined in population, economy and military might; and internal conflict between the Christian kingdoms contributed to keep them relatively harmless.
Al-Andalus coincided with La Convivencia, an era of relative religious tolerance, and with the Golden age of Jewish culture in the Iberian Peninsula. (See: Emir Abd-ar-Rahman III 912; the Granada massacre 1066).[20]
Warfare between Muslims and Christians
Muslim interest in the peninsula returned in force around the year 1000 when Al-Mansur (also known as Almanzor) sacked Barcelona in 985. Under his son, other Christian cities were subjected to numerous raids.[21] After his son's death, the caliphate plunged into a civil war and splintered into the so-called "Taifa Kingdoms". The Taifa kings competed against each other not only in war but also in the protection of the arts, and culture enjoyed a brief upswing.
Medieval Spain was the scene of almost constant warfare between Muslims and Christians. The Almohads, who had taken control of the Almoravids' Maghribi and al-Andalus territories by 1147, surpassed the Almoravides in fundamentalist Islamic outlook, and they treated the non-believer dhimmis harshly. Faced with the choice of death, conversion, or emigration, many Jews and Christians left.[22]
A battle of the Reconquista from the Cantigas de Santa Maria
By the mid-13th century Emirate of Granada was the only independent Muslim realm in Spain, which would last until 1492. Despite the decline in Muslim-controlled kingdoms, it is important to note the lasting effects exerted on the peninsula by Muslims in technology, culture, and society.
The Taifa kingdoms lost ground to the Christian realms in the north. After the loss of Toledo in 1085, the Muslim rulers reluctantly invited the Almoravides, who invaded Al-Andalus from North Africa and established an empire. In the 12th century the Almoravid empire broke up again, only to be taken over by the Almohad invasion, who were defeated by an alliance of the Christian kingdoms in the decisive battle of Las Navas de Tolosa in 1212. By 1250, nearly all of Iberia was back under Christian rule with the exception of the small Muslim kingdom of Granada.
The Kings of Aragón ruled territories that consisted of not only the present administrative region of Aragon but also Catalonia, and later the Balearic Islands, Valencia, Sicily, Naples and Sardinia (see Crown of Aragon). Considered by most to have been the first mercenary company in Western Europe, the Catalan Company proceeded to occupy the Duchy of Athens, which they placed under the protection of a prince of the House of Aragon and ruled until 1379.[23]
The Spanish language and universities
In the 13th century, many languages were spoken in the Christian kingdoms of Iberia. These were the Latin-based Romance languages of Castilian, Aragonese, Catalan, Galician, Aranese, Asturian and Leonese, and the ancient language isolate of Basque. Throughout the century, Castilian (what is also known today as Spanish) gained a growing prominence in the Kingdom of Castile as the language of culture and communication, at the expense of Leonese and of other close dialects.
One example of this is the epic song ('cantar') written after the military leader El Cid. In the last years of the reign of Ferdinand III of Castile, Castilian began to be used for certain types of documents, and it was during the reign of Alfonso X that it became the official language. Henceforth all public documents were written in Castilian; likewise all translations were made into Castilian instead of Latin.
At the same time, Catalan and Galician became the standard languages in their respective territories, developing important literary traditions and being the normal languages in which public and private documents were issued: Galician from the 13th to the 16th century in Galicia and nearby regions of Asturias and Leon,[24] and Catalan from the 12th to the 18th century in Catalonia, the Balearic Islands and Valencia, where it was known as Valencian. Both languages were later substituted in its official status by Castillian Spanish, till the 20th century.
In the 13th century many universities were founded in León and in Castile. Some, such as the Leonese Salamanca and the Castilian Palencia, were among the earliest universities in Europe.
In 1492, under the Catholic Monarchs, the first edition of the Grammar of the Castilian Language by Antonio de Nebrija was published.
Early Modern Spain
Dynastic union
Iberian polities circa 1360
In the 15th century, the most important among all of the separate Christian kingdoms that made up the old Hispania were the Kingdom of Castile (occupying northern and central portions of the Iberian Peninsula), the Kingdom of Aragon (occupying northeastern portions of the peninsula), and the Kingdom of Portugal occupying the far western Iberian Peninsula. The rulers of the kingdoms of Castille and Aragon were allied with dynastic families in Portugal, France, and other neighboring kingdoms.
The death of King Henry IV of Castile in 1474 set off a struggle for power called the War of the Castilian Succession (1475–79). Contenders for the throne of Castile were Henry's one-time heir Joanna la Beltraneja, supported by Portugal and France, and Henry's half-sister Queen Isabella I of Castile, supported by the Kingdom of Aragon and by the Castilian nobility.
Isabella retained the throne and ruled jointly with her husband, King Ferdinand II. Isabella and Ferdinand had married in 1469[25] in Valladolid. Their marriage united both crowns and set the stage for the creation of the Kingdom of Spain, at the dawn of the modern era. That union, however, was a union in title only, as each region retained its own political and judicial structure. Pursuant to an agreement signed by Isabella and Ferdinand on January 15, 1474,[26] Isabella held more authority over the newly unified Spain than her husband, although their rule was shared.[26] Together, Isabella of Castile and Ferdinand of Aragon were known as the "Catholic Monarchs" (Spanish: los Reyes Católicos), a title bestowed on them by Pope Alexander VI.
This 16th-century Spanish carpet shows stylistic influences from Europe and the Islamic world. Collections of the Textile Museum.
Conclusion of the Reconquista and start of the Spanish Inquisition
The monarchs oversaw the final stages of the Reconquista of Iberian territory from the Moors with the conquest of Granada, conquered the Canary Islands, and expelled the Jews from Spain under the Alhambra Decree. Although until the 13th century religious minorities (Jews and Muslims) had enjoyed considerable tolerance in Castilla and Aragon – the only Christian kingdoms where Jews were not restricted from any professional occupation – the situation of the Jews collapsed over the 14th century, reaching a climax in 1391 with large scale massacres in every major city except Ávila.
Over the next century, half of the estimated 80,000 Spanish Jews converted to Christianity (becoming "conversos") . The final step was taken by the Catholic Monarchs, who, in 1492, ordered the remaining Jews to convert or face expulsion from Spain. Depending on different sources, the number of Jews actually expelled, traditionally estimated at 120,000 people, is now believed to have numbered about 40,000 .
Over the following decades, Muslims faced the same fate; and about 60 years after the Jews, they were also compelled to convert ("Moriscos") or be expelled. However, sufficient numbers of Moriscos stayed that Muslim culture remained influential in Spain. Jews and Muslims were not the only people to be persecuted during this time period. All Roma (Gitano, Gypsy) males between the ages of 18 and 26 were forced to serve in galleys – which was equivalent to a death sentence – but the majority managed to hide and avoid arrest.
Isabella and Ferdinand authorized the 1492 expedition of Christopher Columbus, who became the first known European to reach the New World since Leif Ericson. This and subsequent expeditions led to an influx of wealth into Spain, supplementing income from within Castile for the state that would prove to be a dominant power of Europe for the next two centuries.
Isabella ensured long-term political stability in Spain by arranging strategic marriages for each of her five children. Her firstborn, a daughter named Juana, Isabella's second daughter, married into the Habsburg dynasty when she wed Philip the Fair, the son of Maximilian I, King of Bohemia (Austria) and likely heir to the crown of the Holy Roman Emperor.
This ensured an alliance with the Habsburgs and the Catherine, married King Henry VIII of England and was mother to Queen Mary I of England.
Imperial Spain
A map of the Spanish and Portuguese Empires in the period of Iberian Union under the personal union of the Spanish monarchs (1580–1640)
The Spanish Empire was one of the first modern global empires. It was also one of the largest empires in world history. In the 16th century, Spain and Portugal were in the vanguard of European global exploration and colonial expansion. The two kingdoms on the conquest and Iberian Peninsula competed with each other in opening of trade routes across the oceans. Spanish imperial conquest and colonization began with two Castilian expeditions. The first was an expedition to the Canary Islands in 1312 of a Castilian fleet led by a Genoese, Lancelotto Malocello. The second was another expedition to the Canaries in 1402 led by French adventurers, Jean de Béthencourt, Lord of Grainville in Normandy and Gadifer de la Salle of Poitou,[27] which began the Castilian conquest of the Canary Islands, completed in 1495.
In the 15th and 16th centuries, trade flourished across the Atlantic between Spain and the Americas and across the Pacific between East Asia and Mexico via the Philippines. Conquistadors deposed the Aztec, Inca and Maya governments with extensive help from local factions and laid claim to vast stretches of land in North and South America.
Christopher Columbus setting foot in the New World, 1492
This New World empire was at first a disappointment, as the natives had little to trade, though settlement did encourage trade. Diseases such as smallpox and measles that arrived with the colonizers devastated the native populations, especially in the densely populated regions of the Aztec, Maya and Inca civilizations, and this reduced the economic potential of conquered areas.[28]
In the 1520s, large-scale extraction of silver from the rich deposits of Mexico's Guanajuato began to be greatly augmented by the silver mines in Mexico's Zacatecas and Bolivia's Potosí from 1546. These silver shipments re-oriented the Spanish economy, leading to the importation of luxuries and grain. They also became indispensable in financing the military capability of Habsburg Spain in its long series of European and North African wars, though, with the exception of a few years in the 17th century, Spain itself (Castile in particular) was by far the most important source of revenue.
Spain enjoyed a cultural golden age in the 16th and 17th centuries. For a time, the Spanish Empire dominated the oceans with its experienced navy and ruled the European battlefield with its fearsome and well trained infantry, the famous tercios, in the words of the prominent French historian Pierre Vilar, "enacting the most extraordinary epic in human history".
The financial burden within the peninsula was on the backs of the peasant class while the nobility enjoyed an increasingly lavish lifestyle. From the time beginning with the incorporation of the Portuguese Empire in 1580 (lost in 1640) until the loss of its North and South American colonies in the 19th century, Spain maintained the largest empire in the world even though it suffered fluctuating military and economic fortunes from the 1640s.
Confronted by the new experiences, difficulties and suffering created by empire-building, Spanish thinkers formulated some of the first modern thoughts on natural law, sovereignty, international law, war, and economics; there were even questions about the legitimacy of imperialism – in related schools of thought referred to collectively as the School of Salamanca. Despite these innovations, many motives for the empire were rooted in the Middle Ages. Religion played a very strong role in the spread of the Spanish empire. The thought that Spain could bring Christianity to the New World certainly played a strong role in the expansion of Spain's empire.
Spanish Kingdoms under the Habsburgs (16th–17th centuries)
Charles I of Spain (better known in the English-speaking world as the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V) was the most powerful European monarch of his day.[29]
Spain's world empire reached its greatest territorial extent in the late 18th century but it was under the Habsburg dynasty in the 16th and 17th centuries it reached the peak of its power and declined. When Spain's first Habsburg ruler Charles I became king of Spain in 1516, Spain became central to the dynastic struggles of Europe. After he became king of Spain, Charles also became Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor and because of his widely scattered domains was not often in Spain. As he approached the end of his life he made provision for the division of the Habsburg inheritance into two parts. On the one hand was Spain, its possessions in Europe, North Africa, the Americas and the Netherlands; on the other hand was the Holy Roman Empire. This was to create enormous difficulties for his son Philip II of Spain.
Philip II became king on Charles I's abdication in 1556. Spain largely escaped the religious conflicts that were raging throughout the rest of Europe and remained firmly Roman Catholic. Philip saw himself as a champion of Catholicism, both against the Muslim Ottoman Empire and the Protestant heretics.
In the 1560s, plans to consolidate control of the Netherlands led to unrest, which gradually led to the Calvinist leadership of the revolt and the Eighty Years' War. This conflict consumed much Spanish expenditure during the later 16th century. Conflicts included an attempt to conquer England – a cautious supporter of the Dutch – in the unsuccessful Spanish Armada, an early battle in the Anglo-Spanish War (1585–1604), and war with France (1590–98).
Despite these problems, the growing inflow of New World silver from mid-16th century, the justified military reputation of the Spanish infantry and even the navy quickly recovering from its Armada disaster, made Spain the leading European power, a novel situation of which its citizens were only just becoming aware. The Iberian Union with Portugal in 1580 not only unified the peninsula, but added that country's worldwide resources to the Spanish crown.
However, economic and administrative problems multiplied in Castile, and the weakness of the native economy became evident in the following century. Rising inflation, financially draining wars in Europe, the ongoing aftermath of the expulsion of the Jews and Moors from Spain, and Spain's growing dependency on the gold and silver imports, combined to cause several bankruptcies that caused economic crisis in the country, especially in heavily burdened Castile.
A map of Europe in 1648, after the Peace of Westphalia
Barbary pirates from North Africa became an increasing problem. The coastal villages of Spain and of the Balearic Islands were frequently attacked. Formentera was even temporarily abandoned by its population. This occurred also along long stretches of the Spanish and Italian coasts, a relatively short distance across a calm sea from the pirates in their North African lairs. The most famous corsair was the Turkish Barbarossa ("Redbeard").[30] According to Robert Davis between 1 million and 1.25 million Europeans were captured by North African pirates and sold as slaves in North Africa and Ottoman Empire between the 16th and 19th centuries. This was gradually alleviated as Spain and other Christian powers began to check Muslim naval dominance in the Mediterranean after the 1571 victory at Lepanto, but it would be a scourge that continued to afflict the country even in the next century.[30]
The great plague of 1596–1602 killed 600,000 to 700,000 people, or about 10% of the population. Altogether more than 1,250,000 deaths resulted from the extreme incidence of plague in 17th-century Spain.[31] Economically, the plague destroyed the labor force as well as creating a psychological blow to an already problematic Spain.[32]
Philip II died in 1598, and was succeeded by his son Philip III. In his reign (1598–1621) a ten-year truce with the Dutch was overshadowed in 1618 by Spain's involvement in the European-wide Thirty Years' War. Government policy was dominated by favorites, but it was also the period in which the geniuses of Cervantes and El Greco flourished.
Philip III was succeeded in 1621 by his son Philip IV of Spain (reigned 1621–65). Much of the policy was conducted by the minister Gaspar de Guzmán, Count-Duke of Olivares. In 1640, with the war in central Europe having no clear winner except the French, both Portugal and Catalonia rebelled. Portugal was lost to the crown for good; in Italy and most of Catalonia, French forces were expelled and Catalonia's independence was suppressed
In the reign of Philip's developmentally disabled son and successor Charles II (1665–1700), Spain was essentially left leaderless and was gradually being reduced to a second-rank power.
The Habsburg dynasty became extinct in Spain with Charles II's death in 1700, and the War of the Spanish Succession ensued in which the other European powers tried to assume control of the Spanish monarchy. King Louis XIV of France eventually lost the War of the Spanish Succession, but because the victors' (Great Britain, the Dutch Republic and Austria) candidate for the Spanish throne (Archduke Charles of Austria) became Holy Roman Emperor, control of Spain was allowed to pass to the Bourbon dynasty. However, the peace deals that followed included relinquishing the right to unite the French and Spanish thrones and the partitioning of Spain's European empire.
The Golden Age (Siglo de Oro)
View of Toledo by El Greco, between 1596 and 1600
The Spanish Golden Age (in Spanish, Siglo de Oro) was a period of flourishing arts and letters in the Spanish Empire (now Spain and the Spanish-speaking countries of Latin America), coinciding with the political decline and fall of the Habsburgs (Philip III, Philip IV and Charles II). It is interesting to note how arts during the Golden Age flourished despite the decline of the empire in the 17th century. The last great writer of the age, Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz, died in New Spain in 1695.[33]
The Habsburgs, both in Spain and Austria, were great patrons of art in their countries. El Escorial, the great royal monastery built by King Philip II, invited the attention of some of Europe's greatest architects and painters. Diego Velázquez, regarded as one of the most influential painters of European history and a greatly respected artist in his own time, cultivated a relationship with King Philip IV and his chief minister, the Count-Duke of Olivares, leaving us several portraits that demonstrate his style and skill. El Greco, a respected Greek artist from the period, settled in Spain, and infused Spanish art with the styles of the Italian renaissance and helped create a uniquely Spanish style of painting.
Some of Spain's greatest music is regarded as having been written in the period. Such composers as Tomás Luis de Victoria, Luis de Milán and Alonso Lobo helped to shape Renaissance music and the styles of counterpoint and polychoral music, and their influence lasted far into the Baroque period.
Spanish literature blossomed as well, most famously demonstrated in the work of Miguel de Cervantes, the author of Don Quixote de la Mancha. Spain's most prolific playwright, Lope de Vega, wrote possibly as many as one thousand plays over his lifetime, over four hundred of which survive to the present day.
Decline in the 17th century
The Battle of Marsaglia during the Nine Years' War, 1693
The Spanish "Golden Age" politically ends no later than 1659, with the Treaty of the Pyrenees, ratified between France and Habsburg Spain. Spain had experienced severe difficulties in the later 16th century, including military defeats in Europe like the Spanish Armada and a series of financial crises that had caused the Spanish Crown to declare bankruptcy four times in the late 1500s (1557, 1560, 1576, 1596). Many different factors, including the decentralized political nature of Spain, inefficient taxation, a succession of weak kings, power struggles in the Spanish court and a tendency to focus on the American colonies instead of Spain's domestic economy, all contributed to the decline of the Habsburg rule of Spain.
During the long regency for Charles II, the last of the Spanish Habsburgs, favouritism milked Spain's treasury, and Spain's government operated principally as a dispenser of patronage. Plague, famine, floods, drought, and renewed war with France wasted the country. The Peace of the Pyrenees (1659) had ended fifty years of warfare with France, whose king, Louis XIV, found the temptation to exploit weakened Spain too great. Louis instigated the War of Devolution (1667–68) to acquire the Spanish Netherlands.
By the 17th century, the Catholic Church and Spain had showcased a close bond to one another, attesting to the fact that Spain was virtually free of Protestantism during the 16th century. In 1620, there were 100,000 Spaniards in the clergy, by 1660 there were about 200,000 Spaniards in the clergy and the Church owned 20% of all the land in Spain. The Spanish bureaucracy in this period was highly centralized, and totally reliant on the king for its efficient functioning. Under Charles II, the councils became the sinecures of wealthy aristocrats despite various attempt at reform. Political commentators in Spain, known as arbitristas, proposed a number of measures to reverse the decline of the Spanish economy, with limited success. In rural areas of Spain, heavy taxation of peasants reduced agricultural output as peasants in the countryside migrated to the cities. Many believed that the influx of gold and silver from the Americas was the cause of inflation, when only one fifth of the precious metals actually went into Spain. A more prominent internal factor was the Spanish economy's dependence on luxurious Merino wool, which faced competition from cheaper textiles from England and the Netherlands.
Spain under the Bourbons (18th century)
Charles II, having no direct heir, was succeeded by his great-nephew Philippe d'Anjou, a French prince, in 1700. Concern among other European powers that Spain and France united under a single Bourbon monarch would upset the balance of power led to the War of the Spanish Succession between 1701 and 1714. It pitted powerful France and fairly strong Spain against the Grand Alliance of England, Portugal, Savoy, the Netherlands and Austria.
After many battles, especially in Spain, the treaty of Utrecht recognised Philip, Duke of Anjou, Louis XIV's grandson, as King of Spain (as Philip V), thus confirming the succession stipulated in the will of the Charles II of Spain. However, Philip was compelled to renounce for himself and his descendants any right to the French throne, despite some doubts as to the lawfulness of such an act. Spain's Italian territories were apportioned.[34]
An 18th-century map of the Iberian Peninsula
Attacking Spanish infantry (about 1740)
Philip V signed the Decreto de Nueva Planta in 1715. This new law revoked most of the historical rights and privileges of the different kingdoms that formed the Spanish Crown, especially the Crown of Aragon, unifying them under the laws of Castile, where the Castillian Cortes Generales had been more receptive to the royal wish.[35] Spain became culturally and politically a follower of absolutist France. Lynch says Philip V advanced the government only marginally over that of his predecessors and was more of a liability than the incapacitated Charles II; when a conflict came up between the interests of Spain and France, he usually favored France.[36]
Philip made reforms in government, and strengthened the central authorities relative to the provinces. Merit became more important, although most senior positions still went to the landed aristocracy. Below the elite level, inefficiency and corruption was as widespread as ever.
The reforms started by Philip V culminated in much more important reforms of Charles III.[36][37] However Israel argues that King Charles III cared little for the Enlightenment and his ministers paid little attention to the Enlightenment ideas influential elsewhere on the Continent. Israel says, "Only a few ministers and officials were seriously committed to enlightened aims. Most were first and foremost absolutists and their objective was always to reinforce monarchy, empire, aristocracy...and ecclesiastical control and authority over education."[38]
The economy, on the whole, improved over the depressed 1650–1700 era, with greater productivity and fewer famines and epidemics.[39]
The rule of the Spanish Bourbons continued under Ferdinand VI (1746–59) and Charles III (1759–88). Elisabeth of Parma, Philip V's widow, exerted great influence on Spain's foreign policy. Her principal aim was to have Spain's lost territories in Italy restored. She eventually received Franco-British support for this after the Congress of Soissons (1728–29).[40]
Under the rule of Charles III and his ministers – Leopoldo de Gregorio, Marquis of Esquilache and José Moñino, Count of Floridablanca – the economy improved. Fearing that Britain's victory over France in the Seven Years' War (1756–63) threatened the European balance of power, Spain allied itself to France but suffered a series of military defeats and ended up having to cede Florida to the British at the Treaty of Paris (1763) while gaining Louisiana from France. Spain regained Florida with the Treaty of Paris (1783), which ended the American Revolutionary War (1775–83), and gained an improved international standing.
However, there were no reforming impulses in the reign of Charles IV (1788 to abdication in 1808), seen by some as mentally handicapped. Dominated by his wife's lover, Manuel de Godoy, Charles IV embarked on policies that overturned much of Charles III's reforms. After briefly opposing Revolutionary France early in the French Revolutionary Wars, Spain was cajoled into an uneasy alliance with its northern neighbor, only to be blockaded by the British. Charles IV's vacillation, culminating in his failure to honour the alliance by neglecting to enforce the Continental System led to Napoleon I, Emperor of the French, invading Spain in 1808, thereby triggering the Peninsular War, with enormous human and property losses, and loss of control over most of the overseas empire.
During most of the 18th century Spain had arrested its relative decline of the latter part of the 17th century. But despite the progress, it continued to lag in the political and mercantile developments then transforming other parts of Europe, most notably in Great Britain, the Low Countries, and France. The chaos unleashed by the Peninsular War caused this gap to widen greatly and Spain would not have an Industrial Revolution.
The Age of Enlightenment reached Spain in attenuated form about 1750. Attention focused on medicine and physics, with some philosophy. French and Italian visitors were influential but there was little challenge to Catholicism or the Church such as characterized the French philosophes. The leading Spanish figure was Benito Feijóo (1676–1764), a Benedictine monk and professor. He was a successful popularizer noted for encouraging scientific and empirical thought in an effort to debunk myths and superstitions. By the 1770s the conservatives had launched a counterattack and used censorship and the Inquisition to suppress Enlightenment ideas.[41]
At the top of the social structure of Spain in the 1780s stood the nobility and the church. A few hundred families dominated the aristocracy, with another 500,000 holding noble status. There were 200,000 church men and women, half of them in heavily endowed monasteries that controlled much of the land not owned by the nobles. Most people were on farms, either as landless peons or as holders of small properties. The small urban middle class was growing, but was distrusted by the landowners and peasants alike.[42]
War of Spanish Independence (1808–14)
The Second of May 1808 was the beginning of the popular Spanish resistance against Napoleon.
In the late 18th century, Bourbon-ruled Spain had an alliance with Bourbon-ruled France, and therefore did not have to fear a land war. Its only serious enemy was Britain, which had a powerful Royal Navy; Spain therefore concentrated its resources on its navy. When the French Revolution overthrew the Bourbons, a land war with France became a threat which the king tried to avoid. The Spanish army was ill-prepared. The officer corps was selected primarily on the basis of royal patronage, rather than merit. About a third of the junior officers have been promoted from the ranks, and they did have talent, but they had few opportunities for promotion or leadership. The rank-and-file were poorly trained peasants. Elite units included foreign regiments of Irishmen, Italians, Swiss, and Walloons, in addition to elite artillery and engineering units. Equipment was old-fashioned and in disrepair. The army lacked its own horses, oxen and mules for transportation, so these auxiliaries were operated by civilians, who might run away if conditions looked bad. In combat, small units fought well, but their old-fashioned tactics were hardly of use against the Napoleonic forces, despite repeated desperate efforts at last-minute reform.[43] When war broke out with France in 1808, the army was deeply unpopular. Leading generals were assassinated, and the army proved incompetent to handle command-and-control. Junior officers from peasant families deserted and went over to the insurgents; many units disintegrated. Spain was unable to mobilize its artillery or cavalry. In the war, there was one victory at the Battle of Bailén, and many humiliating defeats. Conditions steadily worsened, as the insurgents increasingly took control of Spain's battle against Napoleon. Napoleon ridiculed the army as "the worst in Europe"; the British who had to work with it agreed.[44] It was not the Army that defeated Napoleon, but the insurgent peasants whom Napoleon ridiculed as packs of "bandits led by monks" (they in turn believed Napoleon was the devil).[45] By 1812, the army controlled only scattered enclaves, and could only harass the French with occasional raids. The morale of the army had reached a nadir, and reformers stripped the aristocratic officers of most of their legal privileges.[46]
Spain initially sided against France in the Napoleonic Wars, but the defeat of her army early in the war led to Charles IV's pragmatic decision to align with the revolutionary French. Spain was put under a British blockade, and her colonies began to trade independently with Britain but it was the defeat of the British invasions of the Río de la Plata in South America (1806 and 1807) that emboldened independence and revolutionary hopes in Spain's North and South American colonies. A major Franco-Spanish fleet was lost at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805, prompting the vacillating king of Spain to reconsider his difficult alliance with Napoleon. Spain temporarily broke off from the Continental System, and Napoleon – aggravated with the Bourbon kings of Spain – invaded Spain in 1808 and deposed Ferdinand VII, who had been on the throne only forty-eight days after his father's abdication in March 1808. On July 20, 1808, Joseph Bonaparte, eldest brother of Napoleon Bonaparte, entered Madrid and established a government by which he became King of Spain, serving as a surrogate for Napoleon.[47]
The Third of May 1808, Napoleon's troops shoot hostages. Goya
The former Spanish king was dethroned by Napoleon, who put his own brother on the throne. Spaniards revolted. Thompson says the Spanish revolt was, "a reaction against new institutions and ideas, a movement for loyalty to the old order: to the hereditary crown of the Most Catholic kings, which Napoleon, an excommunicated enemy of the Pope, had put on the head of a Frenchman; to the Catholic Church persecuted by republicans who had desecrated churches, murdered priests, and enforced a "loi des cultes"; and to local and provincial rights and privileges threatened by an efficiently centralized government.[48] Juntas were formed all across Spain that pronounced themselves in favor of Ferdinand VII. On September 26, 1808, a Central Junta was formed in the town of Aranjuez to coordinate the nationwide struggle against the French. Initially, the Central Junta declared support for Ferdinand VII, and convened a "General and Extraordinary Cortes" for all the kingdoms of the Spanish Monarchy. On February 22 and 23, 1809, a popular insurrection against the French occupation broke out all over Spain.[49]
Lo mismo. An insurgent is about to kill a French soldier. Goya
The peninsular campaign was a disaster for France. Napoleon did well when he was in direct command, but that followed severe losses, and when he left in 1809 conditions grew worse for France. Vicious reprisals, famously portrayed by Goya in "The Disasters of War", only made the Spanish guerrillas angrier and more active; the war in Spain proved to be a major, long-term drain on French money, manpower and prestige.[50]
In March 1812, the Cádiz Cortes created the first modern Spanish constitution, the Constitution of 1812 (informally named La Pepa). This constitution provided for a separation of the powers of the executive and the legislative branches of government. The Cortes was to be elected by universal suffrage, albeit by an indirect method. Each member of the Cortes was to represent 70,000 people. Members of the Cortes were to meet in annual sessions. The King was prevented from either convening or proroguing the Cortes. Members of the Cortes were to serve single two-year terms. They could not serve consecutive terms; a member could serve a second term only by allowing someone else to serve a single intervening term in office. This attempt at the development of a modern constitutional government lasted from 1808 until 1814.[51] Leaders of the liberals or reformist forces during this revolution were José Moñino, Count of Floridablanca, Gaspar Melchor de Jovellanos and Pedro Rodríguez, Conde de Campomanes. Born in 1728, Floridablanca was eighty years of age at the time of the revolutionary outbreak in 1808. He had served as Prime Minister under King Charles III of Spain from 1777 until 1792; However, he tended to be suspicious of the popular spontaneity and resisted a revolution.[52] Born in 1744, Jovellanos was somewhat younger than Floridablanco. A writer and follower of the philosophers of the Enlightenment tradition of the previous century, Jovellanos had served as Minister of Justice from 1797 to 1798 and now commanded a substantial and influential group within the Central Junta. However, Jovellanos had been imprisoned by Manuel de Godoy, Duke of Alcudia, who had served as the prime minister, virtually running the country as a dictator from 1792 until 1798 and from 1801 until 1808. Accordingly, even Jovellanos tended to be somewhat overly cautious in his approach to the revolutionary upsurge that was sweeping Spain in 1808.[53]
The Spanish army was stretched as it fought Napoleon's forces because of a lack of supplies and too many untrained recruits, but at Bailén in June 1808, the Spanish army inflicted the first major defeat suffered by a Napoleonic army; this resulted in the collapse of French power in Spain. Napoleon took personal charge and with fresh forces reconquered Spain in a matter of months, defeating the Spanish and British armies in a brilliant campaign of encirclement. After this the Spanish armies lost every battle they fought against the French imperial forces but were never annihilated; after battles they would retreat into the mountains to regroup and launch new attacks and raids. Guerrilla forces sprang up all over the country and with the army, tied down huge numbers of Napoleon's troops, making it difficult to sustain concentrated attacks on enemy forces. The attacks and raids of the Spanish army and guerrillas became a massive drain on Napoleon's military and economic resources.[54] In this war, Spain was aided by the British and Portuguese, led by the Duke of Wellington. The Duke of Wellington fought Napoleon's forces in the Peninsular War, with Joseph Bonaparte playing a minor role as king at Madrid. The brutal war was one of the first guerrilla wars in modern Western history. French supply lines stretching across Spain were mauled repeatedly by the Spanish armies and guerrilla forces; thereafter, Napoleon's armies were never able to control much of the country. The war fluctuated, with Wellington spending several years behind his fortresses in Portugal while launching occasional campaigns into Spain.[55]
After Napoleon's disastrous 1812 campaign in Russia, Napoleon began to recall his forces for the defence of France against the advancing Russian and other coalition forces, leaving his forces in Spain increasingly undermanned and on the defensive against the advancing Spanish, British and Portuguese armies. At the Battle of Vitoria in 1813, an allied army under the Duke of Wellington decisively defeated the French and in 1814 Ferdinand VII was restored as King of Spain.[56][57]
Loss of North and South American colonies
General Simón Bolívar, (1783–1830), a leader of independence
Spain lost all of its North and South American colonies, except Cuba and Puerto Rico, in a complex series of revolts 1808–26.[58][59] Spain was at war with Britain 1798–1808, and the British Navy cut off its ties to its colonies. Trade was handled by American and Dutch traders. The colonies thus had achieved economic independence from Spain, and set up temporary governments or juntas which were generally out of touch with the mother country. After 1814, as Napoleon was defeated and Ferdinand VII was back on the throne, the king sent armies to regain control and reimpose autocratic rule. In the next phase 1809–16, Spain defeated all the uprising. A second round 1816–25 was successful and drove the Spanish out of all of its mainland holdings. Spain had no help from European powers. Indeed, Britain (and the United States) worked against it. When they were cut off from Spain, the colonies saw a struggle for power between Spaniards who were born in Spain (called "peninsulares") and those of Spanish descent born in New Spain (called "creoles"). The creoles were the activists for independence. Multiple revolutions enabled the colonies to break free of the mother country. In 1824 the armies of generals José de San Martín of Argentina and Simón Bolívar of Venezuela defeated the last Spanish forces; the final defeat came at the Battle of Ayacucho in southern Peru. After that Spain played a minor role in international affairs. Business and trade in the ex-colonies were under British control. Spain kept only Cuba and Puerto Rico in the New World.[60]
Reaction and change (1814–73)
Although the juntas, that had forced the French to leave Spain, had sworn by the liberal Constitution of 1812, Ferdinand VII had the support of conservatives and he rejected it.[61] He ruled in the authoritarian fashion of his forebears.[62]
The government, nearly bankrupt, was unable to pay her soldiers. There were few settlers or soldiers in Florida, so it was sold to the United States for 5 million dollars. In 1820, an expedition intended for the colonies revolted in Cadiz. When armies throughout Spain pronounced themselves in sympathy with the revolters, led by Rafael del Riego, Ferdinand relented and was forced to accept the liberal Constitution of 1812. This was the start of the second bourgeois revolution in Spain, which would last from 1820 to 1823.[57] Ferdinand himself was placed under effective house arrest for the duration of the liberal experiment.
The tumultuous three years of liberal rule that followed (1820–23) were marked by various absolutist conspiracies. The liberal government, which reminded European statesmen entirely too much of the governments of the French Revolution, was viewed with hostility by the Congress of Verona in 1822, and France was authorized to intervene. France crushed the liberal government with massive force in the so-called "Hundred Thousand Sons of Saint Louis" expedition, and Ferdinand was restored as absolute monarch in 1823. In Spain proper, this marked the end of the second Spanish bourgeois revolution.
Execution of Torrijos and his men in 1831. Ferdinand VII took repressive measures against the liberal forces in his country.
In Spain, the failure of the second bourgeois revolution was followed by a period of uneasy peace for the next decade. Having borne only a female heir presumptive, it appeared that Ferdinand would be succeeded by his brother, Infante Carlos of Spain. While Ferdinand aligned with the conservatives, fearing another national insurrection, he did not view the Carlos's reactionary policies as a viable option. Ferdinand – resisting the wishes of his brother – decreed the Pragmatic Sanction of 1830, enabling his daughter Isabella to become Queen. Carlos, who made known his intent to resist the sanction, fled to Portugal.
Ferdinand's death in 1833 and the accession of Isabella II as Queen of Spain sparked the First Carlist War (1833–39). Isabella was only three years old at the time so her mother, Maria Cristina of Bourbon-Two Sicilies, was named regent until her daughter came of age. Carlos invaded the Basque country in the north of Spain and attracted support from absolutist reactionaries and conservatives; these forces were known as the "Carlist" forces. The supporters of reform and of limitations on the absolutist rule of the Spanish throne rallied behind Isabella and the regent, Maria Christina; these reformists were called "Cristinos." Though Cristino resistance to the insurrection seemed to have been overcome by the end of 1833, Maria Cristina's forces suddenly drove the Carlist armies from most of the Basque country. Carlos then appointed the Basque general Tomás de Zumalacárregui as his commander-in-chief. Zumalacárregui resuscitated the Carlist cause, and by 1835 had driven the Cristino armies to the Ebro River and transformed the Carlist army from a demoralized band into a professional army of 30,000 of superior quality to the government forces. Zumalacárregui's death in 1835 changed the Carlists' fortunes. The Cristinos found a capable general in Baldomero Espartero. His victory at the Battle of Luchana (1836) turned the tide of the war, and in 1839, the Convention of Vergara put an end to the first Carlist insurrection.[63]
Battle of the First Carlist war
The progressive General Espartero, exploiting his popularity as a war hero and his sobriquet "Pacifier of Spain", demanded liberal reforms from Maria Cristina. The Queen Regent, who resisted any such idea, preferred to resign and let Espartero become regent instead in 1840. Espartero's liberal reforms were then opposed by moderates, and the former general's heavy-handedness caused a series of sporadic uprisings throughout the country from various quarters, all of which were bloodily suppressed. He was overthrown as regent in 1843 by Ramón María Narváez, a moderate, who was in turn perceived as too reactionary. Another Carlist uprising, the Matiners' War, was launched in 1846 in Catalonia, but it was poorly organized and suppressed by 1849.
Isabella II of Spain took a more active role in government after coming of age, but she was immensely unpopular throughout her reign (1833–68). She was viewed as beholden to whoever was closest to her at court, and the people of Spain believed that she cared little for them. As a result, there was another insurrection in 1854 led by General Domingo Dulce y Garay and General Leopoldo O'Donnell y Jarris. Their coup overthrew the dictatorship of Luis Jose Sartorius, 1st Count of San Luis. As the result of the popular insurrection, the Partido Progresista (Progressive Party) obtained widespread support in Spain and came to power in the government in 1854.[64] In 1856, Isabella attempted to form the Liberal Union, a pan-national coalition under the leadership of Leopoldo O'Donnell, who had already marched on Madrid that year and deposed another Espartero ministry. Isabella's plan failed and cost Isabella more prestige and favor with the people. In 1860, Isabella launched a successful war against Morocco, waged by generals O'Donnell and Juan Prim that stabilized her popularity in Spain. However, a campaign to reconquer Peru and Chile during the Chincha Islands War (1864–66) proved disastrous and Spain suffered defeat before the determined South American powers.
In 1866, a revolt led by Juan Prim was suppressed, but in 1868 there was a further revolt, known as the Glorious Revolution. The progresista generals Francisco Serrano and Juan Prim revolted against Isabella and defeated her moderado generals at the Battle of Alcolea (1868). Isabella was driven into exile in Paris.[65]
Two years of revolution and anarchy followed, until in 1870 the Cortes declared that Spain would again have a king. Amadeus of Savoy, the second son of King Victor Emmanuel II of Italy, was selected and duly crowned King of Spain early the following year.[66] Amadeus – a liberal who swore by the liberal constitution the Cortes promulgated – was faced immediately with the incredible task of bringing the disparate political ideologies of Spain to one table. The country was plagued by internecine strife, not merely between Spaniards but within Spanish parties.
First Spanish Republic (1873–74)
Following the Hidalgo affair and an army rebellion, Amadeus famously declared the people of Spain to be ungovernable, abdicated the throne, and left the country (11 February 1873).
In his absence, a government of radicals and Republicans was formed that declared Spain a republic. The First Spanish Republic (1873–74) was immediately under siege from all quarters. The Carlists were the most immediate threat, launching a violent insurrection after their poor showing in the 1872 elections. There were calls for socialist revolution from the International Workingmen's Association, revolts and unrest in the autonomous regions of Navarre and Catalonia, and pressure from the Catholic Church against the fledgling republic.[67]
The Restoration (1874–1931)
Although the former queen, Isabella II was still alive, she recognized that she was too divisive as a leader, and abdicated in 1870 in favor of her son, Alfonso.
Alfonso XII of Spain was duly crowned on 28 December 1874 after returning from exile. After the tumult of the First Spanish Republic, Spaniards were willing to accept a return to stability under Bourbon rule. The Republican armies in Spain – which were resisting a Carlist insurrection – pronounced their allegiance to Alfonso in the winter of 1874–75, led by Brigadier General Martínez-Campos. The Republic was dissolved and Antonio Cánovas del Castillo, a trusted advisor to the king, was named Prime Minister on New Year's Eve, 1874. The Carlist insurrection was put down vigorously by the new king, who took an active role in the war and rapidly gained the support of most of his countrymen.[68] A system of turnos was established in Spain in which the liberals, led by Práxedes Mateo Sagasta and the conservatives, led by Antonio Cánovas del Castillo, alternated in control of the government. A modicum of stability and economic progress was restored to Spain during Alfonso XII's rule (1874–85), although progress was cut short by his sudden death at age 28.
Constitutional monarchy continued under King Alfonso XIII.[69] Alfonso XIII was born after his father's death and was proclaimed king upon his birth. However, the government had become destabilized by Alfonso XII's unexpected death in 1885, followed by the assassination of prime minister Antonio Cánovas del Castillo in 1897. The reign of Alfonso XIII (1886–1931) saw the Spanish–American War of 1898, culminating in the loss of the Philippines plus Spain's last colonies in the Americas, Cuba and Puerto Rico; the "Great War" in Europe (now known as World War I, 1914–18), although Spain maintained neutrality throughout the conflict; the influenza pandemic nicknamed the Spanish Flu (1918–19); and the Rif War in Morocco (1920–26). His reign also saw the rise to dictatorship of General Miguel Primo de Rivera, who seized control of the government by military coup in 1923 and ruled as a dictator – with the monarch's support – for seven years (1923–30). The world-wide recession, marked first by the Wall Street Crash of 1929, caused deepening economic hardships in Spain and the resignation of Primo de Rivera's government in 1930. General elections were held in 1931 to replace the government, with Republican and anticlerical candidates winning the majority of votes. Alfonso XIII left the country in response to the proclamation of the Second Spanish Republic, although he never abdicated.
Cuba rebelled against Spain in the Ten Years' War beginning in 1868, resulting in the abolition of slavery in Spain's colonies in the New World. American business interests in the island, coupled with concerns for the people of Cuba, aggravated relations between the two countries. The explosion of the USS Maine launched the Spanish–American War in 1898, in which Spain fared disastrously. Cuba gained its independence and Spain lost its remaining New World colony, Puerto Rico, which together with Guam and the Philippines were ceded to the United States for 20 million dollars. In 1899, Spain sold its remaining Pacific islands – the Northern Mariana Islands, Caroline Islands and Palau – to Germany and Spanish colonial possessions were reduced to Spanish Morocco, Spanish Sahara and Spanish Guinea, all in Africa.[70]
The "disaster" of 1898 created the Generation of '98, a group of statesmen and intellectuals who demanded liberal change from the new government. However both Anarchism on the left and fascism on the right grew rapidly in Spain in the early 20th century. A revolt in 1909 in Catalonia was bloodily suppressed.[71] Jensen (1999) argues that the defeat of 1898 led many military officers to abandon the liberalism that had been strong in the officer corps and turn to the right. They interpreted the American victory in 1898 as well as the Japanese victory against Russia in 1905 as proof of the superior value of willpower and moral values over technology. Over the next three decades, Jensen argues, these values shaped the outlook of Francisco Franco and other Falangists.[72]
Spain's neutrality in World War I allowed it to become a supplier of material for both sides to its great advantage, prompting an economic boom in Spain. The outbreak of Spanish influenza in Spain and elsewhere, along with a major economic slowdown in the postwar period, hit Spain particularly hard, and the country went into debt. A major worker's strike was suppressed in 1919.
Spanish colonial policies in Spanish Morocco led to an uprising known as the Rif War; rebels took control of most of the area except for the enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla in 1921. King Alfonso XIII decided to support the dictatorship of General Miguel Primo de Rivera in 1923. As Prime Minister Primo de Rivera promised to reform the country quickly and restore elections soon. He deeply believed that it was the politicians who had ruined Spain and that governing without them he could regenerate the nation. His slogan was "Country, Religion, Monarchy."
Spanish troops landing at Al Hoceima Bay on 8 September 1925
Spain (in joint action with France) won a decisive military victory in Morocco, (1925–26). The war had dragged on since 1917 and cost Spain $800 million.[73][74]
The late 1920s were prosperous until the worldwide Great Depression hit in 1929. In early 1930 bankruptcy and massive unpopularity forced the king to remove Primo de Rivera. Historians depict an idealistic but inept dictator who did not understand government, lacked clear ideas and showed very little political acumen. He consulted no one, had a weak staff, and made frequent strange pronouncements. He started with very broad support but lost every element until only the army was left. His projects ran large deficits which he kept hidden. His multiple repeated mistakes discredited the king and ruined the monarchy, while heightening social tensions that led in 1936 to a full-scale Spanish Civil War. Urban voters had lost faith in the king, and voted for republican parties in the municipal elections of April 1931. The king fled the country without abdicating and a republic was established.[75]
Second Spanish Republic (1931–39)
Political ideologies were intensely polarized, as both right and left saw vast evil conspiracies on the other side that had to be stopped. The central issue was the role of the Catholic Church, which the left saw as the major enemy of modernity and the Spanish people, and the right saw as the invaluable protector of Spanish values.[76]
Power seesawed back and forth, 1931–36, as the monarchy was overthrown and complex coalitions formed and fell apart. The end came in a devastating civil war, 1936–39, which was won by the conservative, pro-church, Army-backed “Nationalist” forces supported by Nazi Germany and Italy. The Nationalists, led by General Francisco Franco, defeated the Republican coalition of liberals, socialists, anarchists, and communists, which was backed by the Soviet Union.
Under the Second Spanish Republic, women were allowed to vote in general elections for the first time. The Republic devolved substantial autonomy to the Basque Country and to Catalonia.
The first governments of the Republic were center-left, headed by Niceto Alcalá-Zamora and Manuel Azaña. Economic turmoil, substantial debt, and fractious, rapidly changing governing coalitions led to escalating political violence and attempted coups by right and left.
In 1933, the right-wing Spanish Confederation of the Autonomous Right (CEDA), based on the Catholic vote, won power. An armed rising of workers in October 1934, which reached its greatest intensity in Asturias and Catalonia, was forcefully put down by the CEDA government. This in turn energized political movements across the spectrum in Spain, including a revived anarchist movement and new reactionary and fascist groups, including the Falange and a revived Carlist movement.[77]
Spanish Civil War (1936–39)
The Spanish Civil War was marked by numerous small battles and sieges, and many atrocities, until the rebels (the "Nationalists"), led by Francisco Franco, won in 1939. There was military intervention as Italy sent land forces, and Germany sent smaller elite air force and armored units to the rebel side (the Nationalists). The Soviet Union sold armaments to the "Loyalists" ("Republicans"), while the Communist parties in numerous countries sent soldiers to the "International Brigades." The civil war did not escalate into a larger conflict, but did become a worldwide ideological battleground that pitted the left and many liberals against Catholics and conservatives. Britain, France and the United States remained neutral and refused to sell military supplies. Worldwide there was a decline in pacifism and a growing sense that another world war was imminent, and that it would be worth fighting for.[78]
Political and military balance
In the 1930s, Spanish politics were polarized at the left and right extremes of the political spectrum. The left-wing favored class struggle, land reform to overthrow the land owners, autonomy to the regions, and the destruction of the Catholic Church. The right-wing groups, the largest of which was CEDA, a Catholic coalition, believed in tradition, stability and hierarchy. Religion was the main dividing line between right and left, but there were regional variations. The Basques were devoutly Catholic but they put a high priority on regional autonomy. The Left offered a better deal so in 1936–37 they fought for the Republicans. In 1937 they pulled out of the war.
The Spanish Republican government moved to Valencia, to escape Madrid, which was under siege by the Nationalists. It had some military strength in the Air Force and Navy, but it had lost nearly all of the regular Army. After opening the arsenals to give rifles, machine guns and artillery to local militias, it had little control over the Loyalist ground forces. Republican diplomacy proved ineffective, with only useful two allies, the Soviet Union and Mexico. Britain, France and 27 other countries had agreed on an arms embargo to Spain, and the United States went along. International Brigades .
In 1936, the Left united in the Popular Front and were elected to power. However, this coalition, dominated by the centre-left, was undermined both by the revolutionary groups such as the anarchist Confederación Nacional del Trabajo (CNT) and Federación Anarquista Ibérica (FAI) and by anti-democratic far-right groups such as the Falange and the Carlists. The political violence of previous years began to start again. There were gunfights over strikes; landless labourers began to seize land, church officials were killed and churches burnt. On the other side, right wing militias (such as the Falange) and gunmen hired by employers assassinated left wing activists. The Republican democracy never generated the consensus or mutual trust between the various political groups that it needed to function peacefully. As a result, the country slid into civil war. The right wing of the country and high ranking figures in the army began to plan a coup, and when Falangist politician José Calvo-Sotelo was shot by Republican police, they used it as a signal to act whilst the Republican leadership was confused and inert.[79][80]
The Nationalists under Franco won the war, and historians continue to debate the reasons. The Nationalists were much better unified and led than the Republicans, who squabbled and fought amongst themselves endlessly and had no clear military strategy. The Army went over to the Nationalists, but it was very poorly equipped – there were no tanks or modern airplanes. The small navy supported the Republicans, but their armies were made up of raw recruits and they lacked both equipment and skilled officers and sergeants. Nationalist senior officers were much better trained and more familiar with modern tactics than the Republicans.[81]
On 17 July 1936, General Francisco Franco brought the colonial army stationed in Morocco to the mainland, while another force from the north under General Mola moved south from Navarre. Another conspirator, General Sanjurjo, who was in exile in Portugal, was killed in a plane crash while being brought to join the other military leaders. Military units were also mobilised elsewhere to take over government institutions. Franco intended to seize power immediately, but successful resistance by Republicans in key the centers of Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, the Basque country (and other points) meant that Spain faced a prolonged civil war. By 1937 much of the south and west was under the control of the Nationalists, whose Army of Africa was the most professional force available to either side. Both sides received foreign military aid: the Nationalists from Nazi Germany and Italy, while the Republicans were supported by organised far-left volunteers from the Soviet Union.
Ruins of Guernica
The Siege of the Alcázar at Toledo early in the war was a turning point, with the Nationalists winning after a long siege. The Republicans managed to hold out in Madrid, despite a Nationalist assault in November 1936, and frustrated subsequent offensives against the capital at Jarama and Guadalajara in 1937. Soon, though, the Nationalists began to erode their territory, starving Madrid and making inroads into the east. The North, including the Basque country fell in late 1937 and the Aragon front collapsed shortly afterwards. The bombing of Guernica on the afternoon of 26 April 1937 – a mission used as a testing ground for the German Luftwaffe's Condor Legion – was probably the most infamous event of the war and inspired Picasso's painting. The Battle of the Ebro in July–November 1938 was the final desperate attempt by the Republicans to turn the tide. When this failed and Barcelona fell to the Nationalists in early 1939, it was clear the war was over. The remaining Republican fronts collapsed, as civil war broke out inside the Left, as the Republicans suppressed the Communists. Madrid fell in March 1939.[82]
The war, cost between 300,000 to 1,000,000 lives. It ended with the total collapse of the Republic and the accession of Francisco Franco as dictator of Spain. Franco amalgamated all the right wing parties into a reconstituted fascist party Falange and banned the left-wing and Republican parties and trade unions. The Church was more powerful than it had been in centuries,[83]
The conduct of the war was brutal on both sides, with widespread massacres of civilians and prisoners. After the war, many thousands of Republicans were imprisoned and up to 150,000 were executed between 1939 and 1943. Some 500,000 refugees escaped to France; they remained in exile for the years or decades.
The dictatorship of Francisco Franco (1936–75)
During Franco's rule, Spain was officially neutral in World War II and remained largely economically and culturally isolated from the outside world. Under a military dictatorship, Spain saw its political parties banned, except for the official party (Falange). Labor unions were banned and all political activity using violence or intimidation to achieve its goals was forbidden.
Under Franco, Spain actively sought the return of Gibraltar by the United Kingdom, and gained some support for its cause at the United Nations. During the 1960s, Spain began imposing restrictions on Gibraltar, culminating in the closure of the border in 1969. It was not fully reopened until 1985.
Spanish rule in Morocco ended in 1967. Though militarily victorious in the 1957–58 Moroccan invasion of Spanish West Africa, Spain gradually relinquished its remaining African colonies. Spanish Guinea was granted independence as Equatorial Guinea in 1968, while the Moroccan enclave of Ifni had been ceded to Morocco in 1969. Two cities in Africa, Ceuta and Melilla remain under Spanish rule and sovereignty.
The latter years of Franco's rule saw some economic and political liberalization, the Spanish miracle, including the birth of a tourism industry. Spain began to catch up economically with its European neighbors.[84]
Franco ruled until his death on 20 November 1975, when control was given to King Juan Carlos.[85] In the last few months before Franco's death, the Spanish state went into a paralysis. This was capitalized upon by King Hassan II of Morocco, who ordered the 'Green March' into Western Sahara, Spain's last colonial possession.
The Spanish transition to democracy or new Bourbon restoration was the era when Spain moved from the dictatorship of Francisco Franco to a liberal democratic state. The transition is usually said to have begun with Franco's death on 20 November 1975, while its completion is marked by the electoral victory of the socialist PSOE on 28 October 1982.
Under its current (1978) constitution, Spain is a constitutional monarchy. It comprises 17 autonomous communities (Andalusia, Aragon, Asturias, Balearic Islands, Canary Islands, Cantabria, Castile and León, Castile–La Mancha, Catalonia, Extremadura, Galicia, La Rioja, Community of Madrid, Region of Murcia, Basque Country, Valencian Community, Navarre) and 2 autonomous cities (Ceuta and Melilla).
Between 1978 and 1982, Spain was led by the Unión del Centro Democrático governments. In 1981 the 23-F coup d'état attempt took place. On 23 February Antonio Tejero, with members of the Guardia Civil entered the Congress of Deputies, and stopped the session, where Leopoldo Calvo Sotelo was about to be named prime minister of the government. Officially, the coup d'état failed thanks to the intervention of King Juan Carlos. Spain joined NATO before Calvo-Sotelo left office. Along with political change came radical change in Spanish society. Spanish society had been extremely conservative under Franco, but the transition to democracy also began a liberalization of values and societal mores.
From 1982 until 1996, the social democratic PSOE governed the country, with Felipe González as prime minister. In 1986, Spain joined the European Economic Community (EEC, now European Union), and the country hosted the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona and Seville Expo '92.
Spain within the European Union (1993 to present)
In 1996, the centre-right Partido Popular government came to power, led by José María Aznar. On 1 January 1999, Spain exchanged the peseta for the new Euro currency. The peseta continued to be used for cash transactions until January 1, 2002. On 11 March 2004 a number of terrorist bombs exploded on busy commuter trains in Madrid by Islamic extremists linked to Al-Qaeda, killing 191 persons and injuring thousands. The election, held three days after the attacks, was won by the PSOE, and José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero replaced Aznar as prime minister. As José María Aznar and his ministers at first accused ETA of the atrocity, it has been argued that the outcome of the election has been influenced by this event.
In the wake of its joining the EEC, Spain experienced an economic boom during two decades, cut painfully short by the financial crisis of 2008. During the boom years, Spain attracted a large number of immigrants, especially from the United Kingdom, but also including unknown but substantial illegal immigration, mostly from Latin America, eastern Europe and north Africa.[86] Spain had the fourth largest economy in the Eurozone, but after 2008 the global economic recession hit Spain hard, with the burst of the housing bubble and unemployment reaching over 25%, sharp budget cutbacks were needed to stay in the Euro zone. The GDP shrank 1.2% in 2012.[87] Losses were especially high in real estate, banking, and construction. Economists concluded in early 2013 that, "Where once Spain's problems were acute, now they are chronic: entrenched unemployment, a large mass of small and medium-sized enterprises with low productivity, and, above all, a constriction in credit.."[88] With the financial crisis and high unemployment, Spain is now suffering from a combination of continued illegal immigration paired with a massive emigration of workers, forced to seek employment elsewhere under the EU's "Freedom of Movement", with an estimated 700,000, or 1.5% of total population, leaving the country between 2008 and 2013.[89]
Spanish statehood and secessionism
Although it had been used in treaties as far back as the seventeenth century, it was not until the constitution of 1812 that the name "Españas" became the official name for the Spanish kingdom and "King of the Spains" became the official title of the head of state.[90] It was not until the constitution of 1876 that the singular form of the name, "España" (Spain), became the official name of the Spanish state.[91]
Although colloquially and literally the expression "King of Spain" or "King of the Spains" was already widespread,[92] and although the two crowns, Aragonese and Castilian, were held by the same monarch, and although the different kings had the long-term shared intention of uniting the peninsula under a single kingdom to restore the Visigoth unity,[93] they were never proclaimed officially as a single kingdom until the enactment of the Spanish Constitution of 1812.[94] Portugal was also ruled by the House of Habsburg with Castile and Aragon but this came to an end with a revolt after sixty years.
The statehood of Spain is generally accepted by the population of Spain as the Spanish Constitution of 1978[95] was massively approved by universal referendum.[96] The vigor of the constitutional regime and tacit support by the Spanish population has been repeatedly confirmed ever since through periodical national elections to configure the Spanish Parliament. Said constitutional bicameral organ represents all the Spanish territories and people, where the national sovereignty is vested.[97]
Still, there are some nationalist movements and political parties of regional scope (i.e. in Aragon, the Canaries, Catalonia, Euskadi, Galicia), mostly with seminal ideologies born in the late 19th century,[98][99] some enjoying relatively important yet wavering support from local population.[100][101] Traditional nationalist parties' claims range from increasing transfer of competencies and new financing and tax regime arrangements with the Central Government to sovereign rights and secessionism from Spain.
Spain is ranked among the best democracies in the world by reputed, independent analysts.[102] As the Spanish Constitution legal framework guarantees civil rights, including the freedom of speech, a part of said nationalist regional parties[103] have openly promoted and pursued the secession from Spain, by arguing most notably language, cultural and historic reasons and in some cases, also justified by alleged race issues.[104][105][106]
Economic reasons are also a separatists' recurrent argument.[107] The ongoing Catalan campaign for independence includes the motto "Spain is robbing us" ("España nos roba"), an argument refuted by many and claimed to be as simply propaganda for the nationalists and secessionists interests.[108][109][110] Secessionists claim that an independent Catalan State, released from its financial contribution to the rest of Spain, would grow prosper and solve the difficulties currently faced by the autonomous region, an already self-governed economy, in particular local unemployment and Catalan public debt issues.[111][112]
In parallel to the democratic arena and political activism, some terrorists groups (i.e. TERRA LLIURE (Catalan for "Free Land"),[113]
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History of Spain: Primary Documents
Spanish History Sources & Documents
Stanley G. Payne The Seventeenth-Century Decline
Henry Kamen, "The Decline of Spain: A Historical Myth?", Past and Present, (Explains the complexities of this subject)
WWW-VL "Spanish History Index
Carmen Pereira-Muro. Culturas de España. Boston and New York: Houghton Mifflin Company 2003. ISBN
Barton, Simon. A History of Spain (2009) excerpt and text search
Carr, Raymond. Spain, 1808-1975 (2nd ed 1982), a standard scholarly survey
Carr, Raymond, ed. Spain: A History (2001) excerpt and text search
Casey, James. Early Modern Spain: A Social History (1999) excerpt and text search
Edwards, John. The Spain of the Catholic Monarchs 1474–1520 (2001) excerpt and text search
Esdaile, Charles J. Spain in the Liberal Age: From Constitution to Civil War, 1808–1939 (2000) excerpt and text search
Gerli, E. Michael, ed. Medieval Iberia: an encyclopedia. New York 2005. ISBN 0-415-93918-6
Herr, Richard. An Historical Essay on Modern Spain (1974)
Kamen, Henry. Spain. A Society of Conflict (3rd ed.) London and New York: Pearson Longman 2005. ISBN
Lynch, John. The Hispanic World in Crisis and Change: 1598–1700 (1994) excerpt and text search
O'Callaghan, Joseph F. A History of Medieval Spain (1983) excerpt and text search
Payne, Stanley G. A History of Spain and Portugal (2 vol 1973) full text online vol 1 before 1700; full text online vol 2 after 1700; a standard scholarly history
Payne, Stanley G. Spain: A Unique History (University of Wisconsin Press; 2011) 304 pages; history since the Visigothic era.
Payne, Stanley G. Politics and Society in Twentieth-Century Spain (2012)
Philips, William D., Jr., and Carla Rahn Phillips. A Concise History of Spain (2010) excerpt and text search
Pierson, Peter. The History of Spain (2nd ed. 2008) excerpt and text search
Preston, Paul. The Spanish Civil War: Reaction, Revolution, and Revenge (2nd ed. 2007)
Shubert, Adrian. A Social History of Modern Spain (1990) excerpt and text search
Tusell, Javier. Spain: From Dictatorship to Democracy, 1939 to the Present (2007) excerpt and text search
^ http://voiceofrussia.com/news/2013_07_24/Archaeologists-find-1-4-million-year-old-flint-in-Spain-8972/
^ "Spain". Encarta Online Encyclopedia. 2007. Archived from the original on 2009-10-31. See also: First west Europe tooth' found"'". BBC. 30 June 2007. Archived from the original on 2009-10-31. Retrieved 2008-08-09.
^ "Spain - History - Pre-Roman Spain - Prehistory". Britannica Online Encyclopedia. 2008.
^ Robert Chapman, Emerging Complexity: The Later Prehistory of South-East Spain, Iberia and the West Mediterranean (2009)
^ a b "Spain - History - Pre-Roman Spain - Phoenicians". Britannica Online Encyclopedia. 2008.
^ Grout, James (2007). "The Celtiberian War". Encyclopaedia Romana. University of Chicago. Retrieved 2008-06-08.
^ "Major Phases in Roman History". Rome in the Mediterranean World. University of Toronto. Retrieved 2008-06-08.
^ Great estates, the Latifundia (sing., latifundium), controlled by a land owning aristocracy, were superimposed on the existing Iberian landholding system.
^ a b Rinehart, Robert; Seeley, Jo Ann Browning (1998). "A Country Study: Spain - Hispania". Library of Congress Country Series. Retrieved 2008-08-09.
^ The Roman provinces of Hispania included Provincia Hispania Ulterior Baetica (Hispania Baetica), whose capital was Corduba, presently Córdoba, Provincia Hispania Ulterior Lusitania (Hispania Lusitania), whose capital was Emerita Augusta (now Mérida), Provincia Hispania Citerior, whose capital was Tarraco (Tarragona), Provincia Hispania Nova, whose capital was Tingis (Tánger in present Morocco), Provincia Hispania Nova Citerior and Asturiae-Calleciae (these latter two provinces were created and then dissolved in the 3rd century AD).
^ Payne, Stanley G. (1973). "A History of Spain and Portugal; Ch. 1 Ancient Hispania". The Library of Iberian Resources Online. Retrieved 2008-08-09.
^ Roger Collins, Visigothic Spain 409–711 (2006)
^ Karen Eva Carr, Vandals to Visigoths: Rural Settlement Patterns in Early Medieval Spain (2002)
^ Rhea Marsh Smith (June 1965), Spain: A Modern History (University of Michigan Press): 25
^ p. 14
^ Rhea Marsh Smith, Spain: A Modern History, pp. 16-17.
^ a b Collins, Visigothic Spain 409–711 (2006)
^ Fletcher, Richard (2006). Moorish Spain. Los Angeles, California: University of California Press. p. 53.
^ a b Timelines - Vikings, Saracens, Magyars
^ Granada by Richard Gottheil, Meyer Kayserling, Jewish Encyclopedia. 1906 ed.
^ Ransoming Captives in Crusader Spain: The Order of Merced on the Christian-Islamic Frontier
^ The Almohads
^ Catalan Company (1302-1388 AD)
^ Ramón Mariño Paz (1999). Historia da lingua galega. Sotelo Blanco Edicións. pp. 182–194.
^ Hugh Thomas, Rivers of Gold (Random House: New York, 2003) p. 18.
^ a b Hugh Thomas, Rivers of Gold, p. 21.
^ Hugh Thomas, Rivers of Gold, p. 58.
^ There is simply no consensus as to the extent, with estimates varying by many orders of magnitude, but that it occurred is not doubted - See Population history of indigenous peoples of the Americas.
^ James Patrick (2007). Renaissance and Reformation. Marshall Cavendish. p. 207.
^ a b When Europeans were slaves: Research suggests white slavery was much more common than previously believed
^ The Seventeenth-Century Decline
^ J.H. Elliott, "Imperial Spain: 1469–1716", Penguin Books, 1970, p.298
^ Hugh Thomas. The Golden Age: The Spanish Empire of Charles V (2010)
^ John B. Wolf, The Emergence of the Great Powers: 1685–1715 (1962)
^ Henry Kamen, Philip V of Spain (2001)
^ a b John Lynch, Bourbon Spain: 1700–1808 (1989) pp 67- 115
^ Payne says Charles III "was probably the most successful European ruler of his generation. Stanley G. Payne, History of Spain and Portugal (1973) 2:71
^ Jonathan Israel (2011). Democratic Enlightenment:Philosophy, Revolution, and Human Rights 1750-1790. Oxford University Press. p. 374.
^ Earl J. Hamilton, "Money and Economic Recovery in Spain under the First Bourbon, 1701–1746", Journal of Modern History Vol. 15, No. 3 (Sep., 1943), pp. 192-206 in JSTOR
^ Simms p.211
^ Payne, History of Spain and Portugal (1973) 2:367-71
^ Franklin Ford, Europe, 1780-1830 (1970) p 32
^ Charles J. Esdaile, The Spanish Army in the Peninsular War (1988)
^ Philip Haythornthwaite; Christa Hook (2013). Corunna 1809: Sir John Moore's Fighting Retreat. Osprey. pp. 17–18.
^ Russell Crandall (2014). America's Dirty Wars: Irregular Warfare from 1776 to the War on Terror. Cambridge UP. p. 21.
^ Otto Pivka, Spanish Armies of the Napoleonic Wars (Osprey Men-at-Arms, 1975)
^ Julia Ortiz Griffin; William D. Griffin (2007). Spain and Portugal: A Reference Guide from the Renaissance to the Present. Infobase Publishing. p. 241.
^ J. M. Thompson, Napoleon Bonaparte: His Rise and Fall (1951) 244-45
^ Richard Herr (1971). Modern Spain: An Historical Essay. U. of California Press. pp. 72–3.
^ David Gates, The Spanish Ulcer: A History of the Peninsular War (1986)
^ Jon Cowans (2003). Modern Spain: A Documentary History. U. of Pennsylvania Press. pp. 26–27.
^ Jesus Cruz (2004). Gentlemen, Bourgeois, and Revolutionaries: Political Change and Cultural Persistence among the Spanish Dominant Groups, 1750-1850. Cambridge U.P. pp. 216–18.
^ George F. Nafziger (2002). Historical Dictionary of the Napoleonic Era. Scarecrow Press. p. 158.
^ David G. Chandler (1973). The Campaigns of Napoleon. Simon and Schuster. p. 659.
^ Todd Fisher (2004). The Napoleonic Wars: The Rise And Fall Of An Empire. Osprey Publishing. p. 222.
^ Ian Fletcher (2012). Vittoria 1813: Wellington Sweeps the French from Spain. Osprey Publishing.
^ a b John Michael Francis (2006). Iberia and the Americas: Culture, Politics, and History. ABC-CLIO. p. 905.
^ John Lynch, The Spanish American Revolutions 1808-1826 (2nd ed. 1986)
^ John Lynch, ed. Latin American revolutions, 1808-1826: old and new world origins (1994), scholarly essays.
^ Raymond Carr, Spain, 1808-1975 (2nd ed., 1982) pp 101-5, 122-23, 143-46, 306-9, 379-88
^ David R. Ringrose (1998). Spain, Europe, and the 'Spanish Miracle', 1700-1900. Cambridge U.P. p. 325.
^ Charles S. Esdaile, Spain in the Liberal Age: From Constitution to Civil War, 1808–1939 (2000)
^ Carl Cavanagh Hodge (2008). Encyclopedia of the age of imperialism: 1800-1914. A - K. Greenwood. p. 138. Retrieved 13 December 2012.
^ Stanley G. Payne (1967). Politics and the Military in Modern Spain: Stanley G. Payne. Stanford University Press. p. 26.
^ William James Callahan (1984). Church, Politics, and Society in Spain, 1750-1874. Harvard U.P. p. 250.
^ Spencer Tucker (20 May 2009). The Encyclopedia of the Spanish-American and Philippine-American Wars: A Political, Social, and Military History. ABC-CLIO. p. 12.
^ Joseph A. Brandt, Toward the New Spain: The Spanish Revolution of 1868 and the First Republic (1977)
^ Earl Ray Beck, Time of Triumph & Sorrow: Spanish Politics during the Reign of Alfonso XII, 1874–1885 (1979)
^ Beck, Time of Triumph & Sorrow: Spanish Politics during the Reign of Alfonso XII, 1874–1885 (1979)
^ John L. Offner, Unwanted War: The Diplomacy of the United States & Spain over Cuba, 1895–1898 (1992)
^ H. Ramsden, "The Spanish 'Generation of 1898': The History of a Concept", Bulletin of the John Rylands University Library of Manchester, 1974, Vol. 56 Issue 2, pp 443-462
^ Geoffrey Jensen, "Moral Strength Through Material Defeat? The Consequences of 1898 for Spanish Military Culture", War & Society, Oct 1999, Vol. 17 Issue 2, pp 25-39
^ James A. Chandler, "Spain and Her Moroccan Protectorate 1898 - 1927," Journal of Contemporary History (1975) 10#2 pp. 301-322 in JSTOR
^ Douglas Porch, "Spain's African Nightmare," MHQ: Quarterly Journal of Military History (2006) 18#2 pp 28-37.
^ Raymond Carr, Spain, 1808-1975 (2nd ed 1982) pp 564-91
^ Richard Herr, An Historical Essay on Modern Spain (1974) pp 162-3
^ Herr, An Historical Essay on Modern Spain (1974) pp 154-87
^ Stanley G. Payne, The Spanish Revolution (1970) pp 262-76
^ Antony Beevor, The Spanish Civil War (1982), pp. 49-50
^ Stanley G. Payne (2004). Spanish Civil War, the Soviet Union, and Communism. Yale University Press. p. 106.
^ Michael Alpert, "The Clash of Spanish Armies: Contrasting Ways of War in Spain, 1936–1939," War in History (1999) 6#3 pp 331-351.
^ Paul Preston, The Spanish Civil War: Reaction, Revolution, and Revenge (2nd ed. 2007) pp 266-300
^ Preston, The Spanish Civil War: Reaction, Revolution, and Revenge (2007) pp 301-318
^ Stanley G. Payne, Franco and Hitler: Spain, Germany, and World War II (2009)
^ Jean Grugel and Tim Rees, Franco's Spain (1997)
^ Giles Tremlett, Spain attracts record levels of immigrants seeking jobs and sun The Guardian, Wednesday 26 July 2006
^ Moran Zhang, "Spanish Economy Sinks Further Into Recession, Q4 GDP Down 0.6% Quarterly: Bank of Spain," Jan 23, 2013International Business Times
^ "Spain's Economy: Rajoy unconfined?" Feb. 13. 2013The Economist
^ La nueva emigración española. Lo que sabemos y lo que no Fundación Alternativas Nº: 2013/18
^ Constitución política de la Monarquía Española Promulgada en Cádiz a 19 de Marzo de 1812
^ Estado y territorio en España, 1820-1930: la formación del paisaje nacional pg 25-26
^ Felipe IV: el hombre y el reinado pg 137
^ José Manuel Nieto Soria (2007). "Conceptos de España en tiempos de los Reyes Catolicos" (PDF). Norba. Nueva Revista de Historia (Universidad de Extremadura) 19: 105–123.
^ Peña,Lorenzo. Un puente jurídico entre Iberoamérica y Europa:la Constitución española de 1812. Instituto de Filosofía del CSIC
The first thing to understand is that for the most part, the Courts of Cadiz created a new state, the Spanish state. This is neither totally true nor totally false. The Spanish monarchy had never stopped being officially a new juxtaposition of kingdoms and crowns converging on the person of the sovereign. Of course this vision purely of paper reflected neither the authentic political reality nor the social culture and not even fully the juridical, which happened in a background of de facto unity. The fact remains, however, that ... there had never been a proclamation of a Kingdom of Spain, so that difficulties always arose over the legal meaning of the very frequent references to 'Spain' in the legal texts of the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries. The Spanish sovereigns had always refused the advice... in the sense of establishing a United Kingdom of Spain, preferring to see themselves as vertices of converging scattered kingdoms, at least in theory. Even the Napoleonic Bayonne Constitution of 1808 did not proclaim a kingdom of Spain, but a 'Crown of Spain and the Indies'. On the other hand, 'Spain' was merely a geographical name, a simple Romance version of 'Hispania', whereby its use, in principle, should not have to go beyond the Latin designations 'Gallia' and 'Germania'. Except that, of course, there was in fact a political union of most of that Hispania, and under it there were the very similar Romance languages of the spanned territories, in addition to very close historic, cultural and commercial links.
^ http://www.tribunalconstitucional.es/es/constitucion/Paginas/ConstitucionIngles.aspx
^ http://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/28295/stanley-meisler/spains-new-democracy
^ Spain
^ Nationalisms and regionalisms of Spain
^ Separatism
^ http://www.cis.es/cis/opencms/ES/index.html
^ http://www.fairobserver.com/region/europe/basque-and-catalan-nationalism-evolution
^ https://freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-world/2014/spain-0#.VG67dktZH18
^ List of active separatist movements in Europe#Spain
^ Sabino Arana
^ Pompeyo Gener
^ Ethnic nationalism
^ http://www.cnbc.com/id/49459644#
^ http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/08/opinion/a-threat-to-spanish-democracy.html?_r=0
^ http://www.jmaznar.es/en/news/518/p-strong-em-20-answered-questions-on-catalonia-s-secession-em-strong-p
^ https://www.thespainreport.com/4366/catalonia-independence-debate-live-blog
^ http://www.cnbc.com/id/48284536
^ http://www.econweekly.com/2012/11/the-case-for-and-against-catalonias.html
^ Terra Lliure
^ http://www.alertadigital.com/2014/11/11/amenazas-de-muerte-a-la-directora-de-un-instituto-de-barcelona-que-no-abrio-el-9-n-no-cedi-porque-no-quiero-que-me-utilicen
^ http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/9d434a66-643d-11e4-bac8-00144feabdc0.html#axzz3JfRICCXA
^ http://www.geopoliticalmonitor.com/catalan-independence-and-a-tumultuous-2014-for-spain-4910
^ Spanish Constitution of 1978
^ http://www.eurasiareview.com/30092014-spain-pm-rajoy-issues-statement-catalonia-referendum
^ http://www.constitutionnet.org/news/spain-catalonia-problem-needs-constitutional-fix-psoe
^ http://www.gencat.cat/drep/iea/pdfs/ctA_6.pdf
^ http://localdemocracy.net/countries/europe/spain
^ https://wcd.coe.int/ViewDoc.jsp?id=2041471&Site=Congress
^ Autonomous communities of Spain
^ "Until the end of the dictatorship of Franco, Spain had a very centralized political system. In 1978, a decentralization process started after the creation of the current constitution. The constitution established a complex framework that combines the concept of Spain as a single political nation with the existence of autonomy statutes granted to all seventeen regions. The degree of autonomy for a number of regions is fairly high, these are the ‘historical’ regions. In 1983, all seventeen autonomous communities had adopted a statute. Although differences exist in the level of autonomy between ‘historical’ and ‘ordinary’ regions, all communities have experienced an increase in their level of autonomy. The group of the ‘historical’ communities consists of Catalonia, the Basque Country and Galicia. This group was joined later by Andalusia. The group of ‘ordinary’ regions consists of the rest of the autonomous communities (Aragon, Asturias, Balearic Islands, the Canary Islands, Cantabria, Castilla de La Mancha, Castilla-Leon, Extremadura, Madrid, Murcia, Navarra, La Rioja, and Valencia). The autonomous communities have wide legislative and executive autonomy, with their own parliaments and regional governments. The distribution of powers is different for every community, as laid out in the autonomy statutes. The ‘ordinary’ regions, which always had fewer powers, have slowly caught up with the ‘historical’ regions. In 1992, for example, the regional autonomy pact extended the power of the autonomous communities in areas of education and health, especially for the ‘ordinary’ autonomous communities. Decentralization in Spain can be characterized as asymmetrical devolution." http://www.fnp.nl/downloads/decentrilization_and_economic_growth_per_capita_in_europe.pdf
^ Spain ranks 8 according to the research paper http://www.urv.cat/creip/media/upload/arxius/wp/WP2012/DT.15-2012-850-DIAZ%20i%20MEIX.pdf
^ http://www.lse.ac.uk/europeanInstitute/LEQS/LEQSPaper55.pdf
^ "Kingdom of Spain: People". US Department of State. Retrieved 13 August 2008.
Economic history of Spain
Politics of Spain
Distinct traditional regional identities within Spain include the Basques, Catalans, Galicians, Cantabrians and Castilians, among others.[127]
The Spanish Constitution of 1978, in its second article, recognizes "nationalities"(a carefully chosen word in order to avoid the more politically charged "nations") and "regions", within the context of "the Spanish nation". Account taken of this rich variety of cultures, Spain has enabled one of the most decentralized systems in Europe and worldwide in terms of decision-making power,[120][121][122][123] its Autonomous Regions enjoying the highest rates of both political and fiscal competencies from an international comparative law viewpoint.[124][125][126]
The Spanish Constitution[117] configures and enables a modern democratic system with its own procedures to create, modify and derogate any law, including the Constitution itself, or even the adoption of a completely new one as may be decided by the people of Spain. Any such legitimate initiative must comply with the corresponding legal procedures as stated in the Constitution. Integrity and unity of the Spanish territory are therefore not irremovable principles, and secessionism would then be possible but subject to the law and to the sovereignty of the whole Spanish population, as it is proclaimed by the constitutionalists.[118][119]
[116] Some analysts believe said extremism could lead some current secessionist groups and individuals to undertake terrorist activities.[115]
Spanish language, Catalan language, Barcelona, Barcelonès, Val d'Aran
Basque Conflict
Spain, France, Basque nationalism, History of Spain, ETA
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Category: More headlines,News,News Round up |
Reddick Tapped for Diversity Post in Education at UT Austin
April 24, 2019 | :
by LaMont Jones
University of Texas at Austin associate professor Dr. Richard Reddick has been named the College of Education’s inaugural Associate Dean for Equity, Community Engagement and Outreach.
In his new role, Reddick will lead and focus support of the college’s initiatives to advance a culture of social justice, diversity, equity and inclusion among faculty, staff and student. He also will chair the college’s Inclusion & Diversity committee and serve as one of the college’s Title IX liaisons.
Dr. Richard Reddick
As a faculty member and leader in the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy, Reddick coordinates the Program in Higher Education Leadership and has courtesy appointments in the Department of African and African Diaspora Studies, and the Warfield Center for African and African American Studies. He also serves as co-chair of the university’s Council for Racial and Ethnic Equity and Diversity (CREED), a faculty fellow in the Institute for Urban Policy Research and a member of the Strategic Enrollment Management Faculty Working Group.
Additionally, Reddick has been assistant director of the Plan II Honors Program since 2014, and served on the steering committee and as Education Working Group co-chair of the Mayor’s Task Force on Institutional Racism and Structural Inequity (IRSI) for the City of Austin.
Among Reddick’s research focus areas are mentoring and developmental relationships between faculty and Black students; the experiences of Black faculty and faculty of color at predominantly White institutions; and work-life balance in academia. His research has been published in the Harvard Educational Review and the American Educational Research Journal and featured on PBS, NPR and in the Associated Press.
Reddick, a former Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune College Week champion, has a bachelor’s degree in Plan II with a concentration in African-American studies from UT Austin. He’s also an alumnus of Harvard University, where he earned a master’s degree in administration, planning and social policy and a doctorate in higher education.
Semantic Tags: Title IX • University of Texas at Austin
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Émilie Paiement
(Click here to download the picture in HD)
Émilie Paiement was born in Quebec and grew up in Mont-Laurier with her 7 brothers and sisters. She studied in the region and she is currently at the Cégep de Saint Jérôme in paralegal technology. She joins the fight of the Green Party of Quebec because she believes that the environmental issues have been taken for granted and that it is time to put forward the importance of Quebec's biodiversity. A committed young woman, Émilie supports several charitable organizations and is also involved in Leucan's mission to support young children and their families suffering from cancer.
Dedicated to helping others, she is involved in politics because she sees the sphere as essential to exercise her ideas, as well as those of her generation. For her, it is the best way to link the environment to the growing demands of our society. In fact, she hopes to focus on the protection of Quebec's biodiversity, especially the fauna and flora. Mr. Paiement also pushes for free public transport in Prévost. Combined with the electrification and expansion of the networks, it would bring alternatives to private vehicles in an isolated and underserved area.
The candidate would like to put forward a better educational system for the benefit of students but also teachers, to fetch the interest and curiosity of the people. She proposes a drastic change of the health system which, according to her, is too dysfunctional. Therefore, she wants to ensure free health services and better access to prescription drugs for all citizens. Finally, Émilie hopes to provide better funding for long-term care homes as well as better services for people with disabilities.
In this regard, for her, every vote in favor of the Green Party of Quebec proves that the ideas defended by the party resonate with the population. She would like to ensure that our province and its citizens are healthy, educated, prosperous and supportive, and would be honored to have your support in the upcoming 2018 elections in Prevost. Every vote counts!
To reach Ms. Paiement, please contact the Green Party of Quebec at the (514) 612 3365 or info@pvq.qc.ca
Laura Olivier published this page in 2018 Candidates 2018-08-22 14:44:04 -0400
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Teacher commits suicide during police investigation
Submitted by Maneeza Iqbal on Wednesday, March 6th, 6:21 pm
LINCOLN, CA - A former Lincoln middle school teacher took his own life amidst a police investigation into allegations he had a relationship with a female student.
Jared Gonsalves, 27, was found in his Roseville home with a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the chest last week, Placer County sheriff's spokesperson Dina Erwin said.
In early January, Lincoln police got a report from Western Placer Unified School District officials that Gonsalves, a Twelve Bridges Middle School teacher, had an inappropriate relationship with a female student last year, Sgt. Terry Kennedy said.
Gonsalves, who taught at the school for the past five years, resigned from his position in January. Police are not releasing the identity of the student because she is a minor.
Safety advice for when a stranger knocks at your door
Friday, March 1st, 2013, 1:54pm
There's an unexpected knock from a stranger at the front door. What to do?
1. Be cautious when opening the door. Do not blindly open the door to see who it is or what it is that they want.
2. Ignore the knock on the door . You may want to go about your normal business and NOT pretend that you are not home, but instead continue to do what you were doing, or even make some noise or turn on a light so that the person knows that someone IS home (possibly avoiding a burglary).
3. Look out a window first to see who it is - Avoid looking out a door window, but instead go and look through another window away from the door if possible. If you don't recognize them, you could shout through the door and ask what they want, or you could choose to ignore them.
4. Set the door chain. Be sure that your door chain is set well with LONG screws into the door frame to help resist a "push in." Crack open the door to speak to the person through the gap.
Man in custody after Cameron Park standoff
Monday, February 18th, 2013, 11:38pm
CAMERON PARK, CA - A man possibly armed with a weapon was arrested approximately three and a half hours after refusing to come out of a residence in the 2200 block of Winterhaven Drive, according to the El Dorado County Sheriff's Office.
Deputies were called to the home in response to a call for an assault with a deadly weapon around 3:30 p.m. Monday.
According to neighbors and eyewitnesses, 38-year old Miguel Ramirez stabbed a teenage boy who was transported to an area hospital. The teen's injury was not serious.
It wasn't clear if anyone else was in the home with the man.
About 7:45 p.m., SWAT sent in a police K-9 who bit the man, and officers were able to arrest him.
Neighbors said the man is a veteran and he had been involved in several disturbances in the neighborhood.
Woman allegedly abused by priest hails Pope's resignation
Submitted by Dave Marquis on Tuesday, February 12th, 9:24 am
El DORADO HILLS, Calif. - Teresa Rosson claims she faced abuse by her parish priest that might have stopped years sooner had then-Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger acted earlier.
"He'd tell you scary stories, you know, so he could touch you," recalled Rosson, who said her parish priest, Fr. Stephen Kiesle, began sexually abusing her at age 11 in 1972.
"He would touch my thigh, move his hand up," Rosson said of the abuse, which she claims began when Kiesle started a relationship with her mother.
In 1981, Oakland Bishop John Cummins wrote several letters to Rome asking that Father Stephen Kiesle be tossed out of the priesthood over allegations of sexual abuse of both boys and girls.
It was four years before then-Cardinal Ratzinger wrote back, delaying action in the case. Kiesle was eventually defrocked in 1987.
Police officer accused of witness tampering arrested
Thursday, January 24th, 2013, 1:16am
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, CA - A South Lake Tahoe police officer was arrested Wednesday morning for allegedly influencing witness testimonies and asking witnesses to tamper with evidence.
Court documents reveal Johnny Poland, 44, was caught up in a love triangle with a gang member's girlfriend. Documents show that he actively tried to help drug traffickers evade police and throw investigators off their path.
READ MORE: Court documents outline accusations
The woman at the center of it all, described only as C1, told investigators Poland coached her on how to cover up their affair even after a grand jury began investigating back in 2011. According to documents, Poland started his affair with the woman in 2007.
Placerville teen arrested in connection with fatal stabbing
Thursday, January 17th, 2013, 11:21am
PLACERVILLE, Calif. - An 18-year-old man was arrested on Wednesday afternoon in connection with the fatal stabbing of a 20-year-old Auburn man near Placerville.
Deputies responded to a call of a man stabbed during an altercation in the area of Brown's Road and Cold Springs Road around 4:10 p.m., said El Dorado County Sheriff's Sergeant James Byers.
The caller informed the Sheriff's Dept. that one of the men was in cardiac arrest, and the possible stabber had fled on foot.
Upon arrival, deputies discovered witnesses and local residents administering CPR to Matthew Steele of Auburn. Steele was then taken to Marshall Hospital by paramedics and pronounced dead at 6:24 p.m., said Byers.
According to Byers, an ensuing investigation identified Wesley Hampshire of Placerville as a possible suspect in the stabbing. He was located at his home on Brown's Road and taken into custody without incident.
Woman charged with murder in 3rd husband's death
Submitted by Leigh Paynter, News10 San Joaquin Valley Reporter
Wednesday, January 9th, 2013, 9:13pm
EL DORADO COUNTY, CA - It's a déjà vu murder case in El Dorado County court.
A Placerville woman acquitted almost 30 years ago for killing her second husband is now charged with killing her third husband.
Colleen Ann Harris, 70, made her first court appearance Wednesday charged with homicide and the enhancement of use of a firearm, according to her assistant defense attorney Dane Weiner. Weiner's father, David Weiner, represented Harris in her first murder trial in 1985 and will represent her in this case.
El Dorado County sheriff deputies arrested Harris Sunday after her husband Robert Harris, 72, was found dead inside her Wilderness Court home.
Robert Harris was a retired law enforcement officer and was active in EDSO's STAR volunteer program, in which retired officers assist the sheriff's office. Robert Harris was well-liked and respected, according to his peers and supervisors.
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Home All posts Linford Christie
Linford Christie
Linford Christie : biography
Though more famous for his exploits over 100 m, Christie broke the world indoor record over 200 m with 20.25 s at Liévin in 1995, and remains the third fastest sprinter on the all time list. IAAF Retrieved on 2009-01-20 He remains the British record-holder at 100 m, with the 9.87 s he ran at the 1993 World Championships.
By the end of his track career Christie had won 24 medals overall, more than any other British male athlete before or since. He was appointed MBE in 1990 and OBE in 1998.
Later years and relationship with the press
In 1998, less than six months before his first positive drug test Christie won a libel action against the journalist John McVicar. McVicar had insinuated in a satirical magazine that Christie’s remarkable rise from 156th in the world to triumph at an age when he should have been in decline could only have been achieved through performance-enhancing drugs.
The jury found in Christie’s favour by a 10–2 majority. The judge ordered that McVicar should be bound by an injunction restraining him from accusing Christie of taking banned substances. The modest £40,000 damages awarded were outweighed by the cost Christie incurred to bring the case.
Christie’s response to the press accusations
After the judgment, McVicar called Christie "The Judy Garland of the 100 metres", referring to the emotion that Christie had given before the court.Thackray, Rachelle (28 June 1998). The Independent; Retrieved on 2009-01-20
During this case, Christie raised another of his grievances with the media – comments about the figure-hugging running suits that Christie wore in his races. The term Linford’s lunchbox had been coined by The Sun newspaper in reference to the bulge of Christie’s genitalia in his Lycra shorts.
"Linford’s lunchbox is one of my grievances with the media. I don’t like it … Nobody ever goes on about Sally Gunnell’s breasts … I think it is disgusting, I don’t like it at all."L. Christie & T. Ward, Linford Christie: An Autobiography (1990, updated 1996 as To Be Honest With You) In court, the judge Mr Justice Popplewell, caused hilarity by asking Christie to explain the phrase, asking "What is Linford’s lunchbox?" The reference became a part of pop culture, as evidenced in a joke by Nick Hancock: "There’s nothing new you can say about Linford Christie, except he’s slow and has got a small penis".
Christie’s anger at this unwanted attention led to his infamous "newspaper print" running suit, although he has deliberately drawn attention to his body on occasions: he has remarked that "A lot of people have looked at my physique and two things can come into their mind – admiration and envy."L. Christie & J. Nicholson, A Year in the Life of Linford Christie (1996) and appeared shirtless and flexing his muscles on the BBC youth series Reportage in 1988.
In recent years, however, Christie appears to have come to terms with the ‘lunchbox’ label, disclosing his preference for briefs rather than boxer shorts, and in 2002 becoming the "face" of Sloggi, the men’s underwear brand, posing for advertising wearing only underwear.. Swindon Advertiser (12 June 2002) Retrieved on 2009-01-20Brooke, Simon (30 January 2003) The Times; Retrieved on 2009-01-20
[[B of the Bang: a sculpture named after a Christie quotation]]
In 1993 Christie formed a sports management and promotions company, Nuff Respect, with sprint-hurdler Colin Jackson. One of their early products was a sports training and workout video, The S Plan: Get Fit with Christie and Jackson. Jackson was later to leave the enterprise, saying "Linford has to be in control, he has to be number one, he has to be the leader."Colin Jackson, The Autobiography (2003) Since his positive drug test Christie – who had worked as a presenter on the BBC children’s programme Record Breakers and also had a contract with BBC Sport – has spent less time as a public figure and has devoted most of his time to managing his company.
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Tactical Analysis of Pep Guardiola
Published by registabible on March 24, 2019 March 24, 2019
On his arrival at Manchester City, Pep had a few doubters about whether his style would work in the world’s “toughest league”. Could his possession hungry style work in the fast paced Premier League? This tactical analysis of Pep Guardiola will discuss the issues he faced, and how he turned it around.
If you watched his Manchester City side in his first season (2016/17), you might have thought they had a point. At the start of his Barcelona tenure, they sat in the bottom three with one point from six games. “Patience, we need patience”, he said. Guardiola went on to win 14 trophies in four years with the Catalan side.
In his debut season in the Premier League, Man City never played badly. They achieved a 3rd place finish with 78 points (W23 D9 L6) and played some great football at times. Without the right players in key defensive positions however, his side often found themselves vulnerable to counter attacks. That 4-2 defeat to Leicester City in 2016 at the King Power springs to mind, with the famous quote “I’m not a coach for the tackles”.
It was apparent that in their title winning season last year, this changed somewhat. By the end of the 16/17 season they had conceded 39 goals, whilst scoring 80 themselves. Compare that to last season where the Champions hit a record 100 points, conceding just 27 and scoring an incredible 106! It was the best defensive and offensive record in the league, with City keeping 18 clean sheets in that time too.
You could argue that Leicester game back in 2016 was the turning point. Pep has always implemented the “six second rule” of closing down opponents as quickly as they can in order to win back possession. However, by playing such a high defensive line and without adequate defensive cover, City were often left exposed. Particularly from quick strikers like Jamie Vardy.
Guardiola isn’t the first manager to tweak his tactics since arriving in England. Jurgen Klopp has made some amendments to his style which has seen Liverpool push City all the way so far this season.
Our tactical analysis of Pep Guardiola ties in well with our other content. Check out our article below on Liverpool’s new found maturity:
http://footballowl.co.uk/the-maturing-of-liverpool-from-premier-league-entertainers-to-title-contenders/
Thierry Henry was quoted in an interview about Guardiola’s play style and his eagerness to stop counter attacks:
“Something which is very important is that he loves to defend from the front in the opposition half. He is ahead of the game and he loves to try to set his team in a certain way to avoid a counter.
When you are on the ball, he is already thinking, ‘How can we stop them just in case they counter?’ That’s a big thing for him and in order to stay in the opposition’s half you need to do that and make sure the opposition don’t get the ball and make you run back 60 yards.”
It was evident that to execute this style successfully in the Premier League, Guardiola needed to alter something.
The Inverted Fullback
The biggest change to their style of play from his debut season is the unorthodox positioning of his fullbacks. You could argue that it’s the main reason why they suffer a lot less on the counter.
Perhaps in his first season he didn’t have the personnel, which is a fair assessment after he spent a reported £126m on fullbacks alone in the summer of 2017. Out went club legend Pablo Zabaleta, as well as Bacary Sagna, Gael Clichy and Alexander Kolarov. In came Kyle Walker, Benjamin Mendy and Danilo.
An interesting stat is the average age difference of those sold, to those brought in. The departing fullbacks averaged an age of 32 compared to a youthful 25.3 for the newcomers. Perhaps this is down to the task he had in mind for his fullbacks. They needed to be fresher and able to adapt their style. As the saying goes, you can’t teach an old dog new tricks.
What I love most about a tactical analysis of Pep Guardiola, is how bold he can be. It’s hard to say he is a revolutionary, it’s more evolution. Guardiola himself has called himself an “ideas thief”. The influence of former Barcelona coaches Johan Cruyff and Louis Van Gaal are evident, but it’s how he applies them.
For some (myself included), the role of Pep’s fullbacks was a bit alien at first. Out of possession they pretty much operate as a standard fullback. However, it’s in possession, especially as City tend to have lots of it, that they become interesting.
Fullbacks helping to create a 3-3-4 shape:
Walker tucks in to form a 3-man defence. Mendy pushes up and in, forming a 3-man midfield. Sterling & Mahrez provide the width.
The positioning of both Walker and Mendy in the above image is very interesting. Kyle Walker tucks in to create a back three. Mendy pushes further up and central, into the position which Bernardo Silva has vacated. This central cover from the fullbacks means that Bernardo Silva and others, have much more freedom to affect the game in the more dangerous areas of the pitch.
We first started to see this new type of fullback under Guardiola’s tenure at Bayern Munich.
Bayern’s Typical Shape:
Tactical analysis of Pep Guardiola.
His deployment of Phillip Lahm as more of a holding midfielder, as opposed to a standard fullback, raised a few eyebrows at first. However, he managed to prolong the career of the German fullback. Pep taught him things he perhaps thought could not be learnt at his age. Guardiola was clearly delighted with his application and willingness to learn:
“Lahm is a scandal. He is super-intelligent, understands the game brilliantly, knows when to come inside or to stay wide. The guy is f*****g exceptional.”
It’s safe to say that if you’re a fullback at Manchester City, you need to be more than comfortable on the ball. The role of the fullback is more like a No. 6 when in possession. They push up, but sit narrow, as opposed to a typical marauding fullback who stays high and wide on the overlap.
City’s Typical Shape:
This creates almost a 2-3-5 shape in attack. You could split this into two blocks: Five in defence, and five in attack. It’s a contrasting style to Klopp or Emery for example, who like their fullbacks to provide the width. That’s not to say they don’t stray from their positions, however. Pep is the master of positional play and making sure there is always an extra number in possession. Hence why they practice Rondo’s all day long!
As a result of this shape, City not only tend to find themselves having more passing options, but it also provides them with defensive stability. It comes as no surprise that they were defensively solid in their title winning campaign last season. Conceding just 27 in 38 league games, with considerably fewer goals conceded from counter attacks. Man City have been just as solid this season too. Their 10 goals conceded from open play, is the fewest in the league and is 2 fewer than Liverpool.
Positional Play
In ‘Juego de Posicion’ (Positional Play), the rule is to never have more than one player on the same line. So to achieve this, he asks the fullbacks to tuck in and play in a more central midfield position, or the “Half Space”. These are the areas highlighted in light blue in the image below of Guardiola’s football pitch:
Pep’s football pitch:
The ‘Half Space’ highlighted in light blue – where the likes of David Silva and Kevin De Bruyne tend to work their magic.
With the fullbacks tucking in, it allows the wingers to spread high and wide. The two advanced midfielders can also drift into the half space (depending on fullbacks position). Or they can roam into an area of the field where they can create a spare man, or overload. It essentially allows Silva (David or Bernardo, take your pick) and De Bruyne to play higher up the pitch, with more freedom.
They can attack the penalty area at will, because they sufficient cover behind them. Fernandinho, and the two inverted fullbacks help to prevent the counter attack and provide a passing option. This system is clearly working again this year. According to WhoScored.comMan City, along with title contenders Liverpool, are the only Premier League teams not to concede on the counter attack.
The Wide Men
As a result of the fullbacks playing in a more conservative role, the onus is on the wingers to provide the width in this system. When you watch Sterling, Sane or Mahrez for City, they’re almost like a throwback to the old days – chalk on their boots. They hug the touchline, spreading the pitch and making it as big as possible. This creates more space in the central areas of the pitch for the talented Silva(s), De Bruyne and Gundogan to do their thing.
One major difference to Guardiola’s wingers, and Ryan Giggs for example, is their willingness to attack the penalty area once the ball is in the final third. In the build up, the wide men stay wide, holding their positions as City look to create space. However, once the ball hits the final third, they are free to tuck inside and attack the box.
A perfect example of this is when one winger, Sane, has the ball, he will drive at the defenders and whip a low cross into the box. More often than not, his cross will find the other winger, Sterling, in the penalty box for a tap in.
It comes as a little surprise then that crossing is a major avenue to goal for Manchester City. They have attempted an average of 20 crosses per game this season, which is 4th highest in the league.
Wingers Creating Space
This isn’t something new to Pep, however. At Barcelona he drilled it into his wide players that they must always keep their width until the ball hits the final third.
Pedro (right) and David Villa (left) staying very wide, creating space in the middle for creative players: Xavi, Iniesta & Messi
The positioning of the wingers means that more often than not they are in space and have a ‘one v one’ with the opposing fullback. Once in these positions, they can take on their man and attack the penalty area. Manchester City do this well. They have completed 11.2 dribbles per game which is 2nd highest in the league.
The space that the wide men find themselves in, is largely due to the fullbacks tucking in. It creates a dilemma for the oppositions wingers who must either follow the fullback inside, or track the wide man. In either situation, it will result in a free man – see below:
Robben staying wide on the right, becomes the ‘free man’ after Bayern create overloads on the left.
A quick switch of play and the wide man is in acres of space to attack the defending fullback. Philip Lahm has tucked inside and dragged opposing players with him. This has left Robben free to attack his man on the right.
Don’t Call It ‘Tiki-Taka’
It’s impossible to undertake a tactical analysis of Pep Guardiola without considering the sheer amount of possession his teams have. This season Manchester City have an average of 64% possession. That’s the highest in the Premier League and in Europe’s Top 5 Leagues. Their pass completion of 89% is also the highest in Europe, 0.2 more than PSG.
However, Guardiola’s teams do not keep possession without a purpose. It has been well documented in the past that Pep hates “tiki-taka”. This style of football, made popular by the Spanish national sides of Luis Aragones and Vincente Del Bosque, prioritise keeping the ball over anything else.
“I loathe all that passing for the sake of it” – Pep Guardiola
Goals, Goals, Goals
Guardiola has backed up that statement on countless occasions. You only have to look at his teams attacking stats to see that he wasn’t kidding. Pep’s City side have found the net 79 times so far this season, the highest in the Premier League. Only PSG have scored more (86) in Europe, and one could argue that they play in a much less competitive league.
It’s hard to disagree that Guardiola wants to play football the right way. Keeping the ball on the carpet, passing and moving. The way the game was intended to be played. Manchester City have played an average of just 48 long balls per game. That’s the 2nd lowest in the League behind Maurizio Sarri’s Chelsea side. Unsurprisingly then, they have made the most short passes in the division. City average 662 per game, which is 18 more than next best, Chelsea.
If you like this tactical analysis of Pep Guardiola, check out our statistical analysis on Sarri’s Chelsea side below. Another manager who wants his team to dominate with the football.
http://footballowl.co.uk/chelsea-and-sarri-a-statistical-analysis/
A by-product of their possession, Manchester City have spent the most amount of time in the opposition’s third of the pitch. A league high of 35% to be exact. It’s 3% more than possession-hungry Chelsea.
Guardiola’s sides attempt to move the ball around with pace and intent in order to open up the opposition. Pep doesn’t employ a ‘shoot on sight’ policy, however. His players remain patient for an opening. Just 32% of their efforts on goal are from outside the 18 yard box. Only Burnley have attempted fewer. As a result, it’s not surprising to see that City rank 3rd in the league for shots taken inside the box. 58% to be precise. The remaining 10% of their shots are taken inside the 6 yard box. With attackers like Aguero and Sterling, getting them into the penalty area will more often than not, result in goals.
Improving His Players
Pep was labelled “a chequebook manager” by some, and it can’t be ignored that City have spent a huge amount. Although so have Liverpool, Man Utd and Chelsea in that same period. The differing factor is the improvement on an individual level in this Manchester City team. Pep doesn’t just buy talent, he moulds talent.
It’s important when undertaking a tactical analysis of Pep Guardiola, to focus on more than just his play style. His philosophy also extends to off the pitch. Nurturing talent is essential to Guardiola and is perhaps down to his Barcelona DNA.
One of his biggest successes has been the improvement of Raheem Sterling. From an inconsistent winger who’s game lacked final product, to one of the most prolific wide men in Europe.
Sterling currently has 15 goals and 9 assists to his name in the Premier League alone. That’s 24 goal contributions in 27 appearances. Nobody has contributed more. Only his teammate Sergio Aguero, Chelsea’s Eden Hazard and Liverpool’s Mo Salah can equal that.
Raheem Sterling is a player oozing with confidence and class this season. His 2.5 dribbles per game (3rd highest in the league) demonstrates his willingness and belief to take players on. It’s no surprise that he is being tipped as a contender for Player of the Year. With everything that he has unfortunately had to deal with off the pitch too, it’s a testament to the 24 year old’s attitude and maturity.
Pep Guardiola has also had a positive affect on the career of Kyle Walker. He was a speedy, marauding full back at Spurs. Although he perhaps lacked in the defensive department at times. Pep has improved his understanding of the game massively. Walker knows where to position himself on the pitch, when to tuck inside and when to make a more typical overlapping run out wide.
Walker, Delph touch maps:
Both players are happy to tuck inside and play in the left and right half space, respectively.
His knew understanding of the game from a defensive standpoint has benefited the England national tram as well. Gareth Southgate has often deployed Walker as the right sided central defender of a back three. Watching Kyle Walker play now, he looks a totally different player.
Again, like Sterling, maybe he has matured a bit also. He’s not overly concerned about getting forward anymore. Walker understands what his role in the team is, and executes it brilliantly. There’s no doubting his ability going forward, but he has now shown he has the discipline and quality to play in a deeper role.
Pep Guardiola has turned this Manchester City team into true entertainers, scoring goals for fun. It can be said though, that it’s his innovative deployment of the fullbacks that make all this fluid, attacking football possible. They also provide the team with adequate cover for opposition counter attacks due to their ‘sitting’ midfield position as opposed to playing like more traditional fullbacks who can sometimes get caught upfield – a flaw in Arsenal’s system for example.
Their role in the build up play is also crucial, providing an additional passing option in the midfield for City to easily recycle possession. The positioning of the fullbacks also mean that more creative freedom is given to the likes of David Silva and Kevin De Bruyne, who can now play their game in more dangerous areas of the pitch.
More Than Just A Coach
As well as his tactical innovations, Guardiola has got the best out of his squad and given players such as Raheem Sterling the belief that he can become one of the best forwards in world football.
A simple tactical analysis of Pep Guardiola does not do the man justice. There’s so much that can be said about the man; his personality, his own sensational playing career, and his genuine love for the game. Whether we are fans of the Premier League, La Liga or Bundesliga, we are all so lucky to have witnessed a true genius at work.
Més que un entrenador.
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Alien skull simulacrum
Paul Jackson found this enigmatic object in his garden a few days ago while clearing some gravel. What could it be? Is it just an oddly-shaped pebble, or is it a prehistoric stone-age carving in the realistic likeness of an ancient alien? It’s an oddly-shaped pebble, of course.
The iconic image of the “gray alien”—big eyes, big forehead, small mouth, small nose, no ears, no hair—has become a deeply ingrained part of modern culture. But it’s a relatively recent phenomenon, and it’s interesting to spot them turning up in anachronistic settings, such as the Alien simulacrum in the coat of arms of Florence, and this Alien-looking demon from a 1941 pulp magazine.
A few days ago I was looking at issue #1 of Dell’s Flying Saucer Comics, published in April 1967. This was well before the image of the gray alien was imprinted on the public consciousness in the 1980s and 90s. But many of the aliens featured in the comic have gray-like characteristics -- much more so than most popular-culture aliens of the period. In particular, there’s a six-page story called “Far-Out Physical” which features aliens that not only look a bit like grays, but indulge in gray-like activities such as abducting earthlings and subjecting them to medical examinations... as can be seen in the sequence below. I don’t think the alien dialog has been censored (although “bloody” was still quite risqué in the sixties)... I think the empty speech bubbles are meant to signify that their language is unintelligible to humans!
Labels: Aliens, Ancient astronauts, comics, Simulacra
alanborky said...
Given how the comic strip aliens' heads and speech bubbles're practically interchangeable maybe they're 'saying' (a la Marshall Mcluhan) "We are our message - our message is us."
I can give an exclusive translation what the alien on the far right of the last panel is saying in response to gazing at the x-ray of the human.
"Ooh doesn't his skull look like that stone with the twenty pence Paul Jackson's go'n'o find in his garden 50 years from now!"
Most of these kinds of memes and themes seem to be evocative and manipulative in form and purpose. How can we be sure this isn't more of the same government and military-industrial-complex propagandization?
http://thevicarslamp.blogspot.com/2012/05/how-superman-will-destroy-democracy.html
r emmet lee
thomas dashwood said...
I have one the same.
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Rep. Sarah Copeland-Hanzas, Orange 2
District: Bradford, Fairlee, West Fairlee (Map)
Bradford, VT 05033
scopelandhanzas@leg.state.vt.us
Website: www.sarahforhouse.com
editor@ourherald.com
Mandatory Paid Family Leave/Payroll Tax (H.107). Passed 92-52 on April 5, 2019. This would put in place a government-mandated Paid Family Leave program paid for with a new payroll tax on income up to $132,900. The program would allow an employee to take up to 12 weeks of paid leave for the birth of a child, or 8 weeks for family or personal medical care. Employees would receive 90% of their weekly wages up to the “liveable wage” (currently calculated at $13.34/hr). Wages above that level would covered at 50% of the weekly wage. Wages above $132,900 would not be covered. A maximum cap on the benefit would be set at $1,334 per week. The payroll tax would be initially set at 0.55%, and the estimated total cost would $76 million annually to start. COPELAND-HANZAS – YES
Double the Tax on Home Heating Fuels (H.439, Ways & Means Committee Amendment). Passed 81-60 on March 26, 2019. This would double the tax on the retail sale of heating oil, propane, kerosene, and other dyed diesel fuel delivered to a residence or business from $0.02 to $0.04 per gallon, and to impose a gross receipts tax of 1% on the retail sale of natural gas and 1.5% on the retail sale of coal. The estimated $4.6 million tax will be used to increase funding for the state’s low-income weatherization program. COPELAND-HANZAS – YES
Increase State Minimum Wage Annually by 2.25x Inflation (S.23). Passed 90-53 on May 15, 2019. This would increase the state mandated minimum wage each year by 2.25x the rate of inflation. If inflation remains steady at 2%, the next hike would raise the minimum wage from $10.78 to $11.26 in 2020. Again, assuming steady inflation, the state minimum wage would reach $15/hour in 2027. COPELAND-HANZAS – YES
Increase Capital Gains Tax/Reduces Estate Tax (H.541). In order to address the issue of wealthy taxpayers fleeing Vermont, this bill would increase the estate tax exclusion (raising the point where the tax kicks in) from $2.75 million to $4.25 million in January 2020, and to $5 million in January 2021, resulting in a substantial estate tax cut. However, in order to backfill the lost revenue anticipated from the estate tax cut, the bill would also decrease the exemption for capital gains from 40% to 30% and cap the exemption at $450,000. The former change positively impacts mostly wealthy citizens passing on assets to younger generations, the latter change negatively impacts mostly middle/working Vermonters who rely on a one-time, large dollar sale of a home or business to fund their retirement. COPELAND-HANZAS – YES
Require 24 Hour Waiting Period for Handgun Purchase (S.169) Passed 82-58 on May 15, 2019. The principal purpose of this bill is to require a 24 hour waiting period after completion of a background check to purchase a handgun. It also includes provisions allowing residents of other states to transport high-capacity magazines into Vermont for the purpose of participating in shooting competitions, and to allow the transfer of legally grandfathered high-capacity magazines from one “immediate relative” to another. COPELAND-HANZAS – YES
Allow All School Districts to Delay Forced Mergers by One Year (H.39, Scheuermann Amendment). Failed 69-74 on February 6, 2019. February 6, 2019. This would provide all school districts facing forced mergers ordered by the State Board of Education the opportunity to extend the July 1, 2019 merger deadline currently in law to July 1, 2020. COPELAND-HANZAS – NO
Mandate that Vermonters Purchase Health Insurance (H.524). Passed 92-44 on March 29, 2019. This would mandate that all Vermonters purchase health insurance, restoring at a state level the Obamacare federal mandate repealed by the Trump Administration. However, this state “mandate” comes with no penalty. Instead, the bill would create a database of state income tax filers who do not have health insurance, and commission bureaucrats to encourage these Vermonters to purchase insurance. COPELAND-HANZAS – YES
Ban Plastic Bags, Styrofoam Food Containers, Straws, Etc. (S.113). Passed 120-24 on May 9, 2019. This would make it illegal for businesses to provide “single use” plastic bags to customers at the point of sale, or to provide polystyrene food or beverage containers, or to provide plastic straws except upon request, and to require businesses to charge at least 10¢ per paper bag (if not given away for free). It would create a “Single-Use Products Working Group” to study the effectiveness of these policies and make recommendations for future regulation. COPELAND-HANZAS – YES
Raise Tobacco Use/Purchase Age from 18 to 21 (S.86). Passed 124-14 on April 23, 2019. This would raise the legal age to purchase and use tobacco and tobacco related products from 18 to 21 years of age. COPELAND-HANZAS – YES
Allow Non-Citizen Voting in Montpelier (H.207). Passed 95-46 on April 18, 2019. This would change the charter of the City of Montpelier to allow non-citizens who are legally in the United States and full time residents of the city to vote in city elections, setting a precedent for other towns/cities around the state. COPELAND-HANZAS – YES
Abolish Columbus Day/Create Indigenous Peoples’ Day (S.68). Passed 113-24 on April 16, 2019. This would abolish Columbus Day as a state holiday and replace it with “Indigenous People’s Day.” COPELAND-HANZAS – YES
Propose Constitutional Amendment Guaranteeing Abortion from Conception to Birth (Proposition 5). Passed 106-38 on May 7, 2019. This would amend the Vermont Constitution to say that “an individual’s right to personal reproductive autonomy is central to the liberty and dignity to determine one’s own life course and shall not be denied or infringed unless justified by a compelling state interest achieved by the least restrictive means.” It would bar any legal restrictions on abortion from conception to the moment of birth. COPELAND-HANZAS – YES
$5.9 Billion FY19 Budget (H.924). Passed 117-14 on May 12, 2018. The “Big Bill” budget for FY19 totaled $5,861,048,670, an increase of a little over 1% from the FY18 budget. General Fund spending shows a decline of 17.2%, from $1.6 billion to just under $1.3 billion, but this is only because the legislature eliminated the General Fund transfer to the education fund, replacing that money from other sources. The “apples to apples” growth in spending is 2.5%. COPELAND-HANZAS – YES
House Passes $59 million Income Tax Increase/Property Tax Cut (H.911) Passed 85-54 on March 21, 2018. This was a two-part bill. The first part shifts some responsibility for funding Vermont’s pre-k-12 education system from the property tax to the income tax. The second part negates an unintended $30 million tax increase resulting from changes in the federal tax code. Part 1 includes a $59 million income tax increase, called a “surcharge,” eliminates the current General Fund transfer to the Education Fund, and dedicates 100% of the sales and use tax to the Education Fund. This allows for a cut in homestead property tax rates of 15 cents/$100 of assessed value. Part 2 lowers each of Vermont’s marginal tax rates for personal income taxes by at least 0.2%, expands the earned-income tax credit, and eliminates the tax on Social Security benefits for Vermonters with less than $55,000 in income. Those voting YES are in favor of reducing the reliance on the property tax for the purpose of funding pre-k-12 education spending, and shifting that burden to the income tax, which they believe better reflects ability to pay. Those voting NO note that H.911 does not address education spending, it merely shifts the costs without reducing or curbing the total tax burden. The income tax surcharge will give Vermont the third highest marginal income tax rate in the nation. The income tax is historically a volatile revenues source, and ill-suited for education funding. The shift to income taxes is unfair to renters who end up paying higher income taxes but get no property tax relief. This new funding scheme is unfair to 30,000 non-residents who chose to work in Vermont and will now be paying this new education tax with not compensating property tax decrease. H.911 leaves all the complexity of the current system in place (CLA, per pupil spending, income sensitivity etc.), and adds even more complexity by introducing new income tax surcharge. And, finally, object to the tactic of tying two unrelated ideas together in one bill, holding tax relief hostage to a shift to the income tax to pay for education. COPELAND-HANZAS – YES
$16 Million Payroll Tax for Paid Family Leave (H.196) Passed 90-53 on May 11, 2018. H.196 would levy a 0.136% ($16.3 million) payroll tax on employees to pay for a state-mandated, government-run family leave insurance program. However, if the demand for the benefit exceeds the amount raised at this rate, the legislature will have to adjust the rate upward to raise enough revenue to cover the cost. Those voting YES supported the program, believing it will make Vermont more “family friendly” and appealing to young workers. Those voting NO see this as another burdensome “mandate from Montpelier” on businesses, that the tax rate has been set artificially low and will have to be raised, and that this bill levies a $16.3 million tax on all working Vermonters, even though only a fraction of them will have occasion or the ability to benefit from the program. COPELAND-HANZAS – YES
$15 Minimum Wage (S.40). Passed 77-60 on May 8, 2018. S.40 would raise Vermont’s minimum wage from the current $10.50/hr. to $15/hr. by the year 2024.Those voting YES believe this will benefit low income workers and help to close the “income inequality” gap. Those voting NO believe that such a large and rapid increase in the cost of labor will harm Vermont businesses, the overall economy, as well as the workers the bill was meant to help due to cutbacks in hours, lost benefits, and/or lost jobs as employers struggle to maintain budgets. Additionally, a majority of Vermonters living in low income households, especially poor senior citizens, do not report wage income. While their incomes would be unaffected by the minimum wage increase, their cost of living would rise due to higher prices for goods and services due to the artificial wage increase being passed along to consumers. COPELAND-HANZAS – YES
$6.4 Million Tax Package to Fund Lake Clean Up (S.260). Passed 92-48 on May 4, 2018. S.260 would raise $6.4 million in new revenue, primarily from a $4.55 million increase in the state rooms and meals tax (from 9% to 9.25%). The rest, $1.94 million, would come via the confiscation of revenue from unclaimed bottle/can deposits, which is currently the property of the beverage distributors and used by them to defray the costs of managing recycling programs. These taxes would not take effect until 2020, and only then if the legislature does not find another source of funding. Those voting YES believe higher taxes are necessary to fund water quality improvements. Those voting NO believe that water quality improvements should be funded with existing resources, not tax increases, that they should especially not be funded in a way that discourages tourism, such as increasing the rooms and meals tax, or in a way that punishes industries (tourism and beverage distribution) that do not contribute measurably to water pollution problem and, in the case of the unclaimed deposit money, actually help maintain a clean environment through recycling programs. COPELAND-HANZAS – YES
Mandate That Vermonters Buy Health Insurance (H.696). Passed 118-16 on May 12, 2018. The primary objective of H.696 is to require individual Vermonters to purchase and maintain “minimum essential [health insurance] coverage” for themselves and any dependent or pay a penalty to the state beginning in the 2020 plan year. However, legislators do not know how this would work or how it would be enforced, so the bill also creates the “Individual Mandate Working Group” to figure it out. Those voting YES support forcing Vermonters to purchase health insurance as doing so will help keep overall insurance premiums lower. Those voting NO do not support a state mandate to purchase health insurance, assert that forcing citizens to purchase a product from a private company is government overreach, and note that the mandate will make Vermont less affordable for young people, who we are supposedly trying to attract. COPELAND-HANZAS – YES
Gun Control Measures (S.55). Passed 89-54 on March 27, 2018. S.55 raises the age for long gun purchases to 21, mandates background checks for nearly all private firearm sales, bans magazines holding more than fifteen rounds, and bans bump stocks. Those voting YES believe these measures will result in safer communities by reducing gun violence. Those voting NO believe that these measures will have no measurable impact on safety or violence, create excessive burdens on law abiding gun owners, are largely unenforceable, and violate Vermont’s constitutional guarantee of the “right to bear arms for the defence of themselves….” COPELAND-HANZAS – ABSENT
Legalization of Recreational Marijuana (H.511). Passed 81-63 on January 4, 2018. H.511 legalizes possession of up to an ounce of marijuana for use by people 21 and older and allows possession of four immature and two mature marijuana plants. Those voting YES support the legalization of marijuana for recreational use. Those voting NO do not support the legalization of marijuana for recreational use. COPELAND-HANZAS – YES
Increase Fee on Telecommunication Bills (H.582). Passed 109-27 on February 16, 2018. S.582 increases the surcharge that appears on Vermonters’ telecommunications bills from 2 to 2.5 percent, which amounts an estimated $6.3 million fee increase. The raise would sunset in four years (2022). The money collected from this increase will be transferred to the Connectivity Fund, which distributes grants to internet service providers that expand networks in underserved areas. Those voting YES believe these additional funds are necessary to connect all Vermonters to the internet. Those voting NO believe that Vermonters cannot afford any more taxes/fees, note that the Connectivity Fund has a history of being raided for other purposes, and that there is no clear plan for how the money would be spent to achieve the stated objective. COPELAND-HANZAS – YES
Give Taxpayer Funded Legal Counsel to Those Challenging Immigration Status (S.237). Passed on April 10, 2018, by a vote of 97-40. S.237 allows state-paid public defenders, including the Defender General, to provide legal help to immigrants on immigration issues in the federal court system. Those voting YES believe that immigrants and farm workers residing in Vermont should have access to taxpayer funded representation in federal court “in or with respect to a matter arising out of or relating to immigration status.” Those voting NO believe that giving Vermont’s Defender General more responsibilities without increased funding would put a strain on that government office. There is already a backlog of cases, and the Defender General would have to reallocate resources away from other vital government functions in order to provide this service. The federal court system already offers court-appointed legal counsel, and there is no reason for the state to duplicate this service. COPELAND-HANZAS – YES
Ban More Appliances Via Efficiency Standards (H.410). Passed 137-4 on January 31, 2018. H.410 applies efficiency standards established in 2014 to over a dozen new products, including showerheads, computers and telephones. Those voting YES believe that some consumer goods are too energy-intensive, and that Vermonters should not be allowed to purchase them. Those voting NO believe that Vermonters should be allowed to decide for themselves the costs and benefits of the appliances they purchase. COPELAND-HANZAS – ABSENT
$5.82 Billion FY18 Budget (H.518). Passed 143-1 on March 30, 2017. H.518 set the total FY18 budget at a $5.82 billion, an overall 1% increase over FY17. State (non-Federal) spending would total $2.5 billion, an increase of about $20 million over FY17. The General Fund would grow by 1.8%. Those voting YES celebrated a budget that did not rely on new taxes or fee increases and grows in line with inflation.The one NO vote explained his vote, ““Even though we haven’t increased [the budget], I think the budget needs to go on a diet.” COPELAND-HANZAS – YES
Miscellaneous Tax Bill with No New Taxes or Fees (H.516). Passed 138-0 on March 30, 2017. The Miscellaneous Tax Bill for FY18 did not include any new taxes or fees. It does rely on approximately $5 million in new revenue from enhanced compliance with existing taxes. The bill passed unanimously. COPELAND-HANZAS – YES
Create Statewide Teachers’ Healthcare Contract/$26 Million in Property Tax Savings (H.509, Beck Amendment). Failed 74-74 on May 3, 2017. The Beck Amendment represented Governor Scott’s proposal to create a statewide teachers’ contract for healthcare benefits, which could save property taxpayers an estimated $26,000,000. Those voting YES supported the proposal. Those voting NO opposed it. Speaker Johnson cast the deciding vote, killing the proposal. COPELAND-HANZAS – NO
Mandate Employees Buy Family Leave Insurance Via New Payroll Tax (H.196). Passed 88-58 on March 3, 2017. H.196 levies a new payroll tax on Vermont employees to create a new “family leave” program that would be administered similarly to unemployment insurance. The language in the bill sets the payroll tax at 0.141% of one’s first $150,000 of income, but acknowledges that if revenue necessary to fund demand the program is not met by that rate, the rate will rise to meet demand. Those voting YES support the program. Those voting NO see it as another tax and administrative burden on Vermont businesses. COPELAND-HANZAS – YES
Allow Warrantless Confiscation of Firearms In Cases of Alleged Domestic Abuse (H.422). Passed 78-60 on March 22, 2017. H.422 would allow law enforcement to confiscate firearms from a citizen arrested or cited for domestic assault, without a warrant and regardless of whether or not a firearm played a part in the allegation, for a period of up to five days. Those voting YES on this bill believe the measure is necessary to combat domestic abuse. Those voting NO see this as a violation of Article 16 of the Vermont Constitution (the right to defend one’s self), and the Second Amendment (the right to keep and bear arms), Fourth Amendment (unreasonable search and seizure), Fifth Amendment (due process), and Fourteenth Amendment (equal protection under the law) of the U.S. Constitution. COPELAND-HANZAS – YES
Restrict Private Property/Development Rights (H.233). Passed 85-58 on May 4, 2017. The “Forest Fragmentation” bill makes it much more difficult for property owners to develop subdivide their land by creating a number of regulatory criteria that must be met in regard to preserving “forest blocks,” defined in part as “a contiguous area of forest in any stage of succession and not currently developed for non-forest use.” Those voting YES want to impose additional Act 250 regulation on rural forest land. Those voting NO believe rural forestland additional regulation of forestland is unwarranted, will discourage long term investment in forestland and in forestry, and is a violation of personal property rights. COPELAND-HANZAS – YES
Mandate “Gender Neutral” Bathrooms (H.333). Passed 123-19 on April 21, 2017. H.333 would make it illegal for a restaurant, gas station, grocery store, etc. to offer customers the service of private men’s and women’s bathrooms, mandating that all single-occupancy bathrooms be open to all genders. Those voting YES believe this is necessary to make transgender citizens feel comfortable. Those voting NO believe this is a gross example of government overreach, and an unnecessary regulation interfering with Vermont businesses. COPELAND-HANZAS – YES
Legalize Growing/Possessing Marijuana, Sets Stage for Retail Sales/Taxation (S.22). Passed 79-66 on May 10, 2017. S.22 was originally a fentanyl regulation bill repurposed to be a vehicle for passage of marijuana legalization. It would remove all criminal penalties for adults 21 or older who possess up to an ounce of marijuana, and allow growing up to two mature and two immature marijuana plants per household, and would go into effect in 2018. The bill also sets up a commission that will create a framework for taxing and regulating retail sales of marijuana. Those voting YES support legalization of marijuana; those voting NO oppose it. COPELAND-HANZAS – YES
Bar State Law Enforcement from Gathering Information for a Federal Immigration Registry (S.79). Passed 110-24 on March 14, 2017. This bill was designed to “send a message” regarding President Trump’s policies on immigration, but without doing anything that might classify Vermont as “sanctuary state.” The registry the bill bars Vermont from providing information to does not actually exist. Those voting YES oppose the president’s immigration policies. Those voting NO see the bill as a solution to a problem that doesn’t exist, but potentially puts federal funding for Vermont programs at risk. COPELAND-HANZAS – ABSENT
Pledge Support/Funds for Global/State Climate Change Agenda (H.R.15). Passed 105-31, June 21, 2017. Those voting YES on H.R.15 resolved that Vermont will continue to bear the costs and sacrifices of the global Paris Climate Agreement despite the U.S. withdrawal from the pact, and to affirm support for an aggressive statewide CO2 reduction program. Those voting NO recognized that this resolution, would require significantly higher taxes, economically crippling regulations, and that legislators were voting on this after no debate and no analysis of the potential economic impact. COPELAND-HANZAS – YES
$5.77 Billion FY17 Budget (H.875). Passed 94-40 on March 24, 2016. Those voting YES on this bill approved a total $5.77 billion state budget for FY17. This represents a total increase of 2.7 percent over FY16 (not accounting for adjustments that will occur in the next legislative session.) The $1.47 billion general fund portion of the budget, however, increases by 4.8 percent, while revenue is projected to grow at just 2.2%. This budget also leaves an estimated $30 million hole for the FY18 budget. Those voting NO argued that continuing the trend of spending taxpayer dollars faster than revenue comes into the treasury is unsustainable and irresponsible. COPELAND-HANZAS – YES
Adjust 2016 Budget Upward by $91.8 Million (H.611). Passed 90-54 on January 26, 2016. Those voting YES voted in favor of increasing spending for FY16 by a total of $91.8 million (raising the previously accepted state budget to $5.6 billion, a 2.5% increase over FY15), $12.3 million of which is represents increases in General Fund spending (raising total General Fund Spending to $1.48 billion, a 5% increase over FY15). Those voting NO opposed these spending increases on the grounds that the state cannot continue to spend money faster than revenue is coming in, and that continuing to do so is causing a structural deficit. COPELAND-HANZAS – YES
$37 Million in New Miscellaneous Taxes (H.873) Passed 86-59 on March 23, 2016. Those voting YES approved $37 million worth of new taxes. These include stringent enforcement of the 9% rooms and meals tax on private, short term rentals such as those contracted through AirBnB, raising the assessment on employers who do not offer health insurance to their employees to $151.12 per employee for businesses with 19 or fewer employees, $210.00 for businesses with 20-99 employees, and $249.00 for businesses with over 100 or more employees. The bill also puts a 3.3 percent assessment on ambulance agencies’ annual net patient revenues for services. And increases by 0.25% the fuel gross receipts on heating oil, propane, kerosene, dyed diesel, natural gas and coal to 0.75%. And, a $2.4 million a year increase in the bank franchise tax. Those voting NO opposed these tax increases. COPELAND-HANZAS – YES
$11 Million Motor Vehicle Fee Increases (H.877). Passed 104-40 on March 30, 2016. Those voting YES on this bill supported $11 million in new or higher motor vehicle related fees. Increased costs include: higher motor vehicle registration fees, higher transfer of ownership fees, higher fees for driver’s licenses, learner’s permits and non-driver ID cards, higher fees for vehicle inspections, an increase the annual motor vehicle emission (“clean air”) fee, and a higher cost for choosing a “vanity” license plate. There is also a new $80 fee for reinstating a suspended registration. Those voting NO opposed these fee increases. COPELAND-HANZAS – YES
$7.9 Million Property Tax Increase (H.853). Passed 98-45 on March 30, 2016. The primary function of this bill is to set the property tax rates for FY17, as well as to take care of some miscellaneous educational items. Those voting YES supported what amounts to a 0.2¢ increase for residential property tax payers, and in total, a $7.9 million proper tax increase ($4 million coming from residential and $3.9 million from non-residential taxpayers). Those voting NO opposed the tax increase, noting that if the spending thresholds in Act 46 had been left in place Vermont homeowners would have experienced a cut in property taxes. COPELAND-HANZAS – YES
Raise Education (Act 46) Spending Caps (S.233, House Education Committee Amendment). Passed 94-52 on January 27, 2016. Act 46, the education governance reform law passed in 2015, was billed as a response to Vermonters’ calls for property tax relief. Those voting YES on this amendment supported raising the 2 percent allowable growth percentage in Act 46 by 0.9 percent, reducing the penalty for exceeding the threshold from $1 for every dollar exceeding to 25¢ per dollar exceeding. Those voting NO either objected to the resulting property tax increase, or supported the objective of the underlying bill (S.233) to repeal the spending caps all together. COPELAND-HANZAS – YES
$24 Million in Fee Hikes (H.872). Passed 98-46 on March 23, 2016. Those voting YES supported increasing the net fees paid in Vermont by $24 million – the highest increase on record. The 2015 fee increases, in comparison, amounted to $2.7 million. Those voting NO opposed not just the fee increases but the precedents set by raising fees to fund general revenue projects. The legal definition of a fee is that it is used to pay the costs of regulating or servicing the entity paying the fee, and no more. COPELAND-HANZAS – YES
Mandate Paid Sick Leave (H.187). Passed 81-64 on February 3, 2016. Those voting YES supported a de facto tax on mostly small/micro businesses of $14.3 million dollars annually when fully implemented.” The bill would allow an employee to accrue “not less than one hour of earned sick time for every 52 hours worked,” with a maximum number of hours accrued set at 24 hours in a 12-month period from January 1, 2017 until December 31, 2018 and then a maximum of 40 hours in a 12-month period after December 31, 2018. Those voting NO opposed adding another burden to struggling Vermont businesses. COPELAND-HANZAS – YES
92% Tax on E-Cigarettes (H.879). Passed 83-54 on March 30, 2016. Those voting YES supported putting a 92% on e-cigarettes and related products for a total tax increase of an estimated $500,000. Those voting NO opposed raising the tax, noting that e-cigarettes are not tobacco, but rather a tobacco substitute that many people use as a way to quit smoking. COPELAND-HANZAS – YES
Strike $1.6 Million Telephone Tax Increase (H.870, Turner Amendment). Failed 48-97 on April 13, 2016. The Turner Amendment sought to strike a $1.6 million tax increase from the telecom bill. Those voting NO wanted to keep the tax increase in place, citing the need to pay for expanding broadband service. Those voting YES wanted to eliminate the tax increase, stating that the money could have and should have been found in the already passed general fund budget, and that Vermonters cannot afford any more taxes. COPELAND-HANZAS – NO
Raise Smoking Age/$900,000 Tobacco Tax Increase (H.93). Passed 84-61on April 5, 2016. Those voting YES supported raising the smoking age from 18 to 21 over a three year period ending in 2019, and raising the tax on cigarettes by 39¢ (to a total of $3.47) and on other tobacco products by 32¢ — an estimated $900,000 tax increase. Those voting NO opposed the higher age limit and tax increase. COPELAND-HANZAS – YES
Block Legalization of Marijuana (H.858, Conquest Amendment). Passed 121-28), 2016, May 3, 2016. This amendment killed legislation that would have legalized, regulated and taxed marijuana in Vermont. Those voting YES on this amendment DID NOT support the legalization of marijuana. Those voting NO on this amendment DID support the legalization of marijuana. COPELAND-HANZAS – YES
$16 Million Property Tax Increase, Mandates for School District Consolidation. (H.361). Passed 88-55, April 1, 2015. Those voting YES on this bill approved a $16 million increase in school property taxes, setting the statewide homestead property tax rate at $0.98 (flat), and raising the nonresidential property tax rate to $1.525. The bill also placed mandates on school districts to consolidate into Pre-K- 12 districts of no fewer than 1100 students and put in place a complicated formula for capping school budgets, which could not be triggered until 2018. Those voting NO on H.361 saw this as a failure to answer the pleas of citizens for meaningful tax relief, while launching a serious assault on local control and the democratic process. COPELAND-HANZAS – YES
$1.48 Billion General Fund Budget (4.8% Spending Increase) for FY16 (H.490). Passed 96-46, March 26, 2015. Those voting YES on H.490 approved a $1.48 billion general fund budget. This is a $68 million spending increase (4.8%) over the FY15 budget (adopted in 2014) and grows spending at 3 times the average rate of inflation (1.6% in 2014). Those voting NO did so on the grounds that increasing spending by 4.8% while revenue is only projected to grow at 2.4% is unsustainable and irresponsible. They also objected to using $24 million in one-time funds to achieve “balance,” and that this budget sets up a projected budget gap of $50-$70 million for FY17/FY18. COPELAND-HANZAS – YES
$12 Million In New Taxes on Candy, Sweetened Beverages, Vending Machines & Tobacco(S.139, COMMITTEE OF WAYS & MEANS AMENDMENT). Passed 78-62, April 30, 2015. Those voting YES on this amendment supported extending Vermont’s 6% sales tax to candy (not containing flour) and sweetened beverages (not milk based), applying Vermont’s 9% rooms and meals tax to vending machine purchases, and increasing the tax on cigarettes by 33¢ over two years. The total tax increase on Vermonters amounts to roughly $12 million. Those voting NO opposed these tax increases. COPELAND-HANZAS – YES
$33.2 Million in Income Tax Increases (H.489). Passed 76-67, March 27, 2015. Analysis: Those voting YES on this bill approved a tax increase on Vermonters of $33.2 million, raised primarily from capping itemized deductions on the state income tax at $15,000 for individuals and $31,000 for couples, and disallowing deductions for state and local income taxes from the previous year. Some of those voting NO argued that Vermont has “a spending problem, not a revenue problem,” and that taxes are already too high in Vermont. Others voting NO believed H.489 did not raise enough revenue. (See H.489, O’Sullivan Amendment Roll Call to cross-reference.) COPELAND-HANZAS – YES
Additional $12 Million Income Taxes (H.489). Failed 43-98, March 26, 2015. Those voting YES on this amendment supported: “Beginning in tax year 2015 and after, the rates assigned to the individual income tax brackets under 32 V.S.A. § 5822(a), from lowest to highest, shall be 3.55 percent, 6.8percent, 7.8 percent,9.5percent,and 9.55percent,” in the belief that the underlying bill did not raise enough revenue ($33.2 million) on its own. Those voting NO opposed this. COPELAND-HANZAS – NO
Lake Clean Up With Existing Funds (No New Taxes) (H.35, DICKINSON AMENDMENT). Failed 40-100, April 1, 2015. The underlying bill, H.35, raised $8 million in new taxes for cleaning up Lake Champlain and Vermont’s other waterways. The Dickinson Amendment eliminated the need for new taxes by reallocating roughly $9 million of existing revenue for the same purpose. Those voting YES on the Dickinson Amendment believed that no new taxes were needed to fund the Lake Clean Up policies outlined in H.35, and that the financial obligations could be met by reallocating existing revenues from the property transfer tax. Those voting NO on the Dickinson Amendment supporting raising new taxes ($5.7 million from a 0.2 percent surcharge to the property transfer tax) and various fees ($2.3 million). COPELAND-HANZAS – NO
$2.8 Million in Fee Increases. (H.184). Passed 88-57, February 12, 2015. Those voting YES on H.188 voted to increase in aggregate the fees Vermonters must pay to engage in a variety of activities — from hunting and fishing, to construction, to operating a business —by $2.8 million. Those voting NO on the bill alleged that the fee increases were too high, and not necessarily tied to the actual cost of running the program for which the fee is ostensibly set. Instead, the fees are being improperly increased for the purpose of raising general revenue. COPELAND-HANZAS – YES
3% Cap on Fee Increases. (H.184, DAME AMENDMENT). Failed 50-96, February 13, 2015). Those who voted YES on the Dame amendment would have raised fee revenue in the aggregate by over $500k, but limited the increase of any fee to 3%. This would have been more in line with inflation/economic growth than the 50%-135% increases attached to some fees in the underlying bill, which raised fees in the aggregate by $2.8 million. COPELAND-HANZAS – NO
46% Excise Tax on E-Cigarettes (S.139, JEWETT AMENDMENT) Passed 70-67, May 1, 2015. Those voting YES supported levying a 46% tax on the wholesale price of e-cigarettes. The tax is estimated to raise $240,000. Those voting NO opposed these tax increase. COPELAND-HANZAS – YES
Mandates 75% of Electric Sales Be From “Renewables” by 2032. (H.40). (Passed 121-24, March 10, 2015. H.40 had many facets to it. It repealed the SPEED program and replaced it with a new RESET program, enabling Vermont utilities’ to continue to sell some Renewable Energy Credits. It also mandated that utilities have 75% of their electricity portfolio come from renewable sources by 2032. This, of course, is a mandate on customers to buy the more expensive renewables, and a requirement that more renewable electricity projects be built (25 megawatts per year). This many wind towers and solar facilities will have a negative impact on Vermont’s scenic landscape. COPELAND-HANZAS – YES
Mandates on Businesses to Pay $14 Million for Paid Sick Leave (H.187). Passed 76-66, April 22, 2015. Those voting YES approved an unfunded mandate, estimated to be a much as $14 million annually, requiring employers to provide at least three days of paid sick leave to employees. Those voting NO opposed this mandate, citing the fact that most Vermont businesses already provide such benefits voluntarily, and those that don’t can least afford to do so. This unfunded mandate represents another burden on Vermont employers, making Vermont a less competitive place to run a business. COPELAND-HANZAS – YES
Ban on Teachers Strikes (H.76, LALONDE AMENDMENT) Failed 70-73, April 8, 2015). The LaLonde amendment would have banned both teachers’ ability to strike and school boards’ ability to impose contract terms. It would also have set up a task force to study less disruptive means of resolving contract disputes. Those voting YES favored banning teachers’ strikes and imposed contracts. Those voting NO supported teachers’ strikes. COPELAND-HANZAS – NO
Prevent Green Mountain Care Board from Controlling Medicare Funding (S.139). Failed 54-85, April 30, 2015. In the 2014 election, the strategic plan enacted in Act 48 of 2011 became a major issue. This amendment would have removed all references to Medicare from Act 48, thus making it clear that the state’s promised single payer health care plan could not incorporate Medicare payments for Vermont seniors. Those voting YES wanted to keep the state’s hands off the Medicare payment stream. Those voting NO reaffirmed their support for having the Green Mountain Care Board gain control over Medicare payments under a single payer or “all payer” plan. COPELAND-HANZAS – NO
Same Day Voter Registration (S.29) Passed 87-54, May 11, 2015. Those voting YES on S.29 would allow an individual to register to vote and to vote on election day. Those voting NO believed this to be an invitation to voter fraud as there is not adequate opportunity for either the Town Clerk or other election monitors to verify that the persons registering to vote on election day are who they say they are, or are legal residents of where they claim to live. This also creates a logistical challenge for Town Clerks, who will have to both run the elections in their districts and, with this law, register new voters simultaneously. COPELAND-HANZAS – YES
New Gun Control Regulations on Felons, Mentally Ill (S. 141) Passed 80-62, April 17, 2015. Those voting YES would make it a state crime for many convicted felons to possess firearms (already a crime under federal law). The bill also required the state report to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System any time someone has been found by a court to be mentally ill and a danger to himself or others. Those voting NO believed this is a “solution in search of a problem.” COPELAND-HANZAS – YES
5.5% STATE SPENDING INCREASE FOR 2015 (H. 885). Passed 91-46, March 27, 2014. Those voting YES on H.885 supported general fund spending for FY2015 of $1.438 billion. This represents a 5.5% increase ($88 million) over the original FY2014 budget of $1.362 billion as passed in 2013, and a 3.8% increase over the FY2014 budget as adjusted (upward) in 2014.The 5.5% spending increase is five times the current rate of inflation (1.1%), and nearly double Vermonters’ average rate of personal income growth (2.88% for 2013). COPELAND-HANZAS – ABSENT$12.6 MILLION INCREASE TO 2014 SPENDING (H.655). Passed 110-33, January 24, 2014. The “Budget Adjustment Act,” is designed to “tweak” spending levels passed into law by the legislature in the previous year before in response to changes in fiscal conditions. Those voting YES on this 2014 Budget Adjustment, H.655, voted for a net increase of $12.63 million in new spending to the FY2014 General Fund budget bringing total FY2014 General Fund spending up to $1.37 billion. COPELAND-HANZAS – YES$56.2 MILLION PROPERTY TAX INCREASE (H. 889). Passed 89-51, April 4, 2014. Those voting YES on H.889 voted in favor of a $56.2 million property tax increase. Residential property tax rates rise 4¢ (4%) from 94¢ to 98¢ per $100 of assessed value. Nonresidential tax rates rise 7.5¢ (5%) from $1.44 to $1.515 per $100 of value. COPELAND-HANZAS – YES$1.2 MILLION MISCELLANEOUS TAX INCREASE (H. 884). Passed 103-42, March 27, 2014. The Miscellaneous Tax bill is an annual adjustment of tax provisions needed to match revenues with spending. Those voting YES on H.884 voted in favor of increasing the tax on tobacco snuff from $2.24 to $2.62, which is projected to raise $700,000, and to implement a 92% wholesale tax on electronic cigarettes, which was projected to raise $500,000. COPELAND-HANZAS – YESOVER $800,000 INCREASE IN MISCELANEOUS FEES (H.735). Passed 87-48, May 9, 2014. The “Fee Bill” sets the fees for business and professional licensing and a number of state services. This year’s bill was made controversial by a provision requiring $200 fee for storage of firearms confiscated by law enforcement following domestic disturbances. Those voting YES on H.735 supported over $800,000 in fee increases. COPELAND-HANZAS – YESINCREASE MINIMUM WAGE 16% TO $10.10 PER HOUR (H. 552) Passed 87-57, April 8, 2014. Those voting YES supported raising the minimum wage from $8.73 to $10.10 effective January 2015. This is a 16% increase and was estimated to cost Vermont businesses $30 million. State economist Tom Kavet testified that a rise in the minimum wage to $10 would result in the loss of 250 jobs or the equivalent in hours. Vermont already has the third highest minimum wage in the United States. COPELAND-HANZAS – YESMANDATORY SCHOOL DISTRICT CONSOLIDATION (H.883). Passed 76-60, April 30, 2014. Those voting YES on the bill supported the mandate, “This bill proposes to require…[that] as of July 1, 2020, supervisory unions shall cease to exist and current school districts shall be realigned into expanded prekindergarten–grade 12 school districts (Expanded Districts) that are responsible for the education of all resident students in prekindergarten–grade 12.” This would eliminate local school boards and erode local control over education. This bill would not reduce the cost of education, and would probably, in the short term, increase costs in order to pay for the transition. COPELAND-HANZAS – YESALLOW CHILDCARE BUSINESSES TO UNIONIZE/COLLECTIVLEY BARGAIN FOR SUBSIDIES (S. 316) Passed 78-59, May 6, 2014. This bill would allow early childcare businesses to form a union to collectively bargain for taxpayer-funded subsidies. The legislature is essentially giving a union taxpayer money to lobby the legislature about something for which the legislature is already aware it is responsible, and forces hundreds of small business people in Vermont to pay “agency fees” (85% of union dues) to a union that they do not want to join. COPELAND-HANZAS – YESEXEMPT NON-UNIONIZED CHILDCARE WORKERS FROM PAYING “AGENCY FEES” TO A UNION (BOUCHARD AMENDMENT to S.316). Failed 53-86 on May 6, 2014. The underlying bill (S.316) allows early childcare businesses to form a union to collectively bargain with the state for subsidies. The Bouchard amendment would have exempted those early childcare providers who choose not to join a union from having to pay “agency fees” (85% of union dues) to that union. COPELAND-HANZAS – NOMAKE SINGLE-PAYER FINANCING PLAN(S) OPEN TO THE PUBLIC (Browning Amendment to H. 884) Failed 39-102, March 28, 2014. The Browning Amendment to H.884 would have bound committees in the House (Ways & Means) and Senate (Finance) to formally request that the Shumlin Administration submit on or before April 30, 2014 one or more financing proposals for Green Mountain Care (single payer healthcare). If the proposal(s) are not complete by that date, “all drafts, reports and other documents related to financing Green Mountain Care” would be turned over. In the event the Administration did not comply, the committees would be bound to subpoena the Administration for the information. COPELAND-HANZAS – NOREPEAL AND REPLACE EDUCATION FINANCING SYSTEM (ACT 60/68)(Scheuermann Amendment to H. 889) Failed 49-83, April 3, 2014. The “Repeal & Replace amendment” proposed to repeal Vermont’s current education funding laws (Act 60/68) effective July 1, 2016 with a replacement to take effect for the 2016-2017 Academic Year. The Scheuermann Amendment comes in the wake of 37 Vermont towns voting down their school budgets. 43 towns lowered school spending, but, under the current financing system, still saw property taxes increase. Those voting NO voted to leave the status quo in place. Those voting YES voted for reform. COPELAND-HANZAS – ABSENTIMPOSE STRICTER CENTRAL PLANNING FOR LAND DEVELOPMENT (H. 823). Passed 92-44, March 13, 2014. This bill was designed to funnel development into “approved, designated centers” (urban) and discourage development in other areas (rural) by making allowances for, and in some cases subsidies to, the former, and creating legal barriers to the latter. H.823 places strict regulations on the “conditions and criteria” for obtaining development permits. In the words of House Energy & Natural Resources Committee, Rep. Tony Klein, this bill turns Act 250 into a “living document.” COPELAND-HANZAS – YESREQUIRE “MAY CONTAIN GMO” LABEL ON SOME FOOD PRODUCTS (H. 112). Passed 114-30, April 23, 2014. The GMO labeling bill is popular with Vermonters because people quite logically want to know what is in the food they eat. Therefore, superficially this bill makes sense. However, there are two major concerns with H.112 in practice. 1) It opens Vermont taxpayers up to an estimated $1.5 to $8 million in legal liabilities if the law is challenged in court and the state loses – certain and likely scenarios respectively. 2) Given the number of exemptions to the labeling codified within the bill, it really doesn’t achieve the ostensible goal of enlightening consumers as to whether or not they are eating GMOs. COPELAND-HANZAS – YES
4.7% STATE SPENDING INCREASE (H.530). Passed 91-49, March 29, 2013. Those members voting YES on the “Omnibus Appropriations Bill” voted to increase state spending by 4.7%. This is nearly 2 and a half times the rate of inflation. COPELAND-HANZAS – YES
$50 MILLION PROPERTY TAX INCREASE (H.265). Passed 96-45, Feb. 19, 2013. Those who voted YES on this bill voted to increase the residential property tax rate by $.05 per $100.00 of assessed value, and $.06 on non-residential property to $.94 and $1.44 respectively. The total tax increase on Vermont property taxpayers as a result of this bill is estimated at over $50 million. COPELAND-HANZAS – YES
$21.8 MILLION GAS TAX INCREASE (H.510). Passed 105-37, March 20, 2013. Legislators who voted YES on this bill supported a $21.8 million tax increase on gasoline – a roughly 7.5 cent per gallon increase by 2014. This represents the largest gas tax increase in Vermont history. COPELAND-HANZAS – YES
$27 MILLION MISCELLANEOUS TAX INCREASE (H.528). Passed 85-55, March 27, 2013. Those members voting YES voted to expand the Vermont state sales tax (6%) to bottled water, clothing (including shoes) over $110, candy, soft drinks, and dietary supplements, and to increase the tax on cigarettes and smokeless tobacco by $0.50 (total: $3.12) and $0.88 (total: $3.12) respectively. They voted to increase the Rooms & Meals tax from 9% to 9.5% for 2014, and they voted to apply the Meals tax to food sold out of vending machines. They voted to cap all itemized tax deductions at 2.5 times standard deduction, eliminated Vermont’s 8.8% tax bracket, moving those earning $178,651 and more into the top 8.95% tax bracket, formerly reserved for those earning $388,351 and above. The total estimated cost to Vermont taxpayers: $27 million in 2014 and $32.3 million in 2015. COPELAND-HANZAS – ABSENT
STOP ‘RAIDS’ ON THE TRANSPORTATION FUND (Koch Amendment to H.510). Failed 49-88, March 21, 2013. Those voting YES on voted to assure that no transportation funds will be appropriated for the support of government other than for true transportation purposes. This would have reduced or negated the need for a gas tax increase. COPELAND-HANZAS – NO
STATE OVERRIDES LOCAL CONTROL, MANDATES PRE-K (H.270). Passed 95-43, May 1, 2013. Those voting YES on H.270 voted to saddle Vermonters with an estimated $10 million cost/tax increase over the next five years, and to take away local control regarding the decision of whether or not to offer publicly funded pre-kindergarten. When the legislature established publicly funded pre-k in 2007, it did so with the assurance to communities that funding pre-k would remain voluntary. This bill reneges on that deal. COPELAND-HANZAS – YES
FORCE NON-UNION WORKER TO PAY FEES TO UNIONS (S.14). Passed 85-43, April 26, 2013. Those voting YES on S.14 voted in favor of forcing non-union workers to pay a fee equal to 85% of the dues unionized workers pay to the union, effectively using government power to require citizens to make payments to a private organization that they want nothing to do with. S.14 affects roughly 2,600 education, state and municipal employees, mostly low-wage support staff who can least afford the payment. COPELAND-HANZAS – YES
LIMIT CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS (S.82). Passed 96-49, May 8, 2013. Those voting YES on S.82 voted in favor of capping donations to independent political committees that do not coordinate with candidates or parties, despite Supreme Court precedents that are pretty clear that this constitutes a violation of the First Amendment. If the bill is challenged in court, which it likely will be, the state would most likely lose, leaving taxpayers on the hook for an estimated $5 million. COPELAND-HANZAS – YES
SET FIVE YEAR TIME LIMIT FOR WELFARE BENEFITS (Donahue Amendment to H.530) Failed 51-88, March 28, 2013. Those voting YES on this amendment voted to limit Reach Up benefits to 60 cumulative months of financial assistance, excluding child-only grants, per family. This amendment is similar to a proposal from Governor Shumlin, about which he cautioned, “Vermont was the only state left in America where welfare benefits were timeless, not temporary.” COPELAND-HANZAS – ABSENT
REGULATE WATERFRONT PROPERTY RIGHTS (H.526) Passed 105-42, March 27, 2013. This bill gives the Secretary of Natural resources unprecedented power to regulate the private property of waterfront owners. S.526 dictates that property owners will require a permit from the Secretary to create or expand anything with more than 500 square feet of “impervious surface” (defined as: “those manmade surfaces, including paved and unpaved roads, parking areas, roofs, driveways, and walkways, from which precipitation runs off rather than infiltrates.”), or create more than 500 square feet of “cleared area” (defined as: “an area where existing vegetative cover, soil, or duff is permanently removed or altered.”) in a “protected shoreland area” (defined as: “all land located within 250 feet of the mean water level of a lake that is greater than 10 acres in surface area.”) COPELAND-HANZAS – YES
EXEMPT “CLOUD” SERVICES FROM SALES TAX (Scheuermann Amendment to H.528) Failed 53-90, March 28, 2013. This amendment would exempt internet-based “Cloud” services from Vermont’s sales tax. Defined as “charges made for the right to remotely access and use prewritten computer software, where possession of the software is maintained by the seller or a third party”, this tax would presume to charge consumers for remotely accessed services, even if they are free. Examples of “cloud” computing include Skype, Google Voice, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, as well as “cloud” storage services (Google Drive) and software production (Google Apps). COPELAND-HANZAS – NO
ALLOW PRIVATE DOCTOR/PATIENT CONTRACTS (Browning Amendment to H.107) Failed 44-94, March 19, 2013. Those voting YES on this amendment voted to ensure that Vermont residents would maintain the ability to enter into voluntary financial contracts with their health care providers, and prohibit the Green Mountain Care Board from placing restrictions on health care professionals’ practice locations. COPELAND-HANZAS – NO
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Austrian man accused of shouting “Sieg Heil” and performing Nazi salute at Rabbi
Daniel Leons-Marder
A 49-year-old Austrian man has been arrested for allegedly shouting “Sieg Heil” and performing a Nazi salute, both of which he directed at a Rabbi.
The man is also accused of shouting “Mein Volk, Mein Reich, mein Fuhrer”, a motto of the Nazi regime.
The Rabbi was visiting the town of Ebensee for Holocaust Memorial Day. Ebensee has a memorial for the victims of the camp to which his family members were deported.
Austria has strict laws on expressing support for Nazism. However, concerns of antisemitism and far-right extremism have been growing with the ascendancy of the far-right Freedom Party into government, albeit as a junior partner in coalition.
SOURCEThe Local
Daniel Leons-Marder is the editor of Everyday Antisemitism. He first became involved with Campaign Against Antisemitism when he became aware of Holocaust denial books being sold by Amazon. He graduated in Summer 2016 with First Class Honours and as Dux Litterarum in Comparative Literature and Philosophy from Royal Holloway. He is currently at law school. He was previously a recording and touring musician.
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Summer Sign Up Day is February 27
by News Release • February 25, 2017
Monday, February 27, 2017 is Summer Sign Up Day in the District when registration opens for Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) summer camps and District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) summer school. Registration for the Mayor Marion S.…
DPR Announces the 2017 Presidents’ Day Holiday Schedule
All DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) administrative offices, recreation/community centers and aquatic facilities will be closed on Monday, February 20, 2017 in observance of the Presidents’ Day holiday. – All synthetic fields, playgrounds, tennis courts and basketball courts…
DPR to Host Cheer & Dance Showcase at Raymond Recreation Center
by News Release • February 2, 2017
The DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) invites the community to Raymond Recreation Center (3725 10th Street, NW) for the Cheer and Dance Showcase on Saturday, February 4th, from 10 am to 12 pm. The showcase will highlight participants’ dexterity development, flexibility, coordination and…
DPR Announces the 2016 Winter Holiday Schedule
by News Release • December 21, 2016
Today, the DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) announced that all recreation/community centers, administrative offices and indoor aquatic facilities will operate on the following schedule: All DPR facilities will be closed on: Sunday, December 25 (Christmas Day); Monday, December 26…
DPR Hosts the 31st Annual Black History Invitational Swim Meet
The DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) is excited to announce it will host the 31st Annual Black History Invitational Swim Meet on February 17 – 19, 2017, at the Takoma Aquatic Center (300 Van Buren St., NW). The…
DPR Announces the 2016 Winter Wondercamp Schedule
by News Release • December 7, 2016
The DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) will offer DPR Winter Wondercamp in conjunction with the DC Public Schools (DCPS) winter holiday break. Registration will open at 12 noon on Friday, December 2, 2016 and will remain open until 4 pm on…
Registration for DPR’s Winter Programs Begins November 17
by News Release • November 15, 2016
The DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) announced today that registration for the 2016-2017 Winter programs offered at DPR will begin at 6:30 am on Thursday, November 17, 2016. DPR has numerous options to play, learn, or experience leisure…
Washington, DC Ranks 6th Among 50 Top Swim Cities in the US
by News Release • October 14, 2016
Washington, DC has been named sixth among the 50 Top Swim Cities in the United States according to a research study commissioned by USA Swimming and leading swimwear company Speedo USA. To earn the “Top Swim City” designation, cities must…
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Board index Transcendence Ideas & Suggestions
Starting ship balance
Post ideas & suggestions you have pertaining to the game here.
I've added some balance equations to TransData to calculate the value/balance of starting ships. The results are here:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/ ... sp=sharing
1. This excludes starting devices/armor. I.e., we just care about the value of the hull properties (max devices, etc.).
2. hullPoints is the total value of the hull, higher is better. This is calibrated so 10 points = 1 unrestricted device slot.
3. hullPoints is the sum of all the other columns.
4. The Eternity Port stats are based on changes in 1.8 Beta 4. See: https://ministry.kronosaur.com/record.hexm?id=83042
I'd love your thoughts: is the algorithm over/under-valuing some properties? How does this correspond to your subjective feelings about each class?
While I do like having algorithmic support for balancing ships, I think we need to resolve the disconnect between the two measures used for the mass of armor. It's two sets of very reasonable scales that don't actually match each other, and that causes some significant issues. I've run into this a lot on Elemental Shift, since I'm trying to do as much 'vanilla-like' content as possible, including a large range of playerships....and armor mass is a critical balancing property for playerships. The algorithm I assume is using the standard for playerships, but that doesn't entirely work when the ingame armor masses are reduced:
Standard armor mass for the armor items is usually about 3 tonnes, sometimes 3.5. "Heavy" armor is only about 4 tonnes, maybe 5. Super-heavy is usually 8 or 9 tonnes (if you use the "take the heavy armor and double it" standard). "Massive" armor is generally more than that, up to the 40+ tonne armor used by CSCs. There are very few armors above 10 tonnes (even modding in extra super-heavy armors, as I have...10t is about as high as you ever get). But we have light gunships with armor limits at 12 tonnes, and freighters with limits at 20 tonnes. It's arguable that setting maximum armor that high helps control the speed alterations when using the actual heavy armors....but that can be done just as effectively with lower values for both armor limits and speed reduction. Or more granular speed reduction settings, but that's the complicated solution.
I think that there's a need to alter one or both scales (either drop the max armor values on ships across the board, or increase the range of mass of armor segments, particularly at the moderate to high end). We need to get them matching, or the high armor limits don't really have an impact except to make heavy armors not give speed penalties.
(Edit: I wrote this when I'd just woken up, so it's probably not as clear as I'd like it to be, even after a lot of edits. I'll check in when I've woken up properly and edit again if necessary)
In general, I'm not sure you're taking into account that most stats have decreasing marginal utility. For instance, the 3rd and 4th unrestricted slots on a gunship are much more valuable than the 6th and 7th non-weapon slots on the EI500, though the marginal benefit of weapon slots probably decreases faster than non-weapon slots.
For these specific ships and the existing universe, I'd say you're significantly overvaluing max armor mass and undervaluing max speed. If armor hp were directly proportional to mass and enemies had a wide range of speeds, that might not be the case. But a huge fraction of enemies have 20 speed, so going from 19 to 20 or 20 to 21 is a tremendous benefit. And most armors can be used by any ship and don't confer a speed penalty or bonus to most ships, and the ones that do are not that much better or worse than the others.
Song wrote: ↑
While I do like having algorithmic support for balancing ships, I think we need to resolve the disconnect between the two measures used for the mass of armor. It's two sets of very reasonable scales that don't actually match each other, and that causes some significant issues...
This is a good point. Maybe what we need to do is keep the armor item scale and have ship classes specify the bonus/penalty at various scale points.
E.g., we would define a Sapphire as:
ultra-light: +2 speed
light: +1 speed
medium: +0 speed
heavy: -2 speed
super-heavy: N/A
This makes things a little more transparent. [Of course, we may need to adjust the armor scale to be a little more granular.]
NMS wrote: ↑
Good point. I hesitate to design the balance algorithm based on the current distribution of items/ships, but the concept of decreasing marginal utility makes sense.
p.s.: You're not wrong about the speed distribution. I used TransData to generate a distribution of ship speeds (based on the number of ships actually encountered, not just ship classes). Ships with 22 speed are actually very common (at least 15 classes). We could flatten this distribution a bit, but that's a different topic.
Ship Speed Distribution.jpg (52.79 KiB) Viewed 1204 times
I think more speeds and turn rates is a good thing to do. I'll....admit that I don't really shift from those much (though I have changed a few values, notably for the Scorpions). Ship balance will always have some qualitative elements of course, as well as technically quantitative measures that aren't really possible to measure. Some vessels have unique gimmicks and penalties that may not be possible to track in an algorithm (though they could be documented in a set of guidelines. For example: not being able to use shields is common enough that it could have a manual modifier stated).
For example: I decided to add two ship into the game as semi-jokes. One has stayed mostly a joke, the other ended up as arguably the most powerful vessel in Elemental Shift....but I still wouldn't recommend playing it if you weren't after a challenge:
The first is the Mouse-class shuttle. It's tiny, it's terrible, and it's hilarious. While it has terrible armor (it starts with XMH of all things), the combination of a very, very small ship with reasonable speed and mediocre but adequate agility is a challenging but interesting experience. Until you find an omni weapon, at which point it becomes remarkably strong (because you're small enough to dodge and can shoot back while doing so). In this case it's quantitatively bad in most respects apart from size and possibly speed...but qualitatively, it's quite fun in the hands of a skilled player. I wouldn't even know how to start measuring that. That's fine though: the whole point of the Mouse is to have an interesting early-game experience, then ditch it at a shipyard (once you fix the "you can't buy a vanilla ship if you're flying a modded ship" bug, that is) and buy something practical.
The second is the EI100/M, which is an extremely blatant gimmick ship. It shares most of the attributes and elements of the stock EI100. That is to say, the hull is complete garbage and it's so slow I keep trying to turn on autopilot only to notice that I was already using it and just hadn't noticed. It is a truly terrible ship, starting out. But the inclusion of a powerful gimmick (the EI100/M gains an extra weapon slot and +Omni to missile lunchers) means that, with decent RNG, it becomes an unstoppable killing machine in certain circumstances. The gimmick is in my view severely overpowered in the early game and only really becomes more of a problem in the endgame when missile prices skyrocket......but the slow speed counters the early-game imbalance (possibly excessively so) because the access to decent drives is usually impossible before St. Katherine's Star (where the most powerful early-game launcher, the Burak, starts to be less effective). Thus I have two extremely unbalanced things that in some ways swap in terms of which thing is a bonus and which is a problem. In the end I removed variant-specific buffs to the 100/M, leaving the hull almost exactly like the base EI100 because the massive advantages and disadvantages conflicted in an interesting way to make a challenging but interesting vessel.
I think ultimately though, these don't prevent algorithmic balancing, but sit on top of it: get a balanced hull (through whatever mechanism ultimately ends up working), then apply gimmicks and qualitatives on top of that.
Well, there are fewer 20s and more 19s, 21s, and 22s than I expected. But there's still a big cluster in the 18-22 range which contains most of the enemies that are both tough and potentially able to chase the player down. Most of the 25s, 30s, and 35s are Corsairs, Wind Slavers, and Hornets, respectively. But some capital ships, including the Phobos, are at 16, and armor may adjust your speed up or down a point or two, so I guess there isn't really a single key speed you need. But it does look like there would be decreasing marginal utility above 23 or so, in terms of chasing or escaping from enemies. That's on top of travel time being proportional to the reciprocal of speed.
Return to “Ideas & Suggestions”
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Weyerhaeuser reports first quarter results electricity 1800s
#Adjusted EBITDA
Excluding net after-tax special charges of $6 million, the company reported net earnings of $275 million, or 36 cents per diluted share for the first quarter. This compares with net earnings before special items of $167 million for the same period last year and $234 million for the fourth quarter of 2017. Adjusted EBITDA for the first quarter was $544 million compared with $454 million for the first quarter of last year and $551 million for the fourth quarter of 2017.
"I am extremely pleased with our first quarter performance, as we fully capitalized on strong lumber, OSB and Western log markets to drive outstanding results, including the highest first quarter Wood Products EBITDA on record. This includes exceptional work by our teams to mitigate the effect of ongoing freight service disruptions," said Doyle R. Simons, president and chief executive officer. "Looking forward, we are relentlessly focused on capturing the full benefit of improving housing starts and favorable market dynamics to drive value for shareholders."
(1) Fourth quarter 2017 after-tax special items include a $99 million gain on the sale of certain Southern timberlands, charges of $52 million for tax adjustments including enactment of tax legislation, charges of $31 million for product remediation, a benefit of $26 million for environmental remediation insurance recoveries, $12 million for Plum Creek merger-related costs, and a $7 million net benefit from an adjustment to accrued countervailing and antidumping duties on softwood lumber. First quarter 2018 after-tax special items include charges of $21 million for environmental remediation and a $15 million benefit from product remediation insurance proceeds. First quarter 2017 special items include after-tax charges of $10 million for Plum Creek merger-related costs.
(2) Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP measure that management uses to evaluate the performance of the company. Adjusted EBITDA, as we define it, is operating income, adjusted for depreciation, depletion, amortization, basis of real estate sold, unallocated pension service costs and special items. Adjusted EBITDA excludes results from joint ventures. Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered in isolation from and is not intended to represent an alternative to our GAAP results. A reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to GAAP earnings is included within this release.
1Q 2018 Performance – Non-cash charges for elimination of intercompany profit in inventory and LIFO increased compared with the fourth quarter due to higher values and volume for softwood lumber and Western log inventories. Non-cash non-operating pension and post-retirement expense also increased.
Weyerhaeuser Company, one of the world’s largest private owners of timberlands, began operations in 1900. We own or control 12.4 million acres of timberlands in the U.S., and manage additional timberlands under long-term licenses in Canada. We manage these timberlands on a sustainable basis in compliance with internationally recognized forestry standards. We are also one of the largest manufacturers of wood products. Our company is a real estate investment trust. In February 2016, we merged with Plum Creek Timber Company, Inc. In 2017, we generated $7.2 billion in net sales and employed approximately 9,300 people who serve customers worldwide. We are listed on the North American and World Dow Jones Sustainability Indices. Our common stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol WY. Learn more at www.weyerhaeuser.com.
To join the conference call from within North America, dial 855-223-0757 (access code: 1693068) at least 15 minutes prior to the call. Those calling from outside North America should dial 574-990-1206 (access code: 1693068). Replays will be available for two weeks at 855-859-2056 (access code: 1693068) from within North America and at 404-537-3406 (access code: 1693068) from outside North America.
This news release contains statements concerning the company’s future results and performance that are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, including without limitation with respect to the following for the second quarter of 2018: earnings and Adjusted EBITDA for each of our business segments; log sale realizations, fee harvest volumes and logging, road and forestry costs in our timber business; and sales volumes and realizations and operating rates for our Wood Products business. These statements generally are identified by words such as "believe," "project," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "intend," "strategy," "future," "opportunity," "plan," "may," "should," "will," "would," and expressions such as "will be," "will continue," "will likely result," and similar words and expressions. These statements are based on our current expectations and assumptions and are not guarantees of future performance. The realization of our expectations and the accuracy of our assumptions are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to:
• market demand for our products, including market demand for our timberland properties with higher and better uses, which is related to, among other factors, the strength of the various U.S. business segments and U.S. and international economic conditions;
• the successful and timely execution and integration of our strategic acquisitions, including our ability to realize expected benefits and synergies, and the successful and timely execution of our strategic divestitures, each of which is subject to a number of risks and conditions beyond our control including, but not limited to, timing and required regulatory approvals;
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How the Fed Is increasing economic inequality
Rand Paul Is Right: The Fed Is Increasing Inequality With Its Low Rates - Forbes - Jeffrey Dorfman:
October 29, 2015 - "Last night’s Republican debate was supposed to be about economic policy, but instead it was, once again, more about moderators asking gotcha questions.... There was, however, a great moment of economic clarity, thanks to Rand Paul, on the surprisingly overlooked role the Fed has played in increasing economic inequality.
"Virtually all economists agree that the Fed’s low interest rates have been responsible for inflating stock market values. By reducing the returns to savings accounts, certificates of deposit and bonds, the Fed has intentionally driven ordinary investors to increase their investment allocation to the stock market, thereby boosting stock returns. Because people with more wealth tend to own more stock, those higher stock prices have led the rich to gain much more than the poor and middle class.
"Low interest rates have meant low borrowing costs for large corporations with direct access to capital markets. This low-cost borrowing has boosted corporate profits which also flow mostly to the wealthy.
"Poorer individuals, with smaller savings and few other assets, tend to be heavier users of credit cards for borrowing.... Unfortunately, while the Fed has pushed down interest rates for big corporations, average credit card interest rates have only dropped about 1.5 percentage points (from about 14.5 to 13%).... Wealthier individuals, with more savings and other assets, rarely need to carry a credit card balance, but they do borrow (tax-deductible) funds in the form of mortgage debt, often in large amounts. Thanks partly to the Fed’s many moves to lower interest rates, mortgage rates have fallen about 2.5 percentage points (roughly from 6.5 to 4% for 30 year fixed rate mortgages).... For example, somebody with a $400,000 mortgage could save ... $600 to $800 per month, way more than the $20 per month the poor are saving on credit card debt.
"Finally, the low interest rates set by the Fed combined with the additional labor costs thanks to the Obama Administration (Obamacare and its associated taxes) are changing the relative prices of labor and capital.... This also increases economic inequality because the poor and middle class earn most (or all) of their money from labor income, while the rich collect a significant share of their income in various forms of returns to capital.... Purposely tilting the economy in favor of capital and against labor is pretty close to taking from the poor and giving to the rich, the exact reverse of normal government attempts to redistribute income.
"[While] the left is consumed with economic inequality, nary a voice on the left is complaining about the Fed’s role in making it worse. Rand Paul is correct that the Fed is causing a widening of economic inequality....If you want less economic inequality, we should begin by stopping policies that make it worse."
Read more: http://www.forbes.com/sites/jeffreydorfman/2015/10/29/rand-paul-is-right-the-fed-is-increasing-inequality/
Labels: equality, Federal Reserve, monetary policy, Rand Paul
Rand Paul & Ted Cruz slam Federal Reserve
In GOP Debate, Ted Cruz and Rand Paul Tear at Fundamentals of the Fed - Michael S. Derby, Wall Street Journal:
October 29, 2015 - "Two Republican presidential candidates blasted the Federal Reserve on a fundamental level in a debate Wednesday night, airing their criticisms of the central bank before a prime-time television audience.
"Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas and Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky criticized the Fed’s impact on the economy and called for new operating regimes that would limit the central bank’s influence....
"Mr. Cruz lambasted what he saw as a 'star chamber' of central bankers implementing radical policies with little democratic accountability. He was particularly concerned with the now-ended campaigns of long-term bond purchases the Fed employed to provide stimulus.
"Mr. Cruz also said the Fed has an inflation problem on its hands. 'If you look at a single mom buying groceries, she sees hamburger prices have gone up nearly 40%. She sees her cost of electricity going up. She sees her health insurance going up. And loose money is one of the major problems,' he said. 'I think the Fed should get out of the business of trying to juice our economy and simply be focused on sound money and monetary stability, ideally tied to gold,' Mr. Cruz said.
"Mr. Cruz is correct that, since 2008, the Fed has had an aggressive monetary-policy stance, with short-term rates at near-zero levels, amid several rounds of large-scale bond purchases, as well as other tools to provide stimulus....
"Mr. Paul said in the debate that 'the Fed has been a great problem in our society' and that its policies have helped fuel economic inequality. He also made a plug for legislation that would audit the monetary-policy-making functions of the Fed, something central bankers and many economists believe would politicize rate policy and make it less effective.
"Mr. Paul also wants to fundamentally end how the central bank influences the economy. 'What you need to do is free up interest rates. Interest rates are the price of money, and we shouldn’t have price controls on the price of money,' the legislator said in the debate."
Read more: http://www.wsj.com/articles/in-gop-debate-ted-cruz-and-rand-paul-tear-at-fundamentals-of-the-fed-1446144549
Labels: debates, Federal Reserve, Rand Paul, Republican Party (U.S.), Ted Cruz
World Internet freedom down for 5th straight year
Freedom House: World Internet Freedom Keeps Eroding - Alberto Pimienta, Voice of America:
October 28, 2015 - "Internet censorship around the globe continues to intensify. According to a report by the independent monitoring group Freedom House, for the fifth consecutive year, more nations are censoring information online and demanding that companies and individuals remove content or face retribution.
"The annually released Freedom of the Net Report assessed 65 countries and identified China as the worst offender.... Gady Epstein, former Beijing bureau chief for The Economist magazine, said China has become more aggressive with censorship in the last couple of years under President Xi Jinping. 'They’ve blocked Google; they’ve blocked Gmail and other Google services. They arrested more online activists, people who comment independently on a range of issues, including corruption,' said Epstein....
"In Russia and Iran, people who post content deemed offensive by the government can quickly and easily land in prison. 'Those countries tend to block materials of political and social relevance. They tend to arrest users for writing about human rights and opposition,' said Sanja Kelly, director of the report.
"Syria is the second-worst performer in the study. Bloggers, journalists and activists face execution by armed groups in the country, according to Freedom House.
In Iran, rated the third-worst nation, Tehran’s conservative powerbrokers, including Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, keep extremely tight control over the Internet, despite better bandwidth and the increase of 3G cellular connections.
"Social media, like Facebook and Twitter, increasingly play a big role in the way people get access to information in countries with restricted Web freedom.... The combination of social media services and content that authorities dislike, though, can be life-shattering. That is the case for Atena Farghadani, 28, an Iranian cartoonist. She was sentenced to 12 years in jail for posting one of her caricatures on Facebook, which portrayed Iranian lawmakers as animals.
"Freedom House said that during the research for the report, which focuses on events from June 2014 through May 2015, it stumbled upon a new development: Governments increasingly attack the source now.... 'The governments are actually going to the company and saying, "This type of information exists on your servers. Take it down. If you don’t take it down, we’re going to either block your services or we’re going to take away your license so you will not be able to operate in our country any longer",' said Kelly."
Read more: http://www.voanews.com/content/freedom-house-world-internet-freedom-keeps-eroding/3027570.html
Labels: China, Freedom House, internet, Iran, Russia, social media, Syria
Ohio Rights Group now backs Issue 3
Pro-medical marijuana Ohio Rights Group endorses Issue 3 | cleveland.com - Jackie Borchard, Northeast Ohio Media Group:
October 13, 2015 - "The state's largest pro-medical marijuana group has endorsed Issue 3, the proposed constitutional amendment that would legalize medical and recreational marijuana sales and use in Ohio.... Issue 3, on the ballot this fall, would legalize recreational and medical marijuana, but commercial marijuana could only be grown on 10 sites belonging to investors bankrolling the initiative.
"The organization was an outspoken opponent of Issue 3 and ResponsibleOhio, the political action committee bankrolling the initiative. Ohio Rights Group even filed an elections commission complaint claiming ResponsibleOhio leaders 'infiltrated' their campaign and undermined Ohio Rights Group's petitioning efforts....
"ORG Vice President John Pardee said the group would likely never receive the funding to pay for signature collectors and qualify for the ballot. Pardee said other legalization proposals planned for 2016, including one by Ohioans to End Prohibition, also lack the support needed to qualify for the ballot.
"Pardee said ORG would be doing patients a disservice to campaign against Issue 3 without a viable alternative and called Ohioans to End Prohibition's campaign ...an absolute farce'....
"Sri Kavuru, president of Ohioans to End Prohibition, said ... 'He knows nothing of what is going on in our organization and we have plenty of time to make it to the ballot'....
"Pardee said no money or financial benefits were promised in exchange for ORG's support, but the group did seek concessions from ResponsibleOhio.
"Pardee said ORG has agreements with four of the 10 growing sites to lease space for 'artisanal' marijuana growers and a plan to appoint an ombudsman to lobby on behalf of patients while the industry is established.... Neither aspect is in the proposed amendment, but Pardee was confident in agreements made with ResponsibleOhio....
"Ohio Rights Group joins national NORML and the American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio as the major proponents of Issue 3."
Read more: http://www.cleveland.com/open/index.ssf/2015/10/pro-medical_marijuana_ohio_rig.html
Labels: American Civil Liberties Union, cannabis, Marijuana, Norml, Ohio
Iraq war contributed to rise of ISIS, Blair admits
Blair: Iraq war contributed to rise of ISIS but was justified | News , Middle East | THE DAILY STAR - Associated Press:
October 26, 2015 - "Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair has acknowledged that the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq in 2003 was partly responsible for the emergence of ISIS militant group in the Middle East. But he insists that toppling Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein had been the right thing to do.
"Blair told CNN 'there are elements of truth' in the assertion that the war in Iraq caused the rise of ISIS, which now controls a large swath of Iraq and Syria.
"'Of course, you can’t say those of us who removed Saddam in 2003 bear no responsibility for the situation in 2015,' he said in an interview broadcast Sunday.
"Blair added that the Arab Spring revolutions, which began in 2011, had also played a part by allowing the Islamist fundamentalist militant group to flourish in civil war-torn Syria and then Iraq. And he said the 'sectarian policy' of Iraq’s Shiite-led government was also a factor in destabilizing the country.
"Blair’s decision to take Britain into the Iraq war – based on what turned out to be false claims about Saddam Hussein’s weapons of mass destruction – remains hugely divisive at home and contributed to his Labour Party’s loss of power in 2010....
"'I apologize for the fact that the intelligence we received was wrong,' he said. 'I also apologize for some of the mistakes in planning and, certainly, our mistake in our understanding of what would happen once you removed the regime.'
"Some 179 British personnel died in Iraq between 2003 and 2009. A public inquiry into decisions and mistakes in Britain’s planning and execution of the war began in 2009 but has yet to issue its findings."
Read more: http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2015/Oct-26/320228-blair-iraq-war-contributed-to-rise-of-isis-but-was-justified.ashx
Labels: Britain, foreign policy, Iraq, Middle East, war
U.S. gun homicides halved as ownership doubled
Pew: Firearm-Related Homicides Down Nearly 50% from 20 Years Ago - A.W.R. Hawkins, Breitbart News:
October 24, 2015 - "On October 21, Pew Research Center released findings that show the annual rate of firearm-related homicides in America declined by nearly 50 percent between 1993 and 2013.
"That’s the same time period in which The Washington Post (WaPo) reported that firearm ownership doubled in the United States.
The WaPo did not put a figure on the number of privately owned guns in America. Rather, they estimated that that average gun owner went from owning 4.1 guns in 1994 to owning 8.1 in 2013. Breitbart News used Congressional Research Numbers to show that this means the 192 million guns owned privately in 1994 grew to 310 million or more in 2009 and to an estimated 350 million in 2013.
"And PEW Research shows that this surge in privately owned guns did not correlate with an increase in firearm-related homicides but with a plunge in the annual firearm-related homicide rate, which fell from 7 per 1oo,ooo Americans in 1993 to 3.6 per 100,000 in 2013.
"Compl[e]menting this 20-year doubling of the number of guns owned by Americans is the fact that concealed carry permit holders nearly tripled between 2007 and now. According to the Crime Prevention Research Center, the '4.6 million' concealed permit holders of 2007 grew to over '12.8 million' permit holders in 2015. That means the last five years of the surge in gun ownership also coincided with a surge in carrying guns in public for self-defense."
Read more: http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2015/10/24/pew-annual-firearm-related-homicides-nearly-50-percent-20-years-ago/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social
Labels: Guns
Innocence is no protection from gov't surveillance
Guest Opinion: Innocence is no protection from gov't surveillance - News - The Herald News, Fall River, MA - George Phillies, Libertarian Association of Massachusetts:
October 25, 2015 - "Massive warrantless spying watches your every move. Your every phone call and email message is recorded. License plate recognition tracks where you drive.
"You say, 'I don’t care. I have nothing to hide.'
"I suggest: You need to care. Your innocence is not enough.
"There are 40,000 National Security Agency employees, and far more working for the NRO, DIA, CIA, and FBI. They all have relatives and friends. Some of those relatives and friends work where you do, save the way you do, and much more.
"Consider: You work hard, do well, and look for promotion into management. Your competition is Clement Doofus, who never quite does things so wrong that he gets fired. It’s promotion time. Clement gets the job. What happened?
"You’re clean as a whistle. Clement is clean as a whistle. Alas, the fellow who promoted Clement is having an affair with the hot babe in accounting. He responded positively to an anonymous motivational phone call telling him who to promote, unless he wants his family to find out. He can’t imagine how anyone knew. Alas, Clement’s brother works for the one of those agencies that tracks cell phones and license plates....
"You may be innocent. What about the people around you?
"The surveillance state is a direct threat to you. Yes, you!
"Let me say that again: No matter who you are: The surveillance state menaces you, your family, and your country. Only a libertarian future can protect you."
Read more: http://www.heraldnews.com/article/20151025/NEWS/151027163/2011/OPINION
Labels: Surveillance
Activist SCOTUS needed to defend U.S. liberty
George F. Will: The Constitution Is A Libertarian Tool - Investors.com:
October 21, 2015 - "A supremely important presidential issue is being generally neglected ... presidential candidates should explain how they would select judicial nominees....
"Republicans can't speak their minds about the judicial supervision of democracy because their minds are unsettled. Fortunately, they are being urged, by thinkers like Randy Barnett, to adopt a vocabulary that disconcerts conservatives who have grown lazily comfortable with rhetorical boilerplate in praise of 'judicial restraint.'
"Barnett, a Georgetown law professor, recently took to a place that needs it — the University of California, Berkeley — this message: 'The judicial passivism of the Supreme Court has combined with the activism of both congresses and presidents to produce a behemoth federal government, which seemingly renders the actual Constitution a mere relic, rather than the governing document it purports to be.'
"In his lecture, 'Is the Constitution Libertarian?' Barnett acknowledged that in many respects American life 'feels freer' than ever, and that we have more choices. In other ways, however, freedom is too constricted, and individual rights are too brittle, because for decades America's Lockeans have lost ground to Hobbesians: 'The Lockeans are those for whom individual liberty is their first principle of social ordering, while the Hobbesians are those who give the highest priority to government power to provide social order and to pursue social ends'....
"Lockeans favor rigorous judicial protection of certain individual rights -- especially private property and freedom of contract -- that define and protect the zone of sovereignty within which people are free to act as they please.... Lockeans say the Constitution circumscribes the majoritarian principle by protecting all rights that are crucial to individual sovereignty.... And, Barnett argues, a properly engaged judiciary bears the burden of saying when the government has not justified its restrictions as necessary and proper.
"So, Barnett says, yes, the Constitution — 'the law that governs those who govern us' — is libertarian. And a Lockean president would nominate justices who would capaciously define and vigorously defend, against abuses by majoritarian government, what the 14th Amendment calls Americans' 'privileges or immunities.'
"Republican presidential aspirants must be forced to join their party's argument about the judiciary's proper function. Then we can distinguish the Lockean constitutionalists from the merely rhetorical conservatives whose reflexive praise of 'judicial restraint' serves the progressives' Hobbesian project of building an ever-larger Leviathan.""
Read more: http://news.investors.com/ibd-editorials-on-the-right/102115-776739-george-f-will-constitutions-focus-on-securing-natural-rights-makes-it-libertarian.htm
Labels: constitutions, George Will, John Locke, law, Randy Barnett, SCOTUS, U.S. Constitution
Benton & Tate go free in Iowa bribery case
Adviser to Ron and Rand Paul found not guilty in bribery case - Yahoo News Joseph Ax, Reuters:
October 23, 2015 - "A former top adviser to 2012 Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul's campaign has been found not guilty in connection with an alleged bribery scheme to buy an Iowa state senator's endorsement.
"A jury in Iowa on Thursday cleared Jesse Benton, Paul's former campaign spokesman, of lying to the FBI about the alleged bribery, which came in advance of the 2012 Iowa caucuses in that year's presidential race....
"Benton, who is married to Paul's granddaughter, has worked with the [America's Liberty] Super PAC supporting Paul's son Rand as he seeks the Republican nomination for president for the November 2016 election.
"'I'm happy justice has been served', Rand Paul, a U.S. senator from Kentucky, said in a statement on Friday.
"Another former Ron Paul adviser, Dmitri Kesari, was convicted of causing the filing of a false campaign finance record but found not guilty of obstruction of justice. The jury could not agree on three other counts against Kesari.
"The case grew out of allegations that Benton, Kesari and another adviser, John Tate, bribed Iowa state Senator Kent Sorenson with $73,000 to switch his endorsement from then-U.S. Representative Michele Bachmann to Paul days before the 2012 Iowa Republican caucus....
"A federal judge threw out all charges against Tate ahead of the trial this month, as well as several other counts against Benton.
"Tate is the founder and president of America's Liberty PAC, the Super PAC supporting Rand Paul."
Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/adviser-ron-rand-paul-found-not-guilty-bribery-201834005.html
Labels: America's Liberty PAC, campaign finance, FBI, Iowa, Jesse Benton, John Tate, Rand Paul, Ron Paul
Arkansas LP sues to stop ballot access deadline change
Libertarian Party sues over early ballot filing deadline | Arkansas Blog | Arkansas news, politics, opinion, restaurants, music, movies and art - Max Brantley:
"The Libertarian Party of Arkansas said it has filed a federal lawsuit seeking more time to nominate candidates for the 2016 election.
"The state legislature this year moved filing to Nov. 2-9, a year ahead of the election, so the primary could be [held] in March to help Republican presidential primary candidates. The party complained this requires it to have its final candidates ready even before the major political parties begin their presidential candidate selection process.
"In a release, James Linger, attorney for the party, said, 'It is hard for me to understand what compelling state interest Arkansas would have in having the nominees of minor parties chosen so far in advance of the general election and significantly earlier than the date for picking the nominees of the major parties.'
"The Libertarian Party qualified for a spot on the ballot by a petition drive completed in June.
"The party will hold a nominating convention Oct. 24 at the Wyndham Riverfront in North Little Rock to nominate candidates for Congress, state legislature and other offices."
http://www.arktimes.com/ArkansasBlog/archives/2015/10/14/libertarian-party-sues-over-early-ballot-filing-deadline
Labels: Arkansas, Ballot access, Libertarian party (U.S.), LPArkansas
Libertarian vote per candidate doubled in Canada
Fringe parties see spike in candidates, votes | Canada Politics - Yahoo News Canada - Elianna Lev:
October 20, 2015 - "Now that the concession speeches are over and lawn signs are coming down, leaders of Canada’s lesser-known political parties are assessing how they did in Monday’s election.
"Of the 18 registered fringe parties including the pirates, the potheads and the pro-lifers, the top five performing ones were the Libertarian Party of Canada, the Christian Heritage Party of Canada, the Marxist-Leninist Party of Canada, the Rhinoceros Party and the Progressive Canadian Party.
"Several that spoke to Yahoo Canada News acknowledged growing in both candidates and votes, despite still barely making a blip on the political radar.
"David Clement, a spokesperson with the Libertarian Party of Canada, says there were 72 candidates in this year’s election, a significant jump from the 2011 campaign. The party’s mission is 'to reduce the responsibilities and expense of government' and has been active since the 1970s, though it has gone through several incarnations.
"In total, the party won 37,407 votes [519 votes per candidate - ed.], a significant jump from the 2011 count, which then garnered 6,017 votes and only 23 candidates [265 votes per candidate - ed.].
"'It really cements us on the way to fielding a whole slate of candidates and building that momentum of progression moving forward,' he says.
"While none of the party’s candidates won in their respective riding, a few placed better than more established parties like the Greens, something Clement calls 'a good first step'."
Read more: https://ca.news.yahoo.com/blogs/canada-politics/fringe-parties-see-spike-in-candidates--votes-190003295.html
Labels: Canada, Libertarian Party of Canada
IRS spends $140M so far upgrading to Windows 7
Government watchdog blasts IRS for mismanaged migrations from Windows XP, Server 2003 | Computerworld - Gregg Keizer:
October 15, 2015 - "Government auditors have blasted the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for missing deadlines to upgrade Windows XP PCs and data center servers running Windows Server 2003, both of which have been retired by Microsoft.
"In a recently released report, the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) criticized the IRS for spending nearly $140 million on upgrading Windows XP to Windows 7 even as it failed to meet the support cut-off of April 2014. At the deadline, over half of the IRS's PCs were still running XP.
"Nine months after Windows XP fell off Microsoft's support list, the agency still could not account for 1,300 PCs – about 1% of its total – and so couldn't say whether they had been purged of the ancient OS.
"On the server front, half of the IRS's Windows-powered servers were still running Windows Server 2003 in May, even though Microsoft would pull the support plug on that software two months later. At that time, the IRS still had not installed Windows Server 2012, the latest version, on any of its systems.
"The failure to upgrade its infrastructure to supported versions of Windows, said TIGTA, threatened taxpayers and tax collection. 'We believe that running workstations with outdated operating systems pose significant security risks to the IRS network and data, particularly in the environment where a chain is only as strong as its weakest link,' the TIGTA's report stated. 'External hackers or malicious insiders need to locate only the one computer with security weaknesses, such as one with an outdated operating system, to exploit in order to steal data or further compromise other computers.'
"That's not just theory. Earlier this year, the IRS admitted that hackers infiltrated its network and made off with personal information on more than 300,000 taxpayers."
Read more: http://www.computerworld.com/article/2993380/operating-systems/government-watchdog-blasts-irs-for-mismanaged-migrations-from-windows-xp-server-2003.html
Labels: computer tech, income tax, IRS, software, technology
Thanks from Libertarian Party of Canada leader (video)
Labels: Canada, Libertarian Party of Canada, Tim Moen, video
Canada's Libertarians work to shed 'fringe' label
Some of the incidental coverage of the Libertarian Party of Canada this election campaign:
Rhinos and Pirates: A look at Canada’s federal fringe parties | CTV News - Michelle Zillio:
August 30, 2015 - "The Libertarian Party’s goal is to reduce the responsibilities and expense of the government so that Canadians can manage their own needs. The party stands for free market economic policies, including a gradual phase out of government control over the money supply. It believes that governmental regulatory agencies 'often do far more harm than good.' The party also has a full platform with policies on health care, justice, immigration, foreign policy, gun ownership, aboriginal affairs and the environment. https://www.libertarian.ca"
Libertarians on the march | Toronto & GTA | News | Toronto Sun - Mike Strobel:
September 6, 2015 - "Libertarians have a snazzed-up image and a hot new leader. Fox News called him 'a dreamboat.' He’s a firefighter, for crying out loud.... 'I’m no kook,' Tim Moen chuckles down the line from Calgary. Moen, 42, is the first line of the Libertarian Party of Canada slogan: New leader. New colours. New party. 'We’re here, we’re politically active and we’re ready to put our stamp on the Canadian political scene,' he tells me.... 'We can’t keep throwing a reckless hail Mary pass into an endzone called Libertopia. We need to grind the ball down the field, making Canadians a little freer each time.' By 'freer,' he means small bureaucracy, a 15% flat tax and raising the personal exempt level to $17,300 from $11,000. Weed, the sex trade and other victimless 'crimes' would be legal. As taxes fall, the nanny state, which all major parties nurture, would fold its tent. 'Our culture sees government as there to solve all our problems and relieve all our anxieties. We need to change the culture.'"
Fringe candidates raise a little hell come election time - Politics - CBC News - Steve Patterson:
October 13, 2015 - "There was also a Libertarian candidate in my riding, a party I have never quite understood other than to imagine it mocking the Liberal Party for not being Liberal enough (i.e., if the Liberals say 'Vote for Justin,' the Libertarians would just say 'Vote ... or don't')."
When you don’t want to vote for a winner: Who are the OTHER parties in the Canadian election? | National Post - Tristin Hopper:
October 14, 2015 - "Canada’s Libertarians aren’t nearly as crazy as their U.S. equivalents. They seem fine with universal healthcare, but want to make it a provincial responsibility. And, as far as can be told, they have no plans to privatize sidewalks. But expect all the usual libertarian things: Legal drugs, legal prostitutes, no more loonies and a lot more guns. This election, the party’s got Tim Moen, the Alberta filmmaker who rose to prominence after giving an insider’s view of the sheer amount of fossil fuels Neil Young burned while shooting his anti-oilsands documentary."
Fringe candidates on rise across Saskatchewan - Andrea Hill & Charles Hamilton, Saskatoon Star-Phoenix:
September 30, 2015 - "'The government has no right to tell people what they can and can't do,' said Bronek Hart, one of two Libertarian Party candidates in the province. He'll be on the ballot in Saskatoon-West. Hart said he knows he has no real chance of winning, but he decided to run after becoming disillusioned with the promises of the major parties. 'I went, "Wow, these parties suck",' he said. His party's platform includes ending the war on drugs, significantly reducing federal income tax and repealing the power of the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission and other federal regulatory agencies. The party also promises to end all Canadian involvement in foreign wars and make it easier for lawabiding citizens to carry guns. Hart said he hopes that, at the very least, support for the Libertarian Party will influence the next government."
Labels: Canada, Libertarian Party of Canada, Saskatchewan, Tim Moen
LP candidates Hu & Clarke in Georgia Straight
Guns, drugs, hookers, and freedom: meet the political party formerly banned by Elections Canada | Georgia Straight Vancouver's News & Entertainment Weekly - Devon Rowcliffe:
October 16, 2015 - "They’re both left-wing and right-wing. They steadfastly oppose anti-terrorism legislation such as Bill C-51, advocate for legalizing drugs and prostitution, and promote a non-interventionist foreign policy. Yet this same group also wants to allow private healthcare, decrease taxes, and make it easier to obtain guns.
"What could be behind this seeming paradox? The Libertarian Party of Canada....
"The Straight recently spoke with two Libertarian candidates running here in Metro Vancouver to get their views: Bonnie Hu, a 22-year-old female of Chinese descent who immigrated to Canada as a youth and is contesting political office for the first time; and John Clarke, a 64-year-old Caucasian male who has run numerous times for both the federal and provincial Libertarians since 1984."
"Both candidates discovered the libertarian philosophy — based upon small government, low taxes and minimal regulations — at a young age. Clarke stumbled upon it while in high school during the mid-1960s, while Hu came across libertarianism on internet forums....
"The Libertarians are considered a fringe party here in Canada, although they have amassed an impressive 72 candidates for the 2015 election. Will this be enough to make a breakthrough on October 19? 'We're taking votes away from the other parties for sure,' said Hu, who is running in the suburban riding of South Surrey-White Rock. 'Mostly Conservatives, but [from] all the others too'....
"And how do Libertarians feel about Harper’s Conservatives? 'Libertarians oppose the basic thing of the Conservative Party — which is their taxing, their regulating,' said Clarke, who is running in the Vancouver Centre riding. 'And in terms of foreign policy, bombing Libya is a completely un-libertarian act'....
"Unlike the Conservatives, who take pride in their 'tough on drugs' stance, the Libertarians offer a strikingly different policy: they advocate for the legalization of marijuana and decriminalization of all other drugs....
"Regarding healthcare, the Libertarians are interested in allowing for more choice — particularly [in] the private sector....
"Regarding other social programs, the Libertarian candidates didn’t mince their words. 'We should cut spending on low-income assistance,' said Hu. 'I don't believe in the government supports and hand-outs [people with disabilities] are getting. They should get help from private sources.'
"Climate change is another topic where the party’s candidates hold opinions that may shock some voters. Neither Clarke nor Hu were convinced that human actions have been responsible for the planet’s warming trend....
"The subject of terrorism is one where the Libertarians seem more like a left-wing party. The interviewed candidates felt that terrorism was being used by the Conservatives as a wedge issue to gain votes....
'[The Conservatives] stand for big government, and they want more surveillance through Bill C-51,' [Hu] said. 'I don't believe people should be under surveillance ... people should be able to expect basic [rights] like privacy.'
"And as for the niqab? 'I think people should be free to wear whatever they want,' said Clarke."
Read more: http://www.straight.com/news/558126/guns-drugs-hookers-and-freedom-meet-political-party-formerly-banned-elections-canada
Labels: British Columbia, Canada, Libertarian Party of Canada
Medical marijuana legalized in Croatia
Croatia Legalizes Weed For Medical Use Jackie Salo, International Business Times:
October 15, 2015 - "Marijuana became legally available in Croatia for medical purposes Thursday. The decision to legalize followed a high-profile case in which a multiple sclerosis patient was jailed last year for growing the plant to ease his pain.
"Huanito Luksetic, 37, was detained for growing cannabis plants in his garden in a village near Rijeka. Police seized around 44 pounds of marijuana from the multiple sclerosis patient, who said he used the plants to make cannabis oil.
"Doctors and other patients spoke out in support of legalization after Luksetic made news, and a monthslong campaign was launched to legalize medical marijuana. 'For us, patients, cannabis is one of the most important plants for our lives and health,' Luksetic told Agence France-Presse. 'Everyone should have the right to choice and self-cure.' "
"Medicines that contain tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) can be prescribed in Croatia starting Thursday to patients suffering from chronic health problems such as cancer, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy and AIDS. Regulations limit the quantity to 7.5 grams per month, and patients can receive a prescription of up to only 30 days. It remains illegal to grow marijuana at home....
"Over the years, some level of cannabis legalization has won support in other European Union countries, including Spain, Portugal, the Czech Republic and the Netherlands.
"The U.S. has legalized medical marijuana in 23 states and entirely in four states -- Alaska, Colorado, Oregon and Washington. European Union countries are unlikely to follow suit with complete cannabis legalization, EU drug monitoring agency chief Wolfgang Gotz said."
Read more: http://www.ibtimes.com/marijuana-legalization-2015-croatia-legalizes-weed-medical-use-2143078
Labels: cannabis, Croatia, Europe, Health care, Marijuana
Libertarian runs to have someone to vote for
McFadzean striving for liberty and prosperity in Canada | Federal Election | Bonnyville Nouvelle - Kristen Oelschlagel:
September 28, 2015 - "The Libertarian party will be on the ballot in the Lakeland riding for the 2015 federal election, with Robert McFadzean stepping forward to be the local candidate....
"McFadzean's main message for his campaign is minimizing the government, especially when it comes to conducting business.... 'My main focus is to put forward the idea that rather than use government to run enterprises, we should turn to free enterprises and free markets,' said McFadzean.
"The Libertarian nominee spent 23 years teaching economics and financial management in the agriculture department at Lakeland College. A Vermillion resident for over 30 years, McFadzean prides himself on being actively involved in his community through groups like his church, the scouts, the local music festival and the choir.
"After being associated with the Libertarian party for a number of years, he decided it was time for people in the Lakeland to have a Libertarian in the ballot. 'The reason I want to run is that for many years now I've been very disappointed in politics in general, so I thought in order to have somebody to vote for I'd have to run myself.'
"As a Libertarian McFadzean explained that his campaign is not so much about what he can do for the constituency, but about fighting for liberty for everyone in the country. 'What I'm focusing on is encouraging people to change their way of looking at politics. Politics is how we get along with each other and most of us, in our private lives, respect other people's choices and property and I think government should do the same.'
"Admittedly, McFadzean said he's aware that the Libertarian party isn't likely to gain many seats in the House of Commons. 'I don't think I'd have a lot of power in parliament but I would promote liberty, promote free market, government cutting back on taxation regulation and I would try my best to influence the government in that regard.'"
Read more: http://www.bonnyvillenouvelle.ca/bnv/article/McFadzean-striving-for-liberty-and-prosperity-in-Canada-20150928
Labels: Alberta, Canada, Libertarian Party of Canada
4 charges against Benton & Tate thrown out
Judge dismisses four of five charges against former Rand Paul and Mitch McConnell aide | Rand Paul | Kentucky.com - Sam Youngman, Lexington Herald-Leader:
October 9, 2015 - "A federal judge dismissed four of the five counts against Jesse Benton on Friday, ruling that the U.S. Department of Justice violated an agreement with the former aide to U.S. Sens. Rand Paul and Mitch McConnell by using his statements to obtain an indictment.
"Benton, who also was a longtime aide to former U.S. Rep. Ron Paul, resigned last year as campaign manager for McConnell's re-election campaign amid an investigation into allegations that Benton and others involved with Ron Paul's 2012 presidential campaign bribed an Iowa state senator to switch allegiances and then concealed the payments.
"Benton and another Republican operative, John Tate, took leaves of absence from leading Rand Paul's super PAC after they were indicted this summer.
"On Friday, Judge John A. Jarvey dismissed four counts — dealing with falsifying campaign documents and conspiracy — after Benton and Tate argued that the federal government used their statements against them in grand jury proceedings despite an agreement not to.
"A charge against Benton for allegedly lying to the FBI was not dismissed....
"Tate and GOP operative Dimitri Kesari were accused of bribing Iowa state Sen. Kent Sorenson with $78,000 to switch his endorsement from former U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann's campaign to Ron Paul's in the final days of the 2012 Iowa caucuses."
Read more: http://www.kentucky.com/2015/10/09/4079804_judge-dismisses-four-of-five-charges.html?rh=1
Labels: America's Liberty PAC, FBI, Jesse Benton, John Tate, Rand Paul, Ron Paul
Libertarian offers different approach to politics
Oakville North—Burlington Libertarian candidate says he's 'socially liberal, fiscally responsible' - Julia Le, Oakville Beaver:
September 28, 2015 - "David Clement says he's tired of the way politics are playing out in Canada.
"The 25-year-old, born and raised in Oakville, said Canadians are being overtaxed, the government is overspending and the charter of rights and privacy rights is being eroded.
"'I want to offer a different perspective and offer voters a different approach to how politics should be run in Ottawa,' said the White Oaks Secondary School (WOSS) graduate, who is currently is an entrepreneur working in the consulting field and on projects that involve energy security, youth engagement in electoral politics and municipal issues.
"He said residents shouldn't have to sacrifice the things they want, or feel like they have to 'settle by voting for the lesser of three or four evils.'
Clement is running as the Libertarian Party candidate in the new electoral riding of Oakville North—Burlington in the Oct. 19 federal election. He said he's offering change and a different approach on what the effective role of government can be....
"Clement, who describes himself as 'fiscally conservative, but socially liberal' noted he would be 'a strong independent voice... I represent a different option that isn't left or right,' he continued. 'It's more consistent in what the role of the government is and it's more consistent on making sure constituents’ needs are represented more accurately in Ottawa'....
"Clement, who holds an honours bachelor of arts in political science and a master’s degree in political science from Wilfrid Laurier University, said he would work at reducing federal income taxes, incrementally, to a rate of 15 per cent, end all forms of “corporate welfare” and increase the personal income tax exemption amount to $17,000 from $11,000.
'That significantly increases the residents' tax-free earnings and lowers taxes across the board. It's a tax fund that really seeks to benefit everybody,' he said.
Read more: http://www.insidehalton.com/news-story/5934853-oakville-north-burlington-libertarian-candidate-says-he-s-socially-liberal-fiscally-responsible-/
Labels: Canada, Libertarian Party of Canada, Ontario
The Libertarian Moment is alive and well
The Libertarian Moment Is Alive and Well, Regardless of Rand Paul's Campaign - Tom Mullen, Huffington Post:
October 5, 2015 - "Rand Paul's campaign reported $2.5 million in donations for the entire third quarter, a precipitous drop from his previous reports.... That and anemic poll numbers have inspired many to not only pronounce Paul's presidential campaign dead, but to gleefully declare the so-called 'Libertarian Moment' over. Nothing could be further from the truth.
"Anyone who believes the presidential election is a barometer of how libertarian America is becoming doesn't understand libertarianism and isn't paying attention to what's happening in the real world. Libertarians don't believe government solves anything, no matter who is running it. The purest libertarians refuse to vote on principle.
"As radical as that might sound, almost half of all eligible American voters behave the same way, if not for the same reasons.... For the most part, they're not stupid. They just don't care. They may say they support this or that candidate when a microphone is shoved in their face, but in reality they live their lives, do their jobs and run their businesses without giving politics a second thought. This is an inherently libertarian worldview and it's growing....
"What Americans are interested in is the market and what it can offer them, regardless of what the government says or even legislates. Sharing economy companies like Uber and Airbnb are growing exponentially because they offer higher quality products at substantially lower prices. They are able to do so precisely because they either sidestep or openly flout the protectionist regulation supported by their established competitors....
"[G]un sales have exploded in the past fifteen years, despite strong anti-gun rhetoric following highly publicized mass shootings. This isn't limited to red states in flyover country. Gun sales have even seen a meteoric rise in deep blue California....
"Almost half of U.S. states have legalized medical marijuana in open defiance of federal law. Four states have legalized recreational use. They have consistently used the libertarian non-aggression principle as their reasoning: if it does not harm the person or property of someone else, the government shouldn't have the power to prohibit it.
"An overwhelming majority of states legalized gay marriage ... ten states ... through their legislatures.... [A] majority of Americans support gay marriage, but oppose forcing businesses to serve same sex couples if they don't want to ... perfectly consistent with the libertarian principle that government force should never be brought against those who have not aggressed against the person or property of another....
"The future will be even more libertarian than the present. Technology and the marketplace are threatening to render centuries-old government institutions largely irrelevant. What meaning will trade regulations have when 3-D printers disrupt the manufacturing industry? What will the who-will-build-the-roads crowd say to libertarians when hovercraft technology reaches its full market potential? How will the Federal Reserve control the economy when Bitcoin or its successors reaches theirs?"
Read more: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/tom-mullen/the-libertarian-moment-is_b_8242024.html
Posted by George J. Dance at 8:16 AM 1 comment: Links to this post
Labels: 3D printing, airbnb, Bitcoin, cannabis, cryptocurrency, Guns, Libertarian, libertarian moment, Non-aggression principle, technology, Tom Mullen, uber
Paul wins RLC straw poll, Cruz second
Rand Paul, Ted Cruz top straw poll at New Hampshire libertarian gathering - POLITICO - Katie Glueck:
October 10, 2015 - "Sen. Rand Paul on Saturday won the straw poll at a major libertarian gathering, with Sen. Ted Cruz coming in a close second.
"The poll, held at the Republican Liberty Caucus convention in Nashua, N.H., allowed attendees to vote for multiple candidates -- an effort to show which candidates would earn the approval of libertarian voters.
"Paul, the Kentucky senator and libertarian-leaning Republican, was voted the 'most-preferred' presidential candidate, pulling in 57 percent of the vote. Cruz, of Texas, came away with 51.2 percent of the vote, meaning that both candidates were considered acceptable by more than half of those who voted.
"The two candidates at the RLC, which endorsed Ron Paul in 2012, were separated by only 46 votes out of about 800 cast.
"The Paul campaign insisted that the Cruz campaign bussed in supporters and still fell short in the poll, a charge the Cruz campaign denied. However, it was clear from the convention that both campaigns had organized heavily for the event, and Cruz and Paul were the only major candidates in attendance.
"No one else came close to cracking 50 percent: in third place was Ben Carson with 18 percent, followed by Carly Fiorina and Marco Rubio at about 10 percent. Donald Trump registered 7 percent."
http://www.politico.com/story/2015/10/paul-cruz-straw-poll-new-hampshire-libertarian-214643
Labels: Donald Trump, polls, Rand Paul, Republican Liberty Caucus, Ted Cruz
Tech, libertarian groups press for strong encryption
Tech, libertarian groups up pressure on Obama on encryption | TheHill - Cory Bennett:
October 7, 2015 - ""In two separate letters, a major tech trade group and a libertarian-leaning coalition pressed President Obama to publicly support strong encryption, even if it locks out law enforcement officials.
"'As organizations committed to free markets and limited government, we urge your administration to take a clear stand in support of the individual’s right to protect his or her security and privacy with strong encryption technology,' said one letter, signed by groups like TechFreedom and the Niskanen Center.
"''Regardless of good intentions, any efforts to undermine the security and effectiveness of strong encryption are misguided, shortsighted, impractical and ultimately counterproductive,” said a second letter from Ed Black, CEO of the Computer and Communications Industry Association (CCIA), which represents major tech players like Amazon, Facebook, Google and Microsoft.
"The letters come a week after privacy advocates and digital rights groups officially petitioned the White House to take the same stance.
"The combination has created a unique and powerful coalition pressing the White House on encryption.
"The Obama administration has been considering possible proposals that would give law enforcement guaranteed access to encrypted communications. Silicon Valley, privacy advocates and technologists have pushed back against this, arguing any such access makes encryption vulnerable to hackers and cyber spies.... Officials have countered that without access, investigators may not be able to get legitimate data on criminals and terrorists, even when armed with a warrant....
"In recent weeks, leaked memos have shown the White House is considering backpedaling from its desire for a technological solution that would let investigators bypass encryption.
"Privacy advocates have jumped on these signals, collecting signatures on a petition that would require the White House to publicly respond to a call for it to support full encryption.... As of Wednesday, the appeal had collected over 48,000 signatures in nine days."
Read more: http://thehill.com/policy/cybersecurity/256281-tech-libertarian-groups-up-pressure-on-obama-in-encryption-fight
Labels: data, encryption, Google, Niskanen Center, privacy, software, Surveillance
Ted Cruz courting Ron Paul Republicans (video)
Ted Cruz snags former Ron Paul supporters - Washington Post - Katie Zezima:
September 29, 2015 - "For months, the presidential campaign of Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Tex.) has quietly been courting libertarian-leaning supporters -- people who once supported Ron Paul and ostensibly would have been inclined to back his son, Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) in the 2016 race.
"On Tuesday, Cruz released a video showing eight former Ron Paul liberty movement supporters -- a number of them from Iowa -- who are now backing Cruz. The campaign announced that former Congressman Bob Barr will chair a 'Liberty Leaders for Cruz' coalition comprised of libertarian-leaning Republicans....
"In the video, Cruz's supporters talk about how both Pauls endorsed Cruz's 2012 Senate run and said they believe he has held positions consistent with the liberty movement, including a reluctance to send boots on the ground to Syria and support for Rand Paul's bill calling for an audit of the Fed."
Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2015/09/29/ted-cruz-snags-former-ron-paul-supporters/
Labels: Bob Barr, Republican Party (U.S.), Ron Paul Republicans, Ted Cruz, video
Harris running for Libertarians in Ottawa Centre
Meet the Ottawa Centre Libertarian candidate: Dean Harris - Ottawa East News:
September 28, 2015 - "Inspired by the 2008 U.S. presidential run of Ron Paul, Dean Harris is running as the Libertarian candidate in Ottawa Centre.
Harris is a 23-year-old linguistics student, who does not live in the riding but attends Carleton University. He grew up in southern Ontario and works as a ski instructor in the winter when he is not in school. Dean has also volunteered with the Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides, preparing puppies to help blind people.
Q: Why are you running?
A: I’m running to promote the ideas of freedom, to promote the idea that individuals own themselves and their own life and to try to promote the idea that we shouldn’t allow government to do things individuals are not allowed to do....
Q: What is the biggest federal issue facing your riding and how has it been handled to date? How would you approach it?
A: The issue I’m focused on most of all is the war on drugs, especially considering I’m campaigning and focusing a lot of my campaign on university campuses. A plurality of students and young people has used what are deemed to be illegal drugs. Thankfully most of those people who have used drugs haven’t faced the criminal justice system, but those who do, stand to have their lives ruined as a result of the prohibition of drug use....
Q: Nationally, what do you view as the biggest issues facing Canada, and how do you plan to address them?
A: The economy is a huge issue and our party platform is about deregulation, allowing free market mechanisms to take care of the economy. We’re in favour of deregulation of the CRTC as well as we are proposing a 15 per cent flat tax and to see the personal exemption based to $17,300. So that means the Canadians who are earning the lowest income would be able to keep more money in their pockets. Our plan would see a $17,300 exemption for basic personal income, with an additional $4,000 for students, seniors and each dependent child. So a family of four with two parents and two children would be able to earn their first $42,000 without paying a cent of tax. Everyone would pay a fair flat tax of 15 per cent after their exemptions."
Read more: http://www.ottawacommunitynews.com/news-story/5934063-meet-the-ottawa-centre-libertarian-candidate-dean-harris/
Oregon is 3rd state to legalize marijuana sales
Oregon Marijuana Shops Begin Legal Sales To Recreational Users Today - Fortune - Tom Huddleston, Jr.:
October 1, 2015 - "Oregon’s legal market for recreational marijuana kicks off Thursday, less than a year after the state’s voters passed a bill allowing Oregon to join the two states where recreational pot sales are already legal: Colorado and Washington. While Alaska and Washington, D.C., voters passed similar bills to legalize recreational pot, Oregon now becomes just the third state to actually establish a system for legal sales. (Alaskan officials are still working out the details of a regulated recreational marijuana market, while D.C.’s laws only legalized the possession of recreational pot, not sales.)
"In Oregon, medical marijuana has been legal since 1998, but now all adults in the state who are at least 21 years of age are able to buy up to a quarter-ounce of weed per day without a note from their doctor. Having an established market for medical marijuana — with a supply system of growers and retailers already in place — could help Oregon’s recreational pot market get off the ground quickly. About 200 of the roughly 345 medical marijuana dispensaries in the state have registered to sell recreational pot as well, according to the Oregon Liquor Control Commission, which also regulates marijuana sales.
"Recreational sales in Oregon will be untaxed through the rest of this year, with a sales tax of 25% set to be added in January after regulators determine the framework for taxing recreational pot. When that framework is finalized, the state is likely to receive a boost in tax revenues. In Colorado, where recreational sales have been legal since the start of 2014, the state collected more money in marijuana taxes in its last fiscal year than it did from taxes on alcohol sales, with a chunk of the cash coming from an excise tax earmarked for public school construction projects.
"While marijuana remains illegal on the federal level, the number of states passing laws to legalize the drug in some form has grown in recent years and several more states are expected to vote on further legalization proposals before the end of next year. While the presidential election is going on next fall, voters in several states — including Arizona, California, Maine, and Nevada — are expected to vote on legalizing recreational marijuana sales.
Read more: http://fortune.com/2015/10/01/oregon-marijuana-sales/
Labels: cannabis, Marijuana, Oregon
Rob Anders supporters urged to vote Libertarian
Rob Anders people still don't like Ron Liepert - Laura Payton, Maclean's:
September 24, 2015 - "Calgary West MP Rob Anders ... lost the Conservative nomination more than a year ago for the newly redrawn riding of Calgary Signal Hill. Ron Liepert, Alberta’s former Progressive Conservative finance minister, won.
"In the lead-up to the nomination vote, Anders dismissed Liepert as a Red Tory, compared Red Tories to 'a flu that just won’t go away' and said Red Tories would have to 'recruit Liberals and New Democrats because they know they don’t have enough numbers in and of themselves.'
"Now, Anders’s former riding association president is asking Conservatives to support the Libertarian candidate in Signal Hill, according to an email provided to Maclean’s.
"'True conservatives were very disappointed when Ron Liepert, with the help of the left, manipulated his way in to the Calgary Signal Hill candidacy for the Conservative Party of Canada,' wrote John DeRinzy, who identifies himself in the email as a former president of the Calgary West Conservative riding association. 'We have gone from having a college-educated, dedicated MP with a voluminous knowledge of history and politics, to a guy who has a history of failure in the provincial arena'....
"DeRinzy writes that he doesn’t want to spoil his ballot or simply not vote, so he is supporting Libertarian candidate Tim Moen. Moen is also the leader of the Libertarian Party of Canada, and DeRinzy says he has committed to working with the federal Conservatives.
"That might be a tough sell, however, if the Conservatives were to win the election and introduce legislation similar to some of the bills they’ve written in the past, including C-51 (a law Liepert supports).... The Libertarian Party platform would also seem to run counter to that of the Conservatives, who have made it a point to crack down on crime: the Libertarians call for the legalization of what they see as victimless crimes, including sex work and the consumption and sale of marijuana. The party also opposes military missions.
"DeRinzy notes in the email that he doesn’t agree with everything the Libertarians stand for, but says he didn’t agree with the Conservatives on everything either.
"'I stand fully behind the Conservative Party of Canada’s efforts to make a positive difference in the lives of Canadians by implementing strong conservative values. But I have to help Tim Moen defeat Ron Liepert, in order to assist the Party. Can you imagine the chaos another red tory will do in the Harper caucus?'
Read more: http://www.macleans.ca/news/canada/rob-anders-people-still-dont-like-ron-liepert/
Labels: Alberta, Canada, Conservative Party of Canada, Libertarian Party of Canada, Tim Moen
Raid on raw milk farm thwarted by social media
Wrong that raw milk raids continue | Guest column | Opinion | Toronto Sun - Karen Selick:
October 4, 2015 - "On Friday, Oct. 2, 20 or so investigators from various Ontario government departments, accompanied by six armed police officers, raided Glencolton Farms, the co-operative farm in Grey Bruce County where raw milk advocate Michael Schmidt manages the dairy operation .... They arrived with a truck and a search warrant authorizing them to seize and remove numerous items for a raw milk investigation.
"The news spread quickly on Facebook and Twitter. Soon, 50 co-op members were at the farm, shoulder-to-shoulder, barring the exit to the invaders. Eventually, a deal was negotiated: the cops and bureaucrats would leave with nothing more than a few computers that had already been removed (which they promised to return), and the co-op owners would stand aside.
"This is the third such raid that Michael Schmidt has undergone.... Each time, Schmidt has been convicted of one or more regulatory offences relating to raw milk. Each time, he has been fined thousands of dollars.... Each time, the story caught the attention of increasing numbers of Canadians, who became curious about raw milk and wanted to acquire some. So each time, the province’s strong-arm tactics have backfired, increasing rather than reducing the number of raw milk drinkers in the province....
"Today, Canada makes the pasteurization of milk mandatory, but many countries around the world do not. Roughly half of the U.S. states allow sales of raw milk. In at least six European countries, raw milk is legally sold in vending machines.... The Canadian government says that unpasteurized milk is dangerous and people shouldn’t drink it. But ... there has not been even a single report of illness relating to the raw milk that Schmidt has produced over the past 27 years.....
"The controversy over raw milk has led researchers in Europe to conduct wide-ranging scientific studies.... The GABRIELA study published in 2011 ... involved 8,000 school-aged children. Those who had consumed raw milk had a roughly 50% lower risk of asthma and allergies.
"Since asthma kills approximately 250 Canadians every year, it is perfectly reasonable for adults afflicted with the disease to seek out raw milk as a preventative measure for their children.
"Schmidt has consistently sought opportunities for the past 27 years to meet with provincial officials and negotiate a way to give Ontarians the option of consuming raw milk without breaking the law. The response has always been a cold shoulder.... Kathleen Wynne’s administration continues to follow the failed policy of raiding and harassing Schmidt and the co-owners of the co-operative farm."
Read more: http://www.torontosun.com/2015/10/04/wrong-that-raw-milk-raids-continue
Labels: agriculture, Canada, health, internet, Karen Selick, Michael Schmidt, Ontario, raw milk, social media
New book on 'the most misunderstood libertarian'
The Most Misunderstood Libertarian - Online Library of Law & Liberty - Alberto Mingardi:
September 28, 2015 - "To the surprise of many, scholarship on Herbert Spencer (1820-1903) has flourished in the last few years. A towering figure in Victorian Britain, Spencer was all but forgotten after his death. His works, which taken together form a 'Synthetic Philosophy,' seemed alien to 20th century academics in an age of meticulous specialization. Also his commitment to individual liberty and (seriously) limited government has not been too common in the discipline that he helped establish, sociology.... Spencer may be routinely included among the forerunners of modern libertarianism but it is rather uncommon to find a contemporary individualist thinker deliberately appealing to his insights....
"The paradox of one of the fiercest libertarians ever to be ignored by libertarians emerges vividly from Herbert Spencer: Legacies, edited by Mark Francis and Michael Taylor.... Spencer’s legacy is plural, as the title of this collection suggests, and may have come to us mediated by subsequent developments in different fields. The plural nature of the 'legacies' is stressed throughout, and has multiple dimensions: disciplinary, political, and even geographical...
"Taylor stresses how Spencer goes for voluntary and spontaneous arrangements, not necessarily for institutional settings based on the price system. But this won’t sound particularly controversial or new to libertarians, who, despite the caricature often made of them, understand that not everything in life is tradable at a money price. Their point is more subtle (and Spencerian): that is, top-down government intrusions may retard or altogether stop the spontaneous evolution (or adaptation to new circumstances) of human societies....
"One of the many take-aways of this book is that Spencer was a far more complex thinker than those who only know him as a diabolical 'social Darwinist.' Its essays might, for example, open the eyes of those who still have in mind the Herbert Spencer largely manufactured in the 1940s by Richard Hofstadter in a book that made history as a beautifully written and yet quite misleading tirade. Taylor explains that Spencer never thought that 'social existence involved an unrelenting struggle for survival in which the richest were the most successful and the poor should go to the wall.' He quotes Thomas Leonard’s important study on the Hofstadterian myth....
"Francis, who like his co-editor cites the Leonard monograph, also makes clear Spencer’s commitment to pacifism: 'Spencerians believed that imperial conquest might have been a natural phenomenon when employed by ancient states, but was an archaic activity in modern times' and a most immoral one. The thread running through all of Spencer’s works is the idea that society progresses toward the minimization of violence, which had been needed at earlier stages of civilization....
"This book may convey a sense of Spencer’s true understanding of complexity.... His magnificent The Study of Sociology (1873) would be a relevant work for those interested in the proper role of the social sciences and their limits, if only they read it....
"If I had any quibble about this impressive collection, it would be that the propensity to consider The Man Versus the State as 'just' a political pamphlet causes the contributors to overlook that this is perhaps the first work whose arguments are truly centered around the notion of unintended consequences. All in all, though, Herbert Spencer: Legacies may foster a better understanding of this seminal thinker and raise yet more interest in his underappreciated writings."
Read more: http://www.libertylawsite.org/book-review/the-most-misunderstood-libertarian/
Labels: 19th century, biography, Books, foreign policy, Herbert Spencer, History, philosophy, sociology, war
Is the U.S. Constitution a libertarian document?
“Is the Constitution Libertarian?” My Baxter Liberty Initiative Lecture on 10/6 - The Washington Post - Randy Barnett, the Volokh Conspiracy:
September 29, 2015 - "On Tuesday, October 6th, I will be giving the Baxter Liberty Initiative Lecture, sponsored by the Political Science Department of the University of California at Berkeley. The topic on which I was asked to speak is 'Is the Constitution Libertarian?'... I just finished writing my lecture. Here is a portion of how it begins:
"Truth be told, libertarians have a love-hate relationship with the Constitution. On the one hand libertarians, like most Americans, revere the Constitution. Libertarians particularly appreciate its express guarantees of individual liberty and its mechanisms to preserve limited government. If being American is to subscribe to a creed, then the Constitution, along with the Declaration of Independence, are the foundational statements of this creed.
"But some libertarians have issues with the Constitution as well. And here I speak for myself, as well as others. There was a reason I eschewed writing about and teaching Constitutional Law when I became a law professor in favor of teaching Contracts. For, after taking Constitutional Law in law school, I considered the Constitution a noble, but largely failed experiment in limiting the powers of government. In my con law class, every time we got to one of the 'good parts' of the text that protected liberty, we turned the page to read a Supreme Court opinion explaining why that clause did not really mean what it appeared to mean....
"This fundamental failure of the Constitution to limit the size and scope of government has even led some libertarians to contend that the enactment of the Constitution represented a coup d’état by big government Federalists against the more preferable state-centered regime defined by the Articles of Confederation and favored by the Antifederalists.
"Yet many libertarians are genuinely torn, one might go so far as to say schizophrenic, about how the Constitution has actually worked out. Big and intrusive as government is today, it could be much worse. Few can point to other countries where individuals are freer in practice than in the U.S.... Libertarians still refer to the U.S. as a 'free country,' maybe still the freest on earth. That the Constitution deserves at least some of the credit for this freedom seems likely."
Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/volokh-conspiracy/wp/2015/09/29/is-the-constitution-libertarian-my-baxter-liberty-initiative-lecture-on-106/
Labels: constitutions, History, Randy Barnett, U.S. Constitution, Volokh Conspiracy, Washington Post
Libertarian 'loving every minute' of first campaign
Libertarian 'loving every minute' of his first election campaign - Richard Vivian Cambridge Times:
"First-time politician Nathan Lajeunesse acknowledges he’s far from a frontrunner to become Kitchener South-Hespeler’s first MP, but he’s 'loving every minute' of the campaign.
"Representing the Libertarian Party of Canada, this 29-year-old Hespeler native and professional ironworker is eager to provide voters with an alternative to candidates representing the more traditional parties.
"'I’m the only one that’s going to be saying something different than the other three,' he said, referring to the Liberal, Conservative and New Democratic party candidates. 'All of them try to stay right around the middle, whereas there are things we strongly oppose and think that need to be changed.'
"Chief among those changes, Lajeunesse explained, is less government, lower taxes and re-establishing 'an actual monetary system that’s backed by a real commodity and could actually hold value over a long period of time and inflation would not always have to increase.' A commodity such as gold, he said, would provide a better comparison for determining the true value of a dollar than stacking Canuck bucks up against American greenbacks'....
"'I think I’m going to open up a lot of people’s eyes to a new idea and that they don’t have to be bullied by the big three – there are other options,' he said.
"The candidate has some signs up throughout the riding and has taken part in a few media interviews, but don’t expect to find him knocking on any doors....
"'I want to … be accessible,' said Lajeunesse. 'I’ve always found when people come and knock on my door, it’s never the right time. That’s where I have a problem with the knocking on the doors.'
"If anyone wants to talk about the Libertarian approach, or his candidacy, Lajeunesse encourages people to email him at nathanlajeunesse@gmail.com and set up a time to chat.
"'There is not one aspect of my campaign that I’ve done that I think I’ve hit the nail right on the head. I think every aspect I’m going to do better next time,' Lajeaunesse admitted, noting this won’t be the only time people see his name on a ballot."
Read more: http://www.cambridgetimes.ca/news-story/5929654-libertarian-loving-every-minute-of-his-first-election-campaign/
Happy Birthday copyright claim invalid, judge rules
'Happy Birthday' song copyright claims are invalid, federal judge rules - LA Times - Christine Mai-Duc::
September 22, 2015 - "None of the companies that have collected royalties on the 'Happy Birthday' song for the past 80 years held a valid copyright claim to one of the most popular songs in history, a federal judge in Los Angeles ruled on Tuesday.
"In a stunning reversal of decades of copyright claims, the judge ruled that Warner/Chappell never had the right to charge for the use of the 'Happy Birthday To You' song. Warner had been enforcing a copyright since 1988, when it bought Birch Tree Group, the successor to Clayton F. Summy Co., which claimed the original disputed copyright.
"Judge George H. King ruled that a copyright filed by the Summy Co. in 1935 granted only the rights to specific piano arrangements of the music, not the actual song.
"'"Happy Birthday" is finally free after 80 years,' said Randall Newman, an attorney for the plaintiffs in the suit, which included a group of filmmakers who are producing a documentary about the song. 'Finally, the charade is over. It's unbelievable.'
"Until now, Warner has asked for royalties from anyone who wanted to sing or play 'Happy Birthday to You' – with the lyrics – as part of a profit-making enterprise. Royalties were most often collected from stage productions, television shows, movies or greeting cards. But even those who wanted to sing the song publicly as part of a business, say a restaurant owner giving out free birthday cake to patrons, technically had to pay to use the song....
"Two of the filmmaker plaintiffs paid $1,500 and $3,000 for the rights to use the song, their attorneys said. Filmmaker Steve James paid Warner $5,000 to use the song in his 1994 documentary Hoop Dreams.
"At a March hearing in the case, records show, a Warner/Chappell representative seated in the audience told the judge that the company collects as much as 'six figures' for certain single uses of the song. The song brings in about $2 million a year in royalties for Warner, according to some estimates....
"It is not entirely clear, the judge ruled, that the Hill sisters wrote the lyrics for 'Happy Birthday To You.' But either way, they never asserted a copyright claim for the lyrics, even though they sued for the rights to the original melody....
"Ultimately, the judge ruled that no evidence existed that the Summy Co. -- the original company to assert a copyright claim -- ever legally obtained the rights to the ... song from whomever wrote it.
"Tuesday's ruling means that the song is now considered a public work and is free for everyone to use without fear of having to pay for it, according to a statement from the plaintiffs' attorneys."
Read more: http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-happy-birthday-song-lawsuit-decision-20150922-story.html
Labels: Copyright, music
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Alcohol problems account for a quarter of Scottish intensive care unit admissions
by PelicanJAPNadmin , October 17, 2012
A quarter of patients admitted to Scottish intensive care units have alcohol problems and the majority of those have chronic alcohol disease, with particular problems among men and younger people.
Those are key findings of a survey of all 24 Scottish intensive care units, carried out by the Scottish Intensive Care Audit Group and published in Anaesthesia.
“Alcohol disease adversely affects the outcome of critically ill patients and the burden of this in Scotland is higher than elsewhere in the UK,” says co-author Dr Timothy Geary, Anaesthetic Registrar at the Victoria Infirmary in Glasgow.
“Our study of 771 patients admitted to intensive care units in Scotland showed that a quarter of admissions were alcohol related and that nearly three quarters of those affected were male.
“Patients with alcohol problems tended to be significantly younger and admissions from deprived areas of the country were also more likely to be alcohol related. Patients with alcohol problems also needed to be mechanically ventilated for longer. We estimate that, overall, alcohol related admissions cost intensive care units across Scotland £9 million a year.”
The World Health Organization suggests that alcohol consumption now accounts for 3.2% of global death rates and four percent of the global ill health. Annual alcohol consumption has grown steadily in the UK, from five litres of pure alcohol per head of population in 1963 to ten litres in 2006.
This rise has been associated with increasing deaths and ill health. Between 1992 and 2008, deaths directly caused by alcohol almost doubled in the UK, from 6.9 to 12.8 per 100,000 people. Death rates in Scotland were particularly high for men during this period, with an average of 63.1 per 100,000 and up to 105 per 100,000 in some parts of the country.
A recent review re-examined the 2003 mortality figures in Scotland and suggested that the values underestimated the number of deaths related to alcohol by half. In 2003 the estimated direct cost to the Scottish National Health Service of alcohol misuse was £96 million. By 2007 this had risen to between £143.6 million and £392.8 million.
Key findings of the study include:
Of the 771 admissions, 83% were unplanned, 25% were alcohol related and 22% of the patients had chronic alcohol disease. A third of the alcohol related admissions were acutely intoxicated at the time of admission.
Patients admitted with alcohol related problems were significantly younger than those admitted without alcohol problems (51 years versus 63 years).
71% of the patients with alcohol-related issues were men, compared with just over 50% of the non alcohol-related patients.
Patients admitted with alcohol-related problems did not have significantly longer stay or death rates, but they did require a median level of two days’ ventilation, compared to one day for patients without alcohol issues.
When admissions were analysed by levels of multiple deprivation, it was clear that alcohol related admissions were much higher in the most deprived areas and fell steadily as areas became less deprived.
“The major strength of our study is that it was performed across an entire country’s healthcare system over one month, in contrast to previous single centre studies” says Dr Geary. “This has enabled us to estimate the annual cost of alcohol-related admissions, based on the daily cost of an intensive care unit bed, at just under £9 million.
“In Scotland the frequency and volume of alcohol consumed is significantly higher than in the rest of the UK, as is the proportion of people with hazardous drinking habits. This corresponds to higher death rates, particularly for Scottish men, but only indicates a fraction of the deaths attributed to alcohol.
“It is very clear that the increased costs identified by our intensive care unit study are part of a much wider problem caused by rising levels of alcohol abuse.”
Support for Derby Hospitals Charitable Trust with ICU Garden Appeal
Baby and general anaesthesia risk studied
Next generation techniques provide clues for anaesthesia breakthrough
First program of its kind offers advanced pain management fellowship to certified registered nurse anaesthetists
Cancer patients’ pain eased by simple bedside chart
Minimally invasive treatment provides relief from back pain
Cardiovascular signals could pave the way to safer anaesthesia
Examining the relationship between pain and opioid abuse
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A case of adrenal pheochromocytoma
Anaesthetist Julieta Cervellera Agrelo presents a rare case of adrenal pheochromocytoma in a 53-year-old patient, discovered in a routine test for irritable bowel
Pheochromocytomas are rare tumours originating in chromaffin cells. The majority of these tumours are benign and unilateral, characterised by the production of catecholamines and other neuropeptides. Mainly located in the adrenal gland, they are more frequent between the third and fifth decades of life; however, 10–25 per cent can be associated with genetic familial syndromes (multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2). The author presents a rare case in a 53-year-old patient with a long history of high pressure, and due to a mass accidentally discovered in a CT scan, confirmed the diagnosis of pheochromocytoma. High pressure was controlled with alpha and beta blockers with posterior retroperitoneal laparoscopic surgical intervention and subsequent resolution of high pressure.
Pheochromocytoma is a rare but life-threatening condition that has varied clinical presentations, particularly hypertension, headache, palpitation, and sweating. Patients with suggestive clinical symptoms are frequently tested for pheochromocytoma. The medical interest in this tumour has increased with the improved availability of diagnostic laboratory tools, particularly plasma or urinary fractionated metanephrines (metanephrine and normetanephrine), and other neuroendocrine markers, particularly chromogranin. The wide universal availability of different imaging facilities, both anatomical and functional, has also improved the detection of pheochromocytoma. [1]
Catecholamine-producing tumours are neuroendocrine tumours that affect the chromaffin cells of adrenal medulla and postganglionic fibers of the sympathetic nervous system. These tumours are characterised by the synthesis, storage, release, and secretion of catecholamines and their metabolites.
Epinephrine (and its metabolite metanephrine) is the catecholamine that is produced exclusively by the adrenal medulla and adrenal pheochromocytoma. On the other hand, norepinephrine (and its metabolite normetanephrine) is the catecholamine produced by the adrenal medulla and adrenal pheochromocytoma as well as by the extra-adrenal pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma, which can also produce dopamine and its metabolite methoxytyramine. [2]
Pheochromocytomas can affect individuals of all ages. They are common in people aged between 40 and 50 years, and relatively more common among females.
A 53-year-old female, obese, presented in 2017 to the Institute of Oncology Angel Roffo, with a CT scan from 2013 showing a mass in the right upper quadrant discovered accidententally in a routine test for irritable bowel. The CT scan was repeated and revealed the same image. She had a long history of high pressure, type I Diabetes in 2017 and a hysterectomy in 2012.
The patient was a non-smoker and not an alcohol consumer. Her heart rate was 84 beats/min, and a the blood pressure (BP) was 160/90 mm of hg. Abdominal examination showed a well-healed Pfannenstiel scar, a soft, no tender abdomen, there was no palpable masses, organomegaly, or ascites.
The (CT) scan of the abdomen confirmed a right adrenal mass (4,2 x 4,3 cm) that was heterogeneous.
The patient had laboratory results within the references ranges for core blood tests, including electrolytes, renal, liver, bone, glucose, glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), and thyroid profiles. Endocrine tests revealed normal level of aldosterone and renin and low-normal levels of serum cortisol. Plasma catecholamines (dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine) levels were within the reference ranges. Plasma metanephrine and normetanephrine levels were markedly raised.
The patient was admitted one day prior to surgery for preparation and assessment. All precautions were taken and preparations for managing the preoperatory hypertensive crisis.
The patient was started on oral doxazocin 4 mg daily and oral carvedilol 6,25 mg twice daily. Three days after starting the antihypertensive medications, the blood pressure was controlled and the range of readings were in the range of 120/80 to 132/80 mmHg. She was scheduled to undergo laparoscopic adrenalectomy under general anaesthesia. [3]
Anaesthetic management
Monitoring included five leas ECG leads, pulse oximeter and arterial invasive blood pressure before induction and right internal jugular catheter was inserted after induction of anaesthesia.
Sodium na (SNP), Esmolol, Nitroglycerin (NTG) and noradrenaline infusions were prepared in advance to use in an emergency.
Induction of anaesthesia started with i.v. fentanyl 100mcg, propofol 140mg and tracheal intubation was facilitated by i.v. Succinylcholine 70mg and precurarization by atracurium 10mg. At induction of anaesthesia the blood pressure was 120/82 mmHg and at tracheal intubation it was 105/70 mmHg. The anaesthesia was maintained using oxygen and air 50 per cent of concentration each one, remifentanil and Sevoflurane and the muscular relaxation with atracurium.
During surgery central venous pressure (CVP) increased from 6 to around 12-14cm H2O with cristalloid infusion at a rate of 10-15 ml/kg/hr. The patient tolerated the whole procedure well, with minimal fluctuation of the blood pressure except at the time of the manipulation of the tumour before ligation of the last artery supplying the tumour, where she developed severe hypertension and ST level elevation which was successfully managed with NTG and Esmolol both in bolus and continuing with infusion. After completion of surgery and before tracheal extubation morphine and analgesic were administrated. [4]
The patient was transferred fully awake to intensive care unit (ICU) with stable vital signs. She made an uneventful recovery and two days later she was discharged to regular surgical ward. Histopathology of the right adrenal gland confirmed the diagnosis of pheochromocytoma.
Thorough pre-operative management of the pheochromocytoma patient is essential. Although alpha – blockade is not universally considered as an absolute necessity, many recommends proper alpha1-receptor blockade. In our case, we have used high dose alpha-adrenergic and beta blockade prior to surgery. Despite these precautions the patient developed high blood pressure and cardiac event.
The real deal with this patient was, her long history of high pressure without palpitations or other symptoms and the tumour had been discovered by accident in a CT scan.
Despite the lack of symptoms, during the surgery the patient presented an ST elevation without acute myocardial infarction confirmed by an angiogram post surgery without alterations, so it was concluded that the right adrenal incidental was the cause of this.
Because pheochromocytoma may be recurrent, controls of blood pressure and levels of metanephrine are necessary. [5,6]
Pheochromocytoma patients have a clearly higher rate of cardiovascular events than patients with essential hypertension. This cannot be attributed to differences in blood pressure or other cardiovascular risk factors. The most likely explanation for the excess event rate is the prolonged exposure to the toxic effects of tumoral catecholamines. These data underpin the importance of a timely diagnosis and treatment of pheochromocytoma.
Bravo EL. Evolving concepts in the pathophysiology, diagnosis and treatment of Pheochromocytoma. Endocr Rev 1994; 15: 356-368.
Erickson D, Kudva YC, Ebersold MJ, Thompson GB, Grant A, Clive S et al. Benign paragangliomas: clinical presentation and treatment outcomes in 236 patients. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2001; 86: 5210-5216.
Kebebew E, Siperstein AE, Clark OH, Duh QY. Results of laparoscopic adrenalectomy for suspected and unsuspectedmalignant adrenal neoplasms. Arch Surg 2002; 137: 948-951.
B. Liao, C.F. Liu, C.W. Chiang, C.T. Kung, C.W. Lee Cardiovascular manifestations of pheochromocytomaAm J Emerg Med., 18 (2000), pp. 622-625
F. Plouin, A.P. Gimenez-Roqueplo Pheochromocytomas and secreting paragangliomas Orphanet J Rare Dis., 1 (49) (2006)
Anagnostis, A. Karagiannis, K. Tziomalos, A.I. Kakafika, V.G. Athyros, D. Mikhailidis Adrenal incidentaloma: a diagnostic challenge Hormones., 8 (3) (2009), pp. 163-184
*Universidad of Buenos Aires, attending anaesthesiologist of Institute of Oncology Angel Roffo. Email: jucervellera@yahoo.com.ar
Enthermics ivNow fluid warmers available from Central Medical Supplies
Danny and Chris – Two sides of the same anaesthetic
Acronyms again with Sher Mohammad
Ehlers-Danlos syndrome: anaesthesia and perioperative
Nationwide survey of all UK hospitals shows anaesthetic care is consultant delivered and very safe
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Literature, Music, Arts, Religion & Spirituality
Come Celebrate "Spirit in the Dark" at Gavin ...
Arts, Hip Hop, Music, Popular Culture, Race, Religion & Spirituality
This Wednesday: A Talk at New York University ...
Hip Hop, Arts, Music, Popular Culture, Religion & Spirituality
Talking Hip Hop and Gospel Music on "Tell Me ...
Arts, Gender & Sexual Politics, Higher Education, Hip Hop, Popular Culture, Race
Upcoming Event: The Afterlives of Amazing Grace ...
Arts, Literature, Personal, Race, Religion & Spirituality, Politics
Spirit in the Dark featured on Religion ...
Come Celebrate "Spirit in the Dark" at Gavin Brown's enterprise (11.29 at 6pm)
NEXT WEDNESDAY
JOIN US FOR A CELEBRATION AND DISCUSSION OF JOSEF SORETT'S
SPIRIT IN THE DARK
A RELIGIOUS HISTORY OF RACIAL AESTHETICS
A DISCUSSION OF THE PLAY BETWEEN RELIGION, SPIRITUALITY,
AND THE BLACK LITERARY AND ARTISTIC IMAGINATION
KAMEELAH JANAN RASHEED
AKWAEKE EMEZI
OLA RONKE AKINMOWO
JOSHUA BENNETT
MODERATED BY
ASHLEY JAMES
LIVE MUSIC BY
IMANI UZURI
(VOCALIST, COMPOSER, CULTURAL WORKER)
RSVP@GAVINBROWN.BIZ
CO-PRESENTED BY COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY'S INSTITUTE FOR RESEARCH IN AFRICAN-AMERICAN STUDIES AND INSTITUTE FOR RELIGION, CULTURE, AND PUBLIC LIFE
GAVINBROWN.BIZ
This Wednesday: A Talk at New York University (October 25th at 6pm)
Please join me for a conversation on religion and the cultural politics of American popular music this Wednesday at 6pm The Torch Club at New York University. I'm looking forward to delivering this year's Lerner Lecture on Religion and Society for NYU's Religious Studies Program.
Here is brief glimpse of some of what we'll be talking about for the occasion:
. . . the play between religion and popular music...
. . . entanglements between evangelicalism and black culture in the United States since the 1970s...
. . . the influences and exchanges between the genres of gospel, hip hop, and praise and worship music and track performances by a diverse range of artist... and
. . . the interplay between religion, race, media, masculinity and the market in the contemporary moment...
COME THRU!!!!!
In doing so, we will consider a range of performances by a range of musicians, including Chance the Rapper, Kirk Franklin, Fred Hammond, Ron Kenoly, Lecrae, and many more . . .
Source: http://as.nyu.edu/religiousstudies/lerner-workshop.html
Arts, Literature, Personal, Politics, Religion & Spirituality, Race
Spirit in the Dark: Book Forum on The Immanent Frame
Yesterday the introduction to a forum on my book, Spirit in the Dark: A Religious History of Racial Aesthetics, went live on The Book Blog of The Immanent Frame.
I am, of course, excited to see my work featured in this space. Among other things, for the past decade The Immanent Frame has hosted forums on books by an incredible list of scholars, including the likes of Charles Taylor, Elizabeth Shakman-Hurd, Kathryn Lofton, Webb Keane, Brad Gregory, Courtney Bender and Robert Bellah --- to name just a few. I want to thank The Immanent Frame's Editorial Board for the invitation to host a forum on Spirit in the Dark, as well as to extend special gratitude to the editorial staff (Daniel Steinmetz-Jenkins and Olivia Whitener) for all of the work that went into making it happen.
Please keep an eye out for the series of responses to Spirit in the Dark, which will be posted to The Immanent Frame in the weeks ahead.
For now, what follows is an excerpt from my introduction to the forum and a link to the full essay on The Immanent Frame. It's a short "original" essay that attempts to situate Spirit in the Dark in relationship to a couple of key theoretical questions that lie behind my efforts to narrate African American religious and literary histories as a shared story. I found this task -- of writing something new about my own work -- to be surprisingly difficult; but that's a topic for another day. For now, I hope that you find The Immanent Frame's forum to be a fruitful and interesting conversation about my book and the broader themes of religion, race and the arts around which Spirit in the Dark is organized.
Spirit in the Dark—An introduction
I have written elsewhere about a set of contemporary experiences and observations—although now aged by roughly two decades—that provided the first sparks of interest in the questions that led to my first book, Spirit in the Dark: A Religious History of Racial Aesthetics. Travels back and forth between church services, on one hand, and open mics and poetry readings, on the other, during the 1990s provided the initial impetus for my efforts to bring religion and literature in conversation in the form of the longer story that Spirit in the Dark narrates. Admittedly, the religious history of black letters from the 1920s to the early 1970s that I offer is colored by “presentist” concerns.
To state the matter differently, Spirit in the Dark grew out of my desire for a better historical understanding of how things—things religious and things literary—came to be the way they are. So another way to account for (rather than obscure) the play between past and present, the personal and the historical, in Spirit in the Dark is to acknowledge the kinds of theoretical questions that animate my study of religion and the arts in twentieth-century (black) America.
As I was moving through doctoral studies, immersing myself in the fields of African American literary/cultural history and American religious history, two specific intellectual developments captured my imagination. Just one year before I began my PhD . . .
To continue reading, go to The Immanent Frame.
Source: http://blogs.ssrc.org/tif/2017/06/28/spirit-in-the-dark-an-introduction/
Talking Hip Hop and Gospel Music on "Tell Me Something I Don't Know"
Last month I had the opportunity to serve as a contestant on the popular podcast, Tell Me Something I Don't Know (TMSIDK), hosted by Stephen Dubner (of Freakonomics fame) for episode focused on music. Below is a bit more about the show. My contribution -- which focuses on the turn to Gospel music by several prominent rappers (i.e. Kanye West, Chance the Rapper, Kendrick Lamar) -- to the show starts up right around 34:23...
Expert panelists for the evening are:
David Hajdu, music critic and writer, who has suffered an occupational hazard.
Faith Salie, comedian/journalist and writer, who has a 2-1 record as a wedding singer.
Danny Goldberg, record executive and former famous-band manager, who pioneered fake news. Our real-time fact-checker is Dan Zanes, accompanied by his live band.
Source: http://tmsidk.com/2017/04/music/
Arts, Literature, Music, Race, Religion & Spirituality, Politics
TODAY: In Conversation with Farah Jasmine Griffin at Book Culture (Thursday, April 20 @ 7pm)
Looking forward to this conversation about my book, Spirit in the Dark: A Religious History of Racial Aesthetics, tonight with Farah Jasmine Griffin.
If you happen to be in NYC, come up to Book Culture in Morningside Heights for what promises to be rich discussion of African American literature, American religious history, and all points between...
Source: http://www.bookculture.com/event/112th-josef-sorett-spirit-dark-religious-history-racial-aesthetics
Upcoming Event: The Afterlives of Amazing Grace (April 10-11, 2017 @ Yale University))
PLEASE FORWARD TO INTERESTED PEOPLE!
The Afterlives of Amazing Grace: Religion and the Making of Black Music in a Post-Soul Age
Tuesday, April 11 | 10:30 - 4:45 pm
ISM Great Hall
409 Prospect St., New Haven
Free; no tickets or reservations required
Organized by ISM Fellow Josef Sorett and Ambre Dromgoole, MAR ‘17
The daylong symposium offers an invitation to consider a bundle of questions associated with the entangled trajectories of contemporary Christianity and black popular music — from Gospel, to Praise and Worship, and Hip Hop — in the years since Aretha Franklin’s chart-topping album, Amazing Grace (1972). Bringing together academics, artists, journalists, and industry leaders for a one-day public dialogue at Yale University, we will consider developments—from the naming and overlap between different musical genres, the blurring of racial lines and blending of church traditions, and the emergence of new technologies and media forms—in Christian music, the cultural marketplace, and black churches in the post-Soul Era.
To set the longer historical context for this dialogue, we will begin the evening of April 10 by reflecting on the early years of Gospel music with a screening and discussion of the classic documentary Say Amen, Somebody (1982).
DAY 1: Film Screening
"Say Amen, Somebody"
Monday, April 10 @ 7:30 pm
Whitney Humanities Center, 53 Wall St.
Featuring a Keynote Lecture: Mark Anthony Neal (Duke University)
ISM Great Hall, 409 Prospect St.
Full schedule and more info here: The Afterlives of Amazing Grace
Source: https://streamable.com/9szx
Spirit in the Dark featured on Religion Dispatches
Two days ago, on March 7, two pieces about my book were published on the popular religion website, Religion Dispatches. Thanks for the invitation, Evan Derkacz, and kudos on the great work that RD continues to publish!!!
The first is an interview, Poets and Preachers: How black Literature Blurs the Lines Between Sacred and Secular.
And the second is an excerpt -- "Religion and Gender Trouble in the Black Arts" -- from chapter 6 on the Spirit in the Dark, which focuses on Toni Cade Bambara's class 1970 anthology, The Black Woman, as an entry point into the how religion and gender converged in the Black Arts movement of the 1960s and 1970s.
Source: http://religiondispatches.org
Religion & Spirituality, Arts, Music, Personal, Politics
Upcoming Event at Gavin Brown's Enterprise in Harlem: Wednesday, February 15th at 6:30pm
I am looking forward to witnessing this performance (featuring Alicia Hall Moran) and moderating the dialogue that will follow it (with Onleilove Alston, Amy Butler, Serene Jones, and Lisbeth Melendez Rivera); as part of the month-long series, "Tomorrow is Still Ours Festival of Visionary Arts, Ideas and Activism," hosted at Gavin Brown's Enterprise in Harlem.
Source: https://www.gavinbrown.biz
Popular Culture, Politics, Arts, Music, Hip Hop, Race, Literature, Personal
New Review Essay: A Tapestry of Black Lives up on Public Books
Recently I had the opportunity to read and write a review of Jesmyn Ward's wonderful new edited volume, The Fire This Time: A New Generation Speaks on Race, which pays obvious tribute to the great James Baldwin. It also features work by nineteen of today's most insightful and highly regarded writers--including Carol Anderson, , Mitchell S. Jackson, Emily Raboteau, Claudia Rankine, and Natasha Trethewey, and Isabel Wilkerson, Kevin Young. I've read the work of some of whom of these authors many times before (like Edwidge Danticat), and others for the first time, such as Garnette Cadogan.
I learned a great deal from each of the selections in this anthology. And about so many things. Perhaps most obviously, living while black and writing on race stand out; as would be expected in a book that takes cues for its title from James Baldwin's now classic book, The Fire Next Time (1962).
Yet what resonated most powerfully with me while reading this new volume were the thoughtful reflections on the joys and anxieties attendant to raising children--and raising black children, in particular--in this peculiar historical moment. A moment when, now, a black president is at once an undeniable reality and a thing of the past even as the racial (that is, the overtly anti-black) pasts that many thought (or hoped and wished) were long behind us are the stuff of the everyday news cycle.
So much more that could be said... For now, what follows is an excerpt from the essay, followed by link to full piece on Public Books.
"James Baldwin’s legacy looms powerfully in this current moment. This may be all the more true for black writers. Rachel Kaadzi Ghansah, one of the contributors to Jesmyn Ward’s timely new anthology of essays about race in the United States, admits that she has often “found time to pray intensely at the altar of Baldwin.” Her religious metaphor is apt. Baldwin was both a secular master of the American essay and novel, and a spiritual seer on race matters. At the same time, his writing often hummed in the registers of the Afro-Protestant churches where he first heard the Word call him by name.
In her introduction, Ward explains that she found herself turning to Baldwin’s essays in the wake of Trayvon Martin’s murder in 2012 and, subsequently, of George Zimmerman’s acquittal in 2013. Winner of the National Book Award for her 2011 novel, Salvage the Bones, Ward sketches a direct line to Baldwin by adapting the title of his 1963 classic, The Fire Next Time. Her title, The Fire This Time, shifts from the future to the present tense, from prophecy to confirmation. However, in contrast to Baldwin’s singular epistle, Ward’s book is an anthology. As such, it gathers a range of perspectives that don’t always align. This is not a criticism; it is simply an acknowledgement of the constraints and possibilities of genre. Ward’s The Fire This Time provides a rich and varied portrait of the work that race does in the making of black lives and literature today. There’s less critique, more nuanced considerations and layered contexts, befitting the complexity of black life in 2016.
Anthologies rely upon dialogue more than argument... "
To continue reading the full essay, go to Public Books
Source: http://www.publicbooks.org/tapestry-black-lives
Arts, Higher Education, Literature, Popular Culture, Race, Religion & Spirituality
Spirit in the Dark featured on The Revealer
Spirit in the Dark was featured yesterday, in the November 7th issue of The Revealer, published by the Center for Religion and Media at NYU. What follows is the beginning of that essay, which is a slightly revised excerpt from Chapter 1—titled “The Church and the Negro Spirit”—of Spirit in the Dark, which focuses on tensions between religion and aesthetics as they informed debates about black art and culture during the 1920s.
THE SPIRITUAL POLITICS OF NEGRO ART
Ninety years ago last month the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) publication, The Crisis, printed an essay by its editor-in-chief, W.E.B. Du Bois. While Du Bois’s commentary often graced the pages of the Crisis, this time was slightly different. Four months earlier Du Bois had taken the stage at the NAACP convention in Chicago to deliver a speech that he later titled, “Criteria of Negro Art.” He had been asked to speak at a ceremony awarding Carter G. Woodson the organization’s highest honor, the Spingarn Medal. Owing to popular demand, The Crisis printed Du Bois’s speech in its entirety in October of 1926.
Like Du Bois, Woodson was a Harvard-trained historian; and he was being honored for, among other contributions in the field of history, founding “Negro History Week” in February of that year. Yet Du Bois made the arts, and not history, his primary topic. To be clear, his decision to take the arts as his subject at the convention was no spontaneous gesture. By 1926 talk of a “Negro Renaissance” abounded; and although it was most commonly associated with Harlem, Chicago played a significant role in this nascent black literary movement. Alain Locke’s The New Negro, commonly considered the movement’s bible, was published in 1925. Crisis had since begun sponsoring a dialogue on race and literature on its pages. And, most recently, two of Harlem’s rising literary stars—George Schuyler and Langston Hughes—had just finished debating the idea of “Negro art” on the pages of The Nation. In fact, as a rebuttal to what Schuyler identified as “The Negro Art-Hokum,” Hughes’s now famous essay, “The Negro Artist and the Racial Mountain,” appeared in The Nation on the same day that the NAACP opened its seventeenth national convention.
To continue reading, go to The Revealer
Race, Religion & Spirituality, Arts, Popular Culture, Higher Education
Spirit in the Dark on "First Impressions," (Episode #91) for Marginalia Review of Books
This past weekend I had the opportunity to discuss the ideas that organize my book, Spirit in the Dark, with Kristian Petersen for the most recent episode of Marginalia Review of Books' interview series, "First Impressions."
Many thanks to Kristian for the invitation and conversation. And kudos to MRB Publisher/Editor-in-Chief, Timothy Michael Law, and the team of scholars at Marginalia for the really important work they are doing to ensure that nuanced and interesting discussions of religion are available to a wide audience on the Los Angeles Review of Books website.
Check it out -- BUY THE BOOK : ) -- and let me know what you think.
Source: http://marginalia.lareviewofbooks.org/category/interviews/mrb-radio/
Arts, Higher Education, Personal, Race, Religion & Spirituality
Coming Soon: Spirit in the Dark: A Religious History of Racial Aesthetics
Over the weekend I was feeling buoyed by all of the words of encouragement in response to the announcement of my forthcoming book, Spirit in the Dark, which is now available for pre-order online. I'm even more excited now that the Cover image and Table of Contents are posted on the website of Oxford University Press, along with the blurbs, which are also up on Amazon. The book's official release date is September 1, 2016, with a ship date of August 1st.
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I'm pleased to share the blurbs now, with much appreciation and gratitude to four scholars whose work has influenced my own and for whom I have deep admiration and respect:
"Spirit in the Dark is a finely honed compendium of black American writers and the breadth of their religious influences. That black intellectuals and artists were also sometimes dogmatic religious adherents, eclectic spiritualists, and irrepressible agnostics is not an unknown observation, but what these identifications meant for modern black expressive culture has gone mostly unsaid. Until now. A richly historical study, Spirit in the Dark is a valuable resource indeed." --Maurice Wallace, English and Carter G. Woodson Institute for African-American and African Studies, University of Virginia (and author of Constructing the Black Masculine)
"An exciting and innovative intervention that deftly melds African American religious and cultural studies." -- Barbara D. Savage, author of Your Spirits Walk Beside Us: The Politics of Black Religion
"In this magisterial book, Josef Sorett takes us into those black literary spaces that have heretofore been described as secular and reveals how those who reside therein imagine the beautiful in light of the religious. From the Harlem Renaissance to the Black Arts Movement, Sorett pushes the boundaries of our understanding of the workings of the 'spirit' and, in doing so, unsettles our understanding of black religion and literature. This SPIRIT moves in this book. It is a must read!" --Eddie S. Glaude, Jr., William S. Tod Professor of Religion and African American Studies, Princeton University (author of, most recently, Democracy in Black)
"Even at their most assertively secular, black expressive arts over the last century have riffed on Afro-Protestant church structures that they in turn attenuate, revise, and sustain. In this venturesome book Josef Sorett traces the 'celebratory ambivalence' that animates and infuses African-American cultural production from the Great Migration to the present. Spirit in the Dark is the best single-volume work I know of on the arts and fictions of Afro-Protestant modernity." --Tracy Fessenden, author of Culture and Redemption: Religion, the Secular, and American Literature
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State Awardees
#DraftSportsPolicy
A story of rocks, papers, and soccer: Meet Kashmiri footballer Afshan Ashiq
Council in News, News & Activities
A story of rocks, papers, and soccer
Until the the last week of April this year, Afshan Ashiq, 23, was like any other young woman from Kashmir Valley, nurturing a dream within the circumscribing reality of conflict. Her dream was to play for the Indian national football team.
Originally from Srinagar’s volatile Bemina area, Afshan grew up in a joint family. The daughter of a businessman, she had to fight hard against patriarchy at home and in her neighbourhood to play.
“It’s not easy for a woman to be a sportsperson in Kashmir. My elder brother is still taunted by his friends because I play football,” she says. “Initially, my parents did not support me. But they do now.”
Afshan Ashiq, who aspires to play for the Indian national football team, grabbed headlines when she was seen pelting stones at the police to protest atrocities against students in Kashmir. | Photo Credit: Nissar Ahmed
Why not girls?
Today Afshan is the captain of the Valley’s first Jammu & Kashmir women’s State football team. And her neighbours see her as a star. “Every time I am in the news, my neighbours are the first to congratulate me,” says Afshan. But the path to stardom was not easy. She quit her first love, cricket, during school in Bemina because her future in the sport looked bleak. “I was good at it though.”
He passion for sport was reignited at the all-girls Kothi Bagh Higher Secondary School in Srinagar in 2013. Here she found herself particularly drawn to football. “ If boys can play it why not girls?” she asks.
But girls are discouraged from playing football because of the physical contact it requires. It took a lot of convincing on her part, and by 2015, Afshan was coach of an all-women academy. Around this time, Afshan was propelled by another cause. Bemina had turned into a hotbed of street protests against security forces. She was filled with discontent, like many hundreds of youth in the Valley.
And on April 24 this year, Afshan joined students as they clashed with security forces to protest the treatment of students in Pulwama district. Dressed in a blue salwar-kameez, with a stone in one hand and surrounded by women students like her, a protesting Afshan was captured by dozens of cameras.
This image of Afshan and her companions, perhaps the first of women pelting stones, went viral and was published in newspapers worldwide. She became the new face of disenchanted youth in the Valley.
“The policeman made objectionable remarks about the girls. I could not bear it,” says Afshan. But she is quick to add she “does not want to look back to the episode any more… It doesn’t make me happy.”
There has been a fairly happy flipside to the episode, she says. “It highlighted the game of football. People were curious to know more about women playing football in Kashmir.”
No shutdowns
There has, since, been no looking back. The academy, where she coached, suddenly saw a 100% increase in girls registering. “After the episode, over 50 girls turned up for coaching. I told them whether curfew or shutdown, we will all hit the ground on time. And everyone did,” says Afshan. “Parents feel comfortable sending their daughters to train under a female coach,” she adds.
Afshan is now the captain of the first ever Jammu & Kashmir women’s State football team.
She wishes other States too come to Kashmir to play. “It will help us identify our weaknesses. Most teams take the J&K team lightly. I want to build a competitive team,” she adds. “My aim for 2018 is to see a number of women football coaches.”
Afshan has a message for Kashmiri youth: “Street agitations takes us backwards. We have to become role models.”
Full Article Available at: http://www.thehindu.com/society/kashmiri-footballer-afshan-ashiq-does-not-want-to-look-back-at-the-stone-pelting-incident/article22324486.ece
Audit on the accounts and the activities of recognised state sports Associations for the previous two financial years.
Notification: Invitation of Application seeking admission to various engineering colleges
Block wise List of Venues identified for Anantnag & Kupwara for conduct of Panchayat Level Chess & Carrom competitions under “State Wide Open Tournament”
© 2017 J&K Sports Council. Website by FreshCode
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Home > Governance > Management
The Company’s management team has ably steered the company through economic expansions as well as downturns, as evidenced by our strong financial performance.
Scott Powell, President, Chief Executive Officer
Scott Powell is the Chief Executive Officer of Santander US and Santander Consumer USA (SC). He is responsible for managing Santander’s business units in the United States, and he leads SC, which is Santander’s largest US subsidiary.
Scott became CEO of Santander US in March of 2015 and has more than three decades of experience working in retail banking, risk management and consumer and auto lending. He was appointed CEO of Santander Consumer in August of 2017. Prior to joining Santander, he held a variety of senior positions at JPMorgan Chase & Co., including Head of Banking and Consumer Lending Operations, CEO of Consumer Banking and Retail Investments, Head of Consumer Lending, Head of Chase Auto Finance, and Chief Risk Officer, Consumer. He also spent 14 years at Citigroup in a variety of senior risk management roles.
Scott holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Minnesota and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Maryland. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of The Financial Services Roundtable and is a member of the supervisory board of The Clearing House. He also serves on the boards of the Phipps Houses and The End Fund.
Juan Carlos Alvarez de Soto, Chief Financial Officer
Juan Carlos Alvarez de Soto, CFA, began serving as our Chief Financial Officer in 2017. Prior to this appointment he served as Corporate Treasurer for Santander Holdings USA, Inc. (SHUSA), overseeing SHUSA’s liquidity risk management, asset liability management and treasury functions.
He joined Santander in 1996 and brings more than 20 years of investment and trading expertise to his current role. Before joining SHUSA, he was Senior Vice President and Head of Treasury and Investments for Santander’s International Private Banking at Banco Santander International and Banco Santander Suisse. In this role he managed a team of investment professionals, overseeing the assets of Santander’s international high net worth clients.
Prior to that, he held the position of Directeur Adjoint for Santander Central Hispano Suisse, Geneva and was Head of Treasury, Trading and Asset-Allocation.
Prior to joining Santander, Mr. Alvarez de Soto worked as part of the Treasury team for Inter-American Development Bank in Washington, D.C. and for FIMAT (Société Generale’s futures broker) in Spain.
Mr. Alvarez de Soto holds a Master of Science Degree in Finance from George Washington University and a Bachelor of Science in Management from Tulane University. He has a NASC Series 7 License, a NASD Series 3 License, and is a Chartered Financial Analyst.
Joshua Baer, Chief Risk Officer
Joshua Baer has served as our Chief Risk Officer since March 2018, joining us from SHUSA, where he served as Head of Operations and Risk Strategy since May 2017. Prior to SHUSA, Mr. Baer worked at Capital One for 13 years, most recently as the Head of Consumer Credit Risk Analytics since 2010. Mr. Baer holds a bachelor’s degree in finance from James Madison University and a master’s degree in business administration from the Haas School of Business at the University of California, Berkeley.
Richard Morrin, President, Chrysler Capital and Auto Relationships
Rich Morrin was named President, Chrysler Capital and Auto Relationships in 2017. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Morrin held a variety of management positions in 21 years of combined service at Ally Financial and General Motors Acceptance Corp. During his tenure at Ally, he managed the commercial lending operations for Ally automotive dealers in the United States and Canada. Mr. Morrin holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics from the University of Pennsylvania and an MBA from the University of Virginia.
Sandra Broderick, Executive Vice President, Head of Operations
Sandra Broderick began serving as our Executive Vice President, Head of Operations in 2017. Prior to joining the Company, Ms. Broderick served as Executive Vice President, Operations Executive at U.S. Bank where she oversaw consumer originations and servicing. Ms. Broderick has also served as Managing Director, Operations Executive at JPMorgan Chase; SVP, Operations Executive at Bank One; and Senior Operations Director at G.E. Capital.
Ms. Broderick holds a Bachelor’s in Business Administration from the State University of New York at Buffalo.
Reza Leaali, Chief Technology Officer
Reza Leaali has served as our Chief Technology Officer since February 2018. He previously served as Chief Information Officer for Wells Fargo from 2002 to 2018 and for PurchasePro from 2001 to 2002. Prior to that, Mr. Leaali held the position of Chief Architect at IngramMicro from 1995 to 2001. Mr. Leaali holds a bachelor’s degree in computer science from North London University.
Christopher Pfirrman, General Counsel
Christopher Pfirrman joined Santander Consumer USA as General Counsel in September of 2015. Previously, Mr. Pfirrman served as General Counsel of Santander Holdings USA, Inc. where he advised the Board of Directors and senior management regarding all legal issues impacting SHUSA. Prior to joining SHUSA in 2012, Mr. Pfirrman was Deputy General Counsel of Sovereign Bank from 2000 to 2012 and Counsel of Edwards & Angell, LLP (now Locke Lord) from 1996 to 2000. Mr. Pfirrman is a member of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and Connecticut Bar Associations. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Fairfield University and a J.D. from the William & Mary School of Law.
Mikenzie Sari, Chief Human Resources Officer
Mikenzie Sari began serving as our Chief Human Resources Officer for Santander Consumer USA Holdings Inc. in September 2018. She previously served as Human Resources Leader for Wholesale Banking an Santander Bank, N.A., an affiliate of the Company, and Chief Human Resources Officer of Santander Investment Securities, an affiliate of the Company, from February 2016 to September 2018. Prior to that she served as Managing Director, Human Resources Business Partners – Wholesale Banking at Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group from April 2013 to January 2016.
She joined Santander in 2016 and brings over 15 years of financial services and human resources expertise to her current role. Ms. Sari has also held positions at Ally Financial (2009–13) and Bank of America (2002-09).
Ms. Sari holds a Master of Business Administration degree from Kellogg Graduate School of Management and a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Northwestern University.
Fahmi Karam, Head of Pricing and Analytics
Fahmi Karam was named Head of Pricing and Analytics in May of 2018. He joined SC as Executive Vice President, Strategy & Corporate Development in September 2015 overseeing financial planning and analysis, asset acquisition/sales and other strategic initiatives. Prior to SC, Mr. Karam was at JP Morgan Investment Bank for 12 years, where he ended serving as an Executive Director. Prior to JP Morgan, Mr. Karam served as a Senior Associate at Deloitte Audit Assurance Services for two years. Mr. Karam received his Bachelor’s and Master’s of Accounting from Baylor University. He is a Certified Public Accountant.
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Chuck Carlise was (once upon a time) the Non-Fiction Editor of Gulf Coast. He is the author of the poetry chapbooks, A Broken Escalator Still Isn't the Stairs (Concrete Wolf 2011) and Casual Insomniac (Bateau 2011). By the time you read this, he will have defended his dissertation. And how.
Making Sense of Things
Chuck Carlise
At the endings of things, it's normal to look backward for clues on how to make sense of what we have done, why we've been doing it, and what it will mean in the future. With that in mind, as I begin the final sprint toward a PhD in Poetry at UH this spring, I've been thinking about 2003 and my final quarter of Master's work at UC-Davis. In particular, I'm thinking about a poorly realized article I came across that spring - written by a man I've never met, published in a major magazine I don't subscribe to - that has nonetheless helped me greatly in figuring out what I've been doing writing poetry in the first place. Let me explain. In May of that year, just two weeks before my thesis defense, I picked up a Newsweek, and flipped to an essay from their op-ed series, "My Turn." The "my" in this case was a middle-aged career ghost-writer named Bruce Wexler; whose essay was entitled, "Poetry is Dead. Does Anybody Really Care?" Every few years another critic makes some version this case - usually lamenting how "poets today aren't great like (whoever) long ago" - typically based in short-sighted and forgettable arguments. Wexler's essay is different, though. He writes not as a critic, but a self-fashioned everyman. And rather than passing judgment on the quality of contemporary poems, he's here to deliver the news that modern culture no longer needs them at all (or any of their forebears). He writes (speaking, presumably, for all of us) as a mourner who once loved poems, but who "got lazy½ [whose] interest waned." Poetry has no "buzz," he insists, and in the twenty-first century, an art without "buzz" is over. This is not a well-argued essay, and I suspect time has mostly forgotten it already. But I mention it, and indeed I've found it troubling, because its most basic observations aren't exactly false. It's true that there's not a lot of money or publicity in poetry; that not many in this country can name our poet laureate or recite a poem written in the last half-century; that there aren't enough people who make poems a daily part of their lives. But instead of announcing the death of the art, I think these gaps speak to why poetry will always be important - why we still have it and why we still need it, not as Americans or literary types, but as human beings. That sounds contradictory. I should back up a little further. I started my Master's work in Davis in the fall of 2001, having only set foot in the city once, for a brief apartment hunt that summer. When I arrived for good, after two-and-a-half days on Amtrak from Ohio, I was disoriented and exhausted. My new roommate, Gabby, was visiting family in Austria for a week, so I caught a cab out to our west Davis flat, lugged my bags into the back bedroom, and collapsed. It was nighttime already and I fell asleep hard. It was September 10. When I awoke, midmorning, I'd missed a half dozen phone calls already from my parents back east. The entire drama of that day, September 11, 2001, had played out while I slept: the Towers had been hit (one and then the other), and then they'd gone down. No one knew how many lives had been lost, but by now there was no more saving, just searching. The whole thing was already past tense. I spent the rest of the day like everyone else: glued, catatonic, to the TV news; occasionally making lists of people I knew in New York who might have been downtown; feeling remote and helpless as I tried to reconcile the California sun out my own windows with the deathsmoke rising from the streets on the screen. By the next day, with Gabby grounded in Vienna indefinitely, I knew I'd have to pull myself off the couch and learn this new city. Wandering around town alone, I found myself listening more than usual - and an unsettling pattern began to emerge. At the coffee shop, at Albertsons, on the sidewalk near campus, everyone seemed to have forgotten how to talk to one another. There were conversations, sure, but all of it seemed flat, declarative, devoid of emotion or judgment. Especially when anyone mentioned the attacks. As those first days unfolded, it was hard not to feel as though everyone in the world had taken a step away from one another. Like we'd all broken eye contact. Like we'd excused ourselves to go calm down in the hallway, and now returned: composed and terminally distant. A week later, the Sacramento Bee (the major newspaper in the area) ran a short note to its readers, acknowledging that they had begun to receive poems from around the service area - already more than they could print - and were thinking they might begin posting some of them online. Something in the collective psyche switched on; the floodgates opened. By October 2, just two weeks later, the Bee reported that they had "received unprecedented numbers of unsolicited poems." They were pouring in from everywhere. A spread of poetry went to press that weekend, and the paper continued posting more on the web. (It was happening in other cities too.) It is perhaps expected that artists and writers make statements in times of crisis. But these weren't written by career poets, with commitment to their craft and a sense of duty to the world, or even by the Bee's staff of journalists and editors. They were written by people in the Central Valley, who were afraid, confused, and lonely. People who had non-poetry jobs, non-poetry lives, and may not have picked up a book of poems in years. And therein lies something important. In that moment - in the confusion, fear, and crippling sorrow that followed the most terrifying communal tragedy most of us had ever faced; in the spine-buckling anxiety and silence that followed; with so many of us curled into ourselves, tiny islands of disquiet and clumsily feigned calm; when we finally straightened our backs and opened our eyes, when we parted our lips to call into that dark void of uncertainty - what came out were poems. Poetry is in our wiring, it's in our bones. It persists in spite of sales-figures and hype, because we need it, because we understand it. We know exactly what breathless onlookers mean, watching a graceful athlete or dancer, when they gush that it's "poetry in motion." We know exactly what the fire-eyed ballplayers mean, blasting out of the locker room after a barn-burning halftime speech, muttering, "man, that was fucking poetry." It's no coincidence that we read Celan and the Psalms at a funeral, or Rumi and Neruda at a wedding; that we write poems as broody teenagers (when the world and its pressures first announce themselves fully) and then come back to them in times of too-big tragedy or feverish joy; that we go to poems to seduce, to inspire, and to commemorate. Poetry is not just "the best words in their best order" as Coleridge famously called it. It's a direct line to ecstasy, to grief, to loneliness and connection. It pushes us into the dangerous intersection of language, passion, and the mind. It embodies our emotional range when we're closest to it - when it is most risky and most ruthless and most itself. I don't mean to overstate this or negate the other abstract necessities that charge our lives with meaning. We also need stories and music; we need contact and touch; we need laughter with others and quiet moments alone. But we need poems too. We can live without any of these, and most of us do for a while, but we're poorer for it. And that matters. God knows what I'll be doing next year. Within a month I'll technically be a doctor, qualified to do exactly nothing I'm not qualified to do now. It's unsettling to march toward something so undefined and yet so utterly inevitable. But whatever exhilarations and dejections come (and both surely will, en masse), I know I'll make sense of them by reading poems. And by writing them. And I'll be grateful for that, and for everyone else who wants to read and write them as well. And regardless how little money or "buzz" poets generate, I'm never going to wonder whether the blood still pumps in the genre's veins; whether a life in poems is a life worth living. It does; it is.
William Blake:
Tyger! Tyger! burning bright In the forest of the night What immortal hand or eye Could frame thy fearful symmetry? In what distant deeps or skies Burnt the fire of thine eyes? On what wings dare he aspire? What the hand dare seize the fire? And What shoulder, and what art, Could twist the sinews of thy heart? And when thy heart began to beat, What dread hand? and what dread feet? What the hammer? what the chain? In what furnace was thy brain? What the anvil? what dread grasp Dare its deadly terrors clasp? When the stars threw down their spears, And watered heaven with their tears, Did he smile his work to see? Did he who made the lamb make thee? Tyger! Tyger! burning bright In the forests of the night, What immortal hand or eye Dare frame thy fearful symmetry?
Vanessa Villarreal:
I'm teaching this essay, Chuck. I always have one student that questions why we need poetry, and no one has been able to answer this question as eloquently or as beautifully as you have. Thanks.
Laurie:
Great post, Chuck. Kudos on the PhD!
Liz:
Great post, Chuck. A reminder that, as graduate students anxious to get the recognition that comes with publications and jobs, we are in danger of forgetting that the moment of creation, of discovery, and of total confusion is why we all got into this racket in the first place. And that real poetry place, where the bottom drops out, is one we all have access to, even if we can't get a damn thing published or aren't interested in trying.
Stefanie:
Wow. You are a rock star! Loved reading this and congrats on the PhD.
Casey Fleming:
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Everything Old is New Again (and Again)
Posted on May 13, 2016 February 8, 2017 by Greg Grondin
It’s nothing new to see a reboot or remake of a classic Hollywood film franchise. We’ve been doing it for years. For a lot of adult geeks, it can be really interesting to see some of our favorite cartoons spring back to life either as new TV shows, comics or as feature films.
Nostalgia is a very marketable thing and for a number of reasons. A classic franchise can bring with it sentimental value that helps sell the product as a collectable or even to simply act as a fun reminder of our youth. It also serves as a connection between ourselves as adults and our children. It allows us to share our heroes with those younger than us and find some common connection.
Many of our favorite heroes simply never go away and their stories span generations of readers. The Marvel comics and movies do well to create shared connections between young and old. But, more than Hollywood films and their characters, superheroes have been around now for decades – consistently and constantly evolving – and will likely be around for years to come. What’s really fascinating are those flash-in-the-pan stories from our youth based on cartoon franchises that may have been around for a decade or less (sometimes significantly less) and then disappeared. They were kings of the playground for a short window of time. They may have eclipsed Batman and Spider-man in terms of popularity, but their existence as a hot item held a far shorter lifespan.
This week introduced us to a very solid preview of upcoming 10-episode Netflix Voltron series that will premiere in June (and all at once too for those of us who love our Netflix binges). There’s also been a rumour that M.A.S.K. may be making a return to comics. There are almost too many old shows from our childhood making a comeback, but let’s look at a few that have either hit the shelves this week, will be hitting the shelves next week or are currently airing again on TV or hitting the silver screen.
Boom! Studios has released a new Power rangers comic series based on their original U.S. incarnations. The story so far has been pretty deep and has featured the full cast of original characters and some of our favorite Power Rangers villains (Rita Repulsa) and is worth a look for longtime fans.
For those not interested in reading the comics, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers are also receiving a feature film with a few images revealed showing the updated looks for the heroes and Rita.
While the Power Rangers (and the Super Sentai series it is derived from) has aired pretty much non-stop for years now, many grew up holding the original 1993-1996 Mighty Morphin Power Rangers incarnation close to their hearts.
Yes, it’s hard not to count My Little Pony. The My Little Pony Frendship Is Magic TV series has aired for a full five seasons with a sixth season underway and a full length feature being produced. The IDW Publishing comic book has it’s 42nd issue on the shelve this week and the My Little Pony Friends Forever comic saw its 28th issue hit the shelves earlier this month. It’s hard to deny the scope of the fan base. While certainly not the first attempt to reboot the franchise since it’s inception, it has certainly proven to be the most successful.
Another series that has had many reboots over the years, the Ninja Turtles are still going strong. IDW has published issue 58 of the ongoing series this week and the third incarnation of the cartoon is well into its fourth season. A film is set to hit the silver screen this summer (the second of the Michael Bay Ninja Turtles films) with Bebop, Rocksteady and Krang all looking to make appearances.
G.I. Joe has never really gone anywhere. A comic in one form or another has almost always been on the shelf and #228 of the IDW Publishing series hit the shelves earlier this month. They also recently crossed paths with the Street Fighter characters in Street Fighter X G.I. Joe #3 which was released. G.I. Joe toys continue to be ubiquitous to toy stores as well. The recent feature films, for better or for worse, are behind us. There’s no cartoon series currently, but it may only be a matter of time.
Like G.I. Joe, the Transformers have never really gone far. Sure, their popularity faded somewhat after the original cartoon series ended, but the toys have been on shelves fairly consistently ever since with an almost innumerable number of cartoon series having aired both in the US and Japan. Robots in Disguise is the title of the current TV series and the Michael Bay film series, for better or worse, continues to generate sequels and huge box office numbers. IDW has published both Transformers More than Meets the Eye #52 and Transformers Sins of Wreckers #4 earlier this month. The franchise is prolific and will likely continue to generate various new series and takes on the characters for years to come.
The less said about the recent Jem film the better, but the recent comic series from IDW has been a stellar read for any fans of the original series. While the original cast were portrayed as near identical in the 80’s in terms of their builds (likely due to the toys at the time) the most recent incarnation gives the characters more distinct looks and develops their personalities in far greater depth than the fun but somewhat shallow cartoon many grew up with.
Of course, there are many other reboots and retools not mentioned. Another franchise from years past resurrected by IDW, Micronauts #2 will be hitting the shelves soon. Archie is enjoying a brilliant rebirth with the new Archie comic and the new Jughead comic. Scooby Doo will be getting an interesting facelift in his new comic as well. Pokemon is still hitting the shelves with new cards, video games and a continuing cartoon series. Care Bears, Cabbage Patch Kids, Smurfs and Strawberry Shortcake are all kicking around too.
There are certainly plenty of new franchises for young and old to enjoy – on TV, in theaters and in comics – but it can be fun to revisit and share in some of your favorite franchises for your youth. Some of them come and go at a speed where you might miss them if you blinked (the recent Thundercats reboot) while others never really seemed to go away.
If you were to sit and watch your favorite shows from your youth again, you might be a bit shocked at how our nostalgia has warped some of our favorites into something far greater than they originally were. It can still be fun to share them and it can be impressive to see how the folks who grew up with these characters have reshaped them decades later.
Greg Grondin
Owner at Heroes' Beacon
Gregory Grondin is a full time Systems Analyst working for Mariner Innovations. He also works as a weight loss consultant for Weight Watchers and is part owner of Heroes' Beacon. You can follow his web comic series at http://www.spacepawdyssey.com
Greg is a fan of gaming and comics in general and an avid collector of Transformers figures.
Posted in Comics, Novelties Tagged gi joe, jem, my little pony, ninja turtles, nostalgia, power rangers, transformers
Free Comic Book Day!
Magic Everywhere!
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Home » Context of 'June 5, 2009: Republican Chairman: ‘God Help’ White Males in Supreme Court Nominee’s Courtroom'
Context of 'June 5, 2009: Republican Chairman: ‘God Help’ White Males in Supreme Court Nominee’s Courtroom'
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October 26, 2001: Latina Appeals Court Judge Acknowledges Ethnic, Gender Diversity Brings Different Viewpoints to Bench
Appeals Court Judge Sonia Sotomayor delivers a lecture at the University of California at Berkeley School of Law. Sotomayor, whose parents are Puerto Rican, speaks on the subject of Hispanics in the judiciary and her own experience as a Latina (Hispanic woman) jurist. After noting the tremendous cultural and ethnic diversity among Hispanics, and citing the ascension of increasing numbers of Hispanics and women to the judiciary, Sotomayor addresses the issue of judges acting without regard for their ethnic heritage or gender. “[J]udges must transcend their personal sympathies and prejudices and aspire to achieve a greater degree of fairness and integrity based on the reason of law,” she says, and notes that while she tries to aspire to that goal: “I wonder whether achieving that goal is possible in all or even in most cases. And I wonder whether by ignoring our differences as women or men of color we do a disservice both to the law and society. Whatever the reasons why we may have different perspectives, either as some theorists suggest because of our cultural experiences or as others postulate because we have basic differences in logic and reasoning, are in many respects a small part of a larger practical question we as women and minority judges in society in general must address. I accept the thesis… that in any group of human beings there is a diversity of opinion because there is both a diversity of experiences and of thought.… I further accept that our experiences as women and people of color affect our decisions. The aspiration to impartiality is just that—it’s an aspiration because it denies the fact that we are by our experiences making different choices than others.” She adds: “Justice [Sandra Day] O’Connor has often been cited as saying that a wise old man and wise old woman will reach the same conclusion in deciding cases.… I am also not so sure that I agree with the statement. First… there can never be a universal definition of wise. Second, I would hope that a wise Latina woman with the richness of her experiences would more often than not reach a better conclusion than a white male who hasn’t lived that life. Let us not forget that wise men like Oliver Wendell Holmes and Justice [Benjamin] Cardozo voted on cases which upheld both sex and race discrimination in our society. Until 1972, no Supreme Court case ever upheld the claim of a woman in a gender discrimination case. I… believe that we should not be so myopic as to believe that others of different experiences or backgrounds are incapable of understanding the values and needs of people from a different group. Many are so capable.… However, to understand takes time and effort, something that not all people are willing to give. For others, their experiences limit their ability to understand the experiences of others. Other simply do not care. Hence, one must accept the proposition that a difference there will be by the presence of women and people of color on the bench.” [National Council of La Raza Law Journal, 10/2001; ABC News, 10/26/2001 ; New York Times, 5/14/2009] After Sotomayor is nominated to the Supreme Court (see May 26, 2009), many critics will use this speech to accuse her of racism (see May 26, 2009, May 26, 2009, May 26, 2009, May 27, 2009, May 28, 2009, and June 3, 2009).
Entity Tags: University of California at Berkeley School of Law, Sonia Sotomayor, US Supreme Court
May 26, 2009: Supreme Court Nomination Difficult for Conservatives to Derail, Legal Experts Write
Tom Goldstein, a veteran lawyer who maintains the Supreme Court-focused, nonpartisan “SCOTUSblog,” writes that Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor (see May 26, 2009) will be the focus of caricatures and character attacks from the right, just as Justices Samuel Alito (see October 31, 2005 - February 1, 2006) and John Roberts (see September 29, 2005) were from the left. Goldstein’s assessment is echoed by ABC’s “The Note,” an influential daily political newsletter. Goldstein, who has argued cases before the Court over 20 times, writes that barring some serious revelation of ethical violations, Sotomayor is almost guaranteed to be confirmed by the Senate, but before that, she will be subjected to attacks from what he calls “committed ideologues.” Few “mainstream Republican politicians will vocally join the criticism,” he predicts. In a political sense, it would be disastrous for Republicans to mount serious opposition to a Hispanic woman, or Latina. “To Hispanics, the nomination would be an absolutely historic landmark,” Goldstein writes. “It really is impossible to overstate its significance. The achievement of a lifetime appointment at the absolute highest levels of the government is a profound event for that community, which in turn is a vital electoral group now and in the future.” Such attacks would comprise “a strategy that risks exacting a very significant political cost among Hispanics and independent voters generally, assuming that the attacks aren’t backed up with considerable substance.” The attacks will come from any of four major areas, Goldstein predicts. [Tom Goldstein, 5/26/2009]
Attacks Led by Conservatives outside Congress - ABC’s Jonathan Karl agrees. He writes: “At the start, Senate Republicans will likely make innocuous statements about the need to thoroughly review her record, but make no mistake, GOP leaders, with a big assist from outside conservative groups, will wage a vigorous campaign against this nomination.… Senate Republicans don’t expect to defeat the Sotomayor nomination. But they hope to raise enough questions about the nomination to make it a tough vote for Democratic senators in more conservative states. They will also use the confirmation battle as an opportunity to motivate a demoralized Republican base” (see May 1, 2009). [ABC News, 5/26/2009]
Attacks on Sotomayor's Intellect - The first series of attacks, Goldstein writes, will focus on the claim that she “is not smart enough for the job.” He writes that this is a powerful line of argument with an equally strong potential for backlash, so it will be handled carefully and obliquely. Unfortunately for this position, he writes, “Sotomayor is in fact extremely intelligent.” She graduated at the top of her class at Princeton, and her judicial opinions “are thorough, well-reasoned, and clearly written. Nothing suggests she isn’t the match of the other Justices.” Goldstein’s predictions are reflected in a number of public columns and commentaries (see May 26, 2009, May 26, 2009, May 29, 2009, and May 31, 2009).
'Liberal Ideologue and Judicial Activist' - The second line of attack will be purely ideological, focusing on the claim that she is a “liberal ideologue” and a “judicial activist.” While Sotomayor would be on the left of the Court, Goldstein writes, she is hardly a radical liberal. She is very similar to the man she is slated to replace, Justice David Souter, as a moderate, centrist liberal. Her appellate opinions as reviewed by the Court put her squarely with the left-center wing of the current Court. Karl writes, “They will call her an ‘activist’ judge intent on making law from the bench, not interpreting law.” Their predictions are reflected in a number of public columns and commentaries (see May 26, 2009, May 26, 2009, May 26, 2009, May 26, 2009, May 28, 2009, May 28, 2009, May 29, 2009, May 29, 2009, and June 3, 2009).
Intolerant of Positions Contrary to Her Own - The third wave of attack will claim, Goldstein writes, that she is intolerant of positions with which she disagrees. Proponents of this line of attack will focus on a decision she wrote that upheld affirmative action laws to the detriment of white firefighters, on a panel appearance in which she acknowledged that appellate judges sometimes make public policy, and a speech where she talked about the role her gender and ethnicity played in her decision-making. They will also focus, Karl notes, on a 2002 speech where she said the sex and ethnic origin of a judge can affect their decisions. Sotomayor said, “I would hope that a wise Latina woman with the richness of her experiences would more often than not reach a better conclusion than a white male who hasn’t lived that life” (see October 26, 2001). “These reeds are too thin for that characterization to take hold,” Goldstein writes. The public “is easily able to accept a judge’s recognition of the lawmaking effects of her decisions and the influences of her background. There just isn’t any remotely persuasive evidence that Judge Sotomayor acts lawlessly or anything of the sort.” Goldstein’s predictions are reflected in a number of public columns and commentaries (see May 26, 2009, May 26, 2009, May 29, 2009, and June 3, 2009). [ABC News, 5/26/2009; Tom Goldstein, 5/26/2009]
Personality Characteristics - The fourth wave of attacks will characterize her as, Goldstein writes, “gruff and impersonable,” based on some excerpts from oral arguments and a few anonymous criticisms voiced in the “Almanac of the Federal Judiciary.” Sotomayor can easily quash these attacks with a few well-turned statements in the public eye. From his own experiences arguing cases before the Court, Goldstein believes Sotomayor is similar in demeanor and temperment to Justices Roberts, Souter, and Antonin Scalia. Goldstein’s predictions are reflected in a number of public columns and commentaries (see May 27, 2009. May 29, 2009, and June 3, 2009).
Missed Line of Attack - Neither Goldstein nor Karl write about the direct attacks on Sotomayor’s race and gender that some conservatives will launch (see May 26, 2009, May 26, 2009, May 27, 2009, May 28, 2009, May 28, 2009, May 28, 2009. May 29, 2009, June 2, 2009, June 3, 2009, and June 5, 2009). Goldstein’s own analysis of Sotomayor’s rulings will thoroughly disprove the allegations of racial bias (see May 29, 2009).
Conclusion - Goldstein concludes, “All in all… her easy confirmation seems assured.” [Tom Goldstein, 5/26/2009]
Entity Tags: David Souter, Sonia Sotomayor, Jonathan Karl, US Supreme Court, Thomas Goldstein, ABC News
May 29, 2009: Republican Chair Advises Republicans to Abandon Racially Motivated Attacks on Supreme Court Nominee
Republican National Committee chairman Michael Steele, guest-hosting William Bennett’s radio show, says that Republicans should not attack Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor (see May 26, 2009) over her race (see May 26, 2009, May 26, 2009, May 27, 2009, May 28, 2009, May 28, 2009, and May 28, 2009). Doing so risks damaging the Republican Party’s image, he says. Steele, who is an African-American, warns that the “liberal media,” and particularly MSNBC, will use the racially motivated attacks to paint Republicans as bigots. “MSNBC will rip everything we have to say up into shreds,” he says. “I’m excited that a Hispanic woman is in this position,” he says. Republicans should stop “slammin’ and rammin’” on Sotomayor, and instead “acknowledge” the “historic aspect” of the pick and make a “cogent, articulate argument” against her for purely substantive reasons. Steele says the party doesn’t want to “get painted as a party that’s against the first Hispanic woman” picked for the Supreme Court. Democrats have made similar attacks on conservative candidates in the past, Steele avers, and says that the “liberal media” gave Democrats an unfair advantage in such controversies. Steele does not mention two of the loudest voices in the racially-based attacks against Sotomayor, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh. Washington Post columnist Greg Sargent writes: “It’s a reminder of Steele’s predicament: He knows how badly these attacks are damaging the party and how neatly they play into the hands of Dems, but he can’t call out the leading figures launching those attacks, because that risks infuriating the base and feeding the meme that the GOP is hopelessly divided.” [Plum Line, 5/29/2009] Two weeks before, while hosting Bennett’s show, Steele had attacked Sotomayor’s intellect and personality, calling her “not a bell ringer” and “abrasive.” [Think Progress, 5/29/2009] A week later, while hosting Bennett’s show, Steele will say, “God help you if you’re a white male coming before her bench” (see June 5, 2009).
Entity Tags: Republican Party, Sonia Sotomayor, MSNBC, Greg Sargent, US Supreme Court, Michael Steele
June 5, 2009: Republican Chairman: ‘God Help’ White Males in Supreme Court Nominee’s Courtroom
Republican National Committee chairman Michael Steele implies that Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor (see May 26, 2009) has racist tendencies, a week after urging fellow Republicans to stop “slammin’ and rammin’” Sotomayor over the issue of race and deal with her nomination on the issues (see May 29, 2009). While guest-hosting William Bennett’s radio show, Steele discusses criticisms that have been made of Sotomayor. “[T]he comments that she made that have been played up about, you know, the Latina woman being a better judge than the white male is something that she has said on numerous occasions,” Steele tells a caller (see October 26, 2001). “So this was not just the one and only time it was said. They’ve now found other evidences and other speeches… that she has made mention of this, this fact that her ethnicity, that her cultural background puts her in a different position as a judge to judge your case.… And God help you if you’re a white male coming before her bench.” A recent analysis of Sotomayor’s decisions as a judge in race-based cases proves that she does not discriminate against white plaintiffs (see May 29, 2009). [Think Progress, 6/5/2009] Four days later, Steele will defend his remarks. “Well, that’s not inflammatory,” he tells a CNN audience. “It’s based off of what—the inference that she left and what she said. You know, if you have a judge, where you have a situation where you have—you’re going before a trier of fact, and the trier of fact is on record as saying that this individual’s background experience is better positioned to make a decision than someone else, that gives one pause. And so my view of it was, in looking at it, you’re now segregating out white men by your comments. So, God help you if you’re a white male. If you’re seeking justice, this may not be the bench you want to go before.” [Think Progress, 6/10/2009]
Entity Tags: Republican National Committee, US Supreme Court, Sonia Sotomayor, Michael Steele
June 8, 2009: Former First Lady Speaks Well of Supreme Court Nominee
Former First Lady Laura Bush says some positive things about Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor (see May 26, 2009). On ABC’s Good Morning America, Bush says: “I think she sounds like a very interesting and good nominee.… As a woman, I’m proud there might be another woman on the Court. So we’ll see what happens, but I wish her well.” [Think Progress, 6/8/2009] Bush’s comments stand in contrast to some conservatives’ gender-based attacks on Sotomayor (see May 26, 2009, May 28, 2009, and June 5, 2009).
Entity Tags: US Supreme Court, Sonia Sotomayor, Laura Bush
June 12, 2009: Former President Bush Condemns Racial Attacks on Supreme Court Nominee
Former President George H. W. Bush condemns the right-wing attacks against Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor (see May 26, 2009), speaking out specifically against the charges that she has racist tendencies (see May 26, 2009, May 26, 2009, May 26, 2009, May 26, 2009, May 26, 2009, May 28, 2009, May 26, 2009, May 27-29, 2009, May 27, 2009, May 28, 2009, May 28, 2009, May 28, 2009, May 29, 2009, May 29, 2009, June 2, 2009, June 5, 2009, and June 7, 2009). “I don’t know her that well but I think she’s had a distinguished record on the bench and she should be entitled to fair hearings,” he says. “Not—[it’s] like the senator John Cornyn said it (see May 28-31, 2009). He may vote for it, he may not. But he’s been backing away from these… backing off from those radical statements to describe her, to attribute things to her that may or may not be true.… And she was called by somebody a racist once. That’s not right. I mean that’s not fair. It doesn’t help the process. You’re out there name-calling. So let them decide who they want to vote for and get on with it.” [Think Progress, 6/12/2009]
Entity Tags: US Supreme Court, John Cornyn, Sonia Sotomayor, George Herbert Walker Bush
July 28, 2009: Professor Says Republicans May Be Using Racist Rhetoric to Exploit Perceptual Divide between Blacks, Whites
Melissa Harris-Lacewell. [Source: Melissa Harris-Lacewell]Melissa Harris-Lacewell, professor of politics and African-American studies at Princeton, attempts to explain the increasingly overt and virulent racism being promulgated by some conservative lawmakers, talk show hosts, and anti-health care protesters (see February 1, 2008, August 1, 2008 and After, August 4, 2008, August 19, 2008, November 18, 2008, February 24-26, 2009, April 7-8, 2009, July 24, 2009, July 25, 2009, and July 28, 2009). “[A]s a political scientist, you always want to start with the assumption that a political party, whatever choices it’s making are trying to seek office,” she says. She says one must assume that the racist rhetoric “is somehow a strategy of the right or strategy of an element of the GOP to somehow gain office either in the mid-term elections or more long term for the presidential race.” However, that is not the entirety of the reasons behind the rhetoric: “[T]he other part, I think, that I have maybe not been thinking about as carefully is that when we think about the history of race in America, sometimes we have to put aside the notion of strategy and just embrace the reality that race in this country has often brought out irrational anger, fear, anxiety, emotionalism. So it is possible that this is not actually a GOP or a conservative strategy but is instead really kind of an emotional tantrum on the part of some members of the conservative wing who really just are floundering as they look at a world that is changing so dramatically around questions of race.” MSNBC host Rachel Maddow expands on Harris-Lacewell’s point, saying: “I was with you on it being an irrational tantrum until I started to see the same very specific tactic used in very different venues about very different subjects, this idea of the person who is not white being the problem racist, being used against [Supreme Court nominee Sonia] Sotomayor (see May 26, 2009, May 26, 2009, May 28, 2009, May 28, 2009, May 29, 2009, May 29, 2009, June 5, 2009, and June 12, 2009)… being used against the president now, inexplicably, unrelated to any policy issue but just as a free floating critique of the president. And it does make me wonder about this as an overt political strategy.” Harris-Lacewell replies: “President Obama paused in the middle of the primary race to speak in Philadelphia about the question of race in America. And he set up sort of two possibilities, black anger rooted in a history of African-American inequality and white resentment rooted in a sense of kind of a loss of racial privilege. Now, I think in many ways it’s a very accurate assessment of sort of the ways that blacks and whites, not completely and not perfectly, but often perceive things quite differently. So I spent the month in New Orleans and Hurricane Katrina is a perfect example of this. Everybody in the country was mad but African-Americans saw the failures of the federal government around Katrina as a race issue. White Americans who were still angry about the failures of the government saw it primarily as a bureaucratic issue rather than a race issue. So here, you have these two groups with very different perspectives. Now, that made all the difference in being able to make policy. So I think that they’re hoping that these differences in how blacks and whites often see the world can be a perfect kind of wedge to use on health care, to use on education, to use on a wide variety of issues that, in fact, really—if we don’t fix health care, it is bad for all Americans. But if we can somehow kind of suggest that the president is just trying to do things that are good for black people and bad for white people, then it opens up that kind of possibility of anxiety, distrust, and different perceptions.” [MSNBC, 7/30/2009]
Entity Tags: Rachel Maddow, Melissa Harris-Perry
Timeline Tags: Domestic Propaganda, 2010 Elections
April 28, 2011: Conservative Radio Host: Obama’s Release of ‘Long Form’ Birth Certificate ‘Proves’ 2012 Re-Election Campaign Will ‘Run on Race’
Conservative radio host Laura Ingraham tells her listeners that President Obama’s decision to present his “long form” birth certificate as proof of his US citizenship (see April 27, 2011) proves his 2012 re-election campaign will hinge on race. After playing a montage of audio clips from commentators accusing Obama of racism, or saying that his campaign will focus on race, she tells her audience: “It’s official. The Obama campaign is going to run on race. No? They might not say that, but let there be no misunderstanding of where this is going. This is going right to the heart of liberalism. Liberals see people, not as individuals who are capable of anything if given the opportunity, and freed up and loosened from the bonds of government regulation and bureaucratic restraints. No. They see people as a certain color, or a certain gender, or a certain sexual orientation. They have to be put in these boxes. The favorites boxes of the bean counters. Liberals have always looked at people that way. The truth about race, and this president, is not a pretty truth.… The truth about this administration and race goes right to the core of what liberalism has done to the black family, to minorities in general. The great diversion of liberalists has always been to drop the charges of racism, the spurious and the negative and the perjorative charges of racism [against conservatives], every time they are proven to be incorrect and the way they approach a problem” (see September 4, 1949, and After, March 12, 1956 and After, 1969-1971, 1978-1996, 1980, 1981, March 15, 1982, 1983, June-September 1988, 1990, September 1995, August 16, 1998, March 1-2, 2001, August 29, 2001, March 15, 2002, July 15, 2002, August 2002, September 26, 2002 and After, August 5, 2003, September 28 - October 2, 2003, May 17, 2004, May 18, 2004, October 9-13, 2004, November 15, 2004, November 26, 2004, December 5-8, 2004, December 8, 2004, May 10, 2005, September 28-October 1, 2005, September 30 - October 1, 2005, September 30, 2005, 2006, March 29, 2006, December 2006, January 19, 2007 and After, January 24, 2007, April 2007, April 2, 2007, July 22, 2007, August 21, 2007, September 22, 2008, October 8-10, 2008, October 24, 2008, January 6-11, 2008, November 10, 2008, January 25, 2008, January 31, 2008, February 1, 2008, February 28, 2008, May 19, 2008, June 2, 2008, June 6, 2008, June 26, 2008, August 1, 2008 and After, August 4, 2008, August 4, 2008, August 19, 2008, August 25, 2008, October 7, 2008, October 20, 2008, October 22, 2008, October 28, 2008, November 18, 2008, January 18, 2009, February 24-26, 2009, March 3, 2009, April 7-8, 2009, May 26, 2009, May 26, 2009, May 27, 2009, May 27-29, 2009, May 28, 2009, May 29, 2009, May 31, 2009, June 2, 2009, June 5, 2009, June 7, 2009, June 12, 2009, June 20, 2009, June 25, 2009, July 8, 2009, July 16, 2009, July 21, 2009, July 23, 2009, July 23, 2009, July 27, 2009, July 28, 2009, July 28-29, 2009, August 8, 2009, August 12, 2009, August 19, 2009, September 2009, September 14, 2009, October 13, 2009, February 25, 2010, March 20, 2010, July 14, 2010, July 15, 2010, September 11, 2010, September 12, 2010, September 12, 2010 and After, September 15, 2010, September 18, 2010, September 21, 2010, September 24, 2010, October 22-23, 2010, November 9, 2010, November 12, 2010, December 22, 2010, January 14, 2011, February 20, 2011, March 2011, March 19-24, 2011, April 1, 2011, April 5, 2011, April 14-15, 2011, April 15, 2011, April 22, 2011, April 26, 2011, April 26, 2011, April 26, 2011, April 26, 2011, April 26, 2011, April 27, 2011, April 27, 2011, April 27, 2011, April 27, 2011, April 27, 2011, April 27, 2011, and April 28, 2011). Liberals, Ingraham says, rely on racial politics, divisiveness, and “class warfare” to succeed in the political arena. “[I]n the end,” she says, “it’s kind of all they have, that and abortion.” She derides people “on the left” for attacking billionaire television host and enthusiastic “birther” Donald Trump for being racist (see April 14-15, 2011, April 26, 2011, April 27, 2011, April 27, 2011, and April 28, 2011). Any such charges, she says, are ridiculous. But those charges will be used by anyone who criticizes Trump for his challenge to Obama’s citizenship, she predicts, and cites Trump’s recent exhortation for Obama to “get off the basketball court” and focus on national issues as an example of an unfair charge of racism (see April 27, 2011). “And the very thing the left always starts to accuse the right of is what they are most guilty of,” she says. [Media Matters, 4/28/2011] Ingraham has had her own issues with racism and gender (see 1984, April 1997, and July 17, 2009).
Entity Tags: Barack Obama, Laura Ingraham, Donald Trump
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Home » Context of 'July 26, 2010: Lieberman: WikiLeaks ‘Hostile to Our Military’'
Context of 'July 26, 2010: Lieberman: WikiLeaks ‘Hostile to Our Military’'
This is a scalable context timeline. It contains events related to the event July 26, 2010: Lieberman: WikiLeaks ‘Hostile to Our Military’. You can narrow or broaden the context of this timeline by adjusting the zoom level. The lower the scale, the more relevant the items on average will be, while the higher the scale, the less relevant the items, on average, will be.
July 26, 2010: Lieberman: WikiLeaks ‘Hostile to Our Military’
Senator Joe Lieberman (I-CT) condemns WikiLeaks for disclosing classified war documents, calling the Web site an “ideological” organization with “an agenda.” WikiLeaks “is implacably hostile to our military and the most basic requirements of our national security,” says Lieberman. He adds that readers “should be wary of drawing conclusions based on materials selectively leaked by WikiLeaks, as it seeks to sap support for the Afghan war among the American people and our European allies.” According to Lieberman: “Most of these documents add nothing to the public understanding of the war in Afghanistan. The materials—which cover the period from 2004 to 2009—reflect the reality, recognized by everyone, that the insurgency was gaining momentum during these years while our coalition was losing ground.” [Hill, 7/26/2010]
Entity Tags: Joseph Lieberman, WikiLeaks
Timeline Tags: Misc Entries, Domestic Propaganda
November 29, 2010: Lieberman: WikiLeaks ‘Not Al-Qaeda’
Chairman of the Senate Homeland Security Committee Joe Lieberman (I-CT) expresses doubts about designating WikiLeaks a foreign terrorist organization. Responding to a question on the Imus in the Morning radio show about a proposal from Representative Peter King (R-NY) to make such designation, Lieberman says: “Normally, we reserve that designation for groups that fit the traditional definition of terrorism, which is that they are using violence to achieve a political end.… While it’s true that what WikiLeaks did may result in damage to some people… it’s not al-Qaeda.” However, Lieberman does not rule out supporting the proposal, adding, “I want to talk to Pete and figure out what he’s got in mind.” In addition, he says that the group’s release of thousands of US documents over the past year is a “terrible thing,” and expresses the hope that “we are doing everything we can to take down their Web site.” [Hill, 11/29/2010]
Entity Tags: Joseph Lieberman, WikiLeaks, Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee
December 1, 2010: Lieberman Asks Amazon about Its Hosting of WikiLeaks’ Website
Staff from the office of Senator Joe Lieberman (I-CT) contact the Internet retailer Amazon to ask about its hosting of WikiLeaks’ website. Lieberman is chairman of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security. [Guardian, 12/1/2010] His staff learns of the hosting from media accounts and leaves a series of questions, including, “Are there plans to take the site down,” with Amazon’s press secretary. [Talking Points Memo, 12/1/2010] The next day, Amazon will remove the website from its servers (see December 2, 2010).
Entity Tags: Joseph Lieberman, Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, WikiLeaks, Amazon.com, Inc.
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Home » Context of 'Mid-January, 2001: Hastert Gives Cheney Office Space on Capitol Hill; Move Designed to Make Congress More Subservient to White House'
Context of 'Mid-January, 2001: Hastert Gives Cheney Office Space on Capitol Hill; Move Designed to Make Congress More Subservient to White House'
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Mid-January, 2001: Hastert Gives Cheney Office Space on Capitol Hill; Move Designed to Make Congress More Subservient to White House
Days before President-elect Bush is inaugurated, Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert (R-IL) offers Vice President-Elect Cheney a second office in the US Congress. (To make room for Cheney in the exceedingly cramped work area, Hastert ejects Representative Bill Thomas (R-CA), chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, from part of his suite of committee offices near the House chambers.) Hastert’s move is much more than mere symbolism or even political kowtowing. Now, when legislators negotiate with Cheney, they must come to his office on Capitol Hill instead of Cheney coming to the Hill. According to former House Appropriations Committee clerk Scott Lilly: “Offering office space to the vice president represented more than a breach in the symbolism concerning the powers and autonomy of the House of Representatives. Hastert’s plan was to convert the House into a compliant and subservient role player inside the White House political organization.” [Dubose and Bernstein, 2006, pp. 191]
Entity Tags: Dennis Hastert, Bill Thomas, Richard (“Dick”) Cheney, Scott Lilly, George W. Bush
(9:04 a.m.-9:45 a.m.) September 11, 2001: House Speaker Hastert Has Problems Contacting Vice President Cheney; Receives Nuisance Call
Dennis Hastert. [Source: Congressional Pictorial Directory]Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert, who is third in line for the presidency, is in his office suite on the second floor of the US Capitol building when he sees the second plane hitting the World Trade Center live on television. [Hastert, 2004, pp. 5] He is told that Vice President Dick Cheney will soon be calling him on the secure telephone in his office. [Daily Herald (Arlington Heights), 9/11/2002] However, Cheney is currently having problems using secure phones, and Hastert is too. Hastert later recalls, “To use the secure phone, you have to push a button and turn a key. On that dreadful day I couldn’t make the thing work. No matter what I did, I couldn’t connect with the vice president. As the minutes passed, my frustrations grew.” [Hastert, 2004, pp. 6; Hayes, 2007, pp. 336] Several attempts to reach the vice president are unsuccessful. Hastert’s later explanation is that “Anyone who has used a secure phone can tell you they do not work very well.” However, numerous other people in the Washington area, including senior government officials, are also experiencing serious communications problems throughout the day (see (After 8:55 a.m.) September 11, 2001). Around the time the Pentagon is hit, the light on Hastert’s regular phone starts flashing, but instead of being Cheney it is apparently a nuisance caller, who complains, “I can’t get a hold of Jeb Bush, I can’t get a hold of the president, I can’t get a hold of Colin Powell. All this stuff is happening. What are you guys doing?” When Hastert asks the caller who they are, their reply is, “I’m just a citizen. Who is this?” [Chicago Sun-Times, 9/25/2001; Daily Herald (Arlington Heights), 9/11/2002; Associated Press, 6/16/2007] Shortly afterwards, the Capitol is evacuated (see 9:48 a.m. September 11, 2001) and Hastert’s Secret Service agents hurry him out of the building. It is not until around 11 a.m. that Cheney finally speaks to him. [Hastert, 2004, pp. 8-9; Hayes, 2007, pp. 337 and 340-341]
Entity Tags: Dennis Hastert, Richard (“Dick”) Cheney
(9:50 a.m.) September 11, 2001: Speaker of the House Hastert Evacuated to Secure Location outside Washington
Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert (R-IL), who is third in line for the presidency, is evacuated from the US Capitol building and flown to a secret underground bunker in Virginia, where he remains until late in the afternoon. [ABC News, 9/11/2001; ABC News, 9/15/2002] Around 9:48, the Capitol building had begun evacuating (see 9:48 a.m. September 11, 2001). At that time, Hastert was on the House floor. Two members of his security detail now enter the chamber and tell him, “We’re going to evacuate the Capitol, and you’re going to a secure location.” They take him out of the building and drive him hurriedly to Andrews Air Force Base, ten miles southeast of Washington. After he arrives there, Hastert is finally able to communicate with Vice President Dick Cheney, who is at the White House. (Hastert had been trying to contact Cheney earlier on, but without success (see (9:04 a.m.-9:45 a.m.) September 11, 2001.) Cheney tells Hastert: “There’s a real danger. I want you to go to a secure location.” [Hastert, 2004, pp. 8-9] Hastert gets on a helicopter and is flown to the secret underground bunker at Mount Weather in Bluemont, Virginia, 48 miles outside Washington—about 20 minutes journey by air. [Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, 11/2001; ABC News, 9/15/2002; Bamford, 2004, pp. 81] In the following hours, other top members of the House and Senate leaderships will join him there (see (Between Late Morning and Early Afternoon) September 11, 2001). [ABC News, 9/11/2001; Hastert, 2004, pp. 10] Hastert remains at the secure facility for several hours, and will return to Washington late in the afternoon (see (Between 5:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.) September 11, 2001). [Daily Herald (Arlington Heights), 9/11/2002] Hastert’s evacuation to Mount Weather is the result of “Continuity of Government” (COG) orders, which provide for evacuating the third and fourth in the line of presidential succession during a national emergency, in order to protect the nation’s constitutional leadership. [Washington Post, 1/27/2002] Counterterrorism “tsar” Richard Clarke activated the COG plan shortly before 10:00 a.m. this morning (see (Between 9:45 a.m. and 9:56 a.m.) September 11, 2001). [Clarke, 2004, pp. 8]
Entity Tags: Mount Weather, Dennis Hastert, Richard (“Dick”) Cheney
Timeline Tags: Complete 911 Timeline, 9/11 Timeline, Civil Liberties
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2004: Afghan Poppy Farmers Harvest Record Opium Crop
Opium production in Afghanistan, 1980-2005. Based on United Nations data. [Source: UNODC/MCN] (click image to enlarge)Roughly 4,600 tons of opium are harvested in Afghanistan during 2004, according to a December 2004 statement by Russian Federal Drug Control Service Oleg Kharichkin. By the end of the year, more than 206,000 hectares in Afghanistan are reportedly planted with the crop. The Russians believe that 2005 production will approach 5,000 tons. [PakTribune (Islamabad), 12/22/2004]
Entity Tags: Russia
2004: CIA Concludes Illegal Drug Profits Going to Islamic Militant Groups and Afghan Warlords
Assistant Secretary of State Bobby Charles asks the CIA to analyze where the drug profits in Afghanistan are going. The CIA concludes that it is probable some of the drugs are going to the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU), an al-Qaeda-related group just north of Afghanistan; the Taliban; the anti-US warlord Gulbuddin Hekmatyar; and possibly al-Qaeda. Charles says, “The linkages were there.” Author James Risen later comments, “The connections between drug trafficking and terrorism that the Pentagon didn’t want to acknowledge were real and growing, and were clearly helping to fuel a revival of guerrilla activity in Afghanistan.” [Risen, 2006, pp. 152-162] An article in the Independent this year will come to similar conclusions (see August 14, 2004). Based on this report and other evidence, Charles will push for a tough counter-narcotics policy but will end up losing his job instead (see November 2004).
Entity Tags: Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, Taliban, Central Intelligence Agency, Al-Qaeda, Robert Charles, Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, James Risen
2004: Defense Department Reports US Is Fueling Islamist Militancy by Propping up Authoritarian Regimes in Middle East
The Defense Science Board, a Defense Department task force commissioned to examine the war on terrorism, reports: “If there is one overarching goal [Islamist militant groups] share, it is the overthrow of what Islamists call the ‘apostate’ regimes: the tyrannies of Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Jordan and the gulf states… . The United States finds itself in the strategically awkward - and potentially dangerous - situation of being the longstanding prop and alliance partner of these authoritarian regimes. Without the US, these regimes could not survive. Thus the US has strongly taken sides in a desperate struggle that is both broadly cast for all Muslims and country-specific.” [New York Times Magazine, 9/11/2005]
Entity Tags: Defense Science Board
2004: CIA Program to Assassinate and Capture Al-Qaeda Leaders Terminated, then Revived and Outsourced to Blackwater
A CIA program to kill and capture al-Qaeda leaders (see Shortly After September 17, 2001) is terminated, and then revived under a new code name and surreptitiously outsourced to the private military corporation Blackwater. [Washington Post, 8/20/2009; New York Times, 8/20/2009]
Outsourcing Kidnappings and Assassinations - The public will not learn of the program until 2009 (see August 19-20, 2009). The reason for the move is that key officials leave the CIA’s Counterterrorist Center, which had run the program, and go to work for Blackwater. A retired intelligence officer intimately familiar with the assassination program will say of the reason for using Blackwater, “Outsourcing gave the agency more protection in case something went wrong.” According to the Washington Post, the contract goes to Blackwater “in part because of its close ties to the CIA and because of its record in carrying out covert assignments overseas.” [Washington Post, 8/20/2009] Blackwater is given operational responsibility for targeting terrorist commanders, including planning and surveillance, and is awarded millions of dollars for training and weaponry. Blackwater executives help the CIA in planning, training, and surveillance exercises for team members. It remains unclear whether Blackwater’s role is merely for training and surveillance, or if Blackwater employees are slated to actually carry out kidnappings and assassinations. A former official will say that the Blackwater phase involves “lots of time spent training,” mostly in the US. The teams reportedly simulate missions that often involve kidnapping. “They were involved not only in trying to kill but also in getting close enough to snatch,” the official will say. Blackwater does not have an official contract with the CIA; instead, individual executives, such as its founder and CEO Erik Prince, have contracts with the agency. [Washington Post, 8/20/2009; New York Times, 8/20/2009]
Program Never Implemented - Although the CIA spends several million dollars on the program, no one is actually captured or killed, and most of the program’s elements are never implemented. According to a former official, there is “much frustration” among team members at this. [Washington Post, 8/20/2009]
Program Termination - The assassination program began in 2002, after the 9/11 attacks, and will continue until 2009, when then-CIA Director Leon Panetta will terminate it. Blackwater’s role in the program will be terminated much sooner (see (2005-2006)). In 2009, government officials will tell the New York Times that the CIA’s efforts to use what the newspaper calls “paramilitary hit teams” to kill al-Qaeda operatives “ran into logistical, legal, and diplomatic hurdles almost from the outset.” [New York Times, 8/20/2009; Time, 8/21/2009] Despite an initial prohibition from Vice President Dick Cheney (see 2002), the program will later be briefed to Congress (see June 24, 2009). The fact that Blackwater became involved in it is one of the reasons Congress is notified. The New York Times will report that “government officials said that bringing outsiders into a program with lethal authority raised deep concerns about accountability in covert operations.” In addition, a private contractor involved in an operation would not have the same diplomatic immunity as a US government employee. [New York Times, 8/20/2009]
Former CIA Agent: Director 'Horrified' at Use of Mercenaries - In 2009, former CIA agent Robert Baer will write: “Panetta must have been horrified that the CIA turned to mercenaries to play a part in its dirty work. It’s one thing, albeit often misguided, for the agency to outsource certain tasks to contractors. It’s quite another to involve a company like Blackwater in even the planning and training of targeted killings, akin to the CIA going to the mafia to draw up a plan to kill [Cuban dictator Fidel] Castro.” Baer believes that the Blackwater contracts were more about “bilking the US taxpayer than… killing Osama bin Laden or other al-Qaeda leaders.… [A]s soon as CIA money lands in Blackwater’s account, it is beyond accounting, as good as gone.” Baer will note that Blackwater is involved in a number of highly questionable actions, including the apparent murder of several Iraqi and Afghan civilians, and will ask “what the CIA saw in Blackwater that the public still has not.” Baer will conclude by speculating, “Even more troubling, I think we will find out that in the unraveling of the Bush years, Blackwater was not the worst of the contractors, some of which did reportedly end up carrying out their assigned hits.” [Time, 8/21/2009]
Entity Tags: Robert Baer, Leon Panetta, Erik Prince, Central Intelligence Agency, Al-Qaeda, Blackwater USA
2004: US Misses Al-Qaeda Leader Al-Libbi in Abbottabad, Pakistan
The CIA and ISI (Pakistan’s intelligence agency) conduct a joint raid in Abbottabad, Pakistan, attempting to find Abu Faraj al-Libbi. He is al-Qaeda’s operational head since Khalid Shaikh Mohammed was captured in 2003 (see February 29 or March 1, 2003). Al-Libbi is not captured in the raid. However, he will be captured a year later in Mardan, near Abbottabad (see May 2, 2005). [Washington Post, 5/11/2011] Abbottabad is the town where Osama bin Laden will eventually be killed in 2011 (see May 2, 2011). Pakistani forces conduct a raid in April 2004 attempting to get al-Libbi in Abbottabad (see April 2004) and another raid in 2004 where they unwittingly almost capture al-Libbi (see After April 2004). It is not known the US raid is the same as either of these. Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf will describe both raids in a 2006 book and will not mention US participation, even though he does with other raids in the book. [Musharraf, 2006, pp. 210-211]
Entity Tags: Central Intelligence Agency, Abu Faraj al-Libbi, Pakistan Directorate for Inter-Services Intelligence
Category Tags: Hunt for Bin Laden in Pakistan, Counterterrorism Action After 9/11
2004-2007: Suicide Bombings Dramatically Increase in Afghanistan
Up until 2004, suicide bombings were almost unheard of in Afghanistan. But beginning that year, the Taliban launches six suicide attacks. In 2005, the number increases to 21. In 2006, the number skyrockets to 141, causing 1,166 casualties. In 2007, the number remains steady at 137, but the number of casualties increases 50 percent to 1,730. On September 8, 2006, a suicide bomber hits a US convoy just outside the US embassy in Kabul, killing two US soldiers and 16 Afghans. The resulting investigation uncovers a suicide bomb support network in Kabul that links to militants in the tribal regions of Pakistan. Amrullah Saleh, the head of Afghanistan’s intelligence agency, says: “Every single bomber we arrest is linked to Pakistan in some way. The training, provisions, explosives, technical equipment, are all being manufactured in Pakistan, and the CIA knows this.” [Rashid, 2008, pp. 366-367]
Entity Tags: Taliban, Amrullah Saleh
Category Tags: Haven in Pakistan Tribal Region, Afghanistan
(2004 and After): London-based Website and Radio Station Glorify Jihad, British Authorities Take No Action
Al-Tajdeed Radio, a station run by London-based Saudi Islamist Mohammed al-Massari, broadcasts in Iraq and Saudi Arabia calls for attacks on British troops. The station carries songs calling for jihad against the coalition forces and addresses by Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, head of an Iraqi group of militants reported to be affiliated with al-Qaeda. In addition, al-Massari also posts videos of attacks on British troops on his website. For example, in August 2006 the Council of Holy Warriors posts a declaration praising a bombing in Iraq that results in 55 people killed and wounded. MP Patrick Mercer calls the broadcasts “desperately demoralizing” for British troops in Iraq. Al-Massari says that the broadcasts were not in Britain, but abroad, so they are legal. No action is taken against al-Massari over the radio station and website, even after Britain passes a new Terrorism Act in 2006 making glorifying or encouraging political violence a crime (see March 30, 2006). [BBC, 8/18/2005; New York Times, 8/21/2006]
Entity Tags: Patrick Mercer, Mohammed al-Massari, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi
Category Tags: Londonistan - UK Counterterrorism, Iraq War Impact on Counterterrorism
Early 2004: White House Asks 9/11 Commission Not to Call for CIA Director Tenet’s Resignation
White House chief of staff Andrew Card calls 9/11 Commission Chairman Tom Kean and asks him not to demand the resignation of CIA Director George Tenet. Card says that he has heard the Commission will issue a statement tomorrow, but that President George Bush does not wish it. “You know, the president likes George,” he says, so such a call from the Commission would put Bush in an impossible position. Card asks that the Commission reconsider its apparent demand. However, Kean tells Card that he must have heard a false rumor, and that the Commission has no intention of calling for Tenet’s head in the middle of its inquiry. Card had actually heard the rumor from Tenet himself, although it is not known where Tenet learned it. At this point the Commission is considering recommending a long-mooted split of Tenet’s responsibilities. As director of central intelligence (DCI), Tenet runs the CIA and is also responsible for the intelligence community as a whole, although he does not have any real power over the other agencies supposedly under him. The split would mean that the CIA director would only run the CIA, and a director of national intelligence would be appointed above him, to coordinate the activities of all agencies in the intelligence community. It is possible that Tenet has misinterpreted talk of such a split as preparations for calling on him to resign. [Kean and Hamilton, 2006, pp. 144; Shenon, 2008, pp. 403]
Entity Tags: Central Intelligence Agency, Andrew Card, George J. Tenet, Thomas Kean, 9/11 Commission
Early 2004: Bin Laden and Al-Zarqawi Begin Exploring Idea of Allying Their Forces
In 2005, Hutaifa Azzam, son of Abdullah Azzam, Osama bin Laden’s mentor and a longtime acquaintance of militant leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, says al-Zarqawi had “no relations with Osama until he left to Iraq. His relation with Osama started [in 2004] through the Internet.” [Bergen, 2006, pp. 363-364] The Atlantic Monthly will later report that negotiations between al-Zarqawi and bin Laden about an alliance between them begin in early 2004. Al-Zarqawi will pledge loyalty to bin Laden in October, “but only after eight months of often stormy negotiations” (see October 17, 2004). [Atlantic Monthly, 6/8/2006]
Entity Tags: Hutaifa Azzam, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, Osama bin Laden, Abdullah Azzam
Early 2004: Bush Administration Orders Seizing of US Boats Believed to Be Traveling to Cuba
The Bush administration directs the Department of Homeland Security to seize any vessel, sailing anywhere in US waters, that DHS believes might be headed to Cuba. The justification for the directive is “the Cuban government’s support of terrorism,” according to the DHS, even though there is little evidence to back up that claim. According to Business Week’s Paul Magnusson, the directive may well violate the Bill of Rights, and requires the US Coast Guard to “draw up regulations and enlist cash-strapped local police departments and harbor patrols in the effort.” The editor of a boating magazine observes: “That’s right, Popeye. If you’re unlucky enough to be reading this magazine in the cockpit of your most cherished possession—be it in San Diego, Seattle, Saginaw, or South Florida—and you wonder aloud how you’d always wanted to chase Hemingway’s wake, by the letter of this new edict you have now forfeited the right to keep your boat.” [Carter, 2004, pp. 17]
Entity Tags: Paul Magnusson, Bush administration (43), US Department of Homeland Security
Category Tags: Internal US Security After 9/11, Counterterrorism Policy/Politics
Early 2004: CIA Lacks Resources to Monitor Al-Qaeda Haven in Pakistan, Due to Iraq War
In early 2004, the head of the CIA station in Kabul, Afghanistan, known only as “Peter,” reports a revival of al-Qaeda and Taliban forces near the border of Pakistan. He proposes a spring intelligence push in the Pakistani tribal regions of South Waziristan and Kunar. Since 2002, al-Qaeda has mainly been regrouping in Waziristan, and many speculate that Osama bin Laden may be hiding there (see August 2002). Peter estimates that 24 field officers and five station officers would be needed for the new push. However, CIA headquarters replies that it does not have the resources to make the surge, presumably due to commitments in Iraq. Peter is rotated out of his post a short time later. [Washington Post, 10/22/2004]
Entity Tags: Al-Qaeda, “Peter”, Central Intelligence Agency, Taliban
Timeline Tags: Iraq under US Occupation, War in Afghanistan
Category Tags: Iraq War Impact on Counterterrorism, Haven in Pakistan Tribal Region, Afghanistan, Counterterrorism Action After 9/11, Hunt for Bin Laden in Pakistan
Early 2004: 76 Percent of US Cities Receive No Federal Money for Emergency Crews, First Responders
The US Conference of Mayors releases findings showing that of 215 cities surveyed, 76 percent say they have not received any money whatsoever from the federal government for their emergency crews and first responders—the nation’s front line of defense against terrorist attacks. [Carter, 2004, pp. 21]
Entity Tags: US Conference of Mayors, Bush administration (43)
Category Tags: Counterterrorism Action After 9/11, Counterterrorism Policy/Politics, Internal US Security After 9/11
Early 2004: Weldon Fails to Convince 9/11 Commission to Look into Data Mining Programs
Rep. Curt Weldon. [Source: House of Representatives]Rep. Curt Weldon (R-PA) is not yet familiar with Able Danger, though he will help bring information about the program to light in 2005. However, he is familiar with the closely related Land Information Warfare Activity (LIWA) program, having had dealings with it before 9/11. He says he is frustrated at the apparent lack of understanding about programs like LIWA based on the lines of questioning at public 9/11 Commission hearings in early 2004, so, “On at least four occasions, I personally tried to brief the 9/11 Commissioners on: NOAH [Weldon’s pre-9/11 suggestion to have a National Operations and Analysis Hub]; integrative data collaboration capabilities; my frustration with intelligence stovepipes; and al-Qaeda analysis. However, I was never able to achieve more than a five-minute telephone conversation with Commissioner Thomas Kean. On March 24, 2004, I also had my Chief of Staff personally hand deliver a document about LIWA, along [with] questions for George Tenet to the Commission, but neither was ever used.” [US Congress. Senate. Committee on Judiciary, 9/21/2005] He says: “The next week, they sent a staffer over to pick up some additional materials about the NIWA, about the concept, and about information I had briefed them on. They never followed up and invited me to come in and meet with them. So they can’t say that I didn’t try.” [Office of Congressman Curt Weldon, 9/17/2005]
Entity Tags: Land Information Warfare Activity, Curt Weldon, 9/11 Commission, Thomas Kean, George J. Tenet
Category Tags: Able Danger, 9/11 Commission, 9/11 Investigations
January 2004: 9/11 Commission’s Zelikow Rewrites Staff Reports, Wants to Read them All at Hearings
The 9/11 Commission’s teams of investigators are asked to present interim staff reports to be read in the public hearings. Each report summarizes the staff’s findings regarding the subject of the day’s testimony. The reports help frame the questions for the day’s witnesses, and provide the basis for some of the chapters of the final report, so they are quite important and closely reported in the media. The commission’s executive director, Philip Zelikow, almost always rewrites the reports. Zelikow is smarting from the rounds of public criticism he has suffered for his apparent close ties to the Bush administration (see November 1997-August 1998, January 3, 2001, September 20, 2002, and March 21, 2004), and decides that he alone should read each staff report in the hearings—in essence, presenting himself as the public face of the commission and hopefully garnering some positive press coverage. That idea falls flat when angry staffers complain to the commissioners. But Zelikow continues to rewrite the reports, often improving on the language and wording, and sometimes rewriting reports to insert information that staffers find unsupportable (see January 2004). [Shenon, 2008, pp. 317-324]
Entity Tags: Philip Zelikow, 9/11 Commission
January 2004: Lone 9/11 Commission Staffer Decides to Read Though Small Portion of Ignored NSA Material Herself
Kevin Scheid. [Source: Abledangerblog(.com)]After finding that nobody else on the 9/11 Commission is interested in what the NSA knew about al-Qaeda in general and the 9/11 plot in particular (see Late 2002-July 2004 and Late 2003), commission staffer Lorry Fenner decides to try to read through a portion of the material herself. Fenner is “astonished” that nobody from the commission’s team investigating the 9/11 plot is reading the material, and thinks about asking her boss, Kevin Scheid, to tell the commission’s executive director Philip Zelikow that somebody should read the material. However, Scheid resists a confrontation with Zelikow, and Fenner does not want to go over her boss’s head and talk to Zelikow herself. Therefore, although she has other duties on the commission, she starts to read through the material herself. There are tens of thousands of pages of NSA documents about Osama bin Laden and al-Qaeda and, according to author Philip Shenon, “It would take several days of reading to get through even a small portion of it.” Fenner spends “two or three hours” on “several days” between January and June in the reading room, and some colleagues help her towards the end (see June 2004 and Between July 1 and July 17, 2004), but most of the information will go unread by the 9/11 Commission. [Shenon, 2008, pp. 156-7, 370]
Entity Tags: Philip Zelikow, National Security Agency, Kevin Scheid, Lorry Fenner, 9/11 Commission
Category Tags: Remote Surveillance, 9/11 Commission, Role of Philip Zelikow, 9/11 Investigations
January 2004: US Not Advertising Reward Program in Pakistan Where Most Al-Qaeda Leaders Are Hiding; Program Not Fixed Later
In 2004, Rep. Mark Steven Kirk (R-Ill) visits Pakistan to find out why the US Rewards for Justice program has generated so little information regarding al-Qaeda’s leadership. In the early 1990s, the program was effective in helping to catch al-Qaeda bomber Ramzi Yousef after a $2 million reward was announced for him and a huge number of matchboxes with his picture and the reward information on it were distributed in countries where he was likely to be (see April 2, 1993). The program has $25 million rewards for al-Qaeda leaders Osama bin Laden and Ayman al-Zawahiri, and lesser rewards for other al-Qaeda leaders. Kirk discovers that the US Embassy in Islamabad, Pakistan has effectively shut down the reward program. There is no radio or television advertising. A bin Laden matchbook campaign had begun in 2000 (see February 16, 2000), but the embassy has stopped giving away matchbooks with photos of bin Laden and other leaders. Kirk will later say: “We were at zero. I couldn’t believe it.” Embassy officials tell Kirk they are busy with other issues, such as assisting US troops in Afghanistan. Kirk proposes a congressional bill that would increase funding for the rewards program to advertise, extend the program to target drug kingpins (especially those who fund al-Qaeda and the Taliban), and make other reforms and improvements. But apparently the bill does not pass and the problem is not fixed. In 2008, Kirk will complain, “[T]he key thing about the Rewards for Justice program is that no one in a rural area—anywhere—knows about it.” Former CIA officer Arthur Keller will also say in 2008 that there are people in Pakistan and elsewhere with information who would be open to informing. “They’d love to have a $25 million bounty, and they aren’t supportive of Osama. But they don’t necessarily trust the US. Who do you report it to? The local police chief?… They’re not sure who to turn to or who to trust.” [US Congress, House, 2/12/2004; Washington Post, 5/17/2008] In 2006, the program will conduct a large advertising blitz in the US, seemingly one of the most unlikely places to figure leaders such as bin Laden (see December 2006).
Entity Tags: Mark Steven Kirk, Ayman al-Zawahiri, Al-Qaeda, Osama bin Laden, Arthur Keller
Category Tags: Haven in Pakistan Tribal Region, Counterterrorism Action After 9/11
January 2004: Karl Rove Orders Poll to Determine Public Interest in 9/11 Commission
White House adviser Karl Rove orders a Republican Party poll to determine public interest in a number of issues: Martha Stewart’s insider trading case, Enron’s collapse, and the 9/11 Commission’s investigation. The poll suggests that the public is not that interested in the Commission, which, according to author Philip Shenon, is “a relief at the White House.” Apparently, this is not the only poll Rove orders about the 9/11 Commission. Shenon will add that Rove “would have been a fool not to keep an eye on the Commission, given the potential trouble it could create for Bush on the eve of his reelection campaign—a campaign that would be centered almost entirely on the president’s record on terrorism.” Perhaps partly because of this, the Commission and its staff have “a sense of being watched” by Rove, and commissioner John Lehman will say that Rove views the Commission as a “mortal threat” to Bush’s reelection chances. [Shenon, 2008, pp. 175-176]
Entity Tags: Philip Shenon, 9/11 Commission, John Lehman, Karl C. Rove
Timeline Tags: 2004 Elections
January 2004: Air Strike on Afghan Drug Lab Is Exception to the Rule
A British special forces team in Afghanistan calls in a US air strike on a drug lab. The damage leads to a 15 percent spike in heroin prices. It is unclear if US commanders knew that the proposed target was a drug lab. However, this seems to be nearly the only such strike on drug-related targets since 9/11. Shortly after 9/11, the US military decided to avoid such targets (see Shortly After September 11, 2001). The US continued to gain new intelligence on the location of drug facilities and continued not to act. Assistant Secretary of State Bobby Charles later will complain, “We had regular reports of where the labs were. There were not large numbers of them. We could have destroyed all the labs and warehouses in the three primary provinces involved in drug trafficking… in a week. I told flag officers, you have to see this is eating you alive, that if you don’t do anything by 2006 you are going to need a lot more troops in Afghanistan.” [Risen, 2006, pp. 152-162]
Entity Tags: Robert Charles
Category Tags: Drugs, Afghanistan
January 2004: Staffers Appalled at Zelikow’s Rewrite of 9/11 Commission Statement to Imply Connections between Iraq and Al-Qaeda
Members of the 9/11 Commission’s team focusing on counterterrorism issues are appalled at a rewrite of a report by executive director Philip Zelikow. Zelikow rewrote the report, about the history of US efforts to contain al-Qaeda during the Clinton years, to imply that direct links exist between Iraq and al-Qaeda (see January 2004). Staffer Scott Allan, who wrote the original report, thinks that if the report is allowed to stand, it will become an important propaganda tool for the White House and its neoconservative backers in justifying the Iraq war, with headlines trumpeting the commission’s “discovery” of evidence linking al-Qaeda and Iraq. Many of Allan’s colleagues are equally disturbed, especially senior staffer Les Hawley. Hawley, a retired colonel, is a veteran of the military and civilian bureaucracies in Washington, and was a senior official in the State Department under Bill Clinton. Hawley, Allan, and the rest of the team directly challenge Zelikow’s rewrite. In author Philip Shenon’s words: “It would be remembered as an all-important showdown for the staff, the moment where they would make it clear that Zelikow could take his partisanship only so far. The staff would not allow him to trade on their credibility to promote the goals of the Bush White House—not in these interim reports, nor in the commission’s final report later that year.” The staff soon confronts Zelikow on the issue (see January 2004). [Shenon, 2008, pp. 317-324]
Entity Tags: Philip Shenon, 9/11 Commission, Al-Qaeda, Bush administration (43), Clinton administration, Les Hawley, US Department of State, Scott Allan, Philip Zelikow
Timeline Tags: Events Leading to Iraq Invasion, 9/11 Timeline
Category Tags: 9/11 Commission, Alleged Iraq-Al-Qaeda Links, Role of Philip Zelikow, 9/11 Investigations
January 2004: 9/11 Commission’s Zelikow Backs Down on Allegations of Connections between Iraq and Al-Qaeda
After 9/11 Commission executive director Philip Zelikow rewrites a staff report to allege links between Iraq and al-Qaeda (see January 2004), the staff confront Zelikow over the rewrite (see January 2004). The meeting between Zelikow and the staffers becomes somewhat heated, but Zelikow capitulates in the end, replacing the allegations of a link between Iraq and al-Qaeda with far more neutral language, and agreeing to let the entire issue lay until a later staff report. Author Philip Shenon will later write: “The staff suspected that Zelikow realized at the meeting that he had been caught in a clear-cut act of helping his friends in the Bush White House—that he had tried to twist the wording of the report to serve the needs of the Bush administration and its stumbling military campaign. Zelikow said later it was nothing of the sort.” Zelikow will deny allegations that he is a “White House mole,” and insist that all he wanted to do was help the commission keep “an open mind” on the subject. [Shenon, 2008, pp. 317-324]
Entity Tags: Philip Zelikow, 9/11 Commission, Al-Qaeda, Bush administration (43), Philip Shenon
January 2004: Zelikow Tries to Have 9/11 Commission Back Contentious Link between Iraq and Al-Qaeda
9/11 Commission Executive Director Philip Zelikow rewrites a commission staff statement to imply there are ties between al-Qaeda and Iraq. Zelikow often rewrites many of the staff statements, but usually mainly to improve the style (see January 2004), and the addition of the Iraq-related material is unusual. The statement dealing with Iraq was originally compiled by international law expert Scott Allan, a member of the 9/11 Commission’s counterterrorism investigation, which is a strong focus of Zelikow’s attention. Allan writes the statement on the history of US diplomatic efforts to monitor and counteract al-Qaeda during the Clinton years, and the difficulties encountered by the government in working with “friendly” Arab nations such as Saudi Arabia to keep al-Qaeda at bay. Allan and other members of Team 3 are horrified at Zelikow’s rewrite of this report. Zelikow inserts sentences that allege direct ties between Iraq and al-Qaeda (see July 9, 2003), suggest that al-Qaeda officials were in systematic contact with Iraqi government officials in the years before 9/11, and even allege that Osama bin Laden had seriously considered moving to Iraq after the Clinton administration pressured the Taliban to oust him from Afghanistan (see April 4, 2000 and December 29, 2000). Zelikow’s additions are subtle and never directly state that Iraq and al-Qaeda had any sort of working relationship, but the import is clear. The effect of Zelikow’s rewrite would be to put the commission on record as strongly suggesting that such a connection between Iraq and al-Qaeda—long a White House argument to justify the war in Iraq—existed before 9/11, and therefore Iraq bore some of the responsibility for the attacks. Allan never made any such allegations in his original draft. Moreover, he knows from his colleagues who have pored over the archives at the CIA that no evidence of such a connection exists. Allan and the other Team 3 staffers confront Zelikow on the rewrite (see January 2004), and Zelikow eventually backs down (see January 2004). [Shenon, 2008, pp. 317-324]
Entity Tags: Bush administration (43), 9/11 Commission, Al-Qaeda, Taliban, Philip Zelikow, Osama bin Laden, Clinton administration, Scott Allan
Category Tags: Alleged Iraq-Al-Qaeda Links, 9/11 Commission, Role of Philip Zelikow, 9/11 Investigations
January 2004: DNA Tests Indicate Hijackers Could Be Middle Eastern or European
The Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory logo. [Source: Armed Forces Institure of Pathology]The Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory (AFDIL) publishes a report on the examination of DNA of the presumed hijackers of Flight 77, which hit the Pentagon on 9/11, and Flight 93, which went down near Shanksville, Pennsylvania. The hijackers’ DNA is identified by a process of elimination, i.e. it is presumed to be that which does not match the samples provided by the passengers’ relatives. Samples are not requested from the hijackers’ families (see After September 11, 2001), but it is determined that the DNA may have come from Middle Eastern men, although in two cases current but not very comprehensive databases indicate they are more likely to come from Europeans. Also, the DNA samples from the Pentagon indicate that two of the presumed hijackers may well have been brothers. Presumably this refers to Nawaf and Salem Alhazmi. [Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory, 1/2004, pp. 82-84 ]
Entity Tags: Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory
January 2004: White House Refuses to Allow 9/11 Commission Access to Additional Presidential Daily Briefs despite Deal, Commission Hires Lawyer to Draft Subpoena
9/11 Commissioner Jamie Gorelick and Philip Zelikow, the 9/11 Commission’s executive director, complete a review of 300 Presidential Daily Brief (PDB) items that might be relevant to the Commission’s work. They find that 50 of them are actually relevant and, under the terms of an agreement they have with the White House (see November 7, 2003), tell White House counsel Alberto Gonzales that the Commission’s chairman and vice chairman, Thomas Kean and Lee Hamilton, should see these 50. The other seven commissioners will not see any of the PDBs, but Gorelick and Zelikow want to show them a 10-page summary of what they have found. The White House had previously agreed to this in principle, but Gonzales says that 50 is too many. He says that when the agreement was concluded, he thought they would only want to show one or two more to Kean and Hamilton. In addition, he claims the 10-page summary is way too long, and has too much detail about one key PDB concerning Osama bin Laden’s determination to strike inside the US (see August 6, 2001). Gonzales’s response angers all the commissioners. Its lawyer, Daniel Marcus, is instructed to hire an outside counsel to draft a subpoena, and he engages Robert Weiner, a leading Washington lawyer. The subpoena is to be for Gorelick and Zelikow’s notes, because the Commission thinks it is more likely to get them. However, Marcus will say that filing a subpoena “would have been Armageddon,” because, “Even though we had a good legal argument, the subpoena would have been a disaster for us because we could not have won the litigation in time to get the PDBs.” [Shenon, 2008, pp. 222-224] The subpoena will not be sent due to a last ditch intervention by Zelikow (see February 2004).
Entity Tags: Daniel Marcus, Alberto R. Gonzales, White House, Jamie Gorelick, Philip Zelikow, 9/11 Commission, Robert Weiner
Category Tags: Bush's Aug. 6, 2001 PDB, 9/11 Commission, Role of Philip Zelikow, 9/11 Investigations
January 2004: Nabil al-Marabh Mysteriously Deported to Syria
Nabil al-Marabh. [Source: Associated Press]After Nabil al-Marabh’s eight-month prison sentence was completed in 2003, he remained in a Chicago prison awaiting deportation. However, deportation proceedings were put on hold because federal prosecutors lodged a material witness warrant against him. When the warrant is dropped, al-Marabh is cleared to be deported to Syria. [Associated Press, 1/29/2003; Associated Press, 6/3/2004] In late 2002, the US government argued that there was no evidence al-Marabh had ever been involved in any terrorist activity or connected to any terrorist organization (see September 3, 2002). However, in al-Marabh’s deportation hearing, the judge rules that he “does present a danger to national security,” is “credibly linked to elements of terrorism,” and has a “propensity to lie.” A footnote in his 2003 deportation ruling states, “The FBI has been unable to rule out the possibility that al-Marabh has engaged in terrorist activity or will do so if he is not removed from the United States.” He is deported nonetheless, and prosecutors from two US cities are not allowed to indict him. Both Democratic and Republican Senators will later express bafflement and complain about this deportation (see June 30, 2004). [Associated Press, 6/3/2004]
Entity Tags: Federal Bureau of Investigation, Nabil al-Marabh
Category Tags: Nabil Al-Marabh, Counterterrorism Action After 9/11, Counterterrorism Policy/Politics
January-June 2004: 9/11 Commission Staffer Discovers Material Possibly Linking Iran to 9/11 Figures Unnoticed in NSA Archives
9/11 Commission staffer Lorry Fenner. [Source: Public domain]9/11 Commission staffer Lorry Fenner, who is reading through NSA material related to al-Qaeda on her own initiative (see January 2004), finds material possibly linking Iran and Hezbollah to al-Qaeda. [Shenon, 2008, pp. 157, 370-1] The material indicates that between eight and ten of the future hijackers traveled between Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan, and other destinations via Iran. For example, in November 2000, one of the hijackers, Ahmed Alghamdi, took the same flight as a senior Hezbollah official (see November 2000), although the 9/11 Commission report will say this may be a “coincidence.” An associate of a senior Hezbollah operative took the same flight as another three of the hijackers in November 2000, and Hezbollah officials were expecting an undefined group to arrive at the same time. However, the hijackers’ families will say they were in Saudi Arabia at this time (see Mid-November, 2000). Based on information such as this, the commission will conclude that Iran helped al-Qaeda operatives transit Iran by not stamping their passports, but that neither it nor Hezbollah had any knowledge of the 9/11 plot. Under interrogation, detainees Khalid Shaikh Mohammed and Ramzi bin al-Shibh say that some of the hijackers did transit Iran, but that they had no assistance from the Iranian authorities. However, such statements were apparently made after they were tortured, bringing their reliability into question (see June 16, 2004 and August 6, 2007). [9/11 Commission, 7/24/2004, pp. 240-1] The NSA intelligence reports the information about Iranian and Hezbollah is based on were mostly drafted between October and December 2001, so it is possible that the NSA was monitoring Hezbollah in 2000 and then matched up travel by that organization’s operatives with the 9/11 hijackers’ travel, ascertained from airlines, for example, after 9/11. One of the reports, entitled “operative’s claimed identification of photos of two Sept. 11 hijackers,” is dated August 9, 2002. It is unclear who the operative is or how he allegedly came into contact with the alleged 9/11 hijackers. [9/11 Commission, 7/24/2004, pp. 529]
Entity Tags: National Security Agency, Lorry Fenner, Ramzi bin al-Shibh, Hezbollah, Khalid Shaikh Mohammed, Iran, 9/11 Commission
Category Tags: Remote Surveillance, Other Government-Militant Collusion, 9/11 Commission, 9/11 Investigations
Early January 2004: Able Danger Intelligence Officer Tries Contacting 9/11 Commission
Following an October 2003 meeting with three members of the 9/11 Commission’s staff (see October 21, 2003), Lt. Col. Anthony Shaffer tries contacting Philip Zelikow, the commission’s executive director, as requested by Zelikow himself. Shaffer is an Army intelligence officer who worked closely with a military intelligence unit called Able Danger, which identified Mohamed Atta and three other future 9/11 hijackers in early 2000 (see January-February 2000). He phones Zelikow’s number the first week of January 2004. The person who replies tells him, “I will talk to Dr. Zelikow and find out when he wants you to come in.” However, Shaffer receives no call back, so a week later he phones again. This time, the person who answers him says, “Dr. Zelikow tells me that he does not see the need for you to come in. We have all the information on Able Danger.” [Government Security News, 9/2005] Yet the commission doesn’t even receive the Able Danger documentation they had previously requested from the Defense Department until the following month (see February 2004). [Thomas H. Kean and Lee H. Hamilton, 8/12/2005 ]
Entity Tags: Able Danger, Philip Zelikow, Philip Zelikow, 9/11 Commission, Anthony Shaffer
Category Tags: Able Danger, 9/11 Commission, Role of Philip Zelikow, 9/11 Investigations
Early 2004: 9/11 Commission Staffer Wants to Quit over Executive Director Zelikow’s Alleged Protection of Rice
Some months after he begins working on National Security Council (NSC) files (see August 2003), 9/11 Commission staffer Warren Bass decides that he should quit the commission, or at least threaten to quit. The main reason for this is because he feels the commission’s executive director, Philip Zelikow, is distorting the commission’s work to favor National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice, to whom Zelikow is close (see January 3, 2001, Before December 18, 2003, May-June 2004, and February 28, 2005).
'Zelikow Is Making Me Crazy' - Bass tells Daniel Marcus, the commission’s lawyer, “I cannot do this,” and “Zelikow is making me crazy.” According to author Philip Shenon, Bass is “outraged” by Zelikow’s conduct and thinks the White House is trying to “sabotage” his work by limiting his access to certain documents. Zelikow will later admit that he had a conflict with Bass, but will say that it was just an honest difference of opinion between historians. However, colleagues will say Bass saw it differently. Shenon will write: “[Bass] made it clear to colleagues that he believed Zelikow was interfering in his work for reasons that were overtly political—intended to shield the White House, and Rice in particular, from the commission’s criticism. For every bit of evidence gathered by Bass and [the commission team investigating US counterterrorism policy] to bolster [former counterterrorism “tsar” Richard] Clarke’s allegation that the White House had ignored terrorist threats in 2001, Zelikow would find some reason to disparage it.”
Talked Out of It - However, Marcus and Michael Hurley, Bass’ immediate superior on the commission, persuade Bass not to resign. Shenon will say that his resignation “would have been a disaster for the commission; Bass was the team’s institutional memory on the NSC, and his writing and editing skills seemed irreplaceable.” Hurley thinks that part of the problem is that Bass, as well as the other members of his team, have a heavy workload, so he gets Zelikow’s consent to hire another staffer, Leonard Hawley. [Shenon, 2008, pp. 149-150]
Entity Tags: Michael Hurley, Daniel Marcus, Philip Shenon, Philip Zelikow, Warren Bass, 9/11 Commission
January 7, 2004: CIA Misinforms German Intelligence about Terror Plot
German intelligence sources claim that the CIA misinformed them about an alleged terror plot due to take place at a Hamburg hospital on December 30, 2003, and allegedly fear that the information was planted. According to information provided to TV 2 Nettavisen, a German TV station, German intelligence has yet to find any evidence for the plot, which is alleged to be the work of the radical Kurdish group Ansar al-Islam. A German intelligence officer known only as Vahldiecker says, “We have not found any proof that the terror alarm was genuine, but we haven’t found any evidence that states it was not. It is of course possible that it was fake, but we do not know that for certain yet.… It is possible that [the CIA] gave us the wrong information, but it is not likely that they did it on purpose.” However, German intelligence has indicated that it believes the information was planted on purpose and is surprised at the handling of the case and the leaks to the media; the story appeared on Der Spiegel Online within hours of the CIA tip. [Information Clearing House, 1/7/2004]
Entity Tags: Vahldiecker, Ansar al-Islam, TV 2 Nettavisen, Central Intelligence Agency
January 9, 2004: Cheney Says Feith’s Intelligence is ‘Best Source of Information’ on Links between Hussein and Al-Qaeda
Vice President Dick Cheney tells Rocky Mountain News that a November 2003 article published in the conservative Weekly Standard (see November 14, 2003) represents “the best source of information” on cooperation between Iraq and al-Qaeda. The article was based on a leaked intelligence memo that had been written by Undersecretary of Defense for Policy Douglas Feith in 2002 and was the product of the Office of Special Plans (see August 2002). Cheney also insists that the administration’s decision to invade Iraq was “perfectly justified.” [Rocky Mountain News, 1/10/2004; Knight Ridder, 3/9/2004]
Entity Tags: Richard (“Dick”) Cheney, Douglas Feith
Before January 14, 2004: CIA Managers Falsely Claim There Was No Pre-9/11 Program to Assassinate Bin Laden
In interviews with the 9/11 Commission, unnamed deputies for CIA director George Tenet repeatedly claim that, before 9/11, they were never given a clear instruction to assassinate Osama bin Laden. This is false, as President Bill Clinton issued such an order following the 1998 embassy bombings (see December 24, 1998). According to author Philip Shenon, the deputies tell the commission “again and again” that they had not been given clear orders to assassinate bin Laden, but “that the CIA had instead been given a confusing set of presidential orders that allowed for bin Laden’s capture, but not his death.” Officers at the CIA apparently blamed this on “overly cautious” lawyers at the White House and Justice Department. The commission learns the deputies’ claims are false from Clinton’s former National Security Adviser Sandy Berger in January 2004 (see January 14, 2004). [Shenon, 2008, pp. 253-4]
January 14, 2004: 9/11 Commission First Learns of Clinton Order to Assassinate Bin Laden
The 9/11 Commission first learns that the US had a program to assassinate Osama bin Laden before 9/11 (see December 24, 1998). The program, which is disclosed to the commission’s staff by former National Security Adviser Sandy Berger, was a response to the African embassy bombings (see 10:35-10:39 a.m., August 7, 1998). The commission was not previously aware of the order and when Berger tells them about it they are confused, because the CIA has been telling them there was no such order for months. When the commission tells Berger what the CIA has said, he assures them that there is an explicit document, a memorandum of notification concerning Afghanistan, that gives the CIA the authority to kill bin Laden, not just capture him. It is unclear why CIA managers repeatedly told the commission there was no such order (see Before January 14, 2004). [Shenon, 2008, pp. 253-254]
Entity Tags: 9/11 Commission, Sandy Berger
Mid-January 2004: Paul O’Neill Says He Never Saw Any Evidence that Iraq Had Weapons of Mass Destruction
In an interview with Time magazine, former US Secretary of Treasury Paul O’Neill says he never saw or heard of any real evidence that Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction. “In the 23 months I was there, I never saw anything that I would characterize as evidence of weapons of mass destruction,” he explains. “There were allegations and assertions by people…. But I’ve been around a hell of a long time, and I know the difference between evidence and assertions and illusions or allusions and conclusions that one could draw from a set of assumptions. To me there is a difference between real evidence and everything else. And I never saw anything in the intelligence that I would characterize as real evidence.” [Time, 1/11/2004]
Entity Tags: Paul O’Neill
Mid-December 2003-Mid-January 2004: Political Considerations Determine Length of Extension Requested by 9/11 Commission
The 9/11 Commission realizes that it will not meet its reporting deadline of May 2004 and decides it will have to ask for an extension. Any extension would have to be approved by Congressional leaders and the White House. In order to determine how much extra time the commission will need, Chairman Tom Kean and Vice Chairman Lee Hamilton poll the other commissioners and staff members to gauge their opinions. Commissioners Slade Gorton and Tim Roemer suggest six months, but this would push the reporting date back after the presidential election in November. Kean and Hamilton are aware that this will probably not be permitted by Republicans, as they will be worried that parts of the report critical of Bush will be leaked to the press. In addition, Kean wants the report out during the presidential campaign, in the hopes that the two candidates will have a “bidding war” over who will implement more of the commission’s recommendations. In the end, the commission decides to ask for a two-month extension, meaning the report will be issued in July. [Shenon, 2008, pp. 226-227] The extension is initially opposed by the White House (see January 19, 2004), but the administration changes its mind (see February 5, 2004), and the extension is finally granted (see March 2, 2004).
Entity Tags: Slade Gorton, Lee Hamilton, Thomas Kean, Tim Roemer, 9/11 Commission
January 19, 2004: White House Opposes 9/11 Commission Extension
The Washington Post reports, “A growing number of [9/11 Commission] members [have] concluded that the panel needs more time to prepare a thorough and credible accounting of missteps leading to the terrorist attacks.” As a result, the commission is asking Congress to vote on approving a several month extension to finish their report. “But the White House and leading Republicans have informed the panel that they oppose any delay, which raises the possibility that Sept. 11-related controversies could emerge during the heat of the presidential campaign.” [Washington Post, 1/19/2004] The White House will reverse its stance a month later (see February 5, 2004).
Entity Tags: White House, 9/11 Commission
Timeline Tags: 9/11 Timeline, 2004 Elections
Before January 22, 2004: CIA Director Tenet Spends Much Time Reading Material in Preparation for Interviews with 9/11 Commission, Focuses on Surveillance of Malaysia Meeting
CIA Director George Tenet spends a lot of time reading material about the CIA’s performance in the run-up to 9/11 before interviews with the 9/11 Commission. Author Philip Shenon will point out that Tenet sets aside so much time despite the deteriorating situation in Iraq and the problems this is causing.
'Cram Sessions' - “Tenet insisted on all-day, almost all-night cram sessions to prepare himself for the interview with the 9/11 Commission,” Shenon will write. CIA staffer Rudy Rousseau will say, “He spent an enormous amount of time mastering an enormous amount of material.” The cram sessions are held at the weekend and until late on week nights, and cover the work done by Alec Station, the CIA’s bin Laden unit, as well as the failed plans to capture or kill Osama bin Laden.
CIA's Achilles' Heel - Shenon will also comment: “Tenet wanted specifically to master what had happened in Kuala Lumpur in 2000 with [9/11 hijackers] Nawaf Alhazmi and Khalid Almihdhar and why the CIA had apparently failed for so long to alert anyone that the two hijackers had later entered the United States from Asia. Like almost everyone else at the agency, Tenet seemed to understand that the CIA’s failure to watch-list the pair after their arrival in California was the agency’s Achilles’ heel—one horrendous blunder that could sink the CIA.” [Shenon, 2008, pp. 257]
Still Cannot Remember - Despite the cramming, Tenet apparently has problems remembering facts that could cast the CIA in a bad light (see January 22, 2004, April 14, 2004, and July 2, 2004).
Entity Tags: Rudy Rousseau, Central Intelligence Agency, George J. Tenet, Philip Shenon
Category Tags: Alhazmi and Almihdhar, CIA Hiding Alhazmi & Almihdhar, Al-Qaeda Malaysia Summit, 9/11 Commission, 9/11 Investigations
January 22, 2004: CIA Director Tenet’s Memory Losses Alarm 9/11 Commission
The 9/11 Commission interviews CIA Director George Tenet, but, due to frequent evasive answers, the commission doubts that he is telling them the full truth. The commission, represented at the interview by Executive Director Philip Zelikow, Commissioner Richard Ben-Veniste, and some staffers, takes the unusual step of putting Tenet under oath before questioning him, because, in the words of author Philip Shenon, “The CIA’s record was full of discrepancies about the facts of its operations against bin Laden before 9/11, and many of the discrepancies were Tenet’s.”
"I Don't Recall" - The commission immediately begins to doubt Tenet’s veracity, as he keeps saying, “I don’t remember,” “I don’t recall,” and “Let me go through the documents and get back to you with an answer.” This is despite the fact that Tenet spent a long time revising for his discussions with the commission beforehand (see Before January 22, 2004). Author Philip Shenon will summarize: “Tenet remembered certain details, especially when he was asked the sorts of questions he was eager to answer… But on many other questions, his memory was cloudy. The closer the questions came to the events of the spring and summer of 2001 and to the 9/11 attacks themselves, the worse his memory became.” In addition, the memory lapses concern not only details, but also “entire meetings and key documents.” Tenet even says he cannot recall what was discussed at his first meeting with President George Bush after his election in 2000, which the commission finds “suspicious.” Neither can he recall what he told Bush in the morning intelligence briefings in the months leading up to 9/11.
"We Just Didn't Believe Him" - Zelikow will later say that there was no one “a-ha moment” when they realize Tenet is not telling them the full truth, but his constant failure to remember key aspects disturbs them, and in the end, Zelikow will say, “we just didn’t believe him.” After the meeting, Zelikow, who seemed to have decided that the CIA had failed in the run up to 9/11 at the very start of the investigation (see Late January 2003), basically reports to the commissioners that Tenet perjured himself. The staff and most of the commissioners come to believe that, in Shenon’s words, Tenet is “at best, loose with the facts,” and at worst “flirting with a perjury charge.” Even Commission Chairman Tom Kean, “who found it difficult to say anything critical of anyone,” comes to believe that Tenet is a witness that will “fudge everything.”
CIA View - CIA staffers will later dispute this, saying that Tenet’s inability to remember some things was perfectly normal. CIA staffer Rudy Rousseau will say, “I’m surprised he remembered as much as he did.” Tenet’s chief of staff John Moseman will say, “Neither he [Tenet], nor we, held anything back… To suggest so now is not honorable.” [Shenon, 2008, pp. 257-260]
Entity Tags: Philip Shenon, George J. Tenet, Richard Ben-Veniste, Central Intelligence Agency, Thomas Kean, Philip Zelikow
January 22, 2004: Iranian Spy Gives Evidence at Mzoudi Trial; Is Quickly Discounted
The prosecution in the trial of Abdelghani Mzoudi presents a witness who claims to be a defector from an Iranian intelligence agency. [BBC, 1/21/2004] The witness, Hamid Reza Zakeri, does not appear in court himself, but instead Judge Klaus Ruehle reads out his testimony. [Reuters, 1/22/2004] According to Zakeri, the Iranian intelligence service was really behind the 9/11 attacks and had employed al-Qaeda to carry them out. Zakeri’s claims are widely publicized. However, these claims are quickly discounted, and German intelligence notes that, “he presents himself as a witness on any theme which can bring him benefit.” [Deutsche Presse-Agentur (Hamburg), 1/22/2004; Chicago Tribune, 1/22/2004; Reuters, 1/22/2004; Associated Press, 1/30/2004]
Entity Tags: Al-Qaeda, Hamid Reza Zakeri, Abdelghani Mzoudi, Iran
January-March 22, 2004: National Security Adviser Rice Privately Regrets 9/11 Comments, Then Publicly Repeats Them
The New York Times later reports that in private discussions with the 9/11 Commission in January 2002, National Security Adviser Condoleeza “Rice [is] asked about statements she made in 2001 and 2002 [(see May 16, 2002)] that ‘we could not have imagined’ that terrorists would use aircraft as weapons by piloting them into buildings. She [tells] the commission that she regret[s] those comments, because at the time she was not aware of intelligence, developed in the late 1990s, that some terrorists were thinking of using airplanes as guided missiles. She told the commission in the private session that she should have said, ‘I could not have imagined,’ according to one official familiar with the testimony, making it clear that some in the intelligence community knew about those threats but that she did not.” [New York Times, 4/6/2004] However, in a March 22, 2004 op-ed for the Washington Post entitled “For the Record,” she essentially repeats her 2002 comments, claiming, “Despite what some have suggested, we received no intelligence that terrorists were preparing to attack the homeland using airplanes as missiles, though some analysts speculated that terrorists might hijack airplanes to try to free US-held terrorists.” [Washington Post, 3/22/2004]
Entity Tags: Condoleezza Rice, 9/11 Commission
January 22, 2004-2005: Trusted Courier Ahmed Moves to Abbottabad, Pakistan, Buys Land and Builds Hideout for Bin Laden
Satellite imagery of Bin Laden’s Abbottabad compound in 2004 and 2011. [Source: U.S. Defense Department]Osama bin Laden’s trusted courier Ibrahim Saeed Ahmed moves to Abbottabad, Pakistan, and buys up land there that will be used for a hideout for bin Laden. Ahmed, who is using a variety of aliases, moves to the town with his brother Abrar, who is also assisting bin Laden. A Pakistani government official will later say that a plot of land in Abbottabad is bought by a man named Mohammad Arshad on January 22, 2004. A forged national identity card and incorrect address is used. In fact, “Mohammad Arshad” is one of the aliases used by Ahmed. That, along with the related name “Arshad Khan,” is the name Abbottabad neighbors will know him by in future years. [Dawn (Karachi), 5/7/2011] Property records obtained by the Associated Press show that “Arshad” buys two more plots of land in November 2004. The seller will later say that he does not meet Arshad in person, but deals with him through a middle man. A doctor sells another plot of land to “Arshad” in 2005. This doctor will later say that he does meet “Arshad” in person during the transaction. The plots are combined so a walled compound can be built that is much larger than other homes in the neighborhood. The doctor will occasionally see “Arshad” after that, and at one point the doctor will be cryptically told by him that the land he sold is now very valuable. [Associated Press, 5/4/2011] Locals will later say that construction on the compound begins in 2005. By late 2005 or the start of 2006, the construction is done and bin Laden will move into the compound with some of his family (see Late 2005-Early 2006). The courier Ahmed (who uses the named “Arshad”), his brother, and their families will live there too. [New York Times, 5/3/2011; Associated Press, 5/4/2011] In March 2011, a US strike force will assault the compound and kill bin Laden (see May 2, 2011).
Entity Tags: Ibrahim Saeed Ahmed, Osama bin Laden
Category Tags: Hunt for Bin Laden in Pakistan
January 23, 2004: NEADS Commander Hints 9/11 Data Was Altered to Show NORAD Did Not Shoot Down Flight 93; 9/11 Commission Ignores This
Colonel Robert Marr, the battle commander at NORAD’s Northeast Air Defense Sector (NEADS), makes some surprising comments about the US military’s response to the 9/11 attacks during an interview with the 9/11 Commission. Marr played an important role in NEADS’s response to the 9/11 attacks. A memorandum summarizing the interview will reveal some hints by Marr that others in the US military doctored the data describing the Air Force’s response to the hijackings, perhaps to show that the US military did not shoot down Flight 93.
Log Doesn't 'Look Right' - For instance, the memorandum will state: “Marr noted that one of the chat logs presented to him by Commission staff ‘doesn’t look right.’ [Commission staff noted this beforehand, but did not present to Marr as such.]” There is no further explanation in the interview account to explain what this means.
Timelines Conflict - After Marr is presented with a transcript of the 9/11 Commission’s May 23, 2003 hearing (see May 23, 2003), “Marr noted that the Dictaphone DAT times are off, and this led to a misconception with the time frame. He commented that NORAD asked for details to prove that they did not shoot down [United Airlines Flight] 93 shortly after 9/11. He noted that [two military officials] worked towards putting the initial information together. But because of the damage that occurred to the tapes during the transcription process (see September 21, 2001) they did not re-examine the tapes until very recently. Commission staff presented Marr with a timeline that was created by NORAD. Marr speculated that some of the discrepancies on this timeline were because of inaccurate computer timing.”
Mistakes Were Made to Show Flight 93 Was Not Shot Down - The memorandum will conclude, “Marr was emphatic that the mistakes in the data points were specifically made to show that they did not shoot down Flight 93.” [9/11 Commission, 1/23/2004 ] However, there will be no hint of these allegations in the 9/11 Commission’s final report, and no hint about any data manipulation or discrepancies.
Entity Tags: Robert Marr, 9/11 Commission, North American Aerospace Defense Command, Northeast Air Defense Sector
January 23, 2004: Al-Qaeda Leader Ghul Captured in Iraq; He Becomes ‘Ghost’ Prisoner
Al-Qaeda leader Hassan Ghul is caught at the Iraq-Iran border. Details are sketchy, both about the arrest and Ghul himself, who has never been publicly mentioned before. Several days later, President Bush will say: “[L]ast week we made further progress in making America more secure when a fellow named Hassan Ghul was captured in Iraq. [He] reported directly to [9/11 mastermind] Khalid Shaikh Mohammed.… He was captured in Iraq, where he was helping al-Qaeda to put pressure on our troops.” [Washington Post, 1/27/2004] Ghul had been living in Pakistan, but the Pakistani government refused to arrest him, apparently because he was linked to a Pakistani military group supported by Pakistani intelligence (see (2002-January 23, 2004)). Pakistan is reportedly furious when it is told he has been arrested in Iraq. [Associated Press, 6/15/2011] US officials point to his arrest as proof that al-Qaeda is heavily involved in the resistance in Iraq. One official says that Ghul was “definitely in Iraq to promote an al-Qaeda, Islamic extremist agenda.” [Fox News, 1/24/2004] The 9/11 Commission will later claim: “Hassan Ghul was an important al-Qaeda travel facilitator who worked with [al-Qaeda leader] Abu Zubaida assisting Arab fighters traveling to Afghanistan. In 1999, Ghul and Zubaida opened a safe house under the cover of an import/export business in Islamabad [Pakistan]. In addition, at Zubaida’s request, Ghul also successfully raised money in Saudi Arabia.” [9/11 Commission, 8/21/2004, pp. 64 ] But despite acknowledgment from Bush that Ghul is in US custody, Ghul subsequently completely disappears, becoming a “ghost detainee.” Apparently, he will provide vital intelligence during US interrogation (see Shortly After January 23, 2004). The US will eventually transfer Ghul to Pakistani custody (see (Mid-2006)), and Pakistan will release him, allowing him to rejoin al-Qaeda (see (Mid-2007)).
Entity Tags: Khalid Shaikh Mohammed, Hassan Ghul, Abu Zubaida, George W. Bush
Category Tags: High Value Detainees, Key Captures and Deaths, Counterterrorism Action After 9/11, Abu Zubaida
January 23, 2004: MIT Magazine Argues Bin Laden Recordings May Be Fakes
Technology Review, a magazine published by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, runs an article by Professor Richard Muller arguing that audio messages apparently released by Osama bin Laden may be fakes. According to Muller, the US’s counterterrorism efforts are still going strong, making it hard for al-Qaeda to operate. Therefore, “its sympathizers desperately need encouragement from their charismatic leader,” which is why the organization is making fake audio tapes. Video tapes would be more convincing proof of bin Laden’s continued existence, but are harder to fake and therefore not forthcoming. Bin Laden is either dead or injured, and unable to make recordings, Muller argues, and adds that although voice recognition, a technique used by the US government to identify the voice on the audio tapes, is a “rapidly developing technology,” it can have problems with the poor quality tapes the man thought to be bin Laden is releasing. Therefore, the tapes may be cut and pasted excerpts of past recordings, or, more likely, made by one of bin Laden’s children, such as his son Saad, reportedly an al-Qaeda member. [Technology Review, 1/23/2004]
Entity Tags: Saad bin Laden, Osama bin Laden, Al-Qaeda, Richard A. Muller
Category Tags: Osama Bin Laden, Alleged Al-Qaeda Media Statements, Hunt for Bin Laden in Pakistan
January 25, 2004: Militant Leader Who Signed Bin Laden Fatwa Operating Openly in Pakistan
Maulana Fazlur Rehman Khalil. [Source: Public domain]The Los Angeles Times reports that Maulana Fazlur Rehman Khalil, leader of the Pakistani militant group Harkat ul-Mujahedeen (HUM), is living and operating openly in Pakistan. He lives with his family in the city of Rawalpindi and urges his followers to fight the US. Khalil was a signatory to Osama bin Laden’s February 1998 fatwa [religious edict] that encouraged attacks on Americans and Jews anywhere in the world (see February 22, 1998). In late 1998, Khalil said, “We will hit back at [the Americans] everywhere in the world, wherever we find them. We have started a holy war against the US and they will hardly find a tree to take shelter beneath it.” The Pakistani government banned HUM in January 2002 (see Shortly After January 12-March 2002), but the group simply changed its name to Jamiat ul-Ansar and continued to operate. Then it was banned again in November 2003 (see November 2003). The Times reports that HUM is openly defying the most recent ban. HUM publishes a monthly magazine that urges volunteers to fight the US in Afghanistan and Iraq. In a recent issue published since the most recent ban, Khalil calls on followers to “sacrifice our life, property and heart” in order to help create one Muslim nation that will control the whole world. The magazine continues to appear on newsstands in Pakistan and gives announcements for upcoming HUM meetings and events, despite the group supposedly being banned.
Government Takes No Action - The Pakistani government claims not to know where Khalil is, even though his magazine publishes his contact information (Times reporters attempting to find him for an interview were detained and roughed up by his supporters.) Government officials also claim that Khalil and HUM are doing nothing illegal, even though HUM’s magazine makes clear fund-raising appeals in each issue, and Pakistani law clearly specifies that banned groups are not allowed to fund-raise. Officials also say that they don’t know where the leaders of other banned militant groups like Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Toiba are, but these leaders make frequent public appearances and documents obtain by the Times show the ISI intelligence agency is closely monitoring them. Militant leader Maulana Masood Azhar has not been arrested even though his group, Jaish-e-Mohammed, was recently implicated in the attempted assassination of Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf (see December 14 and 25, 2003). [Los Angeles Times, 1/25/2004]
Link to California Suspect - In 2005, a Pakistani immigrant to the US named Umer Hayat will be arrested in California on terrorism charges. He will allegedly confess to having toured training camps in Pakistan run by Khalil, who is a family friend. He will only serve a short time for making false statements to the FBI, but his son Hamid Hayat will be sentenced to 24 years in prison on similar charges (see June 3, 2005). [Los Angeles Times, 6/9/2005]
Entity Tags: Maulana Fazlur Rehman Khalil, Harkat ul-Mujahedeen, Lashkar-e-Toiba, Umer Hayat, Jaish-e-Mohammed, Maulana Masood Azhar
January 28, 2004: CIA Director Tenet Privately Tells 9/11 Commission about Urgent Pre-9/11 Warning, but His Testimony Is Kept Secret
Former CIA Director George Tenet privately testifies before the 9/11 Commission. He provides a detailed account of an urgent al-Qaeda warning he gave to the White House on July 10, 2001 (see July 10, 2001). According to three former senior intelligence officials, Tenet displays the slides from the PowerPoint presentation he gave the White House and even offers to testify about it in public. According to the three former officials, the hearing is attended by commissioner Richard Ben-Veniste, the commission’s executive director Philip Zelikow, and some staff members. When Tenet testifies before the 9/11 Commission in public later in the year, he will not mention this meeting. The 9/11 Commission will neglect to include Tenet’s warning to the White House in its July 2004 final report. [McClatchy Newspapers, 10/2/2006] Portions of a transcript of Tenet’s private testimony will be leaked to reporters in 2006. According to the transcript, Tenet’s testimony included a detailed summary of the briefing he had with CIA counterterrorism chief Cofer Black on July 10 (see July 10, 2001). The transcript also reveals that he told the commission that Black’s briefing had prompted him to request an urgent meeting with Rice about it. This closely matches the account in Woodward’s 2006 book that first widely publicized the July meeting (see September 29, 2006). [Washington Post, 10/3/2006] Shortly after Woodward’s book is published, the 9/11 Commission staff will deny knowing that the July meeting took place. Zelikow and Ben-Veniste, who attended Tenet’s testimony, will say they are unable to find any reference to it in their files. But after the transcript is leaked, Ben-Veniste will suddenly remember details of the testimony (see September 30-October 3, 2006) and will say that Tenet did not indicate that he left his meeting with Rice with the impression he had been ignored, as Tenet has alleged. [New York Times, 10/2/2006] Woodward’s book will describe why Black, who also privately testified before the 9/11 Commission, felt the commission did not mention the July meeting in their final report: “Though the investigators had access to all the paperwork about the meeting, Black felt there were things the commissions wanted to know about and things they didn’t want to know about. It was what happened in investigations. There were questions they wanted to ask, and questions they didn’t want to ask.” [Woodward, 2006, pp. 78]
Entity Tags: Richard Ben-Veniste, Philip Zelikow, White House, Cofer Black, Central Intelligence Agency, Condoleezza Rice, 9/11 Commission, Al-Qaeda, George J. Tenet
January 29, 2004: Extent of German Government Knowledge of Hijackers Is Reported Missing
A Hamburg, Germany, newspaper reports that a former senior official in the Hamburg state administration named Walter Wellinghausen has taken a “politically explosive” file from the government offices. “The file is said to contain an exact chronology of the knowledge of the [Hamburg] intelligence agency before September 11, 2001 about the people living in Hamburg who should later become the terrorists.” He claims to have not been charged or even questioned about this matter and the file remains missing. [Hamburger Abendblatt, 1/29/2004]
Entity Tags: Walter Wellinghausen
After January 2004: 9/11 Commission Decides to Add Disclaimer to Chapters Heavily Based on Detainee Interrogations
Other 9/11 Commission reports are heavily based on detainee interrogations. The red underlines are endnotes based on the interrogation of Abu Zubaida in the 9/11 Commission’s Terrorist Travel Monograph. [Source: Public domain via Wikipedia] (click image to enlarge)Following unsuccessful attempts by the 9/11 Commission to get direct access to high-value detainees on which some sections of its report will be based (see Summer 2003 and November 5, 2003-January 2004), the Commission decides to add a disclaimer to its report at the beginning of Chapter 5, the first of two that describe the development of the 9/11 plot. The disclaimer, entitled “Detainee Interrogation Reports,” reads: “Chapters 5 and 7 rely heavily on information obtained from captured al-Qaeda members. A number of these ‘detainees’ have firsthand knowledge of the 9/11 plot. Assessing the truth of statements by these witnesses—sworn enemies of the United States—is challenging. Our access to them has been limited to the review of intelligence reports based on communications received from the locations where the actual interrogations take place. We submitted questions for use in the interrogations, but had no control over whether, when, or how questions of particular interest would be asked. Nor were we allowed to talk to the interrogators so that we could better judge the credibility of the detainees and clarify ambiguities in the reporting. We were told that our requests might disrupt the sensitive interrogation process. We have nonetheless decided to include information from captured 9/11 conspirators and al-Qaeda members in our report. We have evaluated their statements carefully and have attempted to corroborate them with documents and statements of others. In this report, we indicate where such statements provide the foundation for our narrative. We have been authorized to identify by name only ten detainees whose custody has been confirmed officially by the US government.” [9/11 Commission, 7/24/2004, pp. 146] Most of the endnotes to the report indicate the sources of information contained in the main body of the text. Of the 132 endnotes for Chapter 5, 83 of them cite detainee interrogations as a source of information contained in the report. Of the 192 endnotes for Chapter 7, 89 cite interrogations. [9/11 Commission, 7/24/2004, pp. 488-499, 513-533] The interrogation of 9/11 mastermind Khalid Shaikh Mohammed (KSM) is mentioned as a source 211 times. [9/11 Commission, 7/24/2004] He was repeatedly waterboarded and tortured (see Shortly After February 29 or March 1, 2003) and it will later be reported that up to 90 percent of the information obtained from his interrogations may be unreliable (see August 6, 2007). Interestingly, the 9/11 Commission sometimes seems to prefer KSM’s testimony over other sources. For instance, in 2003 the 9/11 Congressional Inquiry reported that the CIA learned in 1996 that KSM and bin Laden traveled together to a foreign country in 1995, suggesting close ties between them (see 1996). But the 9/11 Commission will ignore this and instead claim, based on KSM’s interrogation, that KSM and bin Laden had no contact between 1989 and late 1996. [US Congress, 7/24/2003; 9/11 Commission, 7/24/2004, pp. 148-148, 489] The interrogations of al-Qaeda leader Khallad bin Attash are used as a source 74 times, 9/11 hijacker associate Ramzi bin al-Shibh, 68 times, al-Qaeda leader Abd al-Rahim al-Nashiri, 14 times, al-Qaeda leader Hambali, 13 times, and and a generic “interrogation[s] of detainee” is used as a source 57 times. [9/11 Commission, 7/24/2004] Most of these detainees are said to be tortured (see May 2002-2003 and Shortly After February 29 or March 1, 2003). Although the CIA videotaped some of the interrogations, it does not pass the videos to the 9/11 Commission (see Summer 2003-January 2004). Slate magazine will later say that these detainees’ accounts are “woven into the commission’s narrative, and nowhere does the 9/11 report delve into interrogation tactics or make any recommendations about the government’s continuing or future practices. That wasn’t the commission’s mandate. Still, one wonders where video evidence—or the knowledge that such evidence was being withheld—might have led it.” [Slate, 12/10/2007]
Entity Tags: Ramzi bin al-Shibh, Khalid Shaikh Mohammed, 9/11 Commission, Abd al-Rahim al-Nashiri, Hambali, Khallad bin Attash
Category Tags: 9/11 Commission, Destruction of CIA Tapes, High Value Detainees, Khalid Shaikh Mohammed, Ramzi Bin Al-Shibh, 9/11 Investigations
February 2004: 9/11 Commission Does Not Subpoena White House over Presidential Daily Briefs due to Last-Ditch Intervention by Executive Director Zelikow
Last-minute action by the 9/11 Commission’s Executive Director Philip Zelikow averts the filing of a subpoena on the White House over access by the Commission to information from Presidential Daily Briefs (PDBs). The Commission has already hired an outside counsel to deal with the subpoena and drafted its text (see January 2004).
Effort by Zelikow - However, Zelikow works practically nonstop for 48 hours to draft a 17-page, 7,000-word summary of what is in the documents. He knows that a lot of the information in the highly classified PDBs is also available in less classified documents, to which the White House cannot object the Commission having and referencing. Therefore, he summarises the contents of the PDBs, but sources what he writes to the less classified material.
Agreement - Exhausted by the arguments over the PDBs with the White House, commissioner Jamie Gorelick, who has also read all the PDBs that need to be summarised, agrees that Zelikow’s summary can serve as the basis for a compromise with the White House. White House chief of staff Andrew Card pressures White House counsel Alberto R. Gonzales to accept it as well.
Victims' Families Angry - However, relatives of the attacks’ victims are angry. Author Philip Shenon will write, “Many of the 9/11 family groups were outraged by this new compromise; it was even clearer now that only Gorelick and their nemesis Zelikow would ever see the full library of PDBs; the other commissioners would see only an edited version of what Gorelick and Zelikow chose to show them.” [Shenon, 2008, pp. 224-225]
Entity Tags: Andrew Card, Alberto R. Gonzales, Jamie Gorelick, Philip Zelikow, White House, 9/11 Commission
February 2004: Possible 7/7 London Bombings Mastermind Monitored Meeting with Leaders of Fertilizer Bomb Plot
A surveillance photo of Momin Khawaja (in grey sweater) and unidentified man on February 20, 2004. [Source: Public domain via the Globe and Mail]According to a joint Canadian and British report sent to Pakistani authorities in September 2005, Mohammed Junaid Babar, Momin Khawaja, and Haroon Rashid Aswat meet in London in February 2004. Babar and Khawaja are both members of a British fertilizer bomb plot (see Early 2003-April 6, 2004), but Khawaja is living in Canada and making occasional trips to Britain to meet the other plotters there, and Babar is based in Pakistan and also occasionally coming to Britain. By this time, the British intelligence agency MI5 has learned of the plot and is intensely monitoring all the major plotters, including Khawaja. US intelligence has apparently been monitoring Babar since late 2001 (see Early November 2001-April 10, 2004), and Newsweek will state he is definitely being monitored by February 2004 (see March 2004). [Daily Times (Lahore), 9/7/2005; Globe and Mail, 7/4/2008] Newsweek will later confirm, “Aswat is believed to have had connections to some of the suspects in the fertilizer plot,” and his name is given to the US as part of a list of people suspected of involvement in the plot. [Newsweek, 7/20/2005; Newsweek, 7/25/2005] He is the most interesting figure in this meeting. The US has wanted him since at least 2002 for his role in attempting to set up a militant training camp in Oregon (see November 1999-Early 2000). It will later be widely reported that he is the mastermind of the 7/7 London bombings (see July 7, 2005) and may even simultaneously be an informant for British intelligence. Babar, Khawaja, and other major figures in the fertilizer plot will be arrested at the end of March 2004 (see March 29, 2004 and After and April 10, 2004), but Aswat curiously is not arrested, even though British intelligence had compiled a large dossier on him and considered him a “major terrorist threat” by 2003 (see Early 2003).
Entity Tags: Mohammed Junaid Babar, Haroon Rashid Aswat, Mohammad Momin Khawaja
Category Tags: Haroon Rashid Aswat, 2005 7/7 London Bombings, Londonistan - UK Counterterrorism, Counterterrorism Action After 9/11
February 2004: 9/11 Commission Receives Documentation Relating to Able Danger Program
The 9/11 Commission receives documents that it had requested from the Department of Defense, relating to a military intelligence unit called Able Danger, which had allegedly identified Mohamed Atta and three other 9/11 hijackers more than a year before the attacks. [New York Times, 8/9/2005; Times Herald (Norristown), 8/13/2005] The commission requested the documents in November 2003, after a meeting in Afghanistan with Lt. Col. Anthony Shaffer, an Army intelligence officer who had worked closely with the unit (see October 21, 2003). Some documents are given directly to the commission, others are available for review in a Department of Defense reading room, where commission staff make notes summarizing them. Some of the documents include diagrams of Islamic militant networks. However, an official statement later claims, “None of the documents turned over to the Commission mention Mohamed Atta or any of the other future hijackers. Nor do any of the staff notes on documents reviewed in the DOD reading room indicate that Mohamed Atta or any of the other future hijackers were mentioned in any of those documents.” [Thomas H. Kean and Lee H. Hamilton, 8/12/2005 ; Washington Post, 8/13/2005] Shaffer responds, “I’m told confidently by the person who moved the material over, that the Sept. 11 commission received two briefcase-sized containers of documents. I can tell you for a fact that would not be one-twentieth of the information that Able Danger consisted of during the time we spent.” [Fox News, 8/17/2005]
Entity Tags: 9/11 Commission, US Department of Defense, Anthony Shaffer, Able Danger
February 2004: Bush Administration Fails to Act on 9/11 Inquiry Recommendations
The 9/11 Congressional Inquiry, which ended in late 2002, made 19 urgent recommendations to make the nation safer against future terrorist attacks. However, more than one year later, the White House has only implemented two of the recommendations. Furthermore, investigative leads have not been pursued. Senator Bob Graham (D-FL) complains, “It is incomprehensible why this administration has refused to aggressively pursue the leads that our inquiry developed.” He is also upset that the White House classified large portions of the final report. [New York Observer, 2/15/2004]
Entity Tags: 9/11 Congressional Inquiry, Bush administration (43), Daniel Robert (“Bob”) Graham
Category Tags: 9/11 Congressional Inquiry, 9/11 Investigations
February 2004: CIA Officer Lies to Justice Department Inspector General about Passage of Information about Almihdhar’s US Visa
A CIA officer who blocked notification to the FBI that Khalid Almihdhar had a US visa makes a number of false statements about the blocking in an interview with the Justice’s Department’s office of inspector general. The officer, Michael Anne Casey, was working at Alec Station, the CIA’s bin Laden unit, in 2000. She blocked a cable drafted by an FBI agent on loan to Alec Station named Doug Miller telling the FBI about Almihdhar (see 9:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. January 5, 2000), but then drafted a cable falsely stating the information had been passed (see Around 7:00 p.m. January 5, 2000) and insisted to Miller’s colleague Mark Rossini that the FBI not be informed the next day (see January 6, 2000). Instead of telling the inspector general why she blocked the initial cable and then drafted the cable with the false statement, Casey claims that she has no recollection of Miller’s cable, any discussions about putting it on hold, or why it was not sent. She also claims the language of the cable suggests somebody else told her the information about Almihdhar’s visa had been passed to the FBI, but cannot recall who this was. [US Department of Justice, 11/2004, pp. 242-243 ; Bamford, 2008, pp. 19-20] The exact date of this interview is not known, although the inspector general discovered Miller’s cable in early February (see Early February 2004) and Miller and Rossini are interviewed around this time. Both men also falsely claim not to recall anything about the cable (see (February 12, 2004)).
Entity Tags: Michael Anne Casey, Office of the Inspector General (DOJ), Alec Station, Khalid Almihdhar, Central Intelligence Agency
Category Tags: Key Hijacker Events, Alhazmi and Almihdhar, CIA Hiding Alhazmi & Almihdhar, Al-Qaeda Malaysia Summit, 9/11 Investigations, Other 9/11 Investigations
Shortly After January 23, 2004: CIA Interrogation of Al-Qaeda Leader Ghul Helps Search for Bin Laden’s Trusted Courier Ahmed
Hassan Ghul, an al-Qaeda leader captured in Iraq in January 2004 (see January 23, 2004), tells interrogators that Abu Ahmed al-Kuwaiti is a trusted courier who is close to Osama bin Laden. Abu Ahmed is an alias; his real name apparently is Ibrahim Saeed Ahmed, but at this point US intelligence only knows him by his alias.
Ghul's Mysterious Captivity and Interrogation - Ghul apparently is held in a secret CIA prison for the first couple of years of his imprisonment. The conditions of his interrogation during this time are unknown, but presumably they are very harsh and many may call them torture, based on how other prominent prisoners are treated in secret CIA prisons around this time. Officials will later claim that Ghul is “quite cooperative” and the use of any harsh techniques on him would have been brief. [Associated Press, 5/2/2011] However, a prisoner who is kept in a cell next to Ghul’s will later testify in Britain that Ghul told him the CIA transferred him to Morocco at some point. It is not known if this is true, or what may have happened to Ghul in Morocco, but some prisoners are transferred to countries like Morocco so that harsh torture techniques that the CIA is not approved to use can be used on them by other intelligence agencies. [Associated Press, 6/15/2011]
Ghul's Apparently Honest Account - Ghul reportedly tells his interrogators that Ahmed is a trusted courier who is close to bin Laden. He also says that Ahmed has been close to al-Qaeda top operational heads Khalid Shaikh Mohammed (KSM) and Abu Faraj al-Libbi. This is in contrast to the claims of other prisoners, including KSM, who have already said that Ahmed is either dead or unimportant. As a result, US intelligence analysts grow increasingly convinced that Ahmed is an important figure who could lead to bin Laden. Ghul adds that Ahmed has not been seen in a while. Analysts take this as another clue that Ahmed could be with bin Laden. Ghul either does not know Ahmed’s real name or does not tell it to his interrogators. In the wake of Ghul’s comments, KSM is asked again about Ahmed, and KSM sticks to his story that Ahmed is not important. [New York Times, 5/3/2011]
'Linchpin' in Search - Tracking Ahmed will eventually lead US intelligence to bin Laden (see Summer 2009 and July 2010). An unnamed US official will later say, “Hassan Ghul was the linchpin” in the hunt for bin Laden. [Associated Press, 5/2/2011]
Entity Tags: Osama bin Laden, Ibrahim Saeed Ahmed, Central Intelligence Agency, US intelligence, Abu Faraj al-Libbi, Hassan Ghul, Khalid Shaikh Mohammed
February-April 2004: Bush Administration Withholds Clinton Documents from 9/11 Commission
The Bush administration withholds thousands of documents from the Clinton administration that had already been cleared by Clinton’s general counsel Bruce Lindsey for release to the 9/11 Commission. [New York Times, 4/2/2004] In April, after a public outcry, the Bush administration grants access to most of the documents. [Washington Post, 4/3/2004; Fox News, 4/4/2004] However, they continue to withhold approximately 57 documents. According to the commission, the documents being withheld by the Bush White House include references to al-Qaeda, bin Laden, and other issues relevant to the panel’s work. [Washington Post, 4/8/2004]
Entity Tags: Bruce Lindsey, Clinton administration, Al-Qaeda, Osama bin Laden, 9/11 Commission, Bush administration (43)
February-July 2004: 9/11 Commission Does Not Find Material about Intercepts of Hijackers’ Calls in NSA Files
The 9/11 Commission’s cursory review of NSA material related to the attacks and al-Qaeda in general does not find any reports about NSA intercepts of communications between the hijackers in the US and an al-Qaeda communications hub in Sana’a, Yemen (see Early 2000-Summer 2001). Neither does it find any reports about calls intercepted by the NSA between alleged 9/11 mastermind Khalid Shaikh Mohammed and lead hijacker Mohamed Atta (see Summer 2001 and September 10, 2001). Author Philip Shenon will write about the commission’s review of the NSA files in a 2008 book and will discuss what Commission staffers found there, but will not mention these intercepts, some of which were mentioned in declassified portions of the 9/11 Congressional Inquiry (see Summer 2002-Summer 2004). The review is only conducted by a few staffers (see January 2004, June 2004, and Between July 1 and July 17, 2004) and is not comprehensive, so it is unclear whether the NSA does not provide the reports to the 9/11 Commission, or the commission simply fails to find them in the large number of files the NSA made available to it. However, the staffers do find material possibly linking some of the hijackers to Iran and Hezbollah (see January-June 2004). [Shenon, 2008, pp. 87-8, 155-7, 370-3] In its final report, the commission will make passing references to some of the calls the NSA intercepted without pointing out that the NSA actually intercepted them. [9/11 Commission, 7/24/2004, pp. 87-88, 222] However, the endnotes that indicate the sources of these sections will not contain any references to NSA reports, but instead refer to an interview with NSA Director Michael Hayden and an FBI timeline of the hijackers’ activities. [9/11 Commission, 7/24/2004, pp. 477, 518]
Entity Tags: National Security Agency, 9/11 Commission
Category Tags: Remote Surveillance, Yemen Hub, 9/11 Commission, 9/11 Investigations
January 2004 and Shortly After: Detainees Subjected to Second Round of Interrogations to Answer 9/11 Commission’s Questions
Following its failure to get direct access to high-ranking al-Qaeda detainees (see October 2003 and November 5, 2003-January 2004), the 9/11 Commission has the CIA ask the detainees more questions about how the plot developed. This is a second round of questions from the Commission, which was dissatisfied with the answers produced by the first round. According to CIA and 9/11 Commission staffers, as well as an MSNBC analysis in 2008, this second round is “specifically to answer new questions from the Commission.” Analysis of the 9/11 Commission report indicates this second round includes more than 30 separate interrogation sessions. Based on the number of references attributed to each of the sessions, they appear to have been “lengthy.” The Commission is aware that the detainees are being harshly treated (see Late 2003-2004), but it is unclear whether they are further tortured during these additional sessions. The CIA is still using some or all of its “enhanced techniques” at this time (see Shortly After April 28, 2004-February 2005). [MSNBC, 1/30/2008]
Entity Tags: 9/11 Commission, Central Intelligence Agency, Al-Qaeda
Early February 2004: Justice Department Inspector General Discovers Key Document about Pre-9/11 Failings, Not Previously Passed on by CIA
The Justice Department’s inspector general, which is reviewing the FBI’s performance before 9/11, finds a reference to a key document it was not previously aware of. The document is a draft cable written by Doug Miller, an FBI agent who was loaned to Alec Station, the CIA’s bin Laden unit, before 9/11. The draft cable stated that 9/11 hijacker Khalid Almihdhar had a US visa, but its sending to the FBI had been blocked by a female CIA officer known only as “Michael” and Alec Station’s deputy chief, Tom Wilshire (see 9:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. January 5, 2000). The CIA inspector general had previously passed on numerous documents relevant to the review by the Justice Department’s inspector general, but had failed to pass this one on, although the two inspectors general had been working together since at least mid-2003. The Justice Department inspector general finds a reference to the draft cable in a list of CIA documents accessed by FBI employees assigned to the CIA. As a result of this discovery, the Justice Department inspector general has to re-interview several witnesses (see (February 12, 2004)) and the completion of his report is delayed. [US Department of Justice, 11/2004, pp. 227 ]
Entity Tags: Office of the Inspector General (CIA), Office of the Inspector General (DOJ), Doug Miller
Category Tags: Alhazmi and Almihdhar, CIA Hiding Alhazmi & Almihdhar, Al-Qaeda Malaysia Summit, 9/11 Investigations, CIA OIG 9/11 Report
February 1, 2004: House Report Finds No Vaccines for Bioweapons Developed since 2001
Democratic members of the House Select Committee on Homeland Security release a report entitled “America at Risk.” The report finds that, since the anthrax scare of 2001-2002, not a single drug or vaccine for pathogens rated as most dangerous by the Centers for Disease Control has been developed. A concurrent Pentagon report finds that “almost every aspect of US biopreparedness and response” is unsatisfactory, and says, “The fall 2001 anthrax attacks may turn out to be the easiest of bioterrorist strikes to confront.” The Pentagon will attempt to suppress the report when it becomes apparent how unflattering it is for the current administration, but part of it is leaked to the media. The report is later released in full. [Carter, 2004, pp. 20; House Select Committee on Homeland Security, Democratic Office, 2/1/2004]
Entity Tags: US Department of Defense, House Homeland Security Committee, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Timeline Tags: 2001 Anthrax Attacks
Early 2004: 9/11 Commission Allegedly Prevented from Naming Junior CIA Officer Responsible for Pre-9/11 Failure by Threats from Senior CIA Officials
Michael Scheuer, former head of the CIA’s bin Laden unit, will claim in a 2008 book that in early 2004, the 9/11 Commissioners indicate that they intend to name a junior CIA officer as the only official to be identified for a pre-9/11 failure. However, Scheuer writes: “A group of senior CIA officers… let it be known that if that officer was named, information about the pre-9/11 negligence of several very senior US officials would find its way into the media. The commissioners dropped the issue.” [Scheuer, 2008, pp. 273] The name of the junior officer is not known, but some possibilities include:
Tom Wilshire (referred to as “John” in the final 9/11 Commission report), who withheld information about 9/11 hijackers Khalid Almihdhar and Nawaf Alhazmi from the FBI (see 9:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. January 5, 2000, May 15, 2001, Mid-May 2001, Mid-May 2001, Late May, 2001, August 22, 2001, and August 24, 2001);
Clark Shannon (“Dave”), one of his associates who also failed to inform the FBI about Almihdhar and Alhazmi (see June 11, 2001);
Richard Blee (“Richard”), Wilshire’s boss, who apparently failed to pass on information about Almihdhar to his superiors (see August 22-September 10, 2001).
The names of the CIA officers who threaten the Commission are not known, nor are the details of the alleged negligence by the senior officials.
Entity Tags: Tom Wilshire, Clark Shannon, Central Intelligence Agency, 9/11 Commission, Michael Scheuer, Richard Blee
Category Tags: CIA Hiding Alhazmi & Almihdhar, 9/11 Commission, 9/11 Investigations
February 2-March 23, 2004: British Intelligence Repeatedly Monitors Two 7/7 Bombers Meeting with Head of Al-Qaeda Linked Bomb Plot
A surveillance photo of Shehzad Tanweer (second to the left), Mohammad Sidique Khan (far right), and Omar Khyam (center), taken in the parking lot of a McDonald’s restaurant on February 28, 2004. [Source: Metropolitan Police]By the beginning of February 2003, the British intelligence agency MI5 has learned about an al-Qaeda linked fertilizer bomb plot meant for an unknown target or targets in Britain, and has begun closely monitoring all of the main suspects. The head bomber in the plot, Omar Khyam, is seen on several occasions with two of the 7/7 London suicide bombers, Mohammad Sidique Khan and Shehzad Tanweer:
On February 2, Khyam is seen in a car with Khan and Tanweer. Khyam is dropped off at his residence in the town of Crawley. The other two are still monitored as Khan drives away. They are covertly photographed when they stop at a gas station in Toddington. Khan is also photographed at a Burger King. They arrive at West Yorkshire and the car is parked outside Khan’s family house. His precise address is written down. A check reveals the car is registered to Khan’s wife. In June 2004, MI5 will check the car’s registration again and find out it has been re-registered in the name of “Siddeque Khan.” [BBC, 4/30/2007]
On February 21, Khan is not seen directly, but his same car that was trailed on February 2 is seen parked outside a house in Crawley where a key four-and-a-half hour meeting is held preparing the fertilizer bomb plot. Khan and Tanweer probably attend the meeting, but there are technical problems with the surveillance so the meeting is not recorded.
At some point also on February 21, Khan and Khyam are recorded while Khyam is driving his car. Khan asks Khyam, “Are you really a terrorist?” Khyam replies, “They are working with us.” Khan then asks, “You are serious, you are basically…?” And Khyam replies, “I am not a terrorist, they are working through us.” Finally, Khan tells Khyam: “Who are? There is no one higher than you.” Later in the conversation, Khan says he is debating whether or not to say goodbye to his baby before going to Pakistan again. Khyam tells him: “I do not even live in Crawley any more. I moved out because in the next month they are going to be raiding big time all over the UK.” This is curious, because the next month there will be police raids, which result in the arrest of the group of bomb plotters based in the town of Crawley, including Khyam (see Early 2003-April 6, 2004). [Independent, 4/30/2007; Daily Telegraph, 5/1/2007; London Times, 5/1/2007] Khan and Khyam discuss attending training camps in Pakistan. Khan asks, “How long to the training camp?” Khyam replies, “You’ll be going to the tribal areas, stay with families, you’ll be with Arab brothers, Chechen brothers, you’ll be told our operation later.” [Channel 4 News (London), 5/1/2007]
On February 28, 2004, Khyam, Khan, and Tanweer are monitored as Khan drives them around builders’ merchants as part of a fraud scheme the three of them are working on together. At one point, Khan says, “I’m going to tap HSBC [the British bank], if not I’ll just go with a balaclava and a shotgun.” Khan then drives them to another secret meeting, this one held at a shop in Wellingborough. The meeting is attended by the three of them and about seven others; it is unknown if it is recorded. As the three drive back from the meeting, Khan appears to be trying to lose a tail since he doubles back and takes other evasive maneuvers.
On March 21, Khan and Khyam are seen driving together. This time they are in a different car loaned to Khan by an auto shop, since the one used earlier was wrecked in a crash.
On March 23, 2004, Khyam, Khan, and Tanweer meet again. They drive to an Islamic bookshop and spend the afternoon there. They also go to the the apartment of another key suspect in the fertilizer bomb plot. Returning to Khyam’s residence, they discuss passports and raising funds from banks using fraudulent methods. Khan again discusses going to Pakistan with Tanweer. Khyam by this time has plans to flee Britain in early April. Although they do not say so explicitly, an informant named Mohammed Junaid Babar will later reveal that Khyam was planning to attend training camps in Pakistan with Khan and others. Several times, Khyam, Khan, and Tanweer are seen talking outside, which would suggest discussions about particularly sensitive matters. But only the inside of Khyam’s house is bugged and these outside talks are not recorded. Khan and Tanweer leave shortly before midnight.
Khyam’s phone is also being monitored, and Khan is in regular phone contact with him. But is it unknown how many calls are made or what is said. British intelligence will claim that that no overt references about bombings are made. [Independent, 4/30/2007; Daily Telegraph, 5/1/2007; London Times, 5/1/2007] But the Sunday Times will claim this is untrue, and that Khan was recorded discussing the building of a bomb and then his desire to leave Britain because there would be a lot of police activity after the bomb went off. He also is involved in “late-stage discussions” of the fertilizer bomb plot (see May 13-14, 2006). [Sunday Times (London), 5/14/2006] Furthermore, he is heard to pledge to carry out violence against non-Muslims. A tracking device is also placed on Khan’s car, although what becomes of this is unclear. [Associated Press, 4/30/2007] Photographs are sometimes taken of Khan and/or Tanweer. For instance, at some point Khan is photographed coming out of an Internet cafe. But despite all this evidence, investigators apparently conclude that Khan and Tanweer are “concerned with the fraudulent raising of funds rather than acts of terrorism.” They are not properly monitored (see March 29, 2004 and After). Khan and Tanweer apparently attend militant training camps in Pakistan later that year before blowing themselves up in 2005. Khyam is arrested on March 30, and is later sentenced to life in prison (see Early 2003-April 6, 2004). [Independent, 4/30/2007; Daily Telegraph, 5/1/2007; London Times, 5/1/2007] In early 2005, investigators will finally look into details about the car Khan drove and the loaner car given to him by the auto shop, and they will learn his full name and address (if they don’t know it already). But apparently this will not result in any more surveillance of him (see January 27-February 3, 2005).
Entity Tags: Omar Khyam, Shehzad Tanweer, UK Security Service (MI5), Mohammad Sidique Khan, Mohammed Junaid Babar
February 3, 2004: Spanish Intelligence Continues Monitoring Madrid Bombings Mastermind, Links Him to Active Al-Qaeda Suicide Bomber
Spanish judge Baltasar Garzon renews permission to wiretap the phones of Serhane Abdelmajid Fakhet, considered to be one of about three masterminds of the Madrid train bombings (see 7:37-7:42 a.m., March 11, 2004) that will occur one month later. Interestingly, in the application for renewal, Fakhet is linked to the Casablanca bombings of May 2003 (see May 16, 2003). His brother-in-law Mustapha Maymouni was arrested in Morocco and is being imprisoned there for a role in the bombings at this time (see Late May-June 19, 2003). Fakhet is also linked in the application to Zouhaier ben Mohamed Nagaaoui, a Tunisian believed to be on the Spanish island of Ibiza and preparing for a suicide attack on a ship, following instructions from al-Qaeda. Nagaaoui is also said to be linked to the Casablanca bombings. Further, he has links to a number of Islamist militant groups and had undergone weapons and explosives training. [El Mundo (Madrid), 7/30/2005] Around the same time, Garzon also renews the wiretapping of some other Madrid bombers such as Jamal Zougam. [El Mundo (Madrid), 9/28/2004] It is not known what later becomes of Nagaaoui.
Entity Tags: Serhane Abdelmajid Fakhet, Baltasar Garzon, Mustapha Maymouni, Zouhaier ben Mohamed Nagaaoui, Jamal Zougam
February 5, 2004: White House Reverses Position and Backs 9/11 Commission Extension
In January 2004, the White House announced that it opposed giving the 9/11 Commission more time to complete its work (see January 19, 2004). But on this day, CNN reports, “After resisting the idea for months, the White House announced… its support for a request from the commission investigating the September 11, 2001 attacks for more time to complete its work.” 9/11 victims’ relatives and some politicians had been pressuring the White House to support the deadline extension. [CNN, 2/5/2004]
February 5, 2004-June 8, 2005: Hijacker Associate Mzoudi Twice Acquitted After US Refuses to Cooperate with German Courts
Mzoudi in an airport in Hanover, Germany, on June 21, 2005 as he returns to Morocco. [Source: Associated Press]Abdelghani Mzoudi is acquitted of involvement in the 9/11 attacks. Mzoudi is known to have been a friend and housemate of some of the 9/11 hijackers. A German judge tells Mzoudi, “You were acquitted not because the court is convinced of your innocence but because the evidence was not enough to convict you.” Mzoudi’s acquittal became likely after Germany received secret testimony from the US government that asserted Mzoudi was not part of the plot (see December 11, 2003). But the information apparently came from the interrogation of US prisoner Ramzi bin al-Shibh, and since the US would not allow Mzoudi’s defense to cross-examine bin al-Shibh, Mzoudi was released. [Daily Telegraph, 2/6/2004] Later in the year, Mzoudi acquittal is appealed to a higher court. Kay Nehm, Germany’s top federal prosecutor, again appeals to the US State Department to release interrogation records of bin al-Shibh to the court. However, the US still refuses to release the evidence, and a list of questions the court gives to the US for bin al-Shibh to answer are never answered. [Deutsche Presse-Agentur (Hamburg), 7/30/2004] On June 8, 2005, Mzoudi’s acquittal is upheld. Nehm calls the US’s government’s behavior “incomprehensible.” [Reuters, 6/9/2005] After the verdict, German authorities maintain that he is still a threat and give him two weeks to leave the country. He quickly moves back to his home country of Morocco, where he now lives. [Deutsche Welle (Bonn), 6/26/2005]
Entity Tags: US Department of State, Bush administration (43), Germany, Abdelghani Mzoudi, Kay Nehm, Ramzi bin al-Shibh
Category Tags: Al-Qaeda in Germany, Ramzi Bin Al-Shibh, Counterterrorism Policy/Politics
February 7, 2004: 9/11 Commission Has Private Meeting with National Security Adviser Rice; She Is Not Put under Oath, No Transcript Is Made
The 9/11 Commission has a private meeting with National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice. The meeting is held in the White House’s Situation Room, the location apparently chosen by Rice in an attempt to impress the commissioners.
Questioning Is 'Polite but Pointed' - The White House has insisted that the encounter be described as a “meeting” rather than an “interview,” because that would sound too formal and prosecutorial. In addition, there is to be no recording of the interview and Rice is not placed under oath. The time limit on the interview is two hours, but it actually lasts four. Rice’s close associate Philip Zelikow, the 9/11 Commission’s executive director, attends, but is not allowed to say anything because he has been recused from this part of the investigation. The questioning is led by Daniel Marcus, the Commission’s lawyer, and will be described as “polite but pointed” by author Philip Shenon.
Commissioners Privately Critical of Rice - The commissioners are aware of allegations that Rice performed poorly in the run-up to 9/11 (see Before December 18, 2003), but are unwilling to aggressively attack an accomplished black woman. However, they think the allegations are well-founded. Commission Chairman Tom Kean will say, “obviously Rice bears a tremendous amount of responsibility for not understanding how serious this threat [of terrorist attacks] was.” Commissioner John Lehman will say that he has “no doubt” former National Security Adviser Henry Kissinger would have paid more attention to the warnings of a forthcoming attack. Fellow commissioner Slade Gorton will say that the administration’s failure to act on the urgent warnings was “spectacularly wrong.” Commissioner Jamie Gorelick will comment that Rice “assumed away the hardest part of her job,” and that she should have focused on keeping the president up to date on events, rather than trying to put his intentions into action. Commissioner Bob Kerrey will agree with this and will later recall one of Rice’s comments at this meeting, “I took the president’s thoughts and I helped the president describe what he was thinking.” According to Kerrey, this shows how Rice performed her job incorrectly. She should have been advising the president on what to do, not packaging his thoughts. [Shenon, 2008, pp. 230-239]
Entity Tags: Richard Ben-Veniste, Thomas Kean, Slade Gorton, Philip Zelikow, Daniel Marcus, Jamie Gorelick, 9/11 Commission, Bob Kerrey, Condoleezza Rice, John Lehman
February 9, 2004: Letter Tying Al-Zarqawi to Al-Qaeda Leaders Makes Front Page News; Later Revealed to Be US Propaganda
Dexter Filkins. [Source: New York Times]The New York Times publishes a front page story blaming Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, the supposed leader of al-Qaeda in Iraq, for many troubles in the Iraq war. However, it will later be revealed that the contents in the article were a hoax or exaggeration by a US military propaganda operation. The article, written by Dexter Filkins, claims that in January 2004, US forces in Iraq intercepted a letter written by al-Zarqawi to the “inner circle” of al-Qaeda, claiming that the best way to defeat the US in Iraq is to, in essence, begin a “sectarian war” in that country. The letter reportedly states that al-Qaeda, a Sunni network, should attack the Shi’a population of Iraq: “It is the only way to prolong the duration of the fight between the infidels and us. If we succeed in dragging them into a sectarian war, this will awaken the sleepy Sunnis.” In the letter, al-Zarqawi boasts of his role in many suicide bombings in Iraq. The article also notes that this letter would “constitute the strongest evidence to date of contacts between extremists in Iraq and al-Qaeda.” [New York Times, 2/9/2004; Independent, 2/11/2008] US General Mark Kimmitt says later the same day: “We believe the report and the document is credible, and we take the report seriously.… It is clearly a plan on the part of outsiders to come in to this country and spark civil war, create sectarian violence, try to expose fissures in this society.” The story is quickly published around the world. [Independent, 2/11/2008]
Reporter Skeptical; Article Does Not Reflect Doubts - Filkins will later say he was skeptical about the document’s authenticity when he wrote the story and remains skeptical of it. [Washington Post, 4/10/2006] However, the article and follow up articles in the New York Times cast no doubt on the letter’s authenticity, except for one sentence in the original article mentioning the possibility the letter could have been “written by some other insurgent.”
Skepticism from Other News Outlets - However, some scattered accounts elsewhere at the time are more critical. For instance, a few days later, Newsweek writes: “Given the Bush administration’s record peddling bad intelligence and worse innuendo, you’ve got to wonder if this letter is a total fake. How do we know the text is genuine? How was it obtained? By whom? And when? And how do we know it’s from al-Zarqawi? We don’t.” [Editor & Publisher, 4/10/2006] In the letter, al-Zarqawi says that if success does not come soon: “We can pack up and leave and look for another land, just like what has happened in so many lands of jihad. Our enemy is growing stronger day after day, and its intelligence information increases. By god, this is suffocation!” Counterpunch notes this and skeptically comments, “If you were Karl Rove, you couldn’t design a better scenario to validate the administration’s slant on the war than this.” It is also noted that this article follows a dubious pattern of New York Times reporting on Iraq: “cultivate a ‘highly placed inside source,’ take whatever this person says and report it verbatim on the front page above the fold.” [CounterPunch, 2/26/2004]
Systematic Propaganda Campaign - Later in 2004, the Telegraph will report, “Senior diplomats in Baghdad claim that the letter was almost certainly a hoax” and that the US is systematically buying extremely dubious intelligence that exaggerates al-Zarqawi’s role in Iraq (see October 4, 2004). [Daily Telegraph, 10/4/2004] In 2006, a number of classified documents will be leaked to the Washington Post, showing the US military has a propaganda campaign to exaggerate the role of al-Zarqawi in Iraq (see April 10, 2006). One document mentions the “selective leak” of this letter to Filkins as part of this campaign. [Washington Post, 4/10/2006]
Media Unquestioning in its Acceptance - Editor and Publisher will later examine the media coverage of this letter, and note that most publications reported on it unquestioningly, “So clearly, the leak to Filkins worked.” Ironically, Reuters at the time quotes an “amazed” US official who says, “We couldn’t make this up if we tried.” [Editor & Publisher, 4/10/2006]
Entity Tags: Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, New York Times, Dexter Filkins, Al-Qaeda, Mark Kimmitt
Timeline Tags: US Military, Iraq under US Occupation, Domestic Propaganda
Category Tags: Alleged Iraq-Al-Qaeda Links, Media, Counterterrorism Policy/Politics
February 9, 2004: Full 9/11 Commission Allowed to View Summaries of Presidential Briefings
The 9/11 Commission gets greater access to classified intelligence briefings under a new agreement with the White House. The 10-member panel had been barred from reviewing notes concerning the presidential daily briefings taken by three of its own commissioners and the commission’s director in December 2003. The new agreement allows all commission members the opportunity to read White House-edited versions of the summaries. The White House had faced criticisms for allowing only some commissioners to see the notes. Still, only three commissioners are allowed to see the original, unclassified documents. [Associated Press, 2/10/2004]
Entity Tags: 9/11 Commission, Central Intelligence Agency, Bush administration (43)
February 11, 2004: Hijackers Said to Use Short Knives, Not Box Cutters
It is reported the 9/11 Commission now believes that the hijackers used short knives instead of box cutters. The New York Observer comments, “Remember the airlines’ first reports, that the whole job was pulled off with box cutters? In fact, investigators for the commission found that box cutters were reported on only one plane [Flight 77]. In any case, box cutters were considered straight razors and were always illegal. Thus the airlines switched their story and produced a snap-open knife of less than four inches at the hearing. This weapon falls conveniently within the aviation-security guidelines pre-9/11.” [New York Observer, 2/15/2004] It was publicly revealed in late 2002 that box cutters were illegal on 9/11. [Associated Press, 11/11/2002]
Entity Tags: 9/11 Commission
February 11, 2004: FBI Whisteblower Edmonds Tells 9/11 Commission that Wiretapped Conversionations Pertaining to 9/11 Attacks Were Not Translated; Her Testimony Is Ignored
Sibel Edmonds testifies before the 9/11 Commission in a specially constructed “bug-proof” secure room for three and a half hours, describing in detail problems she witnessed while working as an FBI linguist (see, e.g., September 20, 2001 and After, (After September 14, 2001-October 2001), Early October 2001, (Late October 2001), (November 2001), and December 2, 2001). A month later, she tells the Independent: “I gave [the commission] details of specific investigation files, the specific dates, specific target information, specific managers in charge of the investigation. I gave them everything so that they could go back and follow up. This is not hearsay. These are things that are documented. These things can be established very easily.… There was general information about the time-frame, about methods to be used but not specifically about how they would be used and about people being in place and who was ordering these sorts of terror attacks. There were other cities that were mentioned. Major cities with skyscrapers (see April 2001).” [Independent, 4/2/2004] In its final report (see July 22, 2004), the 9/11 Commission will make no mention of the problems Edmonds witnessed with the FBI’s translation unit, save for a single footnote. [9/11 Commission, 7/24/2004, pp. 222; Edmonds, 8/1/2004] One month earlier, a reporter had asked one of the Democratic commissioners about the Edmonds case, and he replied, “It sounds like it’s too deep in the weeds for us to consider, we’re looking at broader issues.” [New York Observer, 1/22/2004]
Entity Tags: 9/11 Commission, Sibel Edmonds
Category Tags: Sibel Edmonds, 9/11 Commission, 9/11 Investigations
(February 12, 2004): Two FBI Agents Lie to Justice Department Inspector General about Withholding of 9/11 Information from Bureau
Two FBI agents, Doug Miller and Mark Rossini, falsely claim they have no memory of the blocking of a key cable about 9/11 hijacker Khalid Almihdhar in an interview with the Justice Department’s office of inspector general. Miller drafted the cable, which was to inform the FBI that Almihdhar had a US visa, while he and Rossini were on loan to Alec Station, the CIA’s bin Laden unit. However, it was blocked by the unit’s deputy chief, Tom Wilshire, and another CIA officer known only as “Michael” (see 9:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. January 5, 2000). Miller and Rossini remember the events, but falsely tell the Justice Department inspector general they cannot recall them.
Pressure Not to Disclose Information - Sources close to the inspector general’s probe will say, “There was pressure on people not to disclose what really happened.” Rossini, in particular, is said to feel threatened that the CIA would have him prosecuted for violating the Intelligence Identities Protection Act if he said what really happened inside Alec Station. They are questioned at the same time, and together with a CIA officer who will be described as “sympathetic,” although it is unclear why. CIA officials are also in the room during the questioning, although it is unclear why this is allowed. When they are shown contemporary documents, according to the Congressional Quarterly, “the FBI agents suddenly couldn’t remember details about who said what, or who reported what, to whom, about the presence of two al-Qaeda agents in the US prior to the 9/11 attacks.” The inspector general investigators are suspicious. [Congressional Quarterly, 10/1/2008]
'They Asserted that They Recalled Nothing' - Nevertheless, neither Rossini nor Miller are severely criticized by the inspector general’s final report. It simply notes: “When we interviewed all of the individuals involved about the [cable] they asserted that they recalled nothing about it. [Miller] told the [inspector general] that he did not recall being aware of the information about Almihdhar, did not recall drafting the [cable], did not recall whether he drafted the [cable] on his own initiative or at the direction of his supervisor, and did not recall any discussions about the reasons for delaying completion and dissemination of the [cable]. [Rossini] said he did not recall reviewing any of the cable traffic or any information regarding Alhazmi and Almihdhar. Eric [a senior FBI agent on loan to Alec Station] told the [inspector general] that he did not recall the [cable].” [US Department of Justice, 11/2004, pp. 241, 355-357 ]
Later Admit What Really Happened - At some point, Miller and Rossini tell an internal FBI investigation what really happened, including Wilshire’s order to withhold the information from the FBI. However, very little is known about this probe (see After September 11, 2001). [Congressional Quarterly, 10/1/2008] Rossini will be interviewed for a 2006 book by Lawrence Wright and will recall some of the circumstances of the blocking of the cable, including that a CIA officer told Miller, “This is not a matter for the FBI.” [Wright, 2006, pp. 311, 423] Both Miller and Rossini will later talk to author James Bamford about the incident for a 2008 book. [Congressional Quarterly, 10/1/2008] The exact date of this interview of Miller and Rossini is unknown. However, an endnote to the 9/11 Commission Report will say that Miller is interviewed by the inspector general on February 12, 2004, so it may occur on this day. [9/11 Commission, 7/24/2004, pp. 502]
Entity Tags: Office of the Inspector General (DOJ), Mark Rossini, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Central Intelligence Agency, Tom Wilshire, Alec Station, Doug Miller, US Department of Justice
February 14, 2004: CIA Tells White House that Prisoner Has Recanted Claim Iraq Gave Poison and Gas Training to Al-Qaeda
The CIA sends a memo to top Bush administration officials informing them that Ibn al-Shaykh al-Libi, an al-Qaeda operative being held in custody by the CIA, recanted his claim in January that Iraq provided training in poisons and gases to members of al-Qaeda (see September 2002). [New York Times, 7/31/2004; Newsweek, 7/5/2005; Washington Post, 11/6/2005] The claim had been used in speeches by both President George Bush (see October 7, 2002) and Secretary of State Colin Powell (see February 5, 2003).
Entity Tags: White House, Ibn al-Shaykh al-Libi, Colin Powell, George W. Bush, Central Intelligence Agency
February 15, 2004: Nuclear Specialist Reveals Fatal Weaknesses in US Nuclear Security
Aerial view of Los Alamos test site. [Source: DefenseTech.org]Rich Levernier, a specialist with the Department of Energy (DOE) for 22 years, spent over six years before the 9/11 attacks running nuclear war games for the US government. In a Vanity Fair article, Levernier reveals what he shows to be critical weaknesses in security for US nuclear plants. Levernier’s special focus was the Los Alamos Nuclear Laboratory and nine other major nuclear facilities. The Los Alamos facility is the US’s main storage plant for processing plutonium and obsolete (but still effective) nuclear weapons. Levernier’s main concern was terrorist attacks. Levernier’s procedure was to, once a year, stage a mock terrorist attack using US military commandos to assault Los Alamos and the other nuclear weapons facilities, with both sides using harmless laser weapons to simulate live fire. Levernier’s squads were ordered to penetrate a given weapons facility, capture its plutonium or highly enriched uranium, and escape. The facilities’ security forces were tasked to repel the mock attacks.
Multiple Failures - Levernier is going public with the results of his staged attacks, and the results are, in the words of Vanity Fair reporter Mark Hertsgaard, “alarming.” Some facilities failed every single test. Los Alamos fell victim to the mock attacks over 50 percent of the time, with Levernier’s commandos getting in and out with the goods without firing a shot—they never encountered a guard. And this came when security forces were told months in advance exactly what day the assaults would take place. Levernier calls the nuclear facilities’ security nothing more than “smoke and mirrors.… On paper, it looks good, but in reality, it’s not. There are lots of shiny gates and guards and razor wire out front. But go around back and there are gaping holes in the fence, the sensors don’t work, and it just ain’t as impressive as it appears.” The Los Alamos facility houses 2.7 metric tons of plutonium and 3.2 metric tons of highly enriched uranium; experts say that a crude nuclear device could be created using just 11 pounds of plutonium or 45 pounds of highly enriched uranium. Arjun Makhijani, the head of the Institute for Energy and Environmental Research, says the most dangerous problem exposed by Levernier is the possibility of terrorists stealing plutonium from Los Alamos. It would be a relatively simple matter to construct a so-called “dirty bomb” that could devastate an American city. Even a terrorist attack that set off a “plutonium fire” could result in hundreds of cancer deaths and leave hundreds of square miles uninhabitable.
Involuntary Whistleblower - Levernier is not comfortable about being a whistleblower, and until now has never spoken to the press or Congress about his experiences. He finds himself coming forward now because, after spending six years trying unsuccessfully to persuade his bosses at the DOE to address the problems, they refused to even acknowledge that a problem existed. Shortly before he spoke to Hertsgaard, he was fired for a minor infraction and stripped of his security clearance, two years before he was due to retire with a full pension. He has filed a lawsuit against the DOE, charging that he was illegally gagged and improperly fired. He is speaking out, he says, in the hopes of helping prevent a catastrophic terrorist attack against the US that is entirely preventable. Levonier asserts that the Bush administration is doing little more than talking tough about nuclear security (see February 15, 2004). [Carter, 2004, pp. 17-18; Vanity Fair, 2/15/2004]
Entity Tags: Mark Hertsgaard, George W. Bush, Bush administration (43), Arjun Makhijani, Institute for Energy and Environmental Research, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Vanity Fair, James Ford, Rich Levernier, US Department of Energy
February 15, 2004: Bush Administration Has Done Little to Secure US Nuclear Facilities, Expert Says
Rich Levernier, a specialist with the Department of Energy (DOE) for 22 years who spent over six years before the 9/11 attacks running nuclear war games for the US government, says that the Bush administration has done little more than talk about securing the nation’s nuclear facilities from terrorist attacks. If Levernier and his team of experts (see February 15, 2004) are correct in their assessments, the administration is actually doing virtually nothing to protect the US’s nuclear weapons facilities, which certainly top any terrorist’s wish list of targets. Instead of addressing the enormous security problems at these facilities, it is persecuting whistleblowers like Levernier. Indeed, the administration denies a danger even exists. “Any implication that there is a 50 percent failure rate on security tests at our nuclear weapons sites is not true,” says Anson Franklin, a spokesman for the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), a DOE agency that oversees the US’s nuclear weapons complex. “Our facilities are not vulnerable.”
Too Strict Grading? - James Ford, who is retired, was Levernier’s direct DOE supervisor in the late 1990s. He says that while Levernier was a talented and committed employee, the results he claims from his mock terror attacks are skewed because of what Ford calls Levernier’s too-strict approach to grading the performance of the nuclear facilities’ security personnel. Ford says that Levernier liked to focus on one particular area, the Technical Area-18 facility, at the Los Alamos nuclear facility in New Mexico, though the site is essentially indefensible, located at the bottom of a canyon and surrounded on three sides by steep, wooded ridges that afforded potential attackers excellent cover and the advantage of high ground.
Complaints of 'Strict Grading' Baseless, Squad Commander Says - “My guys were licking their chops when they saw that terrain,” says Ronald Timms, who commanded mock terrorist squads under Levernier’s supervision. Timms, now the head of RETA Security, which participated in many DOE war games and designed the National Park Service’s security plans for Mount Rushmore, says Ford’s complaint is groundless: “To say it’s unfair to go after the weak link is so perverse, it’s ridiculous. Of course the bad guys are going to go after the weakest link. That’s why [DOE] isn’t supposed to have weak links at those facilities.” In one such attack Timms recalls, Levernier’s forces added insult to injury by hauling away the stolen weapons-grade nuclear material in a Home Depot garden cart. The then-Secretary of Energy, Bill Richardson, ordered the weapons-grade material at TA-18 to be removed to the Nevada Test Site by 2003. That has not happened yet, and is not expected to happen until 2006 at the earliest.
Rules of Engagement - The failure rates are even harder to understand considering the fact that the rules of engagement are heavily slanted in favor of the defense. A real terrorist attack would certainly be a surprise, but the dates of the war games were announced months in advance, within an eight-hour window. Attackers were not allowed to use grenades, body armor, or helicopters. They were not allowed to use publicly available radio jamming devices. “DOE wouldn’t let me use that stuff, because it doesn’t have a defense against it,” Levernier says. His teams were required, for safety reasons, to obey 25 MPH speed limits. Perhaps the biggest flaw in the DOE’s war games, Levernier says, is that they don’t allow for suicide bombers. The games required Levernier’s teams to steal weapons-grade nuclear material and escape. It is likely, though, that attackers would enter the facility, secure the materials, and detonate their own explosives. DOE did not order nuclear facilities to prepare for such attacks until May 2003, and the policy change does not take effect until 2009. Levernier notes that three of the nation’s nuclear weapons facilities did relatively well against mock attacks: the Argonne National Laboratory-West in Idaho, the Pantex plant in Texas, and the Savannah River Site in South Carolina.
Bureaucratic, Political Resistance - So why, asks Vanity Fair journalist Mark Hertsgaard, doesn’t the Bush administration insist on similar vigilance throughout the entire nuclear complex? They “just don’t think [a catastrophic attack] will happen,” Levernier replies. “And nobody wants to say we can’t protect these nuclear weapons, because the political fallout would be so great that there would be no chance to keep the system running.” The DOE bureaucracy is more interested in the appearance of proper oversight than the reality, says Tom Devine, the lawyer who represents both Levernier and other whistleblowers. “Partly that’s about saving face. To admit that a whistleblower’s charges are right would reflect poorly on the bureaucracy’s competence. And fixing the problems that whistleblowers identify would often mean diverting funds that bureaucrats would rather use for other purposes, like empire building. But the main reason bureaucrats have no tolerance for dissent is that taking whistleblowers’ charges seriously would require them to stand up to the regulated industry, and that’s not in most bureaucrats’ nature, whether the industry is the nuclear weapons complex or the airlines.”
Stiff Resistance from Bush Administration - Devine acknowledges that both of his clients’ troubles began under the Clinton administration and continued under Bush, but, Devine says, the Bush administration is particularly unsympathetic to whistleblowers because it is ideologically disposed against government regulation in general. “I don’t think President Bush or other senior officials in this administration want another September 11th,” says Devine, “but their anti-government ideology gets in the way of fixing the problems Levenier and [others] are talking about. The security failures in the nuclear weapons complex and the civil aviation system are failures of government regulation. The Bush people don’t believe in government regulation in the first place, so they’re not inclined to expend the time and energy needed to take these problems seriously. And then they go around boasting that they’re winning the war on terrorism. The hypocrisy is pretty outrageous.” [Carter, 2004, pp. 17-18; Vanity Fair, 2/15/2004]
Entity Tags: Bush administration (43), George W. Bush, Rich Levernier, RETA Security, National Nuclear Security Administration, James Ford, Bill Richardson, Anson Franklin, National Park Service, Ronald Timms, Mark Hertsgaard, Tom Devine, Vanity Fair, US Department of Energy, Los Alamos National Laboratory
February 19, 2004: US Expects Pakistan to Improve Fight against Al-Qaeda after A. Q. Khan Apology, but This Does Not Happen
In the wake of Pakistani nuclear scientist A. Q. Khan’s public apology for his role in nuclear proliferation on February 4, 2004 (see February 4, 2004), and the US government’s quick acceptance of that apology, it is clear the US expects more cooperation from Pakistan on counterterrorism in return. Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz says in an interview on February 19: “In a funny way, the A. Q. Khan [apology]… we feel it gives us more leverage, and it may give [Pakistani President Pervez] Musharraf a stronger hand, that Pakistan has an act to clean up. The international community is prepared to accept Musharraf’s pardoning of Khan for all that he has done, but clearly it is a kind of IOU, and in return for that there has to be a really thorough accounting. Beyond that understanding, we expect an even higher level of cooperation on the al-Qaeda front than we have had to date.” But there is no increased cooperation in the next months. Pakistani journalist and regional expert Ahmed Rashid will later comment: “Musharraf had become a master at playing off Americans’ fears while protecting the army and Pakistan’s national interest.… [He] refused to budge and continued to provide only minimal satisfaction to the United States and the world. He declined to give the CIA access to Khan, and there was no stepped-up hunt for bin Laden.” [Rashid, 2008, pp. 289-290]
Entity Tags: Pervez Musharraf, Abdul Qadeer Khan, Ahmed Rashid, Paul Wolfowitz, Al-Qaeda
Category Tags: Pakistan and the ISI, Counterterrorism Policy/Politics
(February 19, 2004): KSM Falsely Claims Key Bojinka Conspirator Had Only Minor Role in Plot
Alleged 9/11 mastermind Khalid Shaikh Mohammed (KSM) tells US interrogators that Abdul Hakim Murad, along with KSM a key conspirator in the Bojinka plot, only had a small role in the operation, according to the 9/11 Commission. The Commission will cite four intelligence reports, drafted on February 19 (two), February 24, and April 2, 2004, as the source of this claim. According to KSM, Murad’s only role in the plot was to courier $3,000 from Dubai to Manila. However, other evidence indicates Murad was much more significantly involved in the plot (see Before January 6, 1995 and January 6, 1995). The Commission will comment, “This aspect of KSM’s account is not credible, as it conflicts not just with Murad’s own confession [note: this may be unreliable as Murad was tortured (see After January 6, 1995)] but also with physical evidence tying Murad to the very core of the plot, and with KSM’s own statements elsewhere that Murad was involved in planning and executing the operation.” [9/11 Commission, 7/24/2004, pp. 489]
Entity Tags: Khalid Shaikh Mohammed, Abdul Hakim Murad, 9/11 Commission, Central Intelligence Agency
Category Tags: Khalid Shaikh Mohammed, 1995 Bojinka Plot, High Value Detainees
February 23, 2004: Saudi Official Lies to 9/11 Commission about Ties to Hijackers’ Associate
Fahad al Thumairy, a Saudi diplomat the 9/11 Commission thinks is tied to an associate of two 9/11 hijackers named Omar al-Bayoumi, is interviewed by the Commission and lies about these connections. The Commission’s staff thinks that al Thumairy was, in author Philip Shenon’s words, “a middleman of some sort for [9/11 hijackers] Nawaf Alhazmi and Khalid Almihdhar,” and they have compiled a long dossier on him, mostly based on evidence that staffer Mike Jacobson found in FBI files. According to Shenon, the evidence suggests al Thumairy “had orchestrated help for the hijackers through a network of Saudi and other Arab expatriates living throughout Southern California and led by… al-Bayoumi.” When al Thumairy is interviewed by Raj De and other Commission investigators in Riyadh—in the presence of Saudi government minders—he initially claims, “I do not know this man al-Bayoumi.” However, the investigators have witnesses who say al Thumairy and al-Bayoumi know each other, have records of phone calls between the two men (see December 1998-December 2000 and January-May 2000), and al-Bayoumi has admitted knowing al Thumairy, although they allegedly spoke “solely on religious matters.” De cuts off al Thumairy’s denial, telling him: “Your phone records tell a different story. We have your phone records.” Although al-Bayoumi still professes ignorance, De explains they have the phone records from the FBI, at which point al Thumairy realizes his difficulty and says, “I have contact with a lot of people.” [Shenon, 2008, pp. 309-311]
Entity Tags: 9/11 Commission, Raj De, Michael Jacobson, Fahad al Thumairy
Category Tags: Alhazmi and Almihdhar, Bayoumi and Basnan Saudi Connection, 9/11 Commission, Saudi Arabia, 9/11 Investigations
February 23, 2004: Nomination of Former CIA Bin Laden Unit Chief to State Department Rank Announced
The Congressional Record reports that Richard Blee, the manager in charge of the CIA’s bin Laden unit on 9/11 (see August 22-September 10, 2001), has been nominated to a State Department rank. In a list of State Department nominations, it states that he and several dozen other people are proposed “to be consular officers and/or secretaries of the diplomatic service of the United States of America, as indicated for appointment as foreign service officers of class three, consular officer and secretary in the diplomatic service of the United States of America.” The listing gives his address as the District of Columbia. [US Congress, 2/23/2004, pp. 48 ]
Entity Tags: Richard Blee, US Department of State
February 24, 2004: Tenet Says Atta Meeting in Prague Cannot Be Proven or Disproven
CIA Director George Tenet tells Congress regarding an alleged meeting between hijacker Mohamed Atta and an Iraqi government agent in Prague, “We can’t prove that one way or another.” [New York Times, 7/9/2004]
Entity Tags: George J. Tenet
February 27, 2004: Militant Bombing of Ferry Kills 116 in Philippines
Firefighters around the Superferry 14. [Source: Philippine Air Force]The 10,000 ton “Superferry 14” catches fire while transporting about 900 people between islands in the central Philippines. About 116 people are killed as the ship runs aground and partially submerges. Abu Sayyaf, a militant group frequently linked to al-Qaeda, takes credit for the disaster. The Philippine government initially claims it was an accident, but an investigation of the wreckage concludes several months later that the boat sank because of an explosion. Six members of Abu Sayyaf are charged with murder, including Khaddafy Janjalani and Abu Sulaiman, said to be the top leaders of the group. Investigators believe Abu Sayyaf targeted the ship because the company that owned it refused to pay protection money. [BBC, 10/11/2004] Time magazine entitles an article about the incident “The Return of Abu Sayyaf” and notes that the bombing shows the group has reconstituted itself under the leadership of Janjalani after nearly being destroyed by arrests and internal divisions. [Time, 8/23/2004]
Entity Tags: Abu Sayyaf, Abu Sulaiman, Khaddafy Janjalani
Category Tags: Al-Qaeda in Southeast Asia, Philippine Militant Collusion, Alleged Al-Qaeda Linked Attacks
February 28-29, 2004: Madrid Bomber Makes Many Calls on Monitored Phone as He Transports Explosives to Madrid
Jamal Ahmidan is a member of the Islamist militant cell who has arranged to buy the explosives for the Madrid train bombings (see 7:37-7:42 a.m., March 11, 2004). He is also a drug dealer, and is purchasing the explosives from Emilio Suarez Trashorras and some others who are generally both drug dealers and government informants. His phone is being monitored by Spanish intelligence. On February 28, he calls Othman El Gnaoui, another member of the militant cell, and says that he will need a van to transport something. The next day, Ahmidan is in the Spanish region of Asturias to help pick up the over 100 kilograms of explosives used in the bombings. He drives a stolen white Toyota Corolla and travels with a Renault Kangoo van and a Volkswagen Golf. Trashorras and Mohammed Oulad Akcha (another member of the militant cell) drive the other vehicles. The three vehicles drive the explosives to Madrid in what will later be popularly dubbed the “caravan of death.” Ahmidan makes about 15 calls on his monitored phone during the several hour journey, many of them to El Gnaoui. While he does not explicitly talk on the phone about moving explosives, he does make clear to El Gnaoui that he and two other vehicles are moving something to Madrid. He is stopped for speeding along the way by police, but the trunk of his car is not checked. He gives the police officer a false identification. [El Mundo (Madrid), 8/23/2004]
Entity Tags: Othman El Gnaoui, Jamal Ahmidan, Emilio Suarez Trashorras, Mohammed Oulad Akcha
Spring 2004: Nabil Al-Marabh Apparently Secretly Jailed in Syria
In May 2005, the Globe and Mail reports that friends and family of Nabil al-Marabh fear he is being jailed in Syria. He apparently lives freely there for a few months after being deported from the US in January 2004 (see January 2004), but then is arrested by Syrian intelligence agents. The article will note that, “US deportation records show that Mr. al-Marabh had expressed fears about being conscripted or tortured in Syria, which is notorious for abusing its prisoners.” [Globe and Mail, 5/11/2005] In late 2007, it will be reported that it is believed al-Marabh is still jailed in Syria, though there have been no reports of him being officially charged with any crime. [National Post, 10/6/2007]
Entity Tags: Nabil al-Marabh, Syria
Category Tags: Nabil Al-Marabh
Spring 2004: DIA Destroys Copies of Able Danger Documents
The Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) in Washington, DC apparently destroys duplicate copies of documentation relating to a military intelligence unit called Able Danger, for unknown reasons. The documents had been maintained by one of the DIA’s employees, intelligence officer Anthony Shaffer. [US Congress, 9/21/2005] The Able Danger unit was established in fall 1999, to assemble information about al-Qaeda networks worldwide (see Fall 1999). Lt. Col. Anthony Shaffer had served as a liaison officer between the unit and the DIA. [New York Times, 8/17/2005; Guardian, 8/18/2005] Able Danger allegedly identified Mohamed Atta and three other future 9/11 hijackers more than a year before the attacks (see January-February 2000). Other records relating to the unit were destroyed in May and June 2000, and March 2001 (see May-June 2000). [US Congress, 9/21/2005; Fox News, 9/24/2005]
Entity Tags: Able Danger, Defense Intelligence Agency
Category Tags: Able Danger
Spring 2004: FBI Director Conducts Charm Offensive against 9/11 Commission to Save Bureau
FBI Director Robert Mueller launches a charm offensive to win over the 9/11 Commission and ensure that its recommendations are favorable to the bureau.
Commission Initially Favored Break-Up - The attempt is greatly needed, as the Commission initially has an unfavorable view of the FBI due to its very public failings before 9/11: the Phoenix memo (see July 10, 2001), the fact that two of the hijackers lived with an FBI counterterrorism informer (see May 10-Mid-December 2000), and the failure to search Zacarias Moussaoui’s belongings (see August 16, 2001). Commissioner John Lehman will say that at the start of the investigation he thought “it was a no-brainer that we should go to an MI5,” the British domestic intelligence service, which would entail taking counterterrorism away from the bureau.
Lobbying Campaign - Author Philip Shenon will say that the campaign against the commissioners “could not have been more aggressive,” because Mueller was “in their faces, literally.” Mueller says he will open his schedule to them at a moment’s notice and returns their calls within minutes. He pays so much attention to the commissioners that some of them begin to regard it as harassment and chairman Tom Kean tells his secretaries to turn away Mueller’s repeated invitations for a meal. Mueller even opens the FBI’s investigatory files to the Commission, giving its investigators unrestricted access to a special FBI building housing the files. He also gets Dame Eliza Manningham-Buller, head of MI5, to meet the commissioners and intercede for the bureau.
Contrast with CIA - The campaign succeeds and the Commission is convinced to leave the FBI intact. This is partially due to the perceived difference between Mueller and CIA Director George Tenet, who the Commission suspects of telling it a string of lies (see July 2, 2004). Commissioner Slade Gorton will say, “Mueller was a guy who came in new and was trying to do something different, as opposed to Tenet.” Commission Vice Chairman Lee Hamilton will also say that the Commission recommended changing the CIA by establishing the position of director of national intelligence. It is therefore better to leave the FBI alone because “the system can only stand so much change.”
Change Partially Motivated by Fear - This change of mind is also partially motivated by the commissioners’ fear of the bureau. Shenon will comment: “Mueller… was also aware of how much fear the FBI continued to inspire among Washington’s powerful and how, even after 9/11, that fear dampened public criticism. Members of congress… shrank at the thought of attacking the FBI.… For many on Capitol Hill, there was always the assumption that there was an embarrassing FBI file somewhere with your name on it, ready to be leaked at just the right moment. More than one member of the 9/11 Commission admitted privately that they had joked—and worried—among themselves about the danger of being a little too publicly critical of the bureau.” [Shenon, 2008, pp. 364-368]
Entity Tags: John Lehman, 9/11 Commission, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Robert S. Mueller III, Eliza Manningham-Buller, Philip Shenon, Slade Gorton, Lee Hamilton
Spring 2004: Mysterious US Al-Qaeda Figure Finally Makes US Watch List
Al-Qaeda has released a series of video messages featuring Adam Gadahn. This one is from September 2, 2006. [Source: Public domain / Wikipedia]The Washington Post will report in May 2004, “US officials have continued investigating [Khalil] Deek’s whereabouts, a fact that is made clear since [his name has recently] appeared on US terrorist lookout lists.” Deek is a naturalized US citizen whom authorities believe was a member of an al-Qaeda cell in Anaheim, California for most of the 1990s. He was arrested in Jordan for masterminding an al-Qaeda millennium bomb plot there (see December 11, 1999). Then he was let go, apparently with US approval (see May 2001). US intelligence has a record dating back to the late 1980s of investigating Deek for a variety of criminal activities but taking no action against him (see Late 1980s, March 1993-1996, December 14-25, 1999, November 30, 1999, May 2000, December 15-31, 1999). It is not known why Deek is finally watchlisted at this time, though it is likely connected to wide publicity about Adam Gadahn. Gadahn, a Caucasian American also known as “Azzam the American,” was a member of Deek’s Anaheim cell in the mid-1990s. He moved to Afghanistan where he has since become well-known as a top al-Qaeda media spokesman. [New Yorker, 1/22/2007] Counterterrorism expert Rita Katz, who investigated Deek for the US government in the late 1990s, says it’s “a mystery” law enforcement officials have not arrested or even charged Deek as a terrorist. [Orange County Weekly, 6/17/2004] A US newspaper reporter who closely followed Deek’s career will comment that Deek seemingly “couldn’t get arrested to save his life.” [Orange County Weekly, 6/15/2006] Deek has not been hard from since. There will be unconfirmed reports that he was killed somewhere in Pakistan in early 2005, but his body has not been found. [Orange County Weekly, 6/15/2006]
Entity Tags: Adam Gadahn, United States, Khalil Deek
Category Tags: Khalil Deek, Counterterrorism Action After 9/11
Spring 2004: UN Official: Conditions In Afghanistan Deteriorating
A senior UN official reports that conditions in Afghanistan have deteriorated significantly in nearly every respect. According to Lakhdar Brahima, UN special envoy to Afghanistan, the situation “is reminiscent to what was witnessed after the establishment of the mujaheddin government in 1992.” Abdul Rasul Sayyaf, a member of the Wahhabi sect of Islam who opposed the presence of US troops in Saudi Arabia, along with several other warlords accused of atrocities in the mid-1990s, have returned to power and are effectively ruling the country, Brahima says. Several hold key positions within the government. They “continue to maintain their own private armies and… are reaping vast amounts of money from Afghanistan’s illegal opium trade…” The US, while claming to support Afghan President Karzai, is relying on these warlords to “help” hunt down Taliban and al-Qaeda factions, although the success rate is abysmal, and much of the intelligence provided by the warlords is faulty. The Taliban has begun to regroup, and now essentially controls much of the southern and eastern regions of the country. [Foreign Affairs, 5/2004]
Entity Tags: Hamid Karzai, Bush administration (43), Taliban, Abdul Rasul Sayyaf, Lakhdar Brahima, Al-Qaeda
Spring 2004: Review Finds Airport Security Is Poor
Following tests of the standard of security at US airports (see October 9, 2003), the Department of Homeland Security’s inspector general, the Government Accountability Office (GAO), and a private company provide a series of classified briefings to the House Aviation Subcommittee, saying the security is currently lax, bureaucratic, and no better than it was 17 years ago. After the briefings, committee chairman John Mica (R-FL) says, “We have a system that doesn’t work.” Congressman Peter DeFazio (D-OR), who supported the federal takeover of airport security, says, “The inadequacies and loopholes in the system are phenomenal.” A 2006 book by investigative reporters Joe and Susan Trento will say that the new federal screeners are “much worse” than the old private ones. A Transportation Security Administration (TSA) official will say that the “private sector was held to a standard of somewhere between 80 to 90 percent” for weapons detection, but now at one airport “they ran eight [tests] and we missed four of them.” He will add, “But what is really alarming to me is that they said we’re above the national average so they recognize you for a job well done.” Another official will complain about the lack of testing in the federal system, saying that the new screeners even have difficultly recognizing explosives when they appear on a screen, “And when you run an actual [improvised explosive device], they don’t know what it is.” The Trentos will attribute some of the blame to the way the security staff are trained, noting, “the TSA certifies and tests itself and classifies the results as secret.” [Trento and Trento, 2006, pp. 172-4]
Entity Tags: Government Accountability Office, US Department of Homeland Security, Susan Trento, Transportation Security Administration, Clark Kent Ervin, John Mica, Joseph Trento, Peter DeFazio
Category Tags: Internal US Security After 9/11
March 2004: Alleged ‘High Value’ Al-Qaeda Leader Is Captured in Djibouti, Africa
Gouled Hassan Dourad. [Source: US Defense Department]Alleged “high value” al-Qaeda leader Gouled Hassan Dourad is captured. Dourad is captured by Djibouti government forces in his house in Djibouti. He is turned over to US custody at an unknown date and held as a ghost prisoner in the CIA’s secret prison system. On September 4, 2006, he will be transferred to the US-run prison in Guantanamo, Cuba, and will be officially declared a “high value” prisoner (see September 2-3, 2006).
Who Is Dourad? - Very little is publicly known about Dourad or why he is deemed an important militant leader. Virtually nothing has appeared about him in the media either before or after his capture. But his 2008 Guantanamo file will detail his history. According to that file, Dourad is a Somali who is an admitted member of both al-Qaeda’s East Africa branch and Al-Ittihad al-Islamiya (AIAI), an Islamist militant group based in Somalia that was blacklisted by the US shortly after 9/11. In 1993, he was granted asylum in Sweden, and lived there for nearly three years. In 1996, he trained in al-Qaeda linked training camps in Afghanistan. Returning to East Africa, he fought against Ethiopian forces for several years. Dourad grew more involved with al-Qaeda and took part in various plots. When he is caught, he allegedly is in the final stages of planning an operation against US military bases and various embassies in Djibouti. He does not seem to have been in frequent contact with many top al-Qaeda leaders, but it is claimed he worked closely with Abu Talha al-Sudani, a leader of al-Qaeda operations in East Africa. [US Department of Defense, 9/19/2008] Note that the Guantanamo files of prisoners often contain dubious information, and in some cases information that was extracted by torture (see April 24, 2011).
Entity Tags: Al-Ittihad al-Islamiya, Gouled Hassan Dourad, Al-Qaeda, Abu Talha al-Sudani
Category Tags: Key Captures and Deaths, High Value Detainees
March 2004: Agent Forced Out of FBI for Supporting Whistleblower Sibel Edmonds
John Cole. [Source: Canal+]John Cole, an FBI agent who has supported whistleblower Sibel Edmonds inside the FBI, is forced out of his position. Cole will later say that this is because of the support he offered her. After Cole read Edmonds’ file, he decided her allegations were accurate: “I thought that I could be of some assistance to her, because I knew she was doing the right thing. I knew because she was right.” According to Cole, her allegations were confirmed by others at the FBI, “They were telling me that Sibel Edmonds was a 100 percent accurate, that management knew that she was correct.” However, Cole is subjected to a long bout of harassment. After years of good reports, his appraisal only says his work in one area is “minimally acceptable,” and he is investigated by the Office of Professional Responsibility for allegedly lying on a background check and disclosing classified information without authorization. Finally, he is demoted to menial tasks such as photocopying, causing him to resign. [Vanity Fair, 9/2005; Congressional Quarterly, 1/26/2007]
Entity Tags: Federal Bureau of Investigation, Sibel Edmonds, John Cole
Category Tags: Sibel Edmonds, Counterterrorism Policy/Politics
March 2004: Homeland Security Official Keeps Job Despite Tie to Radical Militant
Faisal Gill. [Source: Salon]It is discovered that the Department of Homeland Security’s intelligence division policy director has disturbing associations with known radical militants. Faisal Gill, a White House political appointee with close ties to powerful Republican lobbyist Grover Norquist and no background in intelligence, failed to disclose on security clearance documents that he had worked with Abdurahman Alamoudi, a lobbyist with suspected terrorist ties. This is a potential felony. Jailed at the time, Alamoudi will be sentenced to 23 years in prison later in the year for plotting with Libyan agents to kill the de facto ruler of Saudi Arabia (see October 15, 2004). Gill is briefly removed from his job when his incorrect disclosures are discovered, but it is ultimately decided that he can keep his job. Salon notes that “Gill has access to top-secret information on the vulnerability of America’s seaports, aviation facilities, and nuclear power plants to terrorist attacks.” Gill previously worked in an organization tied to both Alamoudi and Norquist. One anonymous official says, “There’s an overall denial in the administration that the agenda being pushed by Norquist might be a problem. It’s so absurd that a Grover Norquist person could even be close to something like this. That’s really what’s so insidious.” Another official complains, “Who is Abdurahman Alamoudi? We really don’t know. So how can we say there is not a problem with his former aide?” [Salon, 6/22/2004]
Entity Tags: Grover Norquist, Abdurahman Alamoudi, US Department of Homeland Security, Faisal Gill
March 2004: Able Danger Intelligence Officer Has Security Clearance Suspended
Lieutenant Colonel Anthony Shaffer, an Army intelligence officer who worked closely with a military intelligence unit called Able Danger, has his security clearance suspended for what his lawyer later describes as “petty and frivolous” reasons, including a dispute over mileage reimbursement and charges for personal calls on a work cell phone. [Fox News, 8/19/2005] According to Shaffer, allegations are made against him over $67 in phone charges, which he accumulated over 18 months. He says, “Even though when they told me about this issue, I offered to pay it back, they chose instead to spend in our estimation $400,000 to investigate all these issues simply to drum up this information.” No formal action is ever taken against Shaffer, and later in the year the Army promotes him to lieutenant colonel. [Fox News, 8/17/2005; Government Security News, 9/2005] A few months previous, Shaffer had met with staff from the 9/11 Commission, and allegedly informed them that Able Danger had, more than a year before the attacks, identified two of the three cells which conducted 9/11, including Mohamed Atta (see October 21, 2003). According to Shaffer’s lawyer, it is because of him having his security clearance suspended that he does not later have any documentation relating to Able Danger. [Fox News, 8/19/2005] Rep. Curt Weldon (R-PA) will later comment: “In January of 2004 when [Shaffer] was twice rebuffed by the 9/11 Commission for a personal follow-up meeting, he was assigned back to Afghanistan to lead a special classified program. When he returned in March, he was called in and verbally his security clearance was temporarily lifted. By lifting his security clearance, he could not go back into DIA quarters where all the materials he had about Able Danger were, in fact, stored. He could not get access to memos that, in fact, he will tell you discussed the briefings he provided both to the previous administration and this administration.” [Fox News, 8/19/2005] These documents Shaffer are trying to reach are destroyed by the DIA roughly around this time (see Spring 2004). In September 2005, Shaffer has his security clearance revoked, just two days before he is scheduled to testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee about Able Danger’s activities (see September 19, 2005).
Entity Tags: Curt Weldon, Able Danger, Anthony Shaffer
March 2004: CIA Finds 9/11 Hijackers Used 364 Aliases and Name Variants
After investigating the 9/11 hijackers, the CIA finds that the 19 operatives used a total of 364 aliases, including different spellings of their own names and noms de guerre. Although some examples are made public, the full list is not disclosed. [9/11 Commission, 8/21/2004, pp. 1, 5 ; US District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, Alexandria Division, 7/31/2006 ] However, an FBI timeline of hijacker movements made public in 2008 will mention some of the aliases. For example:
Hani Hanjour and Ahmed Alghamdi rent a New Jersey apartment using the names Hany Saleh and Ahmed Saleh. (Saleh is Hanjour’s middle name.) [Federal Bureau of Investigation, 10/2001, pp. 144, 205 ]
Fayez Ahmed Banihammad uses the aliases Abu Dhabi Banihammad and Fayey Rashid Ahmed. [Federal Bureau of Investigation, 10/2001, pp. 167, 174 ]
Nawaf Alhazmi uses the aliases Nawaf Alharbi and Nawaf Alzmi Alhazmi. [Federal Bureau of Investigation, 10/2001, pp. 60 ; Federal Bureau of Investigation, 10/2001, pp. 248 ]
Mohamed Atta frequently likes to use variants of the name El Sayed, for instance calling himself Awaid Elsayed and even Hamburg Elsayed. Marwan Alshehhi also uses the Elsayed alias. [Federal Bureau of Investigation, 10/2001, pp. 125, 126 ]
When Majed Moqed flies into the US on May 2, 2001, the name Mashaanmoged Mayed is on the flight manifest. [Federal Bureau of Investigation, 10/2001, pp. 139 ]
In contrast to this, many reports emphasize that the hijackers usually used their own names. For example, the 9/11 Commission will say, “The hijackers opened accounts in their own names, using passports and other identification documents.” [9/11 Commission, 7/24/2004, pp. 22 ] In addition, a Commission staffer will tell UPI: “They did not need fake passports. The plotters all used their own passports to get into the country and once here, used US-issued ID documents whenever possible.” [United Press International, 8/17/2005]
Entity Tags: Wail Alshehri, Mohand Alshehri, Mohamed Atta, Nawaf Alhazmi, Saeed Alghamdi, Satam Al Suqami, Marwan Alshehhi, Salem Alhazmi, Ziad Jarrah, Waleed Alshehri, Majed Moqed, Khalid Almihdhar, Ahmed Alhaznawi, 9/11 Commission, Abdulaziz Alomari, Ahmed Alghamdi, Hani Hanjour, Hamza Alghamdi, Central Intelligence Agency, Fayez Ahmed Banihammad, Ahmed Alnami
Category Tags: Alhazmi and Almihdhar, Marwan Alshehhi, Mohamed Atta, Hani Hanjour, Ziad Jarrah, Other 9/11 Hijackers, Other 9/11 Investigations, 9/11 Investigations, Hijacker Visas and Immigration
March 2004: Book Examines Atta’s Time in Florida; Portrays Him as Hooked on Drugs and Alcohol
Daniel Hopsicker. [Source: Daniel Hopsicker]A book examining the life of Mohamed Atta while he lived in Florida in 2000 is published. Welcome to Terrorland: Mohamed Atta and the 9-11 Cover-Up in Florida, is by Daniel Hopsicker, an author, documentary maker, and former business news producer. Hopsicker spent two years in Venice, Florida, where several of the 9/11 hijackers went to flight school, and spoke to hundreds of people who knew them. His account portrays Atta as a drinking, drug-taking, party animal, strongly contradicting the conventional view of Atta having been a devout Muslim. He interviewed Amanda Keller, a former stripper who claims to have briefly been Atta’s girlfriend in Florida. Keller describes trawls through local bars with Atta, and how he once cut up her pet kittens in a fit of anger. The book also alleges that the CIA organized an influx of Arab students into Florida flight schools in the period prior to 9/11, and that a major drug smuggling operation was centered around the Venice airfield while Atta was there. [Deutsche Welle (Bonn), 4/30/2004; Sarasota Herald-Tribune, 7/11/2005] It also implicates retired businessman Wally Hilliard, the owner of Huffman Aviation, as the owner of a Lear jet that in July 2000 was seized by federal agents after they found 43 pounds of heroin onboard. [Long Island Press, 2/26/2004; Green Bay Press-Gazette, 3/22/2004] The book is a top ten bestseller in Germany. [Hopsicker, 2004; Deutsche Welle (Bonn), 4/30/2004]
Entity Tags: Wally Hilliard, Mohamed Atta, Central Intelligence Agency, Amanda Keller, Daniel Hopsicker
Category Tags: Media, Mohamed Atta, Alleged Hijackers' Flight Training
March 2004: Released Guantanamo Detainee Becomes Important Taliban Leader
In late 2001, a Pakistani named Abdullah Mahsud was arrested in northern Afghanistan and transferred to the US-run Guantanamo prison. He apparently concealed his true identity while there, and is released in March 2004. He returns to Waziristan, the Pakistani tribal region where he was born, and quickly becomes an important Taliban leader. The US Defense Department belatedly realizes he has been associated with the Taliban since he was a teenager, and calls him an “al-Qaeda-linked facilitator.” He earns a fearsome reputation by orchestrating attacks and kidnappings, starting later in 2004. His forces will sign a peace deal with the Pakistani government in early 2005 that effectively gives them control over South Waziristan (see February 7, 2005). Mahsud will be killed on July 24, 2007, just days after a peace deal between the Pakistani government and Waziristan militants collapses (see July 11-Late July, 2007). He reportedly blows himself up with a grenade while surrounded by Pakistani security forces in a town in Baluchistan province about 30 miles from the Afghan border that is also near Waziristan. A Pakistani official will say: “This is a big blow to the Pakistani Taliban. He was one of the most important commanders that the Taliban had in Waziristan.” [Washington Post, 7/25/2007]
Entity Tags: Taliban, Abdullah Mahsud
Category Tags: Pakistan and the ISI, Haven in Pakistan Tribal Region, Afghanistan
March 2004: Al-Qaeda Summit Held in Pakistan’s Tribal Region; Possibly Monitored by US Intelligence
In March 2004, al-Qaeda apparently holds what Time magazine calls a “terrorist summit” in the Pakistani tribal region of Waziristan. Time says the meeting is a “gathering of terrorism’s elite” who come from all over the world to attend. Attendees include:
Dhiren Barot, an al-Qaeda leader living in Britain.
Adnan Shukrijumah, an Arab Guyanese bombmaker and commercial pilot who apparently met 9/11 hijacker Mohamed Atta and has been on public wanted lists since 2003.
Mohammed Junaid Babar, a Pakistani-American living in Britain. He arrives with money and supplies.
Abu Faraj al-Libbi, al-Qaeda leader living somewhere in Pakistan.
Two other unnamed attendees are believed to have surveilled targets in New York City and elsewhere with Barot in 2001 (see May 30, 2001). [Time, 8/8/2004; ISN Security Watch, 7/21/2005]
Other attendees have not been named. The meeting is said to be a “subject of obsession for authorities” in the US and Pakistan. Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf says, “The personalities involved, the operations, the fact that a major explosives expert came here and went back, all this was extremely significant.” Officials worry that it may have been a planning meeting for a major attack in the West. [Time, 8/8/2004] Babar is arrested one month later in the US and immediately agrees to become an informant and reveal all he knows (see April 10, 2004). But US intelligence had been monitoring Babar since late 2001 (see Early November 2001-April 10, 2004), and Newsweek will later claim that “Babar was tracked flying off [in early 2004] to South Waziristan in Pakistan, where he attended [the] terror summit…” It is unknown if the summit itself is monitored, however. [Newsweek, 1/24/2005] Regardless on when the US learned about it, no known additional pressure on Pakistan to do something about al-Qaeda in Waziristan results. In fact, in late April the Pakistani government ends one month of fighting with militants in Waziristan and signs a peace treaty with them (see April 24-June 18, 2004).
Entity Tags: Pervez Musharraf, Dhiren Barot, Al-Qaeda, Adnan Shukrijumah, Mohammed Junaid Babar, Abu Faraj al-Libbi
Category Tags: Pakistan and the ISI, Haven in Pakistan Tribal Region
Early March 2004: Executive Director Zelikow Demands 9/11 Commission Subpoena Forthcoming Book by Former Counterterrorism ‘Tsar’
The 9/11 Commission’s Executive Director Philip Zelikow demands that the Commission subpoena a new book by former counterterrorism “tsar” Richard Clarke that is due to be published soon.
Bad Blood - There has been a running argument in the Commission about Clarke’s criticism of National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice (see August 2003, Before December 18, 2003, and Early 2004) and there is also bad blood between Clarke and Zelikow, a close associate of Rice (see 1995) who had Clarke demoted in 2001 (see January 3, 2001 and January 27, 2003). Zelikow’s demand is spurred by a change to the publication date of Clarke’s book, which has been moved forward from the end of April to March 22, shortly before Clarke is due to testify publicly before the Commission.
Zelikow Goes 'Ballistic' - Daniel Marcus, the Commission’s lawyer, will recall that when Zelikow learned of the change, he “went ballistic” and “wanted to subpoena [the book].” The reason for his anger is that he thinks that it may contain surprises for the Commission and does not want new information coming out so close to an important hearing. Marcus thinks issuing a subpoena is a bad idea, as the Commission generally refuses to subpoena government departments (see January 27, 2003), so issuing one for the book will make it look bad, and possibly turn the press against it. However, Zelikow initially refuses to back down, saying, “Well, we have subpoena authority,” and adding, “And they have no right to withhold it from us.”
Publisher Provides Book, Clarke Prevents Zelikow from Reading It - Marcus calls the book’s publisher and asks it nicely to give the Commission the book. The publisher agrees, but, worried that excessive distribution would limit the book’s news value, says that only three staffers, ones involved in preparing for Clarke’s interview, can read it. Clarke personally insists on another condition: that Zelikow is not one of these three staffers. Zelikow protests against this condition, but it is approved by the commissioners.
Zelikow Discomfited - This deal highlights the state of relations between Zelikow and the staff. Author Philip Shenon will write: “Marcus and others on the staff could not deny that they enjoyed Zelikow’s discomfort. Throughout the investigation, Zelikow had insisted that every scrap of secret evidence gathered by the staff be shared with him before anyone else; he then controlled how and if the evidence was shared elsewhere. Now Zelikow would be the last to know some of the best secrets of them all.” [Shenon, 2008, pp. 275-277]
Entity Tags: Philip Shenon, Daniel Marcus, Richard A. Clarke, 9/11 Commission, Philip Zelikow
March 1, 2004: ’New Pearl Harbor’ Book Is Released
David Ray Griffin. [Source: Public domain]The book “The New Pearl Harbor: Disturbing Questions about the Bush administration and 9/11,” written by theology professor David Ray Griffin, is released. The Daily Mail calls it “explosive.” Well known historian Howard Zinn calls the book: “the most persuasive argument I have seen for further investigation of the Bush administration’s relationship to that historic and troubling event.” The book suggests there is evidence that the Bush administration may have arranged the 9/11 attacks or deliberately allowed them to happen. It questions why no military fighter jets were sent up to intercept the hijacked planes after the terrorists first struck. It also explores the question of whether the Pentagon was really hit by Flight 77, and suggests that explosives could have assisted the collapse of the World Trade Center. [Democracy Now!, 5/26/2004; Daily Mail, 6/5/2004] The book sells well, but is virtually ignored by the mainstream US news media. Those who do report on the book generally deride it. For example, Publishers Weekly states, “Even many Bush opponents will find these charges ridiculous, though conspiracy theorists may be haunted by the suspicion that we know less than we think we do about that fateful day.” [Publishers Weekly, 3/22/2004]
Entity Tags: Pentagon, Bush administration (43), Howard Zinn, World Trade Center, David Ray Griffin
Category Tags: Media, US Government and 9/11 Criticism
Spring 2004: 9/11 Commission Executive Director Zelikow Receives Memo Urging Criminal Referral of False Statements by Pentagon, FAA; No Action Taken for Months
After finding that FAA and US military officials have made a string of false statements to them about the air defense on the day of the attacks and have withheld key documents for months (see September 2003, Late October 2003, October 14, 2003, and November 6, 2003), the 9/11 Commission’s staff proposes a criminal investigation by the Justice Department into those officials.
Proposal Sent to Zelikow - The proposal is contained in a memo sent by the Commission team investigating the day of the attacks to Philip Zelikow, the Commission’s executive director. However, nothing much is done with the memo for months. A similar proposal will then be submitted to the very last meeting of the 9/11 commissioners, who decide to refer the matter not to the Justice Department, but to the inspectors general of the Pentagon and FAA (see Shortly before July 22, 2004). Whereas the Justice Department could bring criminal charges for perjury, if it found they were warranted, the inspectors general cannot.
Dispute over Events - According to John Azzarello, a Commission staffer behind the proposal, Zelikow fails to act on the proposal for weeks. Azzarello will say that Zelikow, who has friends at the Pentagon (see (Late October-Early November 2003)), “just buried that memo.” Azzarello’s account will be backed by Commission team leader John Farmer. However, Zelikow will say that Azzarello was not party to all the discussions about what to do and that the memo was delayed by other Commission staffers, not him. Zelikow’s version will receive backing from the Commission’s lawyer, Daniel Marcus. [Shenon, 2008, pp. 209-210]
Entity Tags: Philip Zelikow, John Azzarello, Daniel Marcus, 9/11 Commission, John Farmer
March 2, 2004: House Republican Leaders Finally Approve Extension for 9/11 Commission, Some Commissioners Think Cheney Is Behind Delay
9/11 Commission Chairman Tom Kean and Vice Chairman Lee Hamilton meet with Republican leaders in the House of Representatives, including Speaker Dennis Hastert and Majority Leader Tom Delay, to discuss an extension of the commission’s reporting deadline (see Mid-December 2003-Mid-January 2004). The extension is opposed by the House leadership, which has had bad relations with the commission for some time and has been very critical of the commission. For example, a month before the meeting Hastert had accused Democrats on the commission of “leaking things,” trying to “make it a political issue,” and inflict “death by a thousand cuts” on the Bush administration. It is unclear why the House leadership is so against the extension, even though it has been approved by Senate Republicans and the White House. One theory advanced by Democratic commissioners is that, although the White House has publicly dropped its opposition to the extension (see January 19, 2004 and February 5, 2004), it does not really want it and is simply getting Hastert to act as a proxy. Author Philip Shenon will comment: “If Hastert’s contempt for the commission was being stage-managed by anyone at the White House, it was assumed on the commission to be Dick Cheney. The vice president was a frequent, if rarely announced, visitor to the Speaker’s office.” However, Kean persuades Hastert and the other House leaders to accept the extension, removing the last hurdle. [Shenon, 2008, pp. 227-229]
Entity Tags: 9/11 Commission, Dennis Hastert, Lee Hamilton, Thomas Kean, Tom DeLay
March 3, 2004: US Secrecy Leads to Overturning Conviction of Hijacker Associate El Motassadeq
A German appeals court overturns the conviction of Mounir El Motassadeq after finding that German and US authorities withheld evidence. He had been sentenced to 15 years in prison for involvement in the 9/11 plot. According to the court, a key suspect in US custody, Ramzi bin al-Shibh, had not been allowed to testify. European commentators blame US secrecy, complaining that “the German justice system [is] suffering ‘from the weaknesses of the way America is dealing with 9/11,’ and ‘absolute secrecy leads absolutely certainly to flawed trials.’” [Agence France-Presse, 3/5/2004] The court orders a new trial scheduled to begin later in the year. [Associated Press, 3/4/2004] The release of El Motassadeq (and the acquittal of Mzoudi earlier in the year) means that there is not a single person who has ever been successfully prosecuted for the events of 9/11.
Entity Tags: Germany, Ramzi bin al-Shibh, Bush administration (43), Mounir El Motassadeq
Category Tags: Ramzi Bin Al-Shibh, Al-Qaeda in Germany, Counterterrorism Policy/Politics
Evening, March 4, 2004: Witness Query Suggests Spanish Authorities Have Some Awareness of Explosives Deal
On the night of March 4, 2004, members of Spain’s Civil Guard go to an unnamed witness in Madrid and ask him about Emilio Suarez Trashorras and Jamal Ahmidan, alias “El Chino.” The Madrid bombings conducted seven days later are said to involve two groups. One group is made up of Islamist radicals under heavy surveillance and the other group is made up of criminals and drug dealers who sell the explosives to this group. Ahmidan from the first group and Trashorras for the second are the main intermediaries. This witness is asked extensively about his car, a white Toyota Corolla. In late February, Ahmidan used a stolen white Toyota Corolla with a similar registration to help move the explosives from the region of Asturias to Madrid. He was briefly stopped for speeding by police on his way to Madrid and gave an alias instead of his real name (see February 28-29, 2004). The Toyota was also used by Trashorras in Asturias and he was fined while driving it three times. This suggests police had some knowledge about the explosives deal before the bombings. [El Mundo (Madrid), 8/24/2005] Trashorras is a government informant, but it will later be claimed that he did not inform his handlers about the explosives deal before the bombings, and he will be sentenced to life in prison (see October 31, 2007). Ahmidan will reportedly blow himself up with other key bombers about a month after the bombings (see 9:05 p.m., April 3, 2004).
Entity Tags: Emilio Suarez Trashorras, Jamal Ahmidan
March 5, 2004: Madrid Bomber Calls Imprisoned Head of Madrid’s Al-Qaeda Cell
Jamal Zougam, an Islamist militant living in Spain, calls Barakat Yarkas, the head of the al-Qaeda cell in Madrid. Yarkas is in prison at the time, and has been there since November 2001 for an alleged role in the 9/11 attacks (see November 13, 2001). Zougam’s call is monitored, and in fact he has been monitored since 2000 for his links to Yarkas and others (see 2000-Early March 2004). Zougam will later say that he was aware he was being monitored, especially since he knew his house was raided in 2001. The Madrid newspaper El Mundo will later comment that the call makes no sense, especially since it takes place just six days before the Madrid train bombings (see October 31, 2007): “It’s like lighting a luminous sign.” It also has not been explained why the imprisoned Yarkas was even allowed to speak to Zougam on the phone. It is not known what they discuss. [El Mundo (Madrid), 4/23/2004] Zougam will later be sentenced to life in prison for a role in the Madrid bombings (see October 31, 2007).
Entity Tags: Barakat Yarkas, Jamal Zougam
Evening, March 5, 2004: Madrid Bomber Briefly Held at Police Station
Near midnight on March 5, 2004, Othman El Gnaoui spends some time in a Madrid police station. He is considered one of the key Madrid bombers and will later be sentenced to life in prison for his role in the bombings. What he is doing in the station is not clear as police will not discuss it later. But his phone is being monitored at the time, and transcripts of calls will later reveal him calling family from inside the station who are wondering where he is at such a late hour. He tells his wife that he had some trouble with identification papers while riding his motorcycle. [El Mundo (Madrid), 8/24/2005] But there are some curious coincidences. Just the day before, an unnamed witness was asked about Jamal Ahmidan and Emilio Suarez Trashorras (see Evening, March 4, 2004). In late February 2004, El Gnaoui bought explosives from Trashorras and others. On February 29, Ahmidan called him at least five times as he helped drive the explosives from the region of Asturias to Madrid. Both Ahmidan and El Gnaoui’s phones were being monitored at the time. [El Mundo (Madrid), 8/24/2005] Also curiously, one day after the bombings, police will stop monitoring the phones of Ahmidan and El Gnaoui (see March 12, 2004).
Entity Tags: Jamal Ahmidan, Emilio Suarez Trashorras, Othman El Gnaoui
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As a major British port, the docks in Liverpool have historically been central to the city's development. Several major docking firsts have occurred in the city including the construction of the world's first enclosed wet dock (the Old Dock) in 1715 and the first ever hydraulic lifting cranes. The best-known dock in Liverpool is the Albert Dock, which was constructed in 1846 and today comprises the largest single collection of Grade I listed buildings anywhere in Britain. Built under the guidance of Jesse Hartley, it was considered to be one of the most advanced docks anywhere in the world upon completion and is often attributed with helping the city to become one of the most important ports in the world. The Albert Dock houses restaurants, bars, shops, two hotels as well as the Merseyside Maritime Museum, International Slavery Museum, Tate Liverpool and The Beatles Story. North of the city centre is Stanley Dock, home to the Stanley Dock Tobacco Warehouse, which was at the time of its construction in 1901, the world's largest building in terms of area and today stands as the world's largest brick-work building.
One of the most famous locations in Liverpool is the Pier Head, renowned for the trio of buildings – the Royal Liver Building, the Cunard Building and the Port of Liverpool Building – which sit upon it. Collectively referred to as the Three Graces, these buildings stand as a testament to the great wealth in the city during the late 19th and early 20th century. Built in a variety of architectural styles, they are recognised as being the symbol of Maritime Liverpool, and are regarded by many as contributing to one of the most impressive waterfronts in the world.
In recent years, several areas along Liverpool's waterfront have undergone significant redevelopment. Amongst the notable recent developments are the construction of the Echo Arena Liverpool and BT Convention Centre on Kings Dock, Alexandra Tower and 1 Princes Dock on Princes Dock and Liverpool Marina around Coburg and Brunswick Docks.
Ref: Wikipedia
Liverpool Docks
Liverpool Pubs
Check out Phil Wieland's wonderful Merseyside Pub Guide
Liverpool Places of Worship
Liverpool Cemeteries
City Centre, Everton, Vauxhall
Anfield, Kirkdale, Walton
Anfield, Everton, Kirkdale, Vauxhall
Anfield, City Centre, Everton, Fairfield, Kensington, Tuebrook
City Centre, Edge Hill, Fairfield, Kensington
City Centre, Dingle, Toxteth
Liverpool 11
Clubmoor, Croxteth, Gillmoss, Norris Green
Broadgreen, Bowring Park, Childwall
Aigburth, St Michael's Hamlet, Sefton Park
Allerton, Mossley Hill
Aigburth, Garston, Grassendale
Belle Vale, Gateacre, Hunts Cross, Woolton, Halewood
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Agreement Proposal
Employment Agreement Proposal
The Rochester and Genesee Valley Area Labor Federation
United Staff Associates
Existing Agreements: AGREED
We propose that the terms and conditions, which apply to our employment under the USA local 1 contract Articles 2-8, 11, 13, 15-23,25-26, remain in tact and unchanged under this employment agreement.
Contact Language: AGREED
Article I: Recognition -Request changes as follows:
The title of Administrative Assistant will be changed to Administrative Organizer due to recent additional duty expectations for that position. The word supervisor will be added to the exclusions in that paragraph.
Article 10: Travel Allowance - AGREED AS AMENDED
The ALF shall provide for employees actual necessary expenses incurred while in Travel status. This will include hotel and transportation costs. Proof of all such costs will be submitted to ALF prior to receiving reimbursement. Meals will be reimbursed on a per diem basis, according to the most recent IRS travel rate.
Article 12: Sick leave, Disability and Family Leave - AGREED TO CHANGES CONCERNING BEREAVEMENT ONLY
C. Bereavement - This is being proposed simply to clarify who would be included in immediate family.
Immediate family consists of parents, siblings, spouse, children and step children, grandparents and grandchildren. All other family members will be considered extended family.
Article 14: Holidays - AGREED
The addition of Christmas Eve is being proposed as a request of compensation that will not increase costs to the ALF. Additionally, there is little, if any business that can be conducted on this day due to the closure of many union offices and businesses.
Christmas Eve added to holidays.
Article 24: Hours of Work - AGREED AS AMENDED
This change is requested; simply to reflect the changes that have already been made.
Administrative Assistant to be changed to Administrative Organizer. The base work week of the Administrative Organizer is now 40 hours. The removal of the clause (Contract amendment attached shall apply until the terms of change are mutually agreed upon) because this is no longer relevant.
The addition to the flex time clause is being proposed to clarify the issue of flex time.
Attempt should be made to flex hours as needed If work load does not allow immediate use of flex time, a maximum of 4 hours comp time may be accumulated and used at the earliest possible time based on employees request and needs of the ALF.
Article 27: Duration - AGREED
Contract shall run from January 1, 2008 to December 31, 2010.
Monetary Changes: AGREED
Article 9: Compensation - Request following changes:
This would reflect rate change due to position title change.
Change Administrative Assistant to Administrative Organizer. Increase for this position will be $2,000 as of 1-1-08. Same for Lead Field Organizer.
Wage increases - AGREED
(For administrative, Lead Field & Field Organizers)
Effective January 1st 2008 all USA 1 bargaining unit members will receive an annual base salary increase of 4%.
Effective January 1st 2010 all USA 1 bargaining unit members will receive and annual base salary increase of 3%
All monetary compensation shall be retroactive as of January 1, 2008, as agreed upon between the ALF President and staff in the proposed contract extension.
A separate incentive agreement, concerning end of year bonuses, is being discussed at this time. When details are complete, all ALF board members will receive a final copy for consideration.
* All changes to contract will need to have final approval of the ALF board.
Phyllis Matthews
Doug Drake
Brenda Grover
Steuben County / Livingston County
Sean Ledwith
The Rochester Genesee Valley Area Labor Federation (ALF) covers the 10 counties that Local 436 represents.
The list of representatives are based on the counties that they live in. The attend monthly meetings and involve themselves in community projects.
After the 2001 CSEA Fall Delegate's Convention, I sent out a report that the motion was passed where each Local would pay a $.25 per member to the Rochester Genesee Valley ALF. As a result of the motion, CSEA Local436's assessment is approximately $6,700.00 per year. CSEA Statewide President Donohue has appointed the list of delegates that are shown under the counties so that CSEA has a vote at County Labor Council (CLC) meetings. The number of delegates assigned to each CLC was based on the total number of members represented by our local that live in that county.
One of the major goals for the Rochester Genesee Valley ALF and respective CLC's to promote community awareness: union members live and work in our communities, our children go to school, we shop locally, and attend church / synagogue. Union workers in some areas are stereotyped as being paid o much, work less hours, and cause problems. Delegates of CLC's will become involved in community projects, assist our communities, and show that union members are no different that any other member of the community. On a political note, the long term goal is for al unions represented by CLC to agree to support a candidate so that our voice as union members is loud and strong.
If you have questions or concerns about this topic, please feel free to contact the Local 436 office at 1-800-984-2732.
Bread and Roses: The 1912 Lawrence textile Strike (Joyce Kornbluh)
Early in January 1912 I.W.W. activities focused on a dramatic ten-week strike of 25,000 textile workers in Lawrence, Massachusetts. It became the most widely publicized I.W.W. conflict, acquainting the nation with the plight of the unskilled, foreign-born worker as well as with the organization's philosophy of radical unionism. "Lawrence was not an ordinary strike," wrote Brissenden in 1919, "It was a social revolution in parvo."
Lawrence in 1912 was a great textile center, outranking all others in the production of woolen and worsted goods. Its principal mills were those of the American Woolen Company, a consolidation of thirty-four factories in New England whose yearly output was valued at $45,000,000. The woolen and cotton mills employed over 40,000 persons, about half of Lawrence's population over age fourteen. Most of them were unskilled workers of many nationalities, who had come from Europe after 1900, attracted by the promises of labor Contractors representing the expanding textile industry in Massachusetts.
But despite a heavy, government tariff protection of the woolen industry, the wages and living standards of textile operatives had declined steadily since 1905. The introduction of the two-loom system in the woolen mills and a corresponding speed-up in the cotton industry had resulted in lay-offs, unemployment, and a drop in wages. A report of the U. S. Commissioner of Labor, Charles P. Neil, showed that for the week ending November 25,1911,22,000 textile employees, including foremen, supervisors, and office workers, averaged about $8.76 for a full week's work.
In addition, the cost of living was higher in Lawrence than elsewhere in New England. Rents, paid on a weekly basis, ranged from $1.00 to $6.00 a week for small tenement apartments in frame buildings which the Neil Report found "extra hazardous" in construction and potential firetraps. Congestion was worse in Lawrence than in any other city in New England; mill families in 58 percent of the homes visited by federal investigators found it necessary to take in boarders to raise enough money for rent.
Bread, molasses, and beans were the staple diet of most mill workers. "When we eat meat it seems like a holiday, especially for the children," testified one weaver before the March 1912 congressional investigation of the Lawrence strike.
Of the 22,000 textile workers investigated by Labor Commissioner Neil, well over half were women and children who found it financially imperative to work in the mills. Half of all the workers in the four Lawrence mills of the American Woolen Company were girls between ages fourteen and eighteen. Dr. Elizabeth Shapleigh, a Lawrence physician, wrote: "A considerable number of the boys and girls die within the first two or three years after beginning work . . . thirty-six out of every 100 of all the men and women who work in the mill die before or by the time they are twenty-five years of age. Because of malnutrition, work strain, and occupational diseases, the average mill worker's life in Lawrence was over twenty-two years shorter than that of the manufacturer, stated Dr. Shapleigh.
Responding in a small way to public pressure over the working conditions of textile employees, the Massachusetts state legislature passed a law, effective January 1, 1912, which reduced the weekly hours from fifty-six to fifty-four for working women and children. Workers feared that this would mean a corresponding wage cut, and their suspicions were sharpened when the mill corporations speeded up the machines and posted notices that, following January 1, the fifty-four-hour work week would be maximum for both men and women operatives.
The I.W.W. had been organizing among the foreign bom in Lawrence since 1907 and claimed over a thousand members, but it had only about 300 paid up members on its rolls. About 2500 English-speaking skilled workers were organized by craft into three local unions of the A.F.L.'s United Textile Workers, but only about 208 of these were in good standing in 1912. The small, English-speaking branch of the I.W.W. sent a letter to President Wood of the American Woolen Company asking how wages would be affected under the new law. There was no reply. Resenment grew as the textile workers realized that a reduction of two-hours pay from their marginal incomes would mean, as I.W.W. publicity pointed out, three loaves of bread less each week from their meager diet.
Polish women weavers in the Everett Cotton Mills were the first to notice a shortage of thirty two cents in their pay envelopes on January 11. They stopped their looms and left the mill, shouting "short pay, short pay!" Other such outbursts took place throughout Lawrence. The next morning workers at the Washington and Wood mills joined the walkout. For the first time in the city's history, the bells of the Lawrence city ball rang the general riot alarm.
That afternoon a mass meeting was held at the Franco-Belgian Hall, and a telegram was sent to Joseph Ettor, an I.W.W. Executive Board member, asking that be come from New York to assist the strike. Twenty-seven-year-old Ettor had visited Lawrence in the past to preach I.W.W. unionism. He was well known in the Italian community as a veteran I.W.W. organizer who had worked in the shipyards of San Francisco, traveled through West Coast mining and lumber camps, and led the foreign-born workers of the Pressed Steel Car Company in the 1909 McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania, strike. Practical, pragmatic, and quick in decision making Ettor could speak English, Italian, and Polish fluently and could understand Hungarian and Yiddish.
Under his aggressive leadership, a strike committee was immediately formed of two representatives from each of the nationalities represented among the mill workers. They were to meet each morning and take complete charge of the strike. The workers' demands called for a 15 percent increase in wages on a fifty-four-hour work week, double time for overtime work, and no discrimination against any workers for their strike participation. In response to the circulation of strike leaflets throughout the town, Lawrence Mayor Scanlon ordered a company of local militia to spend the night at the armory and patrol the streets around the mills.
Mass picketing and arrests started the first week of the strike. It was the first time there had ever been mass picketing in any New England town. When crowds of workers demonstrated in front of the Atlantic and Pacific mills, they were drenched by water from fire hoses on adjoining roofs. The strikers retaliated by throwing chunks of ice. Thirty-six were arrested and most of them sentenced to a year in prison. As the judge stated, "The Only way we can teach them is to deal out the severest sentences." The governor ordered out the state militia and state police. One officer remarked to a writer for Outlook Magazine: "Our company of militia went down to Lawrence during the first days of the strike. Most of them had to leave Harvard to do it; but they rather enjoyed going down there to have a fling at those people." Harry Emerson Fosdick quoted a Boston lawyer: "The strike should have been stopped in the first twenty-four hours. The militia should have been instructed to shoot. That is the way Napoleon did it."
A few days after the strike began, Arturo Giovannitti, an Italian poet and orator, came to Lawrence from New York City to take charge of strike relief. He came in the interest of II Proletario, the newspaper which he edited for the Italian Socialist Federation. Relief committees, a network of soup kitchens, and food distribution stations were set up by each nationality group. The Franco-Belgian station alone took care of 1200 families weekly. Volunteer doctors gave medical care. Families received from $2.00 to $5.00 each week from the funds raised throughout the country in response to the strike committee's appeal. "The problem of relief was so efficiently handled," wrote labor historian Samuel Yellin, "that during the ten week strike there was no wavering whatsoever in the strikers' ranks."
Lawrence was a new kind of strike, the first time such large numbers of unskilled, unorganized foreign-born workers had followed the radical leadership of the I.W.W. John Golden, president of the A.F.L. United Textile Workers denounced it as "revolutionary" and "anarchistic" and attempted unsuccessfully to wrest the leadership of the strike away from the I.W.W. A.F.L. President Samuel Gompers defined the strike as a "class conscious industrial revolution ... a passing event that is not intended to be an organization for the protection of the immediate rights or promotion of the near future interests of the workers." However, Gompers defended the lawful rights of the I.W.W. members to, "express themselves as their conscience dictates."
"It was the spirit of the workers that was dangerous," wrote labor reporter Mary Heaton Vorse. "They are always marching and singing. The tired, gray crowds ebbing and flowing perpetually into the mills had waked and opened their months to sing." And in the American Magazine, Ray Stannard Baker reported:
It is not short of amazing, the power of a great idea to weld men together. . . . There was in it a peculiar, intense, vital spirit, a religious spirit if you will, that I have never felt before in any strike.... At first everyone predicted that it would be impossible to bold these divergent people together, but aside from the skilled men. some of whom belonged to craft unions comparatively few went back to the mills. And as a whole, the strike was conducted with little violence.
Less than a week after the strike started, the police found dynamite in three different places in Lawrence: in a tenement house, in an empty lot, and in a shoemaker's shop next door to the print shop where Ettor received his mail. The press and the police were quick to assign guilt to the strikers. An editorial in the New York Times declared: "The strikers display a fiendish lack of humanity which ought to place them beyond the comfort of religion until they have repented." The I.W.W. claimed, however, that the BostonAmerican, a Hearst paper, was off the press and on sale in Lawrence with the details of the dynamite discovery before the sticks of dynamite were actually found. Soon after, John Breen, a local undertaker and a member of the Lawrence school board, was arrested and charged with planting the explosives in a plot to discredit the workers. He was fined $500 and released on bail. President Wood of the American Woolen Company was implicated, but cleared by the court although he could not explain why he bad recently made a cash payment to Breen.
One of the largest demonstrations of the strike took place on January 29 when Ettor addressed a mass meeting on the Lawrence Common, urged the strikers to be peaceful and orderly, and led them on a march through the business district. At one of the mills, a company of militiamen refused to let them pass. Ettor averted a conflict by waving the paraders up a side street. They followed, and cheered him for his good sense.
That evening, independent of the earlier demonstration, Anna LoPizzo, a woman striker, was killed when police tried to break up a picket line. The strikers said she was shot by a Lawrence police officer. Nevertheless, Ettor and Giovannitti, who were three miles away talking to a meeting of German workers, were arrested as "accessories to the murder" and charged with inciting and provoking the violence. They were refused bail and imprisoned for eight months without trial. In April, Joseph Caruso, an Italian striker, was arrested and jailed in an attempt by Lawrence police to find the man who had fire the fatal shot.
Martial law was enforced following the arrest of the two I.W.W. strike leaders. City officials declared all public meetings illegal, and Lawrence authorities called out twenty-two more militia companies to patrol the streets. A militiaman's bayonet killed a fifteen-year old Syrian boy in another clash between strikers and police.
The arrest of Ettor and Ciovannitti was aimed at disrupting the strike. However, the I.W.W. sent Bill Haywood to Lawrence, and with him came I.W.W. organizers WilliamTrautmann, Elizabeth Gurley Flynn, and, later, Carlo Tresca, an Italian anarchist. More than 15,000 strikers met Haywood at the railroad station and carried him down Essex Street to the Lawrence Common, where he addressed a group of 25,000 strikers. Group by group, they sang the "Internationale" for him in their various tongues. Looking down from the speaker's stand and seeing the young strikers in the crow'd, Haywood roared in his foghorn voice: "Those kids should be in school instead of slaving in the mills."
Throughout the strike, Haywood urged strikers to maintain an attitude of passive resistance. But this took many forms. One innovation in strike technique was an endless chain picket line of thousands of strikers who marched through the mill districts wearing white arm bands which read, "Don't be a scab." Large groups locked arms on the sidewalks and passed along the business streets. When this tactic was disrupted by the police, huge crowds of mill workers would move in and out of stores, not buying anything. As the acting head of the police later testified in Washington, "They had our shopkeepers in a state of terror; it was a question whether or not they would shut up their shops."
By far the most dramatic episode of the strike involved sending the strikers' children to sympathetic families in other cities, a measure of strike relief which bad been used in Europe by French and Italian workers. About 120 children left Lawrence on February 10 and were met at the station in New York City by 5000 members of the Italian Socialist Federation and the Socialist Party singing the "Internationale" and "The Marsaillaise." The youngsters were placed in homes which had been selected by a women's committee of New York sympathizers. Margaret Sanger, later famous for her work in birth control, was one of the nurses who accompanied the children on the train to New York City. She testified before a congressional committee in March: "Out of the 119 children, only four had underwear on ... their outerwear was almost in rags . . . their coats were simply torn to shreds ... and it was the bitterest weather we have had this winter."
A few weeks later, ninety-two more children arrived in New York City and, before going to their temporary foster homes, paraded with banners down Fifth Avenue. Alarmed at the publicity this exodus was receiving, the Lawrence authorities ordered that no more children could leave the city. On February 24 when a group of 150 more children made ready to leave for Philadelphia, fifty policemen and two militia companies surrounded the Lawrence railroad station. They tore children away from their parents, threw women and children into a waiting patrol wagon, and detained thirty of them in jail. A member of the Philadelphia Women's Committee testified under oath:
When the time came to depart, the children, arranged in a long line, two by two in an orderly procession with the parents near at hand, were about to make their way to the train when the police . . . closed in on us with their clubs, beating right and left with no thought of the children who then were in desperate danger of being trampled to death. The mothers and the children were thus hurled in a mass and bodily dragged to a military truck and even then clubbed, irrespective of the cries of the panic-stricken mothers and children. We can scarcely find words with which to describe this display of brutality.
This clash between the children and the police was the turning point of the Lawrence strike. Protests from every part of the country reached Congress as newspaper and magazine articles focused national attention on the conflict. Congressman Victor Berger, a Socialist front Milwaukee, and Congressman William Wilson from Pennsylvania, who became the first secretary of labor, called for a congressional investigation of the Lawrence situation.
In early March, the House Committee on Rules heard testimony from a group of Lawrence strikers including some teenagers under sixteen years of age. "As soon as I came home I had to go to sleep, I was so tired," the congressmen were told by a fifteen-year-old girl. The young workers testified that the textile companies held back a week of their wages, that they were often required to do unpaid clean-up work on Saturdays, and that in order to get decent drinking water in the mills some of them had to pay five or ten cents a week. So great was national indignation, the President's wife attended the hearings, and President Taft later ordered an investigation of industrial conditions throughout the nation.
Concerned over the public reaction to the hearings, and the possible threat to their own tariff protection, the American Woolen Company acceded to all the strikers' demands on March 12, 1912. By the end of March, the rest of the Lawrence textile companies fell in line. Wages were raised for textile workers throughout all of New England. And on March 30 the children who had been living in foster homes in New York City were brought home.
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Is Silicon Valley Failing Minorities?
January 27, 2015 February 28, 2010 by Lookout Communications
According to USA Today, America’s top universities turn out African American and Hispanic American computer scientists and engineers at twice the rate that technology companies actually employ them.
This alarming statistic was the subject of a recent study by USA Today journalist Paul Overberg, who looked into the largest software companies hiring procedures, as well as their responses to the study – and found that both were severely lacking.
The article made use of the 2013 Taulbee Survey report, which surveys 179 U.S. and Canadian Universities that offer computer-based doctorates.
Apparently, the standard defence of the major firms is that they simply do not see enough applicants in order to create a more diverse workplace. However, according to USA Today’s research, these claims do not hold up at all when faced with the sheer number of black and Hispanic graduates entering the job markets (with particular emphasis on Silicon Valley companies) every year.
In Silicon Valley, the vast, vast majority of computer programmers, scientists, engineers and other workers are either white or Asian. Of course, not all Silicon Valley companies release staffing data, but of those that do, just 2% of workers are black, whilst only 3% were found to be Hispanic. This paints a particularly grim picture of the larger US software companies’ hiring policies, especially when one considers that, of last year’s prestigious research university graduates in computer science or computer engineering, 4.5% were African American and 6.5% were Hispanic. That’s a lot of highly qualified individuals entering the job market.
As Overberg points out, it does not seem possible that most of these applicants are unsuited for the positions on offer.
“As technology becomes a major engine of economic growth in the U.S. economy, tech companies are under growing pressure to diversify their workforces, which are predominantly white, Asian and male. Leaving African Americans and Hispanics out of that growth increases the divide between haves and have-nots. And the technology industry risks losing touch with the diverse nation — and world — that forms its customer base”, writes Overberg.
Effectively, only half of all black and Hispanic computer science graduates (specifically those emerging from top universities), are being hired by the country’s major technology companies right now. This means that a massive 50% of highly skilled minority workers are being forced to look elsewhere for work, despite graduating from the top universities, and with excellent grades.
These findings include computer firms like Apple and Internet giants such as Google, Twitter, Facebook and eBay.
To better put all these statistics into perspective, black people are considered to constitute 12% of the U.S. workforce, whilst Hispanics are thought to represent around 16%. In Silicon Valley, however, those numbers decline sharply.
The tech companies involved rushed to criticize the American education system, suggesting that people of the ethnic backgrounds mentioned were being failed by it, but the USA Today article hints at a far more plausible reason, as provided by Janice Cuny, director of the Computer Education Program at the National Science Foundation,
“People used to say that there were no women in major orchestras because women didn’t like classical music. Then in the 1970s they changed the way people auditioned so it was blind, the listeners couldn’t see the players auditioning. Now the numbers are much more representative (…) the same thing happens in the tech world. There are these subtle biases that make you think that some person is not what you’re looking for, even when they are.”
Could it be little more than an old-fashioned bias in the minds of the interviewers? Well, yes and no. Another of the great problems facing minority graduates in the US, as well as graduates of all races around the world, is that many of the leading employers recruit graduates mainly (or almost entirely) from a very small, very select group of leading universities.
These educational institutions make it harder for new graduates to find the best jobs, simply because the biggest companies are always looking to those select universities, first and foremost. It also means that no matter how good the reputations, grade averages or graduates of other institutions may be; their students will still be graduating with a major career handicap.
Justin Edmond, a top African American software designer who works at Pinterest, labeled the above as the biggest problem, saying, “There’s a lot of things that can be done to fix the problem, but a lot of them are things that Silicon Valley and technology companies don’t do (…) If you go to the same prestigious universities every single time and every single year to recruit people … then you are going to get the same people over and over again.”
In addition, all of this data now stands alongside the established fact that men vastly outnumber women within the tech sector. In fact, Microsoft’s engineering and tech departments are just 17% female, as are Google’s, while Apple’s are only slightly higher at 20%.
Silicon Valley is a hot bed of innovation and technological advancement, creating products and inventions that will have major impacts on the world over next few decades (at least). It is of vital importance, then, that these companies represent a broad cross-section of the world that they are attempting to serve.
Hopefully, the companies in question will start to take note of studies like this one and begin to take steps toward improving the situation.
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The secret life of a 4 year old,secret book of gnomes,how to find your soulmate astrology online,the secret hindi ebook library - Step 1
This fascinating observational documentary takes us inside the world of ten four-year-olds as they meet in a nursery.
With their parents watching everything close by on monitors, the ten children encounter one another for the first time in October and they meet again in May.
Overseeing all the action are two leading scientists, Educational Neuroscientist Dr Paul Howard-Jones (Bristol University) and Developmental Psychologist Dr Sam Wass (MCR Cognition & Brain Unit, Cambridge).
As the children meet for the very first time, the film documents burgeoning friendships, battles for resources and a face-off between Chaim and Christian, the two alpha boys, as they struggle to establish a pecking order.
When the children meet again six months later much has changed, namely their ability to articulate their needs and desires. This fascinating observational documentary takes viewers inside the world of ten four-year-olds as they meet in a nursery. This video is not showing because you did not accept our terms of use for age restricted material. Cuba lives on a houseboat with his mum Heidi, an artist and his dad Baz, who works in specialist thermal road markings and is also a boxing trainer. Cuba had very much wanted the role of Joseph, and was disappointed to get the donkey instead. Shakir lives in Middlesex with his mum Sonya, a project manager and his dad, Taqi who is the CEO of a tour operator. Shakir has recently started to learn to play the trumpet which has been tough on the family! He started an unlikely friendship with Cuba, a friendship which the scientists found to be beneficial for both. Jayda lives in London with her dad Jules, a location manager in film and her mum Paweena, who is currently a full time mum. Her parents say she is really sociable and has lots of friends at school, and always wants to help her friends out. During the week she showed great strength of character, she was not afraid to share her opinions. Jessica lives with her mum Natalie, a domestic cleaner and dad Steve, a paint sprayer, and brother Jake who’s 10. However, she was still nervous in auditions, and took a while to gain the confidence to get up on stage and sing. In the nativity, she was chosen to play the sought after part of Mary, despite some tough competition. Skyla is an only child and lives with her mum and dad, Frank and Natasha, in South East London. When we met her in the first programme she pushed Jessica away when Jessica wanted to be her friend but two years later, when they were reunited for the nativity, the two quickly bonded and became close friends. Skyla was not happy about her allocated role of a Wise Man – she desperately wanted to be the Angel.
Christian lives in South East London with mum Annette, a company director in the beauty industry and IT consultant dad, Trevor and his two sisters. Christian's favourite subject is science and his mum thinks he will grow up to be an engineer. Ever popular in the group, Christian is cast in the role of the Angel Gabriel (or Angel 'Nigel' as he was called in the children's version of the Nativity). Oliver has a younger sister Miya, who is four and they live with their parents Deborah and Gareth in South East London. Jasmin is a confident girl, who wanted to play the sought after role of Mary, but to her disappointment got the role of Shepherd alongside Luke.
Luke originally wanted to play Jesus in the nativity though this part wasn’t up for grabs, and alongside Jasmin, he played a shepherd. In the nativity, Caitlyn was very confident at establishing herself within the new group, and was quick to stand up to the original pilot children calling them ‘the new girls’!
In the summer, Elvin emerged as a considered and natural leader, commanding respect from his peers. He auditioned with a special dance and received the coveted role of narrator, which he shared with Jayda. Elouisa lives in North London with her mum Anneliese, her Pastor dad, Ashley and her younger brothers; 5 year old Sebastian and 1 year old Leonardo. Elouisa has a happy, outgoing and quirky personality and was popular with both the boys and the girls, and showed lots of imagination. She provided lots of laughter, imagination and kindness over the summer, and made friends with everyone there. Alfie is the oldest of two and lives in Somerset with Mum, Zoë, Dad, Kev and baby sister Daisy. During filming in the Summer, he impressed the scientists with his creativity and humour, finding it easy to make friends with both boys and girls. Alfie was absolutely delighted to be reunited with his friend Emily and together they were allocated roles as sheep in the play.
Tia lives in Kent with her mum Cheryl, a manager of a bookmakers, and dad Glenn who works in waste management.
She has amazing social skills and a very strong sense of morality and justice, and expressed her ideas on this and other topics very clearly.
Theo is an only child who lives in Surrey with New Zealander parents Lisa and Freddie and is Steiner educated. Theo is thoughtful and imaginative, and develops strong and special friendships at the play centre, with both boys and girls. For the nativity he was allocated the dual role of an Angel and North Star and enjoyed both roles. Taylor lives in Manchester with his PE Coach Mum Katie and his Dad, Dave, who runs a bouncy castle business. During the summer, Taylor was the social glue in the group - but showed distinctly more interest in spending time with the girls.
Incoming search terms:the secret life of the american teenager season 2 ricky and amythe secret life of the american teenager season 4the secret life season 4????? Have you ever wanted to Create Games for the Iphone Or Ipad ?Have you ever wanted to Create Games for the Iphone Or Ipad that would Succeed In the App Store? How do young children make and break friendships and learn to share, stand up for themselves, and find their place in a new social group? Children from the original programme and the series team up to put on their own nativity play. Channel 4’s highest-rated single documentary of the year, The Secret Life of Four Year Olds, is back. The series has been supported by The Wellcome Trust, who worked with the production company on its development to help make the science and scientists an integral part of the format.
Their funding support also enabled the production company to spend more time exploring the areas of science of interest to audiences and to include this within a collection of short online films which support the main series. Channel 4’s highest-rated single documentary of the year, The Secret Life of 4 Year Olds is back.
Some familiar faces return in this Christmas special as the children from the original Secret Life of 4 Year Olds - Skyla, Jessica, Christian, Cuba and friends - reunite to put on their own version of the Nativity play, joined by some of the children from the new series.
Dr Paul Howard Jones from Bristol’s Graduate School of Education will feature in a new Channel 4 documentary [broadcast 10 Feb] providing a unique insight into the secret life of four-year-olds. The observational documentary takes viewers on a journey into this pivotal stage of childhood through the eyes of ten children as they meet in nursery and take their first tentative steps towards independence in a world without parents. With their parents watching close by on monitors, the film captures the children’s behaviour and emotions while they make and break friendships, struggle to share and stand up for themselves and ultimately find their place in this new social group. These life lessons all take place under the watchful eye of Educational Neuroscientist, Dr Howard-Jones and Developmental Psychologist, Dr Sam Wass from the MCR Cognition & Brain Unit, Cambridge, and two early years teachers.
This close observation of children’s play in a nursery setting allows the experts to understand critical events almost from the perspective of the children themselves, as they explore and learn about their new social world.
In order to deliver a personalised, responsive service and to improve the site, we remember and store information about how you use it. But this nursery is rigged with cameras to capture every glance, ever whisper, every tussle, and all the raw emotion as these children take their first tentative steps towards independence in a world without parents – providing a unique insight into this pivotal stage of childhood. This close observation of children in a nursery setting mirrors the way that scientists work. It actually has been a fantastic revelation,” says Educational Neuroscientist Dr Paul Howard-Jones. Through these glimpses of their future selves it is easy to identify and recognise our own character traits in these four year-olds. But this nursery is rigged with cameras to capture every glance, ever whisper, every tussle, and all the raw emotion as these children take their first tentative steps towards independence in a world without parents, providing a unique insight into this pivotal stage of childhood. He and his family are Muslim and he has recently started to learn to pray and goes to the mosque. She loves to sing and was often keen to demonstrate her vocal skills to the rest of the group. Although in the original Secret Life of 4 Year Olds Jessica was very shy and struggled to win Skyla as a friend, they have since become great friends and their relationship became more balanced. When she did, her choice of song came as some surprise to the other children and teacher Kate. At first Christian felt uncomfortable about this and asked if he would have to wear a dress.
Her parents are separated and she lives in London with her Online Developer mum, Kylie and her brothers Eoghan (9 years old) and Malachy (4 years old).
He has a very strong sense of morals and justice and impressed the scientists both during the summer and nativity with his sense of compassion and creative imagination.
She possesses good communication skills and demonstrated a greater social competence when dealing with her peers than might be expected from a child of her age.
Emily’s sense of humour and nurturing personality made her a popular member of the group.
The scientists witness the processes children go through between four and six, teaching them how to care. Elvin feels rejected when Beatrice starts spending more time with Elouisa; can Beatrice and Elvin repair their friendship? George takes the other children's rejection of his family's 'Essex Noodles' recipe to heart. The programme that lifted the lid on the riveting, uncensored drama of life in the nursery returns, this time in the form of a seven part series.
The programme shows how the children cope with the pressures of auditioning in front of their peers, as well as the excitement, nerves and disappointments of the casting process and the challenges of working together in rehearsals as the children try to make sense of the Nativity story.
Interview: Dr Howard Jones speaks to the Wellcome Trust about what we can learn from the secret lives of children? Wallpaper images in the The Secret Life of the American Teenager club tagged: secret life american of the teenager. His parents say he has a great imagination and at the moment he is interested in earthquakes and natural history. However, having been fitted with a state of the art pair of wings, he embraced the role in commanding fashion and performed beautifully. He is a bright and chatty boy who is obsessed with trains and buses- and has visited the London transport museum eight times.
However, she had a particularly strong friendship with Alfie, based on their quirky imaginations and games. In addition to an angel, Tia was also a cow and was excited by both roles, and in particular being the first on stage. He’s also a loyal boy, and makes a beeline for Tyler early on, and he won’t rest until their friendship is cemented! Home-schooled Cuba struggles to cope with working collaboratively with his peers as he explores and tests boundaries. These cookies are completely safe and secure and will never contain any sensitive information. Alfie even told Emily he loved her, and they missed each other hugely during their break from the play centre. We see them take their first steps towards independence, learning about friendships and social interaction with all the ups, downs and humour that this entails.Forthright Tia adopts a leading role amongst the group and is not afraid to express her opinion and teach the others right from wrong. Five-year-olds Emily and Alfie rekindle their fond friendship, and are both due to play sheep. That’s the only thing we learn in this documentary that sees the British icon head to Memphis to swoon over the late American icon. When Emily has serious stage fright, Alfie offers to wipe her tears away and reminds her he'll be by her side.
These are simple text files which sit on your computer, and are only used by us and our trusted partners. The programme observes the action minutely as the children make and break friendships, struggle to share and to stand up for themselves, and ultimately find their place in this new social group.
However, Tyler is more interested in buses and numbers than joining in with the group, something he keeps a distance from. Elvin lands the important role of narrator, but the responsibility soon begins to weigh heavily on his shoulders. Overseeing all the action are two leading scientists, educational neuroscientist Dr Paul Howard-Jones (Bristol University) and developmental psychologist Dr Sam Wass (MCR Cognition & Brain Unit, Cambridge). His reluctance doesn’t deter Theo, who is committed to making Tyler his friend, whatever it takes! As performance day arrives, the week's ups and downs must be put to one side as the children take to the stage in front of family and friends, with just one chance to get it right. The problem is that after 10 minutes, the fangirling gets tiresome and you find yourself longing for some kind of insight or information. Drawing on this model, these experts have the opportunity to eavesdrop on the children's play on monitors, but also to suggest some interventions to explore the children's various stages of development.
The surprising joy of the whole affair, though, is watching this famous broadcaster getting excited by such trivial things as a bed being made in his carriage. He clambers onto the freshly turned duvet with the grin of someone sure that he’s making classic television.
Adding just enough commentary without overshadowing the natural charm of its subjects, it tracks that subtle shift from a child agreeing to share to discovering they can use that bond to their advantage. However, this is an independent publication: we take care not to let commercial relationships dictate the editorial stance of content or the writing staff. Sign up to the UK's only VOD newsletterNever miss a Netflix release: keep up-to-date with the latest news, reviews and what's coming soon.Never display this againSign me up!
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5 May,2019
Home » Russian facts » 7 Eeriest Towns in Russia That Are Almost Forgotten
Russia is a very old country, even ancient. With the massive size and scarce occupants, Russia has a lot of places that now practically empty and abandoned for different reasons. A lot of towns in Russia are industrial which started off as a mine or a plant which then grew into towns to accommodate the workers and their families. When some of the mining stopped or the plants got shut down, people left the towns because there was nothing else to do there and so they turned into ghost towns. We will now take a look at 7 eeriest towns in Russia that are almost forgotten:
1. Kadykchan Village
Located 65 kilometers to the northwest of Susuman of Magadan Oblast, Russia, Kadykchan Village has been empty since 2010. It was first built as a coal mine by Gulag prisoners during the World War II. Two mines and apartment buildings were erected for accommodations and then it became a village. In the 1970’s the census recorded more than 3,000 people lived in Kadykchan. However, after the Soviet Union was dissolved, the mines fell out of profit. One was closed in 1992, and the other in 1996 after an explosion killed six workers. The government of Russia then took steps to spread the residents of Kadykchan into several neighboring towns and major buildings got demolished. It is now deserted but can still be visited.
2. Iultin
In 1937, a discovery of Tin and Tungsten happened in this part of Chukotka Okrug. The region was very isolated from the rest of the Chukotka that when they started to mine there the supplies must be brought from 400 kilometers away by a convoy of tractors. The first 73 inhabitants of Iultin must endure the harsh winter weather in tents and plywood houses. In 1946, prisoners were sent to the region to build roads to connect Iultin to other towns and settlements. Slowly the region turns into a more civilized town with power supply followed by gas, water, and heating. In 1989 there were about 5,000 people living in Iultin. The same with Kadykchan, as the Soviet Union fell and the centralized economy system got erased, the mine was proven unprofitable and then shut down.
3. Neftegorsk, Sakhalin Oblast
There are several places named Neftegorsk in Russia. The one that is now abandoned is located in Sakhalin Oblast and formerly known as Vostok. There was an oil rig in this area which became the center of life and economy at that time. Unlike other industrial towns in Russia that turned into ghost towns because of the collapse of the Soviet Union, Neftegorsk lost its life to a massive earthquake on May 28, 1995. Out of 3,197 people who lived there, 2,040 were killed by the collapsed buildings. The government decided not to rebuild the town and instead constructed a memorial there.
4. Mologa
The story of this city is quite different and quite mellow. Situated in Yaroslavi Oblast, Mologa sat at the beginning of the Tikhvinskaya water system which connected Volga with the Baltic Sea. This city used to be one of the most important trade centers between Russia and Asia. In 1935 Rybinsk Reservoir and Rybinsk hydroelectric plant were constructed, and filling the reservoir means to flood the whole city of Mologa. In 1940 the whole city was evacuated and drowned. About 130,000 residents agreed to move but there were 294 people who refused to leave and therefore got drowned together with the town. A monument was built there 2003 to commemorate these souls. The residents of Mologa, until today, still visit the underwater city by boat to reminiscence the past.
5. Khalmer-Yu
The origin of the name of this town is already eerie; derived from Nenets language it means “River in the Death Valley” since the place was built above a burial ground of the autochtone people. This is another industrial town that got shut down in Russia. The coal mining started in 1957 and quit in 1993 before getting liquidated in 1995. Nobody lives there anymore but the ground is still used as Russian military training area.
6. Charonda
This is one of the oldest towns in Russia since it has been around since the 13th century. Situated on the shore of Lake Vozhe, Charonda was once a very important trading place in Russia because of the route it got crossed through. In the 17th century, about 14,000 souls inhabited the town. But as the vitality of the route started to fade, the town was also losing its pulse and people began to move out to other towns that could offer them better living. Today tourists can still visit this town and see its beautiful historical buildings and waterfront establishments by boat, because that is the only way to reach this ghost town.
7. Kursha-2
How the town became a ghost town is dramatic and indeed eerie. Started as an industrial community after deforestation in the Central Meshchyora, Ryazan Oblast, Russia. About one thousand wood cutters lived in this area. In 1936 a firestorm happened in the region. A train was sent to evacuate the settlers but only after the woods got loaded. The process took too long and there was not enough space for the people because of the logs, nobody – including the train – survived the fire. About 1200 people died in the accident.
So many stories behind abandoned and dead towns, but surely none are happy story. These 7 eeriest towns in Russia that are almost forgotten may sound interesting for them who enjoy hunting for supernatural forces or taping videos for creepy urban legends, but not for people who were once connected to these places. The memory of the past can linger for a long time and leave a scar in the hearts of them who used to live in these now abandoned towns.
abandoned cities, ghost towns, russian ghost towns, urban legend
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Home » Education » 7 Magnificent Books of Leo Tolstoy You Have to Read Immediately!
Do you like to read books? What kind of book do you like? Who is your favorite writer?
Such questions are of course often heard in our daily lives. People who have hobbies or love to read books certainly have their favorite books, favorite writers, favorite genres, and various other factors. There are even some people who are willing to spend a lot of money just to buy books that they really like.
Among the many writers in the world, do you know about a Russian writer named Leo Tolstoy? If you don’t know it, let’s see who Leo Tolstoy is and the magnificent books of Leo Tolstoy you have to read immediately.
Leo Tolstoy is a Russian writer. He is considered one of the greatest writers of all time. Leo Tolstoy has his real name, Lev Nikolayevich Tolstoy. He was born in Yasnaya Polyana on September 9, 1828. Leo Tolstoy was the fourth of five children.
Leo Tolstoy started to write about in 1844 when he chose to leave the university. The first novel written by Leo Tolstoy titled Childhood. This novel is a novel with a fictional story about the life of his own youth. Childhood novel written by Leo Tolstoy, published in 1852.
To find out more about the books written by Leo Tolstoy, this article will discuss 7 magnificent books of Leo Tolstoy you have to read immediately.
Anna Karenina (1877)
Anna Karenina is a novel by Leo Tolstoy which was published in book form in 1878. This novel was called by Leo Tolstoy as the first true novel he had written. Even this novel is also considered the best novel according to other writers and ordinary people.
Anna Karenina is a novel with a storyline related to the betrayal, marriage, family and community life of Imperial Russia. The conflict and plot in this novel are in Anna who betrayed her marriage without love in it by having an affair with a cavalry officer. The novel Anna Karenina has been translated by some people into English.
War and Peace (1869)
War and Peace is a novel written by Leo Tolstoy which was first published in 1869. Leo Tolstoy started writing the first War and Peace novel in 1863. Initially, the novel had the title “1805”. This novel is also one of the best literary achievements of Leo Tolstoy. Leo Tolstoy said if in fact he was hesitant to call War and Peace a novel because it was not in accordance with the standards of the best Russian literature.
War and Peace is a novel that has a storyline about the history of the French invasion of Russia and the impact of the Napoleonic era on Tsarist society.
The Death of Ivan Ilych (1886)
The Death of Ivan Ilyich is a novella written by Leo Tolstoy and published in 1886. This novella is included in one of Leo Tolstoy’s famous novellas. The Death of Ivan Ilyich is considered to be Leo Tolstoy’s last fictional novel because it was written shortly after his religious conversion.
The storyline of The Death of Ivan Ilyich told about the suffering, dying and death of Ivan Ilyich. This novella was published after nine years from the publication of the Anna Karenina novel. The Death of Ivan Ilyich was written when Leo Tolstoy experienced a deep spiritual crisis in his personal life.
The Kreutzer Sonata (1889)
The Kreutzer Sonata is a novella written by Leo Tolstoy and published in 1889. The Kreutzer Sonata also has another name, namely Beethoven’s Kreutzer Sonata. The Kreutzer Sonata became a controversial and polemic novella that made the Russian authorities quickly censor after the novella appeared.
The Kreutzer Sonata has a storyline about the growing jealousy of the main character in the novella. This jealousy leads to the murder of the wife of the main character. The Kreutzer Sonata also told about the hypocrisy of marriage conventions in the 19th century. The Kreutzer Sonata also evaluates the roles of music, art, love and lust in society.
Resurrection is a novel written by Leo Tolstoy and published in 1899. This novel became the last novel written by Leo Tolstoy before he died in 1910. Resurrection was first published in series in the popular weekly magazine Niva. This was done in an effort to raise funds that will be used to resettle the Doukhobor.
Resurrection has a storyline about the legal injustices and human-made justice systems and the hypocrisy of the institutionalized church. The main character who was tortured, was desperate in an effort to free himself who had a mistake in his youth. This novel also discusses the exploration of Georgism’s economic philosophy.
A Confession (1882)
A Confession is a short work written by Leo Tolstoy and published in 1882. A short work that can also be referred to as the author’s autobiography. A Confession has another title called My Confession. Original title given to the A Confession book is Introduction to Criticism of Dogmatic Theology.
The storyline of A Confession tells about Leo Tolstoy’s struggle with a deep moral crisis to lead to his spiritual awakening. About depiction of philosophy and the meaning of religious life of Leo Tolstoy. A Confession also spoke of the distress experienced by Leo Tolstoy and his journey to find answers about life.
The Kingdom of God Is Within You (1894)
The Kingdom of God Is Within You is a non-fiction book written by Leo Tolstoy and published in 1894. The book was first published in Germany because it is banned in Russia.
The Kingdom of God Is Within You tells about the deep spiritual crisis experienced by Leo Tolstoy. There is also a description of nonviolence, and the Christian anarchist movement. The book is banned in Russia because it is considered as a threat to the Church and the State. The book The Kingdom of God Is Within You was the culmination of the thought of Leo Tolstoy for thirty years.
I hope this article can really help you to find out the discuss 7 magnificent books of Leo Tolstoy you have to read immediately.
Books of Leo Tolstoy, Leo Tolstoy, Leo Tolstoy's books, Recommended book
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Egypt aims for revolution in desert farming
Leyland Cecco October 2, 2013
As published by Al Jazeera English, October 2nd, 2013. By Leyland Cecco and Michael Fox
Cairo, Egypt -The hazy desert that extends from the outskirts of Cairo has become the unlikely scene of another revolution that has the potential to transform Egypt - and it is green.
Inhospitable, yellowed wasteland is now yielding up ripe red tomatoes, fresh kale and schools of fish in a bold experiment fuelled by the country's most precious resource: water.
This surprising harvest illustrates how Egypt is witnessing a slow transformation in attitudes towards the environment driven by groups such as Greenpeace and Nawaya alongside an innovative young sustainability movement.
In the vanguard of this movement is Faris Farrag, an Egyptian banker inspired by a love of growing plants and fishing, who has embraced the revolutionary technique of aquaponics at his unassuming farm outside Cairo called "Bustan" (Arabic for orchard).
"As the price of water soars, as the price of petrol soars, and when the subsidies on farming disappear, this model makes sense," says Farrag.
Reviving ancient techniques
Aquaponics, an ancient form of cultivation that originated with the Aztecs, enables farmers to increase yields by growing plants and farming fish in the same closed freshwater system.
Farrag studied the technique under Dr James Rakocy at the University of the Virgin Islands, whose sustainable farming method grew in popularity in the 1980s and is now gaining mainstream acceptance in developing nations.
Enterprising farmers have implemented the system in countries as diverse as Bangladesh, the United Arab Emirates and Yemen to save water and increase output.
At Bustan, the first commercial aquaponics farm in Egypt, olive trees flank the growing areas sprouting from what seems to be sandy ground, and dusty mesh screens are the only barriers protecting delicate young plants from the expansive tracts of sand.
Water circulates from tanks hosting schools of fleshy Nile tilapia through hydroponic trays which grow vegetables including cucumber, basil, lettuce, kale, peppers and tomatoes on floating foam beds with run-off flushed out to irrigate the trees.
It is an ingenious solution to an old problem in a country dominated by unforgiving deserts where access to fresh water is a luxury in many areas.
The Nile supplies Egypt with almost all its water, 85 percent of which goes to agriculture - but the country has long outgrown agreements with neighbours on its share of this resource as its population has soared to 85 million, and is pressing to renegotiate terms.
Earlier this year the most populous Arab nation made global headlines in an angry disagreement over plans to dam the Blue Nile, denouncing Ethiopia's attempts to reroute the river.
Need for environmental policies
Compounding problems of access to water is pollution, and visitors only have to peer at the Nile's swirling eddies and water catchments to notice the gunk and assorted rubbish that confirm the low priority afforded environmentalism.
Most of the population lives on the 2.9 percent of land that is arable and use the only source of fresh water as an industrial, human and agricultural dump, undeterred by laws that prohibit the throwing of waste into the Nile.
Compounding water pollution, Egypt's annual "black cloud" caused by the burning of agricultural waste costs an estimated $6bn in damage to natural resources and a further $2bn in associated health effects, according to date compiled by the American University in Cairo.
These challenges are a bleak reminder of how desperately Egypt needs environmental policies to protect its fragile agricultural resources.
From Cairo's unremitting expansion into fertile areas to the mountains of garbage strewn on the city's streets, incessant congestion, and misuse of the water supply, there are precious few examples of sustainability.
Which is where Farrag believes aquaponics comes in - Bustan uses 90 percent less water than traditional farming methods in Egypt.
He argues that his model is economically viable and scalable, producing between 6-8 tonnes of fish per year and potentially yielding 45,000 heads of lettuce if it were to grow just a single type of vegetable.
Sustainability underpins the whole operation, he says. Bustan is not land-intensive and Farrag also uses biological pest control methods, such as ladybirds to kill aphids, in order to avoid chemical inputs.
The project also employs two locals, Abdul Rasul Hassanain and his wife Amal, who live on a nearby plot of land and have dramatically increased their role in running the farm.
Dr Ashraf Ghanem, a professor of water engineering at Cairo University, is a strong advocate of the system.
He recently told journalists about the potential benefits of these farms in the Middle East, saying they: "Could serve as a means of income generation for unemployed women, as well as a means of education for children of the household on principles of water saving, plant and fish biology, nutrient cycle, fluid mechanics, hydraulics, microbiology and renewable energies."
A local non-governmental organisation, Nawaya, is taking a leading role in supporting sustainable farming and has brought locals to visit Farrag's farm in a bid to help them swap traditional irrigation techniques for sustainable methods.
But that transition does not come cheap. Inside Bustan, the hum of pumps to ensure the fish are raised in pools with properly filtered water is constant, raising concerns about costs - and posing questions about whether sustainable farming can only be a novelty for the wealthy.
Farrag has invested more than 300,000 Egyptian pounds ($43,500) in his dream over the last two years - a daunting sum compared to the modest incomes of most rural Egyptians.
But the green entrepreneur is quick to point out that the project could be set up with half that sum, and notes that Bustan was built with locally sourced construction material.
"This is all Egyptian made or stuff that's easy to find in Egypt. Anyone could do it," he says.
With the late afternoon sun hanging low in the sky and the desert wind brushing over olive branches, the hangar-like structure of the farm rests like an oasis.
"The beauty of this system is that you can go to a piece of land that is non-plantable, that is not viable for agriculture, because you build the system"” adds Farrag.
"You can take a rock and build on it. And then you have tomatoes and fish in the desert."
← Trafficked Eritreans' long road to recoveryResurrecting the Pharaoh's Solar Boat →
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Wade Modisette
MOVIE REVIEW: 'Spider-Man: Far from Home' — Web-slinging superhero fun for the whole family
By WADE MODISETTE/For The Lufkin Daily News
In the aftermath of “Avengers: Endgame,” the world is still trying to deal with the effects of The Snap and the death of Iron Man. Being that he was Peter Parker’s mentor, this tragedy hits him even harder.
Trying to figure out how to return to his normal life, just wanting to be a kid again, Peter takes off on a class trip to Europe with his friends. While he’s there, though, he is tracked down by Nick Fury, former head of SHIELD. He needs his help to stop an otherworldly threat, several huge monsters that are all made of a different element.
Fortunately, a powerful new hero has suddenly appeared as well, the enigmatic Mysterio. Can Spider-Man help stop this growing menace, while keeping his friends safe and keeping his identity a secret?
This film makes the 23rd Marvel Comics Universe film to come out, marking the end of their Phase 3 of films and officially wrapping up the Infinity Stones story.
The last couple of years have been very heavy and emotional for Marvel fans, since the war with Thanos tugged on our heartstrings and played with our emotions more than any adult male should ever admit to. It was wonderful to go out on a more lighthearted, fun note. The film is extremely funny and terrifically exciting. The visual effects are amazing, possibly the best we’ve seen to date. Throughout the entire film, the budding romance between Peter and M.J. develops and it is delightfully awkward and nerdy. The two are so geeky and cute, it is simply adorable. The locations are gorgeous and the action can almost be felt, it pulls you in so well.
The same cast from the current series of ‘’Spider-Man’’ films all return. Tom Holland is dorky and lovable as young Peter Parker. Zendaya shows her impressive acting range as the eccentric and adorable M.J. Samuel L. Jackson is back as Nick Fury, but he is quickly becoming less super spy and more jive-talking thug. His shtick is starting to wear thin. Jake Gyllenhaal is likable and smart as Mysterio, possibly his best role of his career (which isn’t saying much).
The acting was what you’d expect from this group, as most of these actors have played their same role many times now. They were all very convincing and likable, leaving you wanting to see more of their story after the film was over.
There is quite a bit of violence. The Elementals are big and destructive. They tear down buildings and blow things up, with no regard for human life. Spider-Man, of course, does a lot of punching, kicking and fighting. None of the violence is very graphic or too intense, though.
There is a moderate amount of mild language, including one very obvious middle finger gesture. It’s sad that this is the norm for kid-targeted movies now, but it is right on par for the content in most other Marvel movies. There is no nudity, but there is some mild innuendo involved. Most of them will go over younger kids’ heads, though. There is a small amount of drinking, but it is not dwelt on.
To the common Marvel movie fan, this is a fun, exciting adventure filled with twists and turns and lots of amazing action. If you are like me and you grew up reading the comics from way back, though the story will be predictable, it will still be amazing fun to watch it unfold.
To me, this is the first Marvel movie that actually felt like I was watching the comic book unfold before my eyes. In other words, I felt like this was the most true-to-the-source material and the spirit of the Spider-Man comics. And, with so many new plot devices setting the stage for Phase 4 to begin, “Far from Home” will leave you bound up in a web of excitement, waiting to see what happens next.
I happily score it 8 legs/10.
Safe and exciting for superhero fans of all ages.
Rating: PG-13 for sci-fi action violence, some language and brief suggestive comments
Run time: an exciting 129 minutes
Wade Modisette is a local husband and father that seeks the best and most appropriate entertainment for his family. A movie connoisseur in his own mind, he seeks to educate his friends and community on quality choices for their family. Find more reviews and information at wadereviewsstuff.wordpress.com.
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Utah State’s Chuckie Keeton out for remainder of 2013 season
Written by Cache Valley Daily
<div><strong>LOGAN, Utah –</strong> Utah State junior quarterback Chuckie Keeton will miss the remainder of the 2013 season after suffering a season-ending knee injury in his last game against BYU on Friday, Oct. 4, it was announced Saturday by USU head coach Matt Wells.</div><div> </div><div>Keeton, a 6-2, 200-pounder from Houston, Texas (Cypress Creek HS) suffered the injury late in the first quarter of USU’s 31-14 loss to BYU as he tore both his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and medial collateral ligament (MCL) in his left knee. Keeton, who will have surgery in the next week, is expected to miss the next eight months.</div><div> </div><div>“Very unfortunate situation for both Chuckie and our team,” said Wells. “We’ve lost a great leader, great teammate and a very productive football player. I have all the confidence in the world in Chuckie, along with our doctors and staff that he will come back stronger than ever next season. As for the remainder of this season, we will regroup as a team and pick up the slack and continue to strive to compete for the Mountain West championship.”</div><div> </div><div>Entering Utah State’s game against BYU, Keeton ranked second in the nation with 17 touchdowns passes, second in the nation in points responsible for (22.8 pg), second in the Mountain West and 22nd in the nation in passing efficiency (161.6), third in the MW and eighth in the nation in completions (26.4), third in the MW and 11th in the nation in completion percentage (.710), third in the MW and 18th in the nation in total offense (317.2 ypg), and fourth in the MW and 25th in the nation in passing (272.4 ypg).</div><div> </div><div>Keeton will finish the 2013 season 136-of-196 passing for 1,388 yards with 18 touchdowns and just two interceptions, while rushing for 241 yards on 55 carries with two more touchdowns. His 18 touchdown passes in just over five games this season already ranks tied for the ninth-most in school history.</div><div> </div><div>Among active quarterbacks at the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) level, Keeton ranks fourth in career completion percentage (.669), 10th in touchdowns responsible for (69), 12th in passing efficiency (152.4), and was one of 18 FBS quarterbacks to throw for at least 5,000 yards and rush for at least 1,000 yards prior to the BYU game.</div><div> </div><div>For his Utah State career, Keeton ranks first all-time in completion percentage (.665), second in touchdown passes (56), tied for second in completions (517), third in total offense (7,114 yards), sixth in passing yards (5,961), seventh in passing attempts (777) and 21st in rushing (1,153).</div><div> </div><div>Utah State (3-3, 2-0 MW) returns to action on Saturday, Oct. 12 when it hosts Mountain West foe Boise State (3-2, 1-1) in a game that will be nationally televised on the CBS Sports Network (Comcast Ch. 269/753HD, Dish Network Ch. 158, DirecTV Ch. 221).</div>
Posted in USUTagged Chuckie Keeton, Matt Wells, Mountain West Conference, Mwc, USU, Utah State Aggies
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Memories, Myths, and Dreams of an Ojibwe Leader
by William Berens as told to A. Irving Hallowell edited with introductions by Jennifer S. H. Brown and Susan Elaine Gray
Rupert’s Land Record Society Series #11
McGill-Queen’s University Press
ISBN 9780773536050 (paper)
In the 1930s, Chief William Berens shared with anthropologist A. Irving Hallowell a remarkable history of his life, as well as many personal and dream experiences that held special significance for him. Most of this material has never been published.
Because the elderly chief wanted his visitor to understand the Ojibwe world, and because Hallowell was deeply interested in his subject matter and was such a good listener, Berens freely related his dreams and other stories about encounters with powerful beings. The fact that he also shared traditional myths in summer, when Ojibwe people thought it dangerous to discuss such things, shows the depth of his relationship with Hallowell. Berens' reminiscences and story and myth texts are unparalleled as sources for the life, experiences, and outlook of this important Ojibwe leader, and for the insights they provide into the history and culture of his people.
Rooted in the collaboration between Berens as steward of his oral traditions and Hallowell as creator and guardian of their written versions, Memories, Myths, and Dreams of an Ojibwe Leader draws the reader into the world - and world view - of Chief Berens, showing how an Aboriginal Christian of the early twentieth century could simultaneously take part in "modern" and "traditional" Ojibwe life.
Jennifer S. H. Brown is director of the Centre for Rupert’s Land Studies and holds a Canada Research Chair in Aboriginal history at the University of Winnipeg. Susan Elaine Gray is an award-winning scholar of Northern Algonquian history and cultures. She teaches Aboriginal history at the University of Winnipeg.
Books on Manitoba History
Posted: 7 September 2009, updated 11 October 2009
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Overtown, once a thriving community, searches for ways to get by
July 20, 2016 Matthew Rembold
TIP OFF: Children play basketball outside the Touching Miami With Love non-profit resource center in Miami’s Overtown neighborhood. (Photos by Kyle Wood)
Overtown’s last black-owned grocery store, with its half-empty shelves and guard cat, is easy to miss.
Bernard Bradley, 40, inherited Bradley’s Grocery from his father and has worked there since he was a kid. Recently, however, he’s felt the urge to take his business elsewhere.
“I really don’t want to stay anymore,” Bradley said.
Miami’s Overtown, once called the Harlem of the South, was known for robust music, nightly entertainment and addressing the needs of the community.
“Most of it has been here for 100 years,” said self-proclaimed community photographer Jovan Lamb, 38.
But construction of I-95 in the 1960s split the neighborhood and forced businesses to close. Residents moved out to make room for the highway. It would never be the same.
“That was the village, and it basically ripped the town in half,” said Lamb, a lifelong Overtown resident. “Over time, I’ve just been watching buildings come and buildings drop.”
Among those buildings have been several new high-rise condominiums and chain stores, which raise the cost of living and ruin the charm of Overtown, Lamb said.
http://miamimontage.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/overtown-small-2.mp4
VIDEO: The neighborhood of Overtown was once the hub for black culture in Miami. Since the construction of I-95, the neighborhood has declined. With the danger of gentrification looming, the locals discuss the changes they have seen over the years.
“We’ve always considered this a bounce-back area for people who are unfortunate, who couldn’t live paying $800 or $900 dollars in rent,” he said. “This was an area where you could come, save your money and then go back into the world and try again. For people who were incarcerated and couldn’t get jobs, this was the place.”
Billy Hall, a Florida International University doctoral student whose research was based on Overtown, said that refurbishing the area meant that new residents would be less likely to shop at old businesses.
“The thing about black-owned businesses is that they are frequently patronized by black people,” Hall said. “That area is becoming more Hispanic. Those businesses will be affected. [New residents] are going to want a 7 Eleven, or something more familiar.”
“It’s not black anymore,” Bradley said. “The blacks ran away. We don’t care about each other anymore. The only time we stay together is when a tragedy happens.”
Jackson Soul Food, a family-paned restaurant, is one of the few black-owned businesses remaining in Overtown. (Photo by Kyle Wood)
Jackson Soul Food Restaurant, one of the few black-owned restaurants left, has been a family-owned and operated mainstay since 1946. Lataurus Ingraham, 32, also a native to the area, grew up in Jackson’s kitchen. His grandparents, Jessie and Demus Jackson, started the restaurant and passed it down to Lataurus’ mother, Shirlene Ingraham. He represents the third generation to work the business.
Ingraham believes the neighborhood has changed in recent years.
“[People] think it’s bad,” he said. “It’s not as bad as it used to be.”
Bradley agreed.
“We don’t have to fear [petty crime] here,” he said, recalling the countless times that he’s left his car unlocked with the windows rolled down without the fear of it being stolen.
These days, the most pressing issue for Overtown isn’t crime. It’s job security and fair wages. There’s hope that projects such as the Miami Worldcenter, one of the largest urban development projects in the nation, and international soccer superstar David Beckham’s city-approved soccer stadium will create jobs.
But not everyone is convinced.
“It’s not really benefiting very much,” Hall said. “People [in Overtown] have no wealth, no means to stay in the game as it develops. Benefits won’t trickle down without a real structure.”
Instead, locals such as Ingraham believe that established businesses will help save Overtown.
“It means a lot to have the business and to pass it on to my kids,” he said. “My kids are going to have kids, and I’m trying to keep a tradition alive.”
tagged with Generations, Identity, Overtown
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Tag Archive | "Murray"
Tags: ATP, ATP Masters Miami, Boris Becker, Del Potro, Djokovic, Federer, Miami Masters, Murray, Sony Open
Novak Djokovic Address the Press at the Sony Open
Three time Sony Open Tennis champion Novak Djokovic met with the press in Miami prior to his first round match on Friday. Djokovic revealed that his coach Boris Becker will not be in Miami as he is undergoing surgery on both of his hips.
Djokovic responded to questions regarding the resurgence of Roger Federer, Andy Murray splitting with Ivan Lendl and the future of Juan Martin Del Potro.
Here is the complete interview :
Q. Can you tell us a little bit about Boris. We hear that he’s been unable to travel.
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Yes, he’s unable to travel. He has surgery of his both hips today and tomorrow, so that’s unfortunate. He couldn’t come.
Q. But was that expected?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: No, he was supposed to come here. Basically in the finals of Indian Wells he called us and said that he had an emergency and he has to operate both hips.
Q. How will this affect or will it affect you and Boris going forward?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: No, no, he’s going to be in MonteCarlo, and the schedule for the tournaments that he committed before the start of the season, he will be there, you know, unless his health doesn’t allow him.
Of course, in these particular situations you can’t do much about it. If he has to operate his hips, he cannot move, cannot walk, unfortunately. It’s been something that it’s kind of an issue that has been issue he’s been carrying for many years already.
If he is able, he’s going to be in MonteCarlo already. Everything stays the same.
Q. People will look at what you did in Indian Wells and say, Well, you didn’t miss Boris much, but I guess what he has done in the buildup contributed to that success.
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Yeah, absolutely. Well, first of all, I mean, Boris is a head coach, and this was not only my own decision. It was actually Marian’s proposal from the start, because as I was saying before, he has been on the tour as a player and coach 30 years. It’s been a very long time for him.
He wanted to spend more time with his family, and it was time for me to kind of try to get somebody that is able to commit for more tournaments than Marian.
So when Marian was still around, as you see, it was planned for him to be in Indian Wells; now he’s in Miami because of this situation. But they split tournaments. I mean, Boris is supposed to travel to more tournaments.
They have a very good communication and relationship, and I’m happy with the way it all has started. Obviously the start of the season I haven’t won Australian Open as it was the case in last, previous three years, but, you know, it’s a sport.
I feel that I’m playing good on the court. It’s just a matter of time when things are going to click. I’m glad that I already they already have clicked in Indian Wells. I have had a great two weeks, and the benefits and the effects of our incorporation, Boris and mine, hopefully we will see in the rest of the season.
Q. I wanted to ask you about Roger’s resurgence. You just played him, and some people had already just not counted him out or were starting to write him off the Big 4 and all that. Can you talk about him and just having played him. What do you see in his game different, and that he’s sort of back?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Yes. Well, I think he’s playing in a high level this year. He’s back to his normal level, you know, the level that he had for seven, eight years while he was so dominant in men’s tennis. Obviously last season he was not as good for his standards.
You know, but this year he started strong. He won the title in Dubai and played semis of Australian Open. I can feel that he’s striking the ball very cleanly. He’s very confident on the court and he has improved his backhand I think.
Maybe it’s the racquet or something else, but he definitely has more depth on that shot. He’s going more for his topspins rather than slicing it. You know, of course, with his immense experience and success that he had in his career, he’s never to be ruled out.
Doesn’t matter how old he is. It’s just a number. As he was saying, he feels good on the court. He’s fit. He’s definitely one of the best players in the world now.
Q. Were you as surprised as we were about Andy Murray’s split with Ivan Lendl?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, to be honest, I was not surprised. But, again, I didn’t know what to expect. They worked for two years, and obviously it brought both of them, especially Andy, a lot of success on the court. He won Olympic Games, won a few Grand Slams. I think it was a very good decision from inside to be working with Ivan.
Now they split. I mean, they obviously had a good reason for that. I’m not the one who should judge.
Q. Do you think their success was one of the reasons why there are suddenly so many names…
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Maybe. But I was saying that that was not the motivation behind me hiring Boris Becker. As I said before, it was a kind of a course in our relationship between Marian and myself where, you know, we came to the point where we had to think of an alternative option. We had to think about somebody stepping into our team.
That was the main reason why we hired Boris.
Q. How important is playing with this environment in Miami? Different for all of you?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: It is different tournament. It’s actually one of the nicest ones we have on tour. It’s a lot of fun, a lot of entertainment, very international crowd.
I have had much success in this city before I won my first big title back in 2007. I remember here was my first Masters 1000 event. So I have really good memories.
I always look forward coming back to Miami this time of the year. It’s nice weather. As I said, a lot of fun on and off the court.
Q. Now that a couple of days has passed since Indian Wells, how much of a boost is that for you confidencewise and a bit of a relief? I know winning titles is nothing new to you, but an estrangement at the start of this year. How much of a confidence boost is that for you?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, it is, in some kind, a relief for me, because I haven’t had a title this year up to Indian Wells. Indian Wells final was the first final of the year. I haven’t played many tournaments; I haven’t played many matches.
So I knew I’m playing well. I had incredible end of 2013, so I did have confidence. But I started a little bit doubting myself on the court. You know, I was struggling a little bit with my, I would say, consistency and the concentration. Throughout the tournament also I had ups and downs, but I managed to win four out of six matches in three sets.
Mentally it’s a very encouraging win that gives me confidence and that also, you know, is very special in a way. This time of the year I needed it very much, and hopefully I can carry that into this week.
Q. Juan Martin Del Potro, have you talked to him, about his future?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, I talked to him a little bit a few days ago. He was uncertain if he’s going to play or not. Now he’s not playing, so, yeah, it’s really unfortunate.
I think it’s the other wrist, because he had problems with one wrist and now it’s the other one. He’s a very tall, tall guy, and for him playing many tournaments in a high level week in and week out is very difficult.
His body is suffering, and it’s unfortunate that somebody of his quality is not performing here. Also Indian Wells. Tennis definitely misses him. He’s always one of the contenders to win big titles. He’s very entertaining to watch. He’s a nice guy.
I wish him all the best and quick recovery.
Q. We’re doing a story on fashion in tennis, and we have seen it transcend, you know, Agassi with the denim shorts. You had the Darth Vader look. A, what is your inspiration when you go into designing your own clothes? And, B, how important is it for all of you guys to differentiate you guys with your style?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Yes, well, you mentioned Andre Agassi. I mean, he definitely revolutionalized the fashion in tennis. He was the first one to dress differently and to have some kind of statement on the court.
Well, I have been through a process in my career, as well. I had different dragons and wings on my shirts (smiling).
But I’m at a different stage right now. Of course I’m very much involved in giving trying to give my input as much as I can to design my own clothes. I’m fortunate to have a really good team of people and designers from Uniqlo Company who represents me the last two years.
There is various, I will say, inspirations behind the certain designs for different periods of the year depending on color of the surface, depending on the time of the year, depending where we go, color of Serbian flags, so forth and so forth.
So there are different sources of inspiration we are trying to put into the design and kind of create something that looks nice on the court.
Posted in Local News, NewsComments (0)
Tags: All England Club, Andy Murray, ATP, Australian Open, Del Potro, Djokovic, Federer, Janowicz, Murray, Nadal, Olympic, U.S. Open, Verdasco, Wimbledon
Murray Finally Snares Elusive Wimbledon Trophy
Image ©CameraSport
For over seven decades, since 1936 to be precise, Great Britain has been restless for a homegrown male victor at the All-England Club. Today, it got to uncork that seventy-seven year old bottle of bubbly as Andy Murray held off Novak Djokovic 6-4, 7-5, 6-4 to claim his initial Wimbledon title and his second career major.
Last season after the disappointment of losing in the Wimbledon final, Murray bested Djokovic in the semifinals and Roger Federer in the next round to earn Olympic Gold in London a few months later. That feat along with having a major under his belt, the 2012 U.S. Open, were undoubtedly confidence boosters as Murray sauntered on the court to compete.
With Rafael Nadal and Federer knocked out in the first and second round respectively, Murray was expected to walk into the final. However, in the quarterfinals, the Brit had to overcome a 2 sets to none deficit against Fernando Verdasco. Also, in the semifinals, Murray surrendered the first set before ultimately taking control against newcomer Jerzy Janowicz.
Subsequent to beating all comers in straight sets, Djokovic needed five against an injured Juan Martin Del Potro who kept coming back from the brink in the longest semifinal in the tournament’s existence 4 hours and 43 minutes.
When Djokovic and Murray collided in the 2013 Australian Open final, Murray never broke despite a myriad of chances. So, when triple break point for Murray came and went in the opening game, the nail biting began for the spectators.
Later, with a forehand up the line volley winner, Murray had his seventh break point of the initial set. He converted with a backhand down the line winner. However, the public’s joy was ephemeral. Because of a slew of miscues, Murray dropped the next game at love and the set was leveled at 2 all.
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Tags: Andy Murray, ATP, Djokovic, Ferrer, Miami Masters, Murray, Nadal, Shanghai Masters, U.S. Open
Murray Endures Gritty Ferrer to Bag his Second Sony Open Trophy
Britain’s Andy Murray had more at stake today than the Miami title. Hoisting the Sony Open trophy would signify the number two world ranking. The reigning U.S. Open defeated Spaniard David Ferrer 2-6, 6-4, 7-6 to obtain his second Sony Open prize.
Ferrer, who was making his maiden appearance in the final in Miami, his fifth at the ATP Masters 1000 level, knew from the outset it would be an uphill battle. Ferrer’s first ATP Masters 1000 title came in November after being denied three times prior.
Although Murray had a slight 6-5 lead in their head to head, the Spaniard has just one win on hardcourt. The others have been on clay. In 2011, these two collided at the Masters tournament in Shanghai, Murray triumphed in two sets.
Moreover, history was not on Ferrer’s side. Three compatriots, including Rafael Nadal three times, have gone down in the final at the Miami Masters. Also, Ferrer has an abysmal mark against top five players, 0-12.
Nevertheless, this was far from the Spaniard’s mind as he salvaged two break points in his opening service game, then went on a five game run to lead 5-0 in the first set.
Tags: Andy Murray, ATP, Ferrer, Gasquet, Miami, Miami Masters, Murray, Sony Open
Murray Knocks Out Gasquet to Earn a Spot in the Final at the Sony Open
On Sunday, in the Sony Open final, Andy Murray will take on David Ferrer. Murray beat Richard Gasquet 6-7, 6-1, 6-2 to advance to his third final in Miami.
Gasquet befuddled the 2009 champion early on, getting the break with a beautiful back down the line winner. The Frenchman went on to consolidate and move ahead 3-0.
Tags: Djokovic, Dolgopolov, Ferrer, Gasquet, Haas, Melzer, Miami, Miami Masters, Murray, Simon, Sony Open
Ferrer Fends Off Haas to Get into Maiden Sony Open Final
The first men’s semifinal at the Sony Open showcased a pair of thirtysomething. World number five David Ferrer outlasted a resurgent Tommy Haas 4-6, 6-2, 6-3 to reach his fifth Masters 1000 series final.
At 35, Haas, a former world number two, discovered his fountain of youth. Ranked 18th, the German ousted 24 year old Alexandr Dolgopolov in the third round then stunned world number one Novak Djokovic in the round of 16. This year’s semifinal showing was the furthest Haas’ had advance in Miami.
Tags: ATP, Cilic, Miami Masters, Murray, Sony Open, US Open
Murray Moves On to the Semifinals at the Sony Open
Andy Murray maintained his winning ways at the Sony Open. The reigning U.S. Open champion prevailed over the ninth seed Marin Cilic 6-4, 6-3.
Despite obtaining the initial break for a 2-1 lead, Cilic failed to sustain the momentum. A few more exchanges of breaks followed. After order was restored and the players arrived at 4 all, Cilic gifted his counterpart the break in a game where he committed two double faults.
Tags: ATP, Cilic, Isner, Miami, Miami Masters, Murray, Nieminen, Sony Open, Tsonga
Murray into Forth Round at Sony Open
Miami, FL Ricky Dimon
Absences and withdrawals have marked the 2013 Sony Open Tennis event, but Andy Murray–to name just one–is restoring order to the proceedings. Murray earned his second consecutive straight-set win by dismissing Grigor Dimitrov 7-6(3), 6-3 during third-round action on Monday afternoon.
Dimitrov, who lost to Murray in the Brisbane final earlier this season, got off to a fast start. The 21-year-old Bulgarian twice led by a break in the first set but ultimately he could not serve it out at 5-4. Dimitrov also squandered a mini-break advantage in the ensuing tiebreaker and from there he lost the second set in less dramatic fashion.
“He probably got a little bit nervous,” Murray said of Dimitrov, “and that helped me. Once I started to improve my depth a bit I made it tough for him and he started to make more mistakes after that.”
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga followed suit on the show court and hammered Jarkko Nieminen 6-3, 6-3 in one hour and five minutes. Tsonga fought off the only two break points he faced to book a fourth-round showdown against Marin Cilic.
Compared with Cilic (a straight-set victor over John Isner) and Tsonga, Tomas Berdych took a more roundabout way to the last eight. Berdych saved a match point at 3-5 in the second set with a second-serve aces and he survived another in the ensuing tiebreaker. One break in the final frame of play allowed the fourth-seeded Czech to complete his comeback win.
Ricky Dimon is a contributor in Miami and writes for TennisTalk.com. You can follow him on Twitter under @RD_Tennistalk by clicking here.
Tags: ATP, Dodig, Isner, Kubot, Miami Masters, Murray, Sony Open, Tomic, Tsonga
Murray Rolls at Sony Open, Top Americans Battle into Third round
While other top players prematurely tumbled out of the tournament or skipped the Sony Open Tennis event altogether, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray forged full steam ahead.
Less than 24 hours after Djokovic hammered Lukas Rosol 6-1, 6-0, Murray took care of Bernard Tomic 6-3, 6-1 during second-round action on Saturday afternoon. The third-ranked Scot struck eight aces and held all eight of his service games to prevail in a mere 56 minutes.
Tomic held his first two service games of the match and even saw multiple break points at 2-1 in the opener, but it was downhill for him the rest of the way. The 20-year-old Australian dropped five of the next six games, including at 3-5 on his own serve. Tomic, who explained afterward that he had been dealing with an illness, was more hopeless in the second. He won a mere two return points and saved none of the break points he faced.
Tags: Agassi, Agnieszka Radwaska, ATP, Azarenka, Djoko, Graff, Miami, Miami Masters, Murray, Serena, Sharapova, Sony Open, WTA
Djokovic, Nadal, Murray, Azarenka, Serena and Sharapova Headline 2013 Sony Open
The Sony Open will be played in Miami March 18 through March 31 at the Crandon Park Tennis Center. In anticipation of the 2013 Sony Open, the tournament has released the men’s and women’s entry list.
Novak Djokovic, the 2013 Australian Open champion, returns to Miami to defend his 2012 title. Djokovic is looking for a place in the record books by attempting to win three straight Miami titles. The only player to have won the title three years in a row is Andre Agassi (2001 – 2003). Also joining Djokovic in Miami are Andy Murray and Rafael Nadal. Absent from the roster this year is Roger Federer who has decided to limit his play in 2013 and in the process will be skipping the Sony Open.
On the women’s side Victoria Azarenka, the 2013 Australian Open champion, will be looking to add another title in Miami. Azarenka has won the title in Miami on two occasions. Agnieszka Radwanska will also be in Miami attempting to defend her 2012 Sony Open title. Maria Sharapova and Serena Williams also highlight the women’s field. A title in Miami by Williams will break the record for most titles by a women in Miami. Williams is currently tied with Steffi Graf with 5 Miami titles.
Below is the official press release from the Sony Open :
SONY OPEN TO HOST GRAND SLAM PLAYER FIELD
Reigning Grand Slam Champions Djokovic, Nadal, Murray, Williams, Sharapova and Azarenka all entered to play.
MIAMI, Fla. (www.sonyeopentennis.com) – The ATP and WTA entry lists for the 2013 Sony Open were announced today and the tournament will once again feature a Grand Slam caliber player field.
Click Here to View Full Lists
Each spring the Sony Open brings the greatest tennis players in the world to the Crandon Park Tennis Center and 2013 is no different. The Sony Open field features several Grand Slam champions including reigning singles champions Novak Djokovic (Australian Open), Rafael Nadal (French Open), Andy Murray (US Open), Victoria Azarenka (Australian Open), Maria Sharapova (French Open) and Serena Williams (Wimbledon and US Open).
Tickets to the 2013 Sony Open, which will be played March 18-31 at the Crandon Park Tennis Center, are on sale now and can be purchased by phone (305-442-3367) or online at www.sonyopentennis.com. An electrifying two weeks of tennis conclude with the women’s final on Saturday, March 30 and the men’s final on Sunday, March 31.
Qualifying rounds will be played March 18-19 and will determine 12 more slots in each singles draw. The tournament will also award wildcards to five men and eight women. The main draw begins on Tuesday, March 19 as the women take the court, followed by the beginning of the men’s main draw on Wednesday, March 20.
Djokovic returns to Miami seeking a three-peat, having won the trophy in 2012 and 2011. He brought home his first Sony Open title in 2007. On the women’s side, 15-time Grand Slam champ and Olympic Gold Medalist, Serena Williams returns on a mission for a record-breaking sixth Sony Open title, but both contenders will face a tough field in their quest for Sony Open history.
On the men’s side, 11-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal, recently made his return to the court and is entered to play his 10th consecutive Sony Open. Nadal, a three-time finalist, will attempt to capture his first title on the purple courts. Andy Murray, the 2009 Sony Open champion, will look to bounce back from last year’s final appearance and take home the coveted trophy.
The women’s field is also extremely competitive, featuring American Sloane Stephens, who made her first Grand Slam semifinal appearance this year, which included a win over Serena Williams at the Australian Open. Two-time Sony Open winner Victoria Azarenka, comimg off here second consecutive Australian Open title, seeks her third Sony Open title in five years. Also a favorite to capture her first Sony Open title is the ever-popular Maria Sharapova, who last year completed the career Grand Slam with her French Open victory.
With such a tremendous player field one might forget that the Sony Open is more than just tennis and has become the standard for first-class sporting events. High fashion, great food, fabulous shopping and celebrity musical performances have made the Sony Open the most glamorous stop on tour.
Come see why huge crowds as well as the biggest names in music, entertainment and sports visit the Sony Open each March. Get your tickets today.
ABOUT THE SONY OPEN: The 2013 Sony Open will be played March 18-April 31 at the Tennis Center at Crandon Park in Miami. The two-week combined event is owned and operated by IMG. The Sony Open is one of nine ATP Masters 1000 Series events on the ATP calendar, a Premier Mandatory event on the WTA calendar, and features the top men’s and women’s tennis players in the world. In 2012 Novak Djokovic defeated Andy Murray for his third Sony Open title, while Agnieszka Radwanska knocked off Maria Sharapova to capture her first title in Miami. For ticket information, call (305) 442-3367 or visit the website at www.SonyOpenTennis.com
ABOUT SONY MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS: Sony Mobile Communications is a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Sony Corporation, a leading global innovator of audio, video, game, communications, key device and information technology products for both the consumer and professional markets. Through its Xperia™ smartphone portfolio, Sony Mobile Communications delivers the best of Sony technology, premium content and services, and easy connectivity to Sony’s world of networked entertainment experiences. For more information: www.sonymobile.com
ABOUT IMG: IMG Worldwide is a global sports, entertainment and media business, with nearly 3,000 employees operating in 30 countries around the globe. IMG’s areas of expertise are diverse and wide ranging: IMG College; IMG’s Joint Ventures in China, Brazil and India; IMG Media; IMG Events and Federations; IMG Fashion; IMG Models; IMG Art+Commerce; IMG
Tags: Agassi, ATP, Australian Open, Djokovic, Federer, Melbourne, Murray, U.S. Open, Wawrinka
Djokovic Captures Historic Third Successive Australian Open Title
Novak Djokovic defeated Andy Murray 6-7, 7-6, 6-3, 6-2 in the final of the Australian Open to become the first player in the Open Era to hoist that trophy three years in a row.
With extensive baseline rallies, a well contested opening set left Djokovic with a sour taste after he failed to capitalize on four break points in the sixth game and another in the eighth. Ultimately, the set was settled by a tiebreaker.
As a result of a double fault, Djokovic spotted his opponent a 1-0 advantage. From there, Murray took full advantage and ran away with the tiebreaker 7-2.
Subsequent to a love hold, Murray had triple break point courtesy of a litany of miscues by Djokovic, By reverting to his defensive style, Murray wasted those opportunities which allowed Djokovic to guard serve for 1 all.
As the second set progressed, each player dug in and protected serve quite comfortably. Again, a tiebreaker was needed to decide the set’s winner.
Federer Tops Isner to Capture Fourth Miami Open Title
Barty Defeats Pliskova to Capture the Miami Open Title
Federer, Halep and Kvitova In Action Monday at the Miami Open
Sunday’s Line Up at the Miami Open Has Isner, Djokovic and Kyrgios Vying for a Spot in the Round of 16
Federer Fends Off Albut to Advance to the Third Round at the Miami Open
Shocker Saturday at the Miami Open: Osaka Out, Serena Withdraws
Saturday Finds Federer in the Spotlight at the Miami Open
Serena, Osaka Tested in Reaching Third Round at the Miami Open
Friday at the Miami Open Features Djokovic Under the Lights, Isner Starts Title Defense
Terrific Thursday: Andreescu Comes Back from the Brink, Venus and Kvitová win in Straight sets at the Miami Open
Andy Murray ATP Australian Open Azarenka Baghdatis Bartoli Berdych Blake Cilic Clijsters Del Potro Dementieva Djokovic Federer Ferrer Fish French Open Gasquet Henin Isner Ivanovic Jankovic Kuznetsova Kvitova Miami Masters Miami Open Murray Nadal Querrey Roddick Safina Serena Sharapova Soderling Sony Ericsson Open Sony Open Stosur Tsonga U.S. Open Venus Verdasco Wimbledon Wozniacki WTA Zvonareva
ATP News
Caruso Stuns Coric In Umag
Thiem, Zverev, Fognini Lead Charge In Hamburg; When Is The Draw & More
Rain Pushes Newport Quarter-finals To Friday
Gasquet Battles Back In Båstad
Isner Successfully Begins Pursuit Of Fourth Newport Title
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Bond Issue Request: School Board approves Capital Projects Budget for its 2018 fiscal year
Posted on June 15, 2017 June 14, 2017 by Thomas Sellers
By Bill Short
The Millington School Board has unanimously approved its Capital Projects Budget for the 2018 fiscal year that includes a request for a $5 million bond issue.
Board members took the action during their June 5 regular monthly meeting on a motion offered by C. J. Haley and seconded by Roger Christopher.
During discussion shortly before the vote, Chairman Cody Childress noted that the Capital Projects Budget for the current fiscal year included “$4 million in bond money.” But he said the board will request $5 million for the 2018 fiscal year.
Bruce Rasmussen, supervisor of Financial Services for Millington Municipal Schools, said $4 million was the “latest” amount that the board approved early this year. But he noted that there will not be a bond issue in the 2017 fiscal year, which ends on June 30.
Rasmussen acknowledged that the $5 million request for the upcoming fiscal year is “just a projection” of how it will be used.
“Hopefully, it’s going to be used for the Performing Arts Center, whatever the board decides to do,” he said. “So, it’s just to give the city notice that we expect at most right now to ask for at least a $5 million bond.”
In response to a question by board member Larry Jackson, Rasmussen said the $1,950,000 in “Fund 141” has not yet been spent. He noted that all but $11,000 of it will be used in the 2018 fiscal year.
“Because it’s not used this year, it goes down into Fund Balance,” Rasmussen said. “Then, you have to show that you’re going to use Fund Balance to cover your expenses.”
On May 2, 2016, the previous school board approved the Capital Projects Budget for the 2017 fiscal year. One of the line items within it was a $6 million bond issue as a source of revenue for the design and construction of a fine arts building on the Millington Central High School campus.
That budget was then submitted to the Board of Mayor and Aldermen, which also approved it.
But at its Feb. 6 meeting, the current school board approved an amendment to the Capital Projects Budget that reduced the amount requested for the bond issue to $4 million.
Dr. David Roper, the school system’s superintendent, said he believed that amount would “sufficiently cover the cost” of the proposed facility.
The board then advertised for bids on the project, but they “came in higher” than Roper was expecting. So, he concluded that it would be “safer” to request a bond issue “ceiling amount” of $5 million.
At an April 20 special called meeting, a majority of the board members rejected the lowest/best bid of $6,368,876 submitted by Fulwood Construction Co. of Olive Branch, Miss., for construction of the proposed new Performing Arts Center.
A motion offered by Haley and seconded by Childress to accept the bid was defeated by a 4-3 vote, with Mark Coulter, Chris Denson, Ronnie Mackin and Jackson dissenting.
Separate motions to amend the board’s Capital Projects Budget for the current fiscal year and to approve it for next year were also defeated by the same four dissenters.
At its May 1 regular meeting, on a motion offered by Jackson and seconded by Coulter, the board voted to seek an architectural study of possible renovations to the Harvell Civic Center that would provide a Performing Arts Center. The motion was passed by a 6-1 vote, with Haley dissenting.
At its June 5 meeting, on a motion offered by Christopher and seconded by Childress, the board voted unanimously to negotiate a contract with The Spirit Architecture Group to conduct the study.
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I watched this film with a group of friends at church as part of our Lent series which this year is focusing on "This is Our Story: exploring the stories of our faith and our own stories". The film certainly fulfilled that brief as different sections of the story are seen through the eyes of the main characters, each in turn. There weren't any explicit encounters with 'faith' per se, but the film did have plenty to say about inclusion, difference and acceptance.
The central character Auggie Pullman (Jacob Tremblay) was born with Treacher Collins Syndrome which left him with facial disfigurement - even after 23 surgeries. He has doting parents and a sister whose long-suffering qualifies her for immediate beatification. And therein lies the films weakness. Visually imperfect Auggie inhabits an otherwise perfect world where everyone else is beautiful, homes are comfortably luxurious and when he eventually does go to school, having previously been home-schooled, he attends a top private school in a well-to-do New York suburb. The narrative arc is therefore set. How can Auggie's presence, including all the emotional pain he suffers, become a catalyst for transformation so that all the perfect people in the film can become even more perfect!
Whilst the film offers an excellent exposé of the cruelties school children can inflict on one another, it remains locked in a world that cannot transcend its culture. This film has a very American feel to it. Understandably, Auggie's world is very self-centred, but through his love of science and in particular space travel and science fiction, he is able to initially win over one or two and eventually by the end of his first year in school, everyone else. Given what the Pullman family have been through, despite their love for one another, it's hard to see how none of them are in therapy. I was also left questioning the marriage relationship of Auggie's parents which seems only to have been strengthened through the family's shared ordeal. Another expression of perfection in this film?
By its subject matter and the encounters it presents, the film invites viewers to consider how they handle and accept difference and whether or not they would capitulate and follow the herd or take the harder road. All of this is made possible by the wise and loving actions of the School Principal and Auggie's class teacher.
All of that said, this film provoked an affective response in me that left me with tears welling up on more than one occasion. It's predictability and certain outcome do not make the journey Auggie travels any less painful, effective or inspiring. I guess the value is in the travelling and it is our travels which give us the raw material for our stories that enable to share at a deeper level with one another. I'll give this film 7/10.
Posted by Duncan Strathie at 07:49 No comments:
Labels: life, morals
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FBNInsurance continues to prosper despite Nigeria’s sluggish economy
FBNInsurance hasn’t allowed the slowdown of the Nigerian economy to hinder its continually impressive performance
FBNInsurance have managed to remain prosperous despite the unfavourable economic climate caused by depressed oil prices
Author: FBNInsurance
For many years, Nigeria’s economy was one of the fastest growing in the world. However, this changed in 2016 when the country was hit by depressed oil prices and a decline in production due to vandalism. Last year, Nigeria experienced its first full year of recession in 25 years of prosperity, according to the World Bank. Fortunately, however, the country has quickly overcome this decline, and is now emerging from its recession.
FBNInsurance’s CEO has overseen a management team that has navigated the young company to heights that only established players can aspire to reach
In 2018, Nigeria’s GDP is forecast to return to positive territory. What’s more, the Nigerian Government has launched a three-year plan to make economic growth more sustainable and boost recovery, with reforms aimed at diversifying the oil-dependent economy. If implemented successfully, it could put the country back on track to achieve long-term economic growth for years to come.
Amid recent adversity, some businesses have managed to remain prosperous, weathering the storm with remarkable success. FBNInsurance is one of those few. Its achievements despite the unfavourable economic climate have been recognised by Mrassociates, which named the company the Best Life Insurer in Nigeria in 2014 and 2016.
A new culture
FBNInsurance’s success was not easy to achieve in Nigeria’s sinking environment, making it a noteworthy milestone given the market’s recent underperformance. The company started to operate in the local insurance sector in 2010, later expanding into different cities across the country. Having passed the tests of a difficult economic background, it has also broken the market’s historic scepticism by crafting a new culture among people and businesses in Nigeria.
Thanks to its affiliation with FirstBank and the Sanlam Group, two leading African financial institutions, FBNInsurance was expected to succeed from the beginning. Shortly after its establishment, however, the management at FBNInsurance realised that with a tough market forming, more than good inheritance was
needed to ensure success.
Val Ojumah, who has been the Managing Director and CEO of FBNInsurance since it was founded, recalled its early stages: “We had a very rough start. Getting business was a great challenge. If we thought the name was all we needed to survive, we were quickly proved wrong. We had to dig in really deep and carve a niche for ourselves.” Having survived its infancy, the firm has become one of the fastest growing insurance companies in the country.
Such performance has been a direct result of the expertise of those in leadership positions at FBNInsurance. Ojumah highlighted the board’s essential role in providing a strategic vision, as well as the quality of its staff, whose daily commitment has been key to enabling the company’s growth. In this hard-working
corporate culture, FBNInsurance’s CEO has overseen a management team that has navigated the young company to heights that only established players can aspire to reach.
Strategic moves
Three years after it began operations, the company acquired Oasis Insurance, a general insurance company, which was rebranded as FBN General Insurance. After becoming FBNInsurance’s subsidiary, its losses turned to gains in the first year.
Today, FBNInsurance continues its upward trajectory, defying all expectations. In 2010, the company had a gross written premium of only NGN 20.5m ($136,287). More recently, results had remarkably improved: by the end
of the 2016 financial year, the written premium reached NGN 9.9bn ($27.5m).
Despite starting from scratch, the company managed to make profit fast. At the end of 2016, FBNInsurance declared a profit after tax of NGN 2.23bn ($6.2m), while total assets reached NGN 29.5bn ($82m). These results are a major achievement, especially taking into account the country is still recovering from a recession and that, historically, the insurance market has low penetration. Ojumah attributed the company’s success in remaining profitable during these hard times to “a strong underwriting culture and a deep
attention to the customer’s needs”.
Another aspect that has allowed FBNInsurance to maintain a prominent position in the industry despite turbulence is its solid presence in the retail segment. “Our strength is in retail sales. We have more than 2,000 financial advisors who comb the nooks of the country, selling insurance and increasing our market share,” Ojumah highlighted.
The company’s retail team has become a model for others operating in the industry. In fact, retail sales generated almost 70 percent of FBNInsurance’s income in 2016. Such results are based on a deep understanding of the market. “Ours is a market with deep trust issues, following years of sharp practices and unfulfilled claims,” said Ojumah.
Consequently, FBNInsurance has worked painstakingly to improve the available offerings in Nigeria’s market. “Winning the trust of the people takes time and effort, but we have been able to do that one policy at a time,” Ojumah said.
Recognised success
Over the years, FBNInsurance has not only won the people’s trust, it has also garnered accolades from other stakeholders along the way. Among the awards it has acquired, the company won the Sanlam Emerging Markets Cup of
Nations Rising Star award in 2013 and 2016, thanks to its high premiums.
FBNInsurance’s expansion and accomplishments in the last few years have multiplied its awards. Inspen Online, a site specialising in insurance and pensions, named FBNInsurance its Insurance Company of the Year in 2016. There was also recognition for the company’s head, Ojumah, who was recognised
for his management skills.
In the same year, the main Pan-African research and credit rating agency, Agusto & Co, gave FBNInsurance an A+ rating. The agency noted: “The rating reflects FBNInsurance’s strong profitability and capitalisation levels, satisfactory investment management and a moderate exposure to underwriting risks.”
Ethical insurance
The awards and recognitions that FBNInsurance has achieved have not made the company complacent, and it continues to set goals for the future. Adenrele Kehinde, Chair of the Board, described some of these aims: “Our three-year strategic aspiration is to be the most profitable life insurance company in Nigeria based on return on equity. We hope to fulfil this aspiration by consistently achieving strong and sustainable growth, improving customer experience and satisfaction, enhancing operational efficiency across key functions, and building a competent workforce.”
Customers remain at the top of the company’s daily priorities. “We are a people’s company, committed to doing business by ethical means, while also having a positive impact on local communities through our corporate responsibility and sustainability actions,” Kehinde explained. Education, health and community development are some of the areas in which the company’s policies have made the biggest impact.
On FBNInsurance’s fifth anniversary, the company donated a dialysis machine to the Lagos General Hospital. Moreover, in 2016 the company partnered with the Rotary Club of Omole Golden, in order to provide screening and immunisation for breast and cervical cancer to 750 girls and women.
In the last three years, the insurer has also supported Jakin NGO, a Lagos-based not-for-profit organisation that provides back-to-school kits for vulnerable and disadvantaged students. With FBNInsurance’s support, the programme has already provided 3,000 children with school supplies.
Furthermore, the company has provided scholarships to 250 disadvantaged students of Aragba-Orogun, a rural community in South Nigeria, giving them a chance to access proper education. In another campaign, FBNInsurance’s staff donated toiletries, food and money to several orphanages and homes for the elderly.
Having crafted a new insurance culture in Nigeria, FBNInsurance is not taking its achievements for granted; it’s using them as a platform to take the next step. With 136 permanent
staff, 74 temporary employees and more than 2,000 retail agents in 28 sales outlets across Nigeria, the company has become a solid
player in the insurance sector.
Looking ahead, Ojumah explained that FBNInsurance seeks to continue extending its retail footprint “until every insurable Nigerian has an FBNInsurance policy”. The company’s
management is determined to take FBNInsurance to the next stage and turn it into
an insurance powerhouse. n
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Money, Language, and Thought: Literary and Philosophic Economies from the Medieval to the Modern Era (review)
Michael S. Roth
Volume 9, Number 2, October 1985
242Philosophy and Literature meaning). In a brief conclusion, Todorov discusses the historical significance of the opposition between the two kinds of exegesis, relating it to the opposition between the hierarchical world of feudal Christian society, a world governed by an absolute truth and immutable values, and the democratic world of bourgeois society, in which relativism of values is compensated by methodological codification ; he also sketches a typology of interpretive strategies (constraints can be imposed on the choice of input or output text or on the procedures connecting them); and he attempts to explain the current coexistence of finalist and operational strategies: "It is ... as if the distinctive feature of our civilization were the suspension of choice and the tendency to understand everything without doing anything" (p. 170). As usual, Todorov's clarity of exposition is outstanding, his erudition impressive (he draws easily and efficiently on Strabo and Origen, Saint Augustine and Spinoza, Ast, Wolf, Lanson, but also Maimonides, Mahimabhattala, and 'Abd al-Qahir al-Jurjäni), and his examples consistently incisive. Furthermore, his study is enriched by stimulating discussions of a wide range of topics: the various forms of obscurity in (modern) writing, for example, the differences between lexical symbolism (the segment to be interpreted is smaller than a sentence) and propositional symbolism (the segment is a sentence), or the critique of classical philology by Schleiermacher. Todorov may perhaps be faulted for his stress on meaning reception and his relative neglect of meaning production: they prevent him from addressing squarely the (possible) differences between interpretation and understanding. Perhaps too, he does not pay quite enough attention to interpretive strategies that are not founded on a representational concept of language and attempt to view texts in their textuality rather than as manifestations of some transcendent meaning. Finaily, perhaps he underspecifies certain important distinctions: if discourse is literal when "it signifies without evoking anything" (p. 53) and transparent "if when we perceive it we pay no attention to its literal meaning" (p. 56), the difference between literalness and transparency becomes problematic . The fact remains, however, that Symbolism and Interpretation constitutes a highly readable, informative, and significant contribution to the study of semiotics. University of PennsylvaniaGerald Prince Money, Language, and Thought: Literary and Philosophic Economiesfrom the Medieval to the Modern Era, by Marc Shell; ? & 219 pp. Berkeley: University of California Press, 1982, $22.50. In Money, Language and Thought, Marc Shell continues the investigations of the role of monetary symbolization that he began in The Economy ofLiterature (1978). The essays printed in his latest volume — most of which have already been Reviews243 published elsewhere — deal with Poe, medieval grail tales, Shakespeare, Goethe, Kant, Hegel, Lessing, and Heidegger. There is no real attempt made to connect these studies, but a common theme running through all of them is that "money talks in and through discourse in general" (p. 180). Whether our authors know it or not, they speak through tropics of symbolization and exchange, "providing thought with a discomforting, but motivating, resistance" (p. 180). Shell thinks the resistance discomforting, it seems, because we have not acknowledged just how deep the power of money runs. When Kant talks about ontology, Hegel about sublation, and Heidegger about truth, it is not simply that they use monetary metaphors, or speak about money; it is that the language of money infects their thinking and their discourse. And they (and we) do not realize this. Indeed, Shell thinks that "men have been trying to expel money from the mind or to transform money of the mind into an agent of liberation" (pp. 186-87). Money, Language and Thought shows how, despite these attempts, the monetary keeps sneaking back into our literary and philosophical discourses. There are two major projects in Money, Language and Thought. The first is to use the language of money as a lens through which to read some of the most interesting works of Western literature and philosophy. Shell offers new perspectives on The Merchant of Venice, Goethe's Faust, Nathan the Wise, and "On the Essence of Truth." By reading these and other texts in the light of a theme that seemed at first only marginal to them, our understanding of what is marginal or central...
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In Which I Take "Taboo" to a Whole New Level...
This will come as a shocker: I love word games. I've written here before about my unabashed ardor for haiku and anagrams. I'm also fond of puns and other such word play.
But word games. Man, I am on them like an umlaut on a German vowel. As a kid, spending summers in our little camp in New England, we didn't do TV. It wasn't that my family was ultra-progressive, it was just that there was no cable or satellite service then. Consequently, the only station we could pick up on the portable black and white TV was an ABC affiliate that seemed to show only weather reports and a locally produced children's show, both of which were hosted by the same person. Everything else was preset to The Static Channel.
So we played a lot of games. Even at a young age, I was way into the word games. Spill N Spell, Boggle, Upwords, Scrabble. And we were competitive! I remember going around grocery stores and bookshops, obsessively counting the numbers of letters in words (seven-letter words for Scrabble, 15-letter words for Spill N Spell) against the day when I could Use All My Letters in one turn and earn the maximum number of points.
Actually, I think I was the only one who did that. And it eventually came to bite me in the ass (or gluteus--SEVEN LETTERS!!), because I started winning these games--against my parents, even--and wouldn't stop. To make it fair, I agreed to a set of stringent handicaps, which included not being allowed to use all my letters in any one word on any turn in any word game. In Scrabble, I was also not allowed to use triple-word score squares. At one point, it was also a requirement that if I played a word or words, I had to use them in a sentence (this because my brother didn't think I should be allowed to play a word if I didn't know what it meant). During one memorable Spill N Spell, this forced me to utter a sentence using the words "defiled" and "virgins." My sentence was: "The Angel of the Lord defiled virgins for a living." I was 8 years old.
While I have no doubt those extra rules played some part in my life choices and ultimate career path, at the time it was a lot to juggle, and eventually we all stopped playing the word games. And then, sometime after college, I got way into them again. Only now it was different: As an adult, I went through a long period of really sucking at them. I had spent so much of my youth hampered by those handicaps that I couldn't shake them, and tended to ignore scoring opportunities that my opponents naturally exploited.
Consequently, when I first met Her Lovely Self's parents, my future mother-in-law, a competitive Scrabble player in her own right, was distinctly unimpressed with my level of play.
But then one night, during my first long weekend with her family, we played Taboo.
I had never heard of this game before, but it was a revelation. I'm sure you all know the rules, but just a quick recap, (in case my brother's reading or something): You play in teams, and take turns drawing a card which contains the "taboo" word, the word you cannot speak. So you have to give clues and phrases using other words so that your team can guess the word. On each card, there is also a list of secondary word you cannot utter because they're too close to the taboo word.
For example, if the taboo word is "orbit" some of the secondary taboo words are things like "rocket" "space" "John Glenn" etc. And you can't say any of them, so you're forced to say words like "elliptical...geosynchronous" or whole phrases like "aging senator I can't name was famous for doing this as part of the Mercury project."
Anyway, it's a great game because it forces to you to be at your articulate best, picking your words carefully and still trying to give good clues. Unfortunately, for me it became the game equivalent of crack.
Not only could I not get enough of this game, but it altered my behavior, which I'll get to in a minute. But my team won every time we played. Which was fine at first. My wife's family is pretty competitive about games. But they're also a very kind, polite, proper bunch. As my Dad once put it, "They wouldn't say 'shit' if they had a mouthful of it."
Consequently, this put a new handicap on my game play. On one of our earliest visits to meet the folks, Her Lovely Self had cautioned me to avoid any salacious words in playing Scrabble with her mother. No defiled virgins on that board, I can tell you. In that sense, my whole weekend was like one giant meta-game of Taboo, choosing my words carefully and making sure I didn't get penalized for saying the wrong thing.
I tried to apply the same restraint to my actual game play, I really did. But it's tough. To win at Taboo, my strategy was to unhook my mental editor and free-associate when a team member started giving clues. Thus, if I'm on your team in a game of Taboo, it's a bit like having someone who has just developed Tourette's Syndrome. Because I just rattle off a string of words and phrases. It's unsettling at first, but I get results, baby. I think the record for my team is about 12 words in one minute.
My wife's family has become used to this tendency, but on that particular weekend, I'm sure they didn't know what to make of me.
Especially in the last game of Taboo that we played that fateful weekend. On my team was my future father-in-law and D, the boyfriend of Her Lovely Self's middle sister. We were playing against the girls, which included Her Lovely Self, her two sisters, and her mother. Four women versus three men. We were the underdogs and the pressure was on me to make up the difference. And we were winning, too, right up until D took his turn giving clues.
He stares for a long time at this one card. Time is running out. I'm rocking in my seat, making impatient "c'mon c'mon" gestures with my hands. Finally, he gives his clue: "I wake up with this every morning."
And I blurt: "An ERECTION!!!"
Game play, all sound, every heartbeat, the very motion of air molecules, it all stopped. This was a polite, proper bunch, remember. Wouldn't say "shit" if I had deposited some right there on the table, although that was the verbal equivalent of what I had done. Her Lovely Self looked positively stricken. They all did: a room full of virgins that I had defiled with my erection.
Thank God for D, because after a few seconds, he couldn't contain himself and collapsed laughing. My future father-in-law followed suit. It took longer for the girls to get over it (in fact, I recall Her Lovely Self's sister fleeing the room, her face beet red). But hey, it broke the ice.
The word, by the way, was "coffee."
# posted by Magazine Man @ 1:35 AM 8 comments
In Which I Live One Life, Furnished In Early Slapstick...
Crazy morning, running running. Personal soundtrack: some of that bouncy, silent-movie piano music. My life just feels like that right now.
Lots of page layouts to edit, weird stuff to fix. Meanwhile, I have a story pitch meeting just after lunch. Lunch! Hungry!
I grab a sandwich and a cup of chicken soup to eat at my desk. Sit, take a breath, prepare to eat...
Suddenly, the phone rings. I grab it and knock the soup everywhere. Chicken broth flowing, hot as lava, across the desk, over the lip of the desk, on a collision course for my lap.
I leap to my feet, knocking over my office chair and then tripping over the chair and falling backwards across it. On the way down I take a stack of story folders with me. Page layouts flutter like giant leaves. Some land in the soup, still dripping down off the desk, making a puddle on the floor. The phone receiver lies nearby and I can hear our copy editor squawking in it. I wonder briefly what it all sounded like on her end.
Like prairie dogs looking to see what's up, the heads of my staff pop up over the cubicle walls. I'm bent backwards over the wreckage of my chair, arms and legs flailing, a spatter of noodles and yellow broth spread across the desk in front of me. "It looked like you threw up so violently, the force of it shot you back and over the chair," one of my editors remarked later. When he stopped crying from laughing so hard.
I right my chair and mop up the mess, realizing as I do that all hard copy on my story pitches has been soaked through. I look at the clock: 10 minutes to my meeting! Hastily print out fresh copies, retrieve from printer.
I sit back down at my chair to make some notes. Pen is not working. I pull open the desk drawer to get a new pen--
--and a half-cup of soup sloshes out of the drawer, where it had secretly dripped after spilling over the lip of the desk. It lands squarely onto the front of my pants.
There is no graceful way to wipe your crotch, especially in a public place. As I'm blotting fruitlessly, I look up: meeting time!
Dash to conference room, where I meet my supervising editors. I'm holding a folder in front of me as I come in and I sit down quickly, so no one notices the great wet spot.
An hour later, the meeting's over, and I've become so engrossed in story ideas that I forget the soup incident. Until I stand up. The soup has dried, but it has left behind an enormous stain. An enormous yellow stain. An enormous YELLOW CRUSTY STAIN. On the front of my pants.
I try to explain about the spilled soup, but to my bosses it much surely look as though I have suffered--heck, wallowed in!--a moment of lavish incontinence.
So I'm going home to change. The way my slapstick day has been going, I'll probably get stuck in the elevator again. Or maybe while driving home I'll get pulled over. By the Keystone Kops.
# posted by Magazine Man @ 7:57 PM 3 comments
In Which I Am Trapped...
5:40 PM: Leaving work Friday night I decided to take the parking garage elevator up to the roof, where my car is. I usually take the stairs, but I've got a heavy box of stuff with me, so I get in, push the button for the fourth floor and...nothing happens. Push again. This time the elevator starts upward, then begins to shake violently. My intestines immediately do the same as I wait for the bottom to drop out. Instead, there's a sudden settling sensation and the elevator stops. Between the third and fourth floor of the garage. I am trapped.
5:43 PM: Still trapped. Have tried without success to open the doors and the roof hatch, both of which have evidently been secured against people like myself, lest we make too big a mess for the custodial staff when we are suddenly bisected or found dangling upside down in bloody ribbons among the shaft cables. Yes, I tried the phone. First thing I did. Opened the little compartment door and was met with four bare wires, each a different color. If I were MacGyver, I could probably tap out a simple Morse code message and get rescued, but in the event all I can do is stare sullenly at the wires. Why would they disconnect the phone? Maybe they just figured any one who was trapped would use their--
5:44 PM: Remember mobile phone, which I dig out of my bag. Battery is, of course, dead.
5:46 PM: Still trapped, but now have laptop turned on. Battery works great. I have a friend who is an electrical engineer who could probably figure out a way to charge my cell phone using my laptop battery. Hell, he could probably turn my laptop into a jet-pack. But he is not here. And it's just as well: The elevator is roughly the size of a small closet. Three people could stand side by side in it, but that's it. The elevators are situated on the outside of the garage and the back wall has a clear Plexiglass oval cut out of it, giving me a stunning view of my office building, a scant 30 feet away. The ground is about 100 feet below. I can see a little courtyard down there, where coworkers sometimes have their lunch. But it's winter. And getting dark. I can't see anyone.
5:53 PM: Still trapped. Have tried pounding on doors and yelling. No response. Interesting acoustics in here, though.
5:56 PM: Down below, walking to the garage, it's my assistant! I'm saved!! I begin hopping up and down and banging wildly on the Plexiglass. Hey! Hey up here! Look, it's me! Me! I'm waving wildly with both hands. She stops, looks up, waves, and...oh for Pete's sake! She's walking on, shaking her head and laughing. Oh, that wacky Magazine Man, doing his jumping jacks in the elevator! I scream her name, sounding like Stanley Kowalski in "A Streetcar Named Desire."
6:03 PM: Still trapped. You know, it's not exactly warm in here.
6:05 PM: Still trapped.
6:08 PM: Still trapped. While rooting through my bag, foraging for anything edible (found three petrified Tic Tacs), I come across a short phone cable for the laptop modem. I look at the emergency phone box, door still open, bare wires hanging out, and a plan hatches. If I can strip the down the wires on one end of my phone cable, I could splice it to the wires in the phone box, plug in the modem, turn on the built-in mic and call the security desk! I rummage through the bag looking for a knife. Find nail clippers. That'll do. Kiss my ass MacGyver! The Magazine Man is dialing out!!
6:21 PM: Never mind. Line is dead, and now I need a new cable for my modem. And I was so impressed with myself too...
6:22 PM: Yes, I already tried my Wi-Fi card. The closest hot spot is the Starbucks five blocks away. My engineering friend could probably fabricate some kind of booster for my card, using my phone cable, the petrified Tic Tacs and the waistband of my underwear. But he's not here. Good thing too: I'd be forced to gut him and climb into his body cavity for warmth. It's cold.
6:30 PM: Still trapped. To pass the time, I begin perusing my hard drive and find all sorts of odds and ends, including a list of things I wish someone would invent. My favorite is the Personal Undo: a device based completely on that ever-useful pulldown menu feature. Only instead of Undo-ing a spelling mistake or a formatting error, the Personal Undo would save you from a life of embarrassment and poor choices. Asked an oval-shaped coworker "When's the baby due?" only to get that stare that tells you instantly that she is not pregnant and you have put your foot seriously in it? Just hit the Undo button and start again. Got on a dodgy elevator instead of taking the stairs? Undo!
Also open a brief document titled "Nose Knowledge" and find these three interesting facts, which I evidently felt were important or unusual enough to capture, but which I have no recollection of writing. I didn't even know I knew the word "surfactant." The document reads as follows:
1. Chapped lips but no lip balm? Run a finger along the side of your nose and apply to your lips. The facial oils that collect on the side of your nose have natural emollients that protect lips too.
2. Another nose oil fact: if you're pouring a fizzy drink--such as soda or beer--and the foam is about to spill over, you can stop it by running a finger alongside your nose and touching that finger to the foam. The natural oils act as a surfactant and reduce the foam (be careful no one is watching you do this. They will automatically assume you are depositing boogers into a drink.)
3. The nose contains erectile tissue identical to erectile tissue, um, elsewhere in the body. Both are controlled by the same part of the brain. This is why some people have reported explosive sneezing fits during foreplay and intercourse. Also a small number of women on certain medications (notably antidepressants and antiseizure drugs) have reported experiencing orgasm after sneezing (if I ran a pharmaceutical company, I'd be throwing my entire R&D budget after that!) Any practical application? Well, if you've ever felt a sneeze coming on, only to go away (I hate when that happens), thinking of something arousing--for men, a Playboy centerfold (for my wife, an image of me cleaning the bathroom without being asked)--can trigger the sneeze.
6:40 PM: Still trapped. For an hour now. I've been trapped three other times in my life. When I was a kid, my brother dumped me into a giant wicker laundry basket, then put something heavy on top of the lid. I was probably 4 at the time, and couldn't get out, but I wasn't freaked out either. Instead, I made a little nest out of the linens in there and fell asleep. Eventually my mom got to wondering where I was, and when she couldn't find me, my brother was too scared to tell her what he had done, so a house-to-house search of the neighborhood ensued. When he thought the coast was clear, my brother returned to let me out, but mom caught him. It was a sweet moment.
Many years later, in graduate school, I lived in the servant quarters at the top of a dilapidated old mansion near Dempster St. Had my own bathroom and everything. One day, I ran to the bathroom, slammed the door shut behind me, and as it closed I heard a "sproing" and a clattering sound that suggested something essential had just come loose in the door. Sure enough, when I went to leave, the doorknob turned freely in my hand, but would no longer engage the bolt inside. I was alone--my housemates were gone for Spring Break. After a few futile minutes of trying to slide my credit card into the catch, I ultimately escaped by knocking out the hinge pins, using my toothbrush and the heel of my shoe as a hammer. Could not have been more impressed with myself if I had successfully spliced a couple of phone wires and called for help from a stalled elevator.
The worst time, though, was when I was about 8 and messing around on the roof of a house we were fixing up. I wasn't supposed to be up there, but my dad had gone down the hill to the truck about 100 yards away, so I took advantage of the fact by climbing up and having a look. My mistake was in deciding to investigate the chimney. Of course, I lost my grip and fell in feet first, slipping out of sight, getting wedged tight about three feet from the top. I tried to move, but one of the belt lugs on my pants was hooked on something. I'm not claustrophobic really, but man, it was like being entombed alive and I panicked. I shrieked as though I'd been dealt a mortal wound. My dad is generally a laid-back, phlegmatic type, but I learned that day just how quickly he could move. In about 5 seconds, he appeared--slightly winded--at the top of the chimney, leaned down, hooked a hammy fist under my arm and yanked. I was so grateful to be out of there, I didn't even mind that he had pulled me right out of my pants.
6:55 PM: Still trapped. It's dark. It's cold. Think my computer battery is dying. Feel sleepy, actually. If someone finds this on the hard drive of my laptop (after prying it from my stiff lifeless fingers), please post this final message to my blog, Somewhere on the Masthead, and let everyone know my real name is--
Hang on a sec...
6:56 PM: I can hear someone below me! Fiddling with the elevator buttons! I suck in a lungful of air and yell with such force that I pull a muscle in my foot. Faintly in the distance, I hear a voice ask, "Someone stuck in there?"
I discover that "Duh" is one of those words that loses all meaning if you scream it really loudly. But I think I got my point across.
7:10 PM: Elevator is moving! Laptop almost out of pow
10:27 PM: Home! In bed, warm, sipping a hot wife, with a drink at my feet, and the dog in my arms. Life=good.
Where was I? Seems like I was about to tell you all something important. Ah well...
"Bet you're glad to be out of there," says Her Lovely Self.
"I'll say," I mutter. "But at least I managed to keep my pants on this time."
She's giving me A Look. All of a sudden, it's colder than an elevator in here...
In Which Hearts Are Won and Broken (Again)...
Despite my big build-up to today, Valentine's Day is actually not such a big deal in our house. Her Lovely Self has no use for it, and so consequently I'm not supposed to either. But just to be on the safe side, I still come home with flowers.
As I was commenting on a few other blogs earlier: this day, I was surprised to find a little something for me when I got home: a package of athletic socks sitting on the bed.
"What's this?" I asked my wife.
She replied, "I asked you this morning if there was anything you needed."
(Pause)
"On the morning of Valentine's Day, you ask me if I need anything and the answer you heard was 'Socks'??" I asked, perhaps a tad shrilly. Although come to think of it, I actually do need socks too.
I guess the lesson is, always enunciate.
Lest you think it was just one big romantic comedy here at the Magazine Mansion, I must also report that a heart was broken too, and this day it was my daughter's heart, that sweet, 4-year-old pulsing light of my being. Although it must be said that pulsing light reports having her heart broken several times per day. This time, she was crushed because the stem of the carnation I had given her had broken, and she felt this entitled her to Mommy's bouquet. She then tried to haul the bouquet--great-grandma's antique vase and all--off the kitchen table and up to her room. I was forced to intervene and there ensued much throwing of the tantrum.
In the midst of the wailing and gnashing of teeth (what I like to think of as a Sneak Preview of the Teen Years), I sagely observed that splaying oneself upon the kitchen floor and crying oneself to the brink of hiccups was not likely to solve anything.
In a blink, the hysterics ceased and this tiny 4-year-old woman stared up at me with such intensity I actually took one step backward.
"I wouldn't have to cry if you would just follow my directions," she said evenly, then went back to the wailing and gnashing and splaying and crying.
Man, no problems enunciating there.
Hope you all had a happy VD.
# posted by Magazine Man @ 12:51 AM 3 comments
Love's Labour...Found (A Random Anecdote)
It's early June. I've just moved into a small apartment complex where everyone else is just like me: a summer intern for the largish publishing company that is based here in the South.
Oh but one difference: most of these folks are still in college. They did what all good journalism majors do, and go their internship taken care of in the summer between their junior and senior years. The summer between my junior and senior year, I hauled trash for my uncle, worked in a bank and was a receptionist at a hotel. This was because the only internships I could lineup that summer were unpaid ones and, really, I needed cash more than I needed a line on my resume.
So now here I am, one week after my 21st birthday, three weeks out of college, actually ready to start working a full-time job. Except...it's the Recession. There are no jobs! Oh, but there are internships, and this was a paid one: $250 a week (before taxes, but rent was included). So I jumped at it.
I arrived late last night and unpacked. Today, my roommate arrived and we decided to go exploring. I need to find a supermarket, a laundromat, a bookstore, the usual essentials. I meet my next-door neighbor, another intern. We hit it off and he decides to come to the mall with us, which is where the local bookstore is. My roommate goes back into the apartment to get sunblock or something, and while we're standing there in the parking lot of the little complex, I hear a voice somewhere above me.
"Are you guys going to the mall? Can I tag along?"
Our building is a two-story affair with a front balcony running the length of the second floor. A young woman is leaning over the balcony. She's wearing a skirt and front this vantage I can see right up it. Cad that I am, you'd think that's all I'd look at, but instead my gaze is riveted on the perfect lips that just uttered the words.
Her blonde hair and hazel eyes remind me of Patty's, but this is no high-school girl. This is a Woman. She has a hand on her hip in a pert, expectant way. Several seconds have elapsed and it sinks in that she has introduced herself and is waiting for a response.
"Um...hi. Hi. Hi there," I say stupidly. "Yeah, yes. We're going to the mall. Right now in fact. Come on along!"
She bounces down the stairs and I make my neighbor clamber into the back of my car so that she sits in the front seat next to me. She's absolutely lovely. She's an intern, too, and is curious and inquisitive about her newfound friends. I start doing my Smart-Ass Talking thing, which makes her smile, but not laugh. I think: Oh God, she doesn't think I'm funny. But girls always think I'm funny. It's one of my assets. Hell, that ALL I've got going for me. Feeling a little panicked despite myself, I pull out of the parking lot, partly intent on the road, mostly intent on getting this woman to laugh.
We're a mile from the mall when I realize that I've left my roommate back at the apartment.
By the end of our trip, I realize that the woman I've begun to think of as Her Lovely Self is way out of my league. Hell, scalpers wouldn't sell me tickets to watch her league play, as the saying goes.
So for the rest of the summer, I spend my time breaking up with my girlfriend and sort of hooking up with another intern, Kiki. But every time I'm walking from the building where my magazine is to, say, the library, or a coffee shop, I always find myself going way out of my way to pass the building where Her Lovely Self works. And once I'm there, I often find a reason to end up on her floor. And once I'm there, well, it would be rude not to poke my head into her cubicle and say hi. She is always nice, and seems pleased to see me. But I never quite get her to laugh. And that fact reminds me just how far out of my league Her Lovely Self is. Too bad: There is just something about her, that face, that smile, those lips that beg (for someone. Not me, but someone) to be kissed.
And then the summer ended, and that was the end of that sad little crush. I departed for a long driving tour of the Midwest, a trip which took me through Chicago, where I stayed with a friend. While I was there, I looked into a graduate program that the boss at my internship told me about. Then I drove back east, and embarked on a long and terrible fall and winter where I proceeded to remain unemployed in my career. I did, however, get to watch from a distance as Gretchen, my college girlfriend, got a job in her chosen career, promptly got a new boyfriend and moved in with him. In fact, I got to watch all my friends from college get jobs and marry or move in with significant others...except me. For a time I had a sort-of long-distance thing going with Kiki, but in the end, she turned out to be more interested in the idea of me than the actuality of me. Looking back on how I was then, I can't say I blame her.
In a moment of sheer boredom and a desperate desire to move forward somehow, I dashed off an application to that graduate journalism program my old boss had been so keen on. The application deadline was that week, and I liked the excitement, however forced and fake, of rushing to meet a deadline. It felt like work. It felt like I was doing something.
And of course what I was really doing was a whole lot of nothing. The job market in magazines was pitiful: I interviewed for an editorial assistant job at a small gardening magazine. The spot paid $18K a year and I was one of 400 people who applied. And that was considered a good prospect! So that should give you some idea how things were.
Six months out of college and the first of my student loan payments began. The old bank I worked for a couple summers earlier had offered me a job through the holidays, so I jumped at it. After the bank (where, incidentally, I met J.D. Salinger) the only job I could get was on the night shift downloading computers at a medical billing office at the hospital near my parent's house. So I had to move back home where, for the first time since childhood, I was forced to share a bedroom again with my brother, who still lived with my folks (in fact, who STILL lives with my folks. My brother is worthy of a blog devoted just to his misadventures, so I won't go into them here).
This was problem because my brother had a girlfriend, the first serious big-deal girlfriend of his life, a real hot nursing student named Kristi. My parents both worked days and my brother and I both worked nights, which meant that during the day, Kristi would sneak into the house sometimes and I, um, would be forced to vacate the room. One time, when my brother was out of town, I woke up to find Kristi getting in bed with ME! And she was wearing her student nurse's uniform (just the uniform, if you follow me). I was pretty goddamn depressed, and not a little lonely at this nadir in my life, and well, I'm as susceptible to womanly charms (and a nursing uniform) as the next man. But when your brother was the previous man, well, that was too weird for me. Oh, and I had some self-respect and a sense of loyalty to my brother. That too. So like I said, it was a time where I did a whole lot of nothing.
The medical-billing-computer-downloading thing was a good gig in that it was two hours of actual work, followed by six hours of waiting for the computers to download to the backup tape drive. I figured I might as well freelance, so I used that time to write stories and pitch letters to magazines. I sold one story to a magazine that folded one issue before running my piece. I placed another story with a local magazine that paid in contributors' copies. I tried to write for a lot of publications, including a certain kind of men's magazine ("Dear Sirs: I never believed the letters in your Forum section were true, until my brother's girlfriend, a hot nursing student, climbed into bed with me early one morning...") I collected a metric ton of rejection letters.
And then on Valentine's Day, 15 years ago, I got a phone call. It was the chairman of the graduate program at the school I'd applied to. Apparently my old boss had written quite a recommendation for me. I was offered a full-tuition scholarship to attend the program. All I had to do was pay my own food and rent. Which meant going out to Chicago to find an apartment. And starting work on my master's degree that fall.
It was an accelerated program and I got my degree in a year. I did some of the hardest work I've ever done since starting the job I have now. I also spent a little quality time with Ariana, who I had a major lust thing going for, right up until the moment we were driving to a show when, upon realizing we'd be a little late, she threw a hissy fit so severe, she lost control of the vehicle. Later she apologized and recited a list of various psychoactive pharmaceuticals she was taking. We didn't see each other much after that.
Months passed. A week before I was set to graduate, I got a call from a local publisher of trade magazines. They needed a bright new editor to come in and write stirring prose about store shelving and chain link fences. I went for the interview and met their human resources manager, who was impressed with my resume, especially my time working as a summer intern. She smiled and said, "We have somebody else on staff who was there. I think she went through the same program."
When the manager said "she" I felt every hair on my arms and neck stand up. Even though no name was said, I suddenly knew who it was. Knew it. On the way upstairs to meet the hiring editor, the human resources manager took me down a side corridor, and into an office space full of cubicles. Suddenly she stopped and peered into one cube. "I thought you might like to say hello," she said.
And there was Her Lovely Self.
"Well, there you are! I've been looking all over for you," I said, as though I'd just seen her yesterday. The human resources manager shrieked with laughter. Her Lovely Self just smiled. We chatted for all of 10 seconds--not nearly enough time to cover where we had each been since we last saw each other, nearly two years ago and 1,000 miles away. But when the manager took me upstairs to meet the editor, I knew I had to get this job. Had to. The editor was a complete dink, someone in any other circumstance I would have--should have--avoided working for. But I didn't care about this guy, or the work, or my career, at that point. Somewhere beneath my life, the great, long-dormant engine, the one labeled FATE, had begun ramping up and I knew what had to be done. I threw everything I had into winning that job. I remember gritting my teeth, making a physical effort to will this editor to hire me (and readers who followed the Salinger link earlier may recall what carried the day). Two weeks later, I got the formal job offer ("The editor thought you demonstrated a lot of passion," the human resources manager remarked at the time).
Two weeks after that, I pulled into the parking lot of my new publisher, the first day of my life as a full-fledged magazine man. As I was getting out, another car pulled up next to me, and Her Lovely Self got out.
"You got the job!" she cried, smiling that gorgeous smile.
"I got it, all right," and I made some smart remark about my new boss. She laughed. She actually laughed, a sweet, slightly startled noise, as though she had surprised herself. And perhaps she had. The engine under my life was roaring, almost deafening. But even over the thrumming in my ears, I could hear two voices: a small, desperate one that said, She's still out of your league.
Almost in rebuttal came another voice, the voice of the boy who had made Liz and the other second-grade girls laugh. The kid who made Maryanne and Robin laugh. The smart-ass who made Gina and Patty laugh. The young man whose college life had become a sit-com, one with a laugh track populated by women giggling with him (and at him).
I watched Her Lovely Self walk across the parking lot. As I did, that other voice said, You're going to spend the rest of your life making her laugh.
And so I have.
Thirteen or so years later, I'm eating dinner. I ask my son, all of 6 years old, how his day was. He rarely talks about school, so I usually have to prod. Not this time.
"Oh!" he says, dropping his fork. "Today was library day! And Mrs. Dodd let me and...well, she let me go." He says, stopping suddenly and picking up his fork and stabbing his food.
"Let you and...what? What happened?" I ask, turning The Dad Voice on. My son occasionally gets in trouble for not quite doing what he's supposed to.
Stab stab stab at the food. Head down. I'm about to repeat the question, when he looks up and says, in a funny, quavery voice, "Mrs. Dodd let me and Alyssa go." He drops his fork and lifts his arm up to cover his eyes. "And Alyssa grabbed my hand and pulled me down the hall!" His arm is still covering his eyes. He can't look at anyone, but I can see the flush in his cheeks.
Oh, my God.
From across the table, Her Lovely Self looks up. "What's wrong with your eyes?" she asks our son. She hasn't caught on. Or she's in denial.
I try to wave her off, but it's too late. The Little Sister goes into mimic mode. "Yeah, what's wrong with your eyes?"
"NOTHING!" he shouts and dashes to the bathroom.
I turn to Her Lovely Self and hiss, "It's not his eyes! It's Alyssa!"
She blinks at me, and for a second, the light flickers on. But I can see her push the idea away, violently. Her baby boy, smitten with puppy love? Impossible!!
Her Lovely Clueless Self looks concerned now, but determined to ignore me. "His face looked a little red," she continues. "Maybe he's coming down with something. Maybe I should call the doctor."
"Trust me," I say. "There's no cure."
Yours (and Hers),
Love's Labour Lost and Found (A Random Anecdote)
Okay, all kidding aside, it's kind of hard to write about my college romances, probably because they really weren't all that long ago, and some moments are still kind of awkward and painful for me to relate.
Also, the sheer lack of college romance may have something to do with it.
If you must know, fully two-thirds of my time at college was a bit like a sit-com where all the jokes hinge on the main character's disastrous liaisons, romantic near-misses and utter inability to get with the program in the "college is a time of wild sexual adventures" department.
Perhaps it's best if we move through these years via a series of character portraits:
Betty: I had kind of a low-level crush on Betty when I first met her in French class. We hung out a lot, watched TV together, went on road trips, even lived together at one point. And absolutely nothing happened EVER, except the night I walked her home from a party and she stumbled drunkenly on the sidewalk and I reached out to steady her--and accidentally made the briefest nanosecond contact with her right boob. But that hardly counts. Eventually, she just ended up in the sister-I-never-had compartment of my heart, which means that we were utterly devoted to each other, when we weren't busy pissing one another off. The plot twist: When my best friend from high school came to visit me, the thunderbolt struck them both, they fell madly in love and got married and have two kids now. And what did I get for all of that? That's right: a frickin' boob touch!
Veronica: I had kind of a low-level crush on Veronica when I first met her in this funky Honors program thing we were in. (Incidentally, this was the same day I met Betty.) Veronica didn't spend as much time with me as Betty, but when she did, she was always willing to bandy about a topic that was very much on my mind: sex. The problem was, Veronica was actually having sex with, oh, quite a lot of partners. Whereas I...was not, so our relationship was a bit uneven. On the bright side, Veronica actually let me kiss her once or twice, for which I remember feeling deep appreciation. The plot twist: Veronica once promised that, if I was completely unable to get laid during my college career, she would "step in and help me out." Boy, what a pal!
Sabrina: She claimed to be a witch, as in a worshiper of the goddess Diana. Cool, I thought, when she told me. However, I was not the least bit attracted to Sabrina, but not because of her religious preference. And not because she had extremely hairy legs (over which she insisted on wearing black panty hose with numerous runs in them, which caused all the hair to stick out in strange tufts). And it certainly wasn't because of her tendency to announce the onset of her period with the ringing cry, "There's sooooo much blood!" It was more what you might call an accumulation of traits that made me think we weren't compatible. But then one day she revealed that, via secret incantations in her room, she had placed a love spell on me (prime ingredient of the spell: menstrual fluid!) and that terrible things would befall me if I resisted. I said I'd take my chances. The plot twist: Not too much later, Sabrina was in a car accident just outside the dorm. It was a minor fender-bender and Sabrina didn't even go to the hospital. But a day later, she claimed to have amnesia, a very specific kind of amnesia that knocked all memory of me out of her head. Just to make the point, every time I saw her in the dorm, she'd come over with a quizzical look and ask, "Do I know you?" I think she was just embarrassed over the whole love spell thing and came up with a creative way of blowing me off. It worked for me.
Medusa: Veronica and I both knew Medusa from the Honors program thing we were involved in. Medusa wore very heavy makeup and had very long hair. I mean freakishly long, down to her shoelaces long. Medusa had a boyfriend who was a senior and who spent long hours working on some ill-defined project over in the communications building, which gave her a lot of free, lonely evenings. One night she invited me to her room, ostensibly to work on an honors project together. Instead, she made a clumsy pass at me, and suddenly her hair was in my eyes, my mouth, enveloping me, suffocating me. The plot twist: Then there was a knock at the door and it was the boyfriend, who gave me the stink-eye as I made good my escape. I was so flustered, I went straight to Veronica's to tell her about it. "Sounds like things got pretty hairy there," she deadpanned.
Mindy: A sweet, utterly gorgeous young woman with whom a few (not a lot, but enough) sparks flew upon our first meeting, so much so that I asked her out almost immediately and she accepted just as quickly. A few days before Spring Break, we went out, enjoyed dinner and a movie and a goodnight clinch with enough heat that I knew there'd be a second date, at least. The plot twist: When I went home for Spring Break, my mom informed me that one of my best childhood pals had killed himself. I was beyond devastated. When I got back after the break, I was exhausted and depressed and kept myself to myself. When I finally came out of it, it was almost the end of the year and Mindy was already dating someone else. Shit.
Gina: Yes, THAT Gina. The one from high school. We ended up going to college about four hours away from each other. One day, she called me out of the blue. A friend in her dorm was driving to the big city west of my college and she thought she might hitch a ride, pay a visit. She arrived early Friday night and found me and my roommate and a couple friends drinking screwdrivers and watching some home video I'd taken on my travels (I had just spent a semester in England). The evening is a blur (the screwdrivers may have had something to do with it), but I remember suddenly finding myself alone in the room with Gina (my friends had long since left and my roommate was up in his room, calling his girlfriend, who lived out of town). Next thing I know, Gina and I are going at it like we're 16 again, only sloppy-drunk. She breathes three vodka-laced words in my ear--"I want you"--and heads upstairs to my bedroom to wait for me. I'm reeling, for a lot of reasons. I thought I was over this girl. Wasn't I? We had our moment in the summer sun, years ago. No, no, this was a mistake. And yet, here's me, heading for the stairs. It was like one of those dreams where things are happening to you, but you're powerless to prevent it. The plot twist: Thank goodness I had taken the precaution of drinking as much as I did, because when I got to the top of the darkened stairwell, I became so disoriented that I ended up staggering into my roommate's room, uttered the words, "Ready when you are, baby!" then passed out on his bed. I woke up the next morning, dignity intact (well, aside from thereafter being known as the guy who got lost in his own apartment). Anyway, I showered, vomited (these actions were not sequential, but simultaneous), and later had a little about-last-night talk with Gina and we parted as friends. I saw her maybe once after that, when she visited my family in New Hampshire and somehow ended up canoodling with my Big Brother (let's let THAT image sink in for a moment). But I barely noticed at the time, because I was too busy spending my off hours with...
Gretchen: Oh man, there are still days I thank God for Gretchen (Veronica does too, since Gretchen's presence relieved Veronica from a certain promise to me). She was an absolutely charming woman of German descent who, for a time anyway, thought I was just the cat's meow. For reasons that frequently escape me, she was utterly devoted to me, and her devotion put an end to my sit-com lifestyle. I pretty much lived at her house my last year of college (much to the chagrin of her housemates, especially after I caused the washing machine to emit a black, black smoke). The plot twist: So it's kind of odd that, the summer we graduated, I couldn't get away from her fast enough. I took a summer internship at a publishing company in the south and that was the beginning of the end for Gretchen. I spent most of that summer trying to understand why I suddenly wanted to be a free agent again. Part of it was that Gretchen was ready to find an apartment and live together with a very clear view towards marriage (not immediately, but someday). Writing to a friend about my feelings at the time, I said this:
Re: my break-up with Gretchen. It's too easy to say I reverted to type and became a classic commitment-phobic male. The truth is, I'm at a point in my life where I need to commit myself to something else. I've been making some strides in my aspirations as a writer, but I have a very strong gut sense that I need to have a few wilderness years, making my way and paying my dues. Only once I've proven myself (to myself if no one else) only once I begin my career (and this internship hardly counts) do I feel like I can turn my attention to something as serious making plans to spend a future with someone.
Wow. That sounded a lot more convincing 15 years ago than it does right now. See, what I didn't know then was that, even as I wrote those words, I had already met THE love of my life.
But first, I had to survive the Season of the Crazy Women...
Patty was a freshman when I was a senior but because I had started school at a fairly young age (I entered kindergarten at 4 and just went from there), there ended up being about 18 months difference in our ages, which was about the difference between myself and Gina (and every other girl in my class). I knew her a little bit from drama club, and now here she was in the girls' chorus of the school musical.
We started talking in the early evenings before rehearsal. I lived a long way from school, and my mom (who had the car) has started working in the evenings (later, she'd get some time off to help with the musical's costumes), so I just hung around at school from the time class was over until rehearsal began. Patty, on the other hand, lived within walking distance of school, and one night she showed up early. We were the only two people in the cafeteria, and she seemed a little nervous (it wasn't til much later that I learned it was nervous excitement from being alone with me, if you can believe it) so I started making smart remarks about the adults running the play, she laughed, and we were off to the races.
Once she knew I spent almost every afternoon by myself at school, she began showing up earlier and earlier. I welcomed the company. She was a sweet, sweet girl, with curly blond hair and sea-green eyes. She was shy at first, but when she warmed up and started talking, I think we were both surprised to find out how much we had in common (I remember well her astonishment at realizing how close we were in age. I had already forgotten how, as a freshman, I had thought the seniors were so much older. She felt the same way too, so learning how old I was made her feel much more comfortable around me, one of the few times my age was ever a social advantage).
After a month or so of this, I was down in the cafeteria one Friday evening and...no Patty. At first I didn't think much of it, and then as darkness settled in, I began to worry. There had been some kind of mugging near our school a few weeks earlier. I didn't remember all the details, and didn't really care because I lived the next town over. But Patty...she walked here. How could I have been so stupid? What if something had happened to her? It was winter, it was cold, it was dark. I wasn't sure how far away Patty lived, but I knew the general direction, and it went through a part of town that suddenly was seeming downright sinister. I've always had an overactive imagination when it comes to picturing people I care about in danger (remember my dream about Robin falling off the World Trade Center?), so in very short order I had worked myself into a lather. I "borrowed" a flashlight from the stage office--a big metal one like police use because they double as cudgels--and had my winter coat on, prepared to head off into the snow...
...and here comes Patty through the door, with several members of the girls' chorus. It had been someone's birthday and they had all gone to a party after school, then come back for rehearsal.
She stopped talking to her friends right away when she saw me. "Where are you going?" she asked.
And there I am: Nanook of the North, bundled up for an expedition, ready to deal out some flashlight-handle justice in the name of this defenseless girl...who was at a birthday party. I felt silly, of course. But more relieved than anything. I'd like to tell you I uttered something dead romantic, but in the event I mumbled something about not seeing her and getting kinda worried and sorta thinking about going looking for her. Yeah, I was embarrassed.
Over time, I have come to realize that my "type" of woman, if I have one, is someone who, to varying degrees, finds the idea of a guy being worried about her to be a big turn-on. If you overdo it, you come off as being possessive, or a stalker (not that I'm speaking from experience), but I guess if the feeling is sincere enough, it pushes some serious buttons.
It certainly did in Patty's case. She lit up like a Christmas tree, gave me a smile I can still see with my eyes closed, and wrapped her arms around me, right there in front of the girls' chorus.
In short order, Patty and I started "going out"--I gave her my school ring and everything. I was pretty happy about these developments, but I think it's fair to say that Gina had a problem with it. It's probably not even stretching the truth to suggest that it drove Gina up the ever-loving wall. I don't remember feeling any satisfaction about that, although I suppose there was a certain poetic justice to it all, after the way I'd been treated when we got back to school.
But, Sensitive Guy that I was, I at last came to the conclusion that she'd had her chance. And now...well, it was time to move on. And so I did.
For the next few months, things were great, greater than great. I thought of Patty then--and sometimes think of her still--as my first love, not because I was delusional and had forgotten, oh, Liz, Maryanne, Robin and Gina, but because this was how I had always imagined love would be. That is, this pure, uncomplicated relationship where you both feel the same way about each other at the same time (for more than a couple weeks in summer, I mean), where issues of confidence and propriety become inconsequential. All that, plus a good healthy dose of hot-n-heavy teen lust.
Patty and I were inseparable. I barely remember graduating from high school because I spent most of that spring figuring out how to get over to Patty's house, or how to get her over to mine, how to sneak her out of study hall and into the student government room (to which I still had a key, from when I was a class president), where to meet her before, during or after the weekend dances. Every ounce of my being seemed bent upon the task of spending as much time as I could with her. And she was the same way. Looking back, I'm a little appalled at how single-minded I was. Granted, I had good reason because Patty was a little hottie back then, far more of one than I had any right to expect or deserve, I thought.
Well, given our mutual obsession, it's no wonder our parents--specifically our moms--got involved. And that's when it all started going sour.
To give a balanced picture, I have to say that I wasn't too thrilled when my mom started finding excuses for me not to see Patty. We had a few arguments about it and that wasn't pretty. I realize now that she was trying to be the voice of reason (seeing as how I didn't have one of my own at that time). I was going off to college in a few months; Patty had three more years of high school. You could see where she was going with this: a long-term, long-distance relationship was just not going to make sense. I understood it; I just wasn't happy about it--nor happy with my mom for pointing it out.
But my mom's intervention was nothing--NOTHING--like what Patty experienced from her mom.
Her mom was...what's the word? Oh yes--NUTS. I'm convinced the woman was functionally insane. I later found out that when she first heard Patty had a crush on me (way back in the drama club play days), she would encourage Patty to walk over to school early to see me. Would sometimes even drop her off. After we started dating, she would pump Patty for absolutely every painstaking detail of every time we spent together. Patty ended up telling her stuff about us that I STILL wouldn't want MY mother to know about. It all sounded pretty goddamn creepy to me, this old woman (Patty was the youngest of 7 kids, and a pretty big surprise, if you know what I mean) living vicariously through her 16-year-old daughter.
I wasn't the only one who thought the woman was creepy. I remember driving home one night after our families had spent the day together, my mom was really quiet. I knew she and Patty's mom had chatted, but she wouldn't say what they discussed. All my mom would say was, "Be careful around that poor girl's mother."
And I began to see why my mom might want to warn me. When Patty's mom wasn't egging Patty on and pumping her for juicy details, she would turn around and lay the Catholic-mom-keep-your-virtue-guilt-trip on her. Psychologists have a term for this, you know: it's called crazy-making behavior. And after a while, I guess it did make Patty crazy, in a way.
For starters, out of nowhere, she started flying into these insane jealous rages about my time pursuing Gina. Never mind that she and I were history by the time Patty and I started dating. The problem, see, was that my mom and Gina's mom were still friends, and sometimes Gina would tag along if her mom came to our house to visit. Just knowing Gina and I were in the same house together when she wasn't there was enough to send Patty into these crazy rages that were positively frightening (and she was much smaller than I). It got to the point where I found myself ignoring Gina as completely as I could, and not just in class, but whenever I saw her, which was more than rude; it was unworthy of me (and of her). And yet, I was so committed to maintaining Patty's increasingly delicate emotional equilibrium that I hardly knew what else to do.
Except for one thing.
So, one night late in August, a few weeks before I was to head off to college some 500 miles away, we had yet another stupid little argument, only this one ballooned into an ugly blow-out in my driveway. We said some awful things to one another (I might have said something about her being as crazy as her mother, for example) before she hurled my class ring at me and got in her car. With gravel flying from under the spinning wheels, Patty reversed out of the driveway--and my life.
Although it seemed like ages, it had been almost exactly a year ago that I had come to end of my idyllic summer with Gina and would embark on THAT wild emotional ride. And now here I was, at the end of another summer, alone and confused and annoyed and frustrated and just at the end of my rope.
But as my thoughts turned to the great new adventure I was about to begin, I was in a more philosophical frame of mind. On the one hand, I was now not going to be to Patty what that College Guy had been to Gina, and that in itself seemed like some kind of moral victory.
On the other hand, I was grateful for my experience with Gina and Patty. I thought: My God, what one can learn in a year about the minds and bodies of women. It had been by turns sad and wonderful, and while I could have done without the crazier parts, on the whole I felt somehow that every moment of my experience in the past year would ultimately serve some greater good. Or at least some personal good. Either way.
And on the third hand, I was now a free agent. College--and college women--beckoned. I think don't think it's telling tales out of school to say that part of me (not saying which part) was looking forward to the immediate future as the...heh heh heh...Season of Sowing My Wild...BWAH-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA ...ahuhahuhA-HA-HA-HA-HAH-HAH-HAH-HAH-HAHAAAAA
(gasp) Oh God, heh-heh-heh, I'm so sorry. Hahahahaha. I just couldn't type that last part and keep a straight face. Because, see, I already know the punchline to this joke...
For those of you just tuning in, I can't seem to shut up about the great (and small) loves of my life. Having started with Liz and Maryanne and continued with Robin, and, uh, some more Robin, we're finally seeing some action as our hero, age 16, finds himself in the wilds of northern New England, in a town of less than 200 people, with nobody else his age to hang out with except Gina, his comely and, it must be said, well-constructed high school crush, who has come to visit him for a month.
Finally, oh thank you God, FINALLY, our hero has gotten over himself and kissed the girl. As the young couple stands on the sun-dappled shores of a pristine lake, he delivers a line that for the next 20 years no one will believe he had the presence of mind to utter at 16 (but he did, oh yes, he said every word) and summons the nerve to pucker up. In his passion, our hero leans in too far, loses his balance, and falls face-first into the lake. It was embarrassing. It was an accident. But it was the best accident of his young life...
Right, so we'll just let that sink in for a moment.
At the time, I remember looking on our afternoons alone like we were on a desert island. It did seem like we were the only two people in the world, and that was just fine with me. The reader will note that I am absenting any specific details, not because they're particularly sordid (if you must know, it was pretty innocent teenage clinching and groping) but just because when I think back on that time, it's not really what happened that I remember, but how I felt. I was just happy. Things seemed to have clicked into place. Up until that point, all my crushes and puppy loves had been juvenile things. Now, I had a real girlfriend 'n stuff.
A couple weeks later, Gina and her mom went home and we had a pretty interesting exchange of letters, the high point of which was the letter she sent telling me she loved me, a letter I still have somewhere, and which I still remember reading over and over in a state of total bliss.
And then I returned from New England to begin my senior year of high school and it all went to hell in a handbasket.
Where to begin? Well, for starters, the girlfriend thing never really happened, not with Gina, not after that summer. When I arrived back home, I learned that in a post-idyll-in-New-England attack of guilt, Gina went back to her college-bound boyfriend, who for the rest of the year could be counted on to turn up pretty much every weekend and holiday that I wanted to be with Gina (which was all of them). I had, you might say, a problem with that.
Then there was the Underclassman, this junior who started hitting on Gina and whose attentions Gina found flattering, so the next thing I know they're canoodling at the Saturday night dance (the one weekend College Guy wasn't in town, natch) while I'm stuck at home, fuming. I also had a problem with that.
But, but this summer, we... I thought. But, but that letter... I thought. I never got a straight answer about what had changed. So I got fed up and washed my hands of her. I quietly resolved to keep my distance. Several times, in fact. See, it was tough because whenever the College Guy wasn't around, Gina would come back, all goo-goo eyes and flirty. And well, good God, I'm just a guy, you know? And back then, just a 16-year-old guy, at that. Self-respect? Dignity? Sometimes I had it. Mostly, not so much. Eventually, I had to face up to the truth that, with her steady squeeze gone, she wanted to play the field, and I was just another chalky white line in the turf.
It came down to this: I was NEVER going to get back to that brilliant summer, that first kiss. Once that realization sank in (and I'm embarrassed to say it was a long time sinking in), I realized that Gina was a bad habit I needed to give up.
It was awkward, though. Our moms were still good friends so we were constantly thrown together. And I think Gina was a decent enough person to feel bad about pinballing between me and her significant other, but couldn't quite help herself. I think she spent a lot of that winter feeling lonely and genuinely missing me. To make matters worse, it wasn't like I had anyone else interested in ME (or so I thought), so I was lonely too. But I resisted, survived a season of great temptation, and am so glad I did.
It helped that I kept myself busy in school, particularly extracurricular stuff, like drama club. At Christmas, I was cast in the lead role of one of three plays that were put on for the school and alumni. There was a little awards ceremony after the plays and a panel of audience judges awarded me the best actor prize, which was cool. More interesting was the fact that one of the judges was the guy who directed the school musicals. He knew me because for three years I had been the All Purpose Guy during the musicals: I worked lights, I painted scenery, I helped the real actors run through their lines, and even occasionally got cast in crowd scenes on stage. "Why have you never tried out for a lead in any of my musicals?" he demanded.
"I can't sing," I said.
"Sing Jingle Bells with me," he said. I was full of adrenaline from being on stage and winning the award and all, so I belted out the song, and only after I finished did I realize he had stopped singing it with me after "Dashing through the snow..."
"See you at rehearsal," he said.
And just like that, I was cast as one of three male leads in the school musical.
I mention my thespian career, such as it was, because (and you could probably see this coming) Gina was cast as the sole female lead (oh, Fate thy fickle thumbnail is sharp!), and suddenly it was as though art was trying to imitate my life of the previous few months, as the male leads, on stage (and sometimes off) tried to curry her favor.
As amusing as these little twists seem now, at the time I was in a high state of perturbation. How had my life turned into such a frigging soap opera? Was I never going to pull myself free of Gina's orbit? Couldn't I just have a girlfriend without all the asinine complications?
As it turned out, the resolution to these questions was not long in coming. Because somewhere in the middle of this, right smack in the proverbial Thick Of Things, I began to notice Patty...
In Which I Follow Management Advice From My Dad...
My dad and I couldn't be more different. He barely hits 5-foot-5; I'm just a whisker shy of 6 feet. He started losing his hair at 19; thank God I still have mine. I lost the last vestiges of my New England accent when I started working for a college radio station; my dad's accent has only grown thicker with age to the point that, if the word "ayuh" was in a dictionary, you'd find it in a word balloon above a picture of my father, by Gorry.
If you've viewed the images of him in my little holiday tale, you can see for yourselves he's a bit on the rustic side, somewhere between a gnome and Santa Claus's kid brother. I'm no cover model, to be sure, but I don't look anything like that. I have a longer face, a significantly less bulbous nose. Also glasses, without which I am functionally blind. Well into his 60s, my dad still has the eyesight of a fighter pilot.
In our life's work, we've gone in different directions. By trade, my dad is a welder, coordinating teams of pipe-fitters at thousands of construction sites across the country, but his knowledge extends well into carpentry, electrical work, plumbing, masonry, and other related areas. He can and has built houses from scratch. It's all I can do to center a picture frame or hang a bookshelf level.
Which is why in some ways I am astonished at how alike we are, how much overlap we have in our professional lives. Mostly this is because I have my dad's work ethic (something he would not have believed possible, when I was 13 and used to hide in the woods any time yardwork needed doing). Some years ago, when I was working on a photo shoot of assorted electronics and giant home-exercise products and what not, we hired some guys to come in and assemble some of the more elaborate items. At least three of the big items were put together incorrectly. The photographers assured me no one would notice, but the night before the shoot, I went to the studio and stayed well into the wee hours re-assembling the stuff so it would function correctly. Getting it right, even though no one else will notice or care: that's what my dad would do.
We're also both managers, and the longer I'm in management, the more I find myself looking to my dad for an example of how to handle things. If he has a problem with an employee, he handles it himself. He doesn't go in for back-stabbing political maneuvering. He doesn't go to his superiors to have them lower the boom on a malingering worker, or to document grievances so that human resources can initiate a formal probation. Forget that shit: He goes toe-to-toe with the guy and they either work it out, or my dad shows him the door.
My dad was very much on my mind once, some years ago, after an uncomfortable staff meeting in which it was announced that we had incurred some hefty overtime charges at the printer for our latest issue. Specifically, for one of my stories, in which an image had to be changed at the last minute. The new image was sent to the printer on time, but someone hadn't changed the caption to match the new image. Captions are words, and words are the editor's problem, so I caught the heat.
But the truth is, a certain person, notorious on staff (actually, in the company) for lazy, corner-cutting habits, sent the new image to the printer without telling anybody like, oh, the editor. I didn't even know a new image had been chosen until I saw the final proof. But by then, you're paying overtime fees for any changes so we were stuck. It was not the first time this sort of thing has happened. And there was always some excuse to the effect of how much work this person had or how busy they were and how much trouble it would have been to go find an editor (who were all in a 20-foot radius from this person's door. Also, the editors all had phones and email accounts. I checked.)
I can't stand lazy people who get away with slipshod work, and in that my dad and I have another thing in common. I really wanted to speak up for myself in the meeting. But I could hear my dad saying, "Hog the blame, share the credit, especially in front of the bigwigs." Everyone who mattered knew the back-story there. If I tried to explain what happened, I would just look like some weasel-y defensive manager trying to palm the blame off on another department. So I shut my mouth and made the mea culpa face.
But another one of my dad's nuggets of managerial wisdom is, "If you gotta eat shit for someone, make sure they KNOW you ate shit for them." The philosophy being: if the person you're shielding is a good worker, they're worth eating shit for, and knowing you shielded them makes them more inclined to trust you and be loyal to you and work better for you. And if they're a lazy-ass slipshod dink, they need to know that they haven't gotten away with something. So you better believe I had something to say to this person later, in private.
I've often thought that much of my dad's managerial wisdom could be made into an entertaining and effective book for all managers: Blue-Collar Wisdom for Blue-Chip Companies, something like that. Too bad my dad doesn't know anyone who writes...
Of course, I'd have a hard time making some of my dad's management experiences work for a mass audience. He's still a legend in certain circles for dealing with a disgruntled employee who stormed the job site the day after my dad fired him. The guy was a gorilla, an ex-Marine who was well over a foot taller than my dad. He had put bigger men in the hospital and had in fact been fired for threatening a co-worker with a knife. He had that knife now as he confronted my dad.
"Try and throw me off the job now, you sumbitch," the ex-Marine brayed, his face inches from my father's. "A pissant like you--you'll never put a hand on me!" he boasted.
"You got that right," said my dad, who ignited the welding torch he was holding, and set the guy's shirt on fire. While the ex-Marine was hopping around trying to put himself out, my dad cold-cocked him with a length of pipe.
See? This sort of thing almost never happens in corporate America.
In Which I Am Double-Tongue Tied...
The tireless staff here at Somewhere On the Masthead (that would be me and the dog) are just beside themselves with glee tonight, after having discovered this entry (scroll down til you find "Tetris edit") at the Double-Tongued Word Wrester site. As they correctly note at the top of the page, my little, ahem, neologism, may never make it to common parlance, but just having it recorded somewhere besides here feels like an accomplishment.
So, did somebody send them a link to my entry on Tetris editing? If so, fess up in comments so I can thank you properly!
And if Grant Barrett's crack team of hardened wordhunters found this site on their own, we bid you welcome, and hope you'll come back soon, even if that "crack team" turns out to be only a man and his dog, just like
In Which Youth Is Wasted...
What a day. The kids are sick. I'm STILL sick. I feel like I'm wearing a label that reads: MM's Cold, New and Improved--now, with a SINUS Infection!
Times like this, I wonder where I get the energy to make it through the day.
And then I find this, something I wrote almost exactly 10 years ago, and I wonder where the hell all THAT energy went:
Well, on Friday, I met my impossible copy deadline for my first book. The original copy deadline was a nice, respectable, middle of April sort of thing. Then, by way of a New Year's gift, it was handed down from on high that this book should come out much sooner, so our deadline got backed up to February 1.
(insert dramatic chord here)
This may not sound like the big, splintery pole up the butt that it was, so let me clarify. Before the deadline shift, I was expected to put out 12 pages of copy per week. With the deadline change, I was writing between 23 and 25 pages a week.
But now it's done, and the beauty of it was that my deadline fell just afore the weekend. And Her Lovely Self and I have tickets to Chicago. Before the flight, after my deadline, I went out first with the guys from the office to a bar in the basement of an 18th century farmhouse, drank barley wine for 90 minutes (ever had it? thick as stout, sweet as cider, strong as whiskey), then found I could barley drive home.
Got home, got a hangover, got packed. Her Lovely Self and I raced to l'aeroport, got our 8:35 flight and touched down in Chi-town at 9:40. Pal Jeff picked us up and drove us straight to the Huettenbar, in our old neighborhood. There, we met Bill and his new squeeze. I was recovered from my hangover, and was in rare form for a little hair o' the dog that bit me.
It didn't end there. After the bar closed, we careened to White Castle and ate a half-dozen sliders apiece, then collapsed back at Bill's, our stomachs gurgling and hissing louder than the radiators in his apartment.
Two hours later, we ate a massive breakfast of pancakes and bacon, then went to the skating rink on State St., downtown Chicago, right across from Marshall Field. I have never skated before, and found it to be an experience almost totally, but not entirely, unlike skiing. Plus, it was 40 degrees out, so it was really a kind of water-skating that we were doing. I did this long enough to look like a good sport whilst Her Lovely Self, who took skating lessons in her youth, and Bill, who is so good he OWNS his own skates, gamboled and spun across the ass-breaking surface with a heedless abandon that made me want to spill a bag of kitty litter in their paths. I checked in my rented skates, then we wobbled off to Al's Italian Beef, where we ate hot dogs and fries and dripping Italian beef sandwiches that melt in your mouth.
We raced back to Bill's in time to drink some more beer, then went out to Delisi's for the best deep-dish pizza you can find in Chicago, perhaps America. Also, we had something to drink.
After that, it was off to see the theater troupe known as Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind, a scene which I enjoyed, and which was populated by people I enjoyed making much fun of. Not of the troupe itself, for they were excellent and entertaining in the extreme, but for the bevy of slackers and poseurs who waited with us for the 11:30 show to begin.
To set the scene: The theater is above a funeral home. You get there around 10:15, and a guy hands you a plastic ticket--it's your place on line when they finally open the theater doors. Meanwhile, you wander around this huge second floor, which has a coffee bar and a giant auditorium type room that features the work of a different artist each week.
This week, it appeared the art was a series of quasi-Illuminated self-portraits of the artist, who looked a little like Bobcat Goldthwait, only buck-naked and 60 pounds heavier. Painting after painting sported bronze and gold leaf frills, with a cut-out black and white image of the guy pasted over the metals. One was called "St. Aubergine's Rise to Himself" and it was a nude self-portrait of the artist, in Christ pose, shlong hanging out. Glued to the painting were three vials, helpfully labeled: one contained the artist's blood, one contained some of his fingernails, and one contained a few of his pubic hairs.
Meanwhile, two extremely hirsute fellows in Atari t-shirts appeared, set up a drum kit and a few horns, and began blatting and whisking. If someone had been there to recite beat poetry in the foreground, it would have been acceptable. As it was, it was just plain annoying. They stopped every so often to announce that they'd appreciate payment so they could eat. Before I could stop myself, I blurted "I'll pay you to stop playing." and enough people heard me nearby to start applauding. The musicians thought it was for them and were inspired to play even worse.
We finally got in to the theater after a paying experience you won't find on Broadway. The price per person is three bucks, plus a roll of a die. Her Lovely Self rolled a one, I rolled a four. Kind of a neat idea--the nightly take is left largely to chance.
We got our seats and had a wonderful time. Too Much Light's gig is they perform 30 plays in 60 minutes. The numbers 1 thru 30 are hung on a string above the stage, and the audience screams out which number they want them to perform, until they're all done or the 60 minutes are up. It's a wonderful notion; I imagine you never get bored attending, or performing, come to that. Cos each week, the players write at least six new plays--they've done 1,900 this year--and they run the gamut, from comedy (I howled at a two-minute play called The Lame Ass Show On Earth, a circus spoof that is impossible to describe); to political theater (one of the players in a spotlight, angsting over the fact that he was updating the company's mailing list, and noticed an address from a Navy base in Annapolis. His dilemma: If he puts the guy's name in the database, he'll automatically get all of the company's flyers, including the one touting their annual gay/lesbian awareness performance--receiving this in the mail at a naval base is enough to warrant that man's investigation by internal services. Should he put the guy's name on the list?); to absurdity (one play called Pushing the Envelope, featured just that--a guy kicking an envelope across the stage).
At the end of the night, the troupe had pizza delivered for the audience (their show sold out, and their motto is, When We Sell Out, We Order Out) and sang a cute little song about how much they loved us (You came to Our Show/That Makes Our Hearts Glow).
Then, they took a minute to introduce the awtist, St. Aubergine himself, who it turned out was sitting right in front of me the whole time. "Is this your first pubic--uh, public exhibition?" I asked.
On the way back to Bill's, we stopped at a couple bars, then got up on Sunday for a huge breakfast at Walker Bros., a pancake joint out in the burbs, which I had never heard of. But they served coffee in big cups, the kind you have to put your whole face in to get the last sip. I ate giant flapjacks--as big as the plates. Then, since it was 50 degree weather out, we went and played miniature golf. At the 9th hole, the temperature dropped 15 degrees in 5 minutes. We played a fast nine more holes, then went bowling. Finally, we packed up our gear and on the way to the airport, stopped in at Byron's for a Chicago-style hot dog. We got to the airport just in time, had a 90 minute flight back home In bed by midnight. Whew!
I have indigestion just reading that. I remember the slog to get that book done. I wrote close to 20,000 words in less than a week. And then boozed it up with the staff, hopped a plane to Chicago and back, ready to go to work Monday! All that in 48 hours! If I tried that today, I'd still be in the basement of that farmhouse bar, face-down, snoring in my own drool.
And I'd be glad to get the extra sleep!
Gawd I feel old.
I had known Gina since 8th grade. Our moms were good friends; both volunteered at the library and worked on costumes for school plays. Gina was vivacious and quick-witted, and a shameless tease (being well constructed for her age didn't hurt either). So it was only a matter of time--in this case, right around spring of junior year--before I developed the most hopeless crush on her. Hopeless because she was dating an older guy, a senior who would soon be graduating and would therefore be a college guy, which at the time conferred on him a certain kind of elan and sophistication that I didn't think I could match (although now it occurs to me the guy was a bigger doof than I was, and who would have thought that possible?).
Instead of pining for the girl, though, I found myself flirting with her, or at least trying to bend my smartass snappy patter to the task of charming her, something I had never consciously attempted before. It wasn't a level of verbal interplay on par with Cary Grant and Katharine Hepburn, to be sure, but it felt like it.
And then the year ended and I had to go away for the summer, first to this dumb-ass camp for high-school leaders, and then on to New England, where my family had taken to spending every summer since we moved back from the Midwest. I remember thinking: What lousy timing. Just when things were getting interesting.
So you can imagine my surprise and delight when I arrived in New England after my leadership camp and learned that my mom had invited Gina and her mom to come for a visit.
They arrived in the middle of summer with their camper and stayed for almost a month. I was working for my uncle at the time, who was the town land baron--and trash collector. "Mistah Man, we are gonna work your skinny ass off," he remarked--with a certain unnecessary glee--when I first began working for him. "But by gorry," he continued, "before summer is over, you're gonna be able to crack a walnut on that ass!"
No, I never tried to, but I must admit that working for my uncle put me in the best shape of my life, and my long hours in the sun had burned the acne off my face and shoulders. I'm sure time and a general tendency towards self-mythologizing have skewed my memory of the figure I cut summer I was 16, but hey, it's my memory, and if Gina had found me that hard on the eyes, what happened wouldn't have happened.
And what happened at first was...well, a lot of nothing.
Because for most of her first week there, all she did was talk about her boyfriend, the guy who was starting college in the fall. The guy she'd been dating for most of high school. The guy who wanted to have a long-distance relationship with her, see her on weekends and holidays. I was a little nonplussed. When this guy graduated, I had thought that Gina might now be turning her attention to some new contenders and that I might be one of them. I thought her coming to visit might present me with an opportunity for making, move-wise.
But hearing her moan on and on about her boyfriend threw me. Suddenly, I was 12 again, nailed to my seat at the 8th grade dance, slowly letting my moment slip away.
It didn't help that my uncle was ribbing me mercilessly about my comely visitor. Like my dad, my uncle was a true rustic, a son of northern New England and gifted with equal powers of plain-speaking and ribald humor at the expense of others.
Which is why every morning of Gina's visit, I'd hop in the cab of the dump truck, he'd wave pleasantly to Gina (who often as not woke up to see me off) and then turn to me and ask, "So, ol' fella, you puttin' the wood to her yet? By Gorry, I wish you'd come out of it already and get your leg over."
Most mornings I just sat silently, my face turning red. But one morning I just laid it out for him, telling him how she never shut up about her boyfriend and how mixed my signals were. And he just looked at me with a mixture of pity and wry amusement.
"I dunno why in hell you're so het up. She's here, ain't she? Seems to me the only reason she's yammerin' on about the other fella is she's looking to you to stop her mouth for her," he remarked, then added as a helpful after-thought. "And by Gorry, if you ain't fit to do it, I'd be most glad to trade places with you. Holy-o Christ, ol' fella, what do you think's gonna happen if you muckle onto her anyway?"
"What if I'm wrong?" I asked. "What if she pushes me away? I'm not up for that rejection."
"Oh hell!" said my uncle. "So what? At least you tried. And if she kicks you in the balls for it, well, then it all becomes part of a really good story, don't it?"
It was an absurd moment, me getting romantic advice from the garbageman. But he had a point...
That day, like all the others, my uncle worked from dawn til about 2 in the afternoon, and after that I was free. My mom and Gina's mom spent nearly every day off at antique stores and flea markets, (my dad was working out of state at this point and my brother worked 12-hour days at some restaurant) so when I came back to our lakeside "camp" (which was a pretty nice vintage Airstream trailer up on blocks) to get cleaned up, the only person waiting for me was Gina.
That day, I washed up and changed and we went down to the lake. It was one of those perfect mild New England summer days. The sun was bright and hot, but a breeze coming in off the lake made the weather perfect. We took off our shoes and socks and stood on the sandy shore, soaking up the moment. And then Gina started talking about her boyfriend again.
My heart was beating in my throat. She was never going to give me the opening I had been waiting for, although exactly what I thought that opening would be, I'm not sure. I probably just wanted her to say "Kiss me, you fool!" and take the pressure off me. Was I ever going to get over this moment, the paralyzing moment of indecision that had caused me to miss other opportunities?
She was still going on about College Guy and how she wasn't sure how this would work out. I put my hand on her supple, bronze arm.
"You have to stop talking for a minute. There's something I have to say."
She turned and looked at me, the breeze riffling her raven-black hair, her dark eyes reflecting two pinpoints of sunlight. Somewhere in the distance I could hear the laughter of children. Beneath me, waves rolled in, then washed back out, drawing sand out from under our feet each time. As the sand and the water rushed away, it felt like some great and subtle force was tugging at the soles of our feet, drawing us in.
"Do you feel that under your feet? Like something's pulling you in?" I asked, my mouth bone-dry. She nodded. "Well that's how I always feel around you. That's what it feels like to be attracted to you. That's--" and then I ran out of words. So I kissed her.
As moments go, it was a pretty good one. One of the best.
I remember thinking one thing: It all becomes part of a really good story.
And then I lost my balance, grabbed her arm and fell into the lake...
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New direction for shared health data: MOH
July 10, 2019 Staff reporters
The Ministry of Health (MOH) confirmed it’s moved away from the idea of building a single Electronic Health Record (EHR) towards developing a national health information platform (HIP) allowing easier sharing of patient data, reported Health Informatics New Zealand (HiNZ).
MOH deputy director Shayne Hunter revealed the change of direction in his keynote address at the Emerging Tech in Health conference in Christchurch on 21 May. The ministry is now focusing on joining up data services to provide information about a patient via a national health information platform, he said. “This is intended to be not just a technical platform, but a range of other components to enable us to support better information sharing across the sector.”
The plan to build a national EHR was expected to take three to five years when first announced by the government in 2015, but the process has been plagued by hiccups.
Ministry digital strategy group manager Darren Douglass told HiNZ that interoperability was core to the new platform, which would “have the ability to assemble a virtual electronic record on an ‘as required’ basis from multiple trusted sources, and provide access to data and services.” This would make the HIP a key enabler for real-time clinical decision support, empowering patients to self-manage their health and wellbeing and data-driven healthcare, he said.
The ministry is planning a phased approach to implementation with investment in tranches and avoiding any ‘lock in’ to a single technology solution.
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Tag Archives: Censorship
Investigating the investigative reporters: Bad news from Down Under
Australian federal police entering the Australian Broadcast Company headquarters on June 5, 2019. A.B.C. screenshot from videotape
Michael J. Socolow, University of Maine
Sometimes the best journalism tells us the worst news.
The United States has a tradition of learning troubling news through extraordinary reporting efforts from combat zones. During the Vietnam War, award-winning journalism revealed the slaughter of Vietnamese civilians by American soldiers at My Lai. More recently, reports describing the torture and abuse of prisoners at Abu Ghraib in Iraq embarrassed the U.S. government.
Such investigative reporting ultimately helped American citizens hold accountable those charged with acting in their name. But that didn’t mean the news was welcome, or even appreciated, at the time. Continue reading →
This entry was posted in Civil Rights, Corruption, Government, Media Issues, National Security vs Police State and tagged "fake news", Abu Ghraib, Al Jazeera, Australia, Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Censorship, Civil Rights, CNN, Corruption, Donald Trump, First Amendment, Media Issues, Mohammed Bin Salman, My Lai, Police State, Press Freedom, Rodrigo Duterte, San Francisco, Scott Morrison, Watergate on June 16, 2019 by ew.
“This Is What Fascists Do”: Trump Attempted to Suppress State Dept Analyst’s Testimony on Climate Crisis
“This is as damning as it is shameful.”
State Department intelligence analyst Rod Schoonover’s testimony was nearly suppressed last week by the Trump administration. Schoonover testified before a House committee about the national security risks posed by the climate crisis. (Photo: Environmental Change and Security Program/Flickr/cc)
The Trump administration issued one of its most blatant attacks on climate science this past week when it tried to stop a State Department employee from testifying on the climate crisis, reports showed on Saturday.
As the Washington Post reported, intelligence analyst Rod Schoonover’s testimony was submitted to the White House for approval ahead of his planned appearance before the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. His remarks focused on the national security risks posed by the climate crisis. Continue reading →
This entry was posted in Civil Rights, Climate Change & Environmental Issues, Corruption, Economics, Energy, Government, National Security vs Police State, Technology and tagged Atrocities, Censorship, Center for Climate and Security, Civil Rights, Climate Change, Corruption, Council on Strategic Risks, Donald Trump, Economics, Energy, Environment, Fossil fuels, House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, NASA, National Security Council, Office of Legislative Affairs, Oil, Rod Schoonover, Security, technology, William Happer on June 10, 2019 by ew.
After Netflix Pulls Episode at Saudi Request, Comic Hasan Minhaj Urges Donations for Suffering Yemen
While Saudi Arabia attempts to ban content critical of its crown prince, “Let’s not forget that the world’s largest humanitarian crisis is happening in Yemen right now.”
Comedian Hasan Minhaj responded Wednesday to Netflix’s decision to take an episode of his show “Patriot Act” off its platform in Saudi Arabia after the government complained it was critical of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. (Photo: @Complex/Twitter)
Taking advantage of the recent attention brought to his Netflix series “Patriot Act” by the Saudi government’s objection to an episode that criticized Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, comedian Hasan Minhaj called on supporters to contribute to aid efforts in Yemen while mocking the prince’s insistence that the episode be banned in Saudi Arabia.
On Tuesday, on Saudi orders, Netflix removed from its Saudi platform a “Patriot Act” episode released shortly after the killing of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi by Saudi agents—which the CIA concluded was ordered by bin Salman, often called MbS—because Minhaj discussed the need for the U.S. to cut ties with the Saudis in light of the murder. However, the episode remained on YouTube in the country and is still available on Netflix outside Saudi Arabia. Continue reading →
This entry was posted in Civil Rights, Corruption, Government, Human Rights, International Agreements, Media Issues, National Security vs Police State, Peaceful resistance, Refugee Issues, Religion, Social Justice, Uncategorized, War, War Crimes and tagged Atrocities, Censorship, Civil Rights, Corruption, Hasan Minhaj, Human rights, International Agreements, Jamal Khashoggi, Media Issues, Mohammed Bin Salman, Netflix, Police State, refugees, religion, Saudi Arabia, social justice, War, War Crimes, Yemen, YouTube on January 3, 2019 by ew.
Facebook’s Secret Censorship Manual Exposed as Platform Takes Down Video About Israel Terrorizing Palestinians
Journalist Rania Khalek, whose video was restored after public outcry, says the ability of social media giants “to disappear content as they please” is “creepy and alarming and should be loudly opposed.”
By Jessica Corbett, staff writer for Common Dreams. Published 12-28-2018
The New York Times on Thursday published a report on Facebook’s censorship policies.(Photo: Legal Loop)
After the New York Times on Thursday published an exposé of Facebook‘s global censorship rulebook, journalist Rania Khalek called out the social media giant for taking down a video in which she explains how, “on top of being occupied, colonized territory, Palestine is Israel’s personal laboratory for testing, refining, and showcasing methods and weapons of domination and control.”
Tweeting out the Times report—and noting that while, according to the newspaper, “moderators were told to hunt down and remove rumors wrongly accusing an Israeli soldier of killing a Palestinian medic,” Israeli soldiers did fatally shoot an unarmed 21-year-old female paramedic earlier this year—she announced Friday morning that Facebook had “just removed” her video. Continue reading →
This entry was posted in Civil Rights, Corruption, Demonstrations & Protests, International Agreements, Media Issues, National Security vs Police State, Religion, Social Justice, Technology, War Crimes and tagged Censorship, Civil Rights, Corruption, Eric Schmidt, Facebook, Freedom of Press, Glenn Greenwald, Google, Human rights, International Agreements, Israel, Mark Zuckerberg, Max Fisher, Media Issues, New York Times, Palestine, Protests, Rania Khalek, religion, Security, Sheryl Sandberg, social justice, Social Media, Sundar Pichal, War Crimes on December 29, 2018 by MNgranny.
‘Shameful and Cowardly’: CNN Fires Marc Lamont Hill for Daring to Denounce Oppression of Palestinians
The firing of the cable news contributing analyst called “a major defeat for the right to advocate for Palestinian rights, to freely critique the Israeli government, and for the ability of journalism and public discourse in the U.S. generally to accommodate dissent.”
By Jake Johnson, staff writer for Common Dreams. Published 11-30-2018
“I support Palestinian freedom. I support Palestinian self-determination. I am deeply critical of Israeli policy and practice,” Hill wrote in a series of tweets after he was fired by CNN. (Photo: CNN/Screengrab)
In a move decried by critics as blatant suppression of dissent and an attack on all who advocate for the rights and dignity of the Palestinian people, CNN on Thursday fired contributor Marc Lamont Hill for daring to denounce the oppression of Palestinians and endorse “a single secular democratic state for everyone” over the failed two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict.
CNN terminated Hill just 24 hours after he delivered a speech at a meeting of the U.N.’s Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People in New York, in which he expressed support for Palestinians’ resistance against brutal Israeli occupation, denounced Israel for actively depriving Palestinians of basic human rights, and called for a “free Palestine from the river to the sea.” Continue reading →
This entry was posted in Civil Rights, Corruption, Demonstrations & Protests, Human Rights, International Agreements, Media Issues, Refugee Issues, Religion, Social Justice, War Crimes and tagged Censorship, Civil Rights, CNN, Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People, Corruption, First Amendment, Freedom of Press, Freedom of Speech, Gaza, Human rights, Israel, Jewish Voice for Peace, Marc Lamont Hill, Media Issues, Palestine, Protests, religion, social justice, United Nations, War Crimes on December 2, 2018 by MNgranny.
330,000+ Sign Petition Calling on White House Press Corps to ‘Stand Up and Fight Back’ After Acosta Blacklisted
“The rest of the White House Press Corps will line up in solidarity—and either refuse to participate in White House press events or only ask questions on behalf of the banned reporter/outlet until the ban is lifted.”
By Jon Queally, staff writer for Common Dreams. Published 11-8-2018
Jim Acosta at a campaign rally. Photo: Gage Skidmore/flickr
An online petition is surging towards its goal of 350,000 signatures on Thursday as it called on members of the White House Press Association to stand in solidarity against the Trump adminstration’s decision to strip credentials from CNN report Jim Acosta.
Posted on MoveOn.org’s platform, but coordinated by the watchdog group Media Matters for America, the petition reads:
If Trump blacklists or bans one of you, the rest of you need to stand up. Instead of ignoring Trump’s bad behavior and going about your business, close ranks and stand up for journalism. Don’t keep talking about what Trump wants to talk about. Stand up and fight back. Amplify your colleague’s inquiry or refuse to engage until he removes that person/outlet from the blacklist.
This entry was posted in Civil Rights, Corruption, Demonstrations & Protests, Government, Living Examples, Media Issues, Peaceful resistance, Social Justice, Solidarity and tagged Atrocities, Censorship, Civil Rights, CNN, Corruption, Donald Trump, First Amendment, Freedom of Press, Jim Acosta, Media Issues, MoveOn, Press Freedom, Protests, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, social justice, Solidarity, White House Press Corps, White House Press Correspondents Association on November 9, 2018 by MNgranny.
Facebook Accused of ‘Full-Frontal Suppression of Dissent’ After Independent Media Swept Up in Mass Purge
The massive shutdown affected many progressive sites devoted to covering war, police brutality, and other issues neglected by the corporate media
“Those who demanded Facebook and other Silicon Valley giants censor political content—something they didn’t actually want to do—are finding that content that they themselves support and like end up being repressed,” noted The Intercept’s Glenn Greenwald in response to Facebook’s announcement. “That’s what has happened to every censorship advocate in history.” (Photo: Legal Loop)
After Facebook announced on Thursday that it shut down and removed hundreds of pages and accounts that it vaguely accused of spreading “spam” and engaging in “inauthentic behavior,” some of the individuals and organizations caught up in the social media behemoth’s dragnet disputed accusations that they were violating the platform’s rules and raised alarm that Facebook is using its enormous power to silence independent political perspectives that run counter to the corporate media’s dominant narratives.
While it is reasonable to assume that some of the more than 800 total pages and accounts shut down by Facebook were engaged in overtly fraudulent behavior—such as the use of fake accounts and bots to generate ad revenue—numerous independent media outlets that cover a wide array of issues say they were swept up in the massive purge despite never using such tactics. Continue reading →
This entry was posted in Civil Rights, Corporate Personhood, Corruption, Cybersecurity, Cyberwarfare, FCC, Media Issues, National Security vs Police State, Technology and tagged "fake news", Censorship, Civil Rights, Cop Block, Corruption, Equality, Facebook, Free Thought Project, Glenn Greenwald, independent journalism, Media Issues, Nicholas Bernabe, Police the Police, Rachel Blevins, Social Media, technology, The Anti-Media, Twitter on October 13, 2018 by ew.
Saudis Move to Behead Female Activist as Facebook Censors Anti-Saudi Content
Although Saudi Arabia has killed or injured several thousand women in neighboring Yemen, beheading a female is completely unprecedented inside the Kingdom thus far.
By Randi Nord. Published 8-23-2018 by Geopolitics Alert
Saudi prosecutors are seeking the death penalty for a 29-year-old woman activist for crimes such as chanting slogans at a protest. Beheading a woman is unprecedented in the kingdom. Meanwhile, Facebook has sprung into action to protect Riyadh’s back by initiating a crackdown on hundreds of accounts posting anti-Saudi content.
Saudi prosecutors are seeking the death penalty for five activists with non-violent charges.
All of the activists belong to the kingdom’s historically oppressed Shia minority. One is a woman.
Facebook has coincidentally begun removing anti-Saudi accounts under the guise of fighting “Iranian interference.”
A private cybersecurity firm with ties to the US military tipped off Facebook to the accounts.
This entry was posted in Civil Rights, Corruption, Cybersecurity, Demonstrations & Protests, Government, Human Rights, Media Issues, Religion, Women's Issues and tagged Amnesty International, Atrocities, Censorship, Civil Rights, Corruption, cybersecurity, Equality, Facebook, FireEye, Google, Human rights, Human Rights Watch, Israa al-Ghomgham, Mohammed Bin Salman, Protests, Qatif, religion, Saudi Arabia, Shai, Social Media, Twitter, Wahhabism, Women's Issues, YouTube on August 25, 2018 by MNgranny.
‘Genuine Menace’: Trump Calls in Lawyers to Block Publication of Embarrassing Book
The forthcoming exposé, which features interviews with West Wing insiders, raises questions about the president’s fitness for office and could be useful to the Russia investigation
By Jessica Corbett, staff writer for CommonDreams. Published 1-4-2018
President Donald Trump is attempting to block a publisher from releasing a new “bombshell” book about his presidency. (Photo: Notions Capital/Flickr/cc)
President Donald Trump is attempting to block the release of a highly-anticipated “bombshell” book featuring interviews with members of his inner circle—including those who reportedly called him a “fucking idiot” and said “He’s not only crazy, he’s stupid“—by submitting a cease-and-desist letter to the book’s publisher.
In the letter to Henry Holt and Co., Trump attorney Charles J. Harder demands the publisher “immediately cease and desist from any further publication, release, or dissemination of the book,” including excerpts and summaries. Continue reading →
This entry was posted in Civil Rights, Corruption, Education, Elections, Government, Media Issues, Social Justice and tagged Atrocities, Capitalism, Censorship, Civil Rights, Corruption, Donald Trump, Economics, Elections, Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House, First Amendment, Freedom of Press, Freedom of Speech, Henry Holt and Co., Media Issues, Michael Wolff, Renato Mariotti, Robert Mueller, social justice, Steve Bannon on January 5, 2018 by ew.
Your Guide to Avoiding Internet Censorship of Independent News Journalism
There are lots of good strategies for beating both corporate and government Internet censors and snoops. These range from alternatives to Google, Yahoo, Microsoft, Facebook and Twitter — to direct subscriptions to authors and pubs — to setting up your own VPN. All are worth the effort.
By Whitney Webb. Published 8-24-2017 by MintPress News
Image: Pinterest
While Google’s Information Age dominance has long been recognized to have some unsavory consequences, the massive technology corporation has, in recent months, taken to directly censoring content and traffic to a variety of independent media outlets across the political spectrum — essentially muting the voices of any site or author who does not toe the establishment line.
This new offensive has coincided with Google efforts to clamp down on “fake news” and “extremist” content, which – on its subsidiary, YouTube – led to the categorical blocking of videos portraying war crimes and other disturbing events of the Syrian conflict and Israel’s occupation of Palestine. Other independent media figures, such as Luke Rudowski and Carey Wedler, on the popular video streaming service, saw many of their videos demonetized. Continue reading →
This entry was posted in Civil Rights, Corruption, Government, Human Rights, Media Issues, National Security vs Police State, Social Justice, Technology and tagged "fake news", ACLU, Atrocities, Censorship, Civil Rights, Corruption, Counterpunch, Democracy Now!, DuckDuckGo, First Amendment, Freedom of Press, Gibiru, Google, Human rights, Ixquick, Media Issues, Medium, Minds, MintPress News, social justice, StartPage, Steemit, technology, Tor Project, World Socialist Website on August 27, 2017 by ew.
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Hacking GSM A5 crypto algorithm by using commodity hardware
25.10.2016 securityaffairs Mobil
Researchers demonstrated how to crack GSM A5/1 Stream Cipher using a general-purpose graphics processing unit computer with 3 NVIDIA GeForce GTX690 cards.
A group of security researchers from the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), demonstrated that the crypto scheme used in the GSM mobile phone data can be easily hacked within seconds. Actually, it was already known that the A5/1 is vulnerable, at least since 2009.
Weaknesses in crypto algorithms (A3 algorithm for authentication, A5 algorithm for encryption, A8 algorithm for key generation) that were not submitted to peer review due to non-disclosure are the main security issued for 2G implementations.
GSM only authenticates the user to the network and not vice versa. The security model, therefore, offers confidentiality and authentication, but limited authorization capabilities, and has no non-repudiation features. GSM uses several cryptographic algorithms for security. The A5/1 and A5/2 stream ciphers are used for ensuring over-the-air voice privacy. Both algorithms have been exploited:
A5/2 is exploitable with a real-time a ciphertext-only attack
A5/1 with a rainbow table attack.
Main security concerns regarding with GSM are :
Communications and signaling traffic in the fixed network are not protected.
Does not address active attacks, whereby some network elements (e.g. BTS: Base Station)
Only as secure as the fixed networks to which they connect
Lawful interception only considered as an after-thought
Terminal identity cannot be trusted
From a purely technological perspective 3G networks use the KASUMI block crypto instead of the older A5/1 stream cipher, but also KASUMI cipher is affected by several serious weaknesses.
Now the researchers from the A*STAR, Singapore, have demonstrated how to break the A5/1 stream cipher implemented by 2G by using commodity hardware.
“GSM uses an encryption scheme called the A5/1 stream cipher to protect data,” explained Jiqiang Lu from the A*STAR Institute for Infocomm Research. “A5/1 uses a 64-bit secret key and a complex key-stream generator to make it resistant to elementary attacks such as exhaustive key searches and dictionary attacks.”
The researchers have exploited two security weaknesses to compute a look-up table using commodity hardware in 55 days. Once calculated the rainbow table, that has a side of 984GB, they are able to determine the secret key used to encrypt communications in just nine seconds.
The new method improves the classic brute force attack drastically reducing the time required for computation.
“We used a rainbow table, which is constructed iteratively offline as a set of chains relating the secret key to the cipher output,” added Lu.
“When an output is received during an attack, the attacker identifies the relevant chain in the rainbow table and regenerates it, which gives a result that is very likely to be the secret key of the cipher.”
The experts used an equipment composed of a general-purpose graphics processing unit computer with three NVIDIA GeForce GTX 690 cards, for a total cost of about $15,000.
“On a general-purpose graphics processing unit (GPGPU) computer with 3 NVIDIA GeForce GTX690 cards that cost about 15,000 United States dollars in total, we made a unified rainbow table of 984 GB in about 55 days, and implemented a unified rainbow table attack that had an online attack time of 9 s with a success probability of 34 % (or 56 %) when using 4 (respectively, 8) known keystreams (of 114 bits long each).” reads the white paper entitled Time–Memory Trade-Off Attack on the GSM A5/1 Stream Cipher Using Commodity GPGPU in the journal Applied Cryptography and Network Security. “If two such tables of 984 GB were generated, the attack would have an online attack time of 9 s with a success probability of 81 % when using 8 known keystreams. The practical results show again that nowadays A5/1 is rather insecure in reality and GSM should no longer use it.”
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St. Joseph in Magisterium
As faithful devotees of St. Joseph who also hold fast to the magisterium of the Church, it is our hope to be able to collect all documents, homilies, and speeches on the person of St. Joseph that come from the Church and her magisterial wisdom that comes from the Pope. You may find below the listing of documents we have in our archives at present.
Quemadmodum Deus Pope Pius IX declares St. Joseph to be Patron of the Universal Church. Dec 8, 1870
Inclytum Patriarcham Liturgical norms for the celebration of St. Joseph, Patron of the Universal Church. Jul 7, 1871
Quamquam pluries Encyclical of Pope Leo XIII on Devotion to St. Joseph Aug 15, 1889
Le Voci -- March 19, 1961 Saint Joseph is named Patron of the Second Vatican Council. Mar 19, 1961
Redemptoris Custos Apostolic exhortation in St. Joseph by John Paul II. Nov 24, 2013
Homily on the Feast of Saint Joseph, 27 March 1969 Pope Paul VI preaches on the person of St. Joseph and his many virtues. Mar 27, 1969
Angelus Address on March 19, 2006 Pope Benedict XVI considers the importance of the person of St. Joseph. Mar 19, 2006
Paternas vices Pope Francis inserts the name of Joseph into Eucharistic Prayers II, III, and IV. May 1, 2013
Next: Quemadmodum Deus
Quemadmodum Deus
Inclytum Patriarcham
Quamquam pluries
Le Voci -- March 19, 1961
Redemptoris Custos
I. The Gospel Portrait
II. The Guardian of the Mystery of God
III. A Just Man - A Husband
IV. Work as an Expression of Love
V. The Primacy of the Interior Life
VI. Patron of the Church in our Day
Homily on the Feast of Saint Joseph, 27 March 1969
Angelus Address on March 19, 2006
Paternas vices
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Mary and Me and Our Jewish Family
Fulfilling my dream of raising Jewish children with my non-Jewish, same-sex partner
by Michelle Medvin on May 7, 2018
Me (left), my wife, Mary, and our two kids
When I was in second grade we had to fill in one of those "All About Me" posters with our likes, dislikes, hobbies -- that kind of thing. One of the boxes was, "What you want to be when you grow up." I wrote "Mother." I drew a picture of an adult me holding the hands of two smaller stick people with a tiny blob of a baby bundle cuddled in as well.
"You know," my father reminded me, "You can be a mother and something else!" I did know that, of course, and over the years many different dream occupations came and went. But wanting to be a mother -- that never changed.
At 15 I realized I was a lesbian. I was scared, for many reasons, and the image of how I saw my future was shifting rapidly. But my vision of becoming a mother someday never wavered.
In all my imagining of motherhood, however, I can't say I thought about Judaism much -- it was simply a no-brainer. I'm Jewish, so obviously my children would be Jewish. I imagined future Passovers and Chanukahs as often as future Halloweens and Thanksgivings. Why wouldn't I?
And then I met Mary. I knew from one of our first conversations that Mary also wanted kids (not wanting them would have been a deal-breaker). But when I realized I was falling in love with Mary, a former Catholic school student who considered herself agnostic, I started wondering if her not being Jewish would be a deal-breaker.
In fact, Mary's "lack of Jewishness" had climbed its way to the top of the "Con" side of my "Mary: Pros and Cons" list. However, I quickly concluded that while marrying someone who wasn't Jewish was OK with me, I still imagined those Chanukahs and Passovers with my future children. Raising Jewish kids was a non-negotiable. Now I just needed to tell Mary.
This was still very early in our relationship -- we weren't even officially a couple. I knew talking about the religion of our future children was incredibly premature, but I figured better to know now if this would be an inevitable roadblock in our relationship.
We were walking in the snow near the icy edge of Lake Michigan on a freezing afternoon when I brought the issue up in a roundabout way:
"So, when you have kids, are you thinking of having them baptized?"
Mary looked at me like I had asked if she planned to raise them on another planet. "I don't know. Probably not. Why?"
"Well … I know that I want to raise my kids Jewish, so I was just thinking …"
Mary's response was teasing. "You're thinking about us having kids?"
"Well … yes."
Mary laughed and kissed my nose. I smiled and told her I felt crazy. She immediately told me that was not a problem for her.
"I expected that you'd want to raise Jewish kids, and I want to learn more about it."
With that major hurdle cleared, Mary showed me in the coming months how incredibly serious she was about learning more. I was traveling for work at the time and a lot of our conversations were via text, email and instant messenger. Her questions came fast and furious and in no particular order:
"What do Jews think about an afterlife?"
"I was looking up the story of Chanukah and I still don't understand the gift-giving part." "I get that you're Jewish, but you don't do the kosher thing, right? Because I love you a lot, but I also love bacon."
Some of her questions I answered easily, and others required me to do my own research. Our relationship was helping both of us learn.
Although there was never a time I didn't want to be a mother, the whole pregnancy thing never really held much appeal for me, so when the time came, Mary happily agreed to be "the designated uterus." I was extremely grateful to have had this option, but it did bring up another issue regarding Judaism: I was not going to be the biological mother, and in some branches of Judaism, a child is considered Jewish only if the biological mother is Jewish.
I wholeheartedly believe that one can raise Jewish children who have no Jewish ancestry, but the more I thought about it, the more I realized that I wanted to have a Jewish sperm donor. I kept coming back to Passover, when we tell the story of our liberation. We remind ourselves that in each generation we must think of ourselves as having personally left Egypt. I wanted my children to feel connected to that lineage and share my ethnicity.
Even with a Jewish sperm donor -- which was successful, as Mary conceived quickly -- I decided that once the baby was born there should still be some kind of conversion. It was certainly possible that my child could choose to lead a more religious life in the future, so that mattered to me.
Because I didn't have a religious community where I lived, I turned to the rabbi at my parents' synagogue in New Jersey. I figured he could at least point me in the right direction. He did so much more.
Our first conversation took place the day of my grandmother's funeral. Yes, it felt strange and more than a touch inappropriate, but most Jewish occasions, even the somber ones, do involve some schmoozing after all. I explained to him the situation and that I wanted to do a conversion, and the questions just tumbled out.
"If it's a boy, does he still have a bris at 8 days old?"
"I can't imagine he can go into the mikvah (ritual bath) that young, so do we wait?"
"Is it all part of the same thing?"
He answered every question. He said we could do a conversion and follow it up with a celebration at my parents' synagogue. That was, in fact, exactly what I'd been hoping for but had been too scared to ask.
My Jewish son decided to arrive on Christmas Eve, and his bris followed when he was 8 days old. When he was 6 months, we traveled back to my hometown where we had an official conversion in a mikvah located in a nearby Reform synagogue. I had no idea what to expect from that at all. The mikvah was not part of my experience outside of discussions in Hebrew school and novels by Naomi Ragen and Tova Mirvis. I didn't know that they existed beyond Orthodox communities.
At our son’s naming at my parents’ synagogue
I was thrilled to learn that Mary was not just welcome but encouraged to get into the mikvah with me. Seeing as we were both committed to raising our child Jewish, it was only appropriate that she be there too. I read the Hebrew blessing and we recited the English together. I can't say I liked having to hold my tiny child under water and let go, but when I pulled him up sputtering as the rabbi, witnesses, and my parents shouted "Mazel Tov!" and began singing, he stopped mid-cry and just looked around.
Two days later I brought him up to the bimah of the synagogue where I grew up, the synagogue where I attended nursery and religious school and became a bat mitzvah, the synagogue his great-grandparents helped purchase the land for, the synagogue where he became the fifth generation of my family to attend a Shabbat service.
Despite our lack of shared genes, from the moment I discovered his conception, I never felt my son was anything less than My Son. But on that day, welcoming him into this big extended family, I felt a new level of connection to him. I also felt a deeper connection to the synagogue, the joy and excitement the community expressed to him, me and Mary. Their warmth and acceptance was something I never dreamed of when I first came out at 15.
The curiosity and interest Mary displayed about Judaism early in our relationship have evolved her into a fantastic partner in raising Jewish children. Passover, for example, has always been my favorite Jewish holiday. When we can't make it back to my hometown, we sometimes do small seders just by ourselves.
This year I had been working evenings for most weeks leading up to the seder, so when it came time for the Four Questions, I was prepared to sing along with my son because we hadn't had the time to practice. But as we began singing "Mah nishtanah … " he gave me a look that clearly implied, "I've got this, Mama" and continued along. " … halailah hazeh mikol haleilot?"
"We practiced," said Mary, giving me a grin.
A few months ago, I got a picture in a text message while on my way home from work on a Friday evening -- a fresh challah, cooling on a rack. Mary had baked it herself -- something I hadn't been brave enough to attempt my entire Jewish life.
We make Shabbat dinner whenever work and life permit it. Mary joins the kids in singing the blessings -- even our 2-year-old daughter sings the words (or something approximating the actual words, anyway). It never fails to make me feel like I'm doing something right, giving my kids some form of the Jewish family life that I always imagined. And there's no way I could be doing it without Mary.
Michelle Medvin grew up in Princeton, New Jersey and attended Smith College. She now works as a stage and production manager in the Chicago area at assorted venues including Steppenwolf Theatre Company, Northlight Theatre, and Governors State University. She lives in Brookfield with her wife Mary and their two children.
Read more stories in the "Bringing Up (Jewish) Baby" blog series at www.oychicago.com/baby.
"Bringing Up (Jewish) Baby" is being produced in partnership with jBaby Chicago, which helps expectant parents and families of newborns and tots (0-24 months) make connections, build friendships and engage in Jewish life in Chicago.
"Despite our lack of shared genes, from the moment I discovered his conception, I never felt my son was anything less than My Son. But on that day, welcoming him into this big extended family, I felt a new level of connection to him."
Raising Jewish Children, After Losing One
How our son’s stillbirth shattered our faith, and how we found it again.
The Realities of Being an Older Mommy
All the medical advances in the baby-making business that made my pregnancy possible won’t change the fact that I’m going to be an older mom for the rest of my hopefully long life.
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Frederick Carl Frieseke – part 1
Frederick Carl Frieseke (1874 – 1939) was born in Owosso, Michigan in 1874 to Herman Carl and Eva (Graham) Frieseke. After graduating from Owosso High School in 1893, Frieseke went on to study art at the Chicago Art Institute for a year. In 1895 he moved to New York to study at the Art Students' League, and in 1898 he moved to Paris where he enrolled at the Academie Julian and was influenced by James A. M. Whistler.
During these first few years in Paris, Frieseke spent part of his time doing work commissioned by Rodman Wanamaker. He was also commissioned to paint murals for Wanamaker's store in New York and the Shelbourne Hotel in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Wanamaker's interest is credited with providing Frieseke freedom from pursuits other than painting.
In 1906 Frieseke rented the house next door to Claude Monet in Giverny, France for the summer. He and his wife, Sarah Ann O'Bryan, whom he married in 1905, and later their daughter Frances spent their summers there until about 1919. Many of Frieseke's paintings were set in this house or its garden.
Frieseke was increasingly dissatisfied with the formal art forms of his time. In an interview with Clara T. MacChesney, probably in 1912, he considered himself an impressionist and said, "No artist in [the impressionist] school has influenced me except, perhaps, Renoir." His principal concerns were the varied effects of sunlight. As he said himself, "It is sunshine, flowers in sunshine; girls in sunshine; the nude in sunshine, which I have been principally interested in. If I could only reproduce it exactly as I see it I would be satisfied." His subjects were often women seated in sunny gardens or boudoirs. Occasionally he also painted landscapes, still-lifes, and nudes. As he grew older, he painted more of his own life, including his wife and daughter.
Frieseke's paintings won many honours beginning with a silver medal at the St. Louis Exposition in 1904; he also won the gold medal in Munich that same year. The climax in a succession of honours was reached in 1915 when he won the grand prize at the Panama-Pacific Exposition in San Francisco. In 1920 his painting "Torn Lingerie" won two gold medals and the popular prize at the Chicago Art Institute, based upon the opinions of both other artists and the general public.
1915 Torn Lingerie
oil on canvas 131.4 x 131.1 cm
After the First World War, Frieseke purchased a country home in Normandy. He preferred living in France to the United States because of the freedom it offered him. As his grandson Nicholas Kilmer noted, the Friesekes lived in Normandy for two reasons - first the trout fishing was good and second Frieseke was not required "to make a noise like an artist." Frieseke himself said, "I stay on here because I am more free and there are not the Puritanical restrictions which prevail in America . . . I can paint a nude in my garden or down by the fish pond and not be run out of town." Frieseke, however, continued to consider himself an American and made occasional trips back to the States.
In 1904 the French government purchased his "Before the Glass," and it was hung in the Luxembourg Gallery. In 1912, after his first solo exhibition, Wanamaker gave Frieseke's "La Toilette" to the Metropolitan Museum in New York.
1913 Before Her Appearance ( La Toilette )
oil on canvas 60 x 59 cm
Many other museums were also to acquire his paintings including The Art Institute of Chicago, The Minneapolis Institute of Arts, The Detroit Institute of Arts, the Corcoran Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., and the Modern Gallery in Venice, Italy. Two of his paintings have hung in the Shiawassee District Library - "Lady With the Sunshade," which was a gift to the city of Owosso in 1926, and Holland 1898. A number of other museums, private individuals, and the Shiawassee Arts Council also have some of his paintings.
After World War I there was a slow but steady decline in Frieseke's popularity. In spite of continuing awards and the acquisition of his paintings by a number of museums, diminishing sales and negative reviews reflected a change in tastes. Critics saw his work as outmoded and overly conservative and Frieseke as a painter of pretty women. It was also during this time that the mood of his paintings became more contemplative, his colours more sombre, and his compositions more static. His style was becoming less French-Impressionist and moving more towards realism.
Frieseke said that "I never compose a picture before Nature, but I paint what I see that is interesting, and which appeals to me at that moment. I put down whatever I see before me. I avoid being conventional as much as possible, for most picture making is conventional. I never change the drawing of a tree, or leave out a bed of flowers. I may not see them, if they do not add to the beauty of the whole." However, his family remembered his wife editing his paintings by removing things from the top of bureaus and tables, which she did not want seen.
Frieseke died August 24, 1939 in Normandy and was buried at Mesnil-sur-Blangy in France.
This is part 1 of a four-part post on the works of Frederick Carl Frieseke:
1898 Horse in a Field
watercolour 25.4 x 35.6 cm
1898-99c Paris, Pont Neuf with Barges
1899 Misty Morning on the Seine
1900-01c Dutch Landscape
1900-01c People in the Park
oil on panel 17.8 x 22.9 cm
1900c Man Ploughing
watercolour 21 x 29.2 cm
1900c Montparnasse Landscape
1901 Brittany Landscape
oil on canvas 45.7 x 61 cm
1901 Hélène
oil on canvas 65.1 x 81.3 cm
1901 Landscape, Le Pouldu, Brittany
1901 Luxembourg Gardens
1901-02c Study of the Nude in an Interior
1901c Mist
1902 Lady in Pink
oil on board 46.3 x 38 cm
1902-03c Woman before a Mirror
1902c The Yellow Tulip
1903 Before the Mirror
1903 Girl in Pink
1903 Medora Clark at the Clark Apartment, Paris
oil on canvas 88.9 x 114.3 cm
1903-04c Girl Reading
1904 Ballerina
oil on canvas 146 x 97.2 cm
1904 Tea in the Garden
1904 The Balcony
1904 The Green Sash
oil on canvas 116.8 x 81.3 cm
1904-07 Woman with a Flower Basket
oil on canvas 149.2 x 121 cm
1904c Nasturtiums
1905c Lady with a Parasol
1906 Rest
oil on canvas 127 x 177.8 cm
1906-09c Under the Willows
1906c Lunch in Bed
oil on wood 40.6 x 50.8 cm
1907-14c The Parasol
1907c Portrait of Madame Gely
1908 Lady with Parasol
1908 Reflections
1908 Through the Vines
1908-09c Late October
1908-09c The Judas Tree
1908c Grey Day on the River
oil on canvas 66 x 81.3 cm
1908c The Japanese Parasol
1909 Nude Seated at her Dressing Table
1909-10c On the River
1909 Lady trying on a Hat
1910 Afternoon - Yellow Room
1910 Lady with the Sunshade
1910-12c In the Garden, Giverny
Eric Ravilious – part 2
Western / Cowboy Film Posters - part 2
Ludwig Hohlwein - part 5
Ludwig Hohlwein – part 1
Leonardo da Vinci – part 3
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Autotaxin
Company Leadership
PharmAkea Announces Successful Completion of a Phase 1 Trial in Healthy Subjects For Its Novel LOXL2 Inhibitor, PAT-1251
SAN DIEGO, CA, Aug. 22, 2017 /PRNewswire/ – PharmAkea, Inc. announced that it has successfully completed a Phase 1 single and multiple ascending dose (SAD/MAD) clinical study with PAT-1251, its novel, small-molecule LOXL2 inhibitor being developed for the treatment of IPF and other fibrotic diseases.
The study results indicate that PAT-1251 was generally well tolerated and a maximum tolerated dose (MTD) was achieved. A proprietary target engagement assay was used successfully to demonstrate that PAT-1251 binds the LOXL2 enzyme in plasma. After successful completion of the 6- and 9-month toxicology studies in Q4 2017, PAT-1251 will be ready to enter Phase 2 clinical development in early 2018.
"Based on its unique mechanism of action, PharmAkea's LOXL2 inhibitor, PAT-1251, has the potential to improve lung function in patients suffering from IPF, a debilitating lung disorder in which novel agents with improved tolerability, efficacy, and long-term safety profiles are needed," said Robert Williamson, CEO of PharmAkea."
The aim of the completed study was to evaluate the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of oral ascending doses of PAT-1251 in healthy subjects. The data from these studies will inform the dose selection and study design for a subsequent Phase 2 proof-of-concept study in IPF.
PharmAkea will be presenting a poster on this program at the IPF Summit, on Tuesday, August 22, 2017 in Boston MA.
About PharmAkea Inc.
PharmAkea is a privately held San Diego-based clinical-stage pharmaceutical company developing novel small molecules against protein targets involved in fibroproliferative diseases. The company has a diversified portfolio, including PAT-1251, a Phase 2 ready LOXL2 inhibitor, for the treatment of IPF, as well as liver and kidney fibrosis, and PAT-409, a Phase 1 ready autotaxin inhibitor for IPF, NASH (nonalcoholic steatohepatitis), PBC (primary biliary cholangitis), scleroderma and chronic kidney disease. For more information, please visit the Company's website at www.pharmakea.com.
This press release contains "forward-looking" statements (which are identified by words like "believe," "anticipate," "could," "should," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "plan," "project," "will," "forecast," "budget," "pro forma," and similar terms) that are based on the Company's management's beliefs and assumptions and on information currently available to management. These forward-looking statements include, among others, statements regarding the possible or assumed future results of operations, business strategies, financing plans, competitive position, industry environment, potential growth opportunities and the effects of competition. The Company cautions you that these statements are based on the Company's projections of the future that are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties and other factors that may cause the Company's actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements, to differ.
PharmAkea, Inc.
Vanessa L. Jacoby, Vice President, Finance
Professor Andrew Tager, M.D.
It was with great sadness that we learned of the passing of Professor Andrew Tager on August 11, 2017. He was a remarkable man, a true gentleman and a wonderful collaborator. Andy’s brilliant scientific contributions have significantly helped progress the search for a treatment for pulmonary fibrosis and PharmAkea has certainly benefitted from his insights. Andy will be sorely missed by his family, friends and colleagues – he was one of the best.
http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/bostonglobe/obituary.aspx?pid=186369719
PharmAkea Extends Collaboration with Celgene Corporation
Extension Allows Anti-Fibrotic Programs to Further Mature and Build Value
SAN DIEGO, CA, November 18, 2016 – PharmAkea Inc. announced the extension of their strategic collaboration with Celgene Corporation which was established to leverage PharmAkea's proprietary drug discovery platform and novel small-molecule therapies targeting fibrotic diseases.
Under the terms of the agreement, Celgene Corporation committed $9 million to PharmAkea to extend the collaboration for 9 months. PharmAkea announced the original 3-year collaboration with Celgene in October of 2013. PharmAkea is currently conducting a Phase 1 SAD and MAD trial, as well as toxicology studies that will enable Phase 2 trials on its lead program, a small molecule LOXL2 inhibitor. The Company is also conducting IND-enabling studies in preparation for a Phase 1 trial on its second program, an Autotaxin inhibitor.
"We have been very impressed with the progress the team at PharmAkea has made over the past three years," said Rupert Vessey, President of Research and Early Development at Celgene. "This extension allows the company to further realize the potential of their programs and to complete some key activities."
"Our relationship with Celgene has been extremely collaborative," said Robert Williamson, CEO of PharmAkea. "This extension is a validation and endorsement of our work to date. We look forward to continuing our work with Celgene."
PharmAkea Inc. is a privately held San Diego-based biopharmaceutical company whose focus is to discover and develop small molecule therapeutics directed at cancer and fibrotic diseases. For more information, please visit the Company's website at www.pharmakea.com.
PharmAkea Therapeutics, Inc.
Vanessa L. Jacoby, Executive Director, Finance
PharmAkea, Celgene Corporation and Bay City Capital Collaborate to Advance Innovative Oral Therapies to Benefit Patients with Cancer and Fibrotic Disease
Partnership Highlights New Paradigm that Advances High-Potential Science Programs with Goal to Improve Patient Outcomes
SAN DIEGO, CA, October 4, 2013 – PharmAkea Therapeutics, Inc. and Bay City Capital, LLC, today announced a strategic collaboration with Celgene Corporation designed to leverage PharmAkea’s proprietary drug discovery platform to generate and advance novel small-molecule therapies targeting cancer and fibrotic diseases.
Under terms of the agreement, Celgene Corporation will commit $35 million to PharmAkea during an initial three-year alliance term, with an option to extend the collaboration with additional funding. Bay City Capital has invested $10 million in a Series A equity financing. In addition, Celgene will also take an equity stake in PharmAkea and will retain an exclusive option to acquire the company. PharmAkea was founded in 2012 with seed funding from Celgene, which was used to secure the initial scientific team, initiate operations and commence identification of clinical candidates against selected targets.
PharmAkea was co-founded by three highly-experienced early-drug developers, John Hutchinson, Ph.D., Jilly Evans, Ph.D., and Kevin Holme, Ph.D., all three of whom previously worked together at Amira Pharmaceuticals, which was sold to Bristol-Myers Squibb. Joining PharmAkea as Chief Executive Officer will be Robert F. Williamson, III. Mr. Williamson brings with him extensive industry experience, having held key management and leadership positions at venture backed and public life science companies, and was previously a partner with The Boston Consulting Group, Inc.
"The very strong team at PharmAkea is led by drug hunting professionals with a proven track record of delivering important medicines to patients," said Tom Daniel, M.D., Executive Vice President and President of Research and Early Development at Celgene. "As our commitment to immune & inflammatory diseases expands, this investment partnered with Bay City Capital represents an extension of our commitment to develop innovative approaches and complementary strategic assets for high therapeutic impact."
"We are excited to be working with Celgene and Bay City Capital on moving our fibrosis and oncology focused programs forward," said Dr. Hutchinson. "We see tremendous potential to leverage our expertise in the emerging biological understanding of connective tissue disorders to develop new therapeutics for these grave diseases, which carry high morbidity and mortality and affect a significant portion of the population."
"We are pleased to be collaborating with Celgene Corporation again, and look forward to helping build PharmAkea and advance their mission. PharmAkea brings together people from within all of our networks to form a team with a track record of effective collaboration and success," said Carl Goldfischer, Managing Director of Bay City Capital. "This kind of collaboration exemplifies an innovative way that venture firms, entrepreneurs, and industry can come together to support and foster progress in the life sciences."
Merv Turner, former Chief Strategy Officer of Merck & Co. and an advisor to Bay City Capital, will be joining PharmAkea's board along with Tom Daniel, Carl Goldfischer and Rob Williamson.
About PharmAkea Therapeutics, Inc.
About Celgene
Celgene Corporation, headquartered in Summit, New Jersey, is an integrated global pharmaceutical company engaged primarily in the discovery, development and commercialization of innovative therapies for the treatment of cancer and inflammatory diseases through gene and protein regulation. For more information, please visit www.celgene.com.
About Bay City Capital, LLC
Bay City Capital is a life sciences venture capital firm investing in opportunities across the various life sciences sectors in companies at all stages of development. Established in 1997, the firm has managed eight venture capital funds representing over $1.6 billion in capital commitments. Bay City Capital has invested in over 100 life sciences companies globally, including Epizyme, Epocrates, GenturaDx, Hyperion Therapeutics, Idev Technologies, Ion Torrent Systems, Lexicon, MAP Pharmaceuticals, Medarex, Nabsys, NextWave Pharmaceuticals, Oculex Pharmaceuticals, Pharmion, Reliant Pharmaceuticals, and Sunesis Pharmaceuticals.
For more information, visit www.baycitycapital.com.
Bay City Capital, LLC
Stacey Leanos, Senior Director Marketing and Investor Relations
Argot Partners
Eliza F. Schleifstein
Copyright © 2017 PharmAkea Therapeutics
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Kindle Touch and Kindle Touch 3G Ship Tomorrow, Six Days Early
Kindle Touch and Kindle Touch 3G are the most full-featured e-readers available
Kindle Touch 3G is the top of the line e-reader with free 3G wireless – no monthly fee or annual contract, never pay for or hunt for a Wi-Fi hotspot
SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 14, 2011-- (NASDAQ: AMZN) – Amazon.com today announced it is shipping the all-new Kindle Touch and Kindle Touch 3G beginning tomorrow, November 15, several days earlier than the previously announced November 21 shipping date. The $99 Kindle Touch and $149 Kindle Touch 3G are Amazon’s all-new full-featured e-readers. Kindle Touch 3G is the top of the line e-reader and offers the same new design and features of Kindle Touch, with the unparalleled added convenience of free 3G wireless. The popular $79, 5.98-ounce latest generation Kindle began shipping in September. To learn more about Kindle Touch and Kindle Touch 3G, visit www.amazon.com/kindletouch and www.amazon.com/kindletouch3G.
“We’ve seen great excitement over our new line of electronic ink Kindles – in fact, sales of our electronic ink Kindles are more than double any previous Kindle launch,” said Dave Limp, Vice President, Kindle. “Kindle Touch and Kindle Touch 3G are the most full-featured e-readers available with a beautiful latest generation electronic ink display, fast page turns and long battery life. They both also include features you won’t find anywhere else like deep integration of audiobooks from Audible.com, text to speech, our new technologies EasyReach and X-ray, and for Prime Members, free access to over 5,000 books from the Kindle Owners’ Lending Library. We know that customers are excited to get their hands on these new Kindles, which is why we’re excited to able to ship several days earlier than we planned.”
Kindle Touch is a new addition to the Kindle family with an easy-to-use touch screen that makes it easier than ever to turn pages, search, shop, and take notes – still with all the benefits of the most advanced electronic ink display. Kindle Touch is also lighter, smaller, eliminates battery anxiety with extra-long battery life and holds thousands of books. Kindle Touch 3G is also a new addition to the Kindle family for readers who want the top of the line e-reader. Kindle Touch 3G offers the same new design and features of Kindle Touch - small and light, easy-to-use touch screen, storage for thousands of books, and extra-long battery life - with the unparalleled added convenience of free 3G. Kindle's free 3G connection means you never have to hunt for or pay for a Wi-Fi hotspot - you simply download and read books anytime, anywhere in over 100 countries around the world. Amazon pays for the 3G connection so there's no monthly fee or annual contract.
Both Kindle Touch and Kindle Touch 3G include X-ray – a new feature invented by Amazon that lets customers explore the "bones of the book." With a single tap, readers can see all the passages across a book that mention ideas, fictional characters, historical figures, places or topics that interest them, as well as more detailed descriptions from Wikipedia and Shelfari, Amazon's community-powered encyclopedia for book lovers. Amazon built X-Ray using its expertise in language processing and machine learning, access to significant storage and computing resources with Amazon S3 and EC2, and a deep library of book and character information. The vision is to have every important phrase in every book.
Early comments from product reviewers on Kindle Touch and Kindle Touch 3G include:
“In all, Amazon has three new Kindle models. The two cheaper ones (Kindle and Kindle Touch) will surely get lost in the smoke from the Fire, but that’s a pity; they’re rather spectacular.” – New York Times
“[X-ray] is a godsend when you have put a book down for a while and forget who the players are — even if the book includes a section for cast of characters, pop-up trumps look-up every time.” – Wired
“The Best Part: How easy it is to do anything that has to do with a book: shopping, borrowing, research, reference, skimming, note taking. You don't have to supplement the Kindle Touch for anything book-related.” – Gizmodo
“It’s (Kindle Touch) beautifully done.” – New York Times
Kindle Touch and Kindle Touch 3G orders are fulfilled on a first-come first-served basis. Customers can purchase now at www.amazon.com/kindletouch and www.amazon.com/kindletouch3G.
For high-resolution images, visit www.amazon.com/pr/kindle.
Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMZN), a Fortune 500 company based in Seattle, opened on the World Wide Web in July 1995 and today offers Earth's Biggest Selection. Amazon.com, Inc. seeks to be Earth's most customer-centric company, where customers can find and discover anything they might want to buy online, and endeavors to offer its customers the lowest possible prices. Amazon.com and other sellers offer millions of unique new, refurbished and used items in categories such as Books; Movies, Music & Games; Digital Downloads; Electronics & Computers; Home & Garden; Toys, Kids & Baby; Grocery; Apparel, Shoes & Jewelry; Health & Beauty; Sports & Outdoors; and Tools, Auto & Industrial. Amazon Web Services provides Amazon's developer customers with access to in-the-cloud infrastructure services based on Amazon's own back-end technology platform, which developers can use to enable virtually any type of business. The new latest generation Kindle is the lightest, most compact Kindle ever and features the same 6-inch, most advanced electronic ink display that reads like real paper even in bright sunlight. Kindle Touch is a new addition to the Kindle family with an easy-to-use touch screen that makes it easier than ever to turn pages, search, shop, and take notes - still with all the benefits of the most advanced electronic ink display. Kindle Touch 3G is the top of the line e-reader and offers the same new design and features of Kindle Touch, with the unparalleled added convenience of free 3G. Kindle Fire is the Kindle for movies, TV shows, music, books, magazines, apps, games and web browsing with all the content, free storage in the Amazon Cloud, Whispersync, Amazon Silk (Amazon's new revolutionary cloud-accelerated web browser), vibrant color touch screen, and powerful dual-core processor.
Amazon and its affiliates operate websites, including www.amazon.com, www.amazon.co.uk, www.amazon.de, www.amazon.co.jp, www.amazon.fr, www.amazon.ca, www.amazon.cn, www.amazon.it, and www.amazon.es. As used herein, "Amazon.com," "we," "our" and similar terms include Amazon.com, Inc., and its subsidiaries, unless the context indicates otherwise.
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Pulitzer Center Update
Sam Dolnick Elected to the Pulitzer Center Board
March 11, 2019 | General news
Image courtesy of Sam Dolnick.
The Pulitzer Center is pleased to announce the election of Sam Dolnick to its board of directors.
Sam is an assistant managing editor of The New York Times, overseeing its audio report, its work in film and television, and other digital projects. He helped launch The Daily, one of the top podcasts in the country, as well as several mobile initiatives and The Times’s early experiments in virtual reality. He is currently developing multiple film and TV projects for The Times.
Before becoming an editor, Sam won the George Polk Award for Justice Reporting for his year-long investigation into dysfunction inside New Jersey's privately run halfway houses. He had worked as the newsroom’s lead mobile editor and as the deputy sports editor overseeing investigative and feature stories.
He joined The Times in 2009 as a metro reporter covering the Bronx and immigrant communities across the city. He has written features for the Sunday Magazine, including a profile of a the Sinaloa cartel's 90 year-old drug mule, and for Style, where he wrote about a man who decided to become the most ignorant person in Trump’s America.
Sam had worked as a foreign correspondent for the Associated Press in New Delhi, where he covered India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Nepal. He began his career as a reporter at the Staten Island Advance. He lives in Brooklyn with his wife and two daughters.
“Sam is one of the most innovative people in journalism today,” said Jon Sawyer, executive editor of the Pulitzer Center. “We’re thrilled to have him on our board—and very much look forward to his guidance and leadership as we seek a path forward for journalism for the public good.”
On the board Sam joins Emily Rauh Pulitzer, chair and founder of the Pulitzer Foundation for the Arts; William Bush, partner and general counsel, BDT Capital Partners; Betsy Dietel, senior partner with Dietel Partners; Richard W. Moore, of counsel, Day Pitney LLP; Joel Motley, managing director of Public Capital Advisors, LLC; Betsy Karel, photographer; Joseph Pulitzer V; David Rohde, executive editor, newyorker.com; Jon Sawyer, executive director, Pulitzer Center; and Linda Winslow, former executive producer, PBS NewsHour.
Pulitzer Center Update:
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Love yourself first and everything else falls into line. You really have to love yourself to get anything done in this world.
love accomplishment self-love
About Lucille Ball
Lucille Désirée Ball (August 6, 1911 – April 26, 1989) was an American actress, comedian, model, entertainment studio executive and producer. She was the star of the self-produced sitcoms I Love Lucy, The Lucy Show, Here's Lucy, and Life with Lucy, as well as comedy television specials aired under the title The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour.Ball's career began in 1929 when she landed work as a model. Shortly thereafter, she began her performing career on Broadway using the stage names Diane Belmont and Dianne Belmont. She later appeared in several minor film roles in the 1930s and 1940s as a contract player for RKO Radio Pictures, being cast as a chorus girl or in similar roles. During this time, she met Cuban bandleader Desi Arnaz, and the two eloped in November 1940. In the 1950s, Ball ventured into television. In 1951, she and Arnaz created the sitcom I Love Lucy, a series that became one of the most beloved programs in television history. The same year, Ball gave birth to their first child, Lucie Arnaz, followed by Desi Arnaz Jr. in 1953. Ball and Arnaz divorced in May 1960, and she married comedian Gary Morton in 1961.Following the end of I Love Lucy, Ball would go on to appear in a Broadway musical, Wildcat, for a year from 1960 to 1961, although the show received lukewarm reviews and had to be shut down permanently when Ball became ill for a brief time. After Wildcat, Ball reunited with I Love Lucy co-star Vivian Vance for the aforementioned Lucy Show, which Vance departed in 1965 but which was to continue for three years with longtime friend of Ball's Gale Gordon who already had a recurring role on the program.
You may find more from Lucille Ball on Wikiquote
More quotations from Lucille Ball
The secret of staying young is to live honestly, eat slowly, and lie about your age.
Once in his life, every man is entitled to fall madly in love with a gorgeous redhead.
It's a helluva start, being able to recognize what makes you happy.
The more things you do, the more you can do.
action doing
More quotations tagged with “self-love”
A great deal of the chaos in the world occurs because people don't appreciate themselves.
—Chögyam Trungpa in Shambhala: The Sacred Path of the Warrior
self-love chaos appreciation disorder
You must be very polite with yourself when you are learning something new.
—Elizabeth Gilbert in Love
learning self-love politeness
Self-love, self-respect, self-approval, and self-worth do not equal self-ish.
—Mandy Hale in The Single Woman
love self respect self-worth self-love approval self-respect selfishness
The last time I saw him he was walking down lover's lane holding his own hand.
love self-love
If you don't love yourself, you'll always be chasing after people who don't love you either.
love others self self-love persuit
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» Articles
Film as Methodology: Torang Asadi on Ethnographic Filmmaking in the Study of Religion
Interview with Torang Asadi, PhD candidate, Duke University
Being seen by God. Screenshot from raw ethnographic film, Torang Asadi
Torang Asadi is pursuing a PhD in religion and modernity at Duke University, writing her dissertation on religion in the Iranian diaspora. Asadi's research is firmly based on the close relationships she develops with the communities she studies and documents. She began developing her skills as an ethnographic researcher and filmmaker as a master's student and continues to champion the medium as a legitimate and productive method of research. In this interview, which was conducted via e-mail and has been lightly edited, Asadi discusses objectivity, methodology, ethics, and legitimacy in ethnographic film.
Sarah Levine: How did you first become interested in studying religion? When and why did you begin using film as a medium to study religion?
Torang Asadi: I graduated with a double major in pure mathematics and interior design. I discovered religion only in the very last semester of college, when I took a course on new religions with Becky Moore. It was during a field project for that class that I realized I needed to pursue this field. I grew up in Iran, where my mother attended underground classes in New Age philosophy and meditation, so my own experience with religion was quite bizarre. I was too intrigued to be content with a PhD in mathematics or a career in design, so I strayed and have never looked back.
I became interested in film as a medium during that same semester. I spent most of my time watching audio and video footage from Jonestown, Heaven’s Gate, and the Manson Family. There was an aspect of the human experience that could not be conveyed through text as secondary source, and an authenticity to the footage as evidence. During my master’s program, I began to take courses in the film department to develop filming and editing skills, and I worked with anthropology professors to both train as an ethnographer and think through theories of film as ethnography.
Do you think it’s important for scholars of religion to take film seriously as a research method?
Absolutely. Evidently, when we talk about ethnographic films, we are talking about work on contemporary lived religion. But there is not much engagement with film, even in that subfield. Anthropology has made a lot of progress in that direction, but religious studies remains far behind in modern methods of research. Why wouldn’t you use film, especially in the study of religion?
The subject of our study is the unique experience that can only be explained through an understanding of the community in which it is conditioned. And the religious space is unique in that it is not readily accessible. So if we have the privilege of being present and conducting research in that unique space, why not engage a medium that can more honestly communicate that experience? And many would argue that it is not a more honest medium, which I think has to do with vision as a continuous sensory experience, which film interrupts, and speech as fragmented by nature, which text preserves. But that's a separate conversation altogether.
It’s such a great teaching tool, too. In religious studies, we have already moved past the written text as the primary subject of study to lived religion and materiality. So why can’t we do that with our research methodology as well?
Do you use your films in your classroom teaching? As a producer of ethnographic films, do you have any insight for teachers who might want to use your film or others like it in the classroom?
To my surprise, I’ve learned that students don’t like to watch too many films in class. I’ve also learned that they don’t like the traditional documentary format and get bored very quickly. The moment I realized I wanted to do away with commentary in my own work was also the one in which I realized that my students were unusually engaged with Peter Adair’s Holy Ghost People, a 1967 film about snake handlers. When the professor I was TAing for assigned the film, I thought the students would hate it. The footage is very rough, in black and white, and the audio quality isn’t great. But they loved it! The experience of that community felt authentic to them. It was very obvious from the final exams that the film was memorable for every one of the students. And they were all very aware of themes like leadership, personal engagement with the divine, and physical reaction to salvation. They had also picked up on one the most important moments: the fall of the prophet. So we were also able to have a very lively discussion about it. The traditional documentary acts as a textbook for them, but the ethnographic film feels more like a field trip.
I’ve also experimented with having students watch films at home, but engage in a discussion about it in class while the footage plays on mute. It’s been very useful to have the visual present during conversation.
In short, I think the best film for the classroom is one that shows the student a specific human phenomenon, and even maybe hints at certain themes and conveys an analysis; not the one that tells them what they need to know about something. The former is the kind of film that provides an opportunity for an essay question on an exam; the latter gives you a fill-in-the-blank at best.
In our initial exchange you mentioned some obstacles you’ve encountered while working with film. Can you elaborate some of these—perhaps the logistical, ethical, and/or financial?
Ethical and financial obstacles are always aplenty. Camera equipment and editing software cost quite a bit, as does travel for acquiring the footage. And the process of obtaining proof of consent is traumatic. Getting the permission to film is the worst of them all, because there’s so much to it: gaining trust, making the case for your project, speaking to the right people, informing every member of the community of your project and intentions, securing access multiple times, knowing what you can and cannot film.
But the methodological issues are more productive to discuss and work through. For example, I’m very interested in the material or embodied religious experience. I’m interested in how space, place, and atmosphere are experienced. How the body moves, stays still, how it’s disciplined. How it engages its surroundings and acts differently when not in the sacred space. And this is not very easy to convey through film. For example, an important part of the religious experience in a church is sound. How can you ignore the echo in a church? Every time you shift or fidget in your seat, you hear it and are aware that everyone else hears it as well. Every whisper, every crackle, every chuckle echoes in there, and that itself regulates the body in a certain way. But you need expensive audio equipment to record and convey the echo and enough experience and a good theoretical approach to capture the way this sound
BAPS Temple, Raleigh, North Carolina. Screenshot from raw ethnographic film, Torang Asadi.
Are there any issues on the other side of the camera?
People act differently when aware of the camera. Religious communities never forget its presence, because it’s threatening, especially for more marginal communities. The camera captures an extremely intimate and totalistic part of their lives.
It’s important to have accomplished solid ethnographic work prior, so that the ethnographer can identify the differences in performance and judge her own footage’s validity. Most times you will know when your interlocutors are acting differently. I discard a lot of footage because I can tell it’s not natural, for example, when no one’s entering a trance-like state when dancing at a New Age chanting event, when they would if the camera weren’t present. And that’s why it’s important to have hours and hours of footage and to keep going back with the camera. I think out of every ten hours of footage, there’s ideally an hour of natural footage, and it’s up to the ethnographer to determine the nine hours that are problematic. There have also been times when I haven’t been given permission to film in a particular space or to return to one to obtain additional footage.
I don’t mean to distract from the value of film by talking about all the issues and obstacles. The fact that such issues exist and the fact that we can have this conversation and try to find solutions to these obstacles means that the medium is worth working through. We can pose the same types of questions to our own method of written scholarship. Many claim that film is not a reliable form of scholarship because a lot ends up on the cutting room floor. My response to that would be: first, the cutting room floor is now a folder called “raw footage” and is as accessible as fieldnotes, primary sources, and secondary sources used by any author. And second, there is no difference between editing footage and editing an article. In short, they are both edited and much of the information is left in a research folder somewhere. That is why we have the peer review process. As a matter of fact, even selective and edited footage is more reliable than the fieldnotes and the speculative analyses that make up the material from which we weave written scholarship. And again, this is still a topic of much debate, but the short version of the claim would be: it's much easier to fabricate and manipulate fieldnotes. At the end of the day, the obstacles are not that different from the ones we face as ethnographers.
Do you see a close connection between ethnography and film?
That is perhaps the most important connection when thinking of film as a research medium. You need to know the community well enough to know where to point the camera, and you need that familiarity to be able to have a camera present and to gain permission to publish your work. You need to know the validity of your footage and be able to measure its honesty. The best thing film can do is convey the experience of the ethnographer, who is a trained professional. And that is what academic scholarship is supposed to do, as well. It is, first and foremost, the ethnographer who can provide an understanding of a community, not the filmmaker.
Ethnography is a very delicate endeavor. It’s one thing for scholars to visit a community, ask some questions, and write up some field notes, but it’s another for an ethnographer to pay extremely close attention to her own body, its relation to other bodies, the ways it morphs as a result of living with that community, and the way in which the community's response to her body’s presence changes over time. For anthropologists, it is unimaginable to spend less than a year in the field or to conduct your research through a translator. But our scholars even get away with just a few hours of face-to-face time, if any, with the people about whom they write. Despite the hopeful move toward ethnography, language competency in our field is still equivalent to reading knowledge of research languages. Ethnography is absolutely crucial to our research of lived religion, and it’s something that takes a lot more than a few visits to accomplish.
A good example is when a community feels the right to correct the ethnographer, which means she’s no longer a stranger and that she has a responsibility to this community now. This dynamic is very fruitful, but takes a long time to achieve. I’ve been spending time with the Twelve Tribes Community for over six years now. I dress differently when I visit one of their communities, out of respect and to create a more comfortable presence, especially for the children. I am covered from neck to toe and my clothes have more room than my body requires. During a visit to one of their communities in France, a few of the women around me leaned in to let me know that the top button on my blouse was undone and that they could see my skin. “Let me know if it’s broken, I have a pin,” one informed me. It was clear that I was being instructed to cover up, and that was extremely exciting! There's a lot to discuss here regarding ethics, but the fact that they felt the right to correct me and not the other guests meant that I was part of the community, enough to be held responsible and corrected. There was so much for me to learn in that moment, and I was much more confident in my ethnography.
But place a camera in my hand and everything would have been different. There is no way I could have gained the access, trust, and understanding that participant observation provides with recording technology, and even less so with a camera crew. I did, however, bring my camera out about a week after that incident. And I was allowed to film almost everything. After a few minutes of showing the small consumer camera to the children and even letting the curious members play around with it for a bit, the comfort they felt with me overshadowed their enchantment with the object and I began filming. Being an ethnographer first and an ethnographic filmmaker second is absolutely crucial, I think.
How does your methodology as an ethnographer translate into your methodology as a filmmaker? Do you theorize the two in the same way?
I’m very interested in the material religious experience, which is more than the simple engagement of objects. I’m interested in embodiment. How the body moves, stays still, and is disciplined. How it engages its surroundings and is different when not in the sacred space. How it becomes the technology through which religious work is done and made efficacious.
Even in my ethnographic method, I pay close attention to both my own body and the bodies of my interlocutors. Together they form a very complex relational network. So I work very closely with theories of the body, conduct my ethnography through the body, and film with a similar approach. That is another reason I make minimal use of fancy equipment and see the presence of a crew to be detrimental. For me, my small camera is part of my ethnographic body. It's more of an appendage than a tool, and creates a collective whole that affects my presence and my engagement of the community. It changes the way I move, the things I see, the things I remember, and the way I am received, regulated, and included.
Are there things you learned from filming your subjects that you might not have learned from merely observing them and producing a written ethnographic analysis?
Absolutely. I have so many examples. I work on the counterhegemonic tensions that make room for innovation, so I work with communities that have rebelled against what they have recognized as corrupting powers. And seeing a community’s reaction to what the “outside world” will be seeing of them is illuminating. What they allow you to film and when they ask you to put the camera away tells me so much about how they demarcate themselves from the world. Also, the camera can stare, but I can’t. So hiding behind the camera and focusing on something specific has been very fruitful. The way communities interact with the technology, the spaces they allow the equipment in, and the things they stop doing in front of it are just a few examples of what you can only pay attention to with a camera in hand. You also end up recognizing space, light, and sound differently as a filmmaker, which can also teach you more than you’d expect.
There aren’t too many established scholars who use film in their academic work. You’re studying at Duke, and I imagine that was a calculated choice.
At Duke, I was recruited by David Morgan, Ebrahim Moosa, and Leela Prasad, who encouraged me to incorporate film into my work. However, that encouragement was very unique to this group of professors. And I am still being encouraged to submit chapters of my dissertation as film. I did not get the same reaction from other institutions, such as Harvard. One of Leela Prasad’s students submitted an entire MA thesis as film, with accompanying commentary. Duke also has a fantastic program in documentary studies. So I’ve worked with Gary Hawkins and Steve Milligan, both of whom are fantastic.
In our own field, the incorporation of film has been pathetically slow, but not absent. But there’s hope, it seems. The current editor of JAAR, Amir Hussain, came to UNC-Chapel Hill last year for a great session with graduate students and he did mention that he’s hoping for submissions that engage ethnographic film in some way.
Who else in the field is engaging documentary filmmaking as a scholarly enterprise? Where is the theory happening?
The shift towards lived religion, material religion, and understanding text as much more than the written word is not new anymore. Our field is no longer limited to textualists. This is a debate that has run its course and impacted our field in a fruitful and progressive manner. But we still don’t have the right training to compliment this trend. We are just now seeing ethnography courses in religion programs. Graduate students are still tested for reading knowledge in their research languages, with not much importance being given to their ability to converse with their interlocutors in their own language. And the primary form of scholarship is still the written one. Our training has not caught up. Film as a research method and as academic scholarship is still a distant hope. We have a lot of catching up to do with anthropology in that regard. [Editor's note: The American Anthropological Association has had "Guidelines for the Evaluation of Ethnographic Visual Media" since 2001. They were updated in May of this year.]
There are scholars who have engaged ethnographic film in their own work. Jeffrey Kripal and Leela Prasad are the better-known names that come to my mind. Most ethnographic filmmakers right now are anthropologists studying religion, not religious studies scholars. But just to be clear, we’re talking about ethnographic film, not documentaries like the ones produced for Diana Eck’s Pluralism Project. The goal is the ethnographic documentary as scholarship; one that does the same work an article or book would do in our field.
The theory is not happening in our field; it’s happening in anthropology. There’s a fantastic edited volume by Peter Ian Crawford and David Turton. There’s also the work of David McDougall and Anna Grimshaw. There is a great Oxford Bibliography, which is a great place to start. I’m also very interested in the sensory experience, and pay attention to affect, which is very hard to film. Laura U. Marks has a couple of pieces that discuss the senses in haptic images and embodiment that I would recommend.
The Twelve Tribes Community, Klosterzimmern, Germany. Screenshot from raw ethnographic film, Torang Asadi.
You reference Eck’s documentaries. Can you elaborate on the distinction between ethnographic film and documentary? And can you give some examples?
A “documentary” is very personal and creative, and not academic. It’s nonfiction, but still narrative and artistic in nature. On the other hand, there are documentaries that are characterized by the Ken Burns Effect, expert interviews, and monotonous narration.
“Ethnographic film” is footage obtained during ethnography. It’s most useful to think of it as raw footage, like fieldnotes. Watching ethnographic film is like reading someone's field notebook.
“Ethnographic documentary” is equivalent to the finished scholarship. The same way that a scholar uses field notes to write an article or a book, he can use footage to make an ethnographic documentary, which is academic in the sense that the scholar’s analysis and research are brought together in a film.
These aren’t necessarily useful distinctions, to be honest. The main goal is to have a polished product that serves as scholarship. The simplest form would be the written scholarship orated over ethnographic footage, but that’s just boring. And going back to the classroom example, it’s not successfully educational.
Philip Gröning’s documentary, Into Great Silence, about the Grande Chartreuse is a great example of an ethnographic documentary. It took him 16 years to gain permission for filming. He spent a year living in the monastery with no camera crew and the bare minimum in terms of equipment. That film is purely ethnographic in that sense. It’s not ethnographic footage, since it’s been beautifully edited, but it’s also not documentary since it conveys a purity to the experience. And I don’t mean that there is a lack of editing, just that the film is not unnecessarily embellished.
Lucien Castaing-Taylor’s work also comes to mind in this regard. This intersection is what I think of as an ethnographic documentary: one that is ethnographic in nature, but edited and polished; the sweet spot between raw footage and a work of art. The ethnographic documentary can be academic scholarship, and it can be made for public consumption as a standalone project. As a matter of fact, it is more valuable since it would be more accessible to the public. But I think this is the issue we’re facing right now: how do we engage academic theory in film?
Right, so if there is no narration, then how does the scholar engage theory or provide analysis through film?
The easiest answer is commentary, since divorcing scholarship from the medium of the written text remains so difficult. But the narration, for me, is always like a paper being read at a conference: I’d much rather have that paper to read in the comfort of my couch and pajamas. But how do you make the ethnographic documentary as efficacious as the written scholarship? How do you include analysis and engage theory without speaking it?
The closest I have come to this goal is trusting the viewer to make the connections implied in the footage itself, the title, interview material, candid conversations, and perhaps a couple of sentences of text when absolutely necessary. For example, I was working on a short project tilted “The Distant Touch and the Material Gaze in a BAPS Temple,” and the footage is very much focused on the human body, especially the hands, as ritual technology. It is also focused on the positioning of the body in relation to the murtis, and how devotees look at and are seen by them. So you can expect a lot of closeups from the ways in which devotees use their bodies to pray or address the murtis from a distance. The reciprocity of the gaze and the inability to touch the murtis is also explained visually through the film by a devotee as she silently walks around them but keeps her distance.
Interviews often do some of the work for you in this regard, but the traditional interview format feels unnatural and is not purely ethnographic to me, for some reason. It feels set up, both by the interviewer and the interviewee. The most successful and enlightening interviews I’ve had have been while washing dishes or mopping floors with the members of a community, not when I have them seated in front of lights and cameras.
So to answer the question: I don't have an answer. Just like written scholarship, it depends on the scholar to choose a writing style and to format the analysis. I think this question, of making film academically theoretical and analytical, is one that needs to taken up by scholars of religion, because that's how we can work through adopting film as a productive method of both research and scholarship.
If you were to pinpoint the most valuable aspect of film as scholarship, what would it be?
There is an important question that I ask myself with film: If you can’t say it through images of the community and through its members, is it worth saying at all? How much of our analyses is made up and conjectured? If you can’t say it with film, does that mean it’s too far removed from reality? I’ve never been one for over-theorizing or abstraction beyond recognition. If the people about whom I write cannot relate to the scholarship, is there a purpose to my work?
Leela Prasad demonstrates this very well in her Poetics of Conduct. She questions the categories she's trained with, prefers the language of her interlocutors to that of the disciplines, and engages her subjects in a conversation with the scholarship itself. I think it's no coincidence that she also works with film.
You can write something your subjects don't understand, but it's much harder to make a film to which they can't relate (assuming dishonesty is not a factor). So, a lot of times if I think it can’t be said through film, it must not be said at all. Ethnographic film has a way of pulling me out of an academic cloud of abstraction down to the reality of the human phenomenon that I’m studying. In that sense I think it’s very valuable as academic scholarship.
The Transformational Presence of Gandhi
Christianity in the Kingdom of Kongo: An Interview with Cécile Fromont
Growth, Identity, and Branding in the Department of Religious Studies at the University of Alabama
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Thibaut Courtois hits back at Chelsea fans: "It doesn't help"
| Monday, January 15, 2018
Conte's side survived several first-half chances from the Foxes and the fans grew increasingly concerned as Chelsea struggled to create chances of their own, but Courtois has asked for more patience. As things stand on the point tally, Chelsea are now on level terms with second-placed Manchester United with the Devils yet to play a game. 'And they don't have to get nervous. [Full Article...]
Kevin Sumlin goes to the University of Arizona
Arizona's expected new head coach, Kevin Sumlin , plans to retain defensive coordinator Marcel Yates and name Noel Mazzone his offensive coordinator, according to Bruce Feldman of Sports Illustrated . Arizona has a supremely talented quarterback in Khalil Tate who would thrive in Sumlin's system. McKinney, the running backs coach, inherits J.J. [Full Article...]
Bills hire Alabama's Brian Daboll as offensive coordinator
The Buffalo Bills have hired Brian Daboll as offensive coordinator, replacing Rick Dennison, who was sacked last Friday. "I know how much this area means to him". With the Patriots running the risk of possibly losing both coordinators at the end of the season, one potential replacement is officially off the board today. [Full Article...]
Sam Bradford to backup Case Keenum vs. Saints, Teddy Bridgewater inactive
Ben Volin of the Boston Globe tweeted Friday the " Vikings plan to dress" Bradford, who hasn't been active since Week 5 against the Chicago Bears. Yes, these teams met in Week 1 and the statistical differences were staggering with the Vikings outgaining the Saints , 437-269 (75 from the Saints which came in a late meaningless TD drive) en route to a 29-19 win. [Full Article...]
Patriots DC Matt Patricia likely to become Detroit Lions head coach
New England also is expected to lose offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, who is a finalist for both the Colts ' and Giants' head-coaching jobs, per sources . An offensive lineman who studied aeronautical engineering at Division III Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in the 1990s, Patricia had three stops as a graduate or part-time assistant before breaking into the National Football League as ... [Full Article...]
LeBron James reveals what could draw him to an early retirement
| Sunday, January 14, 2018
LeBron James then had two opportunities in the final two seconds to win it but failed on both. Can't we just be happy the Pacers have two good centers? "I think in the first we weren't settled down ... I should've known. I've known since school that it's not the guy who tells the joke that gets called, it's the guy who laughs. "So they caught me on the retaliation, so - but he played well ton... [Full Article...]
Fan takes a $50000 catch in Pakistan vs New Zealand 3rd ODI
So far both Pakistani Bowling and Batting haven't been up to the mark; and if the batting lineup was yet unable to get rid of its fragile nature, the dependable bowling lineup also seemed struggling in New Zealand . Guys were smart today. Despite NZ losing 7-48 to close their innings, the total looked a competitive one on the Dunedin wicket. While Trent Boult was the pick of the bowlers, sn... [Full Article...]
Legendary Broadcaster Keith Jackson Has Passed Away
Jackson's voice often emulated the energy of a particular event or the momentum of a game-changing play. Keith was a true gentleman and memorable presence. "I would go around and pluck things off the bush and see if I could find a different way to say some things". His final game in a 52-year career was, fittingly, one of the greatest college football games of all time. [Full Article...]
Sanders and Scarlet Knights set for rematch against No.4 Michigan State
MI is coming off a 70-69 loss to fifth ranked Purdue On Tuesday. Head coach Jay Wright made the point that the Wildcats needed to pick up their defensive level, so he went to team leaders Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges, Phil Booth and Eric Paschall to set an example for the rest of the team. [Full Article...]
Harry Kane becomes Tottenham Hotspur's record Premier League goalscorer in Everton thrashing
Mauricio Pochettino has named his Tottenham Hotspur squad that will take on Everton in a Premier League clash later today at Wembley Stadium . In what was Everton's worst performance under new manager Sam Allardyce , Spurs brushed aside the visitors with an emphatic win the move them level with 4th place Liverpool . [Full Article...]
Chelsea fans destroy Antonio Conte for ridiculous decision during Leicester City draw
Leicester enter the contest sitting in eighth place with 30 points, while Chelsea is in third with 46, one point behind second-place Manchester United but 16 behind runaway leaders Manchester City . Chelsea really need to rediscover their spark against Leicester , with Morata especially in need of a boost. He has made just two league starts this term after being named in the first XI onl... [Full Article...]
UFC 221: Robert Whittaker's Out, Yoel Romero Steps In
The news was first reported by ESPN's Brett Okamoto and later confirmed by the UFC early Saturday morning. He will now face the victor of Romero versus Rockhold in a unification bout, with all customers who purchased tickets for UFC 221 eligible for a refund. [Full Article...]
Randle leads Lakers past Kings for second-straight win
The Lakers (14-27) appear to be midway through their fifth consecutive non-playoff season, but their entertaining style occasionally produces great moments, such as the dunk thrown down by Nance on a less-than-ideal pass from Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. [Full Article...]
Smart changes can script a win for Virat Kohli at Centurion
Former Indian cricketer Virender Sehwag was absolutely unimpressed with the way Virat Kohli chose his playing eleven for the ongoing Centurion Test. India's record of nine consecutive series victories is on the line after the hosts took a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. "I said that match was one of the best I played in because there were so many ups and downs for both teams‚" he said. [Full Article...]
Reuben Foster arrested for marijuana possession in Alabama
On Saturday, Corry reported that language in Foster's rookie contract voids the guaranteed salary for the remainder of Foster's deal if he's fined under National Football League drug policies. Bail was set a time $2,500, AL.com reported. A former Butkus Award victor, Foster was drafted in the first round by the San Francisco 49ers. Foster entered the draft after being sent home early from the ... [Full Article...]
Warriors' Curry (ankle) out again vs
During Friday's game between the Golden State Warriors and Milwaukee Bucks , one fan was heard shouting, "fuck you bitch, motherfucker", at Klay Thompson after he went crashing to the hardwood. Curry picked up right where he left off as he scored 38 points in his first game back in the lineup against the Grizzlies. "We are trying to get better at guarding the 3", coach Jason Kidd said. [Full Article...]
Mourinho hails Lingard after wonder goal fires United
| Saturday, January 13, 2018
Martial has started just 11 Premier League games this season, making a total of 19 appearances, yet has seven goals and three assists to his name. United produced a dominant second-half display at Goodison Park to record their first victory in five matches following goals from Anthony Martial and Jesse Lingard . [Full Article...]
Toronto Raptors 133, Cleveland Cavaliers 99
The optics were not great. He missed a wide-open 3 with 1:42 to go. Against the Toronto Raptors on Thursday, the reigning Eastern Conference champs got handed their worst defeat of the season and fell by 34 points. Last week, they played against the lowly Sacramento Kings and Utah Jazz. "Until we play better defensively and offensively, until we share the basketball". [Full Article...]
Nadal and federer 'are favourites'
This year's Australian Open was shaping up to be one of the most underwhelming editions, with numerous top-ranked players being forced to withdraw from the tournament because of injury. Federer, who is fresh off securing a third Hopman Cup title for Switzerland, is eyeing a sixth Australian Open crown in Melbourne this month. [Full Article...]
EPL: Guardiola beats Mourinho, Conte, Sir Alex to set new record
Mourinho's contract at Old Trafford runs until 2019 and, despite signing a new deal just past year, Conte also only has about 18 months left on his deal at Stamford Bridge. Teams and fans would love their very own Sir Alex Ferguson, both in terms of his success and his longevity, but it's just not likely these days, managers move on far more quickly than they ever did previously. [Full Article...]
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Lack of love fuels Novak Djokovic desire to be top dog
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City Booming With Multifamily Complexes
By Colleen Sparks
Anyone looking for an apartment in Chandler before they are ready to buy a house has plenty of choices – with more on the way.
Chandler saw 3,200 multi-family housing units recently completed in the city and about 2,000 units are under construction, according to Micah Miranda, city economic development director.
The city had 28,690 apartments, townhomes and condominiums already built as of last May, city planner Susan Fiala said.
Multi-family units can be apartments, townhomes and condominiums available either to rent or buy.
“We experienced a swell in multi-family development,” as did the whole Valley, said city Planning Manager David de la Torre. “We’re trying to narrow down where multifamily can be built and we’ve pretty much exhausted most of the locations for multifamily south of the 202 freeway.”
De la Torre said the city expects most of the future multi-family housing units to be built in the north side, downtown and in older parts of the city.
Several new apartment complexes were heighted stops on the economic development bus tour held last month by the Chandler Chamber of Commerce.
Many of the new units are described as “luxury” and de la Torre said the city is “definitely seeing very high-end developments.”
One relatively new complex, Alta San Marcos at 445 W. Chandler Blvd., offers “elegant and uniquely designed one, two and three bedroom apartments,” according to its website.
A two-bedroom apartment is listed at $2,545 per month and a one-bedroom apartment at $1,354, but various floor plans and prices are available.
A project with 262 apartments called San Marcos Living is proposed west of Dakota Street and south of Chandler Boulevard near Commonwealth Avenue.
The city Planning Department is doing an initial review and after that, the project will go to Planning and Zoning Commission and later City Council, city spokesman Jim Phipps said.
If the developer starts construction this year, it probably would not be finished until sometime next year, Phipps said.
The city released a list of 20 multi-family developments pending zoning approval or under construction in the city as of Jan. 8. However, de la Torre said it was possible the status of some of the projects had changed.
He said “updating the status and expected year of completion for each development would be very time consuming and we’re currently short two staff positions (out of five) so we are not able to update the status at this time.”
“We’re still maintaining the same review times and they’re still moving forward,” de la Torre said. “We’re super busy.”
Many of the multi-family listings are advertised online and say people can rent or buy the units today.
One of them, Artisan Village at Gila Springs at 300 N. Gila Springs Blvd., lists its townhomes priced at slightly over $200,000.
The townhomes “offer a great value” and the “three story homes feature a large great room/kitchen combination that’s ideal for entertaining.” They also have a balcony off the master bedrooms providing “scenic views” and a loft area that could serve as “an extra bedroom,” the website said.
The city lists the Artisan Village at Gila Springs as “existing/partially constructed,” meaning it’s possible more townhomes will be built.
Jefferson Chandler luxury apartments at 3950 W. Chandler Blvd. is advertising up to four weeks free rent.
“Jefferson Chandler raises the bar in apartment living,” and provides “easy access” to downtown Chandler and Price Road, specialty shops and downtown restaurants, its site says.
The 283-unit complex on 11 acres is described as “a desert oasis embracing all that is modern and accessible luxury” that will include a dog park and dog wash, a putting green, a resort-style pool and 24-hour access to package lockers.
Multi-Housing News last year said Jefferson Chandler and other developers were taking advantage of Chandler’s economic resurgence, especially along the Price Road Corridor.
“This has led investors and developers to be bullish on what has begun to be known as ‘Silicon Desert,’ an area where rents have grown exponentially in recent years,” the news site said.
A one-bedroom and one-bathroom apartment that is 775 square feet is listed from $1,350 and a studio/one-bathroom apartment of 569 square feet starts at $1,075, the website said.
Noria Robson Luxury Apartments at 2177 S. McQueen Road lists units available on its website. Rents vary with one floor plan of a one-bedroom/one-bathroom apartment listed at $1,464 and one model of a three-bedroom/two-bathroom apartment priced at $2,239.
San Valencia Luxury Apartments are “now open,” according to their website.
The apartments at 1450 E. Germann Road provide a “secure, serene lifestyle” with the ‘best assets of the area,” the website said.
Prices vary, but one model of a one-bedroom/one-bathroom apartment costs $1,410 to $1,435 a month, according to San Valencia’s website. One model of a two-bedroom/two-bathroom apartment costs from $1,745 while another is from $2,010.
The Cays at Downtown Ocotillo is holding a closeout sale this month to celebrate the new year and almost $40 million in real estate that has sold thus far.
Anyone who buys one of the last remaining two-bedroom, two-bathroom homes by Jan. 31 and closed by March 31 would get a customized $10,000 closeout incentive tailored to that buyer. The Cays, developed by The Statesman Group, is a $90-million luxury condominium community at 2511 W. Queen Creek Road in Ocotillo.
Realtors think the market will serve newcomers who want to get an idea of what Chandler’s like before buying a home.
“Obviously there’s the people that are moving here and they kind of want to get a lay of the land,” Realtor Tia Coates said. “Then there’s another set of people that know they definitely want to be here because our real estate market is so very healthy. They’re renting so they can buy in the future. It takes time and people that are committed to living in Chandler need to have an option to rent so they can buy in the future.”
Some people rent because they are single and/or young couples or retired widows or widowers that do not want to have to perform maintenance work on homes and yard work, she added.
“I’ve seen several times when a retired widow or widower doesn’t want the hassle of taking care of a home by themselves,” she said.
While it may seem like a lot of apartments and other multi-family units are being built right now, “for decades Chandler didn’t have any sort of multi-family properties in town,” she said. “We’re becoming landlocked and more people want in.”
Coates said sometimes people fear multi-family complex residents will be “transient in nature,” but stressed they’re often people who aren’t ready to buy.
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Thematic subheadings
Autumn from the cycle The Four Seasons - The Strasbourg Views
Wenceslaus Hollar - engraver
zoom download
Soon after the first cycles of seasons, Hollar began to work on another cycle based on his own design, producing four seasonal depictions that were published by Jacob van der Heyden in 1629. However, these were not landscapes or rural scenes, but urban motifs animated by the busy leisure activities of city dwellers. In the spring, marksmen assemble on a firing range near Strasbourg; in the summer, people bathe in a river that wends its way through the town; in the autumn, they transport barrels (probably of wine), and in the winter, they ride a horse-drawn sledge in the town square. All these activities pertain mostly to the bourgeoisie, not a conventional theme at the time. Although Hollar was somewhat influenced by his Netherlandish colleagues, in the way he rendered trees for example, his originality was already in evidence. His future characteristic style is discernible in the view of the town and river in Summer. He continued to employ various themes, many of them represented by landscapes and views, though they no longer inspired him to depict the four seasons.
measurements: height 95 mm
Wenceslaus Hollar: The Four Seasons
technique: Etching, 1st state
inventory number: R 50695
gallery collection: Collection of Prints and Drawings
licence: public domain
from cycle: The Four Seasons
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Submit Enquiry Schools in Ujjain Apply for a School Job
St Marys Convent Sr Sec School, Ujjain
Address:Dewas Road, Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh-456006
Website: stmarysdewas.org
CLASSES: Sr Secondary
Franciscan sisters of St. Mary of the Angels came to the town of Dewas primarily to open a school in response to the request of Catholics to educate their children. This highly reputed school of today had very lowly beginnings. The school was started in the outhouse of Maharaja of Dewas in 1968 with 37 students on its roll. At that time Dewas was an insignificant village and had not developed to its present status. Sr. Bernadette and Sr. Rosalia the two young, enthusiastic pioneers zealously used to commute by bus from Ujjian, walking the remaining distance to the palace ground with all their teaching paraphernalia. As the bus service to Dewas was not very regular in those days, the two sisters had to sometimes return home disappointedly after waiting long hours at the bus stop. Mother Emmanuel, the Superior at Ujjain used to come to Dewas from time to time to encourage and supervise the work of these two sisters.
As the number of students on the rolls kept growing it became imperative to put up a school building. We owe a debt of gratitude to Fr. Reckwardt SVD for planning and supervising the construction of the new school building on the Ujjain Dewas Road to which the school was shifted in 1971.
Initially the school faced many problems and inconveniences, the major ones being scarcity of water and lack of funds for constructing more classrooms and to upgrade the school. But by dint of hard work, perseverance and courage of the sisters the school gradually became a Higher Secondary school, affiliated to the M.P. Board. The first batch of the students passed out of the school in 1982 and 1998 St. Mary�s Dewas was affiliated to CBSE.
The school which started with 37 students then, has over 2000 students now. Today the tiny seed has grown into a huge tree. Yes there has been a steady growth and growing is always one of the most beautiful phenomenon that makes and sets apart an educational institution a sacred nursery of physical, intellectual, moral and spiritual growth.
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PLAIN AND UNAMBIGUOUS CLAIM CONSTRUCTION ANYTHING BUT
Ian Goodman and Dane Smith
Published June 2nd, 2016
As discussed in our previous article, entitled “Obviousness double patenting in Canada not so obvious”, the Federal Court of Appeal in Mylan Pharmaceuticals ULC v. Eli Lilly Canada Inc. et al., 2016 FCA 119 (“Mylan”), confronted the difficult doctrine of obviousness-type double patenting in Canada. Unfortunately, the Court also advanced a worrisome proposition in their discussion of the interrelated issue of claim construction.
The patent at issue in Mylan was Canadian Patent No. 2,226,784 (the “‘784 Patent”), which claims the compounds tadalafil and 3-methyl tadalafil. These compounds are used for the treatment of erectile dysfunction with Eli Lilly selling tadalafil under the brand name CIALIS. Mylan appealed a previous decision of the Federal Court, 2015 FC 17, which granted an order prohibiting a Notice of Compliance from being issued to Mylan, thus preventing Mylan from marketing a generic version of tadalafil until the expiry of the ‘784 Patent. During the appeal, Mylan alleged that the ‘784 Patent was invalid on the basis of obviousness-type double patenting, inter alia.
It is well established under Canadian patent law that an obviousness-type double patenting analysis involves a comparison of the claims of a second patent against the claims of a first patent (Whirlpool Corp. v. Camco Inc., 2000 SCC 67 (“Whirlpool”)). This analysis necessarily requires the claims of both patents to be construed.
While construing the claims in Mylan, the Federal Court of Appeal stated “[t]he rules of patent construction preclude reference to the specification when the claims are clear” and “as there was no ambiguity in the claims here, there could be no recourse to the specification” [Emphasis added]. Although Canadian jurisprudence dating as far back as 1982 recognizes that recourse to the remainder of the specification is “unnecessary where the words of the claim are plain and unambiguous” (Beecham Canada Ltd. et al. v. Procter & Gamble Co., [1982] F.C.J. No. 10 (F.C.A.)), the statements of the Federal Court of Appeal in Mylan take this established proposition to a troubling extreme.
In the seminal case of Whirlpool, the Supreme Court of Canada reiterated a caution that “[t]erms must be read in context, and it is therefore unsafe in many instances to conclude that a term is plain and unambiguous without a careful review of the specification” and went on to find that it was “perfectly permissible” for the trial judge to look at the specification, including drawings, to determine what was meant by a particular word in the claims. This caution is well founded.
Precluding reference to the specification based on an assertion that the claims are plain and unambiguous is a precarious practice that is prone to inconsistencies. Such inconsistencies are exemplified in Mylan, where the Federal Court of Appeal found the claims to be “clear” and unambiguous but then came to a different construction for the claims than that of the trial judge, who relied on reference to the specification.
« OBVIOUSNESS DOUBLE PATENTING IN CANADA...
In Confidence: Trademark and Patent... »
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Golden Triangle Tour
Day 01 Arrival at Delhi
A warm traditional welcome at Indira Gandhi International Airport awaits you at Delhi followed by transfer to your hotel for dinner and overnight stay. You will also receive the full details of the tour itinerary once again at dinner.
Day 02 Delhi
After delicious breakfast, you will go for a guided sightseeing tour of Delhi, the capital of India, in an A/C deluxe coach. The first half concentrates on the highlights of New Delhi such as driving past the daunting Bristish era monuments such as Rashtrapati Bhawan (President’s Palace), Parliament House and India Gate, built in the memory of Indian martyrs. You can enjoy a boat ride and the well-maintained lawns of India Gate. Then, there are relics from the past such as Humayun’s tomb and Qutab Minar, for you to explore.
After lunch, you will once again go for sightseeing to Old Delhi, where you will visit the sprawling stronghold of Mughal Era, the Red Fort, which has played an important role in Indian history and is pride of India. Then, there is Jama Masjid, India’s largest mosque and the Raj Ghat, memorial to Mahatma Gandhi, Father of India. Ride in a rickshaw in the narrow and crowded streets of Chandni Chowk bazaar, where you can shop as much as you like for all kinds of stuffs including clothes, artifacts, jewellery and handicrafts. It is Asia’s largest market for electrical goods and its delicacies such as Kachori, Paranthas and Kulfi are quite famous. In the evening, you will witness the sound and light show at Red Fort showing Indian history during Mughal era as its main theme. Overnight stay at hotel.
Day 03 Agra
In the morning, you will leave for Agra, visiting Fatehpur Sikri enroute. Fatehpur Sikri is 40 km from Agra, which was built by Emperor Akbar to serve as his capital in the honor of Sheikh Salim Chisti, who had blessed him with an heir and a son. But the city was later deserted due to shortage of water. The highlights of the city are Panch Mahal, Anup Talao, Diwan-e-Khas, sacred Tomb of Chisti and Buland Darwaza along with many other sub-monuments.
In the evening, you will check in at the hole in Agra and then spend it at your leisure. You may either rest or explore the markets of Agra for souvenirs such as miniature Taj in marble, marble tabletops and jewellery boxes set with precious and semi-precious stones, leather shoes and purses, brass handicrafts and Petha (the famous sweet of Agra). Overnight stay at hotel.
After breakfast at hotel, a guided tour of Agra is in store for this day. You will visit Taj Mahal, one of the wonders of the world and considered an emblem of love; Agra Fort built in red sandstone with its magnificent palaces, mosques and lawns; and Sikandra, the tomb of Emperor Akbar. Overnight stay at hotel in Agra.
Day 05 Jaipur
In the morning, drive to Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan. Take a look at the real life of Rajasthan as you move through the city with men and women dressed in colorful dresses. Whirlpool skirts and silver jewellery of women and turbans of men present a wonderful sight. Check in at the hotel. After freshening up, you will enjoy the royal ride to Amber Fort on an elephant. The other highlights of the day’s visit are Hall of Victory and Jalmahal, the beautiful palace with mirror work situated amidst the Man Sagar lake. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Sightseeing of the Pink City, Jaipur, is in store for this morning. The highlights of the day are City Palace, still used as residence of royal family in part, and its museum with a rich collection of paintings, artifacts and royal dresses; Jantar Mantar; Hawa Mahal and the bazaars of Jaipur.
You can enjoy the evening at your leisure and rest or go for shopping. Savor traditional Rajasthani cuisine that includes Dal Bati, Churma and Bajare Ki roti served in typical Rajasthani style and buy handicrafts and tie and dye apparels as souvenirs. Overnight stay at hotel.
After breakfast in the hotel, leave for Delhi. You will be served a farewell lunch at the hotel, which will be followed by transfer to the airport, where you can catch your flight to onward destination.
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Last modified 2661 days ago (April 4, 2012)
ENGAGEMENT: Hiebert-Craig
Kelsey Hiebert, formerly of Hillsboro, and William Craig of Chicago, Ill., are engaged to be married Sept. 29 at First Mennonite Brethren Church in Wichita.
Cindy and Wayne Hiebert of North Newton, formerly of Hillsboro, are the parents of the bride-elect. William Sr. and Jennifer Craig of Logansport, Ind., are the parents of the prospective groom.
Hiebert is a graphic designer for Scranton Gillette Communications. She is a 2004 graduate of Newton High School and a 2008 graduate of Tabor College.
Craig is a producer for WGN TV. He is a graduate of Logansport High School and Ball State University, Muncie, Ind.
After the wedding, the reception will be at Exploration Place in Wichita. The couple plans to honeymoon in Hawaii and reside in Chicago.
Howard and Lois Fast of Hillsboro and Viola Hiebert of Newton and the late Victor Hiebert are grandparents of the bride-elect.
Last modified April 4, 2012
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Museum Architecture
Trina Nelson Thomas
Jennifer Restauri
Sarah E Boehme, Ph.D.
Alicia Benitez-Booker
Terri Fox
Jenniffer Hudson Connors
Allison Evans
Trang Tran
Henry Jacob (H.J.) Lutcher Stark
Nelda Childers Stark
What can you tell me about my work of art? The Stark Museum of Art receives many questions from private collectors asking for information about works of art that they own or about the works of art of a particular artist. Although it is not within the scope of our public mission to do extensive research for private individuals, we encourage the understanding and appreciation of western art by serving as a research resource, responding to specific inquiries and pointing individuals to other sources for information, as our resources and time permit. We have prepared bibliographies on some artists. Often, individuals ask about a specific work of art, but provide very limited information about the work, which makes it difficult for our museum or other sources to respond. We have prepared guidelines for documenting works of art. Private collectors will increase their own knowledge and be in a stronger position to obtain advice by documenting their works of art as suggested.
Research Guidelines for Documenting Works of Art
I. The Work of Art Artist, Title, Date: Record artist’s name, title of the work and the date of the work. (Indicate source of information; see below.) If the artist is unknown, write unknown and include any information about possible geographical origin of work. Inscriptions: Record all inscriptions found on the front and back of the work, such as the signature, date, numbers. Also record any attached labels. Be sure to copy the inscriptions exactly as they are seen. For instance, use capital letters if there are capital letters. Also note the location of the inscriptions. On sculpture, inspect the work carefully and record all inscriptions, including those found under the base. Measurements: Measure the work of art itself, first the height, then the width and depth. Then measure the frame or base dimensions, in same order. Record, indicating units of measurement used (such as inches or centimeters.) Materials: Describe the materials used to create the work accurately and precisely, such as oil on canvas, watercolor, and engraving. Look at the work of art using a magnifying glass; note if you see regularized pattern of dots indicating a print. If you are unsure about or unfamiliar with the type of materials used, ask an artist, art teacher, framer, or another individual likely to be knowledgeable about materials used in making art. Subject matter Describe subject matter as precisely and accurately as possible. Photograph: Document the work of art photographically. II. History of the Work of Art Provenance: Develop a provenance (ownership history). Indicate when, where, how and from whom the work was acquired. If possible, go back to the previous owner and obtain direct information on how that person/business acquired it, and continue tracing backwards. If the individual is deceased, interview other people who might have knowledge or records about the work. Archival Research: Search relevant records associated with the work. If the work descended through the family, look through family inventories (sometimes made for estate or insurance purposes), letters, account books, and journals/diaries. Documentation: Make copies of any written documentation, such as receipts for purchases. Exhibitions: List exhibitions in which this work of art appeared. Labels on the work of art often give information about exhibition history. Secondary Research: Research the artist, using your local library or similar resource. If the artist is not known or is obscure, consult a historical society in the region from which the artist or work originated. Bibliography: List publications that mention the work of art and/or that have reproduced an image of it. Adapted from material prepared by the Whitney Gallery of Western Art. Buffalo Bill Historical Center, Cody, WY Revised January 2008. What is my work of art worth? Staff members of the Stark Museum of Art are prohibited by museum policy from providing appraisals. We do not offer opinions on financial value. Researching financial value or obtaining an official appraisal is the private collectors responsibility. Sometimes, Stark Museum of Art staff members might be able to point private collectors to methods of researching financial value. Organizations of appraisers can be consulted.
Finding an Appraiser
Museums generally do not provide appraisals or estimates of financial value. Collectors seeking appraisals can contact organizations that represent professionals in the field. American Society of Appraisers 555 Herndon Parkway, Suite 125 Herndon, VA 20170 (703) 478-2228 Fax: (703) 742-8471 http://www.appraisers.org/ Appraisers Association of America 386 Park Avenue South, Suite 2000 New York, NY 10016 (212) 889-5404 x13 Fax: (212) 889-5503 http://www.appraisersassoc.org/ Art Dealers Association of America 205 Lexington Avenue, Suite #901 New York, NY 10016 (212) 488 5530 Fax: (646) 688- 6809 appraisals@artdealers.org http://www.artdealers.org/ International Society of Appraisers 1131 SW 7th St. Suite 105 Renton, WA 98057-1215 (206) 241-0359 Fax: (206) 241-0436 isa@isa-appraisers.org http://www.isa-appraisers.org/ How do I care for a work of art or find someone to clean or repair it? For information about caring for works of art and locating a conservator, contact: The American Institute for Conservation of Historic & Artistic Works 1156 15th Street NW, Ste. 320 Washington, DC 20005 202.452.9545 202.452.9328 fax Email: info@conservation-us.org Web site: http://www.conservation-us.org Northeast Document Conservation Center 100 Brickstone Square, 4th floor Andover, MA 01810-1494 978.470.1010 Web site: https://www.nedcc.org Adapted from Whitney Gallery of Western Art, Buffalo Bill Historical Center by Stark Museum of Art, Research Library 712 Green Avenue, Orange, TX 77630. January 2008.
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M-Kopa Solar Is Changing Africa’s Engery Scene
Richard Ruth January 10, 2015 1 comment
(Image via M-Kopa)
It is often said that Africa is an untapped market ripe for the reaping. With an enormous consumer base the one of the primary factors stifling major private investment initiatives is the lack of a solid, broad reaching power-grid. M-KOPA Solar stands to change that in part. Though, to hear them say it, they’re simply about helping people.
Few things in life are as noble or as satisfying as helping someone who is truly in need. To the small Kenyan startup M-KOPA Solar, helping people isn’t just their aim, it is their mission. As an added side effect, they also help the environment. By bringing affordable energy to those without power in several parts of Africa, the company hopes not only to lift those they help out of poverty, but also cut down on carbon dioxide emissions caused by extended kerosene use. The affordable nature of their services has also helped their customers save every much needed penny.
The company itself produces small solar power kits, notably the d.light solar home system, to bring light and radio access to those who have none or are currently using kerosene as a source of heat and light. Coupled with their solar energy product, M-KOPA uses a pre-pay per credit foundation for their services. Customers pay their credits forward similar to mobile phone services. In addition, M-KOPA has instituted a kind of pay to own policy, allowing customers to make small payments toward their solar unit until paid off in full. No interest. No hassle.
M-KOPA Solar launched on October 2012 in Kenya. After seeing a meteoric rise the company then expanded to Uganda in 2013 and to Tanzania toward the end of 2014. The company has reported its consumer base at a grand total of 100,000 with an approximate rise of 2,500 additional customers per week. They have also reportedly cut down a total of 130,000 tons of carbon dioxide and saved their customers over $75 million.
What is more? M-KOPA has been so successful in its mission that the company has moved forward with a licensing option for third parties to sell their products. They aim to bring light to the lightless regardless of infrastructure and regardless of socio-economic status. And they’re not showing any signs of slowing their rapid growth.
It is not hard to see why the company has gained so much popularity so quickly. With such an expansive user base M-KOPA’s solar power units are now more affordable than purchasing kerosene. Still, M-KOPA has yet to be highlighted by major reporting institutions, having few spots on internet or news media other than WIRED and local franchises.With such a rapid and healthy sense of growth it is tempting to wonder why. Soon enough, M-KOPA might well be spreading through the heart of Africa itself, continuing to garner attention along the way.
Tags:business, capital, creativity, energy, innovation, solar, startup, startups
How ‘Occupy The Bookstore’ Is Disrupting The Industry
ProtonMail Is Making ‘NSA-Proof’ Encrypted Email A Reality
About Richard Ruth
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By Steven Macek / E-Commerce
Yotam Ariel
Thank you for the nice coverage. There are more and more solar pay-as-you-go companies, and I’ve compiled a list of them in case it is helpful:
http://bennu-solar.com/pay-as-you-go-enabled-solar-solutions/
Yotam
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Return to a sub-30 5K.
Ted Spiker, who writes the Big Guy Blog for Runner’s World, loves to play in the worlds of running and fitness. He’s not much of a racer, but has dabbled in some epic events. In 2013, he finished Florida Ironman (in 16:39, just shy of the 17-hour time limit). He has also run two Tough Mudders and once met his goal of running a sub-30 5K (he’s back after that same goal in 2017).
Spiker loves to cross-train—running, swimming, playing basketball, flipping tires. In fact, since 2011, he has organized backyard strongman-type workouts for friends and neighbors. (Subscribe here to receive details of those weekly workouts.)
Perhaps Spiker’s greatest athletic-related accomplishment (besides scoring a total of 2 points during the entire eighth-grade basketball season) was starting the Sub-30 Club. This group, which started with a Runner’s World blog post, began with the hopes that people with a similar mission (going 29:59 or faster in a 5K) would use each other to share, connect, and motivate each other. It quickly grew beyond that into a group of runners with wildly different speeds and shapes, but one similar mission—that we were all there to support the goals of others, no matter what they were. You can listen to more about the Sub-30 Club in this episode of the Runner’s World podcast.
For a few years, Spiker also hosted The BodyCast, a show about various topics in health and fitness. You can listen to episodes here.
In 2012, Spiker was named one of the 100 most influential people in health and fitness by Greatist.com.
© Ted Spiker 2017. All Rights Reserved.
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Home | Qualifications | Related Links | Consumer Confidence Report
Why Safewater Testing?
Don’t Clown around with your water!
The Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) is the main federal law that ensures the quality of Americans' drinking water. Under SDWA, EPA sets standards for drinking water quality and oversees the states, localities, and water suppliers who implement those standards. SDWA was originally passed by Congress in 1974 to protect public health by regulating the nation's public drinking water supply. The law was amended in 1986 and 1996 and requires many actions to protect drinking water and its sources: rivers, lakes, reservoirs, springs, and ground water wells. (SDWA does not regulate private wells which serve fewer than 25 individuals.) Because of the complexity of the Safe Drink Water Act there became a need for qualified water system operators.
Recently STS launched a program to educate private homeowners about their unregulated wells and drinking water. This program is offering an extremely low one time rate of $175.00 to inspect and test the drinking water for those homeowners with private wells.
Safewater Testing Simplified was established in 1983. When Tina was contacted by a Kalispell city official and asked if she would take over 12 of the rural school's water operations. The schools were no longer confident that they could operate the water systems and keep up with the regulations. Tina agreed to take over the 12 water systems and still operates them today. Other water systems found themselves in the same situation and have contacted STS to take control of their water system operations.
STS tries to set up a contact person with each system that has the authority to give STS permission to do what is necessary to keep the water systems in compliance with Montana state department of environmental quality. STS also has agreements with local pump and well companies to be on call for any emergency that may arise within the water systems for immediate attention. These same companies also make requested maintenance needs. This has worked efficiently since 2000.
All reports are maintained at the STS office for review. Many water sample results must be reported to the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and kept on file for review. Water system maps and various other required information is also kept at the STS office. The type of water system, whether it is a community, non-transient or transient system, will decide how often it is inspected by DEQ. The sanitary surveys are required either once every three years or once every five years. For these inspections, the above mentioned filed information is required.
Tina also works as a sub-contractor for the Flathead City-County Health Department performing these sanitary surveys for DEQ. This experience is useful when dealing with the state regulatory agencies.
1500 Airport Rd. Kalispell, MT 59901 | Phone and Fax: 406-752-4949 | Cell 253-5301 | info@stsmontana.com |
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Book review: Brazil’s Dance with the Devil
Arts Jun. 30, 2014 Mike Davies
Dave Zirin shows us how sports writing can be more than box scores and statistics – it can help change the world
Image courtesy Haymarket Books
“In 1729, it was against the law [in Brazil] to construct new roads that would facilitate mining. In 1785, if you owned your own spinning mill or loom, you were ordered to burn it or the state would do it for you. Let us be clear about why this was happening: forced industrial underdevelopment. Deliberately stopping Brazil from industrializing ensured that European industry would reign supreme and Brazil would be used almost exclusively as a source of raw material.”
Sportswriter Dave Zirin goes deep in his latest book, Brazil’s Dance With the Devil: The World Cup, The Olympics, and the Fight for Democracy. He uses the Portuguese (and later British) plundering and intentional underdevelopment and exploitation of the Brazilian people throughout history that created the foundation of the country to lay the groundwork and enable the current exploitation of the Brazilian people by organizations such as the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) and the International Olympic Committee (IOC), as well as the behaviour of the Brazilian government itself in its dealings with its own population.
Zirin has executed a masterpiece of journalism with this work.
You don’t usually think of books in those terms, but what else would you call an examination of this depth into injustice, using a historical context, examined from multiple angles, layered onto current issues we generally don’t see and are enraged by when they’re shown to us? This is 216 pages of long-form journalism that you just can’t put down if you care about sports, injustice, history, equality, or, your fellow humans in general.
He opens by putting you there, in Brazil, as he and his research partner, Zach Zill, explore Rio de Janeiro, on foot, and delight your senses with the sights and sounds of the favelas (“informal, working class communities”) of the city, reveling in their beauty and culture.
“The panorama unfolded in front of us,” Zirin writes, “brown granite hills jutting up dramatically from gentle green slopes, a thick urban patchwork of roads and buildings, the shimmering water of the Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas, and then the ocean just beyond.
“Kids were throwing paper planes off the hillside and chasing after them as they floated gently down. Music echoed off the squat little houses, cobbled together at odd angles. Neighbors shouted to each other across a passageway. Of course there was a dusty soccer pitch at the top of the hill, just beyond the plaza where the tram ended.”
Once you well and truly are “in” Brazil, Zirin takes you on a history lesson filled with slavery, celebrated race-mixing, Carnival, military coups, and some more slavery (okay, well, “slave-like conditions” that produced the “rubber soldiers” of the second world war who are still fighting for reparations), to show you why it looks like it does, before moving toward the present and getting you even angrier with the current government, the corporate douchebaggery at FIFA and IOC, and examining the validity of the protests and uproar of the people over the injustices being heaped upon them.
“If we get swept up in the World Cup, but forget the nobodies who are swept away,” writes Zirin, “then we should not be surprised when FIFA or the IOC comes calling again in our own towns and we find ourselves branded nobodies.”
Anyway, go buy this book. I don’t want to just keep telling you about the greatness of it (there’s a whole lot about various other huge sporting events, including the Vancouver Olympics, and about soccer in general, and about capitalism and…) because you’d be better off spending your time with the book itself.
It’s a tough read—in that Zirin just batters you repeatedly with well-illustrated terribleness that is hard to fathom—but it’s totally worth being battered with.
After all, as Zirin says, “It is [Brazil’s] World Cup. But it is our world,” and we all need to acknowledge the things that are wrong with it.
Our guide to island fare
Have you stopped to smell the roses?
Get outside and see all that Kamloops has to offer
Annabelle brings it home in newest film
Frank Pfeffer Jun. 30, 2014
Normally I’d be using the phrase pointed heads-but I’ll control myself. As per Mr. Zirin-doesn’t wear a tie, dresses sloppily, thin broadcast voice, but is a real good writer. Has 7 or 8 other books and columns on the nation and edgeofsports. Toodles, Pfeff.
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Researcher To Experiment With Algae In Space
A University of Florida (UF) scientist will use the International Space Station to see if algae can help recycle carbon dioxide and eventually be used to help make plastics, resins and even food.
Initially, researchers want to improve algae’s ability to use light to capture carbon, and in turn, help support animal and plant life in space, said Mark Settles, a UF professor of horticultural sciences.
According to information, Prof. Settles will put plants on a payload bound from the Kennedy Space Center for the ISS. The launch is scheduled for June 29th.
“I’ve recently become interested in applying synthetic biology to plants, particularly to understand how starch and grain-storage proteins accumulate in the cells,” said Prof. Settles, a faculty member at the UF Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. “Corn is very hard to manipulate and takes a long time to develop improved varieties.”
“I figured I could start by working with algae and that NASA would be interested in engineering algae that could be used as food,” he said. “We are adapting algae to grow as fast they do in conventional liquid cultures on Earth.”
Among its advantages, cultivated algae could provide a system to recycle carbon dioxide and perhaps eventually provide food or a source of vitamins for crew members on long space voyages, said Prof. Settles. Previous studies show rodents and chickens eat algae, so it’s edible for humans, too, although astronauts don’t eat it yet, he said.
In conducting his month-long experiment, Prof. Settles will select algal strains that improve growth in a microgravity environment.
Prof. Settles’ next step is to extract DNA and sequence the genome of the space-selected algal strains. He and his research team also will propagate the space strains in the lab to maintain them for future space missions.
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Tom Savage leads Houston Texans to 21-20 win over Jacksonville Jaguars
Lamar Miller (26) carried the ball 22 times for
63 yards and one touchdown against the Jaguars.
Photo by Darla Tamulitis, La Vita Loca Photography
By Robert H Kelly
HOUSTON, TEXAs (December 18, 2016) The Houston Texans trailed the Jacksonville Jaguars 13-5 at the end of the first half; responding with 16 points in the second half to win the game by the score of 21-20 in front of 71,803 fans at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas on Sunday, December 18, 2016. The Texan defense held the Jaguars to seven points in the second half, with quarterback Tom Savage came off the bench in the second quarter to complete 23-of-36 passes for 260 yards. Running back Lamar Miller rushed for the Texans’ lone touchdown; a one-yard scamper late in the game. Houston tallied four field goals by Nick Novak and added a safety in the second quarter to close out their scoring.
Jacksonville scored 13 points in the second quarter on field goals of 26 and 50 yards by Jason Miller; along with a one-yard touchdown run by quarterback Blake Bortles and a Myers’ kicking conversion. The Texans responded with the safety and the first of Novak’s four field goals; a 39-yarder to conclude a six-play, 40-yard drive. They started off the third quarter with another Novak field goal, this time of 45 yards. The Jaguars answered with Marqise Lee returning the ensuing kickoff 100 yards for the score. The Texans added to their point total with the third and fourth of Novak’s field goals of 43 and 27 yards.
DeAndre Hopkins (10) caught eight passes for 87 yards
in the Texans win against Jacksonville.
Savage entered the game at the 8:31 mark in the second quarter, replacing starter Brock Osweiler, who only completed six-of-11 passes for 48 yards. Miller carried the ball 22 times for 63 yards and the single Houston touchdown. Nine Houston receivers caught passes with DeAndre Hopkins and Ryan Griffin leading the way with 87 and 85 yards, respectively, with eight receptions each. Houston held Jacksonville to 150 yards offensively and nine first downs. Houston tallied 387 yards of total offense.
With the win, Houston held on to their lead in the AFC South, tied with the Tennessee Titans. They will have a short week to prepare for the Christmas Eve matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals, who dropped 24-20 decision to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday. Game time against the Bengals is tentatively set for a 7:25 p.m. CST kickoff in Houston. Houston will close out the season on New Year’s Day against the Tennessee Titans on the road.
Posted by TexSport Publications at 12/18/2016 04:13:00 PM
Labels: Houston Texans, Jacksonville Jaguars, Lamar Miller, National Football League, NFL, Tom Savage
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Snake's Revenge
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Universal Directory / Article Details
A Group Of Japanese Students Hatched A Chicken Without An Eggshell
Date Added: March 02, 2017 05:12:25 PM
Author: Tiara Curtsinger
Category: Science and Technology
Screenshot via YouTube For generations, human beings have been beating their heads against the proverbial wall, trying in vain to figure out which came first-the chicken, or the egg. Over the years, the adage has come to represent life's many unknowable riddles. But now, thanks to a group of Japanese high school students and their "mad scientist" biology teacher, the question now feels beside the point: chickens apparently no longer need eggs at all. A video posted to YouTube Monday shows the eager, giggling students breaking a number of eggs, storing the embryos in clear, cellophane-wrapped containers, and then incubating them until they're ready to hatch 21 days later, all for a school science project. By the end of the video, a chicken can be seen running around the floor of the classroom. Screenshot via YouTube For generations, human beings have been beating their heads against the proverbial wall, trying in такую vain to figure out which came first-the chicken, or the egg. Over the years, the adage has come to represent life's many unknowable riddles. But now, thanks to a group of Japanese high school students and their "mad scientist" biology teacher, the question now feels beside the point: chickens apparently no longer need eggs at all. A video posted to YouTube Monday shows the eager, giggling students breaking a number of eggs, storing the embryos in clear, cellophane-wrapped containers, and then incubating them until they're ready to hatch 21 days later, all for a school science project. By the end of the video, a chicken can be seen running around the floor of the classroom.
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US Marshal's classic muscle car auction officially in the books
Thu, 25 Sep 2014 08:13:00 EST
The US Marshal's so-called Blood Muscle Auction was completed earlier this month, with the prestigious nine-car field (two cars were added following Autoblog's initial story, a 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 454 and a rare, mid-restoration 1971 Plymouth Hemi 'Cuda) finding new and hopefully law-abiding owners.
While we'd normally recap the stars of the show, in this particular auction, every car's sale was newsworthy. The full list of sale prices doesn't seem to be published, but according to The New York Times, the auction brought in a total of $2.5 million, or an average of about $277,000 per car.
The king of the contest seems to be a 1970 Plymouth Superbird (above, right), complete with a 426-cubic-inch Hemi V8, which brought home $575,000. The trio of Yenko Chevys, meanwhile, all easily cleared the six-figure mark, with the Yenko Camaro (above, far right) clearing $315,000, the Chevelle crossing the block for $237,500 and the supremely rare – one of just 37 – Yenko Nova (shown above, left) selling for an even $400,000.
The New York Times has a great write-up of the auction, including the somewhat bizarre setting relative to other high-stakes auctions where six-figure cars are the norm. Head over and take a look.
By Brandon Turkus
See also: 'Blood Muscle' auction to sell impressive collection of ill-begotten classic cars, '71 Plymouth Hemi Cuda Convertible sells for $3.5M [w/video], Barrett-Jackson 2014: 1970 Plymouth Hemi Superbird passes half a million dollars.
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Eck Ready to Represent His Country
Team USA faceoff specialist Chris Eck. Photo by Peyton Williams.
The following article originally appeared in the April 2014 issue of Lacrosse Magazine, the flagship publication of US Lacrosse.
by Nathan Maciborski
Chris Eck has never been shot at by an enemy. He’s never provided cover for a friend. He’s never been deployed, never had post-traumatic stress.
Eck has never served in the military. But some of his closest friends have. The respect and the admiration Eck has for those who protect this country runs deep. So as the 29-year-old faceoff man prepares for his first Federation of International Lacrosse (FIL) World Championship, the importance of representing the United States, even on a lacrosse field, is not lost on him.
There to remind him of that responsibility is an empty space on the wall of his apartment in Durham, N.C. Next to the framed jerseys from his first college season at Colgate and rookie professional season in Boston is just enough room for a Team USA jersey — and a gold medal.
“I know that the real heroes and the real people who represent our country are dressed in camo,” Eck said. “This is what I can do in my realm of my world to be able to represent our country.”
Making the team is a privilege that Eck has fought long and hard for, from battling through Type-1 diabetes and knee surgeries to getting cut from the 2010 squad. He endured a grueling process overseen by 2014 U.S. team coach Richie Meade, and although Eck is thrilled to have made it, he knows the real work has only just begun.
Eck was the only pure faceoff specialist chosen among the current 30 U.S. players. The last time the World Championship was held on American soil, a 13-year-old Eck travelled with his father from their home in Fairfield, Conn., to Baltimore, where Canada rallied from an 11-1 third-quarter deficit in the final before falling to the U.S. 15-14 in double overtime — one of the greatest men’s lacrosse games in history.
“I was like, ‘I want to do what those guys do,’” Eck said.
Eck returned to Fairfield and dedicated himself to his craft with an enthusiasm and precision rarely seen in a player so young. Andy Towers, now the coach at Dartmouth, recalled being impressed with his technique during a camp when Eck was in seventh grade.
“It was really easy to see, even at that age, that he was just a perfectionist,” Towers said.
The mental aspect of facing off — recognizing opponents’ moves, understanding what moves beat others, telegraphing moves to elicit an expected counter and then countering that counter and so on — is crucial. Eck said Towers introduced him to that facet of the game. It has become Eck’s calling card, a science that sets him apart from nearly every other faceoff man in the world.
“He always knew — even more than the coaches — about the technique and what he was going to do,” said Stony Brook coach Jim Nagle, who coached Eck for four years at Colgate. “So much attention to detail and so much passion about being successful at the faceoff ‘X,’ more than anybody I’ve ever coached at any position.”
After helping the Raiders win their first Patriot League championship, Eck was the first faceoff man selected in the 2008 Major League Lacrosse Collegiate Draft. The Boston Cannons picked him 38th.
On Aug. 9, 2008, Eck made his professional debut in Denver, facing off against the Denver Outlaws’ Geoff Snider. Snider was two years removed from an MVP performance at the 2006 World Championship, where he led Canada to its first gold medal in 28 years. The stocky bruiser had developed a reputation as an antagonist, an enforcer, a villain. But his results were undeniable, which is why so many eyes will be peeled to midfield when Canada and the U.S. face off.
“I can’t wait to watch the two best guys in the world going head to head,” said Towers, who also has worked with Snider. “It’s the pinnacle of the sport, and they’ve earned this opportunity.”
While some portray Eck and Snider as polar opposites in terms of personality, Towers said there are more similarities than people think. Snider’s aptitude for fighting stems from playing box lacrosse in Calgary. But his down-to-earth nature off the field and intelligence on it often go underreported. Eck played a different style of lacrosse as a kid, but his toughness and durability should not be discounted.
Both have “unparalleled” mental toughness, Towers said, and nearly identical techniques despite utilizing different grips (motorcycle for Snider; over-under for Eck). And while Snider may be regarded as the stronger of the two, “strength doesn’t really have anything to do with it,” Towers said. “It’s hand speed and technique. If you have those things and you’re consistently at the front of the whistle, you’re going to be tough to beat.”
Towers expects Eck and Snider to neutralize each other, but Eck said there are other factors on faceoffs. “That’s the focus, because the win or loss is written next to my name,” he said. “But it will have a lot to do with guys coming off my wings, their ability to grab balls that I put out to them, contain a guy like Brodie [Merrill]. It won’t just be me versus Geoff.”
Eck will graduate from Duke’s Fuqua School of Business in May. He purposely put off his start date at Google in New York until late September so that he could focus solely on lacrosse this summer.
“This is the closest I’ll ever come to being a real pro athlete,” he joked.
Eck wears U.S. gear when he works out and wore the same pair of Team USA mesh shorts — the ones he received at the 2010 tryouts — to bed every night for four years so that making this year’s team was the last thing he thought about before falling asleep and the first thing he thought about when he awoke.
Once he made the team, Eck switched to the new 2014 Team USA shorts as his sleepwear of choice. There’s a new goal — and a space on his wall that needs filling.
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Abitare Habitat Landscape design Cabins among the trees
Cabins among the trees
The New York-based firm WXY has developed a cabin prototype for New York State parks
New York State Parks and Recreation chose the firm WXY to design small, fully-equipped cabins for public parks, where camping is already allowed. It’s an option that has been available to visitors in North America for decades, in the form of rather spartan little cabins, equipped with beds and other amenities, that can be rented for short vacation stays. The experiment is part of a new policy championed by governor Andrew Cuomo, called NY Parks 2020, that has set aside $90 million to make improvements to more than 50 public parks.
The new cabins are designed to be cheap to build and easy to use. The exteriors are made of cedar slats for the cladding, reclaimed mahogany trim and sheet metal roofs. Although they look something like the cabins huts, shelters and shacks that already dot US forests, they set themselves apart with their large windows that let light shine in: one of the major critiques of previous models was that the interiors were often too dark and claustrophobic. The treatment of the interior surfaces, light-coloured wooden planks left unfinished, is designed to augment the natural light and the feeling of airiness. The roof lines are broken up with three different pitches, instead of the two conventional ones, to imprint the volume of each element with a sense of dynamism. Additionally, each unit has an outdoor porch and a terrace to increase the rapport with nature.
ph. Albert Vecerka / Esto
The selection of wear-resistant furniture and accessories, and the integration of low-energy indoor lighting solutions are other elements that were considered in the evaluation of the project. Every single architectural choice achieves multiple aims, on the one hand seeking out a very high level of efficiency, like for the ventilation, achieved thanks to the diagonal arrangement of the openings, or the natural lighting of the kitchen worktops, placed under the windows; on the other hand, the slight deviations from tradition prompt an interesting feeling of strangeness because you simultaneously feel a certain familiarity with the materials and shapes, while in fact the rapport between the spaces, no longer confined in narrow rooms but part of open environments and connected to each other, and the relationship between the exterior and the interior, are profoundly contemporary.
city & urban design|parks|shelters|wood
The Power of Women
Flevoland, art and nature
Located in the centre of the Netherlands six metres below sea level, the province...
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New Limits on ABS Exam Admissibility
Sept. 26, 2012 Media Contact: Christine Shiffer, 215-568-4000
New seven-year limit following training to achieve initial certification
The American Board of Surgery, the national certifying body for general surgeons and related specialists, announces changes to its admissibility requirements for initial certification in general surgery and vascular surgery.
In January 2012, the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) instituted a new policy for all 24 ABMS specialty boards that limits the period an individual may be eligible for initial board certification to no more than seven years following completion of training in the specialty. To comply with the new ABMS requirements, the ABS has established the policy outlined below.
This new policy will apply to individuals who complete their residency training in general surgery or vascular surgery in the 2012-2013 academic year and thereafter. Individuals who completed their training prior to this period will continue their certification process under the ABS' previous policies.
New Admissibility Policy
The new policy is as follows:
Individuals will have no more than seven academic years (July 1-June 30) following completion of residency training in general surgery or vascular surgery to complete the certification process in that specialty. The seven-year period starts immediately upon completion of residency, not when an individual's application is approved. If individuals delay in applying for certification, they will lose examination opportunities.
Up to four opportunities within four consecutive years will be given to pass the Qualifying Examination (QE). If a candidate decides not to take the exam in a given year, it is a lost opportunity as the four-year limit is absolute. After four years, if the Qualifying Examination is not passed, the candidate is no longer admissible to the certification process.
Up to three opportunities within three consecutive years will be given to pass the Certifying Examination (CE), immediately following successfuly completion of the QE. Candidates will only be permitted one exam opportunity per year. If a candidate decides not to take the exam in a given year, it is a lost opportunity as the three-year limit is absolute. After three years, if the Certifying Examination is not passed, the candidate is no longer admissible to the certification process.
After seven years, if the candidate has not passed both the Qualifying Examination and the Certifying Examination, they are no longer eligible for certification and must pursue a readmissibility pathway in their specialty to regain admissibility.
Candidates who successfully complete the Qualifying Examination in fewer than four opportunities cannot apply unused opportunities toward the Certifying Examination. The three-year period for the CE follows immediately after successful completion of the QE.
In forming this policy, the ABS reviewed its past Exam Pass Rates and determined that permitting four opportunities in four years for the QE and three opportunities in three years for the CE would give candidates the most favorable conditions for becoming certified. Thus it is anticipated these changes will have minimal impact on the majority of individuals pursuing ABS certification.
This policy currently applies only to the two specialties in which the ABS issues primary certificates: general surgery and vascular surgery. It does not apply to ABS certification in pediatric surgery, surgical critical care, surgery of the hand, or hospice and palliative medicinethe admissibility requirements for those specialties are unchanged. The ABS' policy regarding extensions for active military duty also remains in effect.
For certification in vascular surgery, this new policy applies to graduates of independent vascular surgery training programs, as well as graduates of integrated vascular surgery residency programs.
The ABS' previous requirements that an individual must apply for the General Surgery Qualifying Examination within three years of completing residency and must take the exam within two years of application approval do not apply to this new policy.
The American Board of Surgery is an independent, nonprofit organization founded in 1937 for the purpose of certifying individuals who have met a defined standard of education, training and knowledge in the field of surgery. Surgeons certified by the ABS, known as diplomates, have completed at least five years of surgical training following medical school and successfully completed a written and oral examination process administered by the ABS. They must then maintain their certification through ongoing learning and practice improvement activities. The ABS offers board certification in general surgery, vascular surgery, pediatric surgery, surgical critical care, surgery of the hand, hospice and palliative medicine, and complex general surgical oncology. It is one of the 24 member boards of the American Board of Medical Specialties.
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Society - France - Gabon - Diplomacy - Politics
Gabon-France: Ali Bongo’s visit to help restore France’s image?
Thursday 19 November 2009 / by Falila Gbadamassi
Newly elected Gabonese President, Ali Bongo Ondimba, will be on an official visit to France, Friday, and will be conferring wih French President, Nicolas Sarkozy. The two are expected to review relations between the two countries. The visit is essential to restore the image of France among disgruntled Gabonese, who have accused France of a murky France-Afrique collaboration, among other subjects.
Ali Bongo Ondimba will meet his French counterpart, Nicolas Sarkozy, Friday in the framework of an official visit, his first trip abroad since he was declared president of Gabon.
The newly elected Gabonese President will reveal his new vision of French-Gabonese relations, with respect to his so called “emergence” policies. the two are also epected to discuss “future bilateral relations”, as well as climate change, ahead of the “2009 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen”, read a press release from the French administration.
The two heads of state will also evoke the entry of Gabon into the United Nations Security Council. According to the French right wing newspaper, Le Figaro, Libreville cannot do without its “patron”, France, which is also an international advocate among donor countries for the Gabonese economy.
Visiting the «patron»
The visit to France is, reportedly, essential to restore the image of france among disgruntled Gabonese who accused France of a murky “France-Afrique” collaboration with their country.
The height of Gabonese peevishness was reached during Omar Bongo Ondimba’s funeral during which Nicolas Sarkozy was booed, while calm returned when the crowd went silent in an apparent respect for the Chinese representation.
A couple of months later, during the Gabonese presidential elections, the opposition accused Paris of supporting Ali Bongo Ondimba, who stood as the presidential candidate for his late father’s party. Election results were later contested by the various candidates who run for president.
Ali Bongo Ondimba begins his visit to France today, Thursday.
Before his visit to France, the Gabonese President was in London where he participated in a conference organized by The Working Group on Greenhouse gases, which began Wednesday. The conference aims to tackle questions surrounding the interim funding needed to push for a reduction of greenhouse gases and their effects on tropical rain forests.
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Qualified Small Employer Health Reimbursement Arrangements for 2018
Posted December 10, 2017 January 7, 2019 Tony Novak
(This inform is not updated to reflect 2019 proposed regulations so should be presumed to be partially obsolete).
Last month the Internal Revenue Service released 59 page Notice 2017-67 which provides guidance on Qualified Small Employer Health Reimbursement Arrangements (QSEHRAs). QSEHRAs were first established as part of the 21st Century Cures Act enacted in late 2016 for effective for 2017 small business health plans. This new type employer reimbursement plan offered a new option to small business employers can be used to reimburse employees for qualified medical expenses, including premiums for individual health insurance policies, without triggering penalties of the Affordable Care Act. I’ve covered those severe penalties in other blog posts. Also, the QSEHRA should be viewed as an additional option, not an override or replacement of the rules for traditional HRAs as discussed here.
As in all new areas of tax law, there is already some published misinformation and public confusion. In this case it always makes sense to go back to the legal citable source of information rather than rely on some third party opinion.
This blog post is simply my annotated copy of the 79 Q&A IRS Notice 2017-67. Note that the removal of formatting in the original footnotes can be confusing. I’ve reformatted some but not all of the footnotes.
Part III – Administrative, Procedural and Miscellaneous
Qualified Small Employer Health Reimbursement Arrangements
Notice 2017-67
This notice provides guidance on the requirements for providing a qualified small employer health reimbursement arrangement (QSEHRA) under section 9831(d) of the Internal Revenue Code (Code), the tax consequences of the arrangement, and the requirements for providing written notice of the arrangement to eligible employees.
The 21st Century Cures Act (Cures Act), P.L. 114-255, 130 Stat. 1033, was enacted on December 13, 2016. Section 18001 of the Cures Act amends the Code, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA), and the Public Health Service Act (PHS Act), to permit an eligible employer to provide a QSEHRA to its eligible employees.1
1 On December 20, 2016, the Department of Labor, the Department of the Treasury, and the Department of Health and Human Services (collectively, the Departments) issued FAQs About Affordable Care Act Implementation (Part 35), Q&A-3 (https://www.dol.gov/sites/default/files/ebsa/about-ebsa/our-activities/resource-center/faqs/aca-part-35.pdf) concerning the Cures Act. That guidance continues to apply.
2 Pursuant to section 9831(d)(1), a QSEHRA is not a group health plan, and as a result, is not subject to the group health plan requirements that apply under the Code, ERISA and, with one exception, the PHS Act.2 Generally, payments from a QSEHRA to reimburse an eligible employee’s medical expenses are not includible in the employee’s gross income if the employee has coverage that provides minimum essential coverage (MEC) as defined in section 5000A(f).3 For this purpose, “medical expenses” means expenses for medical care, as defined in section 213(d) (which includes premiums for other health coverage, such as individual health insurance policies).
The Cures Act provides that a QSEHRA is an arrangement that meets the following criteria:
(a) The arrangement is funded solely by an eligible employer, and no salary reduction contributions may be made under the arrangement;
(b) The arrangement provides, after the eligible employee provides proof of coverage, for the payment or reimbursement of the medical expenses incurred by the employee or the employee’s family members4 (in accordance with the terms of the arrangement);
2 A QSEHRA continues to be treated as a group health plan under the PHS Act for purposes of part C of title XI of the Social Security Act.
3 MEC is defined in section 5000A(f) and the regulations thereunder. See Appendix A to this notice for a list of examples of plans and arrangements that are MEC, as provided in the 2016 Instructions for Form 8965, Health Coverage Exemptions (and Instructions for Figuring Your Shared Responsibility Payment).
4 For purposes of this notice, “family member” of an eligible employee means any individual for whom an employer’s reimbursement of the individual’s medical expenses would be excluded from the eligible employee’s gross income under section 105(b).
(c) The amount of payments and reimbursements described in paragraph (b) of this section for any year does not exceed $4,950 ($10,0005 for an arrangement that also provides for payments or reimbursements of medical expenses of the eligible employee’s family members (family coverage)); and
(d) The arrangement is generally provided on the same terms (the “same terms requirement”) to all eligible employees of the eligible employer.
To be an eligible employer that may provide a QSEHRA, the employer must not be an applicable large employer (ALE), as defined in section 4980H(c)(2) and the regulations thereunder (and, thus, may not be an employer that, generally, employed at least 50 full-time employees, including full-time equivalent employees, in the prior calendar year), and must not offer a group health plan (as defined in section 5000(b)) to any of its employees. Pursuant to section 4980H(c)(2), an employer whose workforce increases to 50 or more full-time employees during a calendar year will not become an ALE before the first day of the following calendar year.
In addition, Executive Order 13813 (82 Fed. Reg. 48385, Oct. 17, 2017), directed the Secretaries of the Treasury, Labor, and Health and Human Services to consider revising guidance, to the extent permitted by law and supported by sound policy, to increase the usability of health reimbursement arrangements (HRAs), expand employers’ ability to offer HRAs to their employees, and to allow HRAs to be used in conjunction with non-group coverage. The guidance provided in this notice addresses
5 Section 9831(d)(2)(D)(ii) provides that both statutory dollar limits are adjusted for inflation beginning after 2016. This adjustment increased the $10,000 limit to $10,050 for a QSEHRA provided in 2017; the adjustment did not increase the $4,950 limit for 2017. The adjusted limits for 2018 are $5,050 for self-only coverage and $10,250 for family coverage.
each of those objectives. The Treasury Department (Treasury) and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) anticipate that the Departments will issue additional guidance in the future in response to Executive Order 13813.
This guidance includes sections on the following topics:
A. Eligible employer
B. Eligible employee
C. Same terms requirement
D. Statutory dollar limits
E. Written notice requirement
F. MEC requirement
G. Proof of MEC requirement
H. Substantiation requirement
I. Reimbursement of medical expenses
J. Reporting requirement
K. Coordination with PTC
L. Failure to satisfy the requirements to be a QSEHRA
M. Interaction with HSA requirements
N. Effective date
Under section 9831(d)(3)(B)(ii), “eligible employer” means an employer that does not offer a group health plan (including a health reimbursement arrangement (HRA) or a health flexible spending arrangement (FSA)) to any of its employees. A group health plan includes a plan that provides only excepted benefits described in section 9831(c) (for example, a vision or dental health plan that qualifies as an excepted benefit) if that plan is offered by an employer to its employees.
If an employer endorses a particular policy, form, or issuer of individual health insurance, the coverage may constitute a group health plan. However, providing employees with information about the Affordable Insurance Exchange, also called a Health Insurance Marketplace (Marketplace), or the premium tax credit (PTC) under section 36B, is not an endorsement of a particular policy, form, or issuer of health insurance.
Question 1: Does an employer fail to be an eligible employer if it offers a group health plan to former employees (for example, retirees)?
Answer 1: No. For purposes of the QSEHRA requirements, former employees are not treated as employees. As a result, offering a group health plan to former employees does not cause the employer to fail to be an eligible employer.
Question 2: Does an employer fail to be an eligible employer if it provides current employees with continued access to amounts that were accumulated in an HRA in prior years or carryover amounts in an FSA?
Answer 2: Yes, but an employer does not fail to be an eligible employer if it suspends access to amounts accumulated in an HRA in previous years (such that they cannot be used for any purpose) during the period a QSEHRA is provided to its eligible employees. (conversion strategy)
Question 3: Does an S corporation fail to be an eligible employer if, separate from a QSEHRA, it reimburses the health insurance policy premiums of a 2-percent shareholder (as defined in section 1372(b)) who is an employee?
Answer 3: No. But see Q&A-9 regarding the status of an owner as an eligible employee.
Question 4: Does an employer fail to be an eligible employer for any month during which it offers a group health plan?
Answer 4: Yes. An employer is not an eligible employer for any month during which the employer offers a group health plan to its employees that would provide coverage on any day of the month. Thus, for example, in the case of a non-calendar year group health plan, the employer is not an eligible employer for those months of a calendar year during which the group health plan is offered.
Question 5: If one employer in a group of employers that are treated as a single employer under section 414(b), (c), (m), or (o) offers its employees a group health plan, may any other employer in the group be an eligible employer?
Answer 5: No.
Question 6: Does an employer fail to be an eligible employer if it contributes to an employee’s health savings account (HSA), including permitting an employee to make pre-tax contributions to the HSA, by salary reduction, through a cafeteria plan?
Question 7: When does an employer fail to be an eligible employer if it provides a non-calendar year QSEHRA and becomes an ALE?
Answer 7: The employer fails to be an eligible employer as of January 1 of the year it becomes an ALE. That is, if an employer increases in size during the current year so that it employs an average of at least 50 full-time employees (and full-time equivalent employees) on business days during the current year, then it is an ALE on January 1 of the next year and ceases to be an eligible employer on that date. Although the employer may no longer provide the QSEHRA as of the date it becomes an ALE (even if the QSEHRA were provided on a non-calendar plan year basis), the QSEHRA may have a run-out period for medical expenses incurred during the months of the prior year during
which the QSEHRA was provided. For purposes of this notice, a “run-out period” is a period following the coverage period for submitting a claim for reimbursement of medical expenses incurred during the coverage period.
Under section 9831(d)(3)(A), ‘‘eligible employee’’ means any employee of an eligible employer, except that the terms of a QSEHRA may exclude employees who have not completed 90 days of service with the employer, employees who have not attained age 25 before the beginning of the plan year, part-time or seasonal employees, employees covered by a collective bargaining agreement if health benefits were the subject of good faith bargaining, and employees who are nonresident aliens with no earned income from sources within the United States.
Question 8: What are the definitions of “part-time employees” and “seasonal employees” for purposes of determining whether an employee may be excluded from being an eligible employee under the terms of a QSEHRA?
Answer 8: For purposes of determining whether an employee may be excluded from being an eligible employee under the terms of a QSEHRA, “part-time employees” and “seasonal employees” have the meanings set forth in § 1.105-11(c)(2)(iii)(C) of the Income Tax Regulations:
Part-time employees whose customary weekly employment is less than 35 hours, if other employees in similar work with the same employer (or, if no employees of the employer are in similar work, in similar work in the same industry and location) have substantially more hours and seasonal employees whose customary annual employment is less than 9 months, if other employees in similar work with the same employer (or, if no employees of the employer are in similar work, in similar work in the same industry and location) have substantially more months. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, any employee whose customary weekly employment is less than 25 hours or any employee whose customary annual employment is less than 7 months may be considered as a part-time or seasonal employee.
Question 9: May an eligible employer provide a QSEHRA to retirees, other former employees, or non-employee owners?
Answer 9: No. A QSEHRA may only be provided to employees. A 2% shareholder who is otherwise an employee is not an employee for purposes of a QSEHRA. See section 1372. An arrangement provided to former employees is a group health plan within the meaning of section 5000(b). (This appears to be errantly handled in other third party publications).
Question 10: When must an eligible employer provide a QSEHRA to an eligible employee who previously was excluded under one or more categories of excludable employees referenced in section 9831(d)(3)(A)?
Answer 10: If the employee is otherwise an eligible employee, the eligible employer must provide a QSEHRA to the employee no later than the day immediately following the date the employee is no longer in any category of excludable employees under the terms of the plan.
Question 11: May an eligible employee waive participation in a QSEHRA?
6 Provided the arrangement meets the general exception set forth in section 9831(a)(2) that on the first day of the plan year the plan has less than two participants who are current employees, the arrangement would not be subject to the market reforms and other requirements of chapter 100.
Answer 11: No. Section 9831(d)(2)(A)(ii) requires that the eligible employer provide, rather than offer, a QSEHRA on the same terms to all eligible employees.
Under section 9831(d)(2)(A)(ii), a QSEHRA is an arrangement that is provided on the same terms to all eligible employees of the eligible employer. In addition, under section 9831(d)(2)(C), the maximum amount of payments or reimbursements that may be made under the arrangement during the year to a particular employee (the permitted benefit) may vary from employee to employee based only on the age of covered individuals or the number of individuals covered in accordance with the variation in the price of an insurance policy in a relevant individual health insurance market. This insurance policy (the baseline policy) must be the same insurance policy with respect to all eligible employees.
Question 12: Does an arrangement fail to satisfy the same terms requirement if it is not operated on a uniform and consistent basis with respect to all eligible employees?
Answer 12: Yes. To satisfy the same terms requirement, the arrangement must be operated on a uniform and consistent basis with respect to all eligible employees. However, an arrangement does not fail to be operated on a uniform and consistent basis merely because different eligible employees who are provided the same permitted benefit are reimbursed different amounts because they submitted different expenses for reimbursement.
Example 1. Facts: In 2017, Employer provides an arrangement that only reimburses premiums up to a self-only permitted benefit of $4,950 and a family permitted benefit of $10,050. Employee A purchases self-only coverage with an annual premium of $3,450 and is reimbursed $3,450. Employee B purchases family coverage with an annual premium of $9,000 and is reimbursed $9,000. Employee C purchases self-only coverage with an annual premium of $6,000 and is reimbursed $4,950.
Conclusion: The arrangement does not fail to satisfy the same terms requirement.
Example 2. Facts: An employer provides an arrangement the terms of which state that one category of employees may be reimbursed for all medical expenses, but that another category of employees may only be reimbursed for premiums for individual health insurance policies.
Conclusion: The arrangement fails to satisfy the same terms requirement.
Question 13: What type of insurance policy in the relevant individual health insurance market may be used as the baseline policy for determining permissible variations in the permitted benefit based on age or number of family members?
Answer 13: The baseline policy must be both MEC and available for purchase by at least one eligible employee.
Question 14: Does an arrangement fail to satisfy the same terms requirement if it provides for reimbursements up to a single dollar amount regardless of whether an eligible employee has self-only or family coverage?
Answer 14: No.
Question 15: Does an arrangement fail to satisfy the same terms requirement if it provides for reimbursements up to the self-only and family statutory dollar limits or up to an equal percentage of the statutory dollar limits without referring to a baseline policy?
Example. Facts: In 2017, Employer provides an arrangement with a self-only permitted benefit of $3,960 (80% of the 2017 statutory dollar limit of $4,950 for self-only coverage) and a family permitted benefit of $8,040 (80% of the 2017 statutory dollar limit of $10,050 for family coverage).
Conclusion: The arrangement does not fail to satisfy the same terms requirement. (Although this example illustrates an arrangement that does not refer to a baseline policy and does not fail to satisfy the same terms requirement, there may be other arrangements that also do not fail to satisfy the same terms requirement.)
Question 16: Does an arrangement that varies the permitted benefit based on the number of family members fail to satisfy the same terms requirement if it provides a self-only permitted benefit to an eligible employee who enrolls in self-only coverage without regard to whether the employee has a family member that has MEC under one or more separate policies?
Answer 16: Yes. To the extent that an arrangement covers medical expenses of family members of eligible employees, the same terms requirement is satisfied only if the permitted benefit is based on the number of family members that have MEC without regard to whether they have a single policy or multiple policies.
Example. Facts: Employer provides an arrangement with a self-only permitted benefit and a family permitted benefit that is larger than the self-only permitted benefit. Employee enrolls in self-only coverage; Employee’s spouse enrolls in a different plan or policy that provides MEC. Employer provides Employee with a self-only permitted benefit.
Question 17: Does an arrangement fail to satisfy the same terms requirement merely because it determines an eligible employee’s permitted benefit based on the employee’s family size and age on the first day of the plan year?
Answer 17: No. An arrangement that determines an eligible employee’s permitted benefit based on the employee’s family size and age on the first day of the plan year does not fail to satisfy the same terms requirement merely because the determination is made as of the first day of the plan year and the arrangement does not provide for a change in permitted benefits if the employee changes coverage during the plan year due to a change in personal circumstances (for example, the employee marries, divorces, or adopts a child during the plan year).
Example. Facts: Employer provides an arrangement with a self-only permitted benefit and a family permitted benefit. Employee is enrolled in self-only coverage on January 1 and has no family members. In July, Employee enrolls in family coverage. Employer provides Employee with a self-only permitted benefit for the entire plan year.
Question 18: What rounding rules may an eligible employer use in order for the QSEHRA’s permitted benefit to comply with the same terms requirement?
Answer 18: The eligible employer may set the permitted benefit by rounding amounts in increments of $50 to the nearest whole dollar amount that does not exceed the applicable statutory dollar limit.
Question 19: Does an arrangement fail to satisfy the same terms requirement if it limits the permitted benefit provided to two or more eligible employees covered under the same family health insurance policy (for example, if two eligible employees are married to each other) to the permitted benefit that would be provided to one eligible employee?
Answer 19: Yes. To satisfy the same terms requirement, a QSEHRA provided to two or more eligible employees of the same eligible employer must provide separate permitted benefits (which will be subject to separate statutory dollar limits) to each employee without regard to whether the employees are covered under separate health insurance policies or a single family policy. Notwithstanding the previous sentence, a QSEHRA may not provide duplicative reimbursements of a single medical expense.
Example. Facts: In 2017, Employer provides an arrangement that reimburses all medical expenses with a self-only permitted benefit of $3,960 and a family permitted benefit of $8,040. The permitted benefit for eligible employees that are covered under a single family health insurance policy is collectively limited to one shared family permitted benefit of $8,040. Employee A, Employee B, and Employee C are covered under one family health insurance policy with a $10,000 premium. The arrangement collectively reimburses a total amount of $8,040 to Employee A, Employee B, and Employee C.
Conclusion: The arrangement fails to satisfy the same terms requirement. Employee A, Employee B, and Employee C are each entitled to a permitted benefit of $8,040. (However, reimbursements with respect to the $10,000 premium are limited to $10,000 among the employees.)
Question 20: Does an arrangement fail to satisfy the same terms requirement if eligible employees are offered a choice between two different permitted benefit options (for example, the QSEHRA only reimburses employees for premiums or the QSEHRA only reimburses employees for non-premium medical expenses)?
Answer 20: Yes.
Question 21: Does an arrangement fail to satisfy the same terms requirement if it limits reimbursements for all eligible employees to one or more of the following: (a) insurance premiums, (b) cost-sharing expenses that are medical expenses, or (c) certain other medical expenses specified under the arrangement?
Answer 21: Generally, no. A QSEHRA may limit reimbursements to certain medical expenses, but the arrangement will fail to satisfy the same terms requirement, if, under the facts and circumstances, the arrangement’s limitation of reimbursements causes the arrangement not to be effectively available to all eligible employees.
Question 22: Does an arrangement fail to satisfy the same terms requirement if it reimburses premiums for Medicare or Medicare supplement (Medigap) policies?
Answer 22: No. However, an arrangement that limits reimbursements to only premiums for Medicare or Medigap policies may fail to satisfy the same terms requirement if the reimbursements would not be effectively available to all eligible employees.
Question 23: Does an arrangement fail to satisfy the same terms requirement if it allows for carryover of unused benefit amounts (the carryover amount) from a prior plan year?
Answer 23: No. A difference in permitted benefits that is due only to the availability of a carryover amount from a prior plan year does not cause a QSEHRA to fail to satisfy the same terms requirement. Note that the sum of the carryover amount and the permitted benefit amount under the QSEHRA for the later year cannot exceed the statutory dollar limit in that later year. See Q&A-29.
Example. Facts: Employer provides a QSEHRA with a permitted benefit of $2,000. The QSEHRA allows eligible employees to use carryover amounts from the prior plan year. Employee A receives $500 in reimbursements from the QSEHRA, leaving a carryover amount of $1,500. Employee B receives $2,000 in reimbursements from the QSEHRA, leaving no carryover amount. In the following plan year, Employee A has a permitted benefit of $3,500 ($2,000 plus the $1,500 carryover amount). Employee B has a permitted benefit of $2,000.
Conclusion: The QSEHRA does not fail to satisfy the same terms requirement.
Question 24: Does an arrangement fail to satisfy the same terms requirement if it is only available to the eligible employees of one eligible employer in a group of employers that are treated as a single employer under section 414(b), (c), (m), or (o)?
Answer 24: Yes. If a group of eligible employers are treated as a single employer under section 414(b), (c), (m), or (o), each employer in the group must provide a QSEHRA to all eligible employees. Moreover, each employer’s QSEHRA must be provided on the same terms (for example, with the same amounts of permitted benefits).
Question 25: Does an arrangement fail to satisfy the same terms requirement if it provides a different permitted benefit for a category of employees that may be excluded as eligible employees?
Answer 25: Yes. Although an eligible employer is not required to provide a QSEHRA to employees in a category described in any clause of section 105(h)(3)(B), if a QSEHRA is provided to employees in an excludable category, those employees must be provided the QSEHRA on the same terms as all employees to whom the QSEHRA is provided. Further, an employer that provides a group health plan to current employees in an excludable category is not an eligible employer.
Question 26: Does an arrangement fail to satisfy the same terms requirement if the permitted benefits are determined based on the prior year’s statutory dollar limits?
Answer 26: No. For purposes of the same terms requirement, because indexed amounts for a calendar year are not expected to be published before October of the immediately preceding year (and the written notice must be provided to eligible employees at least 90 days before the beginning of the year), it is permissible for each year’s permitted benefits to be determined based on the prior year’s statutory dollar limits. Thus, for example, for a QSEHRA designed to satisfy the same terms requirement using proportional amounts of the statutory dollar limits, it is permissible to use the 2017 indexed limits to determine permitted benefits for 2018, even if the result would not be proportional to the dollar limits as those limits are indexed for 2018.
Under section 9832(d)(2)(B)(iii), a QSEHRA may not provide reimbursements that exceed the statutory dollar limits. The statutory dollar limits are indexed for inflation for years after 2016. The indexed dollar limits for 2017 are $4,950 for self-only coverage and $10,050 for family coverage. In the case of an individual who is not covered by a QSEHRA for the entire year, section 9831(d)(2)(D)(i) requires the statutory dollar limits to be prorated to reflect the number of months that the individual is covered by the QSEHRA.
Question 27: What are the statutory dollar limits for a QSEHRA provided for 2018?
Answer 27: For 2018, the maximum permitted benefit for self-only coverage is $5,050 and for family coverage is $10,250. See Rev. Proc. 2017-58. The statutory dollar limits for a calendar year are determined based on information that is not expected to be available until September of the immediately preceding year. As a result, the statutory dollar limits for a calendar year are not expected to be published before mid-October of that immediately preceding year. A QSEHRA may comply with the statutory dollar limits by relying on the indexed dollar limits for the immediately preceding year to determine the permitted benefits for the current year. However, if an arrangement provided for the current year assumes statutory dollar limits in excess of the actual indexed amounts for the current year, the arrangement will fail to be a QSEHRA. For a QSEHRA that varies the permitted benefit based on the statutory dollar limits, see Q&A-26 regarding the use of the prior year’s statutory dollar limits to satisfy the same terms requirements.
Question 28: How are the statutory dollar limits for a non-calendar year QSEHRA determined?
Answer 28: The statutory dollar limits are prorated based on the number of months in each portion of the two calendar years in which the QSEHRA is provided. However, as a practical matter, it is unlikely that the eligible employer will have sufficient information three months before the beginning of the non-calendar plan year to allow the employer to provide accurate information in the written notice. Therefore, the QSEHRA may use the statutory dollar limits applicable on the first day of the plan year for the entire plan year. If an arrangement assumes statutory dollar limits in excess of the actual indexed dollar limits for the applicable year, the arrangement will fail to be a QSEHRA.
Question 29: If a QSEHRA allows for the use of carryover amounts from a prior plan year, may an eligible employee’s carryover amount be added to the newly available amount to provide a total permitted benefit that exceeds the applicable statutory dollar limit?
Answer 29: No. An eligible employee’s total permitted benefit, taking into account both carryover amounts and newly available amounts, may not exceed the applicable statutory dollar limit.
Example. Facts: Employer provides a QSEHRA with a permitted benefit of $3,000. The QSEHRA allows for the use of carryover amounts from the prior plan year. Employee receives $500 in reimbursements from the QSEHRA for the year, leaving a carryover amount of $2,500. In the following year, the applicable statutory dollar limit is $5,000.
Conclusion: Employee is limited to a permitted benefit of $5,000 in the second year (the $3,000 newly available amount plus $2,000 of the $2,500 carryover amount).
Question 30: How are the statutory dollar limits determined for a newly eligible employee (for example, a newly hired employee) who is first provided a QSEHRA on a day other than the first day of the calendar year?
Answer 30: The statutory dollar limits are prorated to reflect the actual number of months that an eligible employee is provided the QSEHRA when the QSEHRA is provided for a period that does not include all months of the year. For this purpose, an eligible employee is treated as having been provided a QSEHRA for the entire month if the employee is eligible for reimbursements from the QSEHRA for expenses incurred on any day of that month.
Example. Facts: In 2017, Employer provides a calendar year QSEHRA. The self-only permitted benefit is $4,950 and the family permitted benefit is $10,050. Employee becomes an eligible employee on August 6, 2017. The QSEHRA provides Employee with either a self-only permitted benefit of $2,050 ($4,950 x 5/12, rounded) or a family permitted benefit of $4,150 ($10,050 x 5/12, rounded). The prorated statutory dollar limit for family coverage is $4,187.50. As explained in Q&A-18, rounding to an amount in excess of the statutory dollar limit is not permitted.
Conclusion: The QSEHRA does not fail to satisfy the statutory dollar limit.
Question 31: If an eligible employee receives reimbursements from a QSEHRA that equal the applicable statutory dollar limit but later terminates employment before the end of the plan year so the employee was not covered by the QSEHRA for the entire year, does the QSEHRA satisfy the statutory dollar limit?
Answer 31: Yes. Because the arrangement satisfied the statutory dollar limit at the time the expenses were incurred and reimbursed, the arrangement is treated as satisfying the statutory dollar limit for the calendar year. If the eligible employee receives a reimbursement before the employee’s termination that would be in excess of the prorated statutory dollar limit except for the fact that it is payable under the terms of the QSEHRA as described in the preceding sentence, then the reimbursement that would otherwise have exceeded the prorated statutory dollar limit is not taxable. However, to the extent a QSEHRA allows medical expenses incurred before termination of employment to be submitted during a run-out period after termination of employment, the QSEHRA may not reimburse medical expenses in excess of the prorated statutory dollar limit.
Question 32: May a QSEHRA be provided for a period that is less than 12 months in total and begins after January 1?
Answer 32: Yes. However, section 9831(d)(2)(D)(i) requires the statutory dollar limit for the applicable year to be prorated to reflect the number of months that the QSEHRA is provided.
Example. Facts: Employer provides a QSEHRA with a short plan year beginning August 1, 2017, and ending on December 31, 2017. The QSEHRA is designed to provide permitted benefits at 100% of the statutory dollar limit. For the short 2017 plan year, the QSEHRA provides permitted benefits of $2,050 for self-only coverage (5/12 x $4,950 = $2,062.50, rounded to $2,050) and $4,150 for family coverage (5/12 x $10,050 = $4,187.50, rounded to $4,150).
Question 33: How do the statutory dollar limits apply if an eligible employee receives a QSEHRA from more than one eligible employer in a calendar year?
Answer 33: If an eligible employee is provided more than one QSEHRA from separate eligible employers that are not members of a group of employers that are treated as a single employer under section 414(b), (c), (m), or (o), each employer may provide the employee with a permitted benefit up to the applicable statutory dollar limit. (However, no expense may be reimbursed more than once.)
Question 34: May a mistaken reimbursement from a QSEHRA in excess of the statutory dollar limit be corrected if the eligible employee timely repays the excess reimbursement?
Answer 34: Yes. If an eligible employee timely repays with after-tax funds an excess reimbursement that was made by mistake, the QSEHRA will be treated as satisfying the statutory dollar limit. For this purpose, timely repayment does not include repayments made after the earlier of (a) March 15 of the year following the year in which the excess reimbursement was made, or (b) in the case of an eligible employer whose federal income tax return is under examination for the taxable year during which the excess reimbursement was made, the date the eligible employer receives written notification from the examining agent(s) specifically citing the excess reimbursement as an issue under consideration. (tax accountant can normally help correct errors)
Section 9831(d)(4) requires an eligible employer who provides a QSEHRA to its eligible employees to furnish a written notice (the written notice) to each eligible employee at least 90 days before the beginning of each year or, for an employee who is not eligible to participate at the beginning of the year, the date on which the employee is first eligible to participate in the QSEHRA. Section 6652(o) provides a penalty of $50 per employee (up to a maximum of $2,500 per calendar year per eligible employer) for failure to provide the written notice.
The Cures Act provides a transition rule under which an eligible employer will not be treated as failing to furnish the written notice if the notice is provided no later than 90 days after the date of enactment of the Cures Act. Notice 2017-20, 2017-11 IRB 1010, released February 27, 2017, provides that the period for furnishing the initial written notice for a QSEHRA beginning in 2017 is extended to at least 90 days following the issuance of further guidance concerning the written notice. This notice constitutes such guidance. Employers that furnished the written notice to their eligible employees before the publication of this notice were permitted to determine the contents of the written notice using a reasonable good faith interpretation of the Cures Act.
Question 35: When is an eligible employer required to furnish the initial written notice to its eligible employees with respect to a QSEHRA provided during 2017 or 2018?
Answer 35: An eligible employer that provides a QSEHRA during 2017 or 2018 must furnish the initial written notice to its eligible employees by the later of (a) February 19, 2018, or (b) 90 days before the first day of the plan year of the QSEHRA. The penalties under section 6652(o) apply to any employer that does not furnish the initial written notice by that date. Thus, an employer that provided a QSEHRA before the release of this notice and has not previously furnished the written notice must furnish the written notice by February 19, 2018. For some employees, the information in the notice will be necessary to complete their individual tax returns even if the information is not available when they are making decisions about health coverage, and the information will alert them to potential tax consequences. In addition, employers are encouraged to provide employees with information regarding the QSEHRA as soon as possible to allow employees to make informed decisions about health coverage, even if that information is less than the full notice required to satisfy the written notice requirement that will be provided at a later date.
Question 36: May an eligible employer use an electronic medium (for example, email) to furnish the written notice to its eligible employees?
Answer 36: Yes. An eligible employer may furnish the written notice electronically to its eligible employees if the employer follows the rules for the use of electronic media in § 1.401(a)-21.
Question 37: When must the initial written notice be furnished to a newly eligible employee?
Answer 37: Except as provided in Q&A-35, in the case of a newly eligible employee, the initial written notice must be furnished on or before the first day the employee becomes eligible to participate in the QSEHRA.
Example. Facts: A QSEHRA provides that newly hired employees are eligible for reimbursement of expenses incurred beginning the first day of the first month following an employee’s date of hire. An employee is hired on the 15th day of the month and receives the initial written notice on the 20th day of the month.
Conclusion: Because the employee was not eligible to participate until the first day of the first month after the employee’s date of hire, and the written notice was furnished before that date, the eligible employer timely provided the initial written notice to the eligible employee.
Question 38: What information must be included in the written notice?
Answer 38: The written notice must include the information described below, and may include other information, as long as the additional information does not conflict with the following required information:
(a) A statement of the amount of each permitted benefit for which the employee might be eligible. To the extent the permitted benefit varies based on the number of family members covered under the arrangement or their ages, the written notice for an employee may include either each available permitted benefit, or the permitted benefit for which that employee is eligible. In the case of a newly eligible employee whose permitted benefit has been prorated, the written notice must either (i) include the prorated permitted benefit for which that employee is eligible, or (ii) state that the amounts are prorated based on months of coverage and provide the information necessary to calculate the prorated amount (for example, the permitted benefit amounts and the first month the employee will become eligible to participate in the QSEHRA). The notice must include the date on which the QSEHRA is first provided to the eligible employee.
(b) A statement that the eligible employee must inform any Marketplace to which the employee applies for advance payments of the PTC (APTC) of the amount of the permitted benefit. The written notice must state that the amount of the permitted benefit may affect the eligibility for and amount of any PTC and that the employee should retain the written notice because it may be needed to calculate the PTC on the employee’s individual income tax return.
(c) A statement that if the eligible employee does not have MEC for any month, the employee may be liable for an individual shared responsibility payment under section 5000A for that month, and reimbursements under the QSEHRA for expenses incurred in the month will be includible in gross income.
Example. Facts: In 2017, Employer provides a QSEHRA with a self-only permitted benefit of $3,960 and a family permitted benefit of $8,040. These dollar amounts are the maximum amounts for which an eligible employee in each category may be reimbursed; the amount each employee is actually reimbursed depends on the expenses submitted by the employee for reimbursement. The first month of eligibility begins on January 1. Employer timely provides the following written notice to its eligible employees:
“Your permitted benefit for 2017 is $3,960 if you have self-only coverage or $8,040 if any members of your family also have coverage. (These amounts are prorated by month if you are not eligible on the first day of the year.) Your permitted benefit applies to medical expenses incurred on or after January 1 (your eligibility date).”
“You are required to inform any Marketplace to which you apply for advance payments of the premium tax credit about the amount of your permitted benefit. The amount of your permitted benefit may affect your eligibility for a premium tax credit and will reduce the amount of the premium tax credit for which you are eligible. You should retain this written notice because it may be needed to calculate the premium tax credit on your individual income tax return.”
“If you do not have minimum essential coverage for any month, you may be liable for an individual shared responsibility payment under section 5000A of the Internal Revenue Code, and all of the reimbursements you receive under this arrangement for expenses incurred in that month will be includible in your gross income. For a list of examples of plans and arrangements that are minimum essential coverage, you may refer to the Instructions for IRS Form 8965, which are available on the IRS website.”
An employee hired after the beginning of the year receives the same written notice except the first paragraph includes the newly eligible employee’s initial eligibility date.
Conclusion: Employer satisfies the written notice requirements.
Question 39: Must an eligible employer directly provide to a Marketplace any information about a QSEHRA that it provides to its eligible employees?
Under section 106(g), payments or reimbursements from a QSEHRA are not treated as paid or reimbursed under employer-provided coverage for medical expenses under an accident or health plan for purposes of sections 106 and 105 if, for the month in which the medical care is provided, the individual does not have MEC.
Question 40: What are the tax consequences for an eligible employee who mistakenly received reimbursements from a QSEHRA with respect to medical care provided during one or more months in the year when the individual to whom the care was provided did not have MEC?
Answer 40: To the extent medical care was provided (or incurred) during one or more months when the individual for whom the expenses were incurred did not have MEC, the amount of the reimbursements of those expenses mistakenly paid from the QSEHRA is included in the gross income of the eligible employee who was provided the QSEHRA. See Q&A-62 regarding information reporting requirements related to the reimbursement.
Under section 9831(d)(2)(B)(ii), a QSEHRA may only provide reimbursements to an eligible employee after the eligible employee provides proof of coverage. Consistent with section 106(g), such coverage must qualify as MEC.
Question 41: What satisfies the requirement that a QSEHRA only provide reimbursements after the eligible employee provides proof of coverage?
Answer 41: Before a QSEHRA can reimburse an expense for any plan year, the eligible employee must first provide proof that the eligible employee and (if different) the individual whose expense will be reimbursed has MEC for the month during which the expense was incurred. This proof must consist of either (a) a document from a third party (for example, the insurer) showing that the employee and the individual have coverage (for example, an insurance card or an explanation of benefits) and an attestation by the employee that the coverage is MEC; or (b) an attestation by the employee stating that the employee and the individual have MEC, the date coverage began, and the name of the provider of the coverage. See Appendix B for model attestation language. The initial proof of MEC must be provided with respect to each individual whose expenses are eligible for reimbursement before the first reimbursement of an expense of that individual. An eligible employer may rely on the employee’s attestation unless the employer has actual knowledge that the individual whose expense is submitted does not have MEC. Additionally, following this initial proof of coverage, with each new request for reimbursement of an incurred expense for the same plan year, at a minimum, the employee must attest that the employee and the individual whose expense is being reimbursed continue to have MEC (for example, as part of the form for requesting reimbursement). Receipt of the documentation described above satisfies a QSEHRA’s requirement that the QSEHRA reimburse medical expenses only after the employee provides proof of coverage. (this is the heart of plan administration)
Question 42: Does the requirement that an eligible employee provide proof of MEC apply separately to each year the QSEHRA is provided?
Answer 42: Yes. An eligible employee must provide initial proof of MEC as described in Q&A-41 at least annually for all individuals for whom the employee intends to seek payments or reimbursements for medical expenses incurred during a year in order to receive payments or reimbursements from the QSEHRA. In addition, following an initial submission of proof of coverage, with each new request for reimbursement of an incurred expense for the same plan year, at a minimum, the employee must attest that the individual whose expense is being reimbursed continues to have MEC.
Question 43: May a QSEHRA reimburse an eligible employee on a taxable basis if the employee fails to provide proof of MEC for the individual for whom the employee seeks payments or reimbursements?
Answer 43: No. (interesting)
Section 18001(a)(8) of the Cures Act provides that the Secretary of the Treasury may issue substantiation requirements as necessary to carry out the exception from group health plan requirements for QSEHRAs. Section 105(b) excludes from gross income employer reimbursements for medical expenses, including expenses reimbursed by a QSEHRA. Section 1.105-2 provides that this income exclusion applies only to amounts paid to reimburse the taxpayer for expenses incurred by the taxpayer for medical care and not for amounts that the taxpayer would be entitled to receive irrespective of whether such an expense was incurred. Therefore, to ensure that a particular payment is a reimbursement of a medical expense, all claims for expense reimbursements must be substantiated.
Question 44: How may an eligible employee substantiate medical expenses to receive a reimbursement from a QSEHRA?
Answer 44: The eligible employee may satisfy the substantiation requirements by complying with the substantiation requirements for FSAs as proposed at § 1.125-6. If an eligible employer pays an issuer directly for an employee’s premium payment or uses the methods for payment of premiums described in Rev. Rul. 61-146, 1961-2 C.B. 25, no additional substantiation is required in relation to these payments. See also Publication 969, Health Savings Accounts and Other Tax-Favored Health Plans.
Question 45: What are the tax consequences if an arrangement mistakenly reimburses medical expenses of an eligible employee who failed to satisfy the substantiation requirements?
Answer 45: If an arrangement mistakenly reimburses an eligible employee for a medical expense that has not been substantiated, the arrangement fails to satisfy the requirements for the payments to be excluded from the employee’s income, and all payments to all employees under the arrangement, substantiated and unsubstantiated, on or after the date the mistaken reimbursement was made, become taxable. See also Q&A-72. If an employee timely substantiates or repays an unsubstantiated amount with after-tax funds, the QSEHRA will not be treated as failing to satisfy the substantiation requirements. Similarly, if an arrangement mistakenly reimburses employees for expenses that do not qualify as medical expenses, all payments to all employees under the arrangement, substantiated and unsubstantiated, on or after the date the reimbursement was made, become taxable. If a non-medical expense is mistakenly reimbursed and the employee timely repays the amount with after-tax funds, the arrangement will be treated as not failing the requirement for exclusion under section 105(b). For this purpose, timely substantiation or repayment does not include substantiations or repayments made after the earlier of (a) March 15 of the year following the year in which the error was identified, or (b) in the case of an eligible employer whose federal income tax return is under examination for the taxable year during which the error was identified, the date the eligible employer receives written notification from the examining agent(s) specifically citing the mistaken reimbursement as an issue under consideration.
Example. Facts: A QSEHRA reimburses an eligible employee for a medical expense. Upon later internal review, it is determined that the expense was not adequately substantiated. Upon request, the employee provides the missing substantiation by March 15th of the year following the year the substantiation error was identified.
Conclusion: The reimbursement is excluded from the employee’s income and wages, and payments to other employees under the arrangement remain excluded from their income and wages.
Section 9831(d)(2)(B)(ii) provides that a QSEHRA is an arrangement that provides, after the eligible employee provides proof of coverage, for the payment of, or reimbursement of, expenses for medical care as defined in section 213(d) that are incurred by an employee or the employee’s family members (as determined under the terms of the QSEHRA). Section 105(b) generally excludes from gross income payments by eligible employers to reimburse employees for medical expenses incurred by an employee or members of the employee’s family.
Question 46: May a QSEHRA reimburse eligible employees with a taxable payment of unused permitted benefits at the end of the year (sometimes referred to as a cash-out)?
Answer 46: No. A cash-out of unused permitted benefits would result in all payments to all eligible employees under the QSEHRA for the year being includible in income and wages because the exclusion under section 105(b) does not apply to amounts the taxpayer would be entitled to receive irrespective of whether the taxpayer incurs medical expenses.
Question 47: May a QSEHRA reimburse health insurance premiums related to an eligible employee’s family member if the family member’s coverage is a separate policy from the policy covering the employee?
Answer 47: Yes. (new information)
Question 48: May a QSEHRA reimburse premiums for coverage under a group health plan sponsored by the employer of the eligible employee’s spouse?
Answer 48: Yes. However, the reimbursement is taxable to the extent that the spouse’s share of premiums was paid on a pre-tax basis. See Q&A-63 for information regarding the taxation and reporting of the reimbursement.
Question 49: On what date may payments or reimbursements under a QSEHRA first be made to a newly eligible employee?
Answer 49: Payments or reimbursements may be made immediately upon an employee becoming eligible to participate in the QSEHRA, provided the employee has satisfied the other requirements (for example, substantiation) for receiving payments or reimbursements.
Question 50: May a QSEHRA make reimbursements available ratably on a month-by-month basis, rather than making the full amount of the annual permitted benefit available at the beginning of the year?
Answer 50: Yes. A QSEHRA may provide that any expense incurred during the year may be reimbursed by amounts available during that year after the date the expense was incurred.
Example. Facts: Employer provides a QSEHRA with a permitted benefit of $3,000. An eligible employee’s available reimbursement on any date during the year is restricted to the number of months elapsed in the year plus the current month multiplied by $250, less any expenses reimbursed as of that date. On January 4, Employee substantiates medical expenses of $4,000. Employee receives $250 in January and an additional $250 in each month for the rest of the year.
Conclusion: The reimbursements do not fail to satisfy the QSEHRA rules.
Question 51: May a QSEHRA impose a deductible or other cost-sharing requirements that must be met before the QSEHRA reimburses medical expenses?
Answer 51: No. (odd limitation)
Question 52: May a QSEHRA reimburse medical expenses incurred before the eligible employee is provided the QSEHRA?
Answer 52: No. A QSEHRA may not reimburse medical expenses incurred before the eligible employee is provided the QSEHRA. For this purpose, medical expenses are treated as incurred when the covered individual is provided the medical care that gives rise to the expense, and not when the amount is billed or paid. However, for this purpose, a QSEHRA is permitted to treat a premium expense for a period of coverage as incurred on (a) the first day of each month of coverage on a pro rata basis, (b) the first day of the period of coverage, or (c) the date the premium is paid.
Example 1. Facts: Employee pays $6,000 for health insurance coverage from January 1 through June 30, 2018. Employee is first eligible to participate in a QSEHRA on July 1, 2018.
Conclusion: The QSEHRA may not reimburse the $6,000 premium.
Example 2. Facts: Employee pays $6,000 on January 1, 2018 for health insurance coverage from January 1 through June 30, 2018. Employee is first eligible to participate in a QSEHRA on March 1, 2018.
Conclusion: The QSEHRA may either (1) reimburse up to $1,000 for each month of coverage between March 1 and June 30, 2018, or (2) reimburse up to $4,000 on March 1, 2018. Alternatively, the QSEHRA is permitted to not reimburse the insurance premium because it was paid before the date Employee first became eligible to participate in the QSEHRA. See Q&A-12 regarding the requirement that an arrangement must be operated on a uniform and consistent basis to satisfy the same terms requirement.
Question 53: May a QSEHRA have a run-out period following the coverage period during which eligible employees may submit claims for medical expenses incurred during the coverage period?
Answer 53: Yes. A QSEHRA may have a run-out period with a deadline on or after the end of the coverage period for submitting a claim for reimbursement of medical expenses incurred during the coverage period. Any run-out period must be provided on a uniform and consistent basis with respect to all eligible employees.
Question 54: May a QSEHRA reimburse expenses for over-the-counter drugs purchased without a prescription?
Answer 54: Yes. A QSEHRA is permitted, but not required, to reimburse expenses for over-the-counter drugs purchased without a prescription. However, these reimbursements are taxable to the eligible employee because section 106(f) permits income exclusion for reimbursements for a medicine or drug only if it is prescribed. See Q&A-64 for information regarding the taxation and reporting of the reimbursements.
Question 55: May an eligible employer provide for an eligible employee to pay the excess of a health insurance premium over the amount paid by the QSEHRA with an after-tax payroll deduction (in contrast to a pre-tax salary reduction) assuming that this payroll practice otherwise satisfies any state law requirements?
Answer 55: Yes. However, if an employer endorses a particular policy, form, or issuer of health insurance, it may constitute a group health plan, in which case the employer would not be an eligible employer that could provide a QSEHRA.
Question 56: May a self-employed taxpayer be allowed a deduction under section 162(l) for a calendar month during which a family member is provided a QSEHRA that would pay or reimburse for premiums or other medical expenses of the taxpayer?
Answer 56: No. The deduction under section 162(l) for amounts paid during the taxable year for insurance that constitutes medical care for the taxpayer and the taxpayer’s family members is not available for any calendar month in which the taxpayer is eligible to participate in any subsidized health plan maintained by any employer of the taxpayer or of the taxpayer’s family members. For purposes of section 162(l), coverage under a QSEHRA constitutes participation in a subsidized health plan maintained by an employer.
Section 6051(a)(15) requires an eligible employee’s permitted benefit to be reported on the Form W-2, Wage and Tax Statement.
Question 57: How is an eligible employee’s permitted benefit reported on the Form W-2?
Answer 57: The eligible employer must report the amount of payments and reimbursements that the eligible employee is entitled to receive from the QSEHRA for the calendar year in box 12 of the Form W-2 using code FF, without regard to the amount of payments or reimbursements actually received. See Q&A-60 regarding the exclusion of the carryover amount from box 12 of the Form W-2.
Example 1. Facts: A QSEHRA provides a permitted benefit of $3,000. Employee receives reimbursements of $2,000 from the QSEHRA.
Conclusion: On the Form W-2, Employer reports a permitted benefit of $3,000 in box 12 using code FF.
Example 2. Facts: A QSEHRA provides a permitted benefit of $3,000, prorated by month for employees not eligible for the full year. Employee becomes eligible
on May 1 for a permitted benefit of $2,000 ($3,000 x 8/12) for the year.
Question 58: If an eligible employer provides a QSEHRA that varies based on the number of family members covered under the arrangement or their ages, what amount of permitted benefit is reported on the Form W-2 of an eligible employee who is provided a QSEHRA but receives no payments or reimbursements and provides no proof of MEC?
Answer 58: If the eligible employee receives no payments or reimbursements and provides no proof of MEC, the amount reported is the highest value permitted benefit that the QSEHRA provides. However, if the eligible employee later provides proof of MEC establishing eligibility for a lesser value permitted benefit, the Form W-2 must report this lesser value permitted benefit.
Question 59: How is the permitted benefit provided under a QSEHRA with a non-calendar year plan year reported?
Answer 59: The amount reported is the prorated amount of the permitted benefit for the calendar year (not the plan year, if different) for which the employee is eligible, regardless of whether the employee actually receives payments or reimbursements from the QSEHRA.
Example. Facts: Employer provides a non-calendar year QSEHRA that begins on April 1, 2017. (From January 1, 2017 to March 30, 2017, Employer does not provide a QSEHRA.) From April 1, 2017 to March 31, 2018, the QSEHRA provides a permitted benefit of $2,000. From April 1, 2018 to March 31, 2019, the QSEHRA provides a permitted benefit of $3,000.
Conclusion: On the 2017 Form W-2, Employer reports a permitted benefit of $1,500 ($2,000 x 9/12) for calendar year 2017, and, on the 2018 Form W-2, Employer reports a permitted benefit of $2,750 (($2,000 x 3/12) + ($3,000 x 9/12)) for calendar year 2018.
Question 60: If a QSEHRA allows for the use of carryover amounts from prior years, how are the carryover amounts reported?
Answer 60: The permitted benefit reported on the Form W-2 includes only newly available amounts. If the QSEHRA allows for the use of carryover amounts from prior years, those amounts are not included in the amount reported for the current year.
Question 61: How is the permitted benefit reported on the Form W-2 for an eligible employee who is provided a self-only permitted benefit for part of the year and a family permitted benefit for another part of the year?
Answer 61: If the QSEHRA provides that the eligible employee’s permitted benefit will be adjusted during the year if the employee enrolls in a different type of coverage, then the amount reported on the employee’s Form W-2 is prorated to reflect the change.
Example. Facts: Employer provides a QSEHRA with a self-only permitted benefit of $3,960 and a family permitted benefit of $8,040. The QSEHRA provides that the permitted benefit will be adjusted ratably by month if the type of coverage changes during the year. Employee enrolls in self-only coverage from January 1 through July 31 and in family coverage from August 1 to December.
Conclusion: On the Form W-2, Employer reports a permitted benefit of $5,660 (($3,960 x 7/12) + ($8,040 x 5/12)).
Question 62: What is reported on the Form W-2 of an eligible employee who received taxable reimbursements as a result of an individual’s failure to have MEC for one or more months in the year?
Answer 62: Although a QSEHRA may not reimburse the medical expenses incurred on behalf of an individual who does not have MEC, to the extent an eligible employer discovers that a reimbursement was mistakenly made with respect to medical expenses incurred during a month that the individual whose expense was reimbursed did not have MEC, reporting on the Form W-2 of the eligible employee provided the QSEHRA should be as follows:
(a) The amount of the taxable reimbursement received with respect to expenses incurred during any month or months when the individual whose medical expense was reimbursed did not have MEC is included in the gross income of the eligible employee as other compensation in box 1, Wages, tips, and other compensation.
(b) The taxable reimbursements reported in box 1 are excluded from wages under sections 3121(a)(2)(B) and 3306(b)(2)(B) for purposes of Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) taxes (including social security and Medicare taxes) and Federal Unemployment Tax Act (FUTA) taxes, respectively. Thus, the taxable reimbursements included in box 1 should not be included in box 3, Social security wages, or box 5, Medicare wages and tips.
(c) The taxable reimbursements are also excluded from wages for purposes of federal income tax withholding. See section 3401(a)(20).
(d) The permitted benefit reported in box 12 using code FF will be the same amount that would have been reported had there been no failure to maintain MEC.
(e) If the employer discovers the lapse in MEC after filing the Form W-2 with the Social Security Administration (SSA) for the calendar year, the employer must furnish the employee a Form W-2c, Corrected Wage and Tax Statement, and file the Form
W-2c with SSA.
Question 63: What is reported on the Form W-2 of an eligible employee who received taxable reimbursements related to either (a) over-the-counter drugs purchased without a prescription, or (b) premiums paid on a pre-tax basis for coverage under a group health plan sponsored by the employer of the eligible employee’s spouse?
Answer 63: If a QSEHRA provides for taxable reimbursements of either (a) over-the-counter drugs purchased without a prescription, or (b) premiums paid on a pre-tax basis for coverage under a group health plan sponsored by the employer of the eligible employee’s spouse, then the amount should be reported on the employee’s Form W-2 as follows:
(a) The taxable reimbursements are wages subject to income tax withholding, and are included in box 1.
(b) The taxable reimbursements reported in box 1 are included in wages for purposes of FICA taxes (including social security and Medicare taxes) and FUTA taxes. Thus, the taxable reimbursements included in box 1 must also be included in box 3 and box 5.
(c) The permitted benefit is reported in box 12 using code FF as provided in Q&A-57; the fact that a portion of the permitted benefit is a taxable reimbursement does not change the amount reported in box 12 using code FF.
Question 64: Is an eligible employer that provides a QSEHRA to its eligible employees required to provide Forms 1095-B, Health Coverage, regarding the QSEHRA?
K. Coordination with PTC (Premium tax credit)
Section 36B allows a PTC for certain taxpayers who enroll (or whose family enrolls) in a qualified health plan (QHP) through a Marketplace. A PTC is not available for an individual who is eligible for coverage under an eligible employer-sponsored plan that is MEC, is affordable, and provides minimum value. An eligible employer-sponsored plan is affordable if the employee’s required contribution for self-only coverage under the plan does not exceed 9.5 percent (adjusted annually) of the taxpayer’s household income.
Under section 36B(c)(2) and §§ 1.36B-2(a) and 1.36B-3(c), a taxpayer who meets certain income and other criteria is allowed a PTC only for months that are coverage months. A coverage month is generally a month for which (a) the taxpayer or a family member of the taxpayer is enrolled in a QHP through a Marketplace and is not eligible for non-Marketplace MEC (for example, Medicaid, Medicare, or employer-sponsored coverage if that coverage is both affordable and provides minimum value), and (b) the premium for the individual’s coverage is paid by the unextended due date of the taxpayer’s income tax return for the taxable year.
Under section 36B(c)(4)(A), neither an employee nor a family member of the employee has a coverage month if the employee is provided a QSEHRA that constitutes affordable coverage. Section 36B(c)(4)(C) provides that a QSEHRA constitutes affordable coverage for a month if the excess of the monthly premium for the self-only second lowest cost silver plan over 1/12 of the employee’s permitted benefit, as defined in section 9831(d)(3)(C), under the QSEHRA does not exceed 1/12 of 9.5 percent (adjusted annually) of the employee’s household income.7
7 The affordability safe harbors under § 54.4980H-5(e) only apply for employer liability for assessable payments under section 4980H(b). Eligibility for the PTC is based on an individual’s household income.
Section 36B(c)(4)(B) provides that if an employee is provided a QSEHRA for a coverage month, the PTC otherwise allowable for the month to the taxpayer who claims a personal exemption deduction for the employee is reduced by 1/12 of the employee’s permitted benefit (PTC reduction) under the QSEHRA for the year. For purposes of the PTC reduction, the employee’s permitted benefit is the maximum permitted benefit (self-only or family, as applicable) available to the employee under the QSEHRA. This amount is reported on the employee’s Form W-2.
Question 65: If a QSEHRA provides different amounts of permitted benefits for self-only and family coverage, what amount of permitted benefit reported by the eligible employer in the written notice is used to determine whether the QSEHRA constitutes affordable coverage for an eligible employee and the employee’s family members?
Answer 65: The permitted benefit for self-only coverage as reported by the eligible employer in the written notice is used to determine whether the QSEHRA constitutes affordable coverage, regardless of whether the permitted benefit provided to a particular eligible employee is for self-only or family coverage. If the amount of permitted benefit varies based on the age of the employee, the age-applicable self-only coverage amount is used.
Example. Facts: For 2018, Employer provides a QSEHRA with a self-only permitted benefit of $3,960 and a family permitted benefit of $8,040. Employee has a spouse and a dependent. Employee enrolls in a QHP that covers all three family members and is provided an $8,040 permitted benefit. The annual premium for the second-lowest cost self-only silver plan offered by Employee’s Marketplace is $6,000. Employee’s household income is $20,000, and 9.56 percent of household income equals $1,912.
Conclusion: Even though Employee receives the family permitted benefit of $8,040, the self-only permitted benefit of $3,960 is used to determine whether the QSEHRA constitutes affordable coverage for Employee. The QSEHRA does not constitute affordable coverage for Employee for any month of 2018 because 1/12 of the second lowest-cost silver self-only plan (1/12 x $6,000 = $500), minus 1/12 of the self-only permitted benefit (1/12 x $3,960 = $330), equals $170 ($500-$330 = $170), which is greater than 1/12 of 9.56 percent of Employee’s 2018 household income (1/12 x $1,912 = $159). Thus, Employee may be allowed a PTC for 2018 for coverage for Employee and Employee’s family.
Question 66: What amount of permitted benefit is used to calculate any PTC reduction?
Answer 66: The PTC reduction for an eligible employee who is provided a QSEHRA for a coverage month is 1/12 of the employee’s permitted benefit. The maximum permitted benefit for the type of coverage (self-only or family coverage) in which the employee was enrolled for the year, as reported by the eligible employer on the employee’s Form W-2, is used to calculate the employee’s PTC reduction. Thus, an employee who is provided a permitted benefit for self-only coverage uses the self-only amount to calculate the PTC reduction, and an employee who is provided a permitted benefit for family coverage uses the family amount to calculate the PTC reduction.
Example. Facts: Employer provides a QSEHRA with a self-only permitted benefit of $3,960 and a family permitted benefit of $8,040. Employee enrolls in a QHP covering Employee and Employee’s three children for 2018. Coverage under the QSEHRA does not constitute affordable coverage for Employee, and Employee is allowed a PTC for each month in 2018 for coverage for Employee and Employee’s three children. Employee’s Form W-2 reports a permitted benefit of $8,040.
Conclusion: Employee’s PTC reduction is $670 each month, which is 1/12 of the $8,040 family permitted benefit under the QSEHRA.
Question 67: If a Marketplace determines that an eligible employee’s QSEHRA does not constitute affordable coverage when the employee, or the employee’s family member, enrolls in a QHP, does the QSEHRA constitute affordable coverage for a month if it is later determined that the QSEHRA constitutes affordable coverage under the affordability test described in section 36B(c)(4)(C) for that month?
Answer 67: No. If accurate information regarding the permitted benefit is provided to the Marketplace when the eligible employee, or the employee’s family member, enrolls in a QHP and the Marketplace determines that the QSEHRA does not constitute affordable coverage, the QSEHRA is treated as not constituting affordable coverage for all months of the year for which the permitted benefit is provided to the employee (or until the Marketplace makes a new determination).
Question 68: If an eligible employee is provided a permitted benefit for self-only coverage for some months of a year and a permitted benefit for family coverage for other months of the year, how is the affordability of the QSEHRA coverage determined? If the QSEHRA does not constitute affordable coverage, how is the PTC reduction determined for the employee?
Answer 68: Regardless of whether an eligible employee is provided a permitted benefit for self-only or family coverage, the permitted benefit for self-only coverage is used to determine whether the QSEHRA constitutes affordable coverage. For the PTC reduction, the prorated self-only permitted benefit is used for the months in which the employee was provided a permitted benefit for self-only coverage, and the prorated family permitted benefit is used for the months in which the employee was provided a permitted benefit for family coverage.
Example. Facts: Employer provides a QSEHRA with a self-only permitted benefit of $3,960 and a family permitted benefit of $8,040. Employee enrolls in a self-only QHP from January through August of 2018. In August, Employee marries and enrolls in a family QHP with coverage commencing on September 1, 2018, and continuing through the remaining months of 2018. Under the terms of the QSEHRA, Employee is provided a prorated permitted benefit based on whether Employee is enrolled in self-only or family coverage. Employee’s permitted benefit for 2018 is $5,320 ($2,640 for January through August (8/12 x $3,960), plus $2,680 for September through December (4/12 x $8,040)).
Conclusion: To determine whether the QSEHRA constitutes affordable coverage for Employee for each month of 2018, 1/12 of the $3,960 permitted benefit for self-only coverage is used. If the QSEHRA does not constitute affordable coverage for Employee and Employee is allowed a PTC for 2018, Employee’s PTC is reduced as follows: for the eight-month period of January through August that Employee was enrolled in self-only coverage, the PTC for each month is reduced by $330 (1/8 of $2,640), and for the four-month period of September through December that Employee was enrolled in family coverage, the PTC for each month is reduced by $670 (1/4 of $2,680).
Question 69: If an eligible employee is provided a permitted benefit under a QSEHRA for some but not all months of a year, how is the affordability of the QSEHRA determined? If the QSEHRA does not constitute affordable coverage, how is the PTC reduction determined for the employee?
Answer 69: If an eligible employee is provided a permitted benefit under a QSEHRA for some, but not all, months of a year, the affordability of the QSEHRA is determined for each month for which a benefit was provided using the prorated permitted benefit amount for self-only coverage. If the QSEHRA does not constitute affordable coverage, the employee’s PTC is reduced by the prorated self-only permitted benefit for the months in which the employee was provided a permitted benefit for self-only coverage, and by the prorated family permitted benefit for the months in which the employee is provided a permitted benefit for family coverage. For example, if an eligible employer provided a QSEHRA with a permitted benefit of $3,960 for self-only coverage, an employee who worked for the employer for just four months of the year would be provided a permitted benefit of $1,320 ($3,960 x 4/12 = $1,320), then $330 ($1,320/4 = $330) of the permitted benefit amount is used to determine whether the QSEHRA constitutes affordable coverage for the employee for each of the four months. Similarly, if an employee is provided a permitted benefit for some, but not all, months of a year, the employee must reduce the PTC by a ratable portion of the permitted benefit amount for each month for which a benefit was provided. For example, if an employer provided a QSEHRA with a permitted benefit of $8,040 for family coverage, an employee who worked for the employer for just nine months of the year and who received family coverage would be provided with a permitted benefit of $6,030 ($8,040 x 9/12 = $6,030), then the employee must reduce the PTC by $670 ($6,030/9 = $670) for each of the nine months the employee worked for the employer.
Question 70: If a QSEHRA allows for the use of carryover amounts from the prior plan year, how do these carryover amounts affect a taxpayer’s affordability determination and PTC reduction in the later year?
Answer 70: The carryover amounts do not affect the affordability determination or the PTC reduction in the later year because the carryover amount was already taken into account in both the affordability determination and the PTC reduction in the year the amount was initially available. However, the sum of the carryover amount and the permitted benefit amount under the QSEHRA for the later year cannot exceed the statutory dollar limit. See Q&A-29, regarding the rule that an eligible employee’s total permitted benefit, taking into account both carryover amounts and newly available amounts, may not exceed the applicable statutory dollar limit. For purposes of the affordability determination and PTC reduction, if the amount of permitted benefit including carryover amounts from prior years is restricted by the statutory dollar limits, the carryover amounts from prior years are reduced, rather than the initially available amounts.
Example. Facts: For 2017 and 2018, Employer provides a QSEHRA with a self-only permitted benefit of $3,960 and a family permitted benefit of $8,040. The QSEHRA allows for the use of carryover amounts in the following year. In 2017 and 2018, Employee enrolls in a self-only QHP; in both years, the Marketplace determines that the QSEHRA does not constitute affordable coverage. Employee receives reimbursements of $3,000 in 2017, leaving an unused amount of $960, which is available to Employee in 2018.
Conclusion: Although Employee may receive reimbursements of $4,920 ($3,960 self-only permitted benefit plus $960 carryover amount) for medical expenses for 2018, only $3,960 in initially available amounts is considered in determining whether the QSEHRA is affordable for Employee for 2018. If Employee claims a PTC for 2018, only $3,960 is considered in determining the amount by which Employee must reduce the monthly PTC.
Question 71: For 2017 or 2018, if APTC is paid on behalf of an eligible employee who was also provided a permitted benefit under a QSEHRA, is the permitted benefit taken into account by Federally-facilitated Marketplaces (FFM) in determining the amount of the APTC?
Answer 71: No. For 2017 and 2018, if APTC is paid on behalf of an eligible employee who is also provided a permitted benefit under a QSEHRA, the permitted benefit is not considered by an FFM when calculating the amount of the employee’s APTC; therefore, the employee may have APTC for 2017 or 2018 that exceeds the amount of the employee’s allowed PTC (excess APTC). Any employee who receives the benefit of APTC must file Form 8962, Premium Tax Credit, with the employee’s federal income tax return to reconcile (compare) the APTC with the PTC for which the employee is eligible. The employee must repay the excess APTC, subject to limitations. To reduce the risk of receiving excess APTC, the employee may reduce the amount of APTC to be paid on the employee’s behalf to account for a QSEHRA permitted benefit for 2017 or 2018 by applying a lower APTC amount to the employee’s policy through the Marketplace. For example, suppose an employee was determined eligible for and receives APTC in the amount of $400 per month for 2017, and the employee’s employer provides the employee with a QSEHRA permitted benefit of $200 per month beginning in July 2017. Because this change in the employee’s circumstances could affect the amount of APTC that the employee might have to repay at tax filing and reconciliation, the employee could reduce, in whole or in part, the monthly amount of APTC to be paid on the employee’s behalf. While employees may not know the exact amount by which to reduce their APTC, they may reduce it in whole or in part. As noted above, excess APTC must be repaid, within certain limitations, when the employee files and reconciles APTC at tax filing.
If an arrangement fails to be a QSEHRA because one or more of the requirements to be a QSEHRA are not satisfied, the arrangement is a group health plan subject to chapter 100. Any violation of chapter 100 is subject to the excise tax under section 4980D ($100 per affected person per day).8
8 There have been several prior releases on the compliance of HRAs with the group health plan rules of chapter 100: (1) FAQs About Affordable Care Act Implementation (Part XI), issued on January 24, 2013 by DOL (http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/faqs/faq-aca11.html) and HHS (http://www.cms.gov/CCIIO/Resources/Fact-Sheets-and-FAQs/aca_implementation_faqs11.html); (2) IRS Notice 2013-54 and DOL Technical Release 2013-03, issued on September 13, 2013; (3) IRS FAQ on Employer Healthcare Arrangements (http://www.irs.gov/Affordable-Care-Act/Employer-Health-Care-Arrangements); (4) FAQs About Affordable Care Act Implementation (Part XXII), issued on November 6, 2014 by DOL (http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/faqs/faq-aca22.html) and HHS (https://www.cms.gov/CCIIO/Resources/Fact-Sheets-and-FAQs/Downloads/FAQs-Part-XXII-FINAL.pdf); (5) Notice 2015-17, 2015-14 I.R.B. 845, issued by Treasury and IRS on February 18, 2015; (6) Notice 2015-87, 2015-52 I.R.B. 889, Q&A-1 to Q&A-6, issued by Treasury and IRS on December 16, 2015; and (7) FAQs About Affordable Care Act Implementation (Part 37), issued on January 12, 2017 (http://www.dol.gov/sites/default/files/ebsa/about-ebsa/our-activities/resource-center/faqs/aca-part-37.pdf). See also 26 CFR 54.9815-2711(d), 29 CFR 2590.715-2711(d), and 45 CFR 147.126(d) (80 FR 72192, Nov. 18, 2015).
Question 72: What will cause an arrangement to fail to be a QSEHRA?
Answer 72: An arrangement will be a group health plan that is not a QSEHRA if it does not comply with the requirements in section 9831(d), including if (a) it is not provided by an eligible employer (such as an employer that offers another group health plan to its employees), (b) it is not provided on the same terms to all eligible employees, (c) it reimburses medical expenses without first requiring proof of MEC, or (d) it provides a permitted benefit in excess of the statutory dollar limits. An arrangement’s failure to be a QSEHRA will not cause any reimbursement of a properly substantiated medical expense that is otherwise excludable from income to be included in the employee’s income or wages. Notwithstanding the previous sentence, an arrangement designed to reimburse expenses other than medical expenses (whether or not also reimbursing medical expenses) is neither a QSEHRA nor a group health plan. Accordingly, all payments under such an arrangement are includible in the employee’s gross income and wages. An employer’s failure to timely provide a compliant written notice does not cause an arrangement to fail to be a QSEHRA, but instead results in the penalty under section 6652(o).
Question 73: What are the tax consequences if an arrangement operationally or by its terms either (a) reimburses medical expenses without full substantiation, (b) reimburses medical expenses in advance of receiving substantiation, or (c) reimburses non-medical expenses in addition to reimbursing medical expenses?
Answer 73: If an arrangement operationally or by its terms reimburses eligible employees for expenses (a) that have not been substantiated, (b) that are reimbursed in advance of substantiation, or (c) that are not medical expenses, then the arrangement is neither a QSEHRA nor a group health plan, and all amounts paid under the arrangement are included in every employee’s gross income and wages. See also Q&A 45.
Example 1. Facts: An arrangement that otherwise satisfies the requirements for a QSEHRA reimburses medical expenses incurred by eligible employees based solely on their verbal statements that the expenses were incurred.
Conclusion: The arrangement is not an accident or health plan, and all amounts paid under the arrangement are included in every eligible employee’s gross income and wages.
Example 2. Facts: Employer pays its employees on a weekly basis. Employer provides an arrangement that otherwise satisfies the requirements for a QSEHRA. Under the arrangement, 1/52 of the permitted benefit is paid to employees in addition to each eligible employee’s weekly salary without regard to whether the employee has incurred any medical expense.
Conclusion: The arrangement is not an accident or health plan, and all amounts paid under the arrangement are included in every eligible employee’s gross income and wages. (appears to contradict earlier position with regard to premium reimbursement)
Question 74: Is a QSEHRA an applicable self-insured health plan subject to the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Trust Fund (PCORTF) fee under section 4376 for years ending before September 30, 2019?
Answer 74: Yes. Plan sponsors of applicable self-insured health plans must file Form 720, Quarterly Federal Excise Tax Return, annually to report and pay the PCORTF fee; a QSEHRA is an applicable self-insured health plan for this purpose. The Form 720 is due on July 31 of the year following the last day of the policy year or plan year. The fee is applicable with respect to plan years ending before October 1, 2019.
Under section 223, individuals who have high deductible health plan (HDHP) coverage and no other disqualifying health coverage may contribute to an HSA. Individuals who are covered by permitted insurance (defined under section 223(c)(3)) or certain disregarded coverage (defined under section 223(c)(1)(B)), in addition to HDHP coverage, remain eligible to contribute to an HSA.
Question 75: Does an individual fail to be an eligible individual under section 223 because the individual is provided a QSEHRA that, by its terms, may reimburse any medical expense, including cost sharing?
Question 76: Does an individual fail to be an eligible individual under section 223 because the individual is provided a QSEHRA that, by its terms, may reimburse only premiums?
Question 77: Does an individual fail to be an eligible individual under section 223 because the individual is provided a QSEHRA that, by its terms, may only reimburse expenses that qualify as permitted insurance or disregarded coverage under section 223(c), in addition to reimbursing premiums for health insurance policies?
Question 78: If an employer terminates its group health plan during the calendar year and thereafter provides a QSEHRA, may an HDHP later purchased as individual coverage by an employee take into account, for purposes of the HDHP’s deductible, the unreimbursed medical expenses incurred by the employee while covered under the group health plan before termination?
Question 79: How does the guidance in this notice apply to an eligible employer that provided a QSEHRA to its eligible employees before the date this notice was released?
Answer 79: The guidance in this notice applies to plan years beginning on or after November 20, 2017 (the effective date). QSEHRAs established before that date may rely on these rules. However, if an eligible employer established a QSEHRA and operated it in accordance with a reasonable good faith interpretation of the applicable statutory provisions before the effective date, the employer may continue to operate the QSEHRA according to its terms until the last day of the plan year that began in 2017 so long as the QSEHRA was established before the effective date. In order to have established a QSEHRA before the effective date, the employer must have either (a) taken official action to adopt a QSEHRA before the effective date, (b) provided a QSEHRA to its eligible employees before the effective date, or (c) furnished its eligible employees with a written notice before the effective date.
This notice generally provides guidance that Treasury and IRS intend to incorporate into proposed regulations. These proposed regulations will provide interested parties an opportunity for comment on the issues addressed in the proposed regulations. However, to assist in development of those proposed regulations, Treasury and IRS request comments on the guidance provided in this notice. Public comments should be submitted no later than January 19, 2018. Comments should include a reference to Notice 2017-67. Send submissions to CC:PA:LPD:PR (Notice 2017-67), Room 5203, Internal Revenue Service, P.O. Box 7604, Ben Franklin Station, Washington, DC 20044. Submissions may be hand delivered Monday through Friday between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. to CC:PA:LPD:PR (Notice 2017-67), Courier’s Desk, Internal Revenue Service, 1111 Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20044, or sent electronically, via the following e-mail address: Notice.comments@irscounsel.treas.gov. Please include “Notice 2017-67” in the subject line of any electronic communication. All material submitted will be available for public inspection and copying.
APPLICABILITY DATE AND RELIANCE PERIOD
Except as otherwise explicitly provided in this notice, the guidance provided in this notice applies for plan years beginning on and after November 20, 2017.
PAPERWORK REDUCTION ACT
The collections of information contained in this notice has been submitted for approval by the Office of Management and Budget for review in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3507) under control number 1545-0008.
An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information unless the collection of information displays a valid control number.
The collections of information in this notice are in the section entitled Guidance, subsections E, G, H, I and J. This information is required by the IRS to assure compliance with the new provisions of the 21st Century Cures Act. The likely respondents are employers and employees.
An eligible employee’s permitted benefit must be reported on the Form W-2. The reporting burden on the employer will be evaluated at the time of renewal of control number 1545-0008.
The numbers provided in the following paragraphs are estimated numbers because this is the first year with respect to this voluntary provision; the numbers will be adjusted when additional data is available.
With respect to the requirement that an eligible employer furnish eligible employees with an annual written notice, the estimated number of respondents (employers) is 11,000. The estimated number of responses (annual notices) will be 220,000. The estimated annual frequency of responses is annually. Because Notice 2017-67 provides sample language for inclusion in the response, it is estimated that 10 minutes of a human resource professional’s time will be required to prepare each response. Therefore, it is expected that employers will incur an estimated annual hour burden of 36,667 hours (estimated responses (220,000) multiplied by estimated frequency (one per year) multiplied by estimated time per response (10 minutes)), for the first year and for subsequent years. The estimated average annual burden associated with furnishing the written notice will be included in the estimated annual burden reported for Form W-2, when the Form W-2 is revised.
With respect to the employee’s satisfaction of the attestation and gathering of documentation requirement (collectively, the attestation), the estimated number of respondents (employees) will be 220,000. The estimated annual frequency of responses is two times per year. Because Notice 2017-67 provides model language for inclusion in the response, it is estimated that five minutes of an employee’s time will be required to prepare the attestation. Therefore, it is expected that employees will incur an estimated annual hour burden of 36,667 hours (estimated responses (220,000) multiplied by estimated frequency (two per year) multiplied by estimated time per response (five minutes)), for the first year and for subsequent years. The estimated average annual burden associated with the satisfaction of the attestation will be included in the estimated annual burden reported for Form W-2, when the Form W-2 is revised.
Books or records relating to a collection of information must be retained as long as their contents may become material in the administration of any internal revenue law. Generally, tax returns and tax return information are confidential, as required by 26 U.S.C. 6103.
DRAFTING INFORMATION
The principal author of this notice is Karen Levin of the Office of Associate Chief Counsel (Tax Exempt and Government Entities). For further information regarding this notice contact Ms. Levin or Ronald Rutherford-Triche at (202) 317-5500 (not a toll-free call).
Types of Minimum Essential Coverage
Minimum essential coverage means health care coverage under any of the following programs. It does not, however, include coverage consisting solely of excepted benefits. Excepted benefits include standalone vision and dental plans, workers’ compensation coverage, and coverage limited to a specified disease or illness.
Employer-sponsored coverage:
• Group health insurance coverage for employees under:
o A plan or coverage offered in the small or large group market within a state,
o A plan provided by a governmental employer, such as the Federal Employees Health Benefit program, or
o A grandfathered health plan offered in a group market.
• A self-insured health plan for employees,
• COBRA coverage,
• Retiree coverage, or
• Coverage under an expatriate health plan for employees and related individuals.
Individual health coverage:
• Health insurance purchased directly from an insurance company,
• Health insurance purchased through the Marketplace,
• Health insurance provided through a student health plan,
• Catastrophic coverage, or
• Coverage under an expatriate health plan for nonemployees such as students and missionaries.
Coverage under government-sponsored programs:
• Medicare Part A coverage,
• Medicare Advantage plans,
• Most Medicaid coverage,*
• Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) coverage,
• Most types of TRICARE coverage,
• Comprehensive health care programs offered by the Department of Veterans Affairs,
• Health coverage provided to Peace Corps volunteers,
• Department of Defense Nonappropriated Fund Health Benefits Program,
• Refugee Medical Assistance, or
• Coverage through a Basic Health Program (BHP) standard health plan.
Other coverage:
• Certain foreign coverage,
• Certain coverage for business owners, or
• Coverage recognized by HHS as minimum essential coverage.**
*Medicaid programs that provide limited benefits generally don’t qualify as minimum essential coverage.
**Plans recognized as minimum essential coverage are listed at: www.cms.gov/CCIIO/Programs-and-Initiatives/Health-Insurance-Market-Reforms/minimum-essential-coverage.html, scroll down and click on the link for the list of approved plans.
APPENDIX B (employee attestation instead of employer review)
As described in Q&A-42, before reimbursement of an expense by a QSEHRA for any plan year, the eligible employee must first provide proof that the eligible employee and (if different) the individual whose expense will be reimbursed has MEC for the month during which the expense was incurred. This proof may consist of either (a) a document from a third party (for example, the insurer) showing that the eligible employee and the individual have coverage (for example, an insurance card or an explanation of benefits) and an attestation by the employee that the coverage is MEC; or (b) an attestation by the employee stating that the eligible employee and the individual have MEC, the date coverage(s) began, and the name of the provider of the coverage(s). Below is model attestation language for the employee to satisfy the attestation requirement.
Model Attestation for Initial Proof of MEC
Instruction – Complete the following to provide information on your current health coverage.
I am attesting to the following:
I, __________(insert name)_________________________________, am covered under the following health coverage: (insert name of the health coverage)______________________,
The coverage began on (insert date coverage began)
The coverage is minimum essential coverage (MEC).
Instruction – Also complete the following if a family member’s expenses can be reimbursed from the QSEHRA.
The following family member __________(insert name)_________________________________, is covered under the following health coverage: (insert name of the health coverage_______________.
The coverage began on (insert date coverage began) .
The coverage is MEC.
I hereby affirm that the above information is true and accurate.
Signed: ________________________________________
Date: _________________________________________
Below is model attestation language that an employer can choose to include on a QSEHRA’s reimbursement form for the employee to satisfy the requirement to attest that the individual whose expense is being reimbursed continues to have MEC.
Model Attestation for Request for Reimbursement of an Incurred Expense
Instruction – Complete the following for any expenses being reimbursed from the QSEHRA.
I, __________(insert name)_________________________________, am covered under the following health coverage:__________(insert name of the health coverage)______________________,
The coverage continues to be minimum essential coverage (MEC). The submitted medical expense has not been previously reimbursed and reimbursement will not be sought for the expense from any other arrangement or health plan.
Instruction – Also, complete the following if a family member’s expense is being reimbursed from the QSEHRA.
The following family member __________(insert name)_________________________________, is covered under the following health coverage:__(insert name of the health coverage_______________.
The coverage continues to be MEC. The submitted medical expense has not been previously reimbursed and reimbursement will not be sought for the expense from any other arrangement or health plan.
Date: ________________________________________
Health Reimbursement ArrangementsHRA
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Cultures of resistance /life-style/cultures-resistance
Updated 10 October 2012
Afra Naushad | [email protected]
She was one of the members aboard the Gaza Freedom Flotilla carrying 10,000 tons of humanitarian aid that was raided and gunned down by Israeli forces in May 2010.
She also smuggled and released one hour of unadulterated video footage of the massacre at the UN headquarters as testimonial evidence against the assault that resulted in the death of nine humanitarian aid workers.
Born and raised in Brazil of Korean descent, Iara Lee is a human rights activist and filmmaker who proclaims to have a “Palestinian heart” with the belief that “there will not be peace in the world until there is peace and justice in Palestine.”
Lee is the founding member of Cultures of Resistance — a global network devoted to mobilizing activists, artists and change makers to spread the message of peace, and express solidarity through creative projects under the banner of Make Films Not War, Make Music Not War, Make Food Not War, and Education Not War.
Her latest documentary on the ongoing Syrian conflict “The Suffering Grasses: When elephants fight, it is the grass that suffers”, premiered in June this year in Kuwait. Shot amid restricted access to camps on the Turkish and Jordanian borders, the film is an insight into the displaced lives of thousands of angry Syrian refugees who fled the Assad regime, and meditates the diabolical question of armed resistance versus submission to a non-violent approach. Allegiance to the common cause of toppling an unrelenting, tyrannical state power is but a united and organized effort for peace by the Syrians.
Lee is currently in Kurdistan, northern Iraq, from where she spoke about her struggles.
How was Cultures of Resistance (CoR) founded?
While I was living in Beirut in 2006, the Israeli military shelled the city with cluster bombs. It seemed as if no one in the US noticed, even though I knew they were watching the attacks on cable news. I was infuriated by the reality of my adopted nation’s cover for the Israeli government, which effectively granted the nation’s leaders impunity. But seeing the determination and hope of those around me who had the courage and perseverance to keep struggling for justice, I started a campaign called Make Films Not War. This was an effort to support daring, young filmmakers who tackle the most difficult war issues. Later came additional, separate project areas: Music, food, and education. On top of this, we made our own films and coordinated an activist network. Together, these formed what we refer to as Cultures of Resistance.
Do you think that creativity can actually tie the frayed ends of disharmony in our world today?
Existence is resistance. It’s what makes us alive and unique. While corrupt governments and greedy corporations use weapons and exploit loopholes to oppress us and exploit our environment, we have our own creativity and determination. These are the ever-powerful tools that we must use to provoke change.
What impact has CoR had through its various creative projects?
We humbly understand that no matter how much we pour into our efforts, change will not come instantly. Though at moments there are flashpoints when immense changes occur, we understand that these are only possible through the determined long-term work that goes into organizing and creating. We hope our work will continue to inspire more people to take part in the movements that matter most to them.
How did you feel about the offense launched by the Israeli naval commandos against humanitarian aid workers aboard the Gaza Freedom Flotilla in 2010?
I was outraged that the Israeli government would violate international law as brazenly as it did, and that it would not be held accountable for its crimes. Over two years after the unjustified killing of nine aid workers on our vessel, the Israeli government remains unpunished for its actions. Yet, instead of getting desperate or burning out, I am only more motivated to fight for stronger international laws and justice in Palestine.
Your latest documentary “The Suffering Grasses…” is a social narrative expressed from the exiled Syrian refugees’ perspective. Can you tell us what the atmosphere was like at the camps?
I went to the refugee camps in Turkey that houses tens of thousands of Syrians in exile, only with the expectation of making a short film and bringing some attention to the situation. However, it soon became clear that the issues were too complex and the diversity of opinions too great to capture in a brief piece.
Although I had fully expected that the camps’ residents would be frustrated and angry, I could never have guessed how polarized people’s opinions would be. Though I can sympathize with those who turn to armed uprising out of despair and frustration, I stand resolutely for a nonviolent resistance. In my opinion, putting weapons in the hands of angry people cannot result in a positive long-term solution — it will only escalate the cycle of violence, and in fact it already has. I fear that we are descending into a black hole of sorts, out of which will come horrible scars that will not easily heal.
What is CoR’s inspirational message in these times of political distress?
I have had the privilege of meeting many incredible people who even in the most extreme circumstances, risk their lives for what they feel is right. These people are my inspiration and keep me going. The least we all can do — those of us who do not face such repression — is to support these brave activists in any way we feel equipped: By making films, writing stories, singing songs, demonstrating outside embassies and by lobbying elected officials.
I hope that my work on the Syrian crisis continues to inspire people to get actively involved in movements for peace and justice. We all need to work together and focus on the vision we share of how the world could and should look one day.
We hope that by sharing the film with as wide an audience as possible, more people will proactively engage in supporting the Syrian people who are being mercilessly massacred by state forces.
To learn more about Culture of Resistance, watch the trailer of “The Suffering Grasses...”, and find out where it’s screening at www.culturesofresistance.org.
Interview with the director and stars of ‘The Lion King’ /node/1527396/lifestyle
Interview with the director and stars of ‘The Lion King’
Twenty-five years later, director Jon Favreau has brought “The Lion King” to life again for a new generation. (Supplied)
William Mullally
Jon Favreau, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Seth Rogen and Billy Eichner discuss Disney’s latest blockbuster remake.
‘We’re trying to live up to people’s imagination of what they remember ‘Lion King’ being,’ says Favreau.
DUBAI: There are few movies as resonant as Disney’s 1994 classic “The Lion King.” From its beautiful animation and memorable songs by Hans Zimmer and Elton John to its devastating emotional punch, the film has become a touchstone for an entire generation, one of the few films that unite nearly every person who has seen it across the world.
Now, 25 years later, director Jon Favreau (“Iron Man,” “The Jungle Book”) has brought “The Lion King” to life again for a new generation. Sitting in London, the first thing Favreau asks Arab News is whether we were part of the “Lion King” generation, and we were, mentioning to Favreau just how expansive the film still feels to us.
Chiwetel Ejiofor, Director and Producer Jon Favreau and Donald Glover attend the World Premiere of Disney's "THE LION KING" in Hollywood. (AFP)
“That’s part of the challenge here! We’re trying to live up to people’s imagination of what they remember ‘Lion King’ being. We would watch it next to one another and there’s certain sequences that hold up incredibly well that we tried to follow shot-for-shot like (the opening sequence) ‘Circle of Life,’ but there’s other areas where we had the opportunity to update it and make it feel a bit more grounded in reality,” Favreau tells Arab News.
Remaking it for a new generation seems obvious, but — to borrow from another Disney classic — it was a Herculean task for Favreau and the huge animation team that supported him. This version remains fully animated, but uses cutting-edge technology to make the entire film photo-realistic. The characters, story, and songs remain, but the film looks more like a David Attenborough nature documentary than an animated movie.
It wasn’t just the technology that proved challenging, either. Making sure that audiences still connect with these beloved characters without the expressiveness of classic Disney animation was something that gave Favreau pause.
(Supplied)
“I worked on ‘Jungle Book,’ so I had some experience in this area,” he says. “Pretty early on, we got to try some different things and when you go to human, you think it would make you feel more but it really feels kind of bizarre, at least to me. I was limited if we were to go photo-real. If you go stylized like Pixar it’s great, you can do whatever you want. If we go ‘Madagascar’ you can make them stick their tongues out. The minute you start hitting photorealism, you hit the uncanny valley when you push the performances beyond what the real animal could do. Part of what makes it look so real is we limited what we allowed the animators to do.”
To be sure that audiences would connect with the characters, Favreau relied a lot on the voices that supported them, bringing in an all-star cast including Beyoncé as Nala, Donald Glover as Simba, Chiwetel Ejiofor as Scar, and Billy Eichner and Seth Rogen as Timon and Pumbaa.
“If you look at a character like Pumbaa, to me he’s the most fun example, because when people saw pictures of Pumbaa they were like, ‘Oh my god! That’s horrifying! That thing looks like a monster!’ But when you watch the movie and you hear Seth Rogen’s voice coming out of it and the way the animators animated his body and what the character represents and feels, you have a tremendous connection to it. It’s a testament to the power of using techniques that we borrowed from documentaries or other films, where we limit ourselves to not anthropomorphize the characters,” says Favreau.
Eichner and Rogen both tried to remain true to the characters, but also stay true to themselves. “My idea from the beginning was that Jon cast us for a reason,” says Eichner. “He could have cast pretty much any actors. Anyone would have killed to do these roles and be in this movie. It wasn’t the right time to try a new persona. It would have been very strange had I all of a sudden had a deep resonant baritone. I figured he wants Seth to sound like Seth and me to sound like me — or at least what our public comic personas sound-like — and hopefully they’ll complement each other, which they did. Our goal was not to try a new character but to be as funny as possible together.”
As funny as Rogen and Eichner are in the film, it is still aimed firmly at kids — something Rogen hadn’t really considered prior.
Billy Eichner and Seth Rogen at the World Premiere of Disney's "THE LION KING" in Hollywood . (AFP)
“It wasn’t something that even occurred to me until we were making the movie and I was performing the bully scene,” he says. “I was like, ‘Oh, this is for kids!’ I have never done anything that was ever trying to instill any wisdom into kids in any way shape or form.”
The film’s wisdom, like the original, is far-reaching, exploring truths not only of family and loss, but of the corrupting nature of ambition and power, which Ejiofor explored in his role as Scar.
“Often, when people are obsessed with power and status, they aren’t really worried about what they do with it, they’re just concerned about getting it. It’s not something that’s connected to any kind of nurturing aspect for a community or anybody else. It becomes about the nature of obsession — obsession with power and status, and maybe status more than power, even though they are related,” says Ejiofor. “That’s one of the things that’s engaging and fun about the film and its themes.”
Topics: the lion king disney
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US demands Iran free seized ship, vows to protect Gulf oil lifeline
Jeddah celebrates 2nd Italian Design Day
Jeddah celebrates 2nd Italian Design Day /node/1470586/saudi-arabia
Princess Duaa bint Mohammad, center, at the Italian design event. (AN photo by Huda Bashatah)
Ruba Obaid
The annual celebration highlights the excellence and distinctiveness of Italian design around the world
JEDDAH: The Consulate General of Italy in Jeddah celebrated the second Italian Design Day by hosting a conference on urban design.
The event, at the Italian Cultural Center, was promoted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
Organised by the Italian Business Group (IBG), the annual celebration highlights the excellence and distinctiveness of Italian design around the world and is observed on March 1 every year.
This year’s theme focused on the connection between design and sustainability.
“This initiative by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was taken to give a taste of what the Italian lifestyle is to the world,” Consul General Stefano Stucci said in his opening speech on Wednesday.
This year’s design day includes 100 events in 100 cities around the world, presented by 100 ‘ambassadors’ of Italian culture. Jeddah was among the cities chosen for 2019.
The ambassadors are professionals such as architects, designers, entrepreneurs, journalists, critics, educators.
Jeddah’s event had two main speakers from Milan, which the consul general described as “the cultural capital of Italy.”
They were Andrea Boschetti, architect and founder of Metrogramma, and Flora Ribera, general manager of Mediamond.
Boschetti said it was essential to put people at the heart of design “otherwise modernity will fail. People come first.”
He said that people sometimes suggested that everything should be destroyed and rebuilt when they wanted to modernize or redevelop part of a city. The reason for that view was because the past ceased to exist, he added.
The answer lay in studying the area from all perspectives “to dig inside reality, to explore the future,” he told Arab News.
“Al-Balad in Jeddah is one example of what I mean. How the buildings ... and the emptiness are distributed in the area is perfectly designed for human life. I was astonished and surprised when I first visited it,” he said, referring to Jeddah’s ancient port center.
Although it has been a UNESCO Cultural Heritage Site since 2014, many of Al-Balad’s historical buildings have perished due to fire and disrepair. UNESCO has, in the past 50 years, offered an incentive to preserve historical sites such as Al-Balad, which is considered a staple of Hijazi architecture.
Historical area
A perfectly designed city is when “everything has to go in harmony and balance, the past and future, the volume and emptiness,” Boschetti said.
Lucio Frigo gave a presentation about Jeddah’s historical area, its unique urban and social structure and design, as well as how to regenerate and re-elevate it to become the heart of the city again.
Turki and Abdulrahman Gazzaz, architects and founders of Jeddah-based Bricklab, spoke about their projects and their participation in last year’s Venice architecture biennale.v
Topics: Saudi Arabia Italian Design Day Jeddah
Italian Design Day gives a taste of ancient Rome to Jeddawis
DiplomaticQuarter: Italian Embassy in Riyadh to host exhibition on water scarcity
US victory in Women’s World Cup inspires female Arab footballers /node/1527721/saudi-arabia
Updated 16 min 40 sec ago
DEEMA AL-KHUDAIR
Members of Jeddah Eagles, a women’s football squad with 39 players, watched the July 7 WWC final in anticipation of an exciting finish
JEDDAH: Football fans around the world celebrated the recognition of women in sports after the recent FIFA Women’s World Cup (WWC) final match in Lyon, France, in which the US beat the Netherlands 2-0. One country where the US victory struck a powerful chord among female sports enthusiasts is Saudi Arabia.
Women are participating in sports in increasing numbers in the Kingdom as the reforms being introduced under the Vision 2030 plan enable women to take on different career paths.
Members of Jeddah Eagles, a women’s football squad with 39 players, watched the July 7 WWC final in anticipation of an exciting finish. In the end, they celebrated not only the US team’s victory but the recognition of women in sports as a whole. Members of the team talked to Arab News about how they have been inspired by the WWC.
Women are participating in sports in increasing numbers in Saudi Arabia as Vision 2030 reforms enable them to take on different career paths.
Johara Al-Sudairi, who has been playing for Jeddah Eagles as a winger since August 2017, said she is thrilled that football is gaining popularity among women in the Kingdom.
Fatimah Gari, who joined the team as a striker in 2014, was happy for her fellow female football players in the US for their victory.
“It is a very good feeling,” the 28-year-old Saudi told Arab News. “I wish one day we will have a Saudi team and will be in their place.”
The 16-year-old central midfielder believes Arab women would perform better than their male counterparts given the right support.
“With the right amount of funding and support, Arab women for sure can be better at playing,” she told Arab News.
Topics: Vision 2030 FIFA Women’s World Cup (WWC) LYON WORLD CUP
Saudi women footballers set their sights on green goals
Saudi Arabia in Group D for World Cup, Asian Cup qualifiers
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Part of the updates in downtown Vermillion include the Charlie's store moving locations. Logan Rahn | The Volante
Changes to downtown Vermillion help to improve community and university ties
September 19th, 2017 Lauren Soulek Around Town, State/Local comments
Many changes have been happening in downtown Vermillion lately, from the Sculpture Walk to revitalizing the theater The most recent change is the new, but temporary, location of Charlie’s.
Last year, Charlie’s opened its doors on 2 E. Main St., but is now located at 6 W. Main St.
Tena Haraldson, director of marketing, communications & university relations, said the move was part of preparations for a project that USD and the Vermillion Chamber and Development Company (VCDC) are working on together.
“The building, when we first moved into it, was owned by different people and the VCDC bought the building thinking they would turn it into their offices with our store in the downstairs,” Haraldson said. “We had to get out of there after they bought it because they want to remodel it. So we moved across the street.”
Haraldson said they’ll eventually have to move out of the new location, though, because the Iron Rooster wants to expand its coffee shop, The Bean, into that area.
The Vermillion Area Chamber and Development Company is accepting feedback from community members for its new community commerce center, which will be completed in this spring. Lauren Soulek | The Volante
“We will be there until January,” she said. “We just wanted to be in one place while all of the students came back and through the holidays.”
Haraldson said there won’t be a physical Charlie’s store between January and April, but students will be able to buy merchandise online from the store’s new website.
Nate Welch, the VCDC executive director, said the upstairs portion of the building on 2 E. Main St. will house the VCDC main offices. The downstairs portion of the building will be split between Charlie’s and a space where the community and students can come together to work on projects.
“This community commerce center, is kind of what we’re calling it, will allow us to be able to do the Chamber of Commerce activities, it will allow us to have a visitor center and then it will allow us to have a collaborative co-working space,” Welch said. “That will all be in that same place, and on the other side of it will be the retail store.”
The space is scheduled to open by the end of April next year. Welch said the project’s budget is slightly more than $1.5 million.
While the VCDC staff have a vision for what the space looks like, Welch said they’re open to feedback from the community.
“When it comes down to it, the ultimate priority, goal and objective of the VCDC is to ultimately improve the quality of life in Vermillion,” Welch said. “We do that by enhancing entrepreneurial and economic development opportunities through collaboration and community engagement. Really what makes us great is the collaboration that we have within our community.”
Welch said investing in entrepreneurial efforts helps ensure that businesses grown here won’t leave.
“We’re planting some seeds so that they grow and build those roots,” he said.
Some activities planned for the new space include community coffee hours and Tuesday Ted Talks. Additionally, startup businesses and students will be able to use the area as workspace and a place to collaborate, Welch said.
“This kind of space allows us to be able bring the university intellect and bring it into the community,” Welch said. “You integrate that, and that’s what really can drive an economy and a really strong, creative community that has the riches that a university can bring to a community and yet that genuineness that a small town can bring.”
Hannah Person, a junior marketing and Spanish double major, said she thinks the community and university need to come together instead of operating as two separate entities.
Person is the business ventures chair of Delta Sigma Pi, USD’s professional business fraternity. Delta Sigma Pi works with Charlie’s by running its trailer at tailgates.
“I think that we could stand to integrate more into the community, we’re starting to do that,” Person said. “I’ve noticed that the university is trying to help out more with the community and vice versa. I think that it’s been going really well and we just need to do more of that.”
Welch said there’s a “magnificent energy” going on downtown right now.
“Over three years ago, downtown was probably about 74 percent occupied, which meant the vacancy was 26 percent. Now we are just at about 98 and 99 percent occupancy,” Welch said. “Vermillion has, for the last three years, had a record-breaking building permits and total investments for construction every year for the last three years.”
Welch said Vermillion is the fourth fastest-growing metro and micropolitan city in South Dakota, and the second-fastest growing on the eastern side of South Dakota — second only to Sioux Falls.
“When you look around the United States, communities that have universities that around the same size of them, by theory, they all should really succeed because you have the engine and economics that a university can provide and you have that genuineness that a community can provide, but more times than not, they clash,” Welch said. “Vermillion is no stranger to that, but what’s exciting is there have been so many great leadership steps between the university and the community.”
Person said she likes the downtown’s atmosphere.
“I think they’ve done a great job of making it both family friendly but also making it good for college students,” she said.
One thing Haraldson said she didn’t want is Vermillion to become a community where the town complains about the college and the college complains about the town.
“We want to think of each other and do everything together,” she said.
What We Think: A review of Vermillion's newest restaurant
Pizza Ranch officially open in Vermillion
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Art, music, literature, sports & leisure
Politics and social sciences
Arnold of Brescia
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Monument to Arnold at Brescia
Arnold of Brescia (c. 1090 – c.1155), also known as Arnaldus (Italian: Arnaldo da Brescia), was a monk from Italy who called on the Catholic church to renounce ownership of property, led the Commune of Rome's temporary overthrow of papal rule, and was later hanged by the Church for treason.
Born in Italy, Arnold became an Augustinian monk and then prior of a monastery in Brescia, possibly studying at some point with Peter Abelard in Paris. Witnessing the corrupting influence of wealth on the clergy, he became critical of the temporal powers of the Catholic Church, calling on his local bishop to renounce property ownership and return church lands to the city government. Arnold was condemned for this at the Second Lateran Council 1139. He soon stood trial with Abelard at Sens, where both men were sentenced to silence and exile as a result of the accusations of Saint Bernard of Clairvaux.
Disregarding his sentence, Arnold continued to teach, but eventually came to Rome to seek reconciliation with Pope Eugene III. There, he found the city in turmoil and joined the cause of the Commune of Rome. His leadership was crucial in forcing Eugene to leave the city and restoring Roman democracy for several years.
1.1 Condemnation
1.2 On the run
1.3 Career and death in Rome
Although his political cause ultimately failed, Arnold's teachings on apostolic poverty continued to be influential after his death among the Waldensians and the Spiritual Franciscans. Catholic tradition condemns him as a rebel and sometimes as a heretic, but Protestants rank him among the precursors of the Reformation.
Born at Brescia, toward the end of the eleventh century, Arnold aspired to a perfect life from his youth. Before reaching adulthood, he entered a monastery in his native city, where he was ordained a priest and later appointed prior of his community. Arnold reportedly completed his studies at some point under the direction of Peter Abelard. If the report is accurate, he must have gone to Paris around 1115. Whether or not he actually studied with Abelard, it seems clear that Arnold was influenced by his ideas.
Peter Abelard, shown after his retirement from teaching with the Abbess Heloise, his former lover
Even his detractors admit that Arnold was qualified for the high office of provost/prior at Brescia by his detachment from earthly things, his love of religious discipline, and the clearness of his intellect. Arnold also possessed an originality and charm of expression that he brought to the service of a lofty ideal. Brescia yielded to his influence, and in the course of several years Arnold advanced to be the unrivaled head of the reform movement then stirring the city.
Brescia, like most other Lombard cities, was beginning to exercise its municipal rights. The government was in the hands of two consuls elected annually. Checking their authority was the local bishop, who was also a principal landowner. Inevitable conflicts arose between the rival forces, involving not only political and economic issues, but also religious passions. These conditions grieved Arnold. He pointed out the evils which afflicted both the city and the Church, concluding that the chief causes of these sins were the corrupting wealth of the clergy and the temporal power of the bishop. He hoped for the Church to return to a more purely spiritual tradition, which would also give it the moral power it lacked as a major landowner with powerful political interests. He advised taking the immediate and drastic measure of stripping the monasteries and bishoprics of their wealth, and transferring it to the laity. This, he held, was the surest and quickest method of satisfying the civil authorities and of bringing back the clergy to the practice of the apostles.
To reduce this to a working theory, Arnold reportedly formulated the following propositions: "Clerics who own property, bishops who hold regalia [royal land grants], and monks who have possessions cannot possibly be saved. All these things belong to the [temporal] prince, who cannot dispose of them except in favor of laymen."
The higher clergy, of course, vehemently rejected Arnold's teachings, but elements in the growing middle class welcomed them. Brescia was thrown into crisis, although the details are not clear, due to the scarcity of documents. Some facts, however, seem certain. First, a journey was made by the local bishop, Manfred, to Rome about 1138. Then, an insurrection arose at Brescia during his absence. Finally, Arnold allegedly attempted to prevent the bishop's exercise of temporal power when he returned.
Arnold sought to justify his revolt and appealed to Rome, but was condemned by Innocent II at the Lateran Council, in 1139. The pope commanded Arnold to keep silent and sent him into exile. He was forbidden to return to Brescia without the express permission of the pontiff.
The issue of Arnold's teachings also came before the Synod of Sens in 1140. There, Arnold could be found by the side of the famous Abelard, who was about to make his final struggle in defense of his own views. Opposing them both was the equally famous Bernard of Clairvaux, whose intellect matched Abelard's and whose piety out-shone even that of the ascetic Arnold. Accounts written by the victors portray the debate as an utter rout in favor of the conservative Bernard.
Both men were condemned to perpetual confinement in separate monasteries, a sentence that was confirmed by Innocent II in his bull dated July 16, 1140. Arnold's writings were also condemned to be burned, as were Abelard's, as a further measure. None of Arnold's writings survive, and his teachings are known only through the reports of his enemies.
Abelard publicly recanted his views and took refuge with Peter the Venerable, the abbot of Cluny. The younger and more rebellious Arnold was less compliant. He retired temporarily to the Abbey of Sainte-Geneviève in Paris, where he soon opened public courses of moral theology, continuing to preach his radical ideas concerning apostolic poverty. According to John of Salisbury, he attracted disciples mainly from the impoverished people of the city who were so needy that they had to beg their daily bread. This, however, accorded very well with Arnold's teachings, which sharply censured the luxury of bishops and the worldly possessions of monks. Wealth, Arnold insisted, was the real virus that was infecting the Church.
Arnold's attacks did not stop here, however. He engaged his harsh diatribes against those who had condemned Abelard and himself. Arnold was particularly harsh in is criticism of Bernard of Clairvaux as a man "puffed up with vainglory, and jealous of all those who have won fame in letters or religion, if they are not of his school." Bernard, on the other hand, denounced Arnold to Louis VII as "the incorrigible schismatic, the sower of discord, the disturber of the peace, the destroyer of unity." Bernard, having succeeded in forcing Arnold out of Italy earlier, took satisfaction in reporting to his readers that, "The most Christian King drove (him) from the kingdom of France."
Thus compelled to flee again, Arnold took refuge in Switzerland. The tireless Bernard continued in pursuit of his foe. By 1143, Arnold had left for Bohemia, where he begged protection from a papal legate, Cardinal Guido, who was touched by his misfortunes and treated him with friendliness. This attitude vexed Saint Bernard, although it may be that Arnold had given Guido pledges of submission to the pope's will.
Career and death in Rome
Arnold soon returned to Italy to make his peace, in 1145, with Pope Eugene III. The pontiff, on reconciling him with the Church, imposed a form of penance then customary: Fasts, vigils, and pilgrimages to the principal shrines of Rome.
Pope Eugene III
Rome itself, however, was now in the throes of its own secularizing reform. When Arnold arrived, he found that the followers of Giordano Pierleoni had asserted the ancient rights of the Roman republic. They took control of the city from papal forces and founded a republic, the Commune of Rome.
Arnold, no doubt seeing God's providence at work, sided with the commune and soon rose to its intellectual leadership, calling for liberty and democratic rights. Arnold reportedly went so far as to declare that clergy who owned property had no power to perform the sacraments. The Curia became the chief object of his attacks; he depicted the cardinals as vile hypocrites. He accused Eugenius himself of being more concerned "with pampering his own body and filling his own purse than with imitating the zeal of the Apostles whose place he filled." Arnold especially reproached the pope for relying on physical force, and for "defending with homicide" his own power. His preaching and the support of the commune succeeded in driving Pope Eugene into exile in 1146. From 1146-49, Roman democracy triumphed under Arnold of Brescia.
For this, Arnold was excommunicated, on July 15, 1148. However, when Pope Eugene returned to the city later that year, Arnold continued to lead the blossoming republic, despite his excommunication. Meanwhile, Arnold's reform took on an increasingly secularizing character. He demanded not only the abolition of the temporal power of the papacy but also the subordination of the church to the state.
Eugenius III used his own powers of persuasion to win a key ally in the Holy Roman Emperor, Frederick Barbarossa. Then, the senatorial elections of November, 1152 turned against Arnold, marking the beginning of his fall.
Arnold of Brescia burned at the stake in Rome after being hanged for treason.
After Eugene's death, Pope Adrian IV took steps to regain control of Rome. In 1155, he placed the city under papal interdict, and Frederick Barbarossa, at the pope's invitation, took Rome by force. Arnold was seized by imperial forces and was finally tried by the Roman Curia as a rebel, though not for heresy. As a result of his conviction for treason against the papal state, he was hanged and his body burned.
At his trial, and even facing his death, Arnold refused to recant any of his positions. As he remained a hero to large sections of the Roman people and the minor clergy, his ashes were cast into the Tiber to prevent his burial place becoming venerated as the shrine of a martyr.
"Forger of heresies," "sower of schisms," "enemy of the Catholic Faith," "schismatic," "heretic"—such are the terms used by Arnold's contemporary opponents and other early critics. Others saw him as a pious and holy man, even a prophet. Arnold's direct followers, known as Arnoldists, were eventually condemned in 1184, at the Synod of Verona. Others, such as the Waldensians and Spiritual Franciscans, adopted his teachings on the importance of apostolic poverty, though not always insisting on its application throughout the church.
The basic points of Arnold's criticism of wealth in the Catholic Church remained powerful influences in the pre-Reformation period. Martin Luther himself was animated in part by Arnold's spirit. In 1882, after the collapse of papal temporal powers, the city of Brescia erected a monument to its native son.
In summing up his life, the sixteenth century Catholic writer, Cardinal Caesar Baronius, called Arnold "the father of political heresies." The Protestant view was expressed by Edward Gibbon, who found that "the trumpet of Roman liberty was first sounded by Arnold."
Greenaway, George William. Arnold of Brescia. Cambridge: The University Press, 1931.
Lambert, Malcolm. Medieval Heresy: Popular Movements from the Gregorian Reform to the Reformation. Oxford: B. Blackwell, 1992. ISBN 9780631174325.
Russell, Jeffrey Burton. Dissent and Reform in the Early Middle Ages. Wipf & Stock Publishers, 2005. ISBN 978-1597520867.
Wakefield, Walter L., and Austin P. Evans. Heresies of the High Middle Ages. New York: Columbia University Press, 1991. ISBN 9780231096324.
This article incorporates text from the 1917 Catholic Encyclopedia, a work in the public domain.
All links retrieved November 23, 2016.
Catholic Encyclopedia: "Arnold of Brescia" www.newadvent.org
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